Fertilizer: fertilizing material.

Existing law generally regulates fertilizer materials and requires the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, to the extent necessary to enforce those laws, to take samples, make analyses or examinations, and conduct investigations concerning the use, sale, adulteration, or misbranding of any substance, and to inspect the fertilizing material manufacturing facilities and take samples at various stages of production to verify label and labeling claims and production processes. This bill would additionally require the secretary, at least once a year for each licensee, to conduct field tests within the distribution system of high-risk material. The bill would require the Department of Food and Agriculture to report to the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board the cost of an inspection program for organic input material conducted pursuant to specified provisions. Existing law requires the secretary to establish sampling procedures by regulation. This bill would require the secretary to update those regulations relating to sampling methodology on or before July 1, 2018. Because a violation of the regulations relating to fertilizing materials is a misdemeanor, by changing the definition of a crime this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.