HB1184: relative to making an appropriation to the organic certification program.

HB 1184-FN-A - AS INTRODUCED

2024 SESSION

24-2106

08/10

HOUSE BILL 1184-FN-A

AN ACT relative to making an appropriation to the organic certification program.

SPONSORS: Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13; Rep. Wolf, Merr. 7; Rep. B. Sullivan, Sull. 1; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6; Rep. Ankarberg, Straf. 7; Rep. Vallone, Rock. 5; Rep. Calabro, Hills. 45; Rep. Weber, Ches. 5; Rep. Horrigan, Straf. 10; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Watters, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

ANALYSIS

This bill makes an appropriation to the department of agriculture, markets and food for the staffing and funding of the organic certification program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2106

08/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

AN ACT relative to making an appropriation to the organic certification program.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food; Positions Created.

I. There is created within the department of agriculture, markets, and food the classified full-time position of organic certification inspector, who shall be under the direction of the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food pursuant to RSA 426:6-b. The certifier shall be responsible for certifying agricultural producers in this state, and determining whether or not agricultural plant, food, or fiber commodities are marked, branded, or labeled in accordance with the labeling requirements set forth in this chapter and in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624, and the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program, Final Rule, 7 CFR part 205.

II. There is created within the department of agriculture, markets, and food the classified part-time position of organic certification inspector, who shall be under the direction of the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food pursuant to RSA 426:6-b. The certifier shall be responsible for certifying agricultural producers in this state, and determining whether or not agricultural plant, food, or fiber commodities are marked, branded, or labeled in accordance with the labeling requirements set forth in this chapter and in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624, and the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program, Final Rule, 7 CFR part 205.

2 Appropriation; Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. The sum of $220,326 is hereby appropriated to the department of agriculture, markets, and food for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 to contract for one full-time and one part-time organic certification inspector as established in section 1 of this act, as well as vehicle use and computer resources for use in the course of their work. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBA

24-2106

11/29/23

HB 1184-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to making an appropriation to the organic certification program.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$205,000

$205,000

Revenue Fund(s)

General Fund

Expenditures

$0

$220,326

$220,000

$220,000

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$0

$220,326

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] Yes

• Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] Yes

METHODOLOGY:

This bill makes an appropriation in FY 2025 to the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food for the organic certification program. The bill also establishes a full-time organic certification inspector position and a part-time organic certification inspector position.

The Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food indicates the bill provides funding and staff for the organic certification program in FY 2025. The Department assumes the organic crop fee structure in administrative rules would be increased to generate revenue sufficient to offset the program's cost; making the program self-sustaining in FY 2026 and each year thereafter. Current annual revenue from organic crop fees is $15,000. The anticipate fee increase would generate an additional $205,000, sufficient to support the annual program budget of approximately $220,000. Such fees are deposited in the State general fund as unrestricted revenue. Funding and appropriations for the organic certification program for FY 2026 and future years will be included in the Department's biennial operating budgets.

It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2024.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food