Dates
-
Existence:
1977 - Present
biographical statement
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee has been a longstanding committee in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. First known as Agriculture (1819 - 1947.) The committee name changed form to Agriculture and Dairy Industries (1947 - 1974.) The committee name changed from back to Agriculture (1975 - 1976.) And settled on its current form Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 1977.
This committee regularly focuses on the following issues: the preservation of farmland and open space, emergency drought relief, irrigation and other types of agricultural technology, providing grants and low interest loans for farmers for specific improvement purposes, export trade, farm animals and products, pollution and pesticides. In addition to these recurring subjects, many other topics were covered as this committee responded to the changing times. These include responses to specific climatic conditions, such as emergency drought relief legislation, or responses to new technology, including aquacultural products. This committee has also shown a willingness to address contemporary issues and concerns. These include the following topics: developing an octane testing program (addressed as early as 1991), addressing seasonal farm labor, setting standards on food sale, including mandatory product labeling and kennel regulation.
This committee regularly attends Ag Progress Days at Penn State College in August to view the latest advances in agricultural technology and discuss current concerns of farmers, researchers and leaders in the agricultural industry. Hearings are held regularly to ascertain the general public’s views on certain issues of importance to the Commonwealth.
Citation:
Author: HCM
Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:
Collection
Identifier: ST1999_02
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents: During the 2001-2002 Session the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee addressed all normal sorts of business. The majority of the supporting documents for this collection consist of Meeting Minutes and Roll Call records. "Stray Voltage and Federal Agriculture Issues" is supported by Fact Finding reports and analysis. A proposal from the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board regarding regulation of the distribution of the Over-Order Premium is included with related meeting...
Dates:
1999 - 2000; Acquisition: 2000-12-11
Collection
Identifier: ST2001_02
Scope and Contents
During the 2001-2002 Session the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee addressed all normal sorts of business. The majority of the supporting documents for this collection consist of Meeting Minutes and Roll Call records. "Stray Voltage and Federal Agriculture Issues" is supported by Fact Finding reports and analysis. A proposal from the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board regarding regulation of the distribution of the Over-Order Premium is included with related meeting minutes. A personal...
Dates:
2001 - 2002; Acquisition: 2001-12-11
Collection
Identifier: ST2003_02
Scope and Contents
Some of the specific issues on which the 2003-2004 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee focused are: Milk Pooling Regulations, Commercial Manure Hauling and Road Weight Limits, the Energy Harvest Program, creating a Bureau of New Agricultural Business Development, Farmland Preservation and Agroterrorism and Biosecurity. The Committee also travelled to the Ag Progress Days and held meetings during the event. In 2003, the Ag Progress Days event was held in State College from August 19 to...
Dates:
2003 - 2004; Acquisition: 2003-12-11
Collection
Identifier: ST2005_02
Scope and Contents
During the 2005-2006 Session, the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee handled the following topics through committee or informational meetings: amendments to the Agriculture Area Security Law (House Bills 619, 629 and 671 and Senate Bills 723 and 940), nutrient management, livestock issues (House Bill 1580) including the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), land conservation (House Bill 1895 and Senate Bill 1224), farmers' market development program ( House Bill 2472), the...
Dates:
2005 - 2006; Acquisition: 2005-12-11
Collection
Identifier: ST2007_02
Scope and Contents
During the 2007-2008 Session, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee dealt, in depth, with the following topics: the Dog Law (House Bill 2525), the Future of Community Fairs, Agriculture Education and Careers, Providing for Organic Farming Transition Program and Establishing Organic Agriculture Development Fund (House Bill 2347), Agriculture Fair Share Funding and the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act of 1974 (Clean and Green). This collection includes...
Dates:
2007 - 2008; Other: 2007-12-11
Collection
Identifier: ST2009_02
Scope and Contents
During the 2009-2010 Session, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee dealt, in depth, with the following topics: Horse Breeding, Agriculture Surplus System, Public Eating and Drinking Laws, Environmental Issues, Forest Products Industry, Biofuel Development, the Dairy Market, and Farming.The 2009-2010 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee was chaired by Democrat Michael Hanna. With him, David Kessler served as Vice Chairman and Scott Conklin served as Secretary. On the...
Dates:
2009 - 2010; Acquisition: 2010-12-07
Collection
Identifier: ST2011_02
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the records of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee for the 2011-2012 session, Republicans in majority. Chairs John A. Maher (R) and Joseph A. Petrarca (D) serving with Vice-Chairs Mike Reese (R) and Deberah Kula(D). The Secretary was Stephen Bloom (R).
The committee met over major topics such as land-use tax exemptions, amendments to Pennsylvania's Dog Law regarding kennels, kennel-use, proper elimination methods for dogs, as well as� farm vehicle...
Dates:
2011 - 2012
Collection
Identifier: ST2013_02
Scope and Contents
The records of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee from the 2013-2014 session, the Republicans in majority. John Maher served as Chair with Joseph Petrarca serving as minority Chair. The Vice Chairs were Mike Reese (majority) and Deberah Kula (minority). The Secretaries were Mindy Fee (majority) and Brandon Newman (minority).The Committee reviewed bills related to agricultural and rural topics, including amending the Dog Law (licensing, kennels, enforcement); cruelty...
Dates:
2013 - 2014; Acquisition: 2014-11-18
Collection
Identifier: ST2015_02
Scope and Contents
The records of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee from the 2015-2016 session, the Republicans in majority. Martin T. Causer served as majority Chair with Mike Carroll serving as minority Chair. The Vice Chairs were Mark K. Keller (majority) and Sid Kavulich (minority). The Secretaries were David Zimmerman (majority) and Brandon Neuman (minority).The Committee reviewed bills related to the general topics of horse racing and breeding, the hemp industry, requirements for...
Dates:
2015 - 2016; Acquisition: 2016-07-12
Collection
Identifier: ST2017_02
Scope and Contents
The records of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee from the 2017-2018 session, the Republicans in majority. Martin T. Causer served as majority Chair with Eddie Day Pashinski serving as minority Chair. The Vice Chair was Mark K. Keller (majority). The Secretary was David Zimmerman (majority).The Committee reviewed bills related to the general topics the hemp industry, requirements for dog kennels, issues around invasive species, and partial agriculture funding. The...
Dates:
2017 - 2018
