July 29, 2024

Agricultural Law Weekly Review—July 29, 2024

Dairy Policy: USDA Publishes Proposed Rule to Amend Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing 🌾
On July 15, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (89 FR 57580) “to amend the pricing provisions in the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs)” (AMS-DA-23-0031). Also announced by AMS, the agency issued the proposal following a hearing on the FMMO pricing formula, held August 2023–January 2024. The proposed rule recommends changes to five categories of milk pricing:

  1. “Milk Composition Factors: Update the factors to 3.3 percent true protein, 6 percent other solids, and 9.3 percent nonfat solids.”
  2. “Surveyed Commodity Products: Remove 500-pound barrel cheddar cheese prices from the Dairy Products Mandatory Reporting Program (DPMRP) survey and rely solely on the 40-pound block cheddar cheese price to determine the monthly average cheese price used in the formulas.”
  3. “Class III and Class IV Formula Factors: Update the manufacturing allowances to: Cheese: $0.2504; Butter: $0.2257; Nonfat Dry Milk (NFDM): $0.2268; and Dry Whey: $0.2653. This decision also proposes updating the butterfat recovery factor to 91 percent.”
  4. “Base Class I Skim Milk Price: Update the formula as follows: the base Class I skim milk price would be the higher-of the advanced Class III or Class IV skim milk prices for the month. In addition, adopt a Class I extended shelf life (ESL) adjustment equating to a Class I price for all ESL products equal to the average-of mover, plus a 24- month rolling average adjuster with a 12-month lag.”
  5. “Class I and Class II differentials: Keep the $1.60 base differential and adopt modified location specific Class I differential values.”

According to an economic analysis of the proposed pricing published by AMS, the agency found that “if future data is similar to the historic data analyzed, the recommended amendments are likely to contribute to increases on average in producer revenue and pool values, while incorporating more current costs faced by producers and processors in marketing milk and, thus, contribute to orderly marketing conditions.” The proposed rule is available for public comment until September 13, 2024.  

Local Agricultural Policy: Pennsylvania Passes Law Allowing Deliveries with Employee-Driven Farm Vehicles
On July 8, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law S.B. 916 (2024 Act 51) amending 75 Pa.C.S. § 1344, among other provisions. The new law allows the transportation of agricultural commodities or supplies in vehicles with farm plates “regardless of whether the vehicle is operated by the registrant of the vehicle or an employee of the registrant of the vehicle.” The previous law required the vehicle to be driven only by the vehicle’s registrant for home deliveries of agricultural goods. This provision of the law becomes effective 60 days after the bill’s passage, on September 6, 2024.

Pesticides/Herbicides: EPA Announces Policy to Analyze Spray Drift in Initial Registration Analysis
On July 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a document titled “Implementing Chemical Specific Human Health Spray Drift Analysis for Pesticide Registration Actions,” which explains the agency’s updated policy to “complete a chemical specific spray drift analysis during the initial registration process” for pesticide products instead of waiting until the pesticide’s review process—15 years after its initial approval (EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0676). Also announced by EPA, the agency stated that it will “use chemical specific human health spray drift analyses to determine specific label instructions to protect against and reduce the occurrence of spray drift, such as droplet sizes and buffer distances, for each pesticide and use” and noted that if it “identifies spray drift risks for people living or working nearby or non-target species, the agency will protect against those risks.” EPA further stated, “[G]oing forward EPA will now include a chemical specific human health spray drift analysis for . . . [n]ew active ingredients . . . [n]ew uses and amended uses . . . [and] [c]urrently pending registrations.”  

