Relating to agriculture, by providing for the administration of programs and regulations, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions

GENERAL. This bill provides for the administration of a number of programs and regulations by the department of agriculture and land stewardship (DALS). Specifically, the bill addresses the promotion of the native horse racing industry by providing for the qualification of Iowa-foaled horse breeds; agricultural marketing, by revising a number of existing programs such as the choose Iowa promotional program and choose Iowa fund, the dairy innovation program and fund, and the value-added agricultural grant program and fund; the regulation of commercial establishments that keep certain nonagricultural animals for commercial purposes, by eliminating special requirements related to greyhound racing; and the regulation of permittees authorized to engage in the handling of grade “A” milk and related dairy products. IOWA-FOALED HORSES. DALS regulates the status and care of race horses involved in pari-mutual wagering conducted by persons licensed by the racing and gaming commission to operate racetracks and manage associated purses. There are three breeds of horses involved in such racing, including thoroughbred horses, quarter horses, and standardbred horses.22). At least 20 percent of all net purse moneys distributed to each breed must be awarded in the form of Iowa breeder awards or purse supplements to Iowa breeders. One criteria used to determine a foal’s status as Iowa bred occurs in cases in which the foal’s brood mare was bred by a stallion not recognized by DALS as an Iowa registered stallion and was not bred back to an Iowa registered stallion. In that case, the brood mare must have continuous Iowa residency from December 31 until the foal is inspected. The bill provides that for thoroughbred horses that beginning date is moved back to December 15, and for quarter horses and standardbred horses that beginning date is moved forward to January 31. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING —— CHOOSE IOWA PROMOTIONAL PROGRAM AND CHOOSE IOWA PROMOTIONAL FUND. In 2022, the general assembly established the choose Iowa promotional program (choose Iowa program) and choose Iowa fund administered by DALS (2022 Iowa Acts, chapter 1152).31)., by trademark or copyright). DALS may also enter into a licensing agreement with a person who applies to use the logo when selling a food item on a retail basis. A choose Iowa fund was established to finance the program. The fund includes fees paid by licensees and any moneys appropriated by the general assembly., moveable goods) that may be sold at retail using the logo., wool). In all cases, the product must be a commodity produced on an Iowa farm, a commodity produced on an Iowa farm and processed in this state, or a commodity produced on an Iowa farm and used as a component in a product processed in this state. The bill changes the fund’s name to the choose Iowa promotional fund. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING —— DAIRY FUND’S INNOVATION FUND AND PROGRAM. In 2023, the general assembly created a dairy innovation fund (dairy fund) and program (dairy program) (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 101).31A). The dairy fund is used to support financing eligible businesses participating in the program in the form of grants, low-interest loans, or forgivable loans. DALS is specifically required to finance the expansion or refurbishing of existing milk plants or the construction of new milk plants that process and package raw milk into various milk and dairy products.102).111.3A. Code chapter 194 governs the production, delivery, and processing of the less common grade “B” milk allowed for use in manufacturing dairy products. The bill also provides that the financing may be used for the acquisition and not just renting of dairy processing equipment. Finally, the bill substitutes the term “department” for “authority” in a provision that allows an eligible business receiving financial assistance under the program to receive assistance under another program. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING —— VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURAL GRANT FUND AND PROGRAM.31D). The value-added fund is administered by DALS and includes moneys appropriated by the general assembly, and other moneys available to DALS, to support the value-added program., by processing). The program has been enacted and supported in recent DALS general appropriations Acts but not codified (see 2021 Iowa Acts, chapter 143, section 12; 2022 Iowa Acts, chapter 1147, section 12; and 2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 109, section 4). REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.6); or a dealer, commercial breeder, or public auction who may elect to be either issued a state license or a permit.9A). Code chapter 162 provides special regulations applicable to a greyhound dog if used for pari-mutuel wagering at a licensed racetrack (racing greyhound) (Code chapter 99D). The bill eliminates those special provisions. Currently, a person is regulated as a commercial breeder and is subject to license or permit requirements if the person breeds dogs or cats in exchange for payment with an exception that applies to a person who keeps three or fewer breeding greyhounds.2).2B).17).10A). A state licensee who is a commercial breeder keeping a racing greyhound may be required to comply with different rules adopted by the department. GRADE “A” MILK REGULATION. Iowa has adopted by reference the model “Grade ‘A’ Pasteurized Milk Ordinance” as part of its “Iowa Grade ‘A’ Milk Inspection Law” (Code chapter 192). The bill makes several editorial changes to improve the Code’s readability, including by defining the terms “department” as the department of agriculture and land stewardship and “secretary” as the secretary of agriculture, and using those terms consistently throughout the Code chapter.2). Each year, DALS is required to conduct a survey of permittees to verify that the milk they handle meets requirements to be labeled grade “A” for pasteurization. The bill provides that the survey is to be conducted every other year. DALS may suspend or revoke a permit for a person who does not comply with the sanitary requirements. UNMANIPULATED MANURES. The bill amends a provision in Code chapter 200, which provides for the regulation of the sale of fertilizers and soil conditioners by DALS. Specifically, the bill amends the defined term “unmanipulated manures” which means any substances composed of excreta or plant remains that have not been processed. The bill provides that the term includes such substances processed by dewatering. This provision takes effect upon enactment.