HCS SS SCS SB 740, 886 & 1178 -- AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS

This bill changes the laws regarding agriculture.

TAX CREDITS

The bill allows Agricultural Product Utilization Contributor Tax
Credits and New Generation Cooperative Incentive Tax Credits to
be taken against estimated quarterly taxes and be carried back
three tax years.  These tax credits are added to the restriction
that certain tax credits taken against taxes due on insurance
premiums will not reduce moneys transferred to the County Stock
Insurance Fund.  The fund is to be included in the calculation of
total state revenue pursuant to Article X, Section 18, of the
Missouri Constitution.

The bill decreases from 100 to 60 the number of employees
required to be employed by an employee-qualified capital project
for investors to receive a New Generation Cooperative Incentive
Tax Credit.

GROWER DISTRICTS

The bill allows for the formation of grower districts.  A grower
district will allow owners or operators of land to enter into
common agreements to produce commercial crops within the
district's boundaries.

CLOSED RECORDS

The bill clarifies that records and documents that may endanger
the competitiveness of a small business submitted to the
Department of Agriculture or the Agricultural and Small Business
Development Authority for grant or loan qualification are deemed
closed.  The amount and recipient of any loan or grant
administered by the authority are public records.

MEAT INSPECTION

The bill requires the Director of the Department of Agriculture
to promulgate rules consistent with the Federal Meat Inspection
Act, the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act, and all related
federal regulations necessary to implement the meat inspection
programs of the state.

DONATED VENISON

Currently, donated venison must be processed in a facility that
is inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture.  The
bill allows it to be processed in a facility inspected by either
the United States Department of Agriculture or the Missouri
Department of Agriculture.

ANIMAL HEALTH

The bill repeals obsolete provisions regarding animal health and
inspections.

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEES

Currently, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business
Development Authority issues certificates of guaranty covering a
first loss guarantee up to 25% of an agricultural business
development loan, up to $250,000.  The bill increases the
guarantee to up to 50% of a loan, up to $250,000.

The bill also decreases from 40% to 20% the immediate redemption
amount of the outstanding loans guaranteed by way of the
Agricultural Product Utilization and Business Development Loan
Guarantee Fund.

BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION ASSESSMENTS

Currently, pursuant to the Missouri Boll Weevil Suppression
Eradication Act, a cotton grower who fails to pay assessments is
subject to a per-acre penalty.  The 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.

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