Inventory of the Assembly Agriculture Committee Records

Tristan Evans and Debbie Bahn
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2014
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Assembly Agriculture Committee Records

Collection number: See series descriptions for LP numbers

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Tristan Evans and Debbie Bahn
Date Completed:
March 2014
Encoded by:
Debbie Bahn
© 2014 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Assembly Agriculture Committee Records
Dates: 1853-2010
Collection number: See series descriptions for LP numbers.
Creator: Assembly Agriculture Committee
Collection Size: 32 cubic feet
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Assembly Agriculture Committee Records consist of 32 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records reflecting the committee's activity in investigating and introducing legislation of concern to California's large agricultural community and the subsidiary industries that support it.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Assembly Agriculture Committee Records, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition Information

The State Archives received these records in accordance with California Government Code 9080(b) which requires legislative committees to transfer their records to the State Archives when they are no longer needed by the committee.

Committee History

"The Constitution makes it the duty of the Legislature to encourage agriculture, that first and noblest of all industrial pursuits," declared Governor Peter H. Burnett to the first session of California's Legislature (Senate Journal, December 21, 1849). Not surprisingly then, Agriculture was one of the Assembly's original ten standing committees. Over the last century and a half, the committee's interests have gone from establishing favorable conditions for the development of agriculture to protecting what has become a multi-billion dollar agribusiness industry.
Just four weeks after its first meeting in 1850, the committee expressed deep concern that American farmers would not be attracted to California. Members feared that the state's destitute appearance "leads to doubt of the adaptation of the soil and climate to a successful experiment in that business, and is deterring many from engaging in it" (Senate Journal, January 14, 1850). As well, many farmers had not yet returned to the plough after heeding the call of gold. Finally, numerous conditions existed which discouraged engagement in farming, including horse stealing, the intentional setting of prairie fires, and the ever present destruction caused by wild animals. The committee devoted their attention over the next few years, and in some cases decades, to promoting legislation that would alleviate these problems.
Thanks to subsidized irrigation, agriculture in California has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The committee has grown from its original five members to as many as seventeen in recent years. Members are usually from agricultural districts. Most issues reviewed by the committee pertain to the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Food and Agricultural Code. Each year the committee addresses critical issues related to commodities, industry-related commissions, agricultural land use and preservation, fairs and expositions, marketing law, pest management, pesticides, veterinary medicine, plant and animal health, and food labeling. They address state budget impacts to agriculture as well. The Agriculture Committee's 1997-1998 Legislative Summary from the committee chairperson states, "The Chair is committed to ensuring the continued viability for the agricultural industry, related industries, and the communities that rely on those industries, as well as making sure that there is full conformity to the laws of the state."
The chairpersons of this committee from 1971 were:
Briggs, John V. (Rep.), 1971-1974
Thurman, John (Dem.), 1975-1982
Waters, Norman (Dem.), 1983-1990
Areias, Rusty (Dem.), 1991-1994
Harvey, Trice (Rep.), 1995-1996
Cardoza, Dennis (Dem.), 1997-2000
Matthews, Barbara (Dem.), 2001-2004
Parra, Nicole (Dem.), 2005-2008
Galgiani, Cathleen (Dem.), 2009-

Scope and Content

The Assembly Agriculture Committee Records consist of 32 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records reflecting the committee's activity in investigating and introducing legislation of concern to California's large agricultural community and the subsidiary industries that support it. Much of this legislation either added to or amended the California Food and Agricultural Code. Materials include bill files, member resolutions, hearing files, committee logs, chronological correspondence, subject files, reports, and subcommittee files. The bulk of the collection consists of bill files from 1972-1986 and again from 1993-2010. Bill files for the years 1987-1992 were not sent to the State Archives. The finding aid contains hearing files from 1959-2010 as well as a few reports from 1853, 1855, and 1883. Researchers should also check for recently received, unprocessed records of this committee.
Because of the size and complexity of California's agricultural industry, the subjects covered in this collection are widely varying. The committee's files document the legislature's continuing efforts to combat exotic pest threats to the state's agricultural industry, in particular the Mediterranean Fruit Fly and the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter. Other bill files relate to the use of industrial hemp, nitrates in contaminated drinking water, and the 2001-2002 Klamath River water crisis assistance program. Another major area of legislative activity involves amendments to the California Land Conservation Act, commonly known as the Williamson Act. This legislation has acted as the state's agricultural land protection program since it was enacted in 1965. Researchers may also be interested in the many bills reviewed by the committee concerning the humane treatment of animals. As the files document, this area of legislation continues to capture the attention of large numbers of constituents, including private citizens and animal rights interest groups.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
California -- Legislature -- Assembly -- Agriculture Committee
California. Dept. of Food and Agriculture
Agriculture and state

