Indiana would set conditional fees on soybean and pork sales

First buyers would deduct 0.5% of the soybean price after quality adjustments and send it to the Indiana Soybean Alliance. The fee would apply to soybeans sold by Indiana producers, apart from farmers who meet the organic exemption. The alliance must not levy and collect the specified federal soybean fees as the qualified state board. Organic farmers need a federal exemption and an approved organic farming plan to be exempt. The fee is calculated before charges for services are deducted from the price. The proposed soybean rules would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.

First buyers would deduct 35 cents per $100 of hog or pork value and send it to the Indiana Pork Producers Association. The deduction would affect payments to Indiana hog producers and pork importers. The association must not be operating the federal pork fee programs. Organic hog farmers need a federal exemption and an approved organic farming plan to be exempt. A buyer may collect the fee only once on an animal or pork product. The proposed pork rules would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.

Soybean and pork producers could ask their industry groups to refund state fees deducted from their sales. Refund requests would be available to producers who paid a fee under either proposed state program. Producers must follow the relevant group’s process and provide proof of the fee. The group would pay a refund if one is due. Producers would have up to 180 days after the deduction to apply. A refund due would be paid within 30 days after the group receives a complete request and proof.

The soybean and pork groups would spend set shares of the state fees on specified work. These shares would apply to money collected through the proposed state soybean and pork fees. The soybean group would put at least half toward joint projects with universities, states, or organizations that have regional, national, or international reach. The pork group would use 80% to carry out National Pork Board functions.