ADVOCACY REPORT
The Session Ends. The Work Ahead Begins. As another legislative session concludes, several proposals we have been closely engaged in provide a good reminder of why participation in the policy process matters, and why the months ahead present an important opportunity for California agriculture. Three bills in particular, AB 1603, AB 2447, and AB 2646, carried significant implications for agriculture and illustrate the range of issues the Almond Alliance works on every day.
AB 1603: Protecting Access to Crop Protection Tools
AB 2447: Nitrogen and Water Quality AB 2447, the Nitrogen Pollution Reduction Act,
AB 1603 began the year as a significant concern for agriculture because of its proposed restrictions on pesticides containing certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Earlier versions contemplated restrictions on the registration and agricultural use of affected products, including requirements that could have classified certain products as restricted materials. For almonds and other specialty crops, the concern was not simply about preserving individual products. Effective crop protection depends on maintaining access to a range of tools while allowing the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to evaluate products based on science, exposure, risk and actual use. Throughout the legislative process, AB 1603 underwent substantial changes. The enrolled version no longer contains the earlier prohibitions on registration or use. Instead, it requires the DPR to identify pesticides that contain intentionally added PFAS in its pesticide-use database, report usage trends and publish a list of registered pesticides containing those ingredients. The bill passed the Legislature and was presented to the governor on September 3. That is an important example of why engagement throughout the legislative process matters. Bills can, and often do, change significantly, and consistent participation helps ensure policymakers understand the practical impacts as proposals evolve.
proposed substantial changes to California’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. The bill would have directed the State Water Resources Control Board and regional boards to revise the program, establish quantitative limits on nitrogen fertilizer application and discharge, develop statewide field-level nitrogen reporting requirements and make certain field-level data publicly available. It also authorized possible adjustments to program fees. The almond industry has long recognized the importance of responsible nitrogen management and water quality. At the same time, growers already operate within an extensive regulatory framework that includes nutrient management planning, monitoring, reporting, and regional water quality requirements. Our concern with AB 2447 was the potential to layer new statewide requirements over programs already being implemented regionally, adding additional reporting and compliance obligations without adequately accounting for differences in crops, soils, production systems and regional conditions. AB 2447 was held under submission in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 14 and did not advance further. Again, the outcome reinforces the importance of agriculture’s early involvement, providing practical information about how proposals would operate on the ground before they become law.
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ALMOND FACTS
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