HCS HB 1833 -- ANIMALS AND AGRICULTURE

SPONSOR:  Munzlinger

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Agri-
Business by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute authorizes a sale tax exemption for certain farm
products, establishes the Farm to Institution Initiative and the
Missouri Animal Care Advisory Committee, and changes the laws
regarding the Animal Care Facilities Act.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN FARM PRODUCTS

The substitute authorizes a state and local sales and use tax
exemption for all sales of farm products sold at a farmers'
market within 100 miles of the vendor's farm where the products
were grown or produced by any vendor with annual sales of farm
products of $20,000 or less.

FARM TO INSTITUTION INITIATIVE

The Farm to Institution Initiative is established in the
Agriculture Business Development Division within the Department
of Agriculture to improve public awareness of and access to
agricultural products produced or processed by small farmers and
small agribusinesses, promote a sustainable Missouri food system,
and strengthen the state's economy.  The division may coordinate
with the departments of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Health and Senior Services, Corrections, Mental Health, and
Economic Development to promote the economic and health benefits
of the initiative.  In its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Requires the division to provide small farmers and small
agribusinesses with financial and technical assistance in the
branding, marketing, and distribution of locally grown
agricultural products;

(2)  Establishes the Farm to Institution Program to reduce
obesity, improve nutrition and public health, and strengthen
local agricultural economies by increasing access to and
promoting the consumption of locally grown foods;

(3)  Establishes the Farm Fresh Schools Program to link schools
with locally grown food; develop nutritional awareness, healthy
eating habits, and physical activity for the overall wellness of
students; emphasize the purchase of locally grown foods by
schools; establish specified goals regarding these purchases; and
identify existing resources for processing foods locally and
funding sources for the expansion of local processing facilities;

(4)  Establishes the Farm to Cafeteria Program to build
partnerships to reform state institution food procurement
policies to facilitate the purchase of locally grown foods by
linking local food producers and processors with institutions;
emphasize the purchase of locally grown foods by institutions;
establish specified goals regarding these purchases; and identify
existing resources for processing foods locally and funding
sources for the expansion of local processing facilities;

(5)  Creates the Farm to Institution Initiative Fund consisting
of moneys appropriated for the program, gifts, bequests, or
donations to be used solely for the administration of the
program; and

(6)  Requires grants to be awarded from the fund to eligible
participants on a competitive bid process to implement the Farm
to Institution Program with the first six grants awarded in
counties with a significant agricultural economy based on need.

MISSOURI ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The 18-member Missouri Animal Care Advisory Committee is
established within the Department of Agriculture.

The committee must review the animal care practices related to
poultry, livestock, and licensed dog breeding facilities and,
when necessary, make recommendations to the General Assembly.
When reviewing these practices, the committee must consider:

(1)  The health and husbandry of poultry, livestock, and dogs at
licensed breeding facilities;

(2)  Generally accepted farm management practices;

(3)  Generally accepted veterinary standards and practices;

(4)  The economic impact on poultry and livestock farmers,
licensed dog breeders, consumers, and the affected sector as a
whole; and

(5)  Species specific animal care guidelines established by the
respective national poultry, livestock, and licensed dog breeders
organizations.

The committee must review national species specific animal care
guidelines once every five years.

ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES ACT

The substitute:

(1)  Removes the exemption for animal shelters from the required
annual licensure fee; and

(2)  Prohibits the Department of Agriculture from retaining,
contracting with, or otherwise utilizing the services of the
personnel of any nonprofit organization for the purpose of
inspecting or licensing a shelter, pound, kennel, breeder, pet
shop, or any animal care facility subject to the provisions of
the act.

The provisions regarding the Farm to Institution Initiative will
expire six years from the effective date.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $237,160
to Unknown in FY 2011, $158,888 to Unknown in FY 2012, and
$156,644 to Unknown in FY 2013.  Estimated Income on Other State
Funds of $69,000 in FY 2011, FY 2012, and FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the Missouri Animal Care
Advisory Committee will provide a valuable tool for animal owners
to continue to use the best animal care practices through
recommendations based on scientific, industry, and species
specific national standards.  Certain non-agriculture entities
are promoting animal agricultural concepts that are not in the
best interest of consumers or producers.  The committee will
advise the General Assembly in matters regarding animal ownership
and care.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Munzlinger; Missouri
Cattlemens Association; Don Nikodin, Missouri Pork Association;
Missouri Farm Bureau; and Missouri Federation of Animal Owners.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm