Senate agriculture committee approves bill clarifying plant board authority on dicamba; emergency clause added

The Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee voted to pass HB 1512 as amended, moving to clarify enforcement standards for dicamba and related agricultural chemicals.

Senator Dave Wallace (District 22), who sponsored the bill, told the committee the measure "gives our plant board more flexibility" and narrows previously vague language so inspectors have "a clearer box to work within" when examining pesticide applications.

Wallace said the bill focuses on intentional violations, describing an "egregious" violation as one that occurs when an application is done intentionally. During committee questions, members sought to confirm whether applications made when wind or weather conditions exceed regulatory limits would be covered. Representative David Hillman (District 13), who answered questions for the sponsor, said: "If the wind is blowing higher than the regulations permit and you apply it, the answer is yes." He added that accidental gusts that occur during an otherwise lawful application would not be treated as intentional.

An amendment that includes an emergency clause was offered and added by voice vote after the sponsor asked for it to be attached so the measure would take effect as intended. Chair remarks and floor discussion identified Mississippi County as an early trouble spot for drift complaints; Wallace described the bill as "a good compromise between both sides." No members of the public signed up to speak for or against the bill.

After closing debate, the committee voted "do pass as amended" on a voice vote. The motion carried; the committee recorded no roll-call tally in the transcript. The bill will proceed from committee according to the Senate's legislative process.

The committee then called for presenters on several other bills but had no presenters and adjourned.