New Mexico 2019 Regular Session Status: Enacted 1 D cosponsors

HB 204 — HEALTHY SOIL ACT

Last action — Signed

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 10, 2019. Enacted.

Prognosis

Advancing 56% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

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Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

194 added · 409 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to HB 204 introduces the "Healthy Soil Act," which establishes a program and grant system within New Mexico's Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting and maintaining healthy soil practices. This change is significant because it formalizes efforts to improve soil health, which can enhance agricultural productivity, support local ecosystems, and foster sustainable land management. Additionally, it defines roles for various stakeholders, including land managers recognized as "soil health champions," to promote best practices in soil management.

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HOUSE BILL 204 54TH LEGISLATURE - STATEOFNEWMEXICO- FIRST SESSION, 2019 INTRODUCED BY Nathan P.
Small and Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics and Melanie Ann Stansbury Pursuant to House Rule 24-1, this document incorporates amendments that have been adopted prior to consideration of this measure by the House.
It is a tool to show the amendments in context and is not to be used for the purpose of amendments.
CREATING THE HEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM AND HEALTHY SOIL GRANT h PROGRAM IN THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE;
CREATING THE HEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM AND HEALTHY SOIL GRANT PROGRAM IN THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE;
PROVIDING g o POWERS AND DUTIES HAFCº ;
PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES.
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION»HAFC.
7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
t hr g e i k h r i s BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1.
h , t, SECTION 1.
SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Healthy Soil Act".
[NEW MATERIAL ] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be e u g e b l e e h cited as the "Healthy Soil Act".
SECTION 2.
n d d i = = o h SECTION 2.
DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Healthy Soil Act:
[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the l ] b ,d i a º e Healthy Soil Act:
A.
r i = r t e w d m a n o A.
"board of regents" means the board of regents of New Mexico state university;
"board of regents" means the board of regents of d m :
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e e a n e d r e l u [ A d New Mexico state university;
HAWCºE.
E.
"district" means a soil and water conservation district created pursuant to the Soil and Water Conservation District Act;»HAWC HAWCºF.
"eligible entity" means a local governmental entity with proven land management capacity to support healthy soil and includes the New Mexico state university HB 204/a Page 1 cooperative extension service, a soil and water conservation district, an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, a land grant or an acequia;
E.»HAWC "eligible entity" means a local governmental entity with proven land management capacity to support healthy soil and includes HAWCº the New Mexico state h university cooperative extension service, a soil and water g o t hr conservation district,»HAWC an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, g e i k a land grant or an acequia;
F.
h r i s HAWCºG.
"healthy soil" means soil that enhances its continuing capacity to function as a biological system, increases its organic matter and improves its structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity;
F.»HAWC "healthy soil" means soil that enhances h , t, e u g its continuing capacity to function as a biological system, e b l e e h increases its organic matter HAWCº and carbon content»HAWC and n d d i = = o h improves its structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r HAWCº , ;»HAWC HAWCºresulting in net, long-term greenhouse gas t e w d m a n o benefits;»HAWC d m :
G.
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 2 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d HAWCºH.
"program" means the healthy soil program created in the Healthy Soil Act;
G.»HAWC "program" means the healthy soil program created in the Healthy Soil Act;
H.
HAWCºI.
"soil health principle" means a principle that promotes soil health in a given environment and includes:
H.»HAWC "soil health principle" means a principle that promotes soil health HAWCºin a given environment»HAWC and includes:
HAWCºJ.
I.
I.»HAWC "supported method" means a method that is based upon soil health principles and is scientifically supported to promote healthy soil HAWCº;»HAWC HAWCºand h includes:
"supported method" means a method that is based upon soil health principles and is scientifically supported to promote healthy soil;
g o t hr (1) planting cover crops, perennials, g e i k hedgerows, native grasses and other native vegetation;
J.
h r i s (2) multi-cropping;
"technical assistance" means assistance provided to a farmer or rancher to achieve the purpose of the Healthy Soil Act and includes outreach, education, financial HB 204/a Page 2 assistance or assistance with project planning, project design, grant applications, project implementation or project reporting;
h , t, e u g (3) adopting no-till or conservation tillage;
and K.
e b l e e h (4) planned grazing with appropriate graze and n d d i = = o h recovery periods and herd effect;
"technical assistance provider" means a local, state, federal, tribal or educational entity with demonstrated technical expertise in designing and implementing agricultural management practices that contribute to healthy soils and includes a soil and water conservation district, the New Mexico state university cooperative extension service, the United States natural resources conservation service, the United States forest service, the United States bureau of land management, the state land office, the energy, minerals and natural resources department or the state forestry division.
l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r (5) integrated crop livestock systems;
SECTION 3.
t e w d m a n o (6) mulching;
HEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM--CREATED--PURPOSE.-- A.
d m :
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 3 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (7) compost application;
(8) soil microbial stimulation and inoculation;
or (9) on-site wetland and riparian restoration;»HAWC HAWCºK.
J.»HAWC "technical assistance" means assistance provided to a farmer or rancher to achieve the purpose of the Healthy Soil Act and includes outreach, education, financial assistance or assistance with project planning, project design, grant applications, project implementation or project reporting;
and HAWCº L.
