The Governor and legislators need to hear directly from the growers, shippers and businesses that will have to pay for SB 54 regulation, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. They need to understand that these costs will increase food prices, put jobs at risk and make it harder for California farms and businesses to stay open. Please contact both your legislators and Governor Newsom and explain what this program will mean for your business, your employees and the families who buy your products.

The projected cost is staggering. Circular Action Alliance (CAA) has been contracted by the state to implement the regulation. Their recently released proposed budget alone is between $9.3 billion and $17.2 billion over five years. The annual budget starts at between $1.3 billion and $1.9 billion in 2027 and grows to between $2.6 billion and $5 billion by 2031. All of this money will come from fees paid by producers.

These numbers do not include the billions of dollars businesses may have to spend to redesign packaging, buy new equipment, test new materials and make other changes. An independent study estimates that SB 54 could cost between $56 billion and $78 billion by 2032 and add as much as $1,350 a year to the average California family’s grocery bill.

The Legislature is running out of time. August 21 is the last day bills can be amended on the floor, and August 31 is the last day bills can pass. Legislative leaders need to find a bill they can use to fix these problems before the session ends.

Please contact your state senator and Assembly member today.

Use the Legislature’s Find Your Representative website twice:

1. • Enter your home address to find the legislators who represent you personally.
   • Enter your business address to find the legislators who represent your farm, packing operation or company.

If your home and business are in different districts, you may have four legislators to contact. Please call both their Capitol and district offices and then follow up with an email.

When you call, keep your message simple:

• • Tell them you live or operate a business in their district.
  • Explain what your company grows, packs or ships and how many people you employ.
  • Tell them how SB 54 will affect your business.
  • Producers still do not know what their fees will be.
  • CAA may charge extra malus fees on packaging it considers difficult to recycle—even when no affordable alternative can safely protect fresh produce.
  • It is still unclear which company in the supply chain must register and pay the fees.
  • Companies should not face huge fines while these basic questions remain unanswered.

Here is what we are asking for:

We need the Legislature to pass a bill that pauses SB 54 fees, fines and enforcement until:

• • Producers know what they will be charged.
  • It is clear who must register and pay.
  • Food-safety packaging exclusions are resolved.
  • The special packaging needs of fresh produce are addressed.

Please also contact the Governor and the leaders of both houses:

• • Governor Gavin Newsom: Call (916) 445-2841 or use the Governor’s online contact form.
  • Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón: Contact her office.
  • Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas: Call (916) 319-2029 or contact his office.

Please make your calls today. Afterward, let Western Growers know which offices you contacted and what response you received via email at [email protected].

Gail Delihant
Sr. Director, CA Government Affairs
916-284-4734