Equine Marketing Program

Senate Bill 37

In surprisingly rapid fashion the Senate has passed S.B. 37 which allows for the establishment of an equine marketing program in accordance with current law governing agricultural marketing programs. As passed in the Senate, the program would be funded through assessments on horse feed.

The bill will require the Director to hold a referendum petition to establish the marketing program, i.e. equine owners vote yes or no on an equine marketing program.

If approved, feed manufactures will be responsible for the collection and remittance to ODA of a yet to be determined assessment (in Virginia it is 7.5 cents per bag or $3.00 per ton). We have already expressed our concern about the assessment means and would prefer to see an additional fee for a Coggin test or a current breed or discipline registration. Should feed be the assessment vehicle, we strongly recommend the need for language to provide an administrative fee for the manufacturers to help off-set the cost of collections and remittance.

OABA is scheduled to meet with the Ohio Farm Bureau and representatives of the equine industry to discuss our concerns and various amendments.

Use the link below to get a PDF file of the bill http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText126/126_HB_37_I_Y.pdf