AB 732 (Macedo) was signed by the Governor this past month. Initiated by County Ag Commissioners and co-sponsored by the Association, the bill authorizes county agricultural commissioners (CAC), in lieu of imposing a lien on a property that has been determined to be neglected or abandoned, to levy a civil penalty against a person who maintains a pest-related public nuisance in violation of current law. This bill authorizes county agricultural commissioners to impose civil penalties—up to $500 per acre, or $1,000 if no good faith effort to remedy the issue is made within 30 days of the original notice by the owner of the property. The industry has experienced a major uptick in rodent and pest pressures in fields and orchards near abandoned orchards and fields.  Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom stated “the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), coupled with increased operating costs and continuing low commodity prices have taken a toll on the agricultural industry in the San Joaquin Valley, forcing some landowners to walk away from their orchards and vineyards. However, if those orchards and vineyards aren’t managed or have the trees or vines removed in a timely manner, they can harbor extremely damaging pests and rodents in turn impacting nearby orchards and vineyards. AB 732 is a necessary tool to help ag commissioners manage these lands and hold everyone accountable to maintain existing orchards and vineyards. We are grateful for Assemblywoman Macedo’s leadership and courage to carry the bill and applaud the Governor for signing this very important legislation.”