BILL NUMBER: AB 581	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member John A. Pérez

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2011

   An act to add and repeal Article 3 (commencing with Section
104660) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and
Safety Code, relating to public health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 581, as introduced, John A. Pérez. Public health: food access.
   Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture,
headed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, to promote and
protect the agricultural industry of the state.
   This bill would, until January 1, 2015, create the California
Healthy Food Financing Initiative. It would require, by July 1, 2012,
the Department of Food and Agriculture, in consultation with the
State Department of Public Health and the State Department of Social
Services, to prepare recommendations, to be presented upon request to
the Legislature, regarding actions that need to be taken to promote
food access in the state. The bill would also require, to the extent
that federal funds are made available, the Department of Food and
Agriculture to implement the initiative. The bill would require the
Department of Food and Agriculture to coordinate efforts to maximize
the funding opportunities provided by the federal 2010 Healthy Food
Financing Initiative.
   The bill would create the California Healthy Food Financing
Initiative Fund in the State Treasury, to be comprised of federal,
state, and private funds, for the purpose of expanding access to
healthy foods in underserved communities and, to the extent
practicable, to leverage other funding, as specified. Moneys in the
fund shall be expended upon appropriation by the Legislature.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) California has some of the most productive farmlands in the
world. California's farmlands produce more than 350 commodities and
food items. These farmlands require protection and efficient
operations to maintain our food supply and guarantee a natural
resource for California's future generations.
   (b) California's cultural heritage provides the basis for a
variety of food items that are available to the state's 36 million
residents.
   (c) The production and preparation of food needs to be conducted
in a healthy and humane manner.
   (d) Access to healthy food items is a basic human right. Lack of
access to healthy, affordable food items may result in higher levels
of obesity and other diet-related diseases. Communities without
access to affordable, quality, and nutritious foods are known as food
deserts.
   (e) Opportunities for increasing the number of grocery stores,
urban and rural farm stands, farmers' markets, community gardens,
direct farm to institution, and direct farmer to consumer marketing
activities in underserved communities should be actively pursued and
fostered to ensure that all Californians have access to healthy
foods.
  SEC. 2.  Article 3 (commencing with Section 104660) is added to
Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, to
read:

      Article 3.  California Healthy Food Financing Initiative


   104660.  This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the
California Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
   104661.  (a) By July 1, 2012, the Department of Food and
Agriculture, in consultation with the State Department of Public
Health and the State Department of Social Services, shall prepare
recommendations, to be presented upon request of the Legislature,
regarding actions that need to be taken to promote food access in the
state.
   (b) The Secretary of Food and Agriculture may establish an
advisory group to assist the agencies in complying with the
requirements of subdivision (a). If established, the advisory group
shall consist of representatives from the Legislature, food policy
advocates, representatives from the grocery industry and financial
institutions, food systems researchers, representatives from the
agricultural industry, and representatives from nonprofit
organizations with expertise in this area.
   (c) The Department of Food and Agriculture, in consultation with
the State Department of Public Health, the State Department of Social
Services, and the Treasurer, may coordinate efforts to maximize the
funding opportunities provided by the federal 2010 Healthy Food
Financing Initiative.
   104662.  (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture, in
consultation with the State Department of Public Health, the State
Department of Social Services, and the Treasurer shall implement the
California Healthy Food Financing Initiative. This national
initiative is intended to expand access to nutritious foods in
underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food
deserts across the country within seven years.
   (b) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
federal funds are made available for the purposes of this section.
   104663.  (a) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the
California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Fund, which shall be
comprised of federal, state, and private funds for the purpose of
expanding access to healthy foods in underserved communities.
   (b) Moneys in the fund shall be expended upon appropriation by the
Legislature, and shall be used, to the extent practicable, to
leverage other funding, including, but not limited to, new markets
tax credits, federal and foundation grant programs, incentives
available to designated enterprise zones, the federal Specialty Crop
Block Grant Program, and funding from private sector financial
institutions pursuant to the federal Community Reinvestment Act.
   104664.  This article shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2015, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2015, deletes or extends
that date.