BEFORE THE Department of AGRICULTURE

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 4.9.401 relating to raising the wheat and barley assessment

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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO:  All Concerned Persons

 

1.  On December 24, 2008 the Department of Agriculture published MAR Notice No. 4-14-184 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed amendment of the above-stated rule at page 2574 of the 2008 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 24.

 

2.  The department has amended 4.9.401 exactly as proposed.

 

3.  The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received.  A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1:  The department received 15 comments in support of the assessment increase some of which were from groups and associations.

 

RESPONSE #1:  The strong support encouraged the department to move forward with the fee increase.

 

COMMENT #2:  The department received one comment against the assessment increase in which the commenter advised everyone should live within their budget.

 

RESPONSE #2:  The strong support overwhelms the one negative comment and the budget must be approved by the Legislature.

 

COMMENT #3:  The department received three comments asking that a greater portion of the money be used for research.

 

RESPONSE #3:  These comments will be passed on to the Wheat and Barley Committee for their use when making funding decisions.

 

 

 

/s/  Cort Jensen                                             /s/  Ron de Yong                                           

Cort Jensen                                                   Ron de Yong

Rule Reviewer                                               Director

                                                                        Department of Agriculture

 

Certified to the Secretary of State February 17, 2009.