Food and agriculture: omnibus bill

The law makes annual information on processing-strawberry marketing easier for the public to access. It also creates a structured process for walnut standards and related commission programs, with implementation timed to marketing seasons.

What the law does ​

• Requires the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to post annual processing-strawberry marketing reports and recommendations on the Department of Food and Agriculture website.
• Allows the California Walnut Commission to recommend walnut quality standards and product-labeling requirements to the secretary.
• Allows the secretary to adopt recommended walnut standards and labeling requirements under California Marketing Act procedures.
• Authorizes the commission to administer walnut-related activities and programs permitted under the California Marketing Act.
• Delays new walnut standards, labeling requirements, and commission activities until the next marketing season after adoption or public announcement.
• Designates the commission as the secretary’s advisory body on these walnut matters.

Who it affects ​

• Processing-strawberry growers, handlers, and others covered by marketing orders.
• Walnut growers, handlers, marketers, and businesses selling walnuts.
• The California Walnut Commission and the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

Breakdown ​

Processing Strawberry Marketing Report ​

The bill changes how the Secretary of Food and Agriculture provides the required report on processing-strawberry marketing. Instead of filing the report with the Legislature, the secretary must post it publicly on the Department of Food and Agriculture’s website.

Key takeaways

• The required processing-strawberry marketing report will no longer be filed with the Legislature.
• The Secretary of Food and Agriculture must make the report publicly available on the department’s website.
• The change shifts the report’s distribution from legislative filing to online public access.

Walnut Standards and Marketing Authority ​

The bill lets the California Walnut Commission recommend walnut quality standards and labeling rules to the state secretary. The secretary may adopt those recommendations using the California Marketing Act process, and any new rules cannot take effect until the next marketing season. The bill also expands the commission’s ability to conduct walnut-related activities allowed under that act, subject to notice and procedural requirements.

Key takeaways

• The California Walnut Commission may recommend walnut quality standards and product labeling requirements to the secretary.
• The secretary may adopt the commission’s recommended standards and labeling requirements under the procedures of the California Marketing Act of 1937.
• Any quality standards or labeling requirements adopted by the secretary cannot be implemented until the next marketing season begins.
• The commission may carry out other walnut-related activities authorized by the California Marketing Act of 1937.
• Before beginning a newly authorized walnut-related activity, the commission must publicly announce its intent and wait until the next marketing season.
• The commission must serve as the secretary’s advisory body on these walnut standards, labeling requirements, and related activities.