| 1 | | - | BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 2 | | - | 2025 Page1of14 |
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| 3 | | - | S.60 |
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| 4 | | - | IntroducedbySenatorsHardy,Heffernan,MajorandPlunkett |
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| 5 | | - | ReferredtoCommitteeonAgriculture |
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| 6 | | - | Date:February11,2025 |
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| 7 | | - | Subject:Agriculture;disasterrelief;funding |
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| 8 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoestablishthe |
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| 9 | | - | FarmSecuritySpecialFundtoprovidefinancialassistancetofarmsthat |
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| 10 | | - | experiencedqualifyinglossesduetoweatherconditions. |
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| 11 | | - | AnactrelatingtoestablishingtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundtoprovide |
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| 12 | | - | grantsforfarmlossesduetoweatherconditions |
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| 13 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
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| 14 | | - | Sec.1.FINDINGS |
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| 15 | | - | TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthat: |
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| 16 | | - | (1)In2023and2024,Vermontexperiencedextremefloodingandother |
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| 17 | | - | climate-fueleddisastersthatdevastatedfarmsandotherworkinglands |
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| 18 | | - | businessesacrosstheState. |
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| 19 | | - | (2)ManyexistingStateandfederalprogramsthataredesignedto |
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| 20 | | - | supportfarmsaredifficulttoaccess,areadministrativelyburdensome,arenot |
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| 21 | | - | equitablydistributedtosmall-andmedium-scalefarmers,andcurrentlydonot |
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| 22 | | - | meettheneedsofVermontfarmersinaholisticway. |
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| 42 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 43 | | - | 2025 Page2of14 |
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| 44 | | - | (3)Inparticular,becausefederalcropinsuranceprogramsarenot |
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| 45 | | - | designedtoservetheneedsofsmallerscaleormorediversifiedfarming |
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| 46 | | - | operations,manyVermontfarmersarenotcoveredbycropinsurance. |
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| 47 | | - | (4)TheStateshouldestablishapermanentfundingsupportprogramto: |
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| 48 | | - | (A)maintaintheviabilityoffarmsinVermontinordertoensure |
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| 49 | | - | foodsecurity,climateresilience,ruraleconomicvitality,andenvironmental |
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| 50 | | - | health; |
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| 51 | | - | (B)continuouslyinvestinfarmsinawaythatmakesthemmore |
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| 52 | | - | resilienttocurrentandfuturechallenges;and |
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| 53 | | - | (C)provideasourceofrelieffundspermanentlyavailabletofarmers |
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| 54 | | - | impactedbyclimateemergenciesandextremeweather. |
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| 55 | | - | Sec.2.6V.S.A.chapter207isamendedtoread: |
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| 56 | | - | CHAPTER207.PROMOTIONAND,MARKETING,ANDSUPPORTOF |
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| 57 | | - | VERMONTFARMS,FOODS,ANDPRODUCTS |
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| 58 | | - | *** |
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| 59 | | - | Subchapter4.FarmSecuritySpecialFund |
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| 60 | | - | § 4631.DEFINITIONS |
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| 61 | | - | Asusedinthissubchapter: |
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| 62 | | - | (1)“Eligibleweathercondition”meansanyofthefollowingweather |
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| 63 | | - | conditionsthatarefoundtobecloselycorrelatedwithagriculturalincome |
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| 64 | | - | losses: |
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| 85 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 87 | | - | (A)highwinds; |
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| 88 | | - | (B)excessivemoisture,intenseprecipitation,orflooding; |
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| 89 | | - | (C)extremeheat; |
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| 90 | | - | (D)abnormalfreezeconditions; |
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| 91 | | - | (E)widespreadfireevent; |
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| 92 | | - | (F)hail; |
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| 93 | | - | (G)drought;or |
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| 94 | | - | (H)anyothersevereweatherorgrowingconditionsimpacting |
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| 95 | | - | agriculturalincome,asdeterminedbytheReviewBoard. |
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| 96 | | - | (2)“Farm”meansaparcelorparcelsoflandowned,leased,ormanaged |
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| 97 | | - | byapersonanddevotedprimarilytofarmingandthatissubjecttoregulation |
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| 98 | | - | undertheRequiredAgriculturalPractices. |
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| 99 | | - | (3)“FarmSecuritySpecialFundReviewBoard”or“ReviewBoard” |
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| 100 | | - | meanstheBoardestablishedundersection4634ofthistitle. |
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| 101 | | - | (4)“Farming”hasthesamemeaningasinsection2.16oftheRequired |
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| 102 | | - | AgriculturalPractices. |
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| 103 | | - | § 4632.FARMSECURITYSPECIALFUND |
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| 104 | | - | (a)ThereisestablishedtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundtobeadministered |
