A constitutional amendment to further protect property owners from government seizing their land for development will be a priority for the Alabama Farmers Federation when the Alabama Legislature convenes Jan. 10 for its regular session.Federation Governmental Affairs Director Freddie Patterson said the stage was set for the amendment in last summer’s special session when the Federation led a grassroots effort that resulted in passage of a bill limiting eminent domain that was much stronger than one the governor had proposed.”When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that government could seize land for private development, most Americans — and especially Federation members — demanded greater protection. In Alabama, the Federation led an effort that resulted in more than 1,400 phone calls to legislators in a single day,” Patterson said. “The bill that passed in the special session was a step in the right direction, but it left some questions unanswered. This year, the Federation will lead an effort to pass a constitutional amendment that will give property owners even greater peace of mind.”Another priority for the Federation will be the Family Farm Preservation Act and other efforts to protect law-abiding farms from being sued for nuisance. In past years, the bill passed the House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.Other bills supported by the Federation include one that would allow cotton module haulers to purchase seasonal tags at roughly one-third the cost of a 12-month tag. A bill that would standardize weighing practices for catfish will be introduced as will a bill that would simplify the electronic filing system for liens against commodities.The Federation also is working to change diesel fuel taxes from a percentage-of-cost formula to a cents-per-gallon calculation, and the organization is proposing incentives for farmers who grow crops used for ethanol production.A bill that more clearly defines agriculture is being considered. Currently, many people don’t consider agri-tourism activities and greenhouse, nursery and sod operations as “agriculture.” In addition, the Federation is seeking the passage of bills to update state fencing laws and to stiffen penalties for those who fail to pay for agricultural goods.Two initiatives the Federation supports, but is monitoring for potentially harmful amendments, are the creation of a Rural Development Center and a law requiring the registration of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Patterson said he is encouraged that lawmakers are seeking to address the economic, educational and social issues of rural Alabama through the creation of a Rural Development Center. To ensure the center serves rural residents, the Federation will propose that farmers serve on its board of directors and that those directors work and live in rural areas.Federation policy supports the registration of ATVs as an aid to theft recovery and the prosecution of trespassers. However, the organization will propose that any ATV registration bill be revenue neutral and not put undue burden on taxpayers.In addition to these specific bills, Patterson said the Governmental Affairs Department would work to preserve current use; stop attempts to revise the Alabama Constitution by convention; preserve funding for vital agriculture-related programs; and ensure good stewardship by those who spend taxpayer money.”Alabama finished last fiscal year with a $229 million budget surplus, thanks to an 11 percent increase in tax collections,” Patterson said. “This is a shining example of how businesses and a strengthening economy grow revenue, not higher taxes. We will continue to vigorously oppose tax hikes like the $1.2 billion Amendment One, which voters overwhelmingly rejected in 2003.”