Policy committees in the Legislature will hold their final hearings of the session this week. Among the more impactful bills for agriculture are several related to workers' compensation that have gained broad opposition among business groups.
The activity in the capitol will culminate in hearings for the appropriations committees of each house. Legislators have slashed the amount of bills this year by about 75% to focus on critical issues under a shortened timeframe. In a year when the state is experiencing a record deficit, the appropriations chairs are certain to cut the number of bills further as they consider the fiscal impacts.
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Committees have also been advancing a number of other bills more specific to agriculture over the last week. Those measures cover:
- agricultural equipment theft
- transferring pesticides in storage tanks
- climate adaptation grants for farmers
- conservation grants aimed at rice growers
- banning second-generation rodenticides, outside of agriculture
- allowing food sector employees to wash their hands every 30 minutes
Top photo: The Senate Agriculture Committee met on Monday to consider a bill on the California Cut Flower Commission.
