California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk

    State legislators closed out the legislative session and adjourned on September 1, 2026. The end-of-session actions brought new gut and amend bills to the foreground relating to warehouses and non-residential properties that could affect agriculture. Legislators also passed bills regarding wages, water and ultraprocessed food, among others.

    On a positive note, modest funding was included in the budget for a few Ag Council priorities and those are detailed below.   

    Governor Newsom has until September 30, 2026, to decide whether he will sign or veto the bills.

    Bills include: AB 2646, which would raise hourly wages to $19.75 for H2-A workers and corresponding employees; AB 1881, requiring tribal “informed consent” for certain projects that result in a physical change to state land and waterways, while also creating a private right of action that could be used by tribes to challenge state agency decisions relating to land and water; and AB 817, which requires cold storage warehouse owners or operators to establish a contingency fund for emergencies if the facility is 20,000 square feet or greater. — Story contributed by the Ag Council of California 

  • CDFA Release Final Recommendations on Food Safety, Water Quality Report

    The Newsom administration released the final recommendations from a study that intends to improve food safety and water quality reporting for California’s agricultural community. This interagency collaboration between the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and the State Water Resources Control Board was developed with input from farmers, ranchers, and local leaders, and demonstrates California’s continued efforts to build a roadmap for the future.

    “I want to thank the many farmers, ranchers, local leaders and advocates, and agency colleagues who contributed to this work,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said. “You have helped us build a roadmap for smarter regulation – one that keeps pace with the complexity of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. We look forward to aligning this report’s recommendations with future opportunities of parallel efforts underway.”

    “Innovative regulatory programs at the intersection of agriculture and water quality are critical to the state’s future,” said State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel. “The State Water Board is proud to work alongside Secretary Ross and Secretary Garcia as we consider key recommendations from the agricultural community and other industry experts for these programs. One thing is clear: we must strengthen our data systems to maximize their value to decision makers and the public while minimizing the cost of compliance for growers. I look forward to working together to advance these programs for the benefit of all Californians.”

    The study evaluated California’s food safety and water quality regulatory requirements for agriculture as part of an effort to streamline administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state. The study was supported by funding in the 2021-22 budget.

    The report identifies 18 recommendations to streamline agency coordination, expand technical assistance, modernize data and reporting systems, and enhance regulatory efficiency while supporting food safety and environmental protection goals.

    View the study and its recommendations on the CDFA Regulatory Alignment Study website. — Story Contributed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • USDA Requires SNAP Authorized Retailers to Carry More Real Food

    The USDA published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), requiring that a broader variety of nutritious food is available to SNAP participants at authorized retailers.

    Since January 2025, the Food and Nutrition Service has taken action on nearly 3,200 retailers regarding current stocking standards, either for failing to meet them upon application or failing to maintain them once authorized. The latter results in disqualification from accepting SNAP benefits.

    “To turn the tide on our nation’s health crisis, we need to ensure our nutrition assistance programs emphasize real food first, and that’s exactly what these updates to SNAP retailer requirements will do,” said U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “SNAP authorized retailers accept over $90 billion a year, or $236 million a day, in taxpayer dollars—USDA is making sure they’re actually in the business of selling food. And for those retailers who are the only food outpost for miles, I know you will be so excited to serve your customers and communities healthy food.”

    “This rule puts real food back at the center of SNAP,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “I thank Secretary Rollins for her leadership in advancing these commonsense reforms. It demands more from retailers and delivers better options for the families who depend on this program. This administration is committed to working across government to improve nutrition, strengthen accountability, and drive better health outcomes nationwide. This is how we Make America Healthy Again.”

    Retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits must now carry seven varieties of items across four categories of staple foods: protein, grains, dairy and fruits and vegetables. According to the USDA, this change more than doubles the requirement of available foods, emphasizes more whole foods, increases the perishable food requirements and eliminates loopholes that for too long have allowed retailers to count certain snack foods toward their staple food requirements.

