An act to add Section 63907 to the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agriculture.
Summary
AB 2743 would authorize the Department of Food and Agriculture to create a task force made up of members of existing marketing advisory and promotional councils or commissions, appointed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. The task force’s role would be advisory: it would recommend how to use Buy California Program resources to take advantage of a single, specific event in California that is expected to draw significant worldwide attention.
The bill defines such an event as one held in California and organized by, or in cooperation with, non-U.S.-based individuals or organizations, and reasonably expected to be broadcast live or recorded for audiences in multiple countries. The measure specifically contemplates events such as sporting events, musical performances, or other entertainment events. It also includes a statement of legislative intent to enact future legislation supporting California agriculture through the California Grown Program.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add Section 63907 to the Food and Agricultural Code and expand the Department of Food and Agriculture’s authority to convene a temporary, event-specific task force tied to the Buy California Program. It would not directly change product standards or labeling rules, but it would create a new mechanism for coordinating agricultural marketing around high-profile international events and could influence how state promotional resources are deployed to benefit California-grown products and producers.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. It was reported out of committee on a unanimous 8-0 vote with a recommendation to the consent calendar, indicating broad support among members who voted. At the same time, the bill was also noted as being held under submission at one stage, which suggests the measure may have been subject to procedural or scheduling caution rather than substantive opposition.
Contention
There is little evidence of major policy controversy in the available materials, and no committee transcript excerpts are provided showing direct objections. The most likely areas of discussion are practical rather than ideological: whether the Department should focus Buy California resources on a single event, how broadly to interpret “events drawing significant world attention,” and whether the state should prioritize marketing tied to entertainment or sporting events over other agricultural promotion strategies. The bill’s narrow, event-specific structure may have limited opposition, but it could raise questions about resource allocation and which agricultural sectors would benefit most.
An act to add and repeal Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 49030) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to food, and making an appropriation therefor.
An act to amend Sections 2301 and 2302 of, and to add Section 2303 to, the Fish and Game Code, to add and repeal Section 515 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to amend Sections 675, 676, and 676.