Gov. Robert Bentley signed the Irrigation Tax Credit Improvements bill into law Tuesday to encourage more farmers to install irrigation systems and construct reservoirs. Now, farmers can claim the irrigation tax credit over five years from the date a qualifying project is completed.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, top photo, and Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy,sponsored legislation improving the irrigation tax credit.

Alabama has approximately 120,000 acres of irrigated land, whereas Mississippi and Georgia have more than 1.5 million irrigated acres each. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said he hopes this legislation will make Alabama farmers more competitive and lessen the need for imported corn.

"Right now, we're importing corn from the Midwest," Orr said "Why can't we grow that corn here in Alabama with irrigated fields and higher yields and support our state's row crop farmers? If this bill will help someone make the very big decision to irrigate all or part of their farm to improve the predictability of their yields, then it's a good day's work for the legislature."

Orr said increasing irrigation would benefit the Education Trust Fund through increased income taxes collected from farmers due to higher yields.

House sponsor Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, said increasing irrigated acres is essential for improving Alabama's corn crop.

"I know our farmers are in need of this legislation and of anything else we can do to help them be competitive," Boothe said.

Other provisions clarify the process for multiple farm owners claiming the tax credit and allow more farmers to qualify for the tax credit by using direct withdrawal irrigation methods without a reservoir.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed SB192 Wednesday, which would provide funds for repairing roads and bridges in rural areas. The bill will go back to the Senate for approval because of an amendment added in the House.  

Sponsored by Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, and Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, the measure establishes the Rural Assistance Match Program (RAMP). Counties participating in RAMP would receive $1 million from the state, financed through bonds, and $4 million in federal matching funds.  

RAMP was designed to assist counties that were unable to fund the 20-percent match required for the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP). McCutcheon said repairing bridges and roads will help motorists, including farmers, save money on gas.

"Many times, farmers would have to go several miles out of the way to go around a bridge that was posted," McCutcheon said. "Ultimately that costs fuel, time and labor expenses. Repairs can make these routes shorter and allow farmers to better utilize their time."

Twenty-two counties are expected to participate in RAMP: Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dale, Fayette, Geneva, Hale, Henry, Lawrence, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Wilcox and Winston.

"Projects that are often overlooked are finally getting the attention and repairs they need through ATRIP and RAMP," said Alabama Farmers Federation Cotton, Soybeans and Wheat & Feed Grains Divisions Director Buddy Adamson. "We're thankful to the governor, the legislature and the department of transportation for putting an emphasis on improving rural bridges and roads and encourage our members to contact their county engineers and commissioners about areas in need of repair."

A law signed Tuesday by Gov. Robert Bentley aims to improve government efficiency by consolidating law enforcement agencies. The law creates the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and the position of agency secretary.  

"We appreciate the service and dedication of all of our state law enforcement officers," Bentley said. "As we improve coordination between their departments, we'll be able to better protect our citizens while also saving taxpayers money." 

The agency would consolidate uniformed services under the Department of Public Safety and combine investigative services into a new Bureau of Investigation. The Department of Homeland Security would also be incorporated into the agency. 

Gov. Robert Bentley shakes hands with Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, after signing the law enforcement consolidation bill. From left are Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Marsh, Bentley and Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison.

 
"We owe it to our citizens to have the most efficient law enforcement possible," said Senate President Pro Tem and legislation sponsor Del Marsh, R-Anniston. "We're producing these efficiencies over time. It's done without jeopardizing anyone's job, pay or benefits. We're finding a compassionate way to downsize government and make it more efficient."

Responsibility for agriculture investigators will move from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to the Bureau of Investigation. ADAI does not currently employ any agriculture investigators due to budget cuts. 

"Different agencies that have investigative needs will be able to share resources," Marsh said. "This is going to put people in (the agriculture investigator) positions to go out and make those investigations. Our intent is, when farmers make a phone call, an investigator will be there as quickly as possible trying to solve that crime."

Marsh said the law is the result of two years of research and estimated the changes would save state government $35 million.

Another set of government efficiency bills, sponsored by Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, would consolidate state information technology (IT) departments. Last week, Bentley signed SB117, which establishes the position of secretary of IT. SB116 would consolidate state IT departments into the Alabama Technology Authority and is assigned to the House Technology and Research Committee.  

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