Request for Comment Period Open for EPA Proposed Applicator Rule Change – On August 5, the EPA issued a proposal to revise the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule. The proposed rule changes include a minimum age of 18 to apply restricted use pesticides and increased safety and education training for applicators. A graphic with the most glaring changes is below. EPA is accepting comments on this topic until Nov. 23. To submit a comment, click here. TGSA stands firmly against EPA’s proposed certification and training regulation changes, and we encourage our members to submit a comment.
Comptroller asking for Renewed Ag and Timber Tax Registration Numbers – The Office of the Texas Comptroller is encouraging the 300,000 farmers and ranchers that currently hold a “tax exempt farm use card” to renew that card before the new year begins. The legislation, created in 2011, allowed qualified taxpayers to obtain a card from the Comptroller to show when purchasing farm goods and not pay taxes on those exempt goods. Starting October 1, 2015 the holder will be able to renew their cards by one of three ways: 1) online – you will need a WebFile (RT) number to register that is on the letter 2) phone – call in with your current number and a confirmation letter will be mailed in 5-7 days or 3) paper- processing time will take longer depending on how many are mailed in, but a confirmation number will be mailed. Changes to the card will include that you will no longer need to use a confirmation letter, the exemption certificate will be changed to include an expiration date and all new cards will expire on 12/31/2019. You can sign up for emailed notices when the website is updated to accept renewals (to update your number card) at http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/agriculture/.
Texas Receives Funding through Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership – Last week USDA announced a major investment in the renewable fuels infrastructure. Through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP), USDA will aid in delivering higher blends of renewable fuels across the state and country. TGSB and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program donated major matching funds to the program. To learn more about this project, click here.
