The Commission proposes several amendments to its regulation of animal feeding operations. The most significant issue revolved round the location of a waste storage structure in regard to a groundwater table. DNR staff proposes that in no case shall the top of the liner of the storage structure be below the groundwater table. The AACO committee recommends that special construction and management standards be applied if the groundwater table is less than two feet below the top of the liner. Several members voiced support for the staff's version.
Public hearings are underway on the two proposals.
No formal action. This filing is controversial because it also significantly changes the framework for annuity plans as well. Under the new system the state will select one or more annuity plans, and an array of mutual funds by competitive bid, and the system will be administered by Great Western Insurance. Opponents of this filing contend that the legislative intent of House File 540 was solely to add mutual funds as a deferred compensation option and that the rulemaking should only deal with that issue. Two state representatives appeared before the committee, noting they had neither knowledge or intention that House File 540 would impact deferred compensation annuities.