HB 1326 Summary

• Establishes the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act of 2014, creating a fund to support dairy producers through margin insurance premium assistance (70% reimbursement up to 34 cents per hundredweight), scholarships for agriculture students, and dairy industry research.

• Creates Urban Agricultural Zones (UAZs) in municipalities to support local food production and processing, with tax abatement on real property for up to 25 years and local sales tax revenue directed to school districts and municipal improvements.

• Expands the definition of "livestock" and "captive cervids" across multiple sections to include animals raised in confinement for human consumption and increases surety bond requirements for pesticide applicators from $25,000 to $50,000.

• Modifies vehicle weight regulations to allow trucks hauling milk or livestock to exceed standard limits up to 85,500 pounds on non-interstate highways and establishes the Dr. Merrill Townley Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program.

• Extends liability protections for livestock activity sponsors, owners, and facilities similar to existing equine activity protections, and requires the Department of Agriculture to propose rules on renewable fuel labeling for motor fuel pumps by January 1, 2015.