The gavel drops Jan. 6, ushering in the 2021 state legislative session. Members of the Missouri General Assembly already filed bills regarding extending tax credits for agriculture and small businesses, limiting foreign ownership of land, and making corn dogs the official food of the Missouri State Fair.

Prefiling of bills started in December. At the same time, many farm groups began formulating and evaluating several pieces of legislation.

Key proposals

The Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri Soybean Association highlighted a few key pieces of legislation farmers should watch during this session:

Missouri-made Fuels Act. This was designed to expand biodiesel sales in the state by setting a standard blending level. This legislation was filed last session, but COVID-19-related disruptions slowed down its progress. Sen. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg is sponsoring the legislation, Senate Bill 96, this session. Under the act, all diesel fuel sold or offered for sale in the state would contain at least 5% biodiesel fuel oil starting in April 2022, 10% the next year and 20% starting in April 2024. The minimum content levels would be used from April through October of each year.

Ethanol blending tax credit. This would incentivize more retailers to update infrastructure to sell higher blends of ethanol fuel containing 15% or more. Starting Jan. 1, 2022, this act authorizes a tax credit of 5 cents per gallon of higher ethanol blend sold and dispensed through metered pumps at the service station during the tax year. This act sunsets at the end of 2025 unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. The Senate Bill 140, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean, is one to watch.

Foreign ownership. Senate Bill 243, sponsored by Sen. Scott Sifton of St. Louis County, prevents any alien or foreign business from acquiring agricultural land in the state beginning as early as next August. The act seeks to have the Missouri Department of Agriculture review all proposed transfers of any interest in agricultural land held by any alien or foreign.

Farm vehicle registration. Rep. Don Rone pre-filed House Bill 153 that requires the Department of Revenue to establish a system in which people who own multiple farm vehicles can elect to have the vehicles placed on the same registration renewal schedule. It would go into effect Aug. 28.

Fuel tax. The Missouri Soybean Association is watching Senate Bill 262, pre-filed by Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz. Previous efforts to raise the fuel tax have not been successful, and Missouri currently has a notably low fuel tax rate as compared to surrounding states. The Missouri Soybean Association finds the fuel tax as a way to support investments into infrastructure. It is also an opportunity to drive demand and access to biodiesel statewide.

Issues in focus

The Missouri Corn Growers would like to see the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority tax credit extended. It is set to expire in 2021.

This legislation includes the new generation cooperative tax credit, the ag product utilization contributor tax credit and the meat processing facility investment tax credit. This tax credit structure helped develop Missouri's ethanol industry and other value-added corn initiatives.

Bill to boost

If there is one bill introduced this legislative session that may see overwhelming support, it is from Rep. Ian Mackey of St. Louis.

House Bill 135 seeks to designate the corn dog as the official food of the Missouri State Fair. However, it may find opposition from the Missouri Beef House and The Pork Place with their signature fresh-from-the-farm burgers. Still, there is a small contingent of fairgoers that find the large cinnamon rolls a don’t-miss treat.

Perhaps this bill will not be as appealing as it seems.