HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 392

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DAIRY OPERATION RISK MANAGEMENT COVERAGE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 1, Title 3 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 106. Dairy risk management assistance program.

(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Dairy margin coverage program” means a program operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides risk management coverage based on the national price of milk and the average cost of feed. “Dairy margin coverage program” includes the program required by 7 U.S.C. § 9053, and any successor or similar program operated by USDA.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.

(3) “Qualified dairy operator” means a dairy operator in this State that is qualified to participate in a dairy margin coverage program.

(b) Subject to the availability of funding, the Department may administer a program to reimburse a qualified dairy operator for up to the full amount of the premium paid by the qualified dairy operator to participate in a dairy margin coverage program up to the maximum coverage level available under the program.

(c) A qualified dairy operator may apply to the Department for a reimbursement under this section, by submitting an application and required supporting material at the time and in the manner directed by the Department.

SYNOPSIS

The United States Department of Agriculture runs a voluntary program that provides risk management coverage to dairy producers that pays out based on the difference between the national price of milk and the average cost of feed. This Act enables the Delaware Department of Agriculture, subject to the availability of funding, to reimburse eligible dairy operators in the state for the cost of the premium to enroll in the USDA program.