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House agriculture panel approves bill to dissolve Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee and move duties to Department of Agriculture
Summary
Lawmakers voted to pass House Bill 171, which eliminates the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee, transfers its duties to the Department of Agriculture and requires biennial public meetings on the alfalfa seed assessment; proponents said the committee meets infrequently and the assessment raises under $10,000 annually.
Representative Eric Tillman introduced House Bill 171, telling the House Agriculture Committee the bill would "eliminate the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee and transfer the duties to the Department of Agriculture." He said the change would also require the department to hold public meetings on whether to continue the alfalfa seed assessment.
Zach Coccoli, acting director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, testified in support. Coccoli said the committee has "met infrequently" and alfalfa seed production in Montana has declined over the last two decades. He told the committee the assessment currently collects "less than $10,000 a year," and the department would use the funds to keep growers connected to national industry conversations and to "support research at the alfalfa seed leafcutter bee program within the Department of Agriculture." Coccoli also noted the only alfalfa researcher at Montana State University recently retired.
Committee members pressed the sponsor and department staff on implementation. Vice Chair Minor asked how the department would identify and involve growers; Coccoli said the department would contact growers who submit the assessment and use that mechanism to reach out. Representative Tillman estimated that at 3,800 acres of alfalfa seed production, "you're only sitting at maybe 20, 25 out there," with room for perhaps 30 growers, and said that small base has made it difficult to recruit committee members.
After questions and a short recess, the committee opened executive action. A motion to pass House Bill 171 was made; following a call for questions the chair held a voice vote and announced that House Bill 171 had passed out of the House Agriculture Committee.
The bill will move next according to the Legislature’s usual referral and scheduling process. Supporters said the change reduces administrative burden while preserving grower input; those who asked questions emphasized the need for the department to maintain outreach and transparent use of the modest assessment funds.
