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Committee hears wide support for continuing Lawns to Legumes pollinator grant program (HF 1843)
Summary
Supporters from nonprofits, growers and residents urged the Environment Finance and Policy Committee to continue funding Lawns to Legumes; Representative Rehm moved House File 1843 to be laid over for possible inclusion after testimony on program reach and demand.
Representative Rehm introduced House File 1843 seeking funding to continue and expand the Lawns to Legumes pollinator habitat program. She told the committee more than 41,000 applications have been received and projects have been funded in all 87 counties. “We have a number of testifiers today who want to speak in support of it,” she said.
A steady stream of witnesses testified in favor. Laura Schall of Metro Blooms described the program’s mix of $400 individual reimbursement grants, coaching, workshops and helplines and said the program reaches beyond direct grantees: “600,000 people have visited program web pages over the last five years.” Kendra Sommerfeld, a natural‑resources practitioner, said the program helps people make neighborhood‑scale changes and fosters environmental education. Rachel Farrell, a coach and past grant recipient, said the grant made it easier for residents to start projects and then expand them.
James Wolfen of Twin City Seed Company described a major increase in demand for pollinator seed and plants since the program began; he said state awards have triggered nearly one‑for‑one additional private spending on projects and cited figures that for every dollar of state grant money, residents spent about $0.86 of their own funds. Jeanette Dean of the Sierra Club and Rosemary Malfi of the Xerces Society emphasized the program’s conservation value for pollinators, including the rusty patched bumblebee.
Committee members questioned fiscal details and distribution of awards. Representative Heintzeman asked about per‑acre costs and the program’s overall expense: staff and witnesses discussed a requested appropriation of $1.5 million and earlier appropriations and special revenue set‑asides. Representative Schultz asked why some districts showed many applicants but few awards; Andrea Fish of the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) said early rounds prioritized areas for the rusty patched bumblebee and BWSR is working to distribute future funds more evenly.
Representative Rehm closed by noting the program’s education, individual support and pollinator‑corridor components and renewed her motion to lay HF 1843 over for possible inclusion; the committee laid the bill over by voice vote. The committee did not adopt an appropriation on the record in this hearing.
