This measure would memorialize all government agencies, particularly the United States Forest Service , the United States Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to abstain from using nonnative plant material and encourage the use of weed-free straw or California-grown rice straw in any of their programs within California.

WHEREAS, Poisonous and noxious weeds are spreading throughout the State of California due to the use of straw for soil-erosion control and road construction by California agencies, such as the Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, by federal agencies, such as the United States Forest Service and the United States Bureau of Land Management, and by other federal, state, and county agencies; and

WHEREAS, The grazing capacity of animals, wildlife habitat, and native plant species is being destroyed through the use of straw for these purposes; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the state for these agencies to use materials that are not detrimental to our wildlife, domestic animals, and plant species; and

WHEREAS, California-grown rice straw is produced in an aquatic environment and cannot coexist with the yellow star thistle and other terrestrial noxious weeds of concern; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of California, Jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California respectfully memorializes all government agencies, particularly the United States Forest Service, the United States Bureau of Land Management, CALTRANS, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to abstain from using nonnative plant material and encourage the use of weed-free straw or California-grown rice straw in any of their programs within California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, the United States Forest Service, and the United States Bureau of Land Management, and to the Director of Transportation, the Director of Fish and Game, and the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection.