AB 443 Summary

• Establishes the California Apple Pest and Disease Prevention Act of 2009 to protect the state's apple industry from designated pests and diseases not present in California as of January 1, 2007

• Creates an 11-member committee appointed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture from California Apple Commission nominations to recommend designated pests/diseases and regulations for apple handling compliance

• Prohibits handling apples in violation of adopted regulations and makes violations unlawful, including false reporting, failure to report, and non-payment of assessments

• Authorizes the Department of Food and Agriculture to investigate complaints, seize and destroy non-compliant apples, and levy civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation (or $2,500 for unintentional violations)

• Makes the California Apple Commission responsible for all costs associated with implementing the act and requires the Commission to establish additional assessments if current funding is insufficient