Amended IN Assembly April 05, 2023 Amended IN Assembly March 16, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1044Introduced by Assembly Member GallagherFebruary 15, 2023An act to add Sections 43013.4 and 43018.12 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to agriculture, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1044, as amended, Gallagher. California Agriculture Relief Act. (1)Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Pursuant to that authority, the State Air Resources Board has adopted a regulation to reduce oxides of nitrogen, diesel particulate matter, and other criteria air pollutant emissions from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles.This bill would require the state board to exempt agricultural vehicles and specialty agricultural vehicles that do not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles.The bill would also prohibit the state board from adopting any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement.(2)ExistingExisting law, until January 1, 2025, establishes the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program in the Office of the Small Business Advocate, under the authority of its director, to provide grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. Existing law requires the office to allocate grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that meet the requirements of the program, upon appropriation of grant funds by the Legislature.This bill bill, the California Agriculture Relief Act, would appropriate $100,000,000 from the General Fund to the office to provide grants under the program. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Agriculture Relief Act.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The agricultural industry is vital to the health of Californias economy, producing over 400 crops and employing over 400,000 people.(b) California is a state that feeds the nation, growing over one-third of the countrys vegetables and three-quarters of the countrys fruits and nuts.(c) The 202022 drought has had severe economic impacts on the agricultural industry, with an estimated 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and notable decreases in the production of many commodities. These impacts will likely intensify due to Californias rigid regulatory environment.(d) The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted supply chains, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected markets, including farms, processors, handlers, retail outlets, and trade. The industry has still not recovered from these impacts.(e) High-input costs combined with inflation and regulatory expenses have put the agricultural industry in a precarious situation.(f) Walnut, tomato, and almond prices have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 supply chain crunch and drought conditions, driving prices to record lows and jeopardizing producers continued operation.SEC. 3.Section 43013.4 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:43013.4.(a)As used in this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural vehicle has the same meaning as in paragraph (5) of subdivision (d) of Section 2025 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2023.(2)Specialty agricultural vehicle has the same meaning as in paragraph (54) of subdivision (d) of Section 2025 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2023.(b)The state board shall exempt from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles, any agricultural vehicle or specialty agricultural vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually.SEC. 4.Section 43018.12 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:43018.12.The state board shall not adopt any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement.SEC. 5.SEC. 3. The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants under the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program (Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 12100.100) of Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. Amended IN Assembly April 05, 2023 Amended IN Assembly March 16, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1044Introduced by Assembly Member GallagherFebruary 15, 2023An act to add Sections 43013.4 and 43018.12 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to agriculture, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1044, as amended, Gallagher. California Agriculture Relief Act. (1)Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Pursuant to that authority, the State Air Resources Board has adopted a regulation to reduce oxides of nitrogen, diesel particulate matter, and other criteria air pollutant emissions from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles.This bill would require the state board to exempt agricultural vehicles and specialty agricultural vehicles that do not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles.The bill would also prohibit the state board from adopting any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement.(2)ExistingExisting law, until January 1, 2025, establishes the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program in the Office of the Small Business Advocate, under the authority of its director, to provide grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. Existing law requires the office to allocate grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that meet the requirements of the program, upon appropriation of grant funds by the Legislature.This bill bill, the California Agriculture Relief Act, would appropriate $100,000,000 from the General Fund to the office to provide grants under the program. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Amended IN Assembly April 05, 2023 Amended IN Assembly March 16, 2023 Amended IN Assembly April 05, 2023 Amended IN Assembly March 16, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1044 Introduced by Assembly Member GallagherFebruary 15, 2023 Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher February 15, 2023 An act to add Sections 43013.4 and 43018.12 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to agriculture, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1044, as amended, Gallagher. California Agriculture Relief Act. (1)Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Pursuant to that authority, the State Air Resources Board has adopted a regulation to reduce oxides of nitrogen, diesel particulate matter, and other criteria air pollutant emissions from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles.This bill would require the state board to exempt agricultural vehicles and specialty agricultural vehicles that do not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles.The bill would also prohibit the state board from adopting any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement.(2)ExistingExisting law, until January 1, 2025, establishes the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program in the Office of the Small Business Advocate, under the authority of its director, to provide grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. Existing law requires the office to allocate grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that meet the requirements of the program, upon appropriation of grant funds by the Legislature.This bill bill, the California Agriculture Relief Act, would appropriate $100,000,000 from the General Fund to the office to provide grants under the program. The bill would also make related findings and declarations. (1)Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Pursuant to that authority, the State Air Resources Board has adopted a regulation to reduce oxides of nitrogen, diesel particulate matter, and other criteria air pollutant emissions from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles. This bill would require the state board to exempt agricultural vehicles and specialty agricultural vehicles that do not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles. The bill would also prohibit the state board from adopting any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement. (2)Existing Existing law, until January 1, 2025, establishes the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program in the Office of the Small Business Advocate, under the authority of its director, to provide grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. Existing law requires the office to allocate grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that meet the requirements of the program, upon appropriation of grant funds by the Legislature. This bill bill, the California Agriculture Relief Act, would appropriate $100,000,000 from the General Fund to the office to provide grants under the program. The bill would also make related findings and declarations. ## Digest Key ## Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Agriculture Relief Act.