Farmer Free Speech Bill§1. Findings
(a) There are a number of market promotion laws concerning agriculture that require producers of certain products to join and pay for organizations that promote that product, even if an individual producer does not agree with the either the purpose of the organization on the means chosen to promote the product. While mechanisms exist for producers to be refunded or rebated such sums for most such programs, they are onerous and require the producer to repeatedly indicate that they wish to opt out of the promotion program.
(b) Such organizations have acted contrary to the interests of producers not following the marketing strategy desired by the majority of producers.
(c) Such organizations should be turned into ordinary voluntary membership organizations, without the possession of government sanction or coercion.
§2. Repeals and Savings
(a) The following laws are repealed as of the second December 31 following the date of enactment of this Act.
(1) Section 8c(6)(I) of the Agricultural Act [7 U.S.C. 608c(6)(I)].
(2) The Cotton Research and Promotion Act (chapter 53 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.]).
(3) The Potato Research and Promotion Act (chapter 58 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2611 et seq.]).
(4) The Egg Research and Consumer Information Act (chapter 58 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.]).
(5) The Beef Research and Information Act (chapter 60 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.]).
(6) The Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act (chapter 65 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.]).
(7) The Floral Research and Consumer Information Act (chapter 74 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.]).
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The Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (chapter 76 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.]).
(9) The Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (chapter 77 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.]).
(10) The Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (chapter 79 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.]).
(11) The Watermelon Research and Promotion Act (chapter 80 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.]).
(12) The Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990 (chapter 89 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.]).
(13) The Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (chapter 90 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.]).
(14) The Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (chapter 91 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.]).
(15) The Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (chapter 92 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.]).
(16) The Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 (chapter 93 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.]).
(17) The Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act of 1993 (chapter 97 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.]).
(18) The Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 (chapter 99 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.]).
(19) Title V of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (chapter 101 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.]).
(20) The Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 2000 (chapter 105 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.]).
(b) No assessment or other fee shall be required under the laws repealed by subsection (a) for any period following the date of the repeal of said Acts.
(c) The organizations established under the laws repealed by subsection (a) shall be given the opportunity to transform into private non-profit voluntary cooperative organizations. Such organizations shall retain the trademarks and other intellectual property developed by the organizations while sanctioned by the laws repealed by subsection (a).
Sponsor: Sen. Ernest
