CA AB1044

Appropriates $100,000,000 from the General Fund to the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants to qualified small agricultural businesses affected by severe drought conditions under the California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program.

Finds that California's agricultural industry employs over 400,000 people and produces over one-third of the nation's vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.

Declares that the 2020-22 drought caused severe economic impacts including 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and significant decreases in commodity production.

Identifies high-input costs, inflation, regulatory expenses, and supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic as factors creating financial hardship for agricultural producers.