Sine Die is Just the Beginning
By Philip Bashaw, Arizona Farm Bureau
The Latin words “Sine Die” mark the end of each legislative session. The actual motion is to Adjourn, Sine Die, which means to adjourn indefinitely. While this motion marks the end of the legislative session, the implementation process is just beginning. During the time between legislative sessions, the Arizona Farm Bureau (AZFB) goes to work on the implementation of bills passed during the previous session.
The Office of Pest Management Moves
AZFB had success during the last legislative session in advancing our agenda through a number of pieces of legislation. SB 1194 placed the Office of Pest Management under the direction of the Arizona Department of Agriculture for a period of two years. The Office of Pest Management will be physically housed in the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) building by July19th and ADA will assume direct supervision of the unit at that time. Meetings have already begun as the agricultural industry works with the structural pest industry to put together a 9-member panel which will review proposed changes, laws and rules and will ultimately report back to the legislature.
Clarification of Agricultural Property Tax for Commercial Equine Properties
HB2552 clarified the agricultural property tax statutes to include commercial equine properties as class 2 agricultural properties. In addition to statutory language, the county assessors use a property tax manual to assist them in classifying and valuing agricultural properties. The agricultural community will be working with the Department of Revenue and county assessors to update this manual to incorporate provisions included in HB2552. In addition, this provides an opportunity for us to address other problematic issues in the property tax code and guidance documents.
Existing Agricultural Funds Placed in Trust
As part of the passage of HB2312 that places existing agricultural funds in trust, the Speaker of the House indicated that he may appoint an ad hoc committee to study the issue of fund sweeps throughout state government. We will remain close to this issue and be involved with any ad hoc committee that is called to address this issue. In addition, we will be working with other interested stakeholders in developing a strategy for how we will proceed with this issue, as the law established under HB2312 is automatically repealed at the end of 2012 unless reaffirmed by the state legislature.
Emergency Rulemaking Authority Regarding Air Quality
Air quality has been an issue in Maricopa County for more than 15 years. This year was no exception as the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) withdrew our air quality plan to avoid EPA disapproval. In order to make the changes necessary to the Agricultural BMP program to control dust emissions, the agriculture community worked with the legislature to pass HB2208 that gives ADEQ and the Governor’s Ag BMP Committee emergency rulemaking authority. Farm Bureau is actively involved in the air quality process and potential rule changes to the BMP program.
Legislation Strengthens Private Property Rights
Farm Bureau also worked with various sportsman's groups and the Arizona Game and Fish Department in the passage of HB 2623. This legislation solved a long standing issue with the posting of private property to exclude hunters and fishermen. This legislation strengthened private property rights and gave enforcement officials greater flexibility in enforcing trespassing laws. We hope to build upon this relationship moving forward to create opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be reimbursed for costs incurred from keeping private lands open and enforcing trespassing laws in areas that have been closed to hunting and fishing.
Working with Arizona Game and Fish
In addition, Farm Bureau has been invited to participate in a committee tasked with reviewing the native fish management programs administered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This committee has been formed to address issues raised concerning the use of aquatic pesticides to control fish populations in sensitive areas. Farm Bureau is committed to the safe use of pesticides and other agricultural products. We hope to work with Game and Fish and other interested stakeholders to address fish population control practices while ensuring our continued ability to use crop protection products vital to agricultural production.
Just as the legislators have concluded their work at the state legislature for this session and are shifting their focus to constituent concerns, we too conclude our work for the session and shift our focus to building on successes achieved during the session. Sine Die is not the end of our work, only a turning point.
For more information on this article or Farm Bureau's policy implementation efforts contact Joe Sigg at joesigg@azfb.org or Philip Bashaw at philipbashaw@azfb.org .
