Yesterday, the Arizona Senate passed SB 1063, which allows the Arizona Department of Agriculture—rather than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—to oversee the FSMA Final Rule on Produce Safety in Arizona. The bill was sponsored by Senator Gail Griffin and passed out of the senate 29 to 1.

SB1063 provides the Arizona Department of Agriculture the ability to enter into agreements with FDA, allowing audits done under the current Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement to be considered in compliance with the federal law. This would result in a reduction of duplicate inspections. The bill next moves to the Arizona House of Representation for their consideration.