Relating to agriculture, including by providing for the powers and duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship, including the promotion and regulation of commodities and products, the regulation of the transportation of agricultural commodities, and the use of agricultural land, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions

The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. GENERAL. This bill amends a number of Code chapters relating to agriculture, including providing for the powers and duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship (DALS). The bill provides for the promotion and regulation of commodities and regulation by DALS, including fees, and the transportation of agricultural items by the department of transportation (DOT). The bill provides for the use of agricultural land, including agricultural tourism. DIVISION I —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— PROMOTION —— RENEWABLE FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE —— BACKGROUND.15). The purpose of the program is to finance the improvement of facilities used to store, blend, or dispense renewable fuels, commonly derived from corn or soybeans.17). DIVISION I —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— PROMOTION —— RENEWABLE FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This division increases the amount of moneys appropriated from the renewable fuel infrastructure fund each fiscal year for administrative costs incurred by DALS from $100,000 to $150,000. DIVISION II —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— PROMOTION —— BACKGROUND. Code chapter 189 authorizes DALS to administer a number of programs providing for the promotion of agriculture in this state.201).301).303).311). A farm or business enrolled in the choose Iowa program is provided a preference to participate in the choose Iowa food purchasing program.6).311). PART A —— GENERAL —— BILL’S PROVISIONS.2). The part amends the choose Iowa program by providing for the enrollment of persons actively engaged in producing, processing, or marketing Iowa agricultural products. PART B —— CHOOSE IOWA PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. Under this part, DALS may adopt administrative rules providing for criteria for enrollment in the choose Iowa promotion program. The part establishes a choose Iowa school purchasing program based on the current farm-to-school program, which is eliminated. Under the new program, an eligible participant is reimbursed on a matching basis with DALS contributing $1 for every $1 expended by the eligible participant. The division renames the choose Iowa food purchasing program to the choose Iowa food bank program. The part provides that to participate in the program, a farm or business must be enrolled as a member of the choose Iowa promotional program. The part eliminates a provision providing that not more than $200,000 may be used by DALS to reimburse Iowa food banks and Iowa emergency feeding organizations. The part eliminates a provision that terminates the program on July 1, 2030.25, which establishes an Iowa seal for agricultural products. PART C —— INNOVATION AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAMS —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This part provides priority to a beginning farmer applying to participate in the dairy innovation and revitalization program. The part creates a butchery innovation revitalization program, modeled on the dairy innovation and revitalization program, that promotes the development, modernization, and expansion of this state’s butchery industry.370). DIVISION III —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP REGULATION —— ANIMAL HEALTH —— BACKGROUND. Code chapter 163 authorizes DALS to regulate animal health and specifically control infectious or contagious diseases (disease) afflicting livestock populations (Code chapter 163).2). DIVISION III —— ANIMAL HEALTH —— BILL’S PROVISIONS.2A). The division also provides that notwithstanding Code chapter 22, information collected by DALS relating to such disease is confidential, if the information identifies the name, address, and contact information of a person owning or caring for an animal suspected of or being affected with a disease; or any location where an animal suspected of or being affected with the disease has been kept. DIVISION IV —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP REGULATION —— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES —— BACKGROUND. DALS is authorized to regulate standard weights and measures under a number of Code chapters, with many of its provisions first published in the 1851 Code (Code chapters 210, 213, 214, and 215). Generally, standards must comply with or be supplied by the federal government or approved as being in compliance with those established by a United States agency, the national institute of standards and technology (NIST).1). DIVISION IV —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— REGULATION —— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES —— BILL’S PROVISIONS.1). The state metrologist is authorized to cooperate with NIST. A provision requiring all weights and measures sealed by the state metrologist to be impressed with the word “Iowa” is eliminated.1A). In lieu of an inspection, DALS may order the owner of the device or a service agency that installed, serviced, or repaired the device, to deliver to DALS one or more of the service agency’s most recent te