For immediate release: December 19, 2014
Contact: Stephanie Fleming, (573) 526-0949
Kander, Parson, Franklin Announce Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Family Farms
Legislation will Waive Annual Paperwork and Fees for Incorporated Family Farms
Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced that he will push for legislation to make family farm corporations exempt from unnecessary paperwork and fees. The legislation has been filed on Secretary Kander’s behalf by Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) and Rep. Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton). It has the support of the Missouri Farm Bureau.
“Missouri is home to hundreds of family farms that feed and fuel the world,” Kander said. “Farms don’t move from year to year, so it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to make them reconfirm their address annually. They are exactly the type of business that should be exempt from annual reports and fees, and I will continue to work to help our family farms succeed in Missouri.”
“As Missouri’s top industry, agriculture is critical to our state’s well-being,” Parson said. “I am happy to partner with Secretary Kander in this effort to make it easier for our state’s family farms to do business.”
Like other corporations, family farm corporations are required to file annual reports with the secretary of state’s office. Under this legislation, family farm corporations would be exempt from filing these reports and the accompanying fees unless important corporate information has changed within the past year.
“Reducing fees and paperwork is a common-sense idea that I encourage my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support in the 2015 legislative session,” Franklin said.
“Missouri Farm Bureau applauds Secretary of State Kander’s efforts to reduce unnecessary paperwork and regulations for Missouri farmers and ranchers,” said Blake Hurst, Missouri Farm Bureau President. “We look forward to working with the General Assembly to see that these measures are passed.”
The bills are SB 148 and HB 233.
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