Time is Running Out. In case you have not heard about it the State of California is about to pass new legislation that will cost you, the landscape contractor, a good deal of money à and provide you with nothing in return. It's called the Produce Dealers License. A summary of its effect on C-27 contractors was provided to us by the CLCA.

The license, which is defined in Chapter 7, Section 1, of the state Food and Agricultural Code, would be required for all landscape contrators who work as subcontractors. Annual fees would range from $200 to $620, depending on the gross volume of your business. One hundred dollars of this money would be used each year to fund a trust.

This trust was set up to protect growers. For example, if you buy nursery stock and don't pay your bill, the nursery can go to the Dept. of Food & Agriculture to collect the bill. If Food & Ag can't collect it from you, the trust will pay the nursery 50% of what it is owed up to $50,000. Landscape contractors gain no benefit from the trust, even though they will have to pay a fee to support it.

If you are caught without the license, the fee doubles. If you still don't comply, you can fined up to $10,000.

You must submit financial information about your company when you apply for the license. Food & Ag has the authority to audit your books at any time.

This is one more license we don't think you need, but the CLCA needs your help in fighting it. For more information contact CLCA Land-PAC, 2226 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.

If you don't already belong to your state contractor's or gardening association think about joining. This is the type of problem that an organization helps you fight.