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| 105 | | - | bytheSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsandthatshallbemanaged |
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| 106 | | - | inaccordancewith32V.S.A.chapter7,subchapter5.TheFundshallconsist |
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| 128 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 130 | | - | (1)fundsappropriatedbytheGeneralAssembly; |
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| 131 | | - | (2)fundsfrompublicandprivatesourcesthattheSecretaryacceptsfor |
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| 132 | | - | theFund;and |
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| 133 | | - | (3)fundsfromfederalgovernmentaidforStatesupportoffarmers |
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| 134 | | - | sufferingincomelossduetoweatherconditions. |
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| 135 | | - | (b)TheSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsshallensurelanguage |
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| 136 | | - | accessibilityoftheFundthroughprocurementandprovisionofinterpretation |
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| 137 | | - | andtranslationservices. |
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| 138 | | - | (c)AllbalancesintheFundattheendofanyfiscalyearshallbecarried |
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| 139 | | - | forwardandremainpartoftheFund. |
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| 140 | | - | § 4633.FARMSECURITYSPECIALFUND;GRANTS |
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| 141 | | - | (a)TheSecretary,afterconsultationwiththeReviewBoard,shallaward |
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| 142 | | - | grantsfromtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundtofarmsthathaveincurred |
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| 143 | | - | financiallossesorexpensesduetoaneligibleweathercondition. |
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| 144 | | - | (1)Grantsfromthefundshallbeinanamountthatreimbursesafarm |
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| 145 | | - | forupto50percentofuninsuredorotherwiseuncoveredlossesduetoeligible |
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| 146 | | - | weatherconditions,uptoamaximumawardof$150,000.00totalperyearper |
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| 147 | | - | qualifiedapplicantfarm. |
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| 148 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryshallestablishcriteriafortheamountofanaward |
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| 149 | | - | basedontheannualnetincomeofthefarminrelationtothemediannet |
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| 150 | | - | incomeofallfarmsinVermont. |
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| 173 | | - | (3)TheSecretarymayverifytheoccurrenceofaneligibleweather |
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| 174 | | - | conditionclaimedunderthissectionthroughasitevisitorthroughuseof |
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| 175 | | - | availabledatafromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration, |
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| 176 | | - | fromotherfederalorStatecertifiedweatherdatasources,orfromotherpublic |
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| 177 | | - | orprivateweatherorsatellitedateormodels. |
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| 178 | | - | (4)Lossesreimbursablebyagrantunderthissectioninclude: |
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| 179 | | - | (A)wagesorcompensation; |
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| 180 | | - | (B)replacementoflostincomefromdestroyedcropsorimpacted |
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| 181 | | - | livestock; |
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| 182 | | - | (C)debtpaymentsorotherongoingexpenses; |
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| 183 | | - | (D)costsofreplanting; |
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| 184 | | - | (E)livestockfeedreplacementcosts; |
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| 185 | | - | (F)infrastructureorequipmentrepairandreplacement; |
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| 186 | | - | (G)repairoffarmroadsandroadsnecessarytoaccessfarms;or |
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| 187 | | - | (H)otherlossesasdeterminedbytheSecretaryafterconsultation |
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| 188 | | - | withtheReviewBoard. |
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| 189 | | - | (b)TheSecretaryshalldevelopastreamlinedapplicationforawardsunder |
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| 190 | | - | thissectionthatshallinclude: |
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| 191 | | - | (1)abriefdescriptionofthedamagethatoccurred; |
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| 192 | | - | (2)attestationofaneligibleweatherconditionorevent; |
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| 193 | | - | (3)anestimateoflosses;and |
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| 214 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 216 | | - | (4)ayear-endreportoffarmincomeandexpensesfromScheduleFof |
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| 217 | | - | U.S.InternalRevenueForm1040. |
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| 218 | | - | (c)Anapplicationforanawardunderthissectionmaybemadeatany |
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| 219 | | - | time,andtheFundmayonlyclosetheapplicationprocessuponawardofall |
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| 220 | | - | appropriatedfundsfortherelevantfiscalyear. |
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| 221 | | - | (d)Applicationsforanawardunderthissectionshallbeprocessedinthe |
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| 222 | | - | orderreceived,butanapplicationshallnotbereadyforevaluationuntilthe |
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| 223 | | - | Secretarydeterminesthattheapplicationisadministrativelycompleteand |
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| 224 | | - | includesalldocumentationrequiredbytheSecretary. |
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| 225 | | - | (e)Alladministrativelycompleteapplicationsshallbeevaluatedbythe |
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| 226 | | - | ReviewBoard.Within10daysofreceiptofanadministrativelycomplete |
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| 227 | | - | application,theReviewBoardbymajorityvoteshallrecommendtothe |
