California stakeholders unite against AB 928 citing widespread opposition

The Assembly Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly convened on April 30, 2025, to discuss various legislative matters, with a significant focus on Assembly Bill 928 (AB 928). The meeting featured a series of public comments predominantly opposing the bill.

The session began with Efrain Gutierrez expressing his opposition to AB 928, setting the tone for a wave of dissent from numerous speakers. Charles Philip Rutledge from Tulare County, Rafael Rodriguez from Marysville, and Jesse Olguin were among the early voices against the bill, each articulating their concerns.

As the meeting progressed, a steady stream of individuals, including local business owners and community members, voiced their opposition. Notable mentions included Alejandro Juarez Garcia, Adrian Guadiana, and Cubert Hernandez, all of whom highlighted their disapproval of AB 928. The opposition came from various regions, including Madera County, Fresno, and Sonoma County, indicating widespread concern across different communities.

Several representatives from agricultural and poultry associations also joined the chorus of dissent. Jim Grama, representing Farmers Warehouse Company, and Catherine Plummer, a preservation breeder of exhibition poultry, both strongly opposed the bill, emphasizing its potential negative impact on their industries.

The meeting concluded with a clear consensus among the speakers against AB 928, reflecting significant community resistance. The committee will likely need to consider these public sentiments as they move forward with discussions on the bill. The next steps regarding AB 928 remain to be determined, but the strong opposition signals a challenging path ahead for its proponents.