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Ohio Farm Bureau has been actively representing member interests on a number of bills this spring. Following is a legislative status report on the bills that have passed and an update on those that are pending:

HB 58 – Tax reform directive
Sponsor: Rep. Sally Kilbane, R-Rocky River
Directs the General Assembly in its deliberations regarding the enactment of reforms of the state's tax laws. Would create sweeping changes in current business tax system. Farms organized as partnerships, LLCs or S corporations would be subject to a new statewide business tax. The proposed bill would eliminate the corporate franchise tax and the tangible personal property tax.

Status: HB 58 was introduced on Feb. 12, 2003, and was referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Farm Bureau is seeking member comment on this issue.

SB 67 Agri-terror
Sponsor: Sen. Larry Mumper, R-Marion
Increases penalties for knowingly damaging or destroying crops, timber, livestock and equipment.

Status: The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.

HB 350 Immunity from Obesity Claims
Sponsor: Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville
Provides a qualified immunity from civil damages to a manufacturer or supplier of a food or a nonalcoholic beverage for a claim of weight gain, obesity or a related health condition resulting from the consumption of the food or nonalcoholic beverage unless certain circumstances are proven by a claimant.

Status: The bill was amended in the House by adding the agricultural provisions of SB 80, which originally contained tort reform legislation; and was passed. In an effort to move that legislation, the Senate further amended HB 350 by adding the rest of the tort provisions originally included in SB 80. The measure passed the Senate, but the House failed to concur with Senate amendments. A conference committee must convene to iron out differences. Farm Bureau anticipates the bill stalling and not being finalized until the General Assembly reconvenes in the fall.

HB 414 Agricultural security areas
Sponsor: Rep. Tony Core, R-Rushylvania
Creates Agricultural Security Areas, consisting of at least 500 contiguous acres, allowing the land to be kept in agricultural production for at least 10 years. In exchange for the 10-year commitment, the landowner would be eligible to apply to local government units for real property tax abatement for new construction of agricultural buildings and fixtures. OFBF’s Larry Gearhardt testified in favor of this bill.

Status: The bill has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.

HB 421 Agricultural commodity fund
Sponsor: Rep. John Schlichter, R-Washington Court House
Updates Ohio’s Agricultural Commodity Depositor’s Fund to better reflect current practices in the grain handling business. Increases the current $4 million threshold to $8 million and would increase opportunities for recovery for producers not paid for grain delivered to an elevator. The director of ODA currently has the authority to implement a 1/2 cent per bushel collection on grain delivered to an elevator when the fund falls below $4 million. Under current law, when the fund reaches $4 million, he is to terminate the collection. HB 421 allows the director to continue the collection of 1/2 cent per bushel until $10 million is collected. This will take approximately three years. Farm Bureau supports and testified in favor of the measure.

Status: The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.

HB 434 Tobacco appropriations for FY 2005-2006
Sponsor: Rep. Chuck Calvert, R-Medina
Appropriates funds from the Master Tobacco Settlement for programs in fiscal years 2005 – 2006. Ohio receives $600 million for 2005-06. Farm Bureau fought to protect the funding for the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation, which received its full, allotted amount of $26 million.

Status: This bill is now law.