Legislation
aimed at tightening up a longstanding loan program administered
by the state Department of Agriculture advanced to the Senate floor in Charleston
“This
clarifies the rules have be done and the Department of Agriculture has to
tighten up the structure within certain guidelines we put in place based on the
post audit report,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Ron Miller of Greenbrier County
The
audit gained attention when Senate President Jeff Kessler and House Speaker Tim
Miley indicated plans to forward the findings onto federal prosecutors for
further investigation. The move hinted there was suspicion of illegal activity
although no accusations were made.
Former
State Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass adamantly denied any wrongdoing or
mishandling of the loans during his tenure.
“They
found there were discrepancies, maybe not illegal discrepancies, but discrepancies
in the loan process,” said Miller. “This loan started in the 50s and in the 50s
it was done by handshake. This tightens it up and makes it fit modern
banking standards.”
Miller
said Senate Bill 350 will also strive to keep the money in the agriculture
community.
“We
think it’s important to keep this money flowing in projects involving
agriculture,” he said. “It’s not just for farms, but it’s also for
infrastructure for other projects as they relate to agriculture.”
