Checkoff Refund Proposal Rejected

A bill that would provide for an automatic refund provision for South Dakota checkoff assessments was rejected by the South Dakota Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Farmer Austin Gross was the only individual testifying in favor of the bill. “This bill is simply asking for a more modern, streamlined refund process; there is nothing about checkoffs being good, bad, or anything.” Attorney Samuel Nelson represented the South Dakota Corn Growers Association at the hearing, saying there is a risk with this proposal. “When you’re having someone give you their Tax ID number, social security number or other personally identifiable information online to give them a refund, you have to personally secure that data and there are people out there trying to get that data.” The bill was defeated on a four-to-three vote.