Bill > HB4610

This bill establishes the Nitrogen Reduction Program Act, which aims to improve water quality by incentivizing farmers to reduce their use of commercial nitrogen fertilizer, defined as fertilizer with at least 25% nitrogen content. The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and soil and water conservation districts, will create this program by January 1, 2027. Farmers can qualify for an annual payment of at least $5 per acre if they reduce their commercial nitrogen fertilizer application by either 15% or 30 pounds per acre, whichever is less, by using approved products or technologies that help manage nitrogen. The program will be open to all farmers and will be reviewed periodically to consider higher reduction targets and new technologies. Importantly, any crop management records collected from farmers for this program will be kept confidential and used only for implementing the act. The program is subject to available funding and is set to renew annually for four years.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4610&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104