SCS/HS/HCS/HB 1762 - This act modifies various provisions relating to agriculture.

Section 32.105 - Adds new definitions for "eligible farmer's market" and "farms" and "farming activities".

Section 32.110 - Organizations which perform community service or economic development activities to may qualify as neighborhood organizations under the act by contributing to help finance a building or structure and any equipment necessary therein which is located within the state and used to sell or add value to agricultural food products grown or produced in Missouri. Under the act, business firms making contributions to neighborhood organizations receive tax credits. The total amount of tax credits allowed is $2.5 million per fiscal year for fiscal years 2002 to 2006.

Section 135.813 - Allows any taxpayer contributing to the Rural Housing Development Revolving Loan Pilot Program, as established in section 620.1350, may claim a tax credit of up to fifty percent of the contribution. Taxpayers shall apply to the Department of Economic Development for the credit. This section will be effective January 1, 2002, and will apply to all tax years after December 31, 2001. This portion is identical to SB 588.

Section 261.032 - The Department of Agriculture, for the use of the Marketing Division, is to develop and implement rules and regulations by product category for all Missouri agricultural products.

Section 261.037 - The Missouri Agricultural Products Marketing Development Fund, for the use of the Marketing Division of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Subject to appropriation, $1.3 million in 2002, $1 million in 2003, and $750,000 in 2004 to 2006 from the General Revenue Fund and fees collected pursuant to participation in the AgriMissouri trademark marketing program are to be placed in the fund.

The Citizens' Advisory Commission for Marketing Missouri Agricultural Products is created to advise the Marketing Division of the Missouri Department of Agriculture on marketing activities associated with the AgriMissouri trademark. The commission's composition, duties, and member's terms are specified. The commission is to establish a fee structure for sellers of Missouri agricultural products electing to use the AgriMissouri trademark. All sellers having gross annual sales greater than $2 million per fiscal year of Missouri agricultural products are to remit a trademark fee of 0.5 percent of the aggregate amount of all of the seller's wholesale sales of products carrying the AgriMissouri trademark. All sellers having gross annual sales less than or equal to $2 million per fiscal year of Missouri agricultural products, after three years of selling Missouri agricultural products carrying the AgriMissouri trademark are to remit a trademark fee of 0.5 percent of the aggregate amount of all of the seller's wholesale sales of products carrying the trademark.

The Commission may create two additional trademark labels to be associated with Missouri agricultural products. The trademark labels are for certified organic products and certified family farm produced products.

Section 261.038 - The Marketing Division of the Missouri Department of Agriculture must create a website to foster the marketing of Missouri agricultural products. The website is to allow consumers to place orders for Missouri agricultural products over the Internet and is to enable small companies which process Missouri agricultural products to pool products with other small companies.

Section 261.110 - The Department of Agriculture is to develop standards and labeling for organic farming.

Section 262.260 - Currently, this section deals with State Fair revenues. New language requires that all revenues collected by the Department of Agriculture from the State Fair must be deposited into the State Fair Fee Fund. This portion is identical to SB 540.

Section 263.232 - This new section requires persons, corporations, state departments, and cities, among others to control and eradicate noxious weeds (cut-leaved teasel, common teasel, and kudzu). This portion is identical to HB 1841.

Section 620.1350 - Requires the Department of Economic Development to establish three Rural Housing Development Revolving Loan Pilot Programs. The programs will benefit the construction of single-family homes within incorporated communities of 5000 or less. No interest will be charged and no loan shall be more than $70,000. Nonprofit corporations may contract with the Department for funds after completing an application with specific information. Upon sale of a home at cost plus $2500 administration fee, the proceeds will be returned to the fund to repay the loan. Construction of homes shall be at a site where water and sewage services are available. Nonprofit corporations which participate must set criteria for selling homes to low- or moderate-income persons. All sales contracts must contain a clause to prevent speculative purchases. This portion of the act is identical to SB 588.

Section 620.1353 - Creates the Rural Housing Development Revolving Loan Pilot Program Fund within the Department of Economic Development. This portion of the act is identical to SB 588.

Portions of this act are substantially similar to SB 925 and HB 1811 (2000).
ERIN MOTLEY