On Monday, August 5th, the 80 member California State Legislature returned from summer recess. On August 12th, the 40 Senators will return to Sacramento. They will begin the month-long mad dash towards interim recess which will begin on September 13th. There are still many pending bills of concern to farmers, agriculture processors and suppliers. Below is a short synopsis of the major legislation.

Labor:

AB 10 (Alejo) Minimum Wage - This bill would increase the minimum wage on January 1, 2014 to not less than $8.25 an hour, on January 1, 2015 to not less than $8.75 an hour and on January 2016, not less than $9.25 an hour and finally $10 a year later.

SB 25 (Steinberg) Agriculture Labor Disputes - This measure would amend the binding arbitration timelines for ag labor disputes.

AB 442 (Nazarian) Minimum Wage Violations - This measure increases penalties to employers who violate minimum wage laws and authorizes an employee to collect liquidated damages.

AB 263 (Hernandez) - The bill creates significant employer penalties for supervisors who may improperly threaten an employee concerning their immigration status. The current penalties include loss of all licenses (except professional licenses) after the 4th penalty, with significant fines from earlier violations.

Water Quality

AB 69 (Perea) - Nitrate Risk Fund - This bill is intended to serve as a vehicle for a consensus plan to implement a funding source for groundwater mitigation. The author has circulated potential mill assessments on fertilizer to raise approximately $60 million annually for 10 years.

SB 691 (Hancock) Increased Penalties for Nuisance Violations of Air Standards - This bill would raise the penalty for the violation of a nuisance air standard from $10,000 to $100,000. A large coalition of opposition from most manufacturing industries has been getting clarifying language and attempting to limit the scope of the bill to major events.

Other outstanding issues include: fixing the unemployment insurance fund which has an unfunded loan from the federal government for $10 billion, the water bond, which may get attention but will more likely be a 2014 issue, energy rate reform and reforming piece-rate legislation.

BDCP Releases Economic Report

The California Natural Resources Agency released the draft statewide economic impact report this week of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, the results of a study led by Dr. David Sunding of UC Berkeley and The Brattle Group. The study focused on an analysis of the overall economic impacts of the BDCP on the state as a whole. The report concluded that the BDCP would create approximately 177,000 new jobs, as well as protect the jobs of more than one million California residents. The study also determined that the BDCP will lead to a net economic benefit to the state, amounting to a net improvement of $4.8 billion to $5.4 billion in economic welfare for California residents. The report not only sheds light on the benefits of the BDCP, it also stresses the critical importance of following through with its implementation to avoid an economic disaster.

The administration hopes to release the final draft of the BDCP documents this fall. However, recent press reports discuss the challenges the plan is encountering from the federal fish and wildlife agencies. This may result in a delay of the release of the plan.

A copy of the economic impact report can be

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/news/news/13-08-05/BDCP_Draft_Statewide_Economic_Analysis_Released.aspx

Farm Bill August Progress All Informal

With Congress in recess for the next month, any progress on the 2013 Farm Bill will center on informal discussions between the staffs of the two ag committees, the goal to reconcile as much of the two chamber-passed bills as possible prior to members returning on September 9.

Action in the House is predicated upon Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R, VA) and his 20-member nutrition working group agreeing on a stand-alone nutrition bill - the title stripped out of the House Farm Bill when it was approved last month - and GOP leadership's decision on whether that product will pass the full House in September. Currently, Cantor's group has reached a consensus that the target savings in a nutrition bill, expected to be unveiled just before the House returns, will be closer to $40 billion over 10 years rather than the $21 billion in the House Agriculture Committee-approved bill first brought to the floor.

The Senate has named Farm Bill conferees and is ready to go.

Rep. Collin Peterson (D, MN), ranking ag committee member, told a Minnesota radio station this week, "All I can tell you is this, that the Speaker told me when we left on Friday this he is going to ask for a vote on the food stamp thing right away when we get back after Labor Day...whatever happens, he's going to appoint conferees the next day and he wants to get the bill done by September 30." Stabenow said late last week, "I know the majority floor leader (Cantor) does not want a Farm Bill. I know the Speaker would like to get it done."

