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HB 3323

To expand the Law-Enforcement-Assisted Diversion program to include felonies in circuit court

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Trenton Barnhart and 10 co-sponsors

Creates a Local Farmer Grant Program to fund distribution of free, healthy local food to pregnant, low‑income women within the farmer’s county or 20 miles, up to $250,000 per farme

To House Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 3323

Summary — HB 3323 (DEPT OF AG — Local Farmer — Mother)

Status: Introduced Feb 25, 2025; passed the House (3rd reading 4/11/2025, vote 90–25–0); transmitted to the Senate (arrived 4/14/2025) and referred to Assignments/Appropriations. As of 6/02/2025: Rule 3‑9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments.

Purpose

Create a new Department of Agriculture grant program to support qualified local farmers in distributing free, healthy food to low‑income pregnant women (“expectant mothers in need”) who live in the same county as the farm or in a municipality within 20 miles of the farm.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 205‑455 to the Department of Agriculture Law (Civil Administrative Code).
  • Establishes a Local Farmer Grant Program for Expectant Mothers in Need.
  • Grants:
    • Award size: up to $250,000 per qualified applicant farmer.
    • Use: cover costs and labor to distribute healthy, free, local food produced by the farmer to eligible expectant mothers.
    • Funding: subject to appropriation (no total program appropriation specified in the bill).
  • Department responsibilities:
    • Create and administer the grant program by rule.
    • Define and apply eligibility and other program requirements through rulemaking.
    • Determine whether applicants are “qualified” and “trustworthy.”
  • Applicant qualification criteria (must all be met):
    1. Applicant is a “farmer.”
    2. Applicant has a feasible plan to distribute healthy, free, local food to expectant mothers in need in the same county or in a municipality within 20 miles of the farm.
    3. Applicant is a trustworthy individual or business (per Department determination).
    4. Applicant meets any other requirements the Department adopts by rule.

Definitions included

  • “Expectant mother” = an individual who is pregnant.
  • “Expectant mother in need” = an expectant mother whose household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (as updated periodically by HHS under 42 U.S.C. § 9902(2)).
  • “Farmer” = person who owns or manages a farm.
  • “Farm” = the farmer’s main place of business where they raise living organisms for food.

Who is affected

  • Eligible farmers (owners/managers of farms) who can demonstrate a distribution plan and meet Department vetting.
  • Low‑income pregnant women in the targeted geographic area (same county or within 20 miles of participating farms).
  • Department of Agriculture (administration, rulemaking, grant oversight).
  • State budget/appropriations (grants funded only if appropriated).

Fiscal and implementation notes

  • Grants may be up to $250,000 each; total cost depends on the number of awards and appropriations authorized by the General Assembly.
  • The Department must adopt implementing rules before program operation.
  • No explicit coordination or integration with existing federal programs (e.g., WIC) is mandated in this section.

Legislative timeline (selected)

  • Filed: Feb 18/25 (initial reading Feb 18; amendments and committee actions in March–April).
  • House passage: Apr 11/2025.
  • Senate actions: Referred to Assignments; assigned to Appropriations; re‑referred under Rule 3‑9(a) on Jun 2/2025.

Questions the bill leaves open: total appropriation level, application scoring/selection criteria, reporting/audit requirements, and program coordination with existing nutrition programs.

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

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