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H 142

An Act establishing healthy soil performance guidelines

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dave Vieira

H 142 - An Act establishing healthy soil performance guidelines OverviewBill Number: H 142 Title: An Act establishing healthy soil performance guidelines Status: Accompanied a ne

Accompanied a new draft, see H4421
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Bill Summary · H 142

H 142 - An Act establishing healthy soil performance guidelines

Overview

Bill Number: H 142
Title: An Act establishing healthy soil performance guidelines
Status: Accompanied a new draft, see H4421
Introduced: February 05, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to establish statewide guidelines and standards for maintaining healthy soil on agricultural and conservation lands. The legislation aims to promote sustainable land management practices that improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, and enhance the overall productivity and resilience of the state's natural ecosystems.

Key Provisions

  • Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement healthy soil performance guidelines for all farms, ranches, and conservation areas receiving state funding or tax incentives
  • Mandates the adoption of soil health management plans that incorporate practices such as:
    • Minimizing tillage and soil disturbance
    • Increasing plant diversity through crop rotation and cover cropping
    • Integrating livestock grazing to improve nutrient cycling
    • Applying organic amendments to build soil organic matter
  • Establishes a healthy soils certification program to recognize landowners who meet or exceed the performance guidelines
  • Creates a healthy soils grant program to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers and land managers for implementing soil health practices

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would primarily impact agricultural producers, land managers, and conservation organizations across the state. By implementing healthy soil guidelines, the legislation aims to:
- Improve agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change
- Increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector
- Enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by healthy soils
- Provide economic incentives and support for sustainable land management practices

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

H 142 was introduced in the state legislature on February 5, 2025 and has been accompanied by a new draft, H4421, which is currently under consideration by the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. If passed, the Department of Agriculture would have 12 months to develop the healthy soil performance guidelines and certification program, with the first round of grants and certifications expected to be awarded by the end of 2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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