CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

August 5, 2024

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Legislature Reconvenes, Sprinting to the Finish Line of the 2023-24 Legislative Session
After a month-long summer recess, the Legislature returned to session today for the final month of the 2023-24 Legislative Session. The Legislature’s final recess will begin on August 31, after which Governor Gavin Newsom will have until the end of September to sign or veto any bills that advance to his desk.

The final month of Session will be dominated by appropriations committees and floor votes, as policy committees concluded their work ahead of the summer recess.

Of 4,821 bills introduced in the two-year Session – 2,136 of which were introduced this year – roughly 1,350 pieces of legislation are still pending before the Assembly and Senate. More than 1,000 of those are currently awaiting votes in appropriations committees. Appropriations committees in both chambers of the Legislature will take their final votes on Thursday, August 15, known as “Suspense Day” – a marathon, rapid-fire hearing during which appropriators determine the fates of any measures that could have $50,000 in impacts to the State’s General Fund or $150,000 to special funds.

While CCA has had an incredibly successful year so far in Sacramento, roughly a dozen of the Association’s priority bills are outstanding and will have their fates sealed in August. California Cattleman Weekly will keep members apprised of significant legislative developments, with a full end-of-session rundown appearing in the November edition of the California Cattleman magazine.

UPDATE: State of Emergency Proclaimed Due to Park Fire
Governor Gavin Newsom last month proclaimed a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties due to the Park Fire. The Governor’s Office has announced that it secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency which will allow state and local agencies to seek reimbursement for up to 75% of the costs they incur responding to the Park Fire. A Fire Management Assistance Grant has also been secured for the Borel Fire in Kern County.

As of press time, the Park Fire has burned 401,740 acres in Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties, and is now the fourth-largest wildfire in state history. The blaze is currently 34% contained.

For information regarding wildfire assistance, visit the Ranchers Technical Assistance Program website.

2024 Fire Season Outlook and Disaster Assistance Update
The 2024 Fire Season Outlook and Disaster Assistance Update webinar focused on the current wildfire outlook and updates on disaster assistance programs available to California ranchers. In this recording hear from CalFire’s Staff Chief John Morgan about recent and ongoing incidents, as well as a wildfire outlook for this fire season. Then FSA’s Scott Mahon speaks on assistance programs available to ranchers who experience wildfire losses. The webinar also included a time for Q&A. This was a free training hosted by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from the California Cattle Council. To view the video, click here.

New Episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast
A new episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now! This November California voters will see a $10 Billion Climate Bond on their ballots. CCA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Kirk Wilbur joins Katie for part 2 on the podcast to share about the win teased in the prior episode-keeping funding for alternative protein research and development out of the climate bond. To listen to the episode, click here.

2024 CCA Internship Applications Now Open 
The application period for the 2024 California Cattlemen’s Association Convention Internships are being accepted now through Oct. 11, 2024. Interns assist with registration, directing attendees, running the CCA merchandise table and much more. Additionally, interns have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, and attend select meetings, general sessions, and the tradeshow with a complimentary registration. To apply send a resume and cover letter detailing why you would like to serve as a convention intern to Maureen LaGrande by Friday, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Any young, regular or feeder member are eligible to apply for this internship. Past interns are eligible to reapply. If you are not currently a CCA member and would like to join visit https://calcattlemen.org/join. Contact Maureen in the CCA office at [email protected] with any questions.

Farms and Ranches Required to File Ownership Information with U.S. Treasury 
From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
Many farms and ranches will be required to file “beneficial ownership” information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In 2021, Congress passed a law called the Corporate Transparency Act that requires businesses to report the identity of their owners with the goal of reducing financial crime. Unfortunately, many small businesses like farms and ranches are required to comply with this requirement.

Who must file: Any producer whose farm or ranch employs 20 employees or less, is a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, or was formed as another type of entity by filing a document with the secretary of state or similar state office is required to file a Beneficial Ownership Report with FinCEN.

When to file: Companies that were registered before January 1, 2024, have until January 1, 2025, to file their report. Any companies created between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, have 90 days from their creation or registration with the state to submit this report to FinCEN. Additionally, any updates or corrections to beneficial ownership information must be submitted within 30 days.

Where to file: To comply with the Corporate Transparency Act, you must fill out a form online at https://www.fincen.gov/boi. The form will require your name, date of birth, residential or business address, and a unique identifying number like your driver’s license or passport number.

Producers are encouraged to consult with their attorneys to determine if the CTA applies. Penalties for non-compliance can include a $500 per late day fine, up to $10,000 in fines, or even prison sentences for refusing to comply with the law.

Resources: For more information, visit https://www.fincen.gov/boi or review FinCEN’s Small Entity Compliance Guide at https://www.fincen.gov/boi/small-entity-compliance-guide. This information is not professional advice, and you should always consult with a tax professional and/or attorney for advice as to whether the Corporate Transparency Act applies to you.

State Water Board Issues Scott River Curtailments
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) announced late last month that it has imposed water rights curtailments for surface water diversions and groundwater diversions in the Scott River watershed. The curtailments came after flows of the Scott River (as measured at the Fort Jones gage) fell below the minimum July flow of 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) established in emergency regulation (as of this morning, flows at the Fort Jones gage were just barely above the August minimum flow level of 30 cfs).

Both orders require water rightsholder to file a Curtailment Certification form online confirming their receipt and compliance with the curtailment orders. Certifications for surface water rights curtailments are due Thursday; compliance with groundwater curtailments must be certified by Friday.

For additional information, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly or visit the Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds Emergency Regulation webpage.

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Industry News

Chico planned a burn that could have curbed the Park Fire. Here’s why it didn’t get done The Sacramento Bee “Mainly due to lack of resources, the prescribed burn project was planned but never done. Chico authorities could have never predicted that a man would allegedly push a flaming car into a ravine next door. Yet experts said the burn would have likely kneecapped the Park Fire in the key moments after ignition. The blaze now spans a 260-mile perimeter and forced thousands to evacuate their homes, some of which have been destroyed.” To continue reading, click here.

No Farm or USDA Spending Bills as Congress Wraps Up for August Recess American Ag Network “Congress returns the second week of September and faces another government shutdown threat without enacted spending bills or temporary stop-gap funding, again leaving a farm bill and full-year USDA appropriations on the back burner.” To continue reading, click here.

Closed-door talks extended on Point Reyes ranching conflict Marin Independent Journal “Mediation talks to determine the future of dairy and cattle ranching in the Point Reyes National Seashore have been extended for another three months. The closed-door negotiations have been going on since 2022, when environmental organizations sued the National Park Service to prevent the continued use of the seashore for limited agricultural operations. The plaintiffs are the Resource Renewal Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Western Watersheds Project.” To continue reading, click here.