Mississippi House Bill HB1116

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Regulatory Sandbox Agricultural Innovation Pilot Program; establish.

Impact

The bill is expected to significantly influence state agricultural law by creating exceptions that allow participants to operate outside certain licensing and regulatory frameworks typically required by state law. Through this sandbox, entities can temporarily experiment with innovative practices that could lead to advancements in agricultural efficiency and sustainability. This approach aims to balance the need for innovation with consumer protection and regulatory oversight, as businesses will still be accountable for the safety and efficacy of their products during the testing phase.

Summary

House Bill 1116, titled the 'Regulatory Sandbox Agricultural Innovation Pilot Program Act,' aims to create a framework for innovative agricultural products and services to be tested in a controlled environment in Mississippi. Specifically, it establishes a regulatory sandbox program under the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, which enables selected participants to trial their products or services without immediate adherence to existing agricultural regulations. This initiative is designed to foster agricultural innovation by allowing businesses a certain degree of operational flexibility as they navigate regulatory requirements.

Contention

However, the enactment of HB1116 raises several points of contention. Some critics argue that this bill could create loopholes that undermine existing agricultural standards and consumer protections. Concerns have been expressed about the potential risks involved with allowing unregulated testing of agricultural products, as well as the implications for accountability should these innovations result in adverse outcomes. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the department to deny applications and to terminate participation in the sandbox for any reason, which may lead to perceived inconsistencies in how different businesses are treated under the regulatory framework.