HB 1604 -- COTTON CROP LIENS

SPONSOR:  Bean

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Agriculture by a vote of 23 to 0.

Currently, pursuant to the provisions of the Missouri Boll Weevil
Suppression Eradication Act, a cotton grower who fails to pay
assessments is subject to a per-acre penalty.  This bill provides
that in addition to other remedies for the collection of
delinquent assessments, including penalties and interest, the
Department of Agriculture will have an assessment lien covering
any current or future cotton crop grown by the producer and the
proceeds of the cotton sale until the assessment, penalties, and
interest are paid in full.  The department will be subject to
certain notification and procedural requirements.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill was requested by the
Cotton Producers of Missouri to aid in the collection of
assessments, penalties, and accumulated interest.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bean; Department of
Agriculture; and Missouri Farm Bureau.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say it clarifies that the
lien is exclusively upon a delinquent producer's present and
future cotton crop and crop proceeds.

Others testifying on the bill were Independent Farm Credit
Services; and Progressive Farm Services.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am