Indiana law sets conditional assessments on soybean and pork sales

First purchasers collect a soybean assessment and send it to the Indiana Soybean Alliance. It covers soybeans sold by producers in Indiana. This chapter applies only when the Indiana Soybean Alliance is not levying and collecting the listed federal soybean assessments as the qualified state board. Organic soybean farmers are exempt if they have a federal organic exemption and operate under an approved organic plan. The chapter took effect July 1, 2026. The assessment is deducted when the producer receives payment, and purchasers send collected money within 30 days after each three-month period.

The Indiana Pork Producers Association administers a pork marketing program, and first purchasers collect and send assessments to the association. The assessment covers specified Indiana-raised feeder pigs, hogs raised for slaughter or breeding, pork, and pork products. The text also covers imports and requires producers or importers to pay through deductions from sale payments. This chapter applies only if the association is not operating any assessment or checkoff program under the listed federal pork laws and rules. If those federal assessments are levied, the association cannot collect assessments or conduct activities they preempt. Certified organic hog farmers with an approved federal organic plan are exempt. A producer is also exempt on an animal if they document that an assessment was already paid on it. The chapter took effect July 1, 2026. The assessment is deducted when the producer or importer receives payment, and purchasers send collected money within 30 days after each three-month period.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Pork Producers Association must use assessment money only for purposes allowed by their respective chapters. These rules apply to assessment money collected under the soybean and pork chapters. The soybean alliance must use at least half of assessment money for approved collaborative projects with universities, states, or organizations with regional, national, or international impact. The pork association must use 80% of assessment money for functions of the National Pork Board, which the text says is no longer operating. These rules apply to money collected under chapters effective July 1, 2026.

The soybean alliance and pork association face different limits on using assessment money for communications with government officials. These limits govern proceeds from assessments collected under the two chapters. Neither association may use assessment money to influence legislation or government action or policy. The soybean alliance may use the money to share information with appropriate officials about program activities and results. The pork association may not use it for those communications.