News
Nebraska corn checkoff changes proposed
Legislation that would restructure Nebraska’s corn checkoff board is being considered in the Nebraska Unicameral.
Corn Board executive director Don Hutchens says LB354 would allow Nebraska’s checkoff board to operate similar to those in other states.
“One, it would allow our board members to be elected within certain districts, versus appointed by the governor,” Hutchens says. “Two, it provides for a refund provision that if producers feel like the checkoff board isn’t doing what its intentions were, they can request and receive a full refund.”
Hutchens says one provision in the bill that is yet to be resolved is how much of the Corn Board’s budget should be allowed to be used for lobbying on federal legislation.
“We’ve had the ability to influence federal legislation over the last 35 years, since the Corn Board was formed,” Hutchens says. “Typically, the board spends probably less than three to five percent of our checkoff resources to influence federal legislation—i.e., the farm bill, i.e., trade issues.”
Hutchens says the Corn Board would still be restricted from lobbying at the state level.
Currently, the Nebraska Corn Board is classified as a state agency. Hutchens says the legislation would make it a quasi-state agency. That would allow the Corn Board to move out of the state office building and share office space with other commodity groups.
“There are some great opportunities for us to share resources–to be more efficient and more effective with what we do–and, frankly, (to be) more accountable to the producers who pay the checkoff,” Hutchens says.
AUDIO: Don Hutchens (11:18 MP3)
A bill like LB354 is long overdue. I am 100% for it.