[Rusty0604]

I don't know the details of this amendment but it sounds like more big federal government. "...amendment to the farm bill, authored by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), that would have superseded state laws that set local standards for production"

[John Valentine]

The regulation of interstate commerce is one of the enumerated powers granted to the Federal Government. as a state, California is not permitted to do anything more than regulate the natural characteristics (weight, size, color, albumin percent, cleanliness, etc.) of eggs sold in California.

California cannot reach into another state to regulate their methods of production.

[Huskrrrr]

While we’re at it, let’s pay those chickens a living wage.

[bunkerhill7]

It is the Constitutional Power of Congress, not California.

“Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power ...

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States...”

[Navy Patriot]

Screw California, those that interfere with interstate commerce should go to jail and be stripped of their assets.

[Valpal1]

Farmers in California worried the new rules, which would increase their costs, would put them at a competitive disadvantage with egg farms in other states, so the state legislature passed a measure in 2010 to require out-of-state producers to comply with California rules.

The problem was not the federal bill (which didn't have any national standards in the final bill) but in the CA legislature impinging on interstate trade by passing a bill requiring out of state producers to comply with CA standards.

I think the general rule is that states may set standards that exceed federal standards for in state business but can't ban the sale of out of state products as long as those products meet federal standards.

I don't know what the legality is of banning products for which there are no federal standards. It seems like a clear violation of the commerce clause, but I don't sit on the Supreme Court.

[Amendment10]

California voters in 2008 passed a ballot initiative that require larger enclosures for egg-laying hens.

I have never heard of such an initiative and I'll leave it at that.

[BfloGuy]

If California legislators are permitted to mandate the size of chicken coops on Missouri farms, they may just as easily demand that Missouri soybeans be harvested by hand or that Missouri corn be transported by solar-powered trucks,” Koster said in a statement.

It's time California was called out on this. Because of its huge population, it has succeeded in cowing businesses into bowing to its will.

Maybe Congress could start to really regulate interstate commerce. Heh, I know.

Ain't gonna happen.