Senate committee advances bill to raise Idaho Bean Commission assessment to fund research and market protection

The Idaho Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee on a voice vote sent Senate Bill 1054 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after testimony that the Idaho Bean Commission needs more revenue to fund research, market access work and seed-health testing.

The bill would raise the commission’s assessment to 16¢ per hundredweight, split equally between growers and dealers, and give the commission authority—by board vote—to increase the total assessment to as much as 24¢ per hundredweight. Senator Blaylock moved to send the bill to the floor; Senator Lent seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Why it matters: Committee witnesses and commission leaders said the assessment pays for research and education activities that sustain Idaho’s reputation as a premier source of clean bean seed. Andy Wybie, executive director of the Idaho Bean Commission, told the committee, “we do not receive any general fund moneys,” and said the commission has not requested an increase since 1992. Wybie said…