1. Grant program established. The Farmers Drought Relief Grant Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established in the department to assist farmers in the State to overcome the adverse effects of drought conditions by providing grants in accordance with this section. [PL 2021, c. 729, §1 (NEW).] 2. Eligibility. A farmer in the State may apply for a grant under the program if the farmer needs to establish a source for irrigation water to alleviate the risk of crop losses due to drought. The source for irrigation water must be sustainable, environmentally sound and affordable. [PL 2021, c. 729, §1 (NEW).] 3. Farmers Drought Relief Grant Program Fund. The Farmers Drought Relief Grant Program Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund to provide funding to achieve the purposes of the program. The department may use funds for personnel services and to contract for professional services to carry out the purposes of this section. The fund consists of any funds received from private and public sources. The fund must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year must be carried forward to the next fiscal year. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. TT, §1 (AMD).] 4. Rules. The department shall adopt rules to implement the program. The rules must include grant eligibility requirements, grant application and award procedures and grant funding limits. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2021, c. 729, §1 (NEW).]
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