ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session
	House: LARA DPA 10-0-1-0

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HB 2182: livestock assistance program; infrastructure projects

Sponsor: Representative Cook, LD 8

Caucus & COW

Overview

Establishes the Livestock and Crop Assistance Grant Program and requirements to qualify for program funding.

History

The Livestock and Crop Conservation Grant Program was established in 2003 and is developed, implemented and managed by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (Department) (Laws 2003, Chapter 252). Program grants are used for individual landowners and grazing and agricultural lessees of state or federal land who contract with the Department to implement conservation-based management alternatives using livestock or crop production practices (or reduce livestock or crop production) to provide wildlife habitat or other public benefits that preserve open space. Grants are prioritized to lessees of state or federal land who reduce livestock production to provide public benefits such as wildlife habitat.

The program's fund received $2 million annually from the Land Conservation Fund when funding was available. However, Land Conservation Fund only received annual appropriations of $20 million from the state General Fund in FYs 2001-2011 (A.R.S. § 41-511.23).  

Provisions

1. Establishes the Livestock and Crop Assistance Grant Program within the Department to provide grants to landowners, lessees and livestock operators for infrastructure projects that are required as a result of a wildfire and are either not eligible for federal or state funding or partially funded through a federal or state program. (Sec. 1)

2. Directs the Department to:

a) Develop guidelines and criteria to implement the program;

b) Award all grants consistent with statutes;

c) Not grant more than 50% of fund monies to projects in one county in a fiscal year;

d) Require each grantee to submit an annual report explaining how grant monies were used; and

e) Submit an annual report of how fund monies are disposed. (Sec. 1)

3. Exempts the Department from the Administrative Procedures Act's requirements for adopting rules to implement and administer this program but requires the Department to provide public notice and 60 days for public comment on annual grant guidelines and criteria. (Sec. 1 and 2)

4. Establishes the Livestock and Crop Assistance Fund which is administered by the Department. (Sec. 1)

5. Authorizes the Department to use up to 10% of appropriated monies for program administration. (Sec. 1)

6. Defines infrastructure. (Sec. 1)

7. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)

Amendments

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

1. Changes the program's name to the Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Grant Program.

2. Authorizes program grant monies to be used for infrastructure projects that are required as a result of wildfire-related flooding and meet specified criteria.

3. Prohibits program funds from financing no more than 50% of any one project's total costs.

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                        HB 2182

Initials PAB     Page 0 Caucus & COW

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