The bill seeks to enhance agricultural regulations in Iowa by redefining key terms and updating licensing requirements. Notably, it replaces "soil conditioner" with "beneficial substance" and updates the title of the state chemist to "bureau chief of the Iowa laboratory bureau." The bill also introduces new definitions for terms related to agricultural practices, such as "plant amendment" and "soil inoculant." Additionally, it modifies licensing requirements for manufacturers and distributors of fertilizers and beneficial substances, mandating a license from the secretary of agriculture and establishing a fee structure for each location. The bill emphasizes the importance of compliance with safety and efficacy standards, requiring registrants to provide evidence of their products' benefits.

Furthermore, the bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code to streamline the claims process for indemnification related to grain dealer bankruptcies, introducing new definitions like "indemnity fees" and "repayment loss." It establishes a separate claims process for sellers affected by bankruptcies and outlines eligibility criteria. The bill also allows for quarterly remittance of indemnity fees by licensed grain dealers and sets a cap on claims payable from the indemnity fund. Overall, these amendments aim to improve the regulatory framework governing agricultural practices, animal health, and grain transactions, ensuring better protection for stakeholders involved in Iowa's agricultural sector.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6A.21, 190C.22, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6, 200.9, 200.12, 17A.7, 200.16, 200.17, 200.18, 200.19, 200.20, 200.22, 200A.2, 202.1, 321.1, 403.17, 455B.411, 455E.11, 200.8, 554.9102, 163.1, 17A.4, 162.2, 169.12, 459.501, 717.5, 189A.2, 189A.3, 189A.4, 189A.5, 189A.7, 203.12, 203D.6, 203D.3, 203D.5, 203D.3A