Three bills of interest to Alabama Farmers Federation members passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Thursday.
SB 173 by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield, would require agricultural liming material sold in Alabama to be labeled with information indicating its effectiveness in adjusting soil pH. Currently, lime labels must include “minimum calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE).” Stutts’ Agricultural Lime Bill also would require the label to include the product’s “relative neutralizing value” based on a calculation of the CCE and particle size.
HB 460 by Rep. Wes Allen, R-Troy, would allow forest product haulers to purchase restricted (L) tags for trucks over 42,000 pounds and lift the limit of four (F-4) tags for farm trucks up to 80,001 pounds. Currently, Alabama log trucks are required to have a commercial tag and comply with the International Registration Plan (IRP) when traveling out of state. Forest product haulers in surrounding states are allowed to use restricted tags, which are exempt from the IRP. Allen’s bill would correct this competitive disadvantage. It also would benefit farmers who own more than four large trucks.
HB 458 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, would allow the sale of licenses for hunting feral swine and coyotes at night. The license and issuance fees would total $15 for Alabama residents and $51 for out-of-state hunters. If approved, the measure could impact management decisions by changing the perception of feral swine and coyotes from nuisance animals to recreational game.