COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. NO.: 4260-04

BILL NO.: Perfected SS for SCS for SB 925

SUBJECT: Department of Agriculture; Missouri Agricultural Advocates Office

TYPE: Original

DATE: April 12, 2000




FISCAL SUMMARY



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
General Revenue Fund ($319,450) ($313,933) ($322,024)
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

($319,450)* ($313,933)* ($322,024)*

*Does not include unknown revenue from grants, gifts, contributions and dues

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Local Government $0 $0 $0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS



ASSUMPTION



Officials from the Department of Economic Development assume their agency would not be fiscally impacted by the proposed legislation.



Officials from the Department of Agriculture (AGR) assume the Agricultural Advisory Council will be comprised of 18 members. AGR assumes staffing will be listed as below. The salaries listed are assumptions only and could vary because the Council sets them. They are as follows:

1 Executive Director - $54,840 would be responsible for oversight of Council operations and carrying out duties of the office as established by law.

1 Attorney - $48,000

1 Research Analyst IV - $46,080 to provide research on ag-related products.

1 Research Analyst II - $34,992 to provide technical assistance to the agricultural businesses

1 National Marketing Specialist II - $38,028 to work specific projects and help with marketing/promotion of products.

1 Clerk Typist III - $22,164 to provide support for office and council.



AGR assumes the advisory council would meet 4 times per year and incur overnight stay and other travel related costs. Costs include: $25/day meals, $55/day for hotel, $100/meeting for mileage and $5/day in tips and parking. All advisory council costs are based on 4 meetings per year and could vary if additional meetings are held.



Oversight has reduced the salaries submitted by the AGR to represent a more conservative starting salary for the positions requested. Oversight calculated salaries as follows: Executive Director - $42,288, Attorney - $36,750, Research Analyst IV - $38,028, Research Analyst II - $29,184, National Marketing Spec II - $31,596 and Clerk Typist III - $19,800. Additionally, Oversight has reduced certain Expense and Equipment items to conform with Office of Administration guidelines. Oversight has eliminated the two vehicles and the rental space requested by the AGR.



Oversight has reflected unknown revenue to the General Revenue Fund due to language in the proposal stating "and from all other available sources including but not limited to federal, state, local and private grants, and gifts, contributions, and dues of association group members.











FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2001

(10 Mo.)

FY 2002 FY 2003
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Income - Department of Agriculture
Grants, Gifts, Contributions, Dues Unknown Unknown Unknown
Cost - Department of Agriculture
Personal Service (6 FTE) ($164,705) ($202,588) ($207,651)
Fringe Benefits ($50,647) ($62,296) ($63,853)
Expense and Equipment ($90,778) ($35,329) ($36,389)
Council Expenses ($13,320) ($13,720) ($14,131)
Total Cost - AGR ($319,450) ($313,933) ($322,024)
Estimated Net Effect on
GENERAL REVENUE FUND ($319,450)* ($313,933)* ($322,024)*



*Does not include unknown revenue from the grants, gifts, contributions and dues



FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2001

(10 Mo.)

FY 2002 FY 2003
$0 $0 $0



FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business



No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.



DESCRIPTION



This act creates the Missouri Agricultural Advocates Office within the Department of Agriculture to advocate for farmers and the agriculture industry.



The Missouri Agriculture Advocates Advisory Council is created to be composed of 18 members, one from each association. Members will serve two year terms and shall be reimbursed for expenses. The Council may employ an executive director and a staff of not more than five, one of which must be a licensed attorney. Compensation shall be fixed within the total money available from appropriations and from all other available sources including but not limited to federal, state, local and private grants, and gifts, contributions and dues of association group members.



The Council and staff shall review and contest state and federal legislation and regulations, and local DESCRIPTION (continued)



orders and ordinances affecting agriculture. The Council shall act as liaison for agriculture with government and the public and the council may enter into any legal action on behalf of agriculture.



This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements, but would require rental space.



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Department of Agriculture

Department of Economic Development









Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

April 12, 2000