Ag Issues in the Legislature

There are many issues being debated in the Nebraska Legislature and with this week's column, I wanted to provide a preview of key issues before the Agriculture Committee.

The Agriculture Committee will continue to devote considerable attention to finding a resolution regarding the location of the Nebraska State Fair. The basic question is whether State Fair Park should be used as the location of the State Fair or allowed to be developed as a publicÐprivate research innovation campus. There are numerous bills before the committee this session to reach a conclusion on this question.

LB 861 removes the statutory requirement that the Nebraska State Fair be held at its present location; giving the fair board the authority to make the decision on where the fair should be held. LB 1044 would relocate the fair within Lancaster County by August of 2012. It also creates a commission to decide on a new location and how to pay for the move while stating that State Fair Park should be gifted to the University. LB 1116 requires the University to pay $30 million or appraised value for State Fair Park, whichever is greater, if the Fair Board notifies the state they will move to another location. While these bills will be heard before the committee, the groups involved in this discussion must work together to resolve or to clarify the possible solutions before the hearing on the above bills on February 26th. These groups have been given a great deal of time, but if they cannot agree on a solution the Agriculture Committee and the Legislature will act to resolve the issue this session.

Another key issue before the committee is brought by groups that have traditionally championed corporate farming restrictions and I-300. LB 1174, introduced by Senator Dierks, would rewrite the constitutional amendment of I-300 in statute in an attempt to correct the issues found to be in violation of the Constitution by the federal courts.

The agriculture industry continues to change and it is critical that we create policy that will stand the test of time. Over the interim the committee devoted a great deal of effort engaging Nebraskans in a meaningful discussion of what policies are needed to ensure a successful agriculture industry for our state. It is disappointing that the agricultural community disagrees what that policy should be, but I am still hopeful we can have a meaningful discussion of the issue this session. It is in our best interest, Nebraskans concerned and interested in the future of our agriculture industry, to work together to determine what, if any, response is best suited to position agriculture for success now and for years to come.

Fortunately there is consensus within the ag community on the issue of increasing opportunities for beginning farmers. LB 875 would revise the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Act to allow related persons to qualify for a tax credit provided the land being rented is associated with an asset transfer plan. The changes would compliment programs at Nebraska's Technical College in Curtis. That program equips graduates with a business plan to assume management of a beef herd upon graduation and ultimately ownership of an operation. I have also introduced LB 1027, which would allow qualified beginning farmers to claim a personal property tax exemption for a period of three years.

As Nebraskans we recognize the impact and importance of our Agriculture industry. Your input is vital in setting the policy for its success. You can contact me, toll free at 1-866-800-7445, by mail at: State Capitol, District 47, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509, or by email at perdman@leg.ne.gov.