SB-0850 Summary

• Appropriates $108,618,100 total from all sources for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for fiscal year 2018-2019, with $59,355,200 from state general fund/general purpose revenues.

• Establishes 506.5 full-time equated positions (6.0 unclassified, 500.5 classified) across departmental divisions including food and dairy, animal industry, pesticide and plant pest management, environmental stewardship, and laboratory services.

• Authorizes $3,150,000 in one-time appropriations for food and agriculture investment program ($2,000,000), county fairs and expositions ($600,000), and food processing workforce development ($550,000).

• Requires department reporting on activities in food/dairy, animal industry, pesticide management, environmental stewardship, and laboratory services divisions, due by April 1 annually; includes specific bovine tuberculosis reporting requirements.

• Authorizes department to establish fee schedules for services including pesticide propagation, fruit/vegetable inspection, and laboratory analyses; requires 30-day advance notice to legislature before fee changes.