Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Premium Assistance Program and Fund; established, sunset.
Summary
SB1151 creates a new Virginia program to help livestock producers pay for federal Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance premiums. The bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to administer the program and allows reimbursement of up to 50 percent of an eligible participant’s annual PRF premium, capped at $500, on a first-come, first-served basis and only while funds are available.
To qualify, a person must own livestock that graze in Virginia, be enrolled in PRF insurance, prove payment of the premium, and certify that soil samples from the insured land were taken and analyzed within the past three years using Virginia Cooperative Extension sampling recommendations. The bill also authorizes public or private laboratories to perform the soil analysis and requires repayment if a participant cannot provide requested documentation. The program is funded through a new special nonreverting state fund, which may receive appropriations and outside contributions, and the chapter sunsets on July 1, 2030.
Impact
The bill adds a new chapter to Title 3.2 of the Code of Virginia establishing both a premium assistance program and a dedicated nonreverting fund in the state treasury. It creates new administrative duties for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, sets eligibility and documentation requirements for livestock producers, and authorizes the State Treasurer and Comptroller to manage disbursements from the fund. The measure would affect livestock owners, PRF insurance policyholders, soil testing laboratories, and state budget administration by creating a targeted subsidy program with a capped reimbursement structure.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was received favorably in committee, as it was reported from the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee with amendment by a unanimous 13-0 vote and one abstention. No committee transcript was provided, but the vote indicates broad support for the concept of helping agricultural producers manage drought and forage-loss risk through insurance premium assistance. The sunset date also suggests the program is intended as a limited-term policy experiment or pilot rather than a permanent entitlement.
Contention
The main policy questions likely concern program cost, eligibility restrictions, and administrative verification. Requiring soil sampling and analysis within the prior three years may be seen as a condition to ensure responsible land management, but it could also be viewed as an added burden for producers seeking assistance. The first-come, first-served reimbursement model and the $500 cap may raise concerns about whether the program will reach all eligible livestock owners or primarily those who apply early. Because the fund can receive appropriations and outside donations, lawmakers may also differ on whether the program should rely on state dollars, private contributions, or both.