SB1063 Summary

• Creates a new citrus, fruit and vegetable division within the Arizona Department of Agriculture headed by an associate director, replacing the previous supervisor of standardization position, and establishes authority to administer state produce safety regulations.

• Adds article 4.1 to Title 3, chapter 3, establishing a comprehensive produce safety program that implements the federal FDA Produce Safety Rule (21 CFR Part 112) for farms, harvesting, holding, and packing operations with average annual sales of $25,000 or more.

• Establishes a produce safety trust fund for administering the produce safety program, funded by legislative appropriations, collected monies, and donations, with strict confidentiality protections for farm information except for specified sharing with other state and federal agencies.

• Creates qualified exemptions from produce safety requirements for eligible farms and establishes inspection authorities, recordkeeping requirements, and civil penalties up to $1,000 for violations of produce safety standards.

• Establishes the citrus, fruit and vegetable advisory council to advise the director and associate director on produce safety matters, marketing standards, and regulatory issues affecting Arizona's citrus, fruit and vegetable industries.