Jun. 04, 2019
WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), has scheduled a meeting to consider the following bills:
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House Bill 1348 (Rep. Barbara Gleim, R-Cumberland): Would protect agritourism business from lawsuits where no party is at fault for injuries or damages.
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House Bill 1514 (Rep. John Hershey, R-Juniata/Franklin/Mifflin): Would revise and reestablish the existing Healthy Farms Healthy Schools program into the PA Farm-to-School Program, to provide grants for improving childhood nutrition while increasing exposure to agriculture for children in Pre-K through fifth grade.
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House Bill 1516 (Rep. Martin Causer, R-Cameron/ McKean/Potter): Would create the Pennsylvania Rapid Response Disaster Readiness Account and allocate funding to the Department of Agriculture to facilitate a quick response to agricultural disasters.
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House Bill 1517 (Rep. David Zimmerman, R-Lancaster): Would provide the State Conservation Commission with the authority to prioritize projects and provide technical assistance and funding through a mix of grants, low-interest loans and tax credits.
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House Bill 1518 (Rep. Pam DeLissio, D-Philadelphia/Montgomery): Would reestablish the former Agriculture and Rural Youth Development Program into a new grant program to fund youth organizations that promote development in agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship.
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House Bill 1519 (Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia): Would establish a state-level Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to invest in and encourage farming of high-priority crops like hemp, hops and hardwoods that are not eligible for the federal grants.
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House Bill 1520 (Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington): Would create a grant program to reimburse federal meat inspection costs for small or new processors.
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House Bill 1521 (Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne): Would amend the existing PA Preferred agricultural commodities marketing program to bolster enrollment in the veteran farmer Homegrown by Heroes Program.
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House Bill 1523 (Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon): Would establish the Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center within the Department of Agriculture to serve as a resource to help every farmer create a business plan, transition plan or succession plan.
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House Bill 1526 (Rep. Rich Irvin, R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin): Would reestablish a low-interest loan program administered by the State Conservation Commission in conjunction with lending institutions for the implementation of agricultural and conservation best management practices.
WHO: Causer and members of the committee.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, at 9 a.m.
WHERE: B-31 Main Capitol Building.
LIVE WEBSTREAMING: Barring technical difficulties, the meeting will be streamed live at
RepCauser.com.
Media contact: Patricia Hippler, 717.772.9846,
phippler@pahousegop.com