Pesticides/Herbicides: EPA Opens Public Comment Period for Syngenta’s Proposed Dicamba Label New Use
On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a notice (89 FR 59736) announcing that the agency had received an application from Syngenta, including proposed labeling and proposed language, for an herbicide product with a “new use pattern for dicamba” (EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0154). Also announced by EPA, the agency states that the “proposed label would allow application to dicamba-tolerant soybeans before, during, and immediately after planting, and over-the-top of the soybean plant through the ‘V2’ growth stage (where the second set of three leaves of the plant are fully unfolded), but no later than June 12 of each year” and allow “application to dicamba-tolerant cotton . . . before, during, and immediately after planting, and over the top of the cotton plant through the 6-leaf growth stage, but no later than July 30 of each year.” Recently, Bayer and BASF submitted applications for over-top uses of dicamba (See ALWR—June 10, 2024, “EPA Opens Public Comment Period for BASF’s Proposed Dicamba Label New Use,” and ALWR—May 17, 2024, “EPA Opens Public Comment Period for Bayer’s Proposed Dicamba Label New Use”). Syngenta’s application is available for public comment until August 22, 2024. See also the Center’s Dicamba Issue Tracker.  

Pesticides/Herbicides: EPA Announces New Atrazine Water Quality Level
On July 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the publication of a memorandum increasing the concentration-equivalent level of concern, or “the level at which atrazine is expected to adversely affect aquatic plants,” from 3.4 to 9.7 micrograms per liter for atrazine, which is “used to control annual broadleaf and grass weeds in . . . corn, sorghum, and sugarcane” and also registered for use on “macadamia nuts, guava, fallow crop lands, and turfgrass”(EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0266). Additionally, EPA published a map illustrating “where the level of concern is expected to be exceeded” and thus, “EPA expects to propose mitigation measures to protect aquatic plant communities.” According to the announcement, EPA “plans to update its 2022 atrazine mitigation proposal [87 FR 39822] to reflect the revised level of concern and the corrections to the exposure modeling” and states that it “will take public comment on the revised mitigation proposal and also release a response to comments on the 2022 proposed revisions to the interim decision at that time.”

Pesticides/Herbicides: EPA, FWS Publish Methomyl Draft Biological Opinion
On July 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a memorandum announcing the availability of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) draft biological opinion for methomyl, an insecticide “used to control foliage and soil-borne insect pests on a variety of food and feed crops, including field vegetables and orchard crops” (EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0290). According to an executive summary published by FWS, the agency determined that methomyl use “is likely to jeopardize 82 listed species and destroy or adversely modify 34 designated critical habitats.” EPA is accepting comments on the draft biological opinion until September 9, 2024.

Marketing Orders: USDA Publishes Final Rule Terminating Cranberry Marketing Order
On July 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a final rule (89 FR 57059) “terminat[ing] Federal Marketing Order No. 929 regulating the handling of cranberries grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York.” The final rule also terminates “data collection, reporting and recordkeeping requirements applicable to cranberries not subject to the marketing order” and “removes the marketing order from the Code of Federal Regulations.” The final rule becomes effective July 31, 2024.

Agricultural Transportation: Commission Publishes Final Rule to Implement Ocean Shipping Reform Act
On July 23, 2024, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) published in the Federal Register a final rule (89 FR 59648) “issuing regulations to implement the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022‘s prohibition against unreasonable refusals of cargo space accommodations when available (46 U.S.C. 41104(a)(3)) and unreasonable refusals to deal or negotiate with respect to vessel space accommodations by ocean common carriers (46 U.S.C. 41104(a)(10)).” Also announced by the FMC, the new regulations “apply to vessel-operating common carriers and containerized cargo.” FMC states that “if an ocean common carrier can prove there was a reasonable basis for refusing to negotiate or carry cargo, their conduct will not be found in violation of the law.” The final rule becomes effective September 23, 2024.

Avian Influenza: Colorado Announces Statewide Mandatory Milk Testing
On July 22, 2024, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, through the Colorado state veterinarian, issued an order mandating submission of weekly bulk-sampling for all dairy cow farms licensed with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The purpose of the order is to “survey for, identify, and isolate instances of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds to prevent further spread of the virus amongst dairy and poultry farms.” According to the order, “samples must be collected by CDPHE-certified collection samplers” “from every CDPHE-licensed dairy cow farm in Colorado that is not under any separate order of quarantine” and “[a]ny dairy that has a non-negative bulk tank test result will be placed under quarantine.” The mandatory testing order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by a later order. See also ALWR—June 10, 2024, “Avian Influenza: USDA Announces Additional Funding, New Voluntary Bulk Milk Testing Pilot Program.”

