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This bill is designed to strengthen the law and increase penalties against those who intentionally disrupt or damage farms and other agriculturally related businesses. According to Scott Williams, OFBF director of state legislative affairs, "There are groups or individuals out there who disagree with some of the things we do in agriculture, and they’re willing to do things to hurt us." Williams said S.B. 67 will allow the state to more appropriately respond when farms or farm businesses are attacked by activist groups or individuals.

Under current law, people who intentionally harm agricultural enterprises can be charged with trespassing or vandalism, often misdemeanors that carry insignificant penalties. S.B. 67 would, in many cases, treat these intentional crimes as felonies, which would subject convicted people to higher fines and potential jail time.

Harsher treatment for these criminals is justified, Williams believes. "Our farmers, universities, agribusinesses and even our state government have invested a great deal of time and money into developing new technologies and new practices that benefit agriculture and consumers. I think the state deserves the right to protect those investments," he said.

Some of the specifically listed items protected under the law are field crops, timber and livestock. Farm equipment also is protected, as is agricultural laboratory or research equipment. The law’s protections extend to the facilities of private companies or individuals, universities and other public agencies, and local, state and federal governments.

The American Farm Bureau is reacting positively to Senate passage of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) amendment. The Senate approved provisions for renewable fuels during debate on a comprehensive energy bill by a vote of 67 to 29.

Mark Maslyn, AFBF’s deputy executive director, said of the passage, "It bodes well for agriculture by creating a new market for our products. It bodes well for the environment by having a product used in gasoline that is good for the environment. And it's good for national security."

AFBF has estimated the increased demand for corn and soybeans to make ethanol and biodiesel will increase net farm income by $4.5 billion.

Maslyn was impressed by the coalition formed to support the amendment. "Agriculture, the oil industry and some of the environmental community all came together for this bill. It's become apparent that the renewables fuels piece is the engine that drives the energy bill."

Earlier this year the house passed an energy bill that also contained a renewable fuels standard. Maslyn said that once the Senate wraps up its energy legislation, he’s confident the RFS will do well during House-Senate discussions. "We will be going to conference with a strong position in favor of renewable fuels as a major component of gasoline in this country."