Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Committee advances technical updates to Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program
Loading...
Summary
Senate Bill 53-91, amending allowable uses, prioritization, and the timeline for carbon-equivalency metric updates under the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program, passed the committee 11-0 and was reported out with a due-pass recommendation.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 11-0 on April 1 to report Senate Bill 53-91 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.
Staff said the bill makes three changes to the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program, including allowable uses of funds, funding prioritization criteria, and the timeline by which the State Conservation Commission must evaluate and update the carbon equivalency metric used for the program. Committee staff reported there were no amendments in the committee amendment packet for the bill.
Representative Birnbaum and Representative Birnbaum's earlier comments on maple syrup policy were separate; during discussion Representative Birnbaum was not the prime sponsor of this bill. Representative Birnbaum and Representative Birnbaum's colleagues supported SB 53-91 as a technical cleanup to help farmers access composting material and clarify carbon-related fund uses.
Representative Birnbaum (mistaken identity clarified in committee) Representative Birnbaum's colleagues encouraged a yes vote, calling it a good technical corrections bill that will help producers access compost materials and clarify how carbon-related funds can be awarded.
The motion to report SB 53-91 out of committee passed by voice vote; the clerk announced 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 excused or absent. The bill will move forward for further consideration.
