By:Ellen Essman, Senior Research Associate

A trio of senate bills related to agriculture were introduced in the Ohio General Assembly this month.  The bills touch on a variety of topics, from CAUV recoupment charges, to training an agricultural workforce, to creating a state food and agriculture policy council.

Senate Bill 285, available here, was introduced by Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) on October 8 and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  The bill would exempt certain conservation uses from recoupment charges when land is converted from an agricultural use. Typically, if agricultural land is converted to another use, it is subject to a recoupment charge equal to the previous three years of tax savings it received because it was valued using its current agricultural use value (CAUV).  SB 285 would not require a recoupment charge to be paid if the agricultural land is acquired by a conservation organization and is used for certain environmental response projects related to water quality or wetlands, or if it is used for an H2Ohio water project. That being said, if the land ceases to be used for conservation, recoupment charges would apply.  SB 285 had its first hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on October 28.

Sponsored by Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), SB 287, entitled “Farming And Workforce” was introduced on October 8, and had its first hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on October 28.  The bill, which is available here, would create the Farming and Workforce Development Program.  This program would provide training for Ohio residents between 16 and 35 years of age to prepare them for employment in seasonal crop farming. The program would not exclude people who have been convicted or pled guilty to a felony from eligibility.  The bill would require Ohio State University Extension and Central State University Extension to develop guidelines and policies for the application process, coursework, and running of the Farming and Workforce Development Program, and would appropriate $500,000 from the state general revenue fund to get the program started.

Finally, Senate Bill 288 was also introduced on October 8. Also sponsored by Senator Hicks-Hudson, the bill, available here, would create the Ohio Food and Agriculture Policy Council.  The Council would be tasked with making recommendations to the General Assembly that strengthen Ohio’s food and farm economies, engaging in advocacy, education, and policy work for the health of Ohio’s citizens and the sustainability of the state’s natural resources.  Specifically, the Council would be charged with delivering an annual report to the General Assembly detailing its recommendations on:

• Food security;
• Food access;
• Food production and distribution;
• Food waste;
• Economic development;
• Food procurement;
• Food chain workers; and
• Food systems resilience.

The Council would be housed under the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). The Director of ODA would serve on the council, as well as the following members, who would be appointed by the Governor:

• One member who is a representative of the Ohio Hospital Association;
• One member from Ohio State University Extension;
• One member from Central State University Extension;
• Three members from Ohio Farm Bureau;
• One member who represents urban farming;
• One member who represents rural farming;
• One member who represents statewide food banks; and
• One member who is a registered lobbyist representing Ohio Cooperatives.

Senate Bill 288 would appropriate $500,000 to create the Ohio Food and Agriculture Policy Council and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Be sure to stay tuned to the Ag Law Blog for continuing updates on Ohio Legislation affecting agriculture!