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Assembly hears AB 80 to create Nevada Healthy Soils Initiative, sponsors say federal funds hinge on program
Summary
AB 80 would establish a Nevada Healthy Soils Initiative and fund to attract federal dollars for regenerative agriculture; the bill was amended to require funds be available before the initiative starts, removing an immediate state appropriation.
Assemblymember Selena LaRue Hatch presented Assembly Bill 80, the Nevada Healthy Soils Initiative, telling the committee the measure would promote regenerative agriculture and help the state access federal soil-health funds currently unavailable without a formal state program.
Jake Tibbets, natural resource manager for Eureka County and a supervisor on the Eureka Conservation District, and other supporters described the initiative as a way to reduce water consumption, improve agricultural productivity and better access federal conservation funds. They said the program would support pilot projects and outreach and would be administered in partnership with existing conservation entities.
Director James Underwater (as recorded) of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources told the committee that a floor amendment created a trigger so the initiative would not begin until funds are identified. Under that amendment, the department said no immediate state appropriation is required: the initiative would begin only when federal or other funds are made available or when the legislature appropriates funds in a subsequent session.
Supporters including the Nevada Conservation League, the Carson Water Subconservancy District, the University of Nevada, Reno, and The Nature Conservancy testified in favor of the bill, citing water-security and carbon-cycle benefits. One caller opposing the bill urged enhancing existing conservation programs rather than creating a new program and questioned confidentiality provisions in grant administration.
Under the amendment adopted before the hearing, presenters and agency officials said AB 80 carries no current fiscal note because it cannot be implemented until funds are found; the department would return when funds are identified. The committee closed the hearing after testimony and questions.
