ATLANTA (March 22, 2013) – House Bill 268, presented by Senator Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge), passed the State Senate by a vote of 46-3 on Thursday. HB 268 makes provisions to sections of the Georgia Code relating to the definition of an agricultural product, grain dealers licenses and bond requirements.
“Agriculture is crucial to the economy of Georgia therefore we must adjust to the rising prices to produce crops in order to protect our farmers,” said Sen. Burke. “This bill makes positive changes that provide farmers protection against economic harm from unscrupulous dealers. I look forward to continuing work on legislation that promotes fiscally sound and efficient agricultural practices.”
This bill modernizes Georgia’s Code to recognize changes in agricultural markets. HB 268 revises the Code to allow the Commissioner of Agriculture to license and monitor dealers in agricultural products. Licenses will be valid until revoked, suspended, or until the renewal fee is unpaid.
Presently the law allows the Commissioner to determine the amount of the required surety bond, however, he or she limits the bond to the maximum amount of products purchased or sold for Georgia producers. While the Commissioner will still have the discretion to set the surety bond amount, this bill allows for a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $230,000 for the bond; with the exception of pecans which may have a maximum amount of $500,000.
The grain industry will also receive revisions to the definition and surety bond amounts. First, the bill clarifies the term of “grain”, so it is not limited to wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, field peas, soybeans, clover and grain sorghum. Secondly, the bill also increases the maximum surety bond amount for grain dealers from $150,000 to $300,000.
Lastly, the bill modernizes laws related to the registration of pecan dealers and processors.
Warehouses that are in compliance with other license and bond requirements from the agricultural dealer requirements are exempt from the requirements to obtain an agricultural products dealer license and surety bond.
The bill will now go to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk for final approval.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 22, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Emily Williams, Communications Associate
Emily.Williams@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028