Bill > SB493

This bill addresses the compensation and management of secretary-managers (formerly called fair managers) in California's district agricultural associations. The bill transfers the responsibility of setting compensation for these managers from local fair boards to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. Under the new provisions, the secretary must establish a single salary range based on a comprehensive salary survey conducted every three years, which will compare compensation with similar positions in state, regional, and local industries. This survey is contingent on receiving funding from fair industry sources. Until the first survey is completed, compensation will remain within existing classification ranges. After the initial survey, the maximum salary cannot exceed the highest comparable position's salary, with allowances for cost-of-living increases, merit raises up to 10%, and additional compensation (up to 40% more) for managers overseeing multiple districts. The bill also maintains requirements for the Department of Food and Agriculture to annually review job descriptions and solicit performance information from fair boards. The goal is to create a more standardized and competitive compensation structure for these important agricultural fair management positions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB493