Bill > HB1742

This bill amends Arkansas law related to seed certification by primarily transferring administrative responsibilities from the State Plant Board to the Department of Agriculture. The bill updates multiple sections of existing law to reflect this organizational change, while maintaining the core purposes of seed certification. Key provisions include establishing penalties for misrepresenting seed certification, allowing the Department of Agriculture to investigate and certify seed varietal purity, requiring applicants to meet qualifications for seed breeding, and establishing a process for collecting costs associated with seed certification and promotion. The bill allows the State Plant Board to continue setting seed classification standards and rules, but shifts administrative functions to the Department of Agriculture. It maintains existing penalties for violations, which include fines ranging from $25 to $500 for offenses such as falsely advertising certified seed, misusing certification tags, or making false statements. The bill also preserves requirements for seed certification, including the issuance of inspection certificates valid for one crop season, and continues provisions for monitoring aflatoxin levels in Arkansas-grown grain and seed. Ultimately, the bill appears designed to streamline seed certification processes while maintaining rigorous standards for agricultural seed quality and transparency.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1742&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R