Rep. Nunes bill aims to bolster ag research

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Published on 09/16/2011 - 9:37 am

Written by Business Journal staff

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) is part of a bi-partisan group of lawmakers behind a bill that seeks to bolster agricultural research efforts.

Introduced into both houses of Congress yesterday, The Charitable Agricultural Research Act would amend the tax code to create tax-exempt "agricultural research organizations." These organizations, meant to work closely on research initiatives at colleges and universities, create an incentive for charitable investments in ag research, according to the bill's sponsors.

In addition to Nunes, Democrats Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Republican Tom Cole of Oklahoma are behind the bill in the House, while Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Republican John Thune of South Dakota are sponsors in the Senate.

“The Charitable Agricultural Research Act will help not only create more opportunity for innovation in the short–term but will assure that public private partnerships are able to raise the money needed to respond to the constantly changing threats to agricultural production,” Nunes said in a statement.

“We need these investments now more than ever and our nation’s tax laws should reflect that.” 

According to Nunes, local organizations supporting the bill include the California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association in Fresno, the California Grape and Tree Fruit League in Fresno, and California State University, Fresno, among others.