ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2289: citrus research council; fee increase

Sponsor: Representative Dunn, LD 13

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Overview

Increases the limit on the fee that the Arizona Citrus Research Council can assess and broadens the types of goods on which this fee can be assessed.

History

Agricultural Research Councils

The Arizona Department of Agriculture contains several research and advisory councils that help market and fund research projects for different agricultural commodities produced in Arizona. For example, the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council funds various research programs and projects that include those assisting in reducing fresh water consumption, developing new grain varieties, improving production and handling methods and designing new or improved harvesting and handling equipment (A.R.S. § 3-584(B)). It funds these activities through a fee of up to 5¢ that it assess per 100 pounds of grain sold through commercial channels (A.R.S. § 3-587). Similarly, the Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council reviews and awards funding to research programs in areas such as varietal development; lettuce pest eradication; and producing, harvesting, handling and hauling this lettuce from field to market (A.R.S. § 3-526.02). To fund these efforts, this council changes a fee of no more than 1.5¢ per carton of packed iceberg lettuce or bulk bins of lettuce that weight about 45 pounds (A.R.S. § 3-526.04).

Arizona Citrus Research Council

The Arizona Citrus Research Council (Council) consists of five members who are citrus producers appointed by the Governor to three-year terms (A.R.S. § 3-468.01). It funds programs and projects that focus on varietal develop, citrus pest eradication and harvesting and moving produce to market (A.R.S. § 3-468.02). To fund its activities, the Council can assess a fee that cannot exceed 1.5¢ per standard carton of citrus produced in Arizona for market (A.R.S. § 3-468.04). This fee has been at this 1.5¢ cap since FY 1996.

Provisions

1. Increases the fee limit to 5 cents per standard carton of citrus produced. (Sec. 2)

2. Adds 40 pounds of equivalent weight in citrus bulk bins to the goods on which the Council can assess this fee. (Sec. 2)

3. Allows the Council to assess this fee at different amounts for citrus produced for the fresh market and citrus produced for juice production. (Sec. 2)

4. Broadens the definition of citrus to include citrus that is produced in Arizona for juice production. (Sec. 1)

5. Contains a Proposition 108 clause. (Sec. 3)

6. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1 and 2)

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10. HB 2289

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