A bill intended to modernize regulatory language related to \u201cbeneficial substances\u201d and update certain fees related to fertilizer and soil conditioners was amended and advanced to select file Feb. 20.<\/p>\n
LB948, introduced by the Agriculture Committee, would rename the Nebraska Commercial Fertilizer and Soil Conditioners Act as the Nebraska Commercial Fertilizer and Beneficial Substances Act. It also would incorporate beneficial substances \u2014 such as biostimulants that support a plant\u2019s natural processes \u2014 as regulated products and revise fees collected under the act.<\/p>\n
Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, committee chairperson, said the measure would allow Nebraska to join other states that have incorporated beneficial substances into state fertilizer laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe change in LB948 is consistent with the nationwide movement to update state fertilizer and soil conditioner labeling, content and efficiency verification laws to encompass new types of beneficial substances to ensure such products are honestly and accurately labeled to promote uniformity in regulation and facilitate further innovation,\u201d DeKay said.<\/p>\n
The bill also would add a new registration fee under the act of $50 per product to cover the department’s cost of reviewing product labels, increase the minimum tonnage inspection fee from $5 to $10 and increase an annual license fee for distributing fertilizers and beneficial substance from $15 to $25.<\/p>\n
Among other provisions, LB948 also would repeal obsolete sections of state law relating to a number of no longer functioning agricultural organizations that DeKay said have found representation through other associations and organizations.<\/p>\n
A committee amendment, adopted 34-1, would add the provisions of LB947, also introduced by the committee. Those provisions would:
\n\u2022\trevise authority for license, inspection and certification fees under the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act;
\n\u2022\tupdate fees under the Nebraska Pesticide Act;
\n\u2022\tamend the state Department of Agriculture\u2019s duties relating to publishing and distributing the \u201cWeeds of the Great Plains\u201d book;
\n\u2022\trepeal the Nebraska Poultry and Egg Resources Act and direct the transfer of funds from the Nebraska Poultry and Egg Development, Utilization and Marketing Fund to the Nebraska Agricultural Products Marketing Cash Fund; and
\n\u2022\tterminate the Potato Development Cash Fund and direct residual funds to the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Cash Fund.<\/p>\n
DeKay said the fee increases included in the bill and the amendment would help keep important agriculture programs functioning without having to \u201csteal from other programs\u201d or rely on state general funds. Fee adjustments would make the programs \u201cself-sustaining\u201d he said, without increasing the property tax burden on Nebraska residents.<\/p>\n
David City Sen. Jared Storm said he voted against the proposal coming out of committee over concerns regarding the fee increases included in the package.<\/p>\n
\u201cA fee increase is a tax increase,\u201d Storm said, adding that the cost of living currently is the No. 1 issue for Nebraskans.<\/p>\n
Following the 26-2 adoption of a technical amendment from DeKay, lawmakers advanced LB948 to select file on a voice vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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