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F4 Farm Tag Bill Fails To Pass Legislature
A bill with the potential to save farmers hundreds of dollars annually did not pass the Alabama Senate on the last day of the 2014 legislative session. HB 44, sponsored by Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, was carried over just before the Senate leadership moved to adjourn "sine die" at 7:27 p.m.
"We appreciate the House of Representatives and members of the Senate Commerce, Transportation and Utilities Committee for approving this bill in February, but we're very disappointed that the Senate waited 17 legislative days before putting HB 44 on its agenda," said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. "Our members worked hard, urging their senators to support his measure. There is no reason it should have taken until the final day of the session for this bill to come before the Senate for a vote."
HB 44 would have removed the limit of one F4 farm tag per person. F4 tags are available for heavy vehicles farmers use to transport equipment and harvest, often for only a few months each year.
When the bill came to the Senate floor Thursday, Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, offered an amendment, essentially killing the bill because the House of Representatives did not have time to concur.
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Federation Budget Priorities Preserved, Increased
All Alabama Farmers Federation priorities in the General Fund (GF) and Education Trust Fund (ETF) budgets received either increased or level funding. Both budgets must still be signed by the governor. Alabama students will benefit from the $1 million increase to the state's Career Tech Initiative in the ETF. The Operation and Maintenance budget for the program remained level at $5 million. The office of the state climatologist received a 240 percent funding increase. Current State Climatologist and University of Alabama Huntsville professor Dr. John Christy is responsible for providing weather and climate information to improve decisions made on environmental quality and economic efficiency in Alabama. In the GF, the State Department of Agriculture and Industries received an increase of more than $200,000. AFF Priorities At A Glance - ETF Budget
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Budget Item
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Proposal Awaiting Governor Approval
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Change from FY14
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Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
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$30,634,258
| $11,304 
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Career Tech - Operation and Maintenance
| $5,000,000 | No change | |
Career Tech Initiative
| $3,257,967 | $1,000,000
| | Office of State Climatologist | $850,000 | $600,000
| | Cooperative Extension System | $32,044,401 | $422,849
| | Rural Medical Scholars Program |
$750,000
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$100,000 | |
Poultry Technology Center at Auburn University
| $250,000 | No change |
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AFF Priorities At A Glance - General Fund Budget
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Budget Item
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Proposal Awaiting Governor Approval
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Change from FY14
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Agricultural Water Enhancement Program
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$90,674
| No change
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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
| $380,000 | No change | |
State Water Assessment Program
| $1,000,000 | No change
| Department of Agriculture and Industries
| $9,625,974 | $221,741
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Agriculture Bills Passed By Alabama Legislature
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Thank You
The Alabama Farmers Federation thanks our members for staying active in the political process this session. Through member involvement, Alabama legislators and state leaders gain a greater understanding of the importance of agriculture - the state's largest industry.
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The Alabama Legislature has adjourned sine die.
The 2015 regular legislative session begins March 3. |
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For questions or comments regarding newsletter content, e-mail:
Matthew Durdin - State Legislative Programs Director for the Senate
or
David Cole - State Legislative Programs Director for the House
For distribution questions or media inquiries, e-mail:
Mary Johnson - Director of News Services
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