Checkoff increases approved

Senators gave final approval April 4 to bills increasing checkoff funds for commercial wheat and corn sales.

LB905, introduced by Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson, changes the Nebraska Wheat Board’s current excise tax levy of 1.25 cents per bushel of wheat to 0.4 percent of the net market value of wheat sold through commercial channels in Nebraska. The board may make additional rate adjustments up to 0.5 percent of the net market value after Oct. 1, 2014.

The bill also creates the Nebraska Wheat Development, Utilization and Marketing Fund and allows certain noncheckoff revenues – such as licensing fees and royalties – to be remitted to the fund.

The bill passed on a 44-0 vote.

LB1057, also introduced by Carlson, increases the current fee limit of 0.4 cents per bushel of corn to 0.5 cents per bushel levied by the Nebraska Corn Board.

The bill passed 45-0.