CA SB1419

Redefines "socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher" from a race, ethnicity, and gender-based definition to one based on economic and structural barriers to agricultural viability

Eligibility under the new definition requires meeting criteria such as limited access to capital or credit, qualifying as a "beginning farmer or rancher," or qualifying as a "limited resource farmer or rancher" per federal regulations

Explicitly prohibits consideration of race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin in determining eligibility, prioritization, or participation in programs using this definition

Amends the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 legislative findings to remove specific references to "farmers of color," "women of color," and disparities between racial groups, replacing them with race-neutral language about economic barriers

Preserves the original race-based definition for the Public Resources Code Section 90100 by freezing the reference to how Section 512 read on November 5, 2024