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The agricultural industry is vital to the health of Californias economy, producing over 400 crops and employing over 400,000 people.(b) California is a state that feeds the nation, growing over one-third of the countrys vegetables and three-quarters of the countrys fruits and nuts.(c) The 202022 drought has had severe economic impacts on the agricultural industry, with an estimated 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and notable decreases in the production of many commodities. These impacts will likely intensify due to Californias rigid regulatory environment.(d) The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted supply chains, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected markets, including farms, processors, handlers, retail outlets, and trade. The industry has still not recovered from these impacts.(e) High-input costs combined with inflation and regulatory expenses have put the agricultural industry in a precarious situation.(f) Walnut, tomato, and almond prices have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 supply chain crunch and drought conditions, driving prices to record lows and jeopardizing producers continued operation.SEC. 3.Section 43013.4 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:43013.4.(a)As used in this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural vehicle has the same meaning as in paragraph (5) of subdivision (d) of Section 2025 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2023.(2)Specialty agricultural vehicle has the same meaning as in paragraph (54) of subdivision (d) of Section 2025 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2023.(b)The state board shall exempt from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles, any agricultural vehicle or specialty agricultural vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually.SEC. 4.Section 43018.12 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:43018.12.The state board shall not adopt any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement.SEC. 5.SEC. 3. The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants under the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program (Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 12100.100) of Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Agriculture Relief Act. SECTION 1. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Agriculture Relief Act. SECTION 1. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Agriculture Relief Act. ### SECTION 1. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The agricultural industry is vital to the health of Californias economy, producing over 400 crops and employing over 400,000 people.(b) California is a state that feeds the nation, growing over one-third of the countrys vegetables and three-quarters of the countrys fruits and nuts.(c) The 202022 drought has had severe economic impacts on the agricultural industry, with an estimated 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and notable decreases in the production of many commodities. These impacts will likely intensify due to Californias rigid regulatory environment.(d) The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted supply chains, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected markets, including farms, processors, handlers, retail outlets, and trade. The industry has still not recovered from these impacts.(e) High-input costs combined with inflation and regulatory expenses have put the agricultural industry in a precarious situation.(f) Walnut, tomato, and almond prices have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 supply chain crunch and drought conditions, driving prices to record lows and jeopardizing producers continued operation. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The agricultural industry is vital to the health of Californias economy, producing over 400 crops and employing over 400,000 people.(b) California is a state that feeds the nation, growing over one-third of the countrys vegetables and three-quarters of the countrys fruits and nuts.(c) The 202022 drought has had severe economic impacts on the agricultural industry, with an estimated 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and notable decreases in the production of many commodities. These impacts will likely intensify due to Californias rigid regulatory environment.(d) The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted supply chains, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected markets, including farms, processors, handlers, retail outlets, and trade. The industry has still not recovered from these impacts.(e) High-input costs combined with inflation and regulatory expenses have put the agricultural industry in a precarious situation.(f) Walnut, tomato, and almond prices have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 supply chain crunch and drought conditions, driving prices to record lows and jeopardizing producers continued operation. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: ### SEC. 2. (a) The agricultural industry is vital to the health of Californias economy, producing over 400 crops and employing over 400,000 people. (b) California is a state that feeds the nation, growing over one-third of the countrys vegetables and three-quarters of the countrys fruits and nuts. (c) The 202022 drought has had severe economic impacts on the agricultural industry, with an estimated 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and notable decreases in the production of many commodities. These impacts will likely intensify due to Californias rigid regulatory environment. (d) The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted supply chains, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected markets, including farms, processors, handlers, retail outlets, and trade. The industry has still not recovered from these impacts. (e) High-input costs combined with inflation and regulatory expenses have put the agricultural industry in a precarious situation. (f) Walnut, tomato, and almond prices have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 supply chain crunch and drought conditions, driving prices to record lows and jeopardizing producers continued operation. (a)As used in this section, the following definitions apply: (1)Agricultural vehicle has the same meaning as in paragraph (5) of subdivision (d) of Section 2025 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2023. (2)Specialty agricultural vehicle has the same meaning as in paragraph (54) of subdivision (d) of Section 2025 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2023. (b)The state board shall exempt from any regulation to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other criteria air pollutants from in-use, diesel-fueled vehicles, any agricultural vehicle or specialty agricultural vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 miles of operation annually. The state board shall not adopt any regulation that requires an off-road agricultural vehicle or piece of equipment to satisfy any zero-emission requirement. SEC. 5.SEC. 3. The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants under the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program (Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 12100.100) of Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. SEC. 5.SEC. 3. The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants under the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program (Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 12100.100) of Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. SEC. 5.SEC. 3. The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants under the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program (Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 12100.100) of Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought conditions. ### SEC. 5.SEC. 3.