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Senate
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Reports Reports
provided by PA Legislative Services By Kimberly Collins, PA
Legislative Services SB 536 Greenleaf - (PN 580) Amends the Unfair
Trade Practices & Consumer Protection Law further providing for dog
purchaser protection by increasing the period in which a dog purchaser may
determine a dog to be sick to 14 days (from ten days). The purchaser would
have 90 days (increased from 30) to take advantage of the remedies available
in the act. If the purchaser chooses to keep the dog, he would be entitled to
reimbursement of veterinary fees up to two times the purchase price. - The
bill was unanimously reported as amended. A06802, by Brubaker, makes several
clarification changes, provides for refund if the seller misrepresented the
dog as registered or registerable,
and clarifies the definition of "seller". The amendment was
unanimously adopted. Senator Stewart Greenleaf
(R-Montgomery) explained the intent is to hit puppy mills in the pocketbook. SB 1317 Waugh - (PN 1854) The Pennsylvania Farms
to Fuels Initiatives Act provides for the establishment of the PA farms to
Fuels Initiative to encourage the production of those bioenergy crops approved by the Pennsylvania
Secretary of Agriculture, which will both preserve the soil, air and water of
PA and serve as the basic material for production of cellulosic
ethanol. For each acre of growing land upon which a bioenergy crop is harvested, an eligible farmer
would receive a bioenergy
crop transition incentive payment of $150 for the first year's harvest, $100
for the second year's harvest and $50 for the third year's harvest. No
participant may receive more than $100,000 in the aggregate. The bill
outlines eligibility requirements and the application procedure. $10,000,000
is appropriated to the department to carry out the provisions of this act,
with up to 2% of that amount used for the cost of administering the program.
Ten percent of the funds would be transferred to the Conservation District
Fund for distribution to conservation districts that provide technical
assistance for the implementation of this act. The department would annually
report to the General Assembly. - The bill was reported as amended
with Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair) voting in
the negative. A06811, by Waugh, clarifies who is
eligible to participate in the Farms to Fuels Initiatives and clarifies that
an operator must be implementing a conservation plan. The amendment was
unanimously adopted. Senator Mike Waugh (R-York)
explained he introduced this bill in anticipation of budget negotiations,
remarking that he is trying to tap into the energy discussions. He opined PA
will be a leader in the development of cellulosic
ethanol and expressed his hope that this bill will provide an incentive for
farmers to begin to grow switchgrass,
which will be used in the production of cellulosic
ethanol. He noted the enzyme needed to produce the ethanol has not yet been
found, but argued that once the crops are established, which takes a couple
years, the enzyme will be discovered and PA will be poised to be a leader in
the industry. Noting that many farmers will be reluctant to take acreage out
of cash crops, Senator Waugh argued this will provide a small incentive to
take that step. Minority Chairman Mike O'Pake (D-Berks) stated the concept of the bill is good,
but expressed concern about the cost and paying farmers to stop growing food
and feed in favor of fuel. Senator Waugh acknowledged the cost and stated if
the bill passes he will work in the budget negotiations to see that it is funded.
He said he has not heard the argument that crops will be grown in favor of
fuel, but stated it is a decision for producers to make. He expressed doubt
that any farmers would make this switch without an incentive. He indicated he
is not concerned about a perception of providing an incentive that will
ultimately make food prices higher. Minority Chairman O'Pake
noted the many cuts in Agriculture's budget and questioned where the funding
will come from. Senator Waugh replied it is a matter of priorities. Senator Mike Folmer
(R-Lebanon) reiterated concerns he has expressed at other committee meetings
and stated the state keeps adding programs without knowing how the current
programs are operating. He opined no new programs should be created until we
have a handle on the existing ones. He added that he "is not a big fan
of any type of ethanol" due to the overall environmental concerns.
