AB 732: Agriculture: neglected or abandoned crops: public nuisances: pests.

The bill aims to regulate neglected or abandoned crops that are a public nuisance due to pests or other conditions. It defines a pest as an infectious or contagious disease of a plant or animal life, but excludes beneficial organisms used as biological control agents or conservation practices. The bill allows a county agricultural commissioner to levy a civil penalty against a person who maintains a pest-related public nuisance, rather than imposing a lien. The penalty is to be levied in accordance with specified procedures, including notice and an opportunity to be heard. If a person takes a good faith action to rectify the violation within 30 days, they are not liable for the penalty. The maximum penalty is $500 per acre, which can be increased to $1,000 per acre if no action is taken within 45 days. The provisions are set to repeal on January 1, 2035.