 

____________________________________­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________________________

aglaw.psu.edu | Facebook | Twitter@AgShaleLaw | YouTube | LinkedIn

CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Understanding Agricultural Law Series. A free monthly Zoom webinar series for agricultural and rural business advisors. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Fridays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:

Impacts of Solar Development on Rural Areas

  • Aug. 20, 2024, noon–4:30pm (ET), Online. Staff Attorney Brook Duer presents at Penn State Extension’s Solar Law Symposium.

Right to Repair and Agriculture

  • Sept. 18, 2024, noon–1:00pm (ET), Online. Center Director Ross Pifer presents with the National Agricultural Law Center.

2024 Pennsylvania Agricultural Law Symposium

  • Sept. 19, 2024, 8:30am–4:30pm, In-person at Penn State Law, Lewis Katz Building, University Park, Pa. Topics: 2023-24 g Law Year in Review, Biosolids and Food Processing Waste Legal Issues, Agricultural Cooperatives, Carbon Credits and Contracts, Farm Labor Contractors and H-2A workers, and Farm Family Representation Ethical Issues. Registration available soon!

Podcasts:

Farmland Legal Energy Podcast

Commercial Energy Payments on Farmland (July 17, 2024)

Resources of Interest:

Nat’l Agric Law Ctr., Supreme Court of the United States Rules SEC Administrative Proceedings Unconstitutional, Samantha Capaldo (July 11, 2024)

Nat’l Agric Law Ctr., SCOTUS Rejects Consent Decree Over Rio Grande, Brigit Rollins (July 16, 2024)

Nat’l Agric Law Ctr., Regulation of Food for GLP-1 Drug Users: Labeling Claims, Emily Stone (July 18, 2024)

Nat’l Agric Law Ctr., Farm Bill 2024: Themes in the Proposed Rural Development Titles, Emily Stone (July 9, 2024)

Southern Ag Today, Trade Policy Also Important in Next Farm Bill, Joe Outlaw, Texas A&M, Bart Fischer, Texas A&M (July 18, 2024)

Southern Ag Today, Department of Labor Finalizes New H-2A Regulations, Samantha Capaldo, Nat’l Agric Law Ctr. (July 19, 2024)

Tex. A&M Agric. Law Blog, Ranch ATV Accident Results in Lawsuit, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet (July 8, 2024)

Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, Scenic Rivers Bill goes to Governor’s desk, Peggy Kirk Hall (July 17, 2024)

Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, Robert Moore (July 11, 2024)

Agric. Law & Tax’n Blog, FBAR; Read Before Signing; Reporting 4-H Income and Attorney-Client Privilege, Roger A. McEowen (July 16, 2024)

Penn State Research, Solar Farms with Stormwater Controls Mitigate Runoff, Erosion, Study Finds Jeff Mulhollem (July 18, 2024)

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

U.S. ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPA Issues Order to Excell Air Filters in Ashland, Ohio, to Stop the Sale of Products using an Unregistered Pesticide (July 18, 2024)

EPA requires Safe Drinking Water Act compliance at Nooksack water systems (July 17, 2024)

EPA Announces New, Earlier Protections for People from Pesticide Spray Drift (July 15, 2024)

EPA Announces Settlement with Amerikal Products in Waukegan, Illinois, for Sale of Unregistered Pesticide Product (July 15, 2024)

EPA Announces a Settlement Amount of $173,000 with the Louisiana Organization International-Matex Terminals LLC (July 15, 2024)

EPA hands down penalties to Rhode Island corporation for FIFRA violations (July 9, 2024)

U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $90 Million in Innovative Projects that Help Conserve Natural Resources and Address Climate Change as Part of Investing in America Agenda (July 18, 2024)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments and Promotions (July 17, 2024)

USDA Makes Record-Breaking $14.3 Million Investment in Farm to School Grants (July 15, 2024)

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $110 Million in Meat and Poultry Processing to Strengthen Food Supply Chain, Increase Competition, and Lower Food Costs (July 11, 2024)

USDA Invests $4.5 Million to Build Nutrition Hub Network (July 11, 2024)

USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES:

Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA Files Action Against Peak Seasons Produce LLC in Florida for Alleged PACA Violations (July 19, 2024)

USDA Lifts PACA Reparation Sanctions on Texas Produce Business (July 19, 2024)

USDA Restricts PACA Violators in California, Georgia and Texas from Operating in the Produce Industry (July 19, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Andrew Hoehner (July 19, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Joe Dax Tyler (July 19, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Indiana Halal LLC (July 19, 2024)

USDA Cites California Fresh Citrus Company in California for PACA Violations (July 19, 2024)

USDA Issues a Packers and Stockyards Complaint against Edward Sekerak (July 19, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Dominique’s Livestock Market LLC (July 10, 2024)

USDA Restricts PACA Violators in Arkansas, New York and Virginia from Operating in the Produce Industry (July 10, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Rosenkrans Natural Beef Company LLC (July 10, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Zane Webb (July 8, 2024)

Agricultural Research Service

Pearl Millet Wins Approval From Honey Bees and Other Pollinators (July 18, 2024)

The Right-Size Nest Can Maximize Pollination Capabilities of Solitary Bees (July 17, 2024)

Animal and Plant Inspection Service

USDA Updates Requirements to Allow for the Safe Importation of Chilean Table Grapes into the United States (July 18, 2024)

APHIS in Action: APHIS Drives Research to Combat Chronic Wasting Disease (July 9, 2024)

APHIS Releases 2023 Impact Report (July 9, 2024)

Farm Service Agency

USDA and Fort Belknap Indian Community Partner to Support Working Lands Conservation (July 16, 2024)

USDA Announces August 14 Application Deadline for Emergency Relief Program Assistance for Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters (July 15, 2024)

Food and Nutrition Service

USDA Announces $100 Million Investment to Help Families Buy Food for Their Children During Summer Months (July 10, 2024)

USDA Awards $10 Million to Spark Innovation in Regional School Food Systems (July 10, 2024)

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Constituent Update – July 19, 2024 (July 19, 2024)

FSIS Updates for Small Plants – July 3, 2024 (July 15, 2024)

Constituent Update – July 12, 2024 (July 12, 2024)

Forest Service

USDA Forest Service seeks public comment on draft guidance for old growth management on national forests (July 20, 2024)

USDA Announces Nearly $66M for Conservation Work with States, Tribes, Private Landowners as Part of Investing in America Agenda (July 11, 2024)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIFA Invests $2.6M to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain (A1366) (July 10, 2024)

NIFA Invests $1.8M in Methyl Bromide Transition Program (July 10, 2024)

National Agriculture Statistics Service

USDA releases 2022 Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture (July 18, 2024)

Natural Resource Conservation Service

USDA Seeks Project Proposals for Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements (July 16, 2024)

Public Input Sought for Crabtree Creek Watershed Structure No. 3 (July 15, 2024)

NRCS Announces FY2025 Application Batching Date for ACEP, CSP, EQIP, RCPP (July 12, 2024)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register July 7–20, 2024):   

Agricultural Department

89 FR 57123 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request” (July 12, 2024)

Agricultural Marketing Service

89 FR 58636 Proposed Rule: “Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin; Amendments to the Marketing Order” (July 19, 2024)

89 FR 58247 Rule: “Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education, and Information Order; Adjustment to Membership” (July 18, 2024)

89 FR 57368 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order; Clarifying Changes” (July 15, 2024)

89 FR 57580 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Proposed Amendments to Marketing Agreements and Orders” (July 15, 2024)

89 FR 57061 Rule: “Olives Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate” (July 12, 2024)

89 FR 57059 Rule: “Cranberries Grown in Massachusetts, et al.; Termination of Marketing Order and Data Collection Requirements for Cranberries Not Subject to the Marketing Order” (July 12, 2024)