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| 228 | | - | Secretarywhethertoissueagranttotheapplicant.IftheReviewBoard |
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| 229 | | - | recommendsanawardunderthissection,theSecretaryshallissuetheaward |
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| 230 | | - | withintwoweeksofthedateoftheReviewBoard’srecommendation. |
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| 231 | | - | § 4634.FARMSECURITYSPECIALFUNDREVIEWBOARD |
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| 232 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundReview |
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| 233 | | - | Board,whichforadministrativepurposesshallbeattachedtotheAgencyof |
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| 234 | | - | Agriculture,FoodandMarkets. |
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| 235 | | - | (b)OrganizationofBoard.TheBoardshallbecomposedof: |
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| 255 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 257 | | - | (1)theSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsordesignee,who |
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| 258 | | - | shallserveaschair; |
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| 259 | | - | (2)theStateChiefRecoveryOfficerordesignee; |
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| 260 | | - | (3)representativesofthreeorganizationsorentitieswithexperience |
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| 261 | | - | grantingrelieffundsortechnicalassistancetofarmers,appointedbythe |
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| 262 | | - | SecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarkets;and |
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| 263 | | - | (4)twofarmerswhohavereceivedrelieffunding,appointedbythe |
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| 264 | | - | SecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarkets. |
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| 265 | | - | (c)Memberterms.Themembersdesignatedinsubdivisions(b)(3)ofthis |
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| 266 | | - | sectionshallbeappointedtoinitialtermsoftwoyears.Thereafter,each |
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| 267 | | - | appointedmembershallserveatermofthreeyearsoruntilthemember’s |
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| 268 | | - | earlierresignationorremoval.Themembersdesignatedinsubdivision(b)(4) |
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| 269 | | - | ofthissectionshallbeappointedtoinitialtermsofoneyear.Thereafter,each |
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| 270 | | - | appointedmembershallserveatermofthreeyearsoruntilthemember’s |
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| 271 | | - | earlierresignationorremoval.Avacancyshallbefilledbytheappointing |
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| 272 | | - | authorityfortheremainderoftheunexpiredterm.Anappointedmembershall |
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| 273 | | - | notservemorethanthreeconsecutivethree-yearterms. |
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| 274 | | - | (d)Powers. |
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| 275 | | - | (1)TheReviewBoardshallreviewapplicationsforassistanceunderthis |
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| 276 | | - | section,assesstheaccuracyandvalidityoftheapplications,andrecommendto |
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| 277 | | - | theSecretaryapplicantswhoshouldreceiveassistanceunderthissection. |
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| 298 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 300 | | - | (2)InordertoensurethattheFundismeetingtheneedsofVermont’s |
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| 301 | | - | agriculturalcommunity,theReviewBoardannuallyshallreviewthe |
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| 302 | | - | applicationprocess,eligibilitycriteria,distribution,andaccessibilityofthe |
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| 303 | | - | Fund.TheReviewBoardannuallyshallrecommendtotheHouseCommittee |
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| 304 | | - | onAgriculture,FoodResiliencyandForestryandtheSenateCommitteeon |
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| 305 | | - | AgriculturewaystoimprovetheeffectivenessoftheFund. |
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| 306 | | - | (e)Officers;committees.TheBoardmayelectofficers,establishoneor |
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| 307 | | - | morecommitteesorsubcommittees,andadoptsuchproceduralrulesasitshall |
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| 308 | | - | determinenecessaryandappropriatetoperformitswork. |
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| 309 | | - | (f)Quorum;meetings;voting.Amajorityofthesittingmembersshall |
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| 310 | | - | constituteaquorum,andactiontakenbytheBoardmaybeauthorizedbya |
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| 311 | | - | majorityofthememberspresentandvotingatanyregularorspecialmeeting |
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| 312 | | - | atwhichaquorumispresent.TheBoardmaymeetasanadvisorybodyunder |
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| 313 | | - | 1V.S.A.chapter1,subchapter2. |
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| 314 | | - | (g)Compensation.Privatesectormembersshallbeentitledtoperdiem |
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| 315 | | - | compensationauthorizedunder32V.S.A.§1010(b)foreachdayspentinthe |
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| 316 | | - | performanceoftheirduties,andeachmembershallbereimbursedfromthe |
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| 317 | | - | Fundforthemember’sactualandnecessaryexpensesincurredincarryingout |
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| 318 | | - | themember’sduties. |
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| 339 | | - | Sec.3.FUNDINGINTENT;REPORTONFUTUREAPPROPRIATIONS |
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| 340 | | - | (a)ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythattheFarmSecuritySpecial |
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| 341 | | - | Fundreceiveanannualappropriationequalto50percentoftheaverage |
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| 342 | | - | documentedfarmlossesfromeligibleweatherconditions,asdefinedin6 |
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| 343 | | - | V.S.A.chapter207,subchapter4,averagedoverpreviousyears. |
