1 New Subdivision; Farmer Assistance for Natural Disasters. Amend RSA 425 by inserting after section 26 the following new subdivision:

Farmer Assistance for Natural Disasters

425:27 Definitions. In this chapter:

I. "Department" means the department of agriculture.

II. "Fund" means the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund established by this chapter.

425:28 Farmer Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund.

I. There is hereby established in the department the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund which shall be maintained in the state treasury as distinct and separate from all other funds. All moneys in the fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of agriculture for the purposes of this chapter.

II. The commissioner of agriculture may apply for and accept from any source, gifts; donations of money; grants; legislative appropriations, federal, local, private; and other matching funds and incentives. The moneys collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.

III. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the distribution of money from the fund, taking into consideration ability to pay, natural disaster conditions and locations, requirements for repair, replacement and treatment, and other factors as determined by the department. The department may use a portion of appropriated funds to cover the costs of administering this chapter.

2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (394) the following new subparagraph:

(395) Moneys deposited in the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 425:28.

3 Appropriation. The sum of $5,000,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2025 is hereby appropriated to the department of agriculture, markets, and food for deposit into the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 425:28. The governor's office for emergency relief and recovery shall determine by September 1, 2024 if any discretionary funds appropriated in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 are available for this purpose. In making this determination, the office shall consider unallocated funds as well as any funds which have previously been allocated by the governor, but which have not been expended. If the officer determines said funds to be available, the department of agriculture, markets, and food may expend such funds for the purposes of the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund. The governor shall draw a warrant for the remainder out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Such funds shall be non-lapsing.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

1 New Subdivision; Farmer Assistance for Natural Disasters. Amend RSA 425 by inserting after section 26 the following new subdivision:

Farmer Assistance for Natural Disasters

425:27 Definitions. In this chapter:

I. "Department" means the department of agriculture.

II. "Fund" means the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund established by this chapter.

425:28 Farmer Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund.

I. There is hereby established in the department the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund which shall be maintained in the state treasury as distinct and separate from all other funds. All moneys in the fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of agriculture for the purposes of this chapter.

II. The commissioner of agriculture may apply for and accept from any source, gifts; donations of money; grants; legislative appropriations, federal, local, private; and other matching funds and incentives. The moneys collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.

III. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the distribution of money from the fund, taking into consideration ability to pay, natural disaster conditions and locations, requirements for repair, replacement and treatment, and other factors as determined by the department. The department may use a portion of appropriated funds to cover the costs of administering this chapter.

2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (394) the following new subparagraph:

(395) Moneys deposited in the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 425:28.

3 Appropriation. The sum of $5,000,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2025 is hereby appropriated to the department of agriculture, markets, and food for deposit into the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 425:28. The governor's office for emergency relief and recovery shall determine by September 1, 2024 if any discretionary funds appropriated in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 are available for this purpose. In making this determination, the office shall consider unallocated funds as well as any funds which have previously been allocated by the governor, but which have not been expended. If the officer determines said funds to be available, the department of agriculture, markets, and food may expend such funds for the purposes of the farmer assistance for natural disasters fund. The governor shall draw a warrant for the remainder out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Such funds shall be non-lapsing.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.