PRINTER'S NO. 1749

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

1269

Session of

2024

INTRODUCED BY AUMENT, VOGEL, BARTOLOTTA, KANE, CULVER, SCHWANK,

J. WARD, MASTRIANO AND STEFANO, JUNE 21, 2024

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, JUNE 21, 2024

Section 1. Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

is amended by adding a chapter to read:

Sec.

11001. Scope of chapter.

11002. Purpose.

11003. Definitions.

11004. Agriculture Innovation Grant Program.

11005. Board.

This chapter relates to the Agriculture Innovation Grant

Program.

§ 11002. Purpose.

It is the intent of the General Assembly to offer

reimbursement grants to promote and support agricultural

innovation to ensure the competitiveness, resiliency,

environmental stewardship and vitality of farms, agribusinesses

and agricultural support services in this Commonwealth.

§ 11003. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

to definitions).

"Cooperative association." As defined in section 4502

(relating to definitions).

"Department." The Department of Agriculture of the

Commonwealth.

"Eligible applicant." An applicant that meets one of the

following criteria:

(1) A person who grows an agricultural commodity and who

has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 a year.

(2) A person who processes an agricultural commodity and

care, animal disease management, farm management,

agricultural commodity production, nutrient management or

similar services.

(4) A person or cooperative association that utilizes

agricultural commodities to create products or energy.

"Innovation." The practical implementation of ideas that

results in new products, processes or services.

"Lending institution." As defined under section 603

(relating to definitions).

"Licensed doctor of veterinary medicine." A person who is

currently licensed under the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L.995,

§ 11004. Agriculture Innovation Grant Program.

The Agriculture Innovation Grant Program is established

within the department. The program shall be administered by the

department, in consultation with the board, to provide

reimbursement grants to eligible applicants for costs associated

with one or more of the following:

(1) Utilization of innovation to improve energy

efficiency, improve water quality, reduce water consumption,

reduce odors or address solid waste concerns.

(2) Utilization of innovation to improve production,

sources, including manure, food waste or biomass.

(4) Innovation equipment that provides low-carbon or no-

carbon energy sources from agricultural commodities.

(5) Innovation technology that assists eligible

applicants with the management of their farms, including

diagnostic tools and services.

(6) Innovation technology that assists a packer,

processor or cooperative in more efficient sorting, grading

or processing of agricultural commodities.

(7) Innovation that improves biosecurity or health of

plants or animals.

serve as chairperson.

(2) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development

or a designee.

(3) An employee of a conservation district selected by

the executive director of the State Conservation Commission.

(4) The following members appointed by the Governor:

(i) A representative of an institution of higher

education located in this Commonwealth.

(ii) A board member of a rural electric cooperative

located in this Commonwealth.

this Commonwealth.

(v) A person or an employee of a person engaged in

the production or processing of an agricultural commodity

in this Commonwealth.

(vi) A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine who is

not an employee of the Commonwealth.

(5) One member of the Senate appointed by the President

pro tempore of the Senate or a designee who shall be an

employee of the Senate.

(6) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority

Leader of the Senate or a designee who shall be an employee

designee who shall be an employee of the House of

Representatives.

(b) Quorum.--Seven members of the board shall constitute a

quorum. The consent of no less than seven members of the board,

with five of the consenting members as specified under

subsection (a)(1), (5), (6), (7) and (8), shall be necessary to

award grants to eligible applicants under subsection (d).

(c) Terms.--A board member appointed under subsection (a)

(3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) shall serve a term of two years

and may be reappointed to successive terms. A vacancy shall be

and award grants under section 11006 (relating to grant funds

and eligibility) to eligible applicants based on the following

criteria:

(1) The ability of the applicant to complete the

project.

(2) The ability of the applicant to incorporate one or

more of the innovations under section 11004 (relating to

Agriculture Innovation Grant Program).

(3) How the project fulfills one or more of the

innovations under section 11004.

(4) The ability of the applicant to sustain the project.

technologies, operations or approaches within a specific

business, geographic area or network. The following shall apply

to a grant under this subsection:

(1) The amount of a grant shall be no less than $7,500

and no more than $50,000.

(2) A grantee must use non-State sourced matching funds

equal to at least 30% of the grant amount for the project.

(b) On-site project grant.--An eligible applicant may apply

for a grant for a project that focuses on implementing

innovation practices, technologies or approaches on an

(1) The amount of the grant shall be no less than $5,000

and no more than $200,000.

(2) A grantee must use non-State sourced matching funds

equal to at least 50% of the grant amount for the project.

(c) Regional impact project grant.--An eligible applicant

may apply for a grant for a project designed to address

challenges, promote efficiencies or achieve specific goals for

multiple eligible applicants. The following shall apply to a

grant under this subsection:

(1) The amount of the grant shall be no less than

$100,000 and no more than $2,000,000.

commodity.

§ 11007. Funding.

The department shall accept funds from the following sources:

(1) Money appropriated to the department for the

purposes of this chapter.

(2) Gifts or donations of money, securities or other

personal property except real estate, which, or the income of

which, shall be used to carry out the purposes of this

chapter.

§ 11008. Limitation of grants.

other sources.

(b) Approval of grant.--The board may approve a grant that

is less than the requested amount.

(c) Conditions.--The department and the board may impose

restrictions or special conditions upon issuance of a grant.

(d) Reimbursement grants.--

(1) A grant awarded under section 11006 shall be a

reimbursement grant. The amount of reimbursement shall be

based on actual costs submitted by an approved eligible

applicant for a project awarded a grant during any fiscal

year in which grants are offered.

of project costs that are paid or reimbursed under another

Federal or State grant program.

(e) Cap on grants.--A single eligible applicant may not be

awarded more than $2,000,000 in a fiscal year.

§ 11009. Applications and disposition of grants.

(a) Submission.--Applications for grants shall be submitted

in a manner and on a form as prescribed by the department.

(b) Written agreement.--The department may require a written

agreement describing the terms and conditions of the grant.

(c) Verification.--The department may require verification

of the grant money.

§ 11010. Regulations.

The department shall administer the provisions of this

chapter and, with the approval of the board, shall prescribe and

adopt program policy guidelines or regulations to administer and

enforce this chapter.