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| 344 | | - | (b)TodeterminetheappropriatefundsfordeposittotheFarmSecurity |
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| 345 | | - | SpecialFund,theSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsshall |
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| 346 | | - | recommendtotheFarmSecuritySpecialFundReviewBoardonorbefore |
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| 347 | | - | December15,2025anamounttobeappropriatedtotheFarmSecuritySpecial |
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| 348 | | - | Fundbasedonthefarmlossesfromeligibleweatherconditionsaveragedover |
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| 349 | | - | thepreviousthreecalendaryears.OnorbeforeJanuary15,2026,theFarm |
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| 350 | | - | SecuritySpecialFundReviewBoardshallsubmittotheSenateCommitteeson |
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| 351 | | - | AgricultureandonAppropriationsandtheHouseCommitteesonAgriculture, |
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| 352 | | - | FoodResiliency,andForestryandonAppropriationsarecommended |
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| 353 | | - | appropriationtotheFarmSecuritySpecialFund. |
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| 354 | | - | Sec.4.EFFECTIVEDATE |
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| 355 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
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| 356 | | - | Sec.1.FINDINGS |
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| 357 | | - | TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthat: |
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| 358 | | - | (1)In2023and2024,Vermontexperiencedextremefloodingandother |
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| 359 | | - | climate-fueleddisastersthatdevastatedfarmsandotherworkinglands |
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| 360 | | - | businessesacrosstheState. |
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| 379 | | - | (2)ManyexistingStateandfederalprogramsthataredesignedto |
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| 380 | | - | supportfarmsaredifficulttoaccess,areadministrativelyburdensome,and |
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| 381 | | - | currentlydonotmeettheneedsofVermontfarmersinaholisticway. |
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| 382 | | - | (3)Inparticular,becausefederalcropinsuranceprogramsarenot |
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| 383 | | - | designedtoservetheneedsofsmallerscaleormorediversifiedfarming |
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| 384 | | - | operations,manyVermontfarmersarenotcoveredbycropinsurance. |
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| 385 | | - | (4)TheStateshouldestablishapermanentfundingsupportprogramto: |
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| 386 | | - | (A)maintaintheviabilityoffarmsinVermontinordertoensurefood |
|---|
| 387 | | - | security,climateresilience,ruraleconomicvitality,andenvironmentalhealth; |
|---|
| 388 | | - | (B)continuouslyinvestinfarmsinawaythatmakesthemmore |
|---|
| 389 | | - | resilienttocurrentandfuturechallenges;and |
|---|
| 390 | | - | (C)provideasourceofrelieffundspermanentlyavailabletofarmers |
|---|
| 391 | | - | impactedbyclimateemergenciesandextremeweather. |
|---|
| 392 | | - | Sec.2.6V.S.A.chapter207isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 393 | | - | CHAPTER207.PROMOTIONAND,MARKETING,ANDSUPPORTOF |
|---|
| 394 | | - | VERMONTFARMS,FOODS,ANDPRODUCTS |
|---|
| 395 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 396 | | - | Subchapter4.FarmSecuritySpecialFund |
|---|
| 397 | | - | § 4631.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 398 | | - | Asusedinthissubchapter: |
|---|
| 399 | | - | (1)“Eligibleweathercondition”meansanyofthefollowingweather |
|---|
| 400 | | - | conditionsthatarefoundtobecloselycorrelatedwithagriculturalincome |
|---|
| 401 | | - | losses: |
|---|
| 402 | | - | (A)highwinds; |
|---|
| 403 | | - | (B)excessivemoisture,intenseprecipitation,orflooding; |
|---|
| 404 | | - | (C)extremeheat; |
|---|
| 405 | | - | (D)abnormalfreezeconditions; |
|---|
| 406 | | - | (E)widespreadfireevent; |
|---|
| 407 | | - | (F)hail; |
|---|
| 408 | | - | (G)drought;or |
|---|
| 409 | | - | (H)anyothersevereweatherorgrowingconditionsimpacting |
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| 410 | | - | agriculturalincome,asdeterminedbytheReviewBoard. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 411 | | - | 2025 Page11of14 |
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| 412 | | - | (2)“Farm”meansaparcelorparcelsoflandowned,leased,or |
|---|
| 413 | | - | managedbyapersonanddevotedprimarilytofarmingandthatissubjectto |
|---|
| 414 | | - | regulationundertheRequiredAgriculturalPractices. |
|---|
| 415 | | - | (3)“FarmSecuritySpecialFundReviewBoard”or“ReviewBoard” |
|---|
| 416 | | - | meanstheBoardestablishedundersection4634ofthistitle. |
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| 417 | | - | (4)“Farming”hasthesamemeaningasinsection2.16oftheRequired |
|---|
| 418 | | - | AgriculturalPractices. |
|---|
| 419 | | - | § 4632.FARMSECURITYSPECIALFUND |
|---|
| 420 | | - | (a)ThereisestablishedtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundtobeadministered |
|---|
| 421 | | - | bytheSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsandthatshallbemanaged |
|---|
| 422 | | - | inaccordancewith32V.S.A.chapter7,subchapter5.TheFundshallconsist |
|---|
| 423 | | - | of: |
|---|
| 424 | | - | (1)fundsappropriatedtransferredbytheGeneralAssembly; |
|---|
| 425 | | - | (2)fundsfrompublicandprivatesourcesthattheSecretaryacceptsfor |
|---|
| 426 | | - | theFund;and |
|---|
| 427 | | - | (3)fundsfromfederalgovernmentaidforStatesupportoffarmers |
|---|
| 428 | | - | sufferingincomelossduetoweatherconditions. |
|---|
| 429 | | - | (b)TheSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsshallensurelanguage |
|---|
| 430 | | - | accessibilityoftheFundthroughprocurementandprovisionofinterpretation |
|---|
| 431 | | - | andtranslationservices. |
|---|
| 432 | | - | (c)AllbalancesintheFundattheendofanyfiscalyearshallbecarried |
|---|
| 433 | | - | forwardandremainpartoftheFund. |
|---|
| 434 | | - | § 4633.FARMSECURITYSPECIALFUND;GRANTS |
|---|
| 435 | | - | (a)TheSecretary,afterconsultationwiththeReviewBoard,shallaward |
|---|
| 436 | | - | grantsfromtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundtofarmsthathaveincurred |
|---|
| 437 | | - | financiallossesorexpensesduetoaneligibleweathercondition. |
|---|
| 438 | | - | (1)Grantsfromthefundshallbeinanamountthatreimbursesafarm |
|---|
| 439 | | - | forupto50percentofuninsuredorotherwiseuncoveredlossesduetoeligible |
