Assemblymember Robert Rivas introduces Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION) Assemblymember Robert Rivas- who represents California’s 30th Assembly District, which includes much of the Central Coast- announced today the introduction of Assembly Bill 73, the Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act. 

AB 73, which is Assemblymember Rivas’s first bill since becoming Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, is joint-authored by Assemblymembers from San Diego, San Jose and Coachella. It has also gained broad support from around the state.

Following the worst wildfire season in California’s history, this bill would make sure the state’s agricultural workers and farm workers are better educated about the health impacts of wildfire smoke and how to be better protected. The bill would also include creating a dedicated stockpile of N95 masks.

AB 73 would specifically require the Department of Industrial Relations, in coordination with other state agencies, to establish a stockpile of N95 masks. Those would then be distributed to farmers during a wildfire outbreak. It would also require immediate deployment of specialized strike teams from each Cal/OSHA regional office during major unhealthy air quality events. Finally, it would requires Cal/OSHA to develop and distribute information on wildfire safety to agricultural employees in Spanish and English and also via pictograms.

“It’s crucial we pass this commonsense measure to ensure these essential workers, who are the backbone of our agricultural industry, have the resources and equipment they need to protect their health,” said Rivas.