Latest Advocacy Updates - June 6, 2025
H.R. 1, the GOP's reconciliation bill, is undergoing Senate negotiations ahead of a July 4 deadline. The Congressional Budget Office projects it would add $2.3 trillion to the deficit, drawing criticism from Elon Musk. Trump still supports the bill, which includes key Farm Bill items like crop insurance, market access and research funding. A conference committee is expected.
AB 1156 (Wicks) reclassifies Williamson Act contract cancellations as solar conversions, avoiding the cancellation fee. It passed the Assembly with mostly Democrat support; two Republicans voted aye. Farm Bureau opposes unless amended to protect prime farmland.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $1 billion to livestock producers hit by 2023–24 droughts and wildfires through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program. Payments began in late May and are based on existing LFP data. Eligible producers with LFP apps should receive funds automatically, but members are encouraged to click here for more information.
To stop the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS), a dangerous pest re-emerging in Mexico, the U.S. closed its border to cattle, bison and horses on May 11. Eradicated in 1966, NWS threatens livestock, wildlife and humans with deadly flesh-eating larvae. This pest does not discriminate among warm-blooded hosts, and wildlife such as deer, feral hogs and even birds can quickly spread NWS. If untreated, NWS infestations are often fatal.
AB 1336 (Addis, D-San Luis Obispo) would establish a rebuttable presumption that workers' compensation claims related to heat illness are work-related--exclusively for agricultural employees. The bill passed the Assembly on June 3 with a 61–16–2 vote and is nearly identical to SB 1299 (Cortese, D–San Jose), which Gov. Newsom vetoed in 2024. AB 1362 (Kalra, D–San Jose), which would create a duplicative registration system for farm labor contractors who source employees through the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program, passed the Assembly on June 2 by a vote of 57–12–10.
SB 601 (Allen) passed the Senate after removing a harmful private right of action that threatened farmers with lawsuits. Farm Bureau remains opposed. AB 1146 (Papan) was heavily amended to remove overreaching State Water Board powers; Farm Bureau is now neutral.
The California Air Resources Board admitted it lacked authorization for the zero-emission forklift rule passed in fall 2024 and will not enforce it on private fleets, manufacturers or dealers. CARB encourages voluntary compliance and continued emission reductions despite the halt.
Contact
- Phone: (916) 561-5500
- Fax: (916) 561-4507
- Email: cfbf@cfbf.com
- 2600 River Plaza Dr.
- Sacramento, CA 95833
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