Delays sought in agricultural fee hikes
Lawmakers fear moves will be ‘catastrophic’ for economy, industry
AUSTIN — Nearly half the Texas House is asking state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to hold off on millions of dollars worth of proposed fee increases for the industries he oversees to ensure the hikes won’t cause “potentially catastrophic economic difficulties.”
Miller has told lawmakers that higher fees are the only way to cover the cost of important agency responsibilities after they denied most of his requested funding increase for the current two-year budget period.
The lawmakers called into question the need for the increases, saying it’s unclear whether the agency is attempting to generate revenue to pay for programs and activities beyond what was approved by the Legislature.
“The stakeholder community has indicated that these fee increases could potentially have a dire impact on individual industries, the agriculture economy at large, and consumers,” said the Nov. 6 letter signed by 72 of the 150 House members including Appropriations Committee Chairman John Otto, R-Dayton.
A Senate committee, meanwhile, plans a Dec. 8 hearing on the proposed increases. Sen. Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican who heads the Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs Committee, invited Miller to testify.
The proposed fee increases are to help cover an additional $11.3 million annually in costs to operate the programs, or $22.6 million over the two-year budget period, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture
Miller, however, has told lawmakers that higher fees are the only way to cover the cost of important agency responsibilities after they denied most of his requested funding increase for the current two-year budget period.
The proposed fee increases are estimated to be enough to bring in $16.5 million above appropriated levels, a legislative source confirmed.
“As a small business owner, former legislator and lifelong farmer and rancher, I know firsthand that Texans’ hard-earned dollars go further to create opportunity in their pockets rather than in government offices. I also believe government has an important role in providing essential services to its constituents, such as regulatory functions to protect the well-being of Texans,” Miller said in a Nov. 5 letter to lawmakers, saying he was following up on a briefing about the proposed fees.
Miller asked the Legislature this year for $50 million more than the previous biennial budget to restore agency funding that had been cut in 2011 in the face of a projected budget shortfall. Miller was a state lawmaker in 2011 and voted for those cuts.
Miller’s proposed fee increases would raise levies in areas including pesticide applicator certification and product registration; seed certification; weights and measures; eggs; and grain warehouse inspections.