On Wednesday, Jan 18, the Department of Ag presented their budget to the Joint Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation. (Audio here) Included was a request for $2.0 million in one-time-only, biennial state special revenue for Montana Wheat and Barley Committee grants. The committee is transitioning to a calendar year grant cycle from the current fiscal year cycle which will allow research projects funded by the committee to serve both the spring and winter growing seasons and harvest. This request will enable the appropriation to match the year of the award, ensure all voluntary checkoff dollars collected are used without interrupting services, and maintain sound accounting practices. MGGA supports this action.However, with a short budget looming over their heads, legislators are searching for money outside of the general fund to pay for new and ongoing budget requests. On Thursday, Jan 19, the Joint Subcommittee held a training meeting (Audio here) on state special revenue accounts, explained as those accounts, like MWBC, that receive revenue from a defined source and where those paying the fees are the direct beneficiaries. The committee discussed whether those accounts could be used to fund projects deemed worthy by the legislature. MWBC was used as a frequent example and committee members questioned whether the legislature could redirect money from the account to fund the Montana Food and Agriculture Development Centers in particular. MGGA will continue to monitor this development and inform legislators that wheat and barley checkoff monies must be kept separate and allocated through the committee granting process.MGGA priority bill action this week:HB 284 - Revise funding for food and agriculture development centers
This bill would increase from $195,000 to $300,000 the amount of annual distribution from the Research and Commercialization fund to the Department of Agriculture to support and administer the Montana food and agricultural development program. MGGA is neutral.LC 1715 - Prohibit local government regulation of agricultural seeds
This bill would allow consistency of agricultural seed regulation by the state. The bill draft is currently in legal review. MGGA supports.
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