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House committee backs multiple agriculture fee increases including $7 animal‑transfer charge
Summary
The committee considered fee changes proposed by the Department of Agriculture. After discussion — and a brief bidding war on an appropriate transfer fee — the panel approved an amended package that raised the animal‑transfer fee to $7 and accepted several other fee updates to make programs more self‑supporting.
Members of the House Finance Division reviewed a package of fee increases proposed by the Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.
Commissioner Jasper and staff presented fee changes for several programs: pet‑vendor transfer certificates (proposed increase from $5), pesticide permits, weights and measures, pet‑food/product registrations and other regulatory fees. Department staff said many programs had not had fee updates for years and that the proposals would move activities closer to self‑funding.
Committee members debated the transfer‑certificate fee for animals that move between owners. Staff proposed $5; members discussed $6, $7 and higher. ‘‘Single digits are better,’’ one member said, and the body coalesced around $7 as the new transfer fee. The committee also approved increases for pesticide registration, pet food registration and other line items; staff said some fees are statute‑based and the recommended legislative language would be included so rulemaking can be aligned.
Representative Campbell moved the committee motion to adopt the department’s recommended fee increases and include the $7 transfer fee amendment. Representative Veil seconded. The committee voted in favor; the chair noted the package would add to general‑fund and other revenue in the biennium and that the department planned to use many of the increases to avoid drawing on the general fund for regulatory programs.
Ending: The committee moved and approved the agriculture fee package, including the $7 animal‑transfer fee; staff will draft conforming statutory language and rulemaking where required.
