Establishes a drain tile revolving loan fund

3 Co-sponsors

• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Kathleen A. Marchione
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S5482

Title of bill

An act to amend the soil and water conservation districts law, in relation to establishing a drain tile revolving loan program

Purpose

This bill establishes a revolving loan program dedicated to providing farmers with low interest loans for the addition of drain tile to their fields.

Summary of provisions

This bill adds a new section 4-a to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law.

Provides that the Soil and Water Conservation Committee shall establish and maintain a drain tile revolving loan program which provides low interest loans to farmers for the purpose of adding drain tile to their fields.

Provides that the Soil and Water Conservation Committee shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the bill.

Establishes that the amount of funds in the revolving loan program shall be subject to a budgetary appropriation.

Provides that the loans must be within the amount available in the drain tile revolving loan program. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such date.

Justification

For a piece of land to be agriculturally viable for planting and growing, it must have the right conditions. One of the factors that can prevent a piece of land from being suitable for planting and farming is the amount of subsurface moisture present. Too much subsurface moisture prevents root development and inhibits the growth of crops. It can also make it difficult for farm equipment to access the land.

The installation of drain tile is often the best way to treat excessive amounts of subsurface water on an otherwise viable piece of farm land. The addition of drain tile draws the moisture further down into the soil and then provides a way for it to drain effectively, thus lowering the water table on a piece of land. By lowering the water table, plants are able to develop stronger roots to better absorb the oxygen and other nutrients present in the soil.

The installation of drain tile, although effective in treating subsurface water, is costly. Therefore, this bill seeks to aid farmers in the installation of drain tile in their fields by creating a revolving loan fund that will provide interest loans to farmers for the costs associated with the installation of drain tile in their fields. The Soil and Water Conservation Committee shall administer the fund as outlined in the sections of this bill.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Subject to budgetary appropriation.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such date.