Senator Folmer said he would support moving the
bill, with reservations. Senator John Wozniak (D-Cambria)
simply pointed out the cost of this legislation is $10 million of new
spending. Senator Eichelberger
stated his concern is that the government is trying to direct the private
sector. He stated he has a philosophical problem with the legislation and
would not support it. Regarding the environmental
concerns, Senator Waugh explained second generation ethanol is a natural
conservation tool. He said it reduces nutrient runoff and allows more corn to
remain in the system for food. He reiterated his hope that this proposal can
be included as a part of the environmental package and opined farmers should
be given an incentive for taking a risk and switching to a new crop. Senator
Wozniak suggested that this program may be better as a no interest loan that
the farmer would pay off when the risk pays off. Senator Waugh indicated he
may consider such a suggestion. Chairman Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) added he
is considering adding a sunset provision. The SENATE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE met to consider SB
1020 Wonderling - (PN 1278) Amends the Conservation
District Law further providing for declaration of policy by designating
conservation districts as the primary local government unit responsible for
the conservation of natural resources and to authorize conservation districts
to work in close cooperation with landowners, agencies and government units;
for the State Conservation Commission by placing it under the concurrent
jurisdiction of the Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture
and outlining the duties of the departments and commission; the legislation
further provides for the membership of the commission, for creation of
conservation districts, for designation of district directors, for
appointment, qualifications, compensation and tenure of directors, for
organization of directors, for powers of districts and directors, for
Commonwealth agencies to cooperate and for discontinuation of districts by
stating districts would continue for four years (increased from two) upon
discontinuance of the district; and making a repeal. - The bill was
unanimously reported as amended. A04443 by
Brubaker, removes language mandating that resources and staff contributions
from agencies to the State Conservation Commission and local conservation
districts be specified in the agreement with the Departments of Agriculture
and Environmental Protection, authorizes delegation of regulatory and
enforcement functions, gives the Commission the authority to administer tax
credit programs and to review fees for services established by conservation
districts. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 5-1, with Senator
John Eichelberger (R-Blair) voting in the negative.
Senator John Wozniak (D-Cambria) asked if the amendment precludes the Commission from raising fees. Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) explained the legislation does not ask for a fee schedule, but just that a review be undertaken if fees are judged to be exorbitant. Senator Wozniak pointed out that in his experiences, government fees have turned out to be much less than is actually needed. Senator Eichelberger echoed these sentiments, noting that in his experience, the government undercharges on many fees. The
Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee met to consider to
two resolutions and two bills. SR 195 Brubaker - (PN 1464) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget
and Finance Committee to review the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase
Program. - The resolution was unanimously reported as committed. SR 193 Gordner - (PN 1462) Resolution
commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. -
The resolution was unanimously reported as committed. SB 863 Waugh - (PN 1059) Amends the Agricultural Area Security Law providing for
proceeds from sales by the Department of Agriculture by adding that proceeds
from the sale of all land, equipment or facilities, transferred to the
Department of Agriculture and subsequently disposed of by the Commonwealth
would be credited to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund.
Proceeds from the sale of all land, equipment or facilities at the Woodville
State Farm, Collier Township, Allegheny County, and transferred to the
Department of Agriculture and subsequently disposed of by the Commonwealth
would be credited to the State Farm Products Show Fund. The State
Agricultural Land Preservation Board is authorized to use up to $750,000 of
the funds deposited into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund
to make grants to counties for the following purposes: (1) to cover costs
incurred by a county in creating a spatial mapping database; (2) to cover
costs incurred by a county to train staff, contract with consultants and pay
for computer software; and (3) to assist counties in the development
implementation of agricultural zoning ordinances. Grants may not exceed the
lesser of $10,000 or 50% of the costs incurred by the county. - The bill was
unanimously reported as committed. SB 1020 Wonderling - (PN 1278) Amends the
Conservation District Law further providing for declaration of policy by
designating conservation districts as the primary local government unit
responsible for the conservation of natural resources and to authorize
conservation districts to work in close cooperation with landowners, agencies
and government units; for the State Conservation Commission by placing it
under the concurrent jurisdiction of the Departments of Environmental
Protection and Agriculture and outlining the duties of the departments and
commission; the legislation further provides for the membership of the
commission, for creation of conservation districts, for designation of
district directors, for appointment, qualifications, compensation and tenure
of directors, for organization of directors, for powers of districts and
directors, for Commonwealth agencies to cooperate and for discontinuation of
districts by stating districts would continue for four years (increased from
two) upon discontinuance of the district; and making a repeal. - The bill was
passed over. Chairman
Michael Brubaker (R-Lancaster) said the legislation was being passed over
until the next committee meeting on November 28. He told the committee
members he is working with Senator Robert Wonderling
(R- Montgomery), the bill's prime sponsor, and the Governor's Office on an
amendment to the bill. Jeff
Cox, PA Legislative Services |