Committee agrees to add forestry to proposed farm disaster fund; several details left for board

A legislative committee on March 25 moved to include forestry operations in a draft fund intended to help farms recover from extreme weather and similar losses, and directed staff to rename the proposal the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund.

The change "you're gonna see is the addition of and forestry operations," said Mike, a staff member, summarizing edits made to the draft. The committee did not adopt final language on award caps, enrollment fees or quarterly application timing; members instead discussed leaving many of those implementation choices to a review board to be established by the bill.

Why it matters: The bill creates a permanent state special fund and an awards process to provide payments for unreimbursed, uninsured or otherwise uncovered losses at farms and, now, forestry operations. Members and witnesses raised equity and practicability concerns — for example, how to set maximum awards so small operators are eligible while large businesses do not capture most funds, and whether the fund should require applicants to opt in by paying a registration fee.

In committee discussion, staff noted program mechanics recommended by the Joint Fiscal Office. The draft now allows beneficiary payments rather than formal grants, a choice JFO advised to reduce administrative conditions on payments. The draft also included language that awards may cover up to 50% of "unreimbursed, uninsured, or…