Bill Text: CA AB1789 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Pesticides: neonicotinoids: reevaluation: determination: control measures.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-26 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 578, Statutes of 2014. [AB1789 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB1789-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1789	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  578
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 21, 2014
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  MAY 19, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 22, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Williams

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2014

   An act to add Section 12838 to the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to pesticides.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1789, Williams. Pesticides: neonicotinoids: reevaluation:
determination: control measures.
   Existing law requires pesticides to be registered by the
Department of Pesticide Regulation. Existing law requires that a
pesticide be thoroughly evaluated prior to registration, and provides
for the continued evaluation of registered pesticides.
   This bill would require the department, by July 1, 2018, to issue
a determination with respect to its reevaluation of neonicotinoids.
The bill would require the department, on or before 2 years after
making this determination, to adopt any control measures necessary to
protect pollinator health.
   The bill would require the department to submit a report to the
appropriate committees of the Legislature if the department is unable
to adopt those control measures and to update the report annually
until the department adopts those control measures.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) Honey bees are vital to the pollination of many of California'
s crops, which are critical to our national food system and essential
to the economy of the state.
   (2) Annual colony losses from 2006 to 2011, inclusive, averaged
about 33 percent each year, which is more than double what is
considered sustainable according to the United States Department of
Food and Agriculture.
   (3) Scientists now largely agree that a combination of factors is
to blame for declining pollinator health, including lack of varied
forage and nutrition, pathogens and pests such as the Varroa mite,
and chronic and acute exposure to a variety of pesticides.
   (4) Based on data submitted to the Department of Pesticide
Regulation showing a potential hazard to honey bees, the department
initiated a reevaluation process for four neonicotinoid compounds in
2009: imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and dinotefuran.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to set a timeline for
completion of the reevaluation of neonicotinoid compounds to ensure
that the Department of Pesticide Regulation completes a thorough,
scientifically sound, and timely analysis of the effects of
neonicotinoids on pollinator health.
  SEC. 2.  Section 12838 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code,
to read:
   12838.  (a) On or before July 1, 2018, the department shall issue
a determination with respect to its reevaluation of neonicotinoids.
   (b) (1) Within two years after making the determination specified
in subdivision (a), the department shall adopt any control measures
necessary to protect pollinator health.
   (2) If the department is unable to adopt necessary control
measures within two years as required in paragraph (1), the
department shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of the
Legislature setting forth the reasons the requirement of paragraph
(1) has not been met.
   (3) The department shall update the report submitted to the
appropriate committees of the Legislature pursuant to paragraph (2)
every year until the department adopts the necessary control measures
specified in paragraph (1).