State Bills Potential Impact on Ag

State Bills Potential Impact on Ag

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

The state legislature is considering several bills this session that have the potential to impact agriculture producers and workers.

Greenberg: There were a couple of bills introduced around deregulating meat sales. Minor adjustments but it’s getting at making it more accessible for producers to sell directly to consumers on the beef side. So those bills have condensed into one after being introduced in committee.”

Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg speaking about Senate Bill 79, sponsored by Senator Jerry Sonnenberg and Representative Rod Pelton. SB79 would allow producers to sell directly to consumers shares beef, sheep, poultry, hogs, rabbits, and fish, for future delivery. It would limit the number of inspections required before slaughter.

Another bill deals with agricultural workers’ rights.

Greenberg: “This is one that has just been receiving a lot of attention. It was introduced right out of the gates and I think it is one that folks should definitely have an eye on for how it may impact them.”

Greenberg is referring to Senate Bill 87 which would remove the exemption of agricultural employers and employees from the Colorado "Labor Peace Act" and authorize ag employees to organize and join labor unions and engage in collective bargaining. SB 87 is sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson and Representatives Karen McCormick and Yadira Caraveo. The bill could establish overtime pay for ag workers.

Two bills deal with the potential impacts of Wolf reintroduction and another with invasive pest control.

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