SF4395 Bill Summary

• Changes seed fee permit structure by modifying application fees and creating tiered annual permit fees based on gross sales levels ranging from $75 to $4,500, plus adds a new fee category for native grasses and wildflower seed at $1 per hundredweight.

• Replaces licensing and bonding requirements for wholesale produce dealers with sales contract protections, establishes trust provisions for perishable farm products held by dealers, and creates a beneficiaries notice system allowing unpaid sellers to recover trust assets within 40 days of non-payment.

• Updates perishable farm products definitions and payment terms, changing the due date from 10 days to 30 days after delivery, and requires farm products dealers to maintain trust assets in a manner that protects unpaid sellers' interests.

• Appropriates $100,000 in fiscal year 2021 for farm safety grants including tractor rollover protective structures and grain storage facility safety equipment, with additional COVID-19 response appropriations totaling $600,000 for farmer assistance and food handler safety.

• Repeals previous wholesale produce dealer licensing, bonding, and application requirements, consolidating perishable farm product regulations under updated statutory provisions emphasizing trust protections and sales contracts over licensing systems.