Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) has introduced AB 1642, legislation to re-authorize the Pierce’s Disease Control Program (PDCP), the PD/GWSS Board, PD/GWSS winegrape assessment and the PD Advisory Task Force. The bill is being sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers, the Family Winemakers of California and the Wine Institute.
If AB 1642 is passed this year, a referendum would be held in 2015 to let California’s winegrape growers decide if they want the PD/GWSS assessment and the PD/GWSS Board to continue for another five years. The assessment is used to fund research and other activities related to PD/GWSS and may, when certain conditions are met, be used for research and outreach on other pests and diseases that threaten California winegrapes.
PD/GWSS Assessment Rate History Per $1,000 of Value of Harvested Winegrapes
2001 – $3.00 2008 – $1.00 2002 – $2.00 2009 – $1.00 2003 – $2.00 2010 – $.75 2004 – $2.00 2011 – $.75 2005 – $2.00 2012 – $1.00 2006 – $2.00 2013 – $.75 2007 – $1.50
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