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HB 3716

Relating to electric vehicle rebates.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Andersen

The bill creates a state grant program to fund farmers who distribute free, healthy local food to low‑income pregnant people, up to $250,000 per award.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3716

Summary — HB 3716 (2025): Local Farmer Grant Program for Expectant Mothers in Need

Status: In committee upon adjournment (last action: 2025-06-28)
Introduced: Feb 18, 2025 (filed by Rep. Rita Mayfield). Companion: SB 251.

Purpose

HB 3716 adds Section 205‑455 to the Department of Agriculture Law (Civil Administrative Code) to create a state‑administered grant program that funds farmers to distribute free, healthy, local food to pregnant individuals with low incomes.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (Section 205‑455).
  • Grants:
    • Awarded to qualified farmers to cover costs and labor for distributing food.
    • Individual grant awards may be up to $250,000.
    • Awards are subject to appropriation (no automatic funding guaranteed).
  • Target beneficiaries:
    • “Expectant mother” = a person who is pregnant.
    • “Expectant mother in need” = an expectant mother whose household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (as defined under 42 U.S.C. 9902(2), using HHS updates).
  • Geographic targeting:
    • Food must be provided to expectant mothers who live in the same county as the farm or in a municipality within 20 miles of the farm.
  • Eligibility and selection:
    • Applicant must be a “farmer” (owner or manager of a farm engaged in producing food).
    • Applicant must present a feasible distribution plan for delivering healthy, free, local food to qualifying expectant mothers.
    • Department must find the applicant “trustworthy” and that all other rule requirements are met.
  • Administrative requirements:
    • Department of Agriculture must adopt rules to implement the program, set application requirements, and define other programmatic details.

Who is affected

  • Direct beneficiaries: pregnant persons with household incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines living locally to participating farms.
  • Participating farmers: small/medium farms that grow food and can organize distribution; may receive up to $250,000 per award.
  • State agencies: Department of Agriculture responsible for rulemaking, application review, and oversight.
  • State budget/taxpayers: program operates only if appropriations are provided.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Pros: could improve prenatal nutrition and food security for low‑income pregnant people while creating a local market/support for farmers and encouraging farm‑to‑community distribution.
  • Constraints: funding is discretionary (subject to appropriation); key terms (e.g., “trustworthy,” “feasible plan”) and procedures will be defined by rule, giving the Department significant discretion; administrative capacity and monitoring will be needed to ensure effective, equitable distribution and appropriate use of grant funds.

Legislative history (selected)

  • Filed: 2025-02-07 (by Rep. Mayfield)
  • First reading/introductory actions: Feb–Mar 2025
  • Referred to multiple committees (Rules; Climate, Energy, and Environment; Appropriations-General Services; Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence)
  • Last recorded status: In committee upon adjournment (2025-06-28)

If you want, I can: (1) draft a plain‑language explainer for potential applicants (farmers), (2) outline likely rulemaking issues the Department should address, or (3) compare this bill to SB 251.

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

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