Bill > SB5391

This bill amends the existing Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program to enhance and clarify its implementation, focusing on supporting agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve carbon sequestration. The bill outlines a comprehensive grant program administered by the commission in consultation with agricultural and scientific organizations, which can distribute funds to conservation districts and public entities for various agricultural sustainability projects. Allowable grant uses include payments for carbon storage, equipment purchases, seed and amendment acquisitions, conservation plan development, scientific studies, and support for practices like anaerobic digester use. The bill expands the program's prioritization criteria to include additional considerations such as increasing organic carbon in soils, integrating vegetation into agricultural lands, reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing precision agricultural practices. Grant applicants will receive additional prioritization for creating riparian buffers, benefiting fish habitats, and maintaining pollinator habitats. The commission is required to provide biennial reports to the legislature, maintain a public list of projects, and conduct periodic evaluations of carbon equivalency metrics. The bill also sets specific limits on fund usage, such as restricting administrative costs to 5% and preventing any single applicant from receiving more than 20% of available funds, thereby ensuring a broad and equitable distribution of resources to support sustainable agricultural practices.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5391&Year=2025&Initiative=false