Pennsylvania HB 1895: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program and the Agriculture Innovation Board; and making a repeal.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2366
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1895
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MUSTELLO, GAYDOS AND STENDER, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, establishing the Agriculture Innovation Grant
Program and the Agriculture Innovation Board; and making a
repeal.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 110
AGRICULTURE INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM
Sec.
11001. Scope of chapter.
11002. Purpose.
11003. Definitions.
11004. Agriculture Innovation Grant Program.
11005. Board.
11006. Grant funds and eligibility.
11007. Funding.
11008. Limitation of grants.
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11009. Applications and disposition of grants.
11010. Regulations.
§ 11001. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to the Agriculture Innovation Grant
Program.
§ 11002. Purpose.
It is the intent of the General Assembly to offer
reimbursement grants to promote and support agricultural
innovation to ensure the competitiveness, resiliency,
environmental stewardship and vitality of farms, agribusinesses
and agricultural support services in this Commonwealth.
§ 11003. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agricultural commodity." As defined in section 2 of the act
of June 10, 1982 (P.L.454, No.133), referred to as the Right-to-
Farm Law.
"Board." The Agriculture Innovation Board established under
section 11005 (relating to board).
"Conservation district." As defined in section 503 (relating
to definitions).
"Cooperative association." As defined in section 4502
(relating to definitions).
"Eligible applicant." An applicant that meets one of the
following criteria:
(1) A person who grows an agricultural commodity and who
has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 a year.
(2) A person who processes an agricultural commodity and
has anticipated sales greater than $10,000 a year.
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(3) A person who provides technical assistance or
services to farmers for conservation, engineering, veterinary
care, animal disease management, farm management,
agricultural commodity production, nutrient management or
similar services.
(4) A person or cooperative association that utilizes
agricultural commodities to create products or energy.
"Innovation." The practical implementation of ideas that
results in new products, processes or services.
"Lending institution." As defined under section 603
(relating to definitions).
"Licensed doctor of veterinary medicine." A person who is
currently licensed under the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L.995,
No.326), known as the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
"Person." An individual, partnership, association, firm,
corporation or any other legal entity.
"Program." The Agriculture Innovation Grant Program
established under section 11004 (relating to Agriculture
Innovation Grant Program).
§ 11004. Agriculture Innovation Grant Program.
The Agriculture Innovation Grant Program is established
within the department. The program shall be administered by the
department, in consultation with the board, to provide
reimbursement grants to eligible applicants for costs associated
with one or more of the following:
(1) Utilization of innovation to improve energy
efficiency, improve water quality, reduce water consumption,
reduce odors or address solid waste concerns.
(2) Utilization of innovation to improve production,
processing, commercialization or utilization of agricultural
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commodities.
(3) Innovation that produces energy from agricultural
sources, including manure, food waste or biomass.
(4) Innovation equipment that provides low-carbon or no-
carbon energy sources from agricultural commodities.
(5) Innovation technology that assists eligible
applicants with the management of their farms, including
diagnostic tools and services.
(6) Innovation technology that assists a packer,
processor or cooperative in more efficient sorting, grading
or processing of agricultural commodities.
(7) Innovation that improves biosecurity or health of
plants or animals.
(8) Innovation that supports cybersecurity or data
analytics.
§ 11005. Board.
(a) Establishment.--The Agriculture Innovation Board is
established and shall consist of the following members:
(1) The secretary or a designee who shall serve as
chairperson.
(2) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or a designee.
(3) An employee of a conservation district selected by
the executive director of the State Conservation Comm