SB 348 Summary

• Extends the county seed enforcement subvention program under the California Seed Law until July 1, 2016, with repeal on January 1, 2017 (previously set to expire July 1, 2014 and repeal January 1, 2015)

• Maintains annual state funding of $120,000 distributed to counties for seed law enforcement costs, with the Department of Food and Agriculture's administrative costs paid first

• Allows counties with no registered seed labelers to receive up to $100 annually at the secretary's discretion, while counties with seed labeler operations receive apportionments based on enforcement activity units and performance

• Requires participating counties to enter into five-year cooperative agreements with the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to maintain statewide seed compliance levels

• Permits the secretary to withhold funds from counties that fail to meet established performance standards, with written justification required to the Seed Advisory Board