Senate Bill 770 Summary

• Grants Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services enforcement authority over bedding regulations, including detention/embargo powers, civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and misdemeanor penalties for violations.

• Establishes Agricultural Emergency Response Act authorizing Department to deploy emergency response teams for agricultural disasters without requiring state of emergency declaration under Chapter 166A.

• Allows Wildlife Resources Commission and federal wildlife employees to cull feral swine from aircraft with landowner permission, except in coastal counties during waterfowl season.

• Removes committee inspection requirement for rendering plants, delegating inspection authority directly to the Commissioner or designee, and streamlines licensing process.

• Exempts minor repairs under $15,000 in residential and farm buildings from permit requirements, including replacement of windows, doors, siding, and electrical fixtures.

• Establishes voluntary assessment program on farmed cervid feed (up to $4 per ton) subject to farmer referendum, with funds supporting cervid industry promotion.

• Authorizes certified well drillers to install water pipes and electrical wiring in single ditch from well to tank or pressure switch.

• Extends renewable fuel facility tax credit sunset from 2017 to 2020 for taxpayers meeting specified conditions.

• Provides school districts authority to establish local preference pricing policies for food grown or raised in North Carolina.