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

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 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 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 —— BUTCHERY AND DAIRY INNOVATION FUNDS AND PROGRAMS.370. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to small-scale meat processing businesses and locker plants.31A. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to small-scale businesses engaged in dairy processing. Both the funds and programs share a number of common provisions. Each provide financing to an eligible business in the form of a grant, low-interest loan, or forgivable loan, and each provide similar criteria for participation, including a limit on the number of individuals that may be employed by the business. The bill eliminates both the butchery innovation and revitalization fund and dairy innovation fund. It provides that DALS rather than IEDA will administer the butchery innovation and revitalization program. It also changes the name of the dairy innovation program to the dairy innovation and revitalization program. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING —— VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURAL GRANT PROGRAM. The bill establishes the value-added agricultural grant 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). AGRICULTURAL MARKETING —— CONSOLIDATION OF FUNDS AND PROGRAMS. The bill consolidates a number of agricultural marketing funds and programs in Code chapters 15E and 159 under new Code chapter 187 administered by DALS. The new Code chapter is divided into three subchapters.103 authorizing DALS to adopt rules necessary to administer the Code chapter.201) which will support all of the Code chapter’s marketing programs. Finally, subchapter III includes three parts.303).313.321 providing for the value-added agricultural grant program. The bill also provides for transfer of moneys to the choose Iowa fund from the eliminated butchery innovation and revitalization fund and dairy innovation fund. The choose Iowa fund also includes any moneys that had been appropriated to support the value-added agricultural grant program. Finally, the bill includes provisions allowing IEDA to wind up its affairs, and transition provisions. 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. EFFECTIVE DATES. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, except for three sections that take effect upon enactment. The sections all relate to agricultural marketing and include provisions authorizing the transfer of moneys, winding down affairs by IEDA, and an administrative transition period.