Relating to the powers and duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship, including by providing for administration, programs, and regulations, providing fees, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable

GENERAL. This bill amends, enacts, or repeals a number of provisions administered or regulated by the department of agriculture and land stewardship (DALS) as codified in Title V of the Code, including in subtitle 1, which includes a number of general provisions, subtitle 2, which includes provisions regulating animal industry, and subtitle 4, which provides for agricultural commodities and products in addition to related activities. SUBTITLE —— ADMINISTRATION.5). SUBTITLE —— COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS. The bill eliminates a requirement that an application form for the issuance or renewal of an authorization to operate a commercial establishment include the applicant’s identification number, which may be a tax identification number.2A). CONTROL OF CONTAGIOUS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES. The bill provides that DALS may seize one or more abandoned animals pursuant to an authorization providing emergency measures to prevent or control the transmission of an infectious or contagious disease (disease) among livestock or other agricultural animals (animals) that have been abandoned. The authorization may be made pursuant to a declaration or proclamation issued by the governor, an order issued by the secretary of agriculture, or another provision of law. As part of a seizure, DALS may seize and maintain the animal upon providing notice of the abandonment to identifiable interested persons (an owner or secured creditor). The disposition of the seized animal must be made by a court, unless DALS determines that exigent circumstances exist. In that case, the dispositional proceeding may be conducted by an administrative law judge. The court or administrative law judge may award DALS expenses and costs.501) to pay for expenses related to the seizure. Moneys in the fund may also be used to pay for court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and expenses related to the investigation and prosecution of the case arising from the seizure.3E).61). STATE PSEUDORABIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The bill eliminates the state pseudorabies advisory committee.3). SUBTITLE —— LOCAL FARM PRODUCE PROGRAM. The bill creates a local farm produce program to assist schools and school districts purchasing fresh farm produce directly from farmers or distributors of fresh farm produce (Code chapter 190A). DALS may reimburse a school or school district for expenditures on such products to the extent moneys are available to support the program. The available moneys would be allocated during the school year on a matching basis, subject to a $1,000 cap. The bill also creates a local farm produce fund to support the program. FERTILIZERS AND SOIL CONDITIONERS.14). Current law allows DALS to adopt such rules regulating anhydrous ammonia equipment. The bill also eliminates a requirement that such rules be in conformity with the published standards of the agricultural ammonia institute.18). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (GENERAL). The bill amends a number of provisions regulating weights and measures, including the inspection of associated devices.3).4).6). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (MOTOR FUEL).2A).3).15). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (INSPECTIONS).4).7).23). The bill provides for a two-year rather than annual servicer license and allows DALS to establish the license fee. The annual license fee is currently $5.3).8).7). CRIMINAL PENALTIES. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days or a fine of at least $65 but not more than $625 or by both.