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Committee reviews Agency of Agriculture water-quality grant requests totaling roughly $13M
Summary
The committee reviewed Agency of Agriculture requests for ag water-quality grants — 1.5 million in bonded funds plus ~11.8 million in general funds — and discussed how VHCB projects can draw down additional dollars to leverage state appropriations.
The House Corrections & Institutions Committee examined Agency of Agriculture requests for water-quality grant funding during capital-bill markup on March 19. The chair told members the agency requested $1.5 million in bonded funds and approximately $11.8 million in general-fund appropriations for ag water-quality projects that help farmers meet regulatory requirements and support clean-water initiatives.
Members noted testimony that project applications total roughly $3.5 million–$5 million per year and that the agency’s grant program is intended to help farmers comply with new regulations. Committee members also discussed the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board’s (VHCB) role: VHCB-managed projects can leverage other funding sources, increasing overall project capacity. The Clean Water Board recommended $800,000 for VHCB-administered ag water-quality work to maximize drawdown opportunities.
Committee staff asked BGS and agency contacts to verify where funds are encumbered and to reconcile appropriation notes on the working spreadsheet before final markup.
Next steps: staff will confirm encumbrance and appropriation details for the Agency of Agriculture and VHCB lines and reflect adjustments in the spreadsheet for the committee’s return.
