The Honorable Alexandra Macedo
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 5530
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assembly Member Macedo,
On behalf of the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner, I am writing to express our support for Assembly Bill 732, which seeks to enhance the enforcement capabilities of county agricultural commissioners in addressing pest infestations deemed public nuisances.
Under existing law, premises, plants, or conveyances infested with pests are considered public nuisances and are subject to abatement procedures. However, enforcement mechanisms can be limited, often relying on lengthy legal processes. AB 732 proposes to amend Section 5006 of the Food and Agricultural Code, granting county agricultural commissioners the authority to levy civil penalties against individuals who maintain such nuisances and fail to take corrective action.
Tulare County is a leading agricultural region, with a diverse array of crops contributing significantly to California's economy. Invasive pests pose a threat to our agricultural productivity, ecosystem balance, and economic stability. By providing a more immediate and effective enforcement tool, AB 732 will empower our commissioners to act swiftly in mitigating pest-related issues, thereby protecting our local agriculture and environment.
For the reasons stated above, we lend our support to AB 732.
Sincerely,
Pete Vander Poel, Chair
Tulare County Board of Supervisors
cc: Tulare County State Delegation, Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer and Lange