Bill Text: VA HB323 | 2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program; increases grant for certain projects.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 23-3)
Status: (Passed) 2022-04-08 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0287) [HB323 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HB323-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §3.2-311 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§3.2-311. Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program.
A. The Governor may award grants from the Fund for the Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program to encourage efforts by political subdivisions to support agriculture and forestry.
B. Any funds awarded by the Governor pursuant to this section
shall be awarded as reimbursable grants of no more than $25,000 $50,000
per grant to political subdivisions to support community infrastructure
development projects that support local food production and sustainable
agriculture.
C. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry shall develop guidelines for the Local Grant Program and administer the Local Grant Program on behalf of the Governor. Such guidelines shall (i) include a requirement that any political subdivision applying for a grant provide matching funds, (ii) require that grants be awarded on a competitive basis, and (iii) state the criteria the Governor will use in evaluating any grant application submitted pursuant to this section. Such guidelines shall favor projects that establish or maintain (a) farmers markets pursuant to Chapter 35 (§3.2-3500 et seq.); (b) food hubs; or (c) processing facilities that are primarily locally owned, including commercial kitchens, packaging and labeling facilities, animal slaughtering facilities, or other facilities, and that are primarily utilized for the processing of meats, dairy products, produce, or other products. Such guidelines shall favor projects that create infrastructure in proximity to small-scale agricultural producers.
D. The guidelines developed pursuant to subsection C may (i) allow contributions to a project by certain specified entities, such as a nonprofit organization or charitable foundation, to count as eligible local matching funds and (ii) accept a reduced match requirement for an economically distressed locality applying for an award.
