HB 369 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

3Jan2024... 2355h

3Jan2024... 0015h

2023 SESSION

23-0261

08/10

 

HOUSE BILL 369

 

AN ACT establishing the farm energy systems and infrastructure design advisory program.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. McGhee, Hills. 35; Rep. Ming, Hills. 35; Rep. Vallone, Rock. 5; Rep. Stapleton, Sull. 6; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17

 

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes the farm energy systems and infrastructure design advisory program and makes an appropriation therefor.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

3Jan2024... 2355h

3Jan2024... 0015h 23-0261

08/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

 

AN ACT establishing the farm energy systems and infrastructure design advisory program.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Declaration of Purpose. It is hereby recognized and declared that accurate and detailed information concerning agricultural technology and energy systems is essential for the further development of the state’s agricultural sector and that the welfare of the state is served by making such information as complete, current, and available as possible.

2  New Subdivision; Farm Energy Systems and Infrastructure Design Advisory Program.  Amend RSA 425 by inserting after section 26 the following new subdivision:

Farm Energy Systems and Infrastructure Design Advisory Program

425:27  Definition.  For the purposes of this subdivision, "farm" means a farming operation as defined in RSA 21:34.  

425:28  Duties and Authority of the Commissioner.

I.  The commissioner shall:

(a)  Provide New Hampshire farms with unbiased, research-based educational assistance on subject matters including, but not limited to on-farm energy efficiency and production; resources for the improvement of farm energy systems; financial assistance in the form of grants and loans available for funding farm energy improvement; resources available for applying for such financial assistance; evaluation and design of farm technology and infrastructure; and resources for the deployment of such technology.

(b)  Enable the department to provide the educational assistance referred to in subparagraph (a) by enacting and maintaining a memorandum of understanding with the university of New Hampshire cooperative extension to support and implement a farm energy systems and infrastructure design advisory program.  Such memorandum shall be reviewed and updated every 3 years or less as may be necessary.

II.  The commissioner may accept grants, gifts, and donations from any public or private sources to support the program.  Such moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and appropriated to the department to pay for program costs.

3  Appropriation; New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food.  The sum of $100,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 is hereby appropriated to the New Hampshire department of agriculture, markets, and food.  Said appropriation shall be used by the New Hampshire department of agriculture, markets, and food for the salary, benefits, and expenses for one field specialist to manage the farm energy systems and infrastructure design advisory program.  The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

4  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.