89 FR 56715 Notice: “Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee” (July 10, 2024)

89 FR 56234 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Increased Assessment Rate” (July 9, 2024)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

89 FR 58703 Notice: “Importation of Grapes From Chile Into the United States” (July 19, 2024)

89 FR 58328 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Leaves and Stems of Fresh Sage for Consumption From Ethiopia Into the Continental United States” (July 18, 2024)

89 FR 57843 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Veterinary Services Laboratories Request Forms” (July 17, 2024)

89 FR 56715 Notice—Comment Period: “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records” (July 10, 2024)

Environmental Protection Agency

89 FR 58732 Notice: “Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) and Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee (AAWQ); Notice of Public Meetings” (July 19, 2024)

89 FR 58156 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment” (July 17, 2024)

89 FR 57832 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Polytetrafluoroethylene; Revocation of the Tolerance Exemption When Used as an Inert Ingredient in Pesticide Products” (July 16, 2024)

89 FR 57889 Notice: “Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations and/or Amendments To Terminate Uses” (July 16, 2024)

89 FR 57770 Rule: “Notification of Submission to the Secretary of Agriculture; Draft Final Rule; Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Reconsideration of the Application Exclusion Zone Amendments” (July 16, 2024)

89 FR 57410 Notice: “Pesticide Registration Review; Decisions and Case Closures for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” (July 15, 2024)

89 FR 57409 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Pesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment; Notice of Availability” (July 15, 2024)

89 FR 57401 Notice—Comment Period: “Chlorpyrifos; Notice of Receipt of Request To Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations To Terminate Certain Uses” (July 15, 2024)

89 FR 56870 Notice—Comment Period: “Certain New Chemicals; Receipt and Status Information for May 2024” (July 11, 2024)

89 FR 56669 Rule—Comment Period: “Metamitron; Pesticide Tolerance for Emergency Exemptions” (July 10, 2024)

Food and Nutrition Services

89 FR 57845 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities: 2027 Farm to School Census” (July 16, 2024)

89 FR 56720 Notice: “National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates” (July 10, 2024)

89 FR 56724 Notice: “Child and Adult Care Food Program: National Average Payment Rates, Day Care Home Food Service Payment Rates, and Administrative Reimbursement Rates for Sponsoring Organizations of Day Care Homes for the Period July 1, 2024 Through June 30, 2025” (July 10, 2024)

Foreign Agriculture Service

89 FR 58713 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Information (RFI) Inviting Input About the $50 Million Non-Traditional Shelf-Stable Commodities Pilot Program” (July 19, 2024)

89 FR 57384 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Information (RFI) Inviting Input About the $50 Million Non-Traditional Shelf-Stable Commodities Pilot Program” (July 15, 2024)

Forest Service

89 FR 56726 Notice: “Boundary Establishment and Comprehensive River Management Plan for Cottonwood Creek National Wild and Scenic River on Inyo National Forest, Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, California State Office, Inyo and Mono Counties, California” (July 10, 2024)

National Agricultural Statistics Service

89 FR 58715 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Opportunity To Submit Content Request for the 2027 Census of Agriculture” (July 19, 2024)

89 FR 58329 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (July 18, 2024)

Partnerships and Public Engagement Office

89 FR 56727 Notice: “Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers” (July 10, 2024)

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

89 FR 57385 Notice: “Notice of Processing Timeline Change for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year 2024” (July 15, 2024)

Rural Housing Service

89 FR 57850 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (July 16, 2024)

89 FR 57386 Notice—Comment Period: “60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Fire and Rescue Loans; OMB Control No.: 0575-0120″ (July 15, 2024)

U.S. Codex Office

89 FR 56719 Notice: “Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems” (July 10, 2024)

U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE:

H.R.9019 “To establish a uniform definition of “rural area” for all rural development programs administered by the Department of Agriculture.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (July 11, 2024)

