01/09/06 Legislature back to work, a preview look

The Idaho legislature goes back into session today. There are going to be several agriculture related issues for the House and Senate to deal with this year. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is proposing legislation to change the responsibilities of the state veterinarian. Essentially, the job would be split into two; one person to set the policy for animal health issues, the other to be the manager of the animal health industry division. There will be another attempt this year to add ethanol to Idaho gasoline. HENDRICKS "Once there is 30 million gallons of production of ethanol here in Idaho then the renewable fuels standard will take effect and the gasoline throughout the state would have a ten percent blend of ethanol." Russ Hendricks of the Idaho Farm Bureau says this market driven approach won't cost the state anything and could give farmers a new market for their crops. Lawmakers will also be asked to put up as much as five million dollars as a deficiency warrant so the state can control the potato tuber moth. Most observers say the big battle in the legislature this year will be over tax reform, specifically the rising property tax bills that Idahoans have been facing in recent years. Voice of Idaho Agriculture