Lawmakers discuss ag-related legislation
By Jean Caspers-Simmet
simmet@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 04/22/2010 9:09 AM
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DES MOINES — While balancing the budget was front and center during this year's shortened legislative session, legislators did act on several issues impacting agriculture.
"We didn't do a lot related to agriculture this session," said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Gene Fraise, a Fort Madison Democrat. "We did make some changes to the Grain Indemnity Fund — revamping the funding part of it."
Fraise said the change creates a more relevant and equitable assessment formula, if the grain indemnity fund is subjected to significant liability or default. Every bushel that could pose a liability for the fund will now be counted if an assessment were necessary.
Sen. David Johnson, ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee and an Ocheyedan Republican, had hoped that bills regarding biodiesel and ethanol mandates would have been considered. Legislation requiring the use of biodiesel and ethanol was proposed, but no mandates passed.
Johnson is disappointed that the Legislature didn't tweak a bill passed last year restricting application of liquid manure on frozen and snow covered ground. The proposal would have grandfathered in older livestock operations to be more workable with new regulations.
"There are some livestock producers with older operations that don't have manure storage to last the whole winter," Johnson said.
Proposed DNR rules state that for producers to be eligible for emergency application during winter months, they must have adequate manure storage to get them through the winter. Some older operations lack that storage.
"The original bill was not aimed at requiring farmers to build storage for older livestock facilities," Johnson said.
Johnson wanted the Legislature to pass a bill clarifying that agriculture is exempt from state inspections on new electrical installations, such as installations in grain bins or out-buildings, but no action was taken.
Legislators passed a bill aimed at combating puppy mills by requiring breeders who are raising four or more dogs to pay a new licensing fee and register with the state. Johnson voted against the bill because he is concerned it could lead to more restrictions on livestock production.
He said he was sorry to see Watershed Improvement Program funding cut, and he's concerned about cuts to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Rep. John Beard, a Decorah Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee and the Ag and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, said he was pleased that a bill encouraging local food production passed. The bill charges the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture with gathering information on all grassroots efforts statewide aimed at local food production. The study will look at what the needs are and how the Legislature can help.
"The Leopold Center is eager to do the study and already has a lot of information in hand," Beard said.
The Legislature created the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative in the Iowa Code and will allow state conservation dollars to be used as matching funds for the new federal program, Beard said. He is happy the Legislature averted a cut to the beginning farmer tax credit. The Legislature passed a bill adding grain and agriculture inputs to the commodities currently allowed to load on multiple axle configurations, Beard said.
House Agriculture Committee chair Dolores Mertz, an Ottosen Democrat, was disappointed that a bill that would have extended the closure date for ag drainage wells didn't make it to the floor.
"There isn't money to close all those wells because the Legislature has scooped the money so many times," Mertz said.
A bill that increases the bid threshold for a drainage improvement from $15,000 to $20,000 and also makes a change to the bid security requirement on drainage work passed, Mertz said.
Rep. Mark Kuhn, a Charles City Democrat, is gratified that the Legislature will provide $97,000 to continue the Easter Seals program for farmers with disabilities.
Rep. Roger Thomas, chairman of the House Economic Growth Committee and an Elkader Democrat, said the Legislature approved a new $5 million small business loan fund and expanded technical assistance for businesses and entrepreneurs. An additional $100,000 was given to Iowa Small Business Development Centers, and the state expanded on-line support at MyEntre.Net.