H.R.9012 “To promote the development of renewable energy on public land, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (July 11, 2024)

H.R.8994 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to remove nonambulatory pigs from the United States food system, to establish an online portal for confidential complaints, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (July 11, 2024)

H.R.8971 “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an investment credit for certain domestic infant formula manufacturing facilities.” Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (July 9, 2024)

H.R.8811 “To reauthorize the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, and for other purposes.” Subcommittee Hearings Held (July 9, 2024)

H.R.7544 “Water Rights Protection Act of 2024” Subcommittee Hearings Held (July 9, 2024)

H.R.6012 “Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2023” Subcommittee Hearings Held (July 9, 2024)

H.R.3299 “Deploying Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act” Subcommittee Hearings Held (July 9, 2024)

H.R.3283 “Facilitating the Deployment of Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act” Subcommittee Hearings Held (July 9, 2024)

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY:

S.4637 “A bill to amend the Food for Peace Act to allow additional forms of assistance, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (July 8, 2024)

Agriculture-Related Legislative Hearings & Reports

U.S. House Ag. Comm., “Finacial Conditions in Farm Country”, July 23, 2024, 10:00 am ET

U.S. House Ag. Comm., “Reauthorizing the CFTC: Stakeholder Perspectives”, July 25, 2024, 8:30 am ET

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASES
Shapiro Administration Tours Grow Pittsburgh’s Braddock Farms To Announce $500,000 Investment Creating Economic Opportunities And Increasing Fresh Food Availability In Urban Neighborhoods (July 16, 2024)

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 54, Nos. 28 & 29—July 13 & 20, 2024): 

Department of Environmental Protection 

54 Pa.B. 4139 Notice: “Applications, Actions and Special Notices”

Department of Agriculture

54 Pa.B. 4001 Notice: “General Quarantine Order; Equine Infectious Anemia”

54 Pa.B. 4002 Notice: “Interstate Quarantine Order; Equine Infectious Anemia”

54 Pa.B. 4004 Notice: “Order of Quarantine; Box Tree Moth”

54 Pa.B. 4008 Notice: “Program Requirements for the Urban Agricultural Infrastructure Grant Program”

PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE

SB 1297 “An Act amending the act of April 28, 1937 (P.L.417, No.105), known as the Milk Marketing Law, in purpose, short title and definitions, further providing for definitions and construction; in general powers of the board, providing for collection of premiums; in prices of milk, providing for board-established premiums and further providing for cooperatives; and, in moneys and expenses of board, further providing for Milk Marketing Fund and for payment and providing for audits.” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs (July 17, 2024)

HB 2451 “An Act amending the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1429, No.466), referred to as the Poultry Technician Licensure Law, further providing for collection of samples, for technician requirements, for licensure, for powers and duties of Secretary of Agriculture and for blood sample restrictions.” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs (July 17, 2024)

HB 1889 “An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in weights and measures, further providing for meter required.” Act No. 76 of 2024 (July 17, 2024)

HB 1540 “An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence.”

Act No. 73 of 2024 (July 17, 2024)

HB 2310 “An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code…” Act No. 54 of 2024 (July 11, 2024)

HB 1889 “An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in weights and measures, further providing for meter required.” Signed in Senate (July 11, 2024)

HB 1540 “An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence.” Signed in Senate (July 11, 2024)

HB 2488 “An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in weights and measures, providing for fuel and diesel fuel tax transparency” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs (July 8, 24)

SB 82 “An Act amending the… Dog Law, in short title and definitions, further providing for definitions; in licenses, tags and kennels, further providing for transfer of dog licenses or tags and other licensing requirements, for kennels, for requirements for kennels, for revocation or refusal of kennel licenses, for health certificates for importation and for service dogs and dogs used by municipal or State Police departments; and, in enforcement and penalties, further providing for rules and regulations.” Act No. 47 of 2024 (July 8, 2024)

 

Contributors:
Victoria Dutterer—Research Assistant
Samuel Sweeten—Research Assistant
Audry Thompson—Staff Attorney