AB 2588 (2025) — District agricultural associations: board of directors: vacancies.

AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 3, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

ASSEMBLY BILLNo. 2588

Introduced by Assembly Members Hadwick and Ransom

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Connolly, and Ellis)

February 20, 2026

An act to amend Section 3959 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agricultural associations.

Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal committee: yes Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law divides the state into agricultural districts, and provides for the management of these districts by district agricultural associations. Existing law requires the officers of the association to consist of a board of directors of 9 members, establishes a 4-year term of office for the directors, and requires the directors to be appointed by the Governor, as specified.

This bill would, if the Governor has not filled a vacancy on the board of directors within 90 days and the board of directors has insufficient membership to establish a quorum, authorize the board of directors to temporarily appoint a director to fill the vacancy and to establish a quorum, as provided. The bill would authorize the Governor to appoint a different director to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term who would replace the temporary director on the board of directors, as specified.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 3959 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

3959.

(a) The directors shall be appointed by the Governor.

(b) (1) If the Governor has not filled a vacancy on the board of directors within 90 days and the board of directors has insufficient membership to establish a quorum, the board of directors may temporarily appoint a director to fill the vacancy and to establish a quorum, consistent with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(2) The term of office for a temporary director ~~temporarily~~ appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be consistent with Section 3960, except that the Governor, consistent with this chapter, may appoint a different director to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term upon which the temporary director shall no longer be on the board of directors.

(3) Any eligibility requirements imposed pursuant to this chapter shall apply to a temporary director appointed pursuant to paragraph (1).