Resolve, To Review Sales of Dairy Products

Sec. 1. Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources directed to examine sales of dairy products. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall convene a working group to study the feasibility of extending a handling fee to or initiating a sales tax on dairy products other than fluid milk. The commissioner shall invite dairy farmers, milk processors, retail grocers, an economist with expertise in marketing and a representative of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services to participate in the working group. The commissioner shall seek participation from other agencies and individuals as needed to assist in determining the products on which to impose a fee, the point of fee collection and an estimate of revenue generated.

The commissioner shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters no later than January 15, 2011 with recommendations on how to increase revenue from the sales of dairy products. The joint standing committee having jurisdiction over agricultural matters may submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature regarding fees or taxes on the sale of dairy products.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a working group to examine the feasibility of increasing revenue to the State by extending the handling fee or initiating a sales tax on dairy products other than fluid milk. The commissioner is directed to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters by January 15, 2011. The committee is authorized to submit a bill to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.