SB1056 Assembly Agriculture Committee Hearing

Summary
On Wednesday June 28th, the California Assembly Agriculture Committee unanimously supported SB1056. This bill strips local control of seeds, claiming the state should have sole authority of seeds and nursery stock.

Witnesses in support of the bill included the California Seed Association, American Vineyard Institute, Cotton Growers Association, and the Agricultural Council among others. Harry Overton, supervisor from San Lois Obispo County stated, "counties are not the appropriate authority for this type of technology."

Opposition to the bill included the California League of Cities, California Alliance for Family Farmers, Californians for GE-Free Agriculture, Sierra Club, California Native Plant Society, and many others. Yvonne Hunter from the League of Cities testified saying, "This is the first time I have testified in agricultural committee. The League is opposed because of preemption. I have worked on a number of bills in my eighteen years as a lobbyist and I have never seen a preemption so broadly written. This bill may create serious problems as to whether local governments can conduct local zoning."

According to Pete Price, representing the California Alliance for Family Farmers, "our opposition has nothing to do with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). There are no laws in California that deal exclusively with GMOs. To remove local authority while the state has no regulations on the books is a serious issue."

Paul Mason from the Sierra Club claimed the state needs a comprehensive program on genetically modified organisms. We need to address liability and the environmental impacts which threaten a growing organic industry. SB1056 is "not a reasonable first step."

While the bill passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee, SB1056 still needs to be heard on the Assembly floor before going back to the Senate. The California legislature recesses from July 7th - August 7th.

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