    These changes will not only ensure vulnerable families in need have more nutritious options wherever they shop but demand more accountability from retailers who not only have stocked the bare minimum, but have seen the most program violations, including benefit trafficking and other fraudulent behavior.

    These updates go into effect Fall 2026, and the Department plans to issue additional guidance to retailers in the coming weeks.

  • Hemp Feed Coalition Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill

    The Hemp Feed Coalition voiced support for the House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, and urged the U.S. Senate and President Trump to act quickly to advance and finalize this important legislation. The House Clerk’s official records show the bill was considered April 30,, following floor debate and amendment votes.

    “We are grateful to our contacts on the House Agriculture Committee, in both the majority and minority, for their hard work in getting this bill across the finish line despite countless challenges and setbacks,” Coalition President Andrew Bish said. “This is an important win for the industrial hemp industry and a meaningful step toward a more rational, workable regulatory framework.”

    At the center of the Coalition’s support is the bill’s industrial hemp language, which creates a clearer distinction between producers growing only industrial hemp and producers growing hemp for other purposes. The bill also allows State, Tribal and USDA plans to use more appropriate compliance tools for industrial hemp, including visual inspections, performance-based sampling, certified seed and similar procedures, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach across very different segments of the hemp industry.

    “For too long, industrial hemp has been regulated in ways that do not reflect the plant’s actual agricultural purpose,” Bish said. “This language helps restore the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill by recognizing that hemp grown for grain, fiber and other industrial uses should not be confused with floral hemp. That distinction matters for farmers, processors, regulators, lenders, and insurers alike.”

    The Hemp Feed Coalition said the improved distinction between production types should simplify the regulatory structure for industrial hemp and help open the door to greater confidence from banks, investors and insurers. By making the intended purpose of the crop clearer, the legislation could help reduce uncertainty that has slowed capital formation and risk evaluation across the industry.

    “This should make it substantially easier for groups like the Hemp Feed Coalition to have productive discussions about industrial hemp without those conversations being confused with floral hemp,” Bish said. “It also provides a clearer distinction around the plant’s purpose, which should help make insurance more obtainable and more rational for industrial hemp producers.”

    — Story Contributed by the Hemp Feed Coalition

  • ARA Vice Chair Mike Twining Advocates for Ag Retailers at Congressional Roundtable on Working Families Tax Cuts

    The Agricultural Retailers Association Board of Directors Vice Chair, Mike Twining of Willard Agri-Services, represented ag retailers at a roundtable hosted by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) and U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Steve Womack (R-AS), to discuss the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC).

    “When farmers struggle, independent ag retailers like our business feel it immediately. Fortunately, provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and particularly the Working Families Tax Cuts, have been a huge risk mitigator for our business and our customers. These expensing and investment incentives have lowered the upfront cost of investing in durable machinery, production facilities, and other necessary equipment,” Twining shared.

    “This roundtable was a great reminder of who Republicans are fighting for,” McClain said. “We heard directly from hardworking Americans, parents and small business owners who are seeing real relief because House Republicans fought for the Working Families Tax Cuts. We delivered bigger refunds, bigger paychecks, and more breathing room for the people who work hard every day and deserve to keep more of what they earn.”

    Several provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) and WFTC outlined below are intended to provide relief to ag retailers:

    — Story Provided by the Agricultural Retailers Association

  • Bill Reintroduced to Improve Access to Locally-Grown Food

    Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and Hillary Scholten (D-MI) reintroduced the Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act. This legislation aims to remove administrative hurdles for small farmers and ranchers to participate in federal nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), which would expand their economic opportunities and improve access to healthy, affordable food for families.

    “Central Valley producers grow the food that feeds our nation, but unfortunately, complicated administrative hurdles make it hard for them to provide food to families in our own communities,” Valadao said “This bipartisan bill reduces these barriers and equips small farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to accept benefits through programs like SNAP and WIC. By expanding access to fresh, locally-grown food for lower-income families and opening new markets for producers, we can both strengthen our agricultural economy and improve food access across the Valley.”

