Governor Edwards Signs Poly Pipe Bill

By Allie Doise, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

Gov. Edwards signed HB 629 Thursday, reinstating the state sales tax exemption on polyroll tubing used for farm irrigation. Photo by The Advocate

NEW ORLEANS - Governor John Bel Edwards signed HB 629 yesterday, reinstating the state sales tax exemption on polyroll tubing used for farm irrigation.  

The bill was an attempt to fix an oversight in a previous legislative session.

“Two years ago in the special sessions when they added the various sales taxes and changed all the exemptions, polyroll tubing was left out in haste at the end,” said Jim Monroe, Louisiana Farm Bureau assistant to the president. “So we are just putting it back where it was when it was exempt.”

Louisiana farmers attending the 95th annual convention of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation here praised the governor's action.

"We really appreciate Governor Edwards support of this bill," said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson. "He's a great friend to Farm Bureau and all of Louisiana agriculture."

Joe Mapes, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation legislative specialist, said this bill reminds legislators how important tax exemptions are for the success of the Louisiana agricultural industry.

“If we have sales tax on inputs for agriculture, we are not competitive in the United States,” Mapes said. “No state in the US taxes inputs on agriculture.”