Effective 28 Aug 2008

348.235. Dairy business planning grants authorized — application procedure, fee — limit on grant — rulemaking authority. — 1. The Missouri agricultural and small business development authority, subject to appropriation not to exceed fifty thousand dollars, shall develop and implement dairy business planning grants as provided in this section.

2. The Missouri agricultural and small business development authority may charge an application fee for the grants developed under this section, not to exceed fifty dollars per application. Revenue generated from the application fee shall be used to defray the cost of administering the grants.

3. Eligible applicants shall be existing or start-up dairy operations wholly located in the state of Missouri that are at least fifty-one percent owned by residents of this state.

4. A single grant shall not exceed five thousand dollars or finance more than ninety percent of the cost of the business plan, whichever is less.

5. Proceeds from a grant shall only be used to contract with a dairy business planning professional that is approved by the Missouri agricultural and small business development authority.

6. The Missouri agricultural and small business development authority may promulgate rules establishing eligibility and award criteria under this section including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The potential to improve the profitability, modernization, and expansion of the dairy operation;

(2) The education, experience, and past relevant experience of the dairy business planning professional;

(3) The qualifications, education, and experience of the dairy owner or owners and management team;

(4) The potential for timely near-term application of the results of the study;

(5) The potential economic benefit to the state of Missouri;

(6) Such other factors as the Missouri agricultural and small business development authority may establish.

7. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2008, shall be invalid and void.

­­--------

(L. 2008 S.B. 931)