AB 281 Summary

• Creates the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee with 17 members (14 producer representatives, 2 citrus nursery operators, 1 public member) appointed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to combat citrus diseases including Huanglongbing, citrus leprosis, citrus variegated chlorosis, and citrus canker.

• Establishes a monthly assessment on citrus producers of $0.01 per 40-pound carton equivalent during the first marketing season (February 1 - September 30, 2010), with subsequent assessments not to exceed $0.09 per carton, collected by handlers and remitted to the Department of Food and Agriculture.

• Creates the Citrus Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund to receive assessment revenues and other funding sources for combating citrus-specific pests, diseases, and vectors.

• Requires the committee to develop a statewide citrus pest and disease work plan including educational programs for residential citrus owners and programs for surveying, detecting, and treating citrus pests and diseases.

• Mandates a referendum process beginning no later than June 30, 2013, and every four years thereafter, where producers voting must approve continuation of the assessment program by either 55% vote with majority dollar support or majority vote with 55% dollar support.