|---|
| 440 | | - | weatherconditions,uptoamaximumawardof$150,000.00totalperyearper |
|---|
| 441 | | - | qualifiedapplicantfarm. |
|---|
| 442 | | - | (2)TheSecretaryshallestablishcriteriafortheamountofanaward |
|---|
| 443 | | - | basedontheannualnetincomeofthefarminrelationtothemediannet |
|---|
| 444 | | - | incomeofallfarmsinVermont. |
|---|
| 445 | | - | (3)TheSecretarymayverifytheoccurrenceofaneligibleweather |
|---|
| 446 | | - | conditionclaimedunderthissectionthroughasitevisitorthroughuseof |
|---|
| 447 | | - | availabledatafromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration, BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
|---|
| 448 | | - | 2025 Page12of14 |
|---|
| 449 | | - | fromotherfederalorStatecertifiedweatherdatasources,orfromotherpublic |
|---|
| 450 | | - | orprivateweatherorsatellitedataormodels. |
|---|
| 451 | | - | (4)Lossesreimbursablebyagrantunderthissectioninclude: |
|---|
| 452 | | - | (A)wagesorcompensation; |
|---|
| 453 | | - | (B)replacementoflostincomefromdestroyedcropsorimpacted |
|---|
| 454 | | - | livestock; |
|---|
| 455 | | - | (C)debtpaymentsorotherongoingexpenses; |
|---|
| 456 | | - | (D)costsofreplanting; |
|---|
| 457 | | - | (E)livestockfeedreplacementcosts; |
|---|
| 458 | | - | (F)infrastructureorequipmentrepairandreplacement; |
|---|
| 459 | | - | (G)repairoffarmroadsandroadsnecessarytoaccessfarms;or |
|---|
| 460 | | - | (H)otherlossesasdeterminedbytheSecretaryafterconsultation |
|---|
| 461 | | - | withtheReviewBoard. |
|---|
| 462 | | - | (b)TheSecretaryshalldevelopastreamlinedapplicationforawardsunder |
|---|
| 463 | | - | thissectionthatshallinclude: |
|---|
| 464 | | - | (1)abriefdescriptionofthedamagethatoccurred; |
|---|
| 465 | | - | (2)attestationofaneligibleweatherconditionorevent; |
|---|
| 466 | | - | (3)anestimateoflosses;and |
|---|
| 467 | | - | (4)ayear-endreportoffarmincomeandexpensesfromScheduleFof |
|---|
| 468 | | - | U.S.InternalRevenueForm1040. |
|---|
| 469 | | - | (c)Anapplicationforanawardunderthissectionmaybemadeatany |
|---|
| 470 | | - | time,andtheFundmayonlyclosetheapplicationprocessuponawardofall |
|---|
| 471 | | - | appropriatedfundsfortherelevantfiscalyear. |
|---|
| 472 | | - | (d)Applicationsforanawardunderthissectionshallbeprocessedinthe |
|---|
| 473 | | - | orderreceived,butanapplicationshallnotbereadyforevaluationuntilthe |
|---|
| 474 | | - | Secretarydeterminesthattheapplicationisadministrativelycompleteand |
|---|
| 475 | | - | includesalldocumentationrequiredbytheSecretary. |
|---|
| 476 | | - | (e)Alladministrativelycompleteapplicationsshallbeevaluatedbythe |
|---|
| 477 | | - | ReviewBoard.Within15daysfollowingreceiptofanadministratively |
|---|
| 478 | | - | completeapplication,theReviewBoardbymajorityvoteshallrecommendto |
|---|
| 479 | | - | theSecretarywhethertoissueagranttotheapplicant.IftheReviewBoard |
|---|
| 480 | | - | recommendsanawardunderthissection,theSecretaryshallissuetheaward |
|---|
| 481 | | - | within15daysfollowingthedateoftheReviewBoard’srecommendation. |
|---|
| 482 | | - | § 4634.FARMSECURITYSPECIALFUNDREVIEWBOARD BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
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| 483 | | - | 2025 Page13of14 |
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| 484 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundReview |
|---|
| 485 | | - | Board,whichforadministrativepurposesshallbeattachedtotheAgencyof |
|---|
| 486 | | - | Agriculture,FoodandMarkets. |
|---|
| 487 | | - | (b)OrganizationofBoard.TheBoardshallbecomposedof: |
|---|
| 488 | | - | (1)theSecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsordesignee,who |
|---|
| 489 | | - | shallserveaschair; |
|---|
| 490 | | - | (2)theStateChiefRecoveryOfficerordesignee; |
|---|
| 491 | | - | (3)representativesofthreeagriculturalorganizationswhocan |
|---|
| 492 | | - | demonstrateexpertiseindealingwithallsizesandtypesoffarmsinVermont, |
|---|
| 493 | | - | whetherthroughgrantingfunds,offeringtechnicalassistanceoradvocacyand |
|---|
| 494 | | - | haveaproventrackrecordofworkingwithfarmers,appointedbythe |
|---|
| 495 | | - | SecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarkets;and |
|---|
| 496 | | - | (4)twofarmerswhohavereceivedrelieffunding,appointedbythe |
|---|
| 497 | | - | SecretaryofAgriculture,FoodandMarkets. |
|---|
| 498 | | - | (c)Memberterms.Themembersdesignatedinsubdivision(b)(3)ofthis |
|---|
| 499 | | - | sectionshallbeappointedtoinitialtermsoftwoyears.Thereafter,each |
|---|
| 500 | | - | appointedmembershallserveatermofthreeyearsoruntilthemember’s |
|---|
| 501 | | - | earlierresignationorremoval.Themembersdesignatedinsubdivision(b)(4) |
|---|
| 502 | | - | ofthissectionshallbeappointedtoinitialtermsofoneyear.Thereafter,each |
|---|
| 503 | | - | appointedmembershallserveatermofthreeyearsoruntilthemember’s |
|---|
| 504 | | - | earlierresignationorremoval.Avacancyshallbefilledbytheappointing |
|---|
| 505 | | - | authorityfortheremainderoftheunexpiredterm.Anappointedmembershall |
|---|
| 506 | | - | notservemorethanthreeconsecutivethree-yearterms. |
|---|
| 507 | | - | (d)Powers. |
|---|
| 508 | | - | (1)TheReviewBoardshallreviewapplicationsforassistanceunderthis |
|---|
| 509 | | - | section,assesstheaccuracyandvalidityoftheapplications,andrecommend |
|---|
| 510 | | - | totheSecretaryapplicantswhoshouldreceiveassistanceunderthissection. |
|---|
| 511 | | - | (2)TheBoardannuallyshallreporttotheHouseCommitteeon |
|---|
| 512 | | - | Agriculture,FoodResiliency,andForestryandtheSenateCommitteeon |
|---|
| 513 | | - | AgriculturethetotaldocumentedVermontfarmfinanciallossesfromeligible |
|---|
| 514 | | - | weatherconditionsaveragedoverthepreviousthreecalendaryears. |
|---|
| 515 | | - | (3)InordertoensurethattheFundismeetingtheneedsofVermont’s |
|---|
| 516 | | - | agriculturalcommunity,theReviewBoardannuallyshallreviewthe |
|---|
| 517 | | - | applicationprocess,eligibilitycriteria,distribution,andaccessibilityofthe |
|---|
| 518 | | - | Fund.TheReviewBoardannuallyshallrecommendtotheHouseCommittee |
|---|
| 519 | | - | onAgriculture,FoodResiliency,andForestryandtheSenateCommitteeon |
|---|
| 520 | | - | AgriculturewaystoimprovetheeffectivenessoftheFund. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.60 |
|---|
| 521 | | - | 2025 Page14of14 |
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| 522 | | - | (e)Officers;committees.TheBoardmayelectofficers,establishoneor |
|---|
| 523 | | - | morecommitteesorsubcommittees,andadoptsuchproceduralrulesasitshall |
|---|
| 524 | | - | determinenecessaryandappropriatetoperformitswork. |
|---|
| 525 | | - | (f)Quorum;meetings;voting.Amajorityofthesittingmembersshall |
|---|
| 526 | | - | constituteaquorum,andactiontakenbytheBoardmaybeauthorizedbya |
|---|
| 527 | | - | majorityofthememberspresentandvotingatanyregularorspecialmeeting |
|---|
| 528 | | - | atwhichaquorumispresent.TheBoardmaymeetasanadvisorybodyunder |
|---|
| 529 | | - | 1V.S.A.chapter5,subchapter2. |
|---|
| 530 | | - | (g)Compensation.Privatesectormembersshallbeentitledtoperdiem |
|---|
| 531 | | - | compensationauthorizedunder32V.S.A.§1010(b)foreachdayspentinthe |
|---|
| 532 | | - | performanceoftheirduties,andeachmembershallbereimbursedfromthe |
|---|
| 533 | | - | Fundforthemember’sactualandnecessaryexpensesincurredincarryingout |
|---|
| 534 | | - | themember’sduties. |
|---|
| 535 | | - | Sec.3.APPROPRIATION |
|---|
| 536 | | - | InadditiontootherfundsappropriatedtotheAgencyofAgriculture,Food |
|---|
| 537 | | - | andMarketsinfiscalyear2026,thesumof$7,500,000.00isappropriatedto |
|---|
| 538 | | - | theAgencyfromtheGeneralFundinfiscalyear2026forthepurposeof |
|---|
| 539 | | - | implementingtheFarmSecuritySpecialFundestablishedunder6V.S.A. |
|---|
| 540 | | - | chapter207,subchapter4. |
|---|
| 541 | | - | Sec.4.EFFECTIVEDATE |
|---|
| 542 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
|---|
| 543 | | - | Sec.3.EFFECTIVEDATE |
|---|
| 544 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
|---|
| 1 | + | BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 2 | + | 2025 Page 1 of 9 |
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| 3 | + | |
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| 4 | + | |
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| 5 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 6 | + | S.60 1 |
|---|
| 7 | + | Introduced by Senators Hardy, Heffernan, Major and Plunkett 2 |
|---|
| 8 | + | Referred to Committee on 3 |
|---|
| 9 | + | Date: 4 |
|---|
| 10 | + | Subject: Agriculture; disaster relief; funding 5 |
|---|
| 11 | + | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the 6 |
|---|
| 12 | + | Farm Security Special Fund to provide financial assistance to farms that 7 |
|---|
| 13 | + | experienced qualifying losses due to weather conditions. 8 |
|---|
| 14 | + | An act relating to establishing the Farm Security Special Fund to provide 9 |
|---|
| 15 | + | grants for farm losses due to weather conditions 10 |
|---|
| 16 | + | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 11 |
|---|
| 17 | + | Sec. 1. FINDINGS 12 |
|---|
| 18 | + | The General Assembly finds that: 13 |
|---|
| 19 | + | (1) In 2023 and 2024, Vermont experienced extreme flooding and other 14 |
|---|
| 20 | + | climate-fueled disasters that devastated farms and other working lands 15 |
|---|
| 21 | + | businesses across the State. 16 |
|---|
| 22 | + | (2) Many existing State and federal programs that are designed to 17 |
|---|
| 23 | + | support farms are difficult to access, are administratively burdensome, are not 18 |
|---|
| 24 | + | equitably distributed to small- and medium-scale farmers, and currently do not 19 |
|---|
| 25 | + | meet the needs of Vermont farmers in a holistic way. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 26 | + | 2025 Page 2 of 9 |
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| 27 | + | |
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| 28 | + | |
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| 29 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 30 | + | (3) In particular, because federal crop insurance programs are not 1 |
|---|
| 31 | + | designed to serve the needs of smaller scale or more diversified farming 2 |
|---|
| 32 | + | operations, many Vermont farmers are not covered by crop insurance. 3 |
|---|
| 33 | + | (4) The State should establish a permanent funding support program to: 4 |
|---|
| 34 | + | (A) maintain the viability of farms in Vermont in order to ensure 5 |
|---|
| 35 | + | food security, climate resilience, rural economic vitality, and environmental 6 |
|---|
| 36 | + | health; 7 |
|---|
| 37 | + | (B) continuously invest in farms in a way that makes them more 8 |
|---|
| 38 | + | resilient to current and future challenges; and 9 |
|---|
| 39 | + | (C) provide a source of relief funds permanently available to farmers 10 |
|---|
| 40 | + | impacted by climate emergencies and extreme weather. 11 |
|---|
| 41 | + | Sec. 2. 6 V.S.A. chapter 207 is amended to read: 12 |
|---|
| 42 | + | CHAPTER 207. PROMOTION AND, MARKETING, AND SUPPORT OF 13 |
|---|
| 43 | + | VERMONT FARMS, FOODS, AND PRODUCTS 14 |
|---|
| 44 | + | * * * 15 |
|---|
| 45 | + | Subchapter 4. Farm Security Special Fund 16 |
|---|
| 46 | + | § 4631. DEFINITIONS 17 |
|---|
| 47 | + | As used in this subchapter: 18 |
|---|
| 48 | + | (1) “Eligible weather condition” means any of the following weather 19 |
|---|
| 49 | + | conditions that are found to be closely correlated with agricultural income 20 |
|---|
| 50 | + | losses: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 51 | + | 2025 Page 3 of 9 |
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| 52 | + | |
|---|
| 53 | + | |
|---|
| 54 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 55 | + | (A) high winds; 1 |
|---|
| 56 | + | (B) excessive moisture, intense precipitation, or flooding; 2 |
|---|
| 57 | + | (C) extreme heat; 3 |
|---|
| 58 | + | (D) abnormal freeze conditions; 4 |
|---|
| 59 | + | (E) widespread fire event; 5 |
|---|
| 60 | + | (F) hail; 6 |
|---|
| 61 | + | (G) drought; or 7 |
|---|
| 62 | + | (H) any other severe weather or growing conditions impacting 8 |
|---|
| 63 | + | agricultural income, as determined by the Review Board. 9 |
|---|
| 64 | + | (2) “Farm” means a parcel or parcels of land owned, leased, or managed 10 |
|---|
| 65 | + | by a person and devoted primarily to farming and that is subject to regulation 11 |
|---|
| 66 | + | under the Required Agricultural Practices. 12 |
|---|
| 67 | + | (3) “Farm Security Special Fund Review Board” or “Review Board” 13 |
|---|
| 68 | + | means the Board established under section 4634 of this title. 14 |
|---|
| 69 | + | (4) “Farming” has the same meaning as in section 2.16 of the Required 15 |
|---|
| 70 | + | Agricultural Practices. 16 |
|---|
| 71 | + | § 4632. FARM SECURITY SPECIAL FUND 17 |
|---|
| 72 | + | (a) There is established the Farm Security Special Fund to be administered 18 |
|---|
| 73 | + | by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and that shall be managed 19 |
|---|
| 74 | + | in accordance with 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. The Fund shall consist 20 |
|---|
| 75 | + | of: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 76 | + | 2025 Page 4 of 9 |
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| 77 | + | |
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| 78 | + | |
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| 79 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 80 | + | (1) funds appropriated by the General Assembly; 1 |
|---|
| 81 | + | (2) funds from public and private sources that the Secretary accepts for 2 |
|---|
| 82 | + | the Fund; and 3 |
|---|
| 83 | + | (3) funds from federal government aid for State support of farmers 4 |
|---|
| 84 | + | suffering income loss due to weather conditions. 5 |
|---|
| 85 | + | (b) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall ensure language 6 |
|---|
| 86 | + | accessibility of the Fund through procurement and provision of interpretation 7 |
|---|
| 87 | + | and translation services. 8 |
|---|
| 88 | + | (c) All balances in the Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried 9 |
|---|
| 89 | + | forward and remain part of the Fund. 10 |
|---|
| 90 | + | § 4633. FARM SECURITY SPECIAL FUND; GRANTS 11 |
|---|
| 91 | + | (a) The Secretary, after consultation with the Review Board, shall award 12 |
|---|
| 92 | + | grants from the Farm Security Special Fund to farms that have incurred 13 |
|---|
| 93 | + | financial losses or expenses due to an eligible weather condition. 14 |
|---|
| 94 | + | (1) Grants from the fund shall be in an amount that reimburses a farm 15 |
|---|
| 95 | + | for up to 50 percent of uninsured or otherwise uncovered losses due to eligible 16 |
|---|
| 96 | + | weather conditions, up to a maximum award of $150,000.00 total per year per 17 |
|---|
| 97 | + | qualified applicant farm. 18 |
|---|
| 98 | + | (2) The Secretary shall establish criteria for the amount of an award 19 |
|---|
| 99 | + | based on the annual net income of the farm in relation to the median net 20 |
|---|
| 100 | + | income of all farms in Vermont. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 101 | + | 2025 Page 5 of 9 |
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| 102 | + | |
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| 103 | + | |
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| 104 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 105 | + | (3) The Secretary may verify the occurrence of an eligible weather 1 |
|---|
| 106 | + | condition claimed under this section through a site visit or through use of 2 |
|---|
| 107 | + | available data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 3 |
|---|
| 108 | + | from other federal or State certified weather data sources, or from other public 4 |
|---|
| 109 | + | or private weather or satellite date or models. 5 |
|---|
| 110 | + | (4) Losses reimbursable by a grant under this section include: 6 |
|---|
| 111 | + | (A) wages or compensation; 7 |
|---|
| 112 | + | (B) replacement of lost income from destroyed crops or impacted 8 |
|---|
| 113 | + | livestock; 9 |
|---|
| 114 | + | (C) debt payments or other ongoing expenses; 10 |
|---|
| 115 | + | (D) costs of replanting; 11 |
|---|
| 116 | + | (E) livestock feed replacement costs; 12 |
|---|
| 117 | + | (F) infrastructure or equipment repair and replacement; 13 |
|---|
| 118 | + | (G) repair of farm roads and roads necessary to access farms; or 14 |
|---|
| 119 | + | (H) other losses as determined by the Secretary after consultation 15 |
|---|
| 120 | + | with the Review Board. 16 |
|---|
| 121 | + | (b) The Secretary shall develop a streamlined application for awards under 17 |
|---|
| 122 | + | this section that shall include: 18 |
|---|
| 123 | + | (1) a brief description of the damage that occurred; 19 |
|---|
| 124 | + | (2) attestation of an eligible weather condition or event; 20 |
|---|
| 125 | + | (3) an estimate of losses; and 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 126 | + | 2025 Page 6 of 9 |
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| 127 | + | |
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| 128 | + | |
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| 129 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
|---|
| 130 | + | (4) a year-end report of farm income and expenses from Schedule F of 1 |
|---|
| 131 | + | U.S. Internal Revenue Form 1040. 2 |
|---|
| 132 | + | (c) An application for an award under this section may be made at any 3 |
|---|
| 133 | + | time, and the Fund may only close the application process upon award of all 4 |
|---|
| 134 | + | appropriated funds for the relevant fiscal year. 5 |
|---|
| 135 | + | (d) Applications for an award under this section shall be processed in the 6 |
|---|
| 136 | + | order received, but an application shall not be ready for evaluation until the 7 |
|---|
| 137 | + | Secretary determines that the application is administratively complete and 8 |
|---|
| 138 | + | includes all documentation required by the Secretary. 9 |
|---|
| 139 | + | (e) All administratively complete applications shall be evaluated by the 10 |
|---|
| 140 | + | Review Board. Within 10 days of receipt of an administratively complete 11 |
|---|
| 141 | + | application, the Review Board by majority vote shall recommend to the 12 |
|---|
| 142 | + | Secretary whether to issue a grant to the applicant. If the Review Board 13 |
|---|
| 143 | + | recommends an award under this section, the Secretary shall issue the award 14 |
|---|
| 144 | + | within two weeks of the date of the Review Board’s recommendation. 15 |
|---|
| 145 | + | § 4634. FARM SECURITY SPECIAL FUND REVIEW BOARD 16 |
|---|
| 146 | + | (a) Creation. There is created the Farm Security Special Fund Review 17 |
|---|
| 147 | + | Board, which for administrative purposes shall be attached to the Agency of 18 |
|---|
| 148 | + | Agriculture, Food and Markets. 19 |
|---|
| 149 | + | (b) Organization of Board. The Board shall be composed of: 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
|---|
| 150 | + | 2025 Page 7 of 9 |
|---|
| 151 | + | |
|---|
| 152 | + | |
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| 153 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
|---|
| 154 | + | (1) the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets or designee, who 1 |
|---|
| 155 | + | shall serve as chair; 2 |
|---|
| 156 | + | (2) the State Chief Recovery Officer or designee; 3 |
|---|
| 157 | + | (3) representatives of three organizations or entities with experience 4 |
|---|
| 158 | + | granting relief funds or technical assistance to farmers, appointed by the 5 |
|---|
| 159 | + | Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets; and 6 |
|---|
| 160 | + | (4) two farmers who have received relief funding, appointed by the 7 |
|---|
| 161 | + | Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. 8 |
|---|
| 162 | + | (c) Member terms. The members designated in subdivisions (b)(3) of this 9 |
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| 163 | + | section shall be appointed to initial terms of two years. Thereafter, each 10 |
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| 164 | + | appointed member shall serve a term of three years or until the member’s 11 |
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| 165 | + | earlier resignation or removal. The members designated in subdivision (b)(4) 12 |
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| 166 | + | of this section shall be appointed to initial terms of one year. Thereafter, each 13 |
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| 167 | + | appointed member shall serve a term of three years or until the member’s 14 |
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| 168 | + | earlier resignation or removal. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing 15 |
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| 169 | + | authority for the remainder of the unexpired term. An appointed member shall 16 |
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| 170 | + | not serve more than three consecutive three-year terms. 17 |
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| 171 | + | (d) Powers. 18 |
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| 172 | + | (1) The Review Board shall review applications for assistance under this 19 |
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| 173 | + | section, assess the accuracy and validity of the applications, and recommend to 20 |
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| 174 | + | the Secretary applicants who should receive assistance under this section. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 175 | + | 2025 Page 8 of 9 |
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| 176 | + | |
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| 177 | + | |
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| 178 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 179 | + | (2) In order to ensure that the Fund is meeting the needs of Vermont’s 1 |
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| 180 | + | agricultural community, the Review Board annually shall review the 2 |
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| 181 | + | application process, eligibility criteria, distribution, and accessibility of the 3 |
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| 182 | + | Fund. The Review Board annually shall recommend to the House Committee 4 |
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| 183 | + | on Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry and the Senate Committee on 5 |
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| 184 | + | Agriculture ways to improve the effectiveness of the Fund. 6 |
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| 185 | + | (e) Officers; committees. The Board may elect officers, establish one or 7 |
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| 186 | + | more committees or subcommittees, and adopt such procedural rules as it shall 8 |
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| 187 | + | determine necessary and appropriate to perform its work. 9 |
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| 188 | + | (f) Quorum; meetings; voting. A majority of the sitting members shall 10 |
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| 189 | + | constitute a quorum, and action taken by the Board may be authorized by a 11 |
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| 190 | + | majority of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting at 12 |
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| 191 | + | which a quorum is present. The Board may meet as an advisory body under 1 13 |
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| 192 | + | V.S.A. chapter 1, subchapter 2. 14 |
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| 193 | + | (g) Compensation. Private sector members shall be entitled to per diem 15 |
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| 194 | + | compensation authorized under 32 V.S.A. § 1010(b) for each day spent in the 16 |
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| 195 | + | performance of their duties, and each member shall be reimbursed from the 17 |
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| 196 | + | Fund for the member’s actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out 18 |
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| 197 | + | the member’s duties. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.60 |
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| 198 | + | 2025 Page 9 of 9 |
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| 199 | + | |
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| 200 | + | |
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| 201 | + | VT LEG #379703 v.1 |
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| 202 | + | Sec. 3. FUNDING INTENT; REPORT ON FUTURE APPROPRIATIONS 1 |
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| 203 | + | (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Farm Security Special 2 |
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| 204 | + | Fund receive an annual appropriation equal to 50 percent of the average 3 |
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| 205 | + | documented farm losses from eligible weather conditions, as defined in 6 4 |
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| 206 | + | V.S.A. chapter 207, subchapter 4, averaged over previous years. 5 |
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| 207 | + | (b) To determine the appropriate funds for deposit to the Farm Security 6 |
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| 208 | + | Special Fund, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall 7 |
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| 209 | + | recommend to the Farm Security Special Fund Review Board on or before 8 |
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| 210 | + | December 15, 2025 an amount to be appropriated to the Farm Security Special 9 |
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| 211 | + | Fund based on the farm losses from eligible weather conditions averaged over 10 |
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| 212 | + | the previous three calendar years. On or before January 15, 2026, the Farm 11 |
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| 213 | + | Security Special Fund Review Board shall submit to the Senate Committees on 12 |
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| 214 | + | Agriculture and on Appropriations and the House Committees on Agriculture, 13 |
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| 215 | + | Food Resiliency, and Forestry and on Appropriations a recommended 14 |
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| 216 | + | appropriation to the Farm Security Special Fund. 15 |
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| 217 | + | Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE 16 |
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| 218 | + | This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 17 |
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