[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6550299,"mediaKeyId","5399380-5e4527d3581ebf376afed101adc2a85d","parentId",5399380,"title","Senate Ag Committee advances bill to create farmland access and conservation program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers","audioSeconds",1545,"startMs",419000,"endMs",1964000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399380-5e4527d3581ebf376afed101adc2a85d&start=419&end=1964","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399380-5e4527d3581ebf376afed101adc2a85d/thumbnail_419000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550299/California/Senate-Ag-Committee-advances-bill-to-create-farmland-access-and-conservation-program-for-beginning-and-socially-disadvantaged-farmers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550299-dfee7441c5a124048cd5f45a86596490/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192227&Signature=VEcm-DvM6f6JUdvS4z8eCFAkldp~vVKdkwcnTf~6Ab2aPMiTYNHI14QfihC5MJFDa9HLHrkrnuFotblCtW5Q01xL0hLvrLU60XSO9UwlxDWmF39CERTDydkDVnblpe~0W4Nu3BdIR8j3Ilb05CHl8MwJxDiM1ViHbDYQ2okg0YRS46eOIAL5fT7JW0fiX1d1ivwNnWmd0kV86j6jIA6-ELRk2lh-bjLrg7xJATn9igaUZfk1H0CUXDRSAOcsjOiNYyPu-fdimX9I88vSVAa~OEx7hovnuIX2dV9ld0fGee6dZd0zpfmoPufTOe7LU0J~InL7DqOfObAGu0aJNw1ruw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Senate","date","2025-07-15T00:00:00Z","article","The California State Senate Committee on Agriculture voted to send AB 5 24, authored by Assemblymember Wilson, to the Appropriations Committee. The bill, titled the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act in committee testimony, would establish a new land-access program at the Department of Conservation to support beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through acquisition, protection, or long-term leases.

In her presentation, Assemblymember Wilson described a long history of discriminatory policies that have affected land access and said the bill would build on prior state work, including Proposition 4 and the Farmer Equity Act. Jamie Feneuse, policy and organizing director at Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAB), testified in support and urged the committee to address land tenure barriers. Feneuse said CAB represents “over 8,000 small and mid-scale family farmers” and described the pressures that make secure land tenure difficult for beginning and underserved producers.

Feneuse and other supporters told the committee the state lacks a dedicated program to increase land tenure for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. Testimony referenced several data points: witnesses said the Department of Conservation estimates nearly 50,000 acres of cropland are rented, that the top 5% of cropland owners hold over half of California’s agricultural land, and that small properties account for a disproportionate share of owners but a smaller share of acreage.

Senators on the committee expressed support for the bill’s goals. Senator McNerney said the measure is needed to conserve acreage and create opportunities for new farmers; several committee members indicated a willingness to be coauthors. At least one committee member raised legal concerns about programs that classify beneficiaries by race or ethnicity and referenced recent federal litigation over race-conscious agricultural programs; that line of questioning noted earlier court decisions and injunctions but did not result in a procedural change to the measure during the hearing.

The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 5 24 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call recorded Senators Hurtado, Cortesi, McNerney and Padilla voting “aye,” and the clerk recorded the tally as 4–0. The motion on file item 1 was recorded as “do pass to Appropriations Committee.”

AB 5 24 now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for fiscal review and further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Agriculture Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Agriculture voted to pass AB 524 (Assemblymember Wilson) to the Appropriations Committee. The bill would create a Department of Conservation land access program to provide financial and technical assistance for land acquisition, protection, or long-term leases for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550303,"Senate Ag Committee advances bill to create Managed Honey Bee Health Program",1968,34000,2002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399380-5e4527d3581ebf376afed101adc2a85d&start=34&end=2002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399380-5e4527d3581ebf376afed101adc2a85d/thumbnail_34000.jpg","/articles/6550303/California/Senate-Ag-Committee-advances-bill-to-create-Managed-Honey-Bee-Health-Program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550303-a68fbb29df340919eabb7e9a1bf26e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192227&Signature=O4DS2kzrIgf-Eh6103rtKsEsLKkNti62lw6YzQx8TxZNqno5eCTp0sJVBjvqSxug-HAcWZxI2827gkTPDKr8YzqpfXs8GOg8yWxodRaRRSzqeUjP6mZvZ5NDZLRHwvCW3PKnabU9laNxqHilMxjhpvKSMyEZcYtnNT0MuscPr5QIb102qQSnp70MUbx0dzIVFzGM0rl6HaMur9vZOiBXV-19hpcMsbnFV5ql3akBEZ4D5~ipHev8vAIekGShyG5RTLjUnVabNt0T9pfYQQ2SJ1VBImw22f0vORqwZ0eM5WE94wO2vhfsvl68B0JeXzqPEGhJyzqVsW07~TZJPt6oIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California State Senate Committee on Agriculture advanced AB 10 42, by Assemblymember Ransom, to the Appropriations Committee. The measure would create a Managed Honey Bee Health Program at the state level to provide grants, incentives and technical assistance to support managed pollinators and beekeepers.

Assemblymember Ransom told the committee that “managed honey bees are crucial for the health of California's agriculture,” saying that “over 90 California crops rely on pollination, including almonds, berries and melons.” Ransom said the bill would use the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s scientific advisory panel to direct grants and technical assistance where needed.

Daniel Hartwig, president of the California Fresh Fruit Association, testified in support. Hartwig, who identified himself as a Fresno County farmer, said farmers need healthy bees for crop quality and quantity: “To grow crops, we tend to say that we need water, soil, and sunlight. But as a farmer myself in Fresno County I know firsthand how critical bees are to the success of our farms.”

Other organizations and industry representatives registered their support in Room 113, including the American Pistachio Growers, California Citrus Mutual, CropLife America, Western Growers Association, the California State Beekeepers Association, Almond Alliance and the California Farm Bureau. Committee staff recorded no in-room opposition.

The committee voted to place the measure on call after an initial 4–0 tally to allow additional members to vote; later the roll call shows the motion passed with five ayes. The clerk recorded Senators Hurtado, Alvarado Gill, Cortesi, McNerney and Padilla as voting “aye.” The motion on file item 2 was recorded as “do pass to Appropriations Committee.”

With the committee action, AB 10 42 moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. If advanced from Appropriations, the bill would proceed to the Senate floor for a full vote.","The Senate Committee on Agriculture voted to send AB 1042 (Assemblymember Ransom) to the Appropriations Committee. The bill would create a Managed Honey Bee Health Program providing grants, incentives and technical assistance to support California’s managed beekeeping industry and pollination services.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate Ag Committee advances bill to create farmland access and conservation program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers

Senate Ag Committee advances bill to create Managed Honey Bee Health Program