AB1050:  California Assembly Bill to Exempt Fiber Animals from Sales & Use Tax

Update 5/31/2007:  AB 1050 did not make it out of the Appropriations Committee, and thus it will not be going before the full Assembly for a vote. The bill was initially scheduled to be heard in the Appropriations Committee yesterday, but the committee meeting was postponed until today. We heard late yesterday that after the analysis by the Appropriations Committee staff, AB 1050 was right at the $150,000 threshold that put it on the suspense list, meaning that once Assemblyman LaMalfa presented the bill, and Joan and I testified in support (and so did the Grange Legislative Affairs Rep), it would not be voted on until all suspense items were considered. There were approximately 600 bills in the suspense file, and they were all considered by the Appropriations Committee today after the regular business was completed. Unfortunately, all bills with impacts on the California budget end up competing for limited funds, and the outcome was that AB 1050 was not taken out of suspense ... so there will be no further action.

That's the bad news ... but the good news is that we have other options that we will be considering, and we have learned a great deal as we have worked through the political process. We will post more information on the Calpaca web site, and keep you posted as we further develop the options.

Assemblyman Doug La Malfa has introduced a bill, AB1050, to exempt fiber animals from sales and use tax in the state of California. The bill specifically names alpacas (and others) as eligible for this exemption.   Other fiber animals (sheep, goats and rabbits) are already exempt and the Bill is asking for equal treatment for all fiber animals.

The next step is a hearing before the Revenue and Taxation Committee on April 30. We must get through that committee to get the measure to the full Assembly. We are preparing documentation to support the following:

  1. growth of alpaca industry in California
  2. alpaca industry contributions to the California economy
  3. alpacas are consistent with Small Family Farm model, a cornerstone of agriculture in this state
  4. alpacas are suitable for small acreage and are eco-friendly livestock

We need your help to gather supporting documentation to get AB1050 through the Revenue and Taxation Committee and ultimately passed.   Passage of this Bill is important to everyone in California who owns alpacas, so please contact every California resident you know who owns alpacas.  Be sure they go to the Calpaca website and follow the steps to help.

If you own alpacas and live in California,

  1. Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your Assemblymember.
  2. Write letters to your Assemblymember

MEETING WITH YOUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER

It is very important to have a face-to-face meeting with your Assembly Member or his/her staff.   Request the Assemblymember but your meeting might be with a staff member.   Be prepared to discuss why AB1050 should be Supported.   

Following are materials which have been sent to the Assembly Committee members.  Some of this information may be useful to you in preparing for your meeting.

Alpaca Industry - Debunking the Myths [Word] [PDF]
Owner Survey Analysis [Word] [PDF]
Alpaca and Llama Food and Drug Financials [Word] [PDF]
Alpaca Fiber Use in California and the USA [Word] [PDF]
NC State University workshop on Alpaca Fiber [PDF]

Locate your local Assemblymember:
http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators/your_legilator.html

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LETTERS TO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

DEADLINES:   We'll be posting dates in the "Updates" section as the bill progresses.   It is important to have your letters in the hands of Committee members or the full Assembly / Senate at least a week prior to action at each step.    

The sequence is:
   Assembly  -  Tax and Revenue Committee  [already through this step]
   Assembly  -  Appropriations Committee
   Assembly  -  full Assembly
   Senate  -  one or or more Committees, then full Senate

We have to clear each hurdle in order to go to the next step.  This bill can be killed or delayed at any step.   It is critical that we keep contacting our Legislators and keep the momentum going.

Guidelines for your letters:

  1. First in your letter should be: “I strongly support AB 1050, and request your support for AB 1050.”
  2. Be sure to mail or fax the letters to the Sacramento Offices of the Committee Members. Send your letter by US Postal Service, not by email.
  3. Please fax a copy of every letter you send to Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa’s office at 916-319-2102.
  4. Be brief and concise, NO MORE THAN ONE PAGE. Let the Assemblymembers know that this is important to you and why!
  5. Please at least write the Committee on Revenue and Taxation, the Assembly Republican Policy Office, and your own Assemblymember.
  6. Then, get your friends and family to write letters too!!!

Contact Info for Revenue and Taxation Committee [Word] [PDF]

Locate your local Assemblymember:  
http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators/your_legislator.html
Assembly Appropriations Committee [Word] [PDF]

Sample Letter
This is an example. Put your letter in your own words.
[Word] [PDF]

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