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House approves bill allowing counties to use up to 8% of grasshopper-block grant for administration
Summary
House Bill 34‑87 A passed to permit counties receiving a grasshopper suppression block grant to retain up to 8% of grant funds for administration; sponsors said the change helps smaller counties run programs efficiently after significant infestations in 2021.
The House on April 1 passed House Bill 34‑87 A, authorizing counties that received grasshopper‑suppression block grants to use up to 8 percent of the grant funds for administrative costs to run the program.
Representative Pam McIntyre, sponsor of the bill, said grasshopper and Mormon cricket outbreaks in 2021 affected about 10 million acres across 18 counties and caused substantial agricultural damage in multiple counties, citing an estimated $10 million loss in one county alone. McIntyre said counties sought flexibility to use a small portion of grant funds for administration so the funds could be delivered efficiently to landowners.
Representative Reschke recounted attending a Klamath County meeting where producers described severe losses and supported the administrative allowance; Representative Owens also spoke in favor and noted that 8 percent is a low administrative fee and that about $600,000 remained in the fund from the original appropriation.
On the floor, supporters characterized the change as a modest, targeted fix to help smaller counties administer assistance programs. The clerk declared House Bill 34‑87 A passed on final reading.
