HCS HB 1936 -- AGRICULTURE

SPONSOR:  Berkowitz

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture by a vote of 23 to 0 with 3 present.

This substitute creates the Missouri Agricultural Products
Marketing Development Fund for the use of the Marketing Division
of the Department of Agriculture.  Fees collected pursuant to
participation in the AgriMissouri trademark marketing program or
from any other source are to be placed in the fund.

The Citizens' Advisory Commission for Marketing Missouri
Agricultural Products is created to advise the division on
marketing activities associated with the AgriMissouri trademark.
The commission's composition, duties, and member's terms are
specified.

The division is to create an Internet web site for the purpose of
fostering the marketing of Missouri agricultural products.

The department may cooperate with any entity, public or private,
to develop standards and labeling for organic farming.

The substitute also creates the Organic Production and
Certification Fee Fund.  Fees collected for certification of or
participation in organic farming are to be placed in the fund.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Savings to General Revenue Fund of $0
in FY 2003, $750,000 in FY 2004, and $750,000 in FY 2005.
Estimated Net Effect on Missouri Agricultural Products Marketing
Development Fund of $0 in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.
Estimated Net Income to Organic Production and Certification Fee
Fund of Unknown in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides Missouri
producers greater access to markets and helps them to receive the
best price for their products.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Berkowitz; Department
of Agriculture; and Missouri Farmers Union.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that Missouri would
lose its investment in the current AgriMissouri trademark if a
successor or other trademarks were adopted by the Citizens'
Advisory Commission for Marketing Missouri Agricultural Products.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Farm Bureau.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am