    “The Farmers Market Coalition is extremely pleased to see the introduction of this bill. Farmers markets and the farmers who sell at them face many barriers to accepting SNAP and other Federal Nutrition Benefits, and this bill would make necessary improvements to remove red tape and streamline the process. These changes will increase income for American farmers and improve access to healthy food for low-income shoppers,” said Jamie Hadji, Board President of the Farmers Market Coalition.

    Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

    “Every family deserves nutritious, affordable food, and that food can be grown right here in Minnesota. Farmers and producers are the lifeblood of Minnesota’s ag economy, and we should be doing everything we can to help farmers sell their products to families in their local community,” Smith said. “By cutting red tape and providing necessary technology and equipment, this bill will make it easier for them to accept nutrition program benefits, while simultaneously helping folks using federal nutrition programs get healthy, local food at farmers markets.”

    The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to:

    • Streamline the application process for farmers and ranchers to participate as authorized vendors under various nutrition programs like SNAP, WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.
    • Streamline the equipment/technology systems needed by farmers to process the benefits.
    • Provide free wireless or mobile processing equipment and systems for farmers markets.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    — Story contributed by the office of Rep. Valadao

  • NMPF Releases Statement on the DAIRY PRIDE Act

    The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) released a statement supporting the reintroduction of the DAIRY PRIDE Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by Reps. John Joyce (R-PA) and Josh Riley (D-NY), the act would deem food products that are making inaccurate claims about milk content “misbranded,” requiring the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of these products within 90 days.

    NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud expressed support for the DAIRY PRIDE Act, stating:

    “FDA’s continued failure to enforce its own rules on the proper labeling of plant-based alternative products is a public health problem, plain and simple. Milk and dairy products supply 13 essential nutrients, including three that continue to be identified as nutrients of public health concern: calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. But plant-based imitation products that are not nutritionally equivalent to real milk and do not deliver dairy’s unique nutrient package for too long have been allowed to imply to consumers that they are just like the real thing, creating a public health problem that FDA commissioners have acknowledged over the past decade.

    “The DAIRY PRIDE Act directs FDA to enforce dairy standards of identity, which were developed to promote honesty and protect consumers. Through the standards of identity, dairy terms, including “milk”, “cheese” and “yogurt,” have come to carry distinct meaning in the minds of consumers, with built-in expectations for nutritional values. By not enforcing these standards, FDA has allowed plant-based imitators to prey on consumers’ expectations while delivering nutritionally inferior products.

    “It’s high time FDA makes it easier for consumers to navigate the choices they face in the grocery aisles; the DAIRY PRIDE Act is an important step in the right direction. Dairy farmers and their cooperatives thank Reps. John Joyce and Josh Riley for their bipartisan leadership in finding solutions through this critical legislation.”

  • $8.3 Million to Address Trade Barriers and Expand Market Access for Specialty Crops

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help 11 U.S. recipients address trade barriers and expand international market access for U.S. specialty crops.

    The funding is provided through USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, which manages the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. TASC helps U.S. specialty crop producers combat trade barriers, as well as promote and sell their goods internationally.

    “Our market development programs are bringing the bounty of American agriculture to people around the world, helping millions of hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers connect their safe, high-quality products with growing export markets,” said Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg. “Not only does TASC provide the tools they need to overcome technical obstacles, it also chips away at the nearly $50 billion Biden-era agricultural trade deficit which has held back rural America for far too long.”

    Through TASC and similar programs, USDA partners with non-profit U.S. agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit state-regional trade groups, state agencies, and small businesses to expand market access and conduct overseas marketing and promotional activities on behalf of U.S. agricultural producers and processors.

    The USDA market development programs return an estimated $24.50 for every dollar invested.

    The TASC program makes $9 million available annually to fund projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.

    The full list of FY2025 recipients and details about the program is available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc.

  • Valley Farmer Alexandra Duarte Launches Campaign for State Senate

    Conservative Republican, farmer, and mother of four, Alexandra Duarte officially announced today that she is running for California’s 4th State Senate District.

    Alexandra and her husband, John, built their life on their family farm in Modesto, where they grow almonds and walnuts. Alexandra lives by the values of faith, hard work, and patriotism, which she and John always taught to their children. As a farmer, Alexandra knows firsthand the long days and tough work that make our way of life possible.

    “Newsom’s socialist Democrats are destroying California, and I’m ready to fight back,” said Duarte. “It’s time the 4th District had a Senator who will stand up for true conservative principles—defending our families, protecting our God-given freedoms, and ensuring Sacramento works for us, not against us. I will be that Senator.”

    Alexandra is unapologetically pro-gun, pro-family, and pro-freedom. In the State Senate, she will fight to secure the border, defend the rights of parents and our children, and stop radical environmental policies that have left California’s forests to burn and water inaccessible.

    Unlike career politicians, Alexandra Duarte is a farmer, a mom, and a conservative who believes in faith, family, and freedom. She is running for State Senate to fight for hardworking families, expose radical Sacramento democrats, and Make California Great Again.

    Conservative. Farmer. Mom. Alexandra Duarte for State Senate.

    To learn more about Alexandra Duarte, visit AlexandraForSenate.com.

  • Ag Council Testifies, shares Critical Concerns with SB 54 Impacting Ag Packaging

    Photo L-R: Rick Tomlinson w/the CA Strawberry Commission, Melissa Koshlaychuk w/Western Growers Assoc., & Emily Rooney w/Ag Council.

    Ag Council of California President Emily Rooney recently testified at a meeting of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) State Board of Food and Agriculture regarding SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. Panel speakers included Melissa Koshlaychuk with Western Growers Association and Rick Tomlinson with the California Strawberry Commission. Representatives from the California Grocers Association and California Chamber of Commerce also spoke on a subsequent panel during the meeting, which was held earlier this summer.

    SB 54 requires that 100 percent of single use plastics be compostable or recyclable by 2032, along with other provisions. Reliable packaging is vital to our industry, and this regulation creates potential challenges for the food and agriculture community when it comes to protecting products for food safety purposes and preventing the spread of pests and diseases in some of our agricultural commodities. Ag Council staff has remained heavily engaged in the legislative and regulatory process since the bill’s inception.

    “Maintaining food safety and protecting the public and our environment from the potential spread of pests and disease are paramount when considering what type of package is utilized for various food and agricultural products,” Rooney stated. “It is imperative that the current language in the draft regulation highlighting certain exclusions is maintained and that we build more flexibility within the system so that the industry can continue to provide the safest quality products while conducting R&D in an effort to find alternatives.”

    Rooney noted that replacing packaging comes at significant cost, as well. Changing machinery can cost from $30 million to $100 million. Additionally, it takes several years to research and create packaging that is functional and safe for consumers.

    “Some businesses cook or pasteurize their products within the package to ensure the product does not get contaminated in the process. This method keeps the product and the inside of the package completely pristine.”

    “If this type of package is changed, millions of dollars in commodities will be bought, pasteurized, tested, validated and then destroyed. Many products that are in the experimental process for testing validation cannot be sold for human or animal consumption; therefore, resulting in excessive food waste. Changing packaging for this process would result in millions of dollars of lost capital and substantial food waste,” Rooney said.

    Melissa Koshlaychuk highlighted the benefits of plastic bags which bring shelf stability to leafy greens. Rick Tomlinson discussed the extensive efforts the Strawberry Commission has taken to ensure the plastic clamshell is recyclable. Several state board members asked questions of the panelists and explored potential workable solutions.

    Ag Council appreciates the invitation to speak to the state board about this important issue and thanks the board and Secretary Karen Ross for the opportunity.

    CalRecycle is in the process of drafting the final regulation, and CDFA has worked with the ag sector to highlight concerns with their sister agency. Ag Council will continue to be actively engaged on this issue on behalf of our members.