(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the plant killing bacterium, Xyella Fastidiosa and the resulting pathogen, Pierce’s disease, and its vectors present a clear and present danger to California’s fifty billion dollar grape industry, as well as to many other commodities and plant life.
(b) There exists an ongoing need for at least fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) annually in research and programs to combat Pierce’s disease and its vectors in California.