Regulating confinement feeding operations by providing for construction permits, and making penalties applicable

BACKGROUND —— GENERAL. Confinement feeding operations are regulated by the department of natural resources (DNR) under the “Animal Agriculture Compliance Act” (Code chapter 459). A confinement feeding operation is a type of animal feeding operation in which agricultural animals are maintained for at least 45 days in any 12-month period.102). Regulations governing confinement feeding operations vary based on the size of the operation measured by animal units (AUs). Animal unit capacity (AUC) refers to a measurement used to determine the maximum number of AUs maintained as part of a confinement feeding operation at any one time. In calculating AUs, a special equivalency factor is assigned for each classification of confined agricultural animal. BACKGROUND —— CONSTRUCTION PERMITS. Code chapter 459, subchapter III, governs water quality standards applicable to confinement feeding operations, including construction permit requirements. Generally, a person constructing a confinement feeding operation structure must obtain a construction permit issued by DNR if the confinement feeding operation after construction meets a threshold AUC of 1,000.303). BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill decreases the permit threshold capacity to 300 AUs, which is equal to 750 swine weighing more than 55 pounds. APPLICABLE PENALTIES.191).