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Committee advances bill to prioritize cover-crop funding through conservation districts

House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee · November 18, 2025

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Summary

Representative Michalak presented HB17‑41, directing conservation districts to use 15% of certain funds for cover-crop projects to lower farmers’ upfront costs and promote regenerative practices; the committee reported the bill out without recorded opposition.

Representative Michalak brought House Bill 17‑41 before the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee as part of the Healthy PA package. Michalak described HB17‑41 as a cover‑crops bill designed to incentivize farmers to adopt cover crops by requiring conservation districts to prioritize such projects and to allocate 15% of certain district funds to cover-crop programs defined in the bill.

Michalak said cover crops improve soil health, water retention and microbial health, and can reduce reliance on expensive inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. The sponsor framed the measure as an upfront investment to help farmers transition to regenerative practices that can reduce long‑term costs and support healthier communities.

With no substantive objections recorded during the short presentation, the committee voted to report House Bill 17‑41 out of committee.