TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending December 10, 2004

HR 4620 to confirm the authority of the Sec. of Agriculture to collect approved State commodity assessments on behalf of the State from the proceeds of marketing assistance loans.

BRIEF

   Historically, the US Dept. of Agriculture has collected State commodity check-off assessments (think 'tax assessments') and then use the funds for research regarding the commodity and promotion of the commodity. When commodity producers voted to increase assessments on themselves it became apparent that there was no statutory authority for the USDA to legally increase the collections. The bill straightens out the problem.

Sponsor: Rep. George R. Nethercutt, Jr. (R-WA-5^th)

Vote:  Passed House by voice vote (Oct. 5, 2004); Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (Dec. 7, 2004); Signed by President Bush as Public Law 108-470 (Dec. 21, 2004) 

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost. ## All Rights Reserved. No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com