Bill > SB3721

This bill establishes the "Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program" within the Illinois Department of Agriculture to incentivize farmers to plant cover crops, which are crops planted to protect and improve the soil between main growing seasons. The program will offer a crop insurance premium discount of up to $5 per acre for farmers who plant cover crops and then insure their land for crop production the following year. The bill also directs the Department to award grants to Soil and Water Conservation Districts, with $1 granted for every $5 spent on the program. A dedicated "Cover Crop Insurance Premium Discount Fund" will be created in the State treasury to hold money from state appropriations, residual federal funds, and private donations for the program and grants. The program will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with application periods and requirements to be determined by the Department, and will be limited by available funding. The Department will also be responsible for adopting rules to implement and administer these provisions.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3721&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104