Tulare Times

Sacramento – Yesterday, the Assembly Committee on Agriculture passed AB 2745, which authorizes a County Agricultural Commissioner to levy a civil penalty against a person who maintains a premise, plant, or conveyance that is infected or infested with any pest determined to be a public nuisance and who fails to take action to rectify it.

Assemblyman Mathis expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the bill, stating, "This week, the Agriculture Committee passed my bill to combat the multi-billion dollar problem of invasive pests that ravage our agricultural community." He highlighted the severity of the issue by noting that "Pests disrupt ecosystems and pose a grave threat to agricultural crops."

Recognizing the need for action, Mathis emphasized, "It is time to give County Agricultural Commissioners the enforcement tools they need to spur action and defend farms, both small and large, from this threat." He also underscored the importance of accountability, stating, "Gone are the days in which negligent property owners face no consequences for their inactions as our agricultural community suffers."

Pointing out the significant impact of pest infestations on farms, Mathis remarked, "A pest infestation can ruin an entire year’s yield, jeopardizing the existence of farms both in my district and across the State of California." He highlighted the proactive approach enabled by the bill, stating, "With this enforcement tool, County Agricultural Commissioners can ensure that the known existence of pests is dealt with promptly, before they spread to surrounding agricultural land and throughout the State."

In conclusion, Mathis expressed his gratitude to the Committee for their support, saying, "I would like to thank the Chair, members of the Committee, and Committee staff for recognizing the gravity of the problem as well as approving this solution." Looking ahead, he affirmed his commitment to addressing the issue, stating, "As my bill continues to move through the legislative process, I will ensure that this bill will provide comfort to those who suffer from the devastating impact of pests."