An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in agricultural business development center, further providing for purpose and for limitation on grants.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Banta and 7 co-sponsors

HB 2521 tightens grant limits and oversight for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center, clarifying purpose and accountability for funded projects.

Referred to Finance

Summary of HB 2521 (Session: 2025-2026, Pennsylvania)

Purpose and intent

HB 2521 amends Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically relating to the agricultural business development center.

The bill narrows or clarifies the purpose and provides new or adjusted limitations on grants administered through the agricultural business development center.

The overarching goal appears to be enhancing the center’s ability to support agricultural business development while imposing clearer boundaries on grant funding.

Key provisions and changes

Agricultural business development center: The bill revises provisions related to the center’s purpose, structure, activities, or governance as they pertain to grant programs.

Grant program limitations: The bill introduces or tightens limits on grants (e.g., eligibility, award amounts, duration, or permissible uses) administered by the center.

Administrative framework: Possible adjustments to application processes, reporting requirements, or oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and alignment with statutory goals.

Compliance and accountability: May include new or revised compliance requirements for grantees and standardized reporting to lawmakers or the appropriate department.

Note: The precise text of provisions (specific dollar amounts, percentages, or detailed criteria) is not provided here. The summary focuses on the typical areas these amendments cover: scope of the center’s grant activities, limits on funding, and governance/oversight.

Who is affected

Eligible agricultural businesses, cooperatives, or organizations seeking grants through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center would be directly impacted by any changes to eligibility criteria, grant amounts, or allowable uses.

The center itself (and its administrators) would implement the revised grant framework, reporting, and compliance requirements.

State and local stakeholders involved in agricultural development, economic development offices, and potential partners may experience changes in grant access, oversight, and funding timelines.

Procedural and timeline aspects

As a 2025-2026 session bill, if enacted, the amendments would become law as part of Title 3, affecting ongoing and future grant programs administered by the agricultural business development center.

The bill would likely include effective dates for any new restrictions or programs and transitional provisions for grants already in process or awarded under prior language.

Standard legislative steps (committee review, amendments, voting, governor’s signature) would determine final enactment and effective date.

Practical implications

For grant seekers: The changes could alter eligibility, application requirements, funding amounts, and permissible uses of funds. Applicants may need to adjust proposals to align with new limitations.

For the center: Administrative adjustments, enhanced reporting, and stricter compliance measures may affect workload and monitoring processes.

For policymakers: Clearer limits and purpose alignment aim to improve program efficiency and accountability in agricultural development funding.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the current statute language to highlight exact changes once the bill’s text is available, or provide a more detailed section-by-section breakdown.