Legislative Priorities for 2012 (state and national)

Each year, the organization develops legislative priorities based upon the policy set by the organization's voting delegates at the annual meeting. Illinois Farm Bureau's state and national legislative priorities for 2012 are outlined below.

National Legislative Priority Issues for 2012

• Pass a farm bill that provides proven risk management, revenue protection, and conservation tools for Illinois farmers
• Protect the ability of farmers to raise and care for livestock as they see fit
• Extend current federal estate tax provisions
• Advocate for common sense regulations that are economically feasible for agriculture
• Build demand for domestically produced renewable fuels
• Work for transportation improvements that support the efficient movement of commodities and farm inputs
• Pursue policies to expand Illinois agricultural exports
• Urge elected leaders to balance the federal budget and reduce the national debt

State Legislative Priority Issues for 2012

• Seek passage of a State Budget that provides maintenance levels of funding for core agricultural programs within the current tax structure.  Due to the current economic downturn combined with the current state budget deficits a no-growth program budget must be adhered to under the current revenue stream.
• Seek passage of legislation to unsever mineral rights not being used to the surface landowner.
• Seek passage of legislation to increase SMV fines to $75.
• Seek legislation to establish statewide standards for commercial wind energy conversion systems that provide adequate protection of public health and safety, protect private property rights, and allow for reasonable development of commercial wind energy conversion system projects.
• Support C-FAR's effort to pass legislation implementing its reorganization.
• Support legislation developed by the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association to: 1) amend the Fertilizer Act to update the Fertilizer Research & Education Council (FREC) to the Nutrient Research Education Council (NREC), 2) establish a separate assessment on fertilizer tonnage to be paid to the NREC to conduct nutrient research and provide education programs to ensure practices are used that optimize nutrient efficiency and address environmental concerns about fertilizer, and 3) increase funding for Illinois Department of Agriculture through charges and increases in fees on the fertilizer industry.