Peterson also said this week he could live with a two-year extension of current programs if the Farm Bill doesn't get done this year. He said he can't see a Farm Bill passing the House in an election year. He said the Senate will go along despite its declarations it will not support another extension. "If milk goes to $39 per hundredweight," Peterson said, referring to a reversion to 1949 "permanent law" absent a new Farm Bill or an extension, "you know what's going to happen. (Senators) can huff and puff, but will go along."

APHIS PROPOSAL TO RESTRUCTURE "PLANTS FOR PLANTING" REGULATIONS

COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 10

WEBINAR SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 14

USDA-APHIS is proposing to restructure the "plants for planting" (Quarantine 37) regulations, and you have an opportunity to submit comments.

The proposal is somewhat lengthy, so SAF and ANLA asked APHIS to host a "webinar" to give interested growers a better understanding of what the proposal means. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, August 14, at 3:00 pm EDT.

To register, go to https://web01.aphis.usda.gov/MeetingReg.nsf/MtgRegistration?openform or contact Heather Coady, Heather.S.Coady@aphis.usda.gov

As an overview, the proposal makes two major changes:

1. It moves all specific restrictions from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to the on-line "Plants for Planting Manual." Changes to restrictions and requirements would still be done by "notice and comment" but would not require the lengthy, formal rulemaking process. This change is basically a good one, but it will mean that interested persons will have to sign up for the APHIS stakeholder list and watch for notices of changes. (To do that, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new)

2. It proposes to establish a framework for the use of "integrated pest management measures" in the production of some plants for planting proposed for import into the U.S. "when the pest risk associated ... can only be addressed through the use of integrated measures." The framework proposed is the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) regional standard, rather than the international (IPPC) standard. We believe that the IPPC standard would be a better choice. For more information on these standards, contact us. This new framework will be especially important for cuttings importers, but will likely extend to other imports as well.

Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2008-0011-0001 to submit comments - and please send us a copy of your comments.

For more information, or to send us copies of your comments:

Lin Schmale

LSchmale@safnow.org

Joe Bischoff jbischoff@anla.org

Safety

Heat Strokes and Heat Exhaustion - English

What are the Symptoms of Heat Stroke?

The symptoms of heat stroke often appear quite suddenly and are characterized by collapse, delirium or coma. Certain characteristics include diminished sweating; dry, hot skin and flushed face; headaches, dizziness and irritability, nausea and vomiting; an extra high body temperature ranging from 105 to 110 degrees; and an extremely rapid pulse.

How is Heat Stroke Treated?

Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. Seek medical attention immediately. In the meantime, attempts should be made to lower the body temperature. This can be done by moving the patient to a cool or shady area; spraying, sponging or showering them with water; and rapid fanning. The goal is to get the victim's temperature within the 101 and 102 degree Fahrenheit range.

What are the Differences Between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is a slightly less serious condition that can develop after exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. The symptoms are different from heat stroke in that the patient's skin normally is cold, clammy and covered with perspiration instead of hot and dry skin. The face is pale; other symptoms may include a headache, loss of appetite, drowsiness, cramps of the limbs and abdominal muscles, dilation of the pupils, faintness or unconsciousness.

How is Heat Exhaustion Treated?

To treat heat exhaustion, move the patient to a cool place to lie down.Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms are severe, or the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure. Cool, non-alcoholic beverages, a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath also will assist. Consult a physician for further direction.

Heat Strokes and Heat Exhaustion - English

Flower of the Month

The August Birth Flower is the Gladiolus.

The History and traditions surrounding the August Birth Flower, the Gladiolus is fascinating. There are many myths and legends about the origins of this tradition. It is believed that birthday celebrations originated in the Roman Empire and the origins of birth month flowers, such as the Gladiolus, could be said to date back to these times. During Roman birthday celebrations family and friends offered congratulations and brought gifts. The gifts included gemstone jewelry, such as the Peridot, and also flowers - the first traditions and origins of the August Birth Flower.

CCF Exam Pro Classes

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED FLORIST (CCF)

EXAM PREPARATION CLASSES SCHEDULED

The California State Floral Association (CSFA) &

The California Certified Florist (CCF) Program

Present:

CCF Prep Classes

Sunday, September 22nd

Two Locations:

A To Wholesale Floral Supply Inc.

1511 E. McFadden Avenue,

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Brannan Street Wholesale

640 Brannan Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

For More Information call the CSFA office at 916-448-5266 or go to the CCF website at: www.californiacertifiedflorist.org