Ag Legislation Taking Effect in 2022 Around the Country

USAgNet - 01/18/2022

The beginning of the new year means multiple pieces of legislation have taken effect in their respective jurisdictions. With that at top of mind, Farms.com compiled a list of some of the new ag-related laws and regulations going into effect in certain states.

In Illinois, a new law which took effect on Jan. 1 includes ag in post-secondary admission. SB 1624, introduced by State Sen. Doris Turner in February 2021, allows ag sciences and ag education to count as requirements for university admission.

“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” Senator Turner said in March 2021. “The current exclusion as an option for a science course for admission is a huge disservice to students who plan to one day study and/or work in the field.

The bill passed its third reading in the Senate in April and its third reading in the House in May. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill in August.

In California, Proposition 12 went into effect. The bill, which Californians supported in 2018, sets standards for pig, chicken and calf housing that farmers must meet to have their pork, eggs and veal sold in California.

In Washington State, part of a new law came into effect Jan. 1. SB 5172, which State Sen. Curtis King and other senators introduced on Jan. 12, 2021, affects overtime pay for parts of the ag sector. Under this legislation, which Gov. Inslee signed into law on May 11, ag workers can receive overtime pay after 55 hours as of Jan. 1, 2022.

This number decreases over the next few years. As of Jan. 1, 2023, ag workers receiver overtime pay after 48 hours, and as of Jan. 1, 2024, the overtime requirement drops to 40 hours. As of Jan. 1 in South Carolina, producers can apply for hemp production permits. Permit fees will 50 percent less than what they were in 2021, and farmers have until Feb. 28 to apply.

And in Minnesota, a new license plate will be available later this year. Passed as part of the transportation bill in 2021, Minnesotans can purchase a special agriculture plate with proceeds from plate sales going to FFA and 4-H.

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