SJR 36 Summary

• Urges the President and Congress of the United States to remove commercial, economic, and financial restrictions on agricultural sales to Cuba

• Notes that the 50-year-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba remains the most restrictive in modern history, despite the 2000 Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act allowing cash purchases of U.S. food and agricultural products

• Identifies that U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba declined from $712 million in 2008 to $533 million in 2009 due to Cuba's economic struggles and the requirement that Cuba pay cash before shipments leave U.S. ports

• Argues that California, the nation's top agricultural producer for 50 years, would benefit from removing trade and financial restrictions, which would increase sales opportunities and job creation for American farmers and businesses

• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, and California's federal congressional representatives