Expanding state Senate Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction a priority for Sen. Melissa Hurtado

As chair of the state Senate Committee on Agriculture, Sen. Melissa Hurtado, has the power to investigate and study any proposed legislation relating to the $51.1 billion industry.

But, that’s not enough because the committee is handcuffed in what it can do. Hurtado, speaking with Vida en el Valle at Tuesday’s opening day of the World Ag Expo, wants to do something about it “because it’s very much limited in the jurisdiction at the moment.”

“If we want to be able to address all ag issues, we really got to expand the jurisdiction. So, we put in that request,” said Hurtado, who thinks her request will take time.

“I just submitted the request at the beginning of the year,” said Hurtado.

Agriculture is much more than planting and harvesting, she said. Water and labor are also key components of the industry, and should be reviewed by the committee, said Hurtado.

“A lot of the issues that are going on in agriculture, the employees are going to be the most impacted,” Hurtado said. “That’s got to be part of our jurisdiction.”

While the Assembly Labor Committee took Cal/OSHA to task on Feb. 7 for its slow response to farmworkers complaints and not doing enough to enforce laws meant to help farmworkers, Hurtado said even though that was an Assembly committee, “everybody’s got abide by the law.”

The Senate ag committee, she said, lacks jurisdiction over farmworkers and the issues they deal with.

“I believe that I should have jurisdiction because it is tied to agriculture. So, it’s difficult to advocate, all things agriculture when the jurisdiction is not truly reflective of what agriculture is and that includes farmworkers.” Hurtado said.

“I’ve always said this, and if we really want to help farmworkers, it’s got to be part of a part of the jurisdiction of the (agriculture) committee. And that’s not currently the case. It’s part of the labor committee.”

Hurtado wants to modernize the agricultural committee.

“I think the word agriculture is just very much outdated. I mean, there’s a lot of conversations talking about food system and all that it entails,” Hurtado said. “And I’ve always said that farmworkers are a key component of our food system.”

Hurtado said that without farmworkers, the food system is not strong.

“They’ve got to be part of the conversation. They’ve got to be part of the planning. They’ve got to be included. And having, you know, that be part of the jurisdiction, I think is just really important,” Hurtado said.

Hurtado said that about 1½years ago she attended a White House conference on hunger, nutrition and health. Nutrition and food safety should be within the committee’s as part of the goal to modernize the committee to reflect the realities of today.

Hurtado said in 2023, the ag committee focused on highlighting and addressing the issue of agricultural land.

“We’ve got to really protect the agricultural and that we have, because that’s what we use to grow food,” she said. “And we want to make sure that that we’re growing food for our nation. And so, that’s going to that’s going to continue to be on top of our minds.”

Running for Congress

Hurtado, who is running for congress, said her campaign is a reminder of her first bid for state Senate.

“I am running against all the odds, but nonetheless, I’m running to win. And that’s, you know, that’s all I can do. The rest is in the hands of the voters. It’s in the hands of God. And we’ll just see what happens,” said Hurtado, who is midway through her second state Senate term.

Hurtado is running for Congressional District 22, seat that is being held currently by Republican David Valadao, R-Hanford.

Democrat Rudy Salas, a former Assemblymember, is also running for the seat was was recently added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s ‘Red to Blue list”.

“I think that the numbers in my reelection for the state Senate reflect my ability to be able to win not just the primary, but also the general,” said Hurtado. “I am optimistic.”

Hurtado, who won re-election by 12 votes, said she is putting her faith in the voters.

“They know what they are doing. Whatever the outcome is, I always respect the decision of the voters,” she said. “There’s been a lot of positive feedback in the community. But of course, I wasn’t the chosen one to be on the red to blue list.”

“There is very little that I can do about that. I can only focus on doing what I can, and I am working hard,” Hurtado said.

Women in Ag panel

When Hurtado was asked the question “what makes a great leader,” she answered – passion.

“I think that what drives you to take action in the first place, to become a leader, is there’s something there that’s making you want to stand up and speak out on something and take action,” said Hurtado, whose senate district includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties.

The forum celebrated the vital role of women in agriculture, explored the inspiring stories, industry insights, and collaborative discussions that foster a community dedicated to driving innovation and sustainability in the agriculture landscape.

“And leadership also means bringing people together on these issues that you are passionate and care deeply about. But bringing people together around a common issue is a very powerful thing. And that’s, I think, in my opinion, that’s what makes a leadership,” said Hurtado.

María G. Ortiz-Briones

The Fresno Bee

559-441-6782

María G. Ortiz-Briones is a reporter and photographer for McClatchy’s Vida en el Valle publication and the Fresno Bee. She covers issues that impact the Latino community in the Central Valley. She is a regular contributor to La Abeja, The Bee’s free weekly newsletter on Latino issues. | María G. Ortiz-Briones es reportera y fotógrafa de la publicación Vida en el Valle de McClatchy y el Fresno Bee. Ella cubre temas que impactan a la comunidad latina en el Valle Central. Es colaboradora habitual de La Abeja, el boletín semanal gratuito de The Bee sobre temas latinos. Support my work with a digital subscription