Rep. Dorothy Pelanda's Bill to Modify Ohio Department of Agriculture Laws Passes House

State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) announced that the Ohio House has passed House Bill 131, legislation that updates various sections of state law pertaining to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

“This bill is about clarity and common-sense reform to aspects of the agriculture industry that have daily impact on the way business is conducted in Ohio,” said Pelanda, the bill sponsor.

Among other provisions, House Bill 131:

• Allows the Department of Agriculture to create a new classification of animal diseases in order to quarantine animals accordingly
• Changes from one year to 180 days the deadline for commercial pesticide applicator license re-examination after the license expires
• Generally prohibits a person who has violated the Livestock Dealers Law from acting as an owner, supervisor, employee, contractor, volunteer, or agent of a license holder
• Requires one member of the Farmland Preservation Advisory Board to be a representative of an Ohio university rather than of The Ohio State University.
• Exempts selling real or personal property on the Internet from the auctioneers’ license, provided it is not in conjunction with a live auction, rather than exempting the auctioneer

The bill now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.