Committee members discuss funding options and partnerships after House bill reference
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Summary
Committee members raised a House-passed measure referred to as "69," clarified it contains no appropriation in the members' view, and discussed partnering with agencies or grant programs to provide immediate farmer relief; members agreed to follow up with the bill sponsor and agency staff.
During committee discussion after the Taft Street briefing, a committee member raised a recent House-passed bill referenced in the meeting as "69" and asked whether that bill included funding for farmer relief. Participants said the bill, as discussed in the meeting, did not appear to include an appropriation.
An unidentified committee member said the group should consider partnering with agencies or programs that "have the monies" to provide support or grants. "They seem to have plenty of money," the member said, urging offline conversations to identify grant programs or placeholders that could deliver funds quickly.
Members described the practical impacts in several districts: one member reported dairy and cattle farmers needing to truck in feed and water as a recent hardship. The discussion included an exchange on whether particular programs would be loans or grants (one participant characterized S.60 programs as mostly loans and another referenced some grant alternatives).
Committee members agreed to follow up with the bill sponsor and agency staff, to discuss whether to go to conference or pursue other legislative options, and to work offline to identify grant or partnership opportunities. No formal appropriation, vote or contract award occurred during the session.