AN ACT concerning agriculture

This bill, known as the Partners for Nutrient Loss Reduction Act, creates the Illinois Healthy Soils and Watersheds Initiative administered by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with soil and water conservation districts. The Initiative calls for guidelines to be adopted to perform needs assessments for local districts to implement the goals of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, including estimating 2-year funding levels needed from state, federal and private sources in order to achieve goals. The bill also requires soil and water conservation districts to update their goals and needs assessments in order to remain eligible for state cost-share support. It also extends the Partners for Conservation Fund through 2032.