Below are brief highlights of what has happened with anti-NAIS bills across the country during the second half of February.  For more information, cclick on each state's name or go to http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/state-updates.
 
Special alerts:

    * Colorado anti-NAIS bill scheduled for Committee hearing today, March 3!  Go to http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/colorado-2008 for how to take action!
    *  Illinois anti-NAIS bill has a hearing on Tuesday, March 4!  Go to http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/illinois-2008 for how to take action!

On the federal side, we're still waiting for the House members of the conference committee for the Farm Bill to be named.  You can see the last alert, with contact information for the Senate members and the likely House members, at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/action-2-7-08.  Even though the conferees have not been named, they have been unofficially meeting and negotiating the contents of the Farm Bill.  So if you haven't called already, please follow the link and take a few minutes to call!

State Updates

Here's what's new since our last update in mid-February. Click on each state's name for more information, including contacts and talking points.
 
Colorado:  HB 1129, the bill to prohibit the State Fair Board from making NAIS a requirement for children competing in the fair, is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Committee on  State, Veterans, and Military Affairs this afternoon, March 3!  Call now!  We'll post the result of the hearing on our website tonight.
 
Illinois: Like Colorado, Illinois is requiring children to register in NAIS in order to compete in the fairs.  HB 5776 was introduced to reverse that policy and is scheduled for a hearing before the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, March 4.  Call the Committee members today or Tuesday morning!
 
Kentucky: The Kentucky House has approved HB 495!  This bill would limit NAIS to a voluntary program only, with protections against coercion, unless the federal government took final action making the program mandatory. HB 495 has passed the House and gone to the Senate, although it has not yet been assigned to a committee in the Senate.
 
Massachusetts:  Nothing further has happened with the anti-NAIS bills, HB 757 and SB 475, which remain pending before the Joint Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and the Environment.  If you haven't called your legislator recently, call now and let them know that this is an important issue that won't be forgotten!
 
Missouri: The Senate approved SB 931, and it has now gone to the House.
 
South Dakota:   The House did not approve HB 1305, which would have prohibited the state of South Dakota from participating in the NAIS.
 
Tennessee: The anti-NAIS bills, HB 3668/ SB 3903 and HB 3660/SB3438, have not yet been scheduled for hearings.  Call your Representative and Senator and ask them to push for these bills!
 
Virginia: The budget amendment to stop funding for a mandatory NAIS failed.
 
Washington:  Last year's committee substitute of HB 1151, to establish an advisory board to study NAIS, never made it out of the X file.

Wyoming: Because it is a short session, bills require a 2/3 vote to even go to committee.  HB 119, which would have completely barred NAIS, did not get the necessary votes.
 
The fight to stop NAIS is going to be long and difficult.  If you live in a state where an anti-NAIS bill failed, don't be discouraged!  Keep working to educate your community and your legislators, to help us win the next time!  The same thing is true if you live in a state that has not yet introduced an anti-NAIS bill.

Double Your Donation as a New Member!

A generous donor has provided a $1,000 matching donation for new members!  That means that, when you donate to FARFA for the first time, your donation will be doubled!!
 
Join at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/join-farfa
 
Please consider becoming a member today!  The more members we have, the more the legislators will pay attention to what we have to say!!  And, of course, we need money to keep doing this work.  Printing costs, the website, telephone, mailing costs, exhibits at conference, and travel for lobbying are not free.
 
Please help us to protect your rights and your food supply.  Join today!

Working together, we can make our voices heard!
 
Sincerely,
 

Judith McGeary
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
866-687-6452
www.farmandranchfreedom.org