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Representatives introduce RS 32,251 to expand alfalfa and clover seed commission authority
Summary
Representative Sean Dygert introduced RS 32,251 on behalf of alfalfa and clover seed growers to change the commodity commission's board composition and raise the assessment cap; the House Agriculture Affairs Committee moved to introduce the request bill by voice vote.
Representative Sean Dygert, R-23, told the House Agriculture Affairs Committee that RS 32,251 was filed by the alfalfa and clover seed growers to adjust their commodity commission's structure and assessment cap so the group can fund advertising and research partnerships.
Dygert said the growers asked to expand their commission's board from six to seven members, reduce the number of grower seats from six to five, and add one representative from the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to the board so the commission can partner directly on research. "This is the growers. And, I think we'll see some other things for legislation that fall in the same category of folks in agriculture industry wanting to do that," Dygert told the committee.
The bill would also raise the statutory cap on the per-pound assessment growers can levy to finance commission activities. Dygert described the technical change as replacing an existing quarter-cent cap with a one-cent cap as a ceiling, and said the cap would not mean an automatic increase but would allow the commission to pursue a higher assessment if growers vote to do so. He also told the committee the statement-of-purpose language contains a typographical error that will need correction.
Representative McCann moved to introduce RS 32,251 with the amendments Dygert noted. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was taken. Representative Miller asked whether adding a University of Idaho representative was simply intended to strengthen research partnerships; Dygert and other members said the growers seek direct funding connections to the university's Parma Research Center and other resources.
No formal amendment language or assessment rate was adopted during the committee action. Committee members instructed Dygert not to remain at the table while the committee voted on the motion to introduce the request bill. The motion passed and the RS was formally introduced for further drafting and review.
The committee did not take any final vote on policy changes; the action recorded in the minutes was a motion to introduce RS 32,251 for drafting and future consideration.
