MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Representative Holland (By Request)

House Bill 938

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-45-167, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT CERTAIN COMMERCIAL FEED FROM AN INSPECTION FEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 75-45-167, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-45-167. An inspection fee at the rate of Twenty-five Cents (254) per ton shall be paid on commercial feeds distributed in this state by the person who distributes the commercial feed to the consumer, subject to the following:

(a) No fee shall be paid on a commercial feed if the payment has been made by a previous distributor.

(b) No fee shall be paid on customer-formula feeds if the inspection fee is paid on the commercial feeds which are used as ingredients therein.

(c) No fee shall be paid on commercial feeds which are used as ingredients for the manufacture of commercial feeds which are registered. If the fee has already been paid, credit shall be given for such payment.

(d) In the case of a commercial feed which is distributed in the state only in packages of ten (10) pounds or less, an annual fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per brand shall be paid in lieu of the inspection fee specified above.

(e) The minimum inspection fee shall be Five Dollars ($5.00) per quarter.

(f) Any feed manufactured in the state which is used by a distributor or his contract feeders to feed his own livestock, poultry, or fish, or feed which is distributed in tonnage bulk to any commercial grower of an aquatic species, including, but not limited to, catfish, shall be exempt from the inspection fee on both purchased ingredients and finished feed. To qualify for the above exemption, a permit must be obtained from the commissioner annually and the permit used to obtain exemption on feed ingredients. Any services the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory or the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce provide for permit holders will be paid for according to mutually agreeable prices between both parties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.