August 2, 2016

Ag Overtime Bill Heard in Senate Appropriations Committee Yesterday

Yesterday, the California Senate Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on the agriculture overtime bill, AB 1066 (Gonzalez – D), moving the bill to the Suspense File. Senate rules allow for a bill to be moved to the Suspense File after it is deemed that implementation of the legislation would have a significant fiscal impact on the state. If AB 1066 passes off of the Suspense File next week, it will proceed to a Senate floor vote.

Western Growers continues to strongly lobby legislators against the bill citing the repercussions it would have on lost farmworker wages, the likely reduction in production acreage and the unanticipated consequences to the agricultural supply chain. We are joined in our fight by a large coalition of industry and non-industry organizations (a list of organizations opposing the bill is listed below).

Western Growers urges members who have not already done so, to contact their individual state senator and assembly member to register your opposition to the bill. Legislators need to understand the impacts the bill will have on your farm workers. 

  • Agricultural Council of California
  • Alhambra Chamber of Commerce
  • Almond Hullers & Processors Association
  • Association of California Egg Farmers
  • California Agricultural Aircraft Association
  • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers
  • California Association of Wheat Growers
  • California Association of Winegrape Growers
  • California Blueberry Association
  • California Cattlemen’s Association
  • California Chamber of Commerce
  • California Citrus Mutual
  • California Cotton Ginners Association
  • California Cotton Growers Association
  • California Dairies, Inc.
  • California Farm Bureau Federation
  • California Fresh Fruit Association
  • California League of Food Processors
  • California Manufacturers and Technology Association
  • California Pear Growers Association
  • California Seed Association
  • California State Floral Association
  • California Tomato Growers Association
  • California Trucking Association
  • Community Alliance with Family Farmers
  • Family Winemakers of California
  • Far West Equipment Dealers Association
  • Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
  • Lodi Chamber of Commerce
  • Milk Producers Council
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • Nisei Farmers League
  • Western Agricultural Processors Association
  • Western Plant Health Association
  • Western United Dairymen
  • Wine Institute

For more information, contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435.