AB 691 Summary

• Designates the Secretary of Food and Agriculture as ombudsman for state agriculture regulations to assist with permit processes and identify agricultural regulations with negative impacts on the industry

• Requires the ombudsman to annually report recommendations to the President pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly regarding changes to alleviate negative regulatory impacts on agriculture

• Removes requirement that agencies include evidence supporting initial determination that regulations will not have significant adverse economic impact on business

• Requires agencies to include documentation of cumulative adverse economic impacts in notices of proposed regulatory actions, expanding focus beyond small businesses to all businesses

• Modifies final statement of reasons to require explanation of rejected alternatives that would lessen adverse economic impact on "any business" rather than "small businesses"