An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide grants for losses to farms and forestry operations due to weather conditions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Bos-Lun and 6 co-sponsors

Establishes the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to grant relief for weather-related losses to Vermont farms and forestry operations.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry

Summary of Bill H. 229 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and Intent

Establishes the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide financial grants.

The grants are intended to compensate farms and forestry operations for losses caused by weather-related conditions.

Aims to support resilience and continuity of farming and forestry activities in the face of extreme or adverse weather.

Key Provisions and Changes

Creation of a new special fund named the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund.

Authority to award grants to qualifying farms and forestry operations to offset weather-related losses.

Grants are designed to cover losses stemming from weather events that impact farm and forestry operations, supporting recovery and risk mitigation.

The bill delineates eligibility criteria and grant administration processes (including application/approval mechanisms) TBD in committee considerations, with the intent to streamline relief following weather disruptions.

Likely to specify funding sources for the Special Fund (e.g., state appropriation, grants, or designated revenues) and any caps, funding limits, or reimbursement rules, though exact figures are not provided in the summary available.

Who Would Be Affected

Vermont farms and forestry operations at risk of weather-related losses.

Potentially affected populations include farm owners, forestry operators, and workers dependent on farm/forestry operations.

State agencies involved in agriculture, forestry, and resiliency programs could administer or oversee grant distribution and reporting.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill was read for the first time on February 18, 2025.

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry for study and potential amendment.

As a first-step measure, the bill is in the early stage of the legislative process; subsequent actions would include committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in both chambers.

Additional Context

The bill is sponsored by multiple legislators (co-sponsors listed), indicating broad legislative interest.

The focus aligns with statewide efforts to bolster resilience in agriculture and forestry sectors against increasingly volatile weather.

If you would like, I can add a section outlining potential fiscal implications (cost estimates, funding sources) or compare this bill to similar weather-relief programs in Vermont or neighboring states, once those details are available.