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SB-1419 • 2026

Farmer Equity Act of 2017: socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers: definition.

Farmer Equity Act of 2017: socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers: definition.

Agriculture
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Alvarado-Gil
Last action
2026-04-21
Official status
April 21 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the exact criteria or how the Department will involve socially disadvantaged farmers in policy-making processes.

Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Definition for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

This act updates the definition of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to include those who face economic or structural barriers in agriculture, requiring state agencies to involve these farmers in policy-making processes.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes how 'socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers' are defined to include people facing economic or structural challenges in farming.
  • Requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to consider socially disadvantaged farmers when making rules about food and agriculture.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Farmers and ranchers who face barriers due to economic or structural issues.
  • The California Department of Food and Agriculture

Terms To Know

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
Farmers and ranchers who experience difficulties in farming because of economic or structural challenges.
Department of Food and Agriculture
The state agency responsible for making rules about food and agriculture.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how the Department will involve socially disadvantaged farmers in policy-making.
  • It is unclear what specific criteria must be met to qualify as a 'socially disadvantaged farmer'.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-21 California Legislative Information

    April 21 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

  2. 2026-04-08 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 21.

  3. 2026-03-04 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on AGRI.

  4. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  5. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  6. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1419, as introduced, Alvarado-Gil.
Farmer Equity Act of 2017: socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers: definition.
The Farmer Equity Act of 2017 requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, and policies and programs, as specified. Existing law defines socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as members of a socially disadvantaged group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.
This bill would amend the definition of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to instead mean farmers and ranchers who experiences barriers to agricultural viability due to economic or structural factors, as demonstrated by meeting one or more specified criteria. The bill would
also make conforming changes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF