Lawmakers debate bill to create Vermont fund to reimburse farms for uninsured weather losses

A legislative committee on Oct. 12 reviewed a bill that would create a special state fund to reimburse Vermont farms for uninsured or otherwise uncovered losses caused by eligible weather and growing conditions, including drought, floods, ice and wildfire.

The bill would establish a fund administered by the secretary of agriculture and allow grants that reimburse farms for up to 50% of uninsured losses, with a per-farm cap of $150,000 per year. The committee discussion focused on which weather events qualify, whether the secretary must verify events or may do so, how awards should account for existing insurance, and whether an independent review board or agency staff should make eligibility determinations.

The draft bill creates the fund and describes sources of funding — state appropriations, federal funds and private donations — and requires the secretary to administer awards after consultation with a review board. It lists eligible weather conditions and growing conditions and gives the secretary authority to set award criteria that could factor a farm’s annual net income against statewide medians. Applications may be submitted any time, and the draft ties…