NE1: Agriculture Reinvestment Act of 2013

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

A BILL

To insure the viability of agriculture in the Northeast Region, to preserve the Northeast's agricultural base, and to improve farm production.


Be it enacted by the Assembly of the Northeast Region convened.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the 'Agriculture Reinvestment Act of 2013.'

SECTION 2. DEFINITION

The word "farm" in this act shall be defined as any land used to produce crops, livestock, specialty livestock, or grazing and includes woodland and wasteland not under cultivation or used for pasture or grazing.  

SECTION 3. FARM INVESTMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

1. The Northeast Department of Agriculture and the Interior shall be authorized to provide money to each state within the region for the purpose of capital investment to farms.

2. Grants will be awarded by state agencies on the basis of the quality of farmers' business plans that is a part of their applications.

3. Farmer applicants must match or exceed the amount of the grant being requested.  These funds must be used for projects that are defined as capital fixed assets and have a life expectancy of 10 years or more.

4. Funds may be used for the expansion of existing agricultural facilities, or diversification-expansion into new production areas and site improvements related to such expansion or diversification.

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agricultural production facilities located within the region of the Northeast;

2. Applicant must provide an individual business plan. In the case of a joint venture, two business plans must be filed, one for the individual applicant and the other for the joint venture, demonstrating how the agricultural production facility will remain ongoing for at least ten years and show what impact the improvements will have on his or her business via projected increased sales, additional jobs, local taxes, etc.

3. Applicant must provide conceptual construction drawings with project budget;

4. Applicant must possess a current farmers' tax exempt permit;

5. Applicant must be responsible for securing and complying with all necessary zoning, inland wetland, building and other permits, as well as environmental regulations, as required prior to receiving grant;

6. Upon completion of project, applicant must provide an audit from a Certified Public Accountant, a lending institution or an agricultural advisory institution that includes an itemized statement of expenses of the project.

7. Applicants must agree to a site inspection conducted by an agent from their respective states prior to final approval or rejection of their application. If application approved and project monies awarded, applicant must agree to site inspections during the construction phase of the project.


(Sections 2 & 3 partially taken from http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=398988)


SECTION 5. FUNDING

Funds for this grant program will be allocated from the Environment & energy account of the Northeast Budget FY13' Nov-March.

Sponsor: Gov. Scott

Scott, you have 24 hours to advocate for this bill. Debate time will last 24 hours total.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I mean 72 hours total. *mindwipes everyone*

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I think the aid should be towards small farms.

Ooh, good one, Poirot! Can't have Mega Corps taking all the money!

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

A BILL

To insure the viability of agriculture in the Northeast Region, to preserve the Northeast's agricultural base, and to improve farm production.


Be it enacted by the Assembly of the Northeast Region convened.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the 'Agriculture Reinvestment Act of 2013.'

SECTION 2. DEFINITION

The word "farm" in this act shall be defined as any land used to produce crops, livestock, specialty livestock, or grazing and includes woodland and wasteland not under cultivation or used for pasture or grazing.  

SECTION 3. FARM INVESTMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

1. The Northeast Department of Agriculture and the Interior shall be authorized to provide money to each state within the region for the purpose of capital investment to farms.

2. Grants will be awarded by state agencies on the basis of the quality of farmers' business plans that is a part of their applications.

3. Farmer applicants must match or exceed the amount of the grant being requested.  These funds must be used for projects that are defined as capital fixed assets and have a life expectancy of 10 years or more.

4. Funds may be used for the expansion of existing agricultural facilities, or diversification-expansion into new production areas and site improvements related to such expansion or diversification.

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agricultural production facilities located within the region of the Northeast;

2. Applicant must provide an individual business plan. In the case of a joint venture, two business plans must be filed, one for the individual applicant and the other for the joint venture, demonstrating how the agricultural production facility will remain ongoing for at least ten years and show what impact the improvements will have on his or her business via projected increased sales, additional jobs, local taxes, etc.

3. Applicant must provide conceptual construction drawings with project budget;

4. Applicant must possess a current farmers' tax exempt permit;

5. Applicant must be responsible for securing and complying with all necessary zoning, inland wetland, building and other permits, as well as environmental regulations, as required prior to receiving grant;

6. Upon completion of project, applicant must provide an audit from a Certified Public Accountant, a lending institution or an agricultural advisory institution that includes an itemized statement of expenses of the project.

7. Applicants must agree to a site inspection conducted by an agent from their respective states prior to final approval or rejection of their application. If application approved and project monies awarded, applicant must agree to site inspections during the construction phase of the project.

8. Applicant's farm must receive less than $1,000,000 in revenue per year.


(Sections 2 & 3 partially taken from http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=398988)


SECTION 5. FUNDING

Funds for this grant program will be allocated from the Environment & energy account of the Northeast Budget FY13' Nov-March.

I'm not sure if this is placed or worded properly, so if y'all have any complaints, you can re-amend the thing.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Uh...has debate time expired?

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

A BILL

To insure the viability of agriculture in the Northeast Region, to preserve the Northeast's agricultural base, and to improve farm production.


Be it enacted by the Assembly of the Northeast Region convened.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the 'Agriculture Reinvestment Act of 2013.'

SECTION 2. DEFINITION

The word "farm" in this act shall be defined as any land used to produce crops, livestock, specialty livestock, or grazing and includes woodland not under cultivation or used for pasture or grazing.  

SECTION 3. FARM INVESTMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

1. The Northeast Department of Agriculture and the Interior shall be authorized to provide money to farmers for the purpose of capital investment to farms.

2. Grants will be awarded by the Department on the basis of the quality of farmers' business plans that is a part of their applications.

3. Farmer applicants must match or exceed the amount of the grant being requested.  These funds must be used for projects that are defined as capital fixed assets and have a life expectancy of 10 years or more.

4. Funds may be used for the expansion of existing agricultural facilities, or diversification-expansion into new production areas and site improvements related to such expansion or diversification.

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agricultural production facilities located within the region of the Northeast;

2. Applicant must provide an individual business plan. In the case of a joint venture, two business plans must be filed, one for the individual applicant and the other for the joint venture, demonstrating how the agricultural production facility will remain ongoing for at least ten years and show what impact the improvements will have on his or her business via projected increased sales, additional jobs, local taxes, etc.

3. Applicant must provide conceptual construction drawings with project budget;

4. Applicant must be responsible for securing and complying with all necessary zoning, inland wetland, building and other permits, as well as environmental regulations, as required prior to receiving grant;

5. Upon completion of project, applicant must provide an audit from a Certified Public Accountant, a lending institution or an agricultural advisory institution that includes an itemized statement of expenses of the project.

6. Applicants must agree to a site inspection conducted by an agent from their respective states prior to final approval or rejection of their application. If application approved and project monies awarded, applicant must agree to site inspections during the construction phase of the project.

7. Applicant's farm must receive less than $1,000,000 in revenue per year.

SECTION 5. FUNDING

$500 million will be allocated from the Environment & energy account of the Northeast Budget FY13' Nov-March to fund this grant program.

The expiration of debate time has been awakened from its slumber, and voting shall now begin. Voting will last 24 hours or until all members have voted.

Aye.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

With three ayes and one abstention, the bill passes.