AN ACT relating to soil conservation and making an appropriation therefor.

This bill would create a Healthy Soils Program under the Division of Conservation that will provide technical assistance on healthy soil practices, assist with soil health assessments, help develop and implement soil health plans, provide competitive grants to entities and low-cost loans to farmers. Veteran farmers, beginning farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers are to receive priority financial assistance. The bill derives its definition for healthy soil practices from NRCS EQIP. It also amends the duties of soil and water conservation districts, the Conservation Commission, and the Agriculture Water Quality Authority accordingly.