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AB-1848 • 2026

California Seed Law: annual registration fee.

California Seed Law: annual registration fee.

Agriculture Budget
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ransom
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact amount of the fee increase each year after January 2028 is not set, but it can go up by $50 annually.

California Seed Law: Annual Registration Fee

This law changes the annual registration fee for selling seeds in California from $40 to a maximum of $300, with potential increases starting January 1, 2028.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the annual registration fee for selling seeds to $100 starting immediately.
  • Allows the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, after consulting with the Seed Advisory Board, to increase the fee by up to $50 each year starting in January 2028.
  • Limits the total fee to not more than $300 per fiscal year or part of a fiscal year.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Seed sellers who need to register with the California Department of Food and Agriculture each year.

Terms To Know

Fiscal Year
A period used for budgeting and financial reporting, usually starting July 1st and ending June 30th.
Seed Advisory Board
A group that advises the Secretary of Food and Agriculture on issues related to seeds in California.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exact amount of the fee increase each year after January 2028 is not set, but it can go up by $50 annually.
  • It's unclear how much more money this will bring in for the Department of Food and Agriculture.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  2. 2026-03-26 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  3. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on AGRI.

  4. 2026-02-12 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.

  5. 2026-02-11 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1848, as introduced, Ransom.
California Seed Law: annual registration fee.
Existing law, the California Seed Law, regulates seed sold in California and requires every labeler of agricultural or vegetable seed offered for sale in this state or any persons who sell seed in this state, as provided, to annually register with the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to obtain authorization to sell the seed, except as provided. Existing law requires each application for annual registration to be accompanied by a payment of a $40 fee for each fiscal year or portion of a fiscal year beginning on July 1.
This bill would authorize the secretary, after consulting with the Seed Advisory Board, to increase that fee to $100. The bill would authorize the secretary, on and after January 1, 2028, to, after consulting with the board, annually increase the fee by up to $50, but not to exceed $300 total, for each fiscal year or portion of a
fiscal year beginning July 1.
Under existing law, the moneys collected pursuant to the seed law, including registration fees, assessments, and penalty revenues, are continuously appropriated to the Department of Food and Agriculture to carry out its provisions.
By authorizing the secretary to increase the amount of the annual registration fee, this bill would make an appropriation.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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