Related Material

John V. Briggs Papers
John Thurman Papers
Norman Waters Papers
Rusty Areias Papers
Trice Harvey Papers
Dennis Cardoza Papers
Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee Papers
Joint Interim Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Problems/Senate Fact-Finding Committee on Agriculture Papers

See below for LP numbers

Series 1 Bill Files 1972-1986, 1993-2010

Physical Description: 393 file folders, 2 audio tapes, 4 DVDs, and 1 compact disc

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Most bill files include all or some of the following items: bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, roll calls, records of votes, committee statements, and committee rules. Audiocassette tapes, compact discs, and DVDs, associated with specific bill files have been separated from the files and are stored in a climate-controlled vault for preservation purposes. A separation sheet has been placed in the folders to alert researchers to the existence of such material.
Bill files for the years 1987-1992 were not sent to the State Archives.
1972: AB112-AB2368; ACR38; HR67; SB234-SB1428; SJR1 (4ff) LP166:156-159
1973-1974: AB77-AB4442; ACR134-ACR195; AJR70-AJR94; HR14-HR142; SB77-SB2111 (8ff) LP166:162-169
1975-1976: AB254-AB4480; ACR120-ACR143; AJR11-AJR51; SB38-SB2167; SCR88 (6ff) LP242:171-176
1977-1978: AB68-AB4214; ACR77-ACR164; AJR3-AJR92; SB199-SB2214; SCR80; SJR30-SJR36 (14ff) LP209:53-66
1979-1980: AB64-AB3464; ACR28; AJR79; SB330-SB1715 (9ff) LP216:43-51
1981-1982: AB309-AB3743; ACR15-ACR103; AJR106-AJR128; SB70-SB1917; SCR61; SJR17-SJR68 (2ff) LP242:179-180
1983-1984: AB122-AB4044; ACR31-ACR136; AJR23-AJR148; SB275-SB2076 (14ff) LP226:187-200
1985-1986: AB185-AB4414; ACR10; AJR6-AJR90; SB55-SB2526 (26ff) LP254:199-224
1993-1994: AB207-AB3837; AB4X; AJR36; SB72-SB1821; SJR20 (24ff) LP353:1-24
1995-1996: AB124-AB3220; HR12; SB42-SB2102; SCR50; SJR36; SB1XXX (17ff) LP353:25-41
1997-1998: Committee Rules; AB111-AB2769; ACR32; ACR168; AJR54; HR55-HR56; SB80-SB2227 (30ff) LP353:42-71
1999-2000: AB47-AB2861; HR12-HR58; SB95-SB2204; SJR38 (60ff) LP353:72-131
2001-2002: AB11-AB3057; ACR126-ACR216; AJR38; HR41 (24ff) LP353:184-207
2001-2002: SB27-SB2043; SCR74 (12ff) LP353:208-219
2003-2004: AB105-AB3046; ACR69; AJR69; HR18-HR44 (20ff) LP353:220-239
2003-2004: SB403-SB1911 (5ff) LP353:240-244
2005-2006: AB85-AB2958; ACR125-ACR135; AJR45; HR33 (31ff) LP353:245-275
2005-2006: SB281-SB1329; SCR26 (14ff) LP353:276-289
2007-2008: AB472-AB2921; AJR7 (23ff) LP353:290-312
2007-2008: SB200-SB1723; SCR87 (14ff) LP353:313-326
2009-2010: AB21-AB2720; ACR170; HR34 (28ff) LP353:327-354
2009-2010: SB20-SB1321; SCR22 (8ff) LP353:355-362
LP353:132-135

Series 2 Member Resolution Files 2000-2003

Physical Description: 4 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of material related to various Member Resolutions made by the Assembly on behalf of the Chairperson of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. These resolutions publicly recognize individuals or groups for noteworthy events such as retirements, anniversaries, and awards of merit. The majority of member resolutions in the series recognize individuals retiring from the California Department of Food and Agriculture after a lengthy career with the agency.
See Appendix A for LP numbers.

Series 3 Hearing Files 1959-2010

Physical Description: 178 file folders, 8 audio tapes, 13 VHS tapes, 4 DVDs, 3 compact disc, and 2 dictabelts

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Hearing types include informational hearings, joint informational hearings, and round tables. Files may contain agendas, testimony, transcripts, reports, roll calls, and background material. Hearing files marked "various bills" are overwhelmingly roll call votes on proposed various bills. Several audiocassette tapes, compact discs, DVDs, VHS tapes, two betacam SX tapes, one betacam SP tape, and two dictabelts have been separated from the files and are stored in a climate-controlled vault for preservation purposes. A separation sheet has been placed in the folders to alert researchers to the existence of such material.
For a list of hearing dates and topics, see Appendix A in in Additional Series Information.

Additional Series Information

LP353:152-183, LP216:52, LP209:47-49

Series 4 Subject Files 1975-2003

Physical Description: 36 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Scope and Content Note

Most of these subject files were created during the 1981-1982 legislative session and include topics such as boysenberries, the Food Quality Protection Act, mosquito abatement, veterinary labs, and the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Eradication Program. The subject files for LP209:47-49 refer to 3 file folders from 1975-1978 of Chairman issue binders on matters affecting California's agriculture. These three files look at the state budgetary support of vocational education, creation of and operations of the Farm Labor Board, and worker safety and regulations concerning pesticides.
LP353:363-364

Series 5 Chronological Correspondence 2009-2010

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of two file folders with committee member request. Most of the requests are for preparation of amendments to bills. Often a committee member will request to add a subparagraph to a proposed amendment.
LP353:365-371, LP231:1

Series 6 Committee Logs 1985-2008

Physical Description: 7 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date.

Scope and Content Note

The committee logs list a bill's author, summary of title, and date of hearing. The committee log is essentially a planner for the committee during that particular session.
LP2:397-401, LP3:1, LP6:323

Series 7 Reports 1853-1883

Physical Description: 7 items

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of report.

Scope and Content Note

Series consists of committee reports and related papers for 1853 and 1855. For 1883, the records consist of one report and recommendation for SB2 and SB3.
 

Subcommittee on Certified Raw Milk 1974

LP172:239-240

Series 1 Hearing Files 1974

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

This series consist of two file folders from the marketing of raw milk hearing held on April 19, 1974. Within the files are the subcommittee's agenda, correspondence, press releases, newspaper clippings, and back ground information and data.
 

Subcommittee on Fairs and Expositions 1957-1958, 1985-1986

LP157:236-241, LP231:27, LP230:16

Series 1 Hearing Files 1957-1958, 1985-1986

Physical Description: 8 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

This series consist of transcripts from hearings on proposed development of industrial exhibits for fairs, youth participation at fairs, state fair police force, and health, safety, and maintenance at state fairground facilities.
10/22/1955: Youth Participation at fairs (1ff) LP157:241
12/5/1956: Industrial and Trade Exhibition Needs (1ff) LP157:240
9/4/1957: State Fair Police Force (1ff) LP157:239
9/27/1957: Industrial Exhibits for Fairs (1ff) LP157:238
11/22/1957: Industrial Exhibits for Fairs (1ff) LP157:237
10/3/1958: Fair Problems (1ff) LP157:236
12/12/1985: Health, Safety, and Major Maintenance at the State's Fairground Facilities, Sacramento (1ff) LP231:27
4/1/1986: Amusement Ride Safety Law (1ff) LP230:16
 

Subcommittee on Fuel Allocation 1974

LP44:44-45A

Series 1 Hearing Files 1974

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

This series consist of two transcripts for hearings on March 1, 1974 and March 22, 1974. The transcripts contain information about obtaining adequate fuel supplies. In addition, this series contains a report on Fuel Allocation for Agriculture dated March 28, 1974.
 

Select Committee on Future of Farming in California 2001

LP353:150-151

Series 1 Hearing Files 2001

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of two hearing files created by the Assembly Select Committee on Future of Farming in California.
10/16/2001: Conserving California's Agricultural Legacy: How Do We Effectively Manage California's Farmland? (1ff) LP353:150
11/27/2001: Agricultural Marketing: Opportunities for Rural California (1ff) LP353:151
 

Subcommittee on Land Acquisitions 1977

LP163:215

Series 1 Hearing Files 1977

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

Series reflects on how limited partnerships may affect California agriculture. Within the file is a transcript of hearings held on July 27, 1977.
 

Subcommittee on Livestock and Dairy 1984

LP231:24-25

Series 1 Hearing Files 1984

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

This series contains information regarding an overview of milk pricing and California's dairy economy. It reviews the Department of Food and Agriculture's decision to deny milk producers a milk price increase. The files within the series refer to two hearings that took place between April 1984 and May 1984 in Chino and Turlock respectively.
4/18/1984: Overview of Milk Pricing, Chino (1ff) LP231:24
5/22/1984: Overview of Milk Pricing, Turlock (1ff) LP231:25
 

Subcommittee on Milk Pooling and Pricing 1977

LP209:43-46

Series 1 Hearing Files 1977

Physical Description: 4 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.

Scope and Content Note

Series contains a review on proposed roll back of producer milk prices. The files contain the subcommittee's agenda, original transcripts of hearings, statements and testimony, correspondence, background materials on pricing, costs, legislation, and proposals for the hearing held on November 29, 1977.
 

Subcommittee on Public Lands, Grazing, and Forest Practices 1949-1956

LP:174:69

Series 1 Committee Files 1949-1956

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of document.

Scope and Content Note

Miscellaneous correspondence reports with Assembly Committee on Conservation, Planning and Public Works.