K.»HAWC "technical assistance provider" means a local, state, federal, tribal HCEDCº, or»HCEDC educational HCEDCº, nonprofit or nongovernmental»HCEDC entity with demonstrated technical expertise in designing and implementing agricultural management practices that contribute to healthy h soils and includes a HAWCº soil and water conservation»HAWC g o t hr district, the New Mexico state university cooperative extension g e i k service, the United States natural resources conservation h r i s service, the United States forest service, the United States h , t, e u g bureau of land management, the state land office, the energy, e b l e e h minerals and natural resources department or the state forestry n d d i = = o h division.
l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r SECTION 3.
[NEW MATERIAL ] HEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM--CREATED-- t e w d m a n o PURPOSE.-- d m :
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b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 4 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d A.
The purpose of the program is to promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, HAWCº carbon content,»HAWC aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the state.
The purpose of the program is to promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the state.
[NEW MATERIAL ] HEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM--SOIL ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATION--GRANT PROGRAM--DEPARTMENT--DUTIES-- RULEMAKING.-- A.
HEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM--SOIL ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATION--GRANT PROGRAM--DEPARTMENT--DUTIES--RULEMAKING.-- HB 204/a Page 3 A.
and h (3) other programs established by the g o t hr department to accomplish the purposes of the Healthy Soil Act.
and (3) other programs established by the department to accomplish the purposes of the Healthy Soil Act.
g e i k B.
B.
In administering the healthy soil assessment and h r i s education program, the department shall:
In administering the healthy soil assessment and education program, the department shall:
h , t, e u g (1) work through HAWCº districts,»HAWC e b l e e h technical assistance providers or eligible entities to:
(1) work through technical assistance providers or eligible entities to:
n d d i = = o h (a) encourage farmers and ranchers and l ] b ,d i a º e land managers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
(a) encourage farmers and ranchers and land managers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
r i = r t e w d m a n o (b) raise awareness about desirable soil d m :
(b) raise awareness about desirable soil health characteristics;
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 5 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d health characteristics;
and (d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the HAWCº carbon content»HAWC HAWCºorganic matter»HAWC, water infiltration rate, microbiology and aggregate stability of soils, in addition to HAWCºanalyzing phospholipids and»HAWC monitoring soil cover HAWCºor bare ground percentage»HAWC;
and (d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the organic matter, water infiltration rate, microbiology and aggregate stability of soils, in addition to analyzing phospholipids and monitoring soil cover;
(2) establish a statewide network of champions to promote soil health stewardship, offer guidance to producers and land managers and encourage teamwork;
(2) establish a statewide network of HB 204/a Page 4 champions to promote soil health stewardship, offer guidance to producers and land managers and encourage teamwork;
(3) create a program to provide ongoing training in soil health stewardship and workshop facilitation for champions HAWCº , districts»HAWC and eligible entities;
(3) create a program to provide ongoing training in soil health stewardship and workshop facilitation for champions and eligible entities;
h (4) in collaboration with technical assistance g o t hr providers, sponsor soil health workshops and training sessions g e i k at research centers and learning sites throughout the state;
(4) in collaboration with technical assistance providers, sponsor soil health workshops and training sessions at research centers and learning sites throughout the state;
h r i s and h , t, e u g (5) educate students and the general public e b l e e h about the importance of soil health stewardship.
and (5) educate students and the general public about the importance of soil health stewardship.
n d d i = = o h C.
C.
In administering the healthy soil grant program, l ] b ,d i a º e the department shall:
In administering the healthy soil grant program, the department shall:
r i = r t e w d m a n o (1) award grants to HAWCºdistricts and»HAWC d m :
(1) award grants to eligible entities to provide technical assistance to producers and land managers in advancing soil health principles and implementing supported methods;
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 6 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d eligible entities to provide technical assistance to producers and land managers in advancing soil health principles and implementing supported methods;
provided that grants shall be awarded equitably and priority may be given to HAWCº districts or»HAWC eligible entities serving young producers, veterans, small farms or ranches or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;
provided that grants shall be awarded equitably and priority may be given to eligible entities serving young producers, veterans, small farms or ranches or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;
and (4) ensure that grant funds are only used to advance soil health and soil health stewardship.
and HB 204/a Page 5 (4) ensure that grant funds are only used to advance soil health and soil health stewardship.
h (1) work with technical assistance providers u » r to advance soil health stewardship across private, state, t h g e l i federal and tribal land jurisdictions by fostering h r i s collaboration among producers, land managers and landowners;
(1) work with technical assistance providers to advance soil health stewardship across private, state, federal and tribal land jurisdictions by fostering collaboration among producers, land managers and landowners;
h , e h and t u g e b l e e , gh (2) conduct outreach to producers and land n d d i = = o h managers to promote the program and other federal, state or l ] b ,d i a º r local grant opportunities that support and promote healthy e r = t e w d m a n o soils.
and (2) conduct outreach to producers and land managers to promote the program and other federal, state or local grant opportunities that support and promote healthy soils.
d m :
E.
b r e t º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 7 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d E.
F.
HB 204/a Page 6 F.
HCEDCº SECTION 5.
SECTION 5.
[NEW MATERIAL] HEALTHY SOIL ADVISORY GROUP.-- A.
USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS.--Funds appropriated to the board of regents for the department to administer the program may be used for:
The department, in coordination with the commission, may convene a healthy soil advisory group to advise h and assist with the effective implementation of the program.
g o t hr B.
Members of the advisory group shall be qualified g e i k and knowledgeable regarding healthy soils and may include soil h r i s health specialists, producers, champions or representatives of h , t, e u g nongovernmental organizations.
e b l e e h C.
Public members of the healthy soil advisory n d d i = = o h group are entitled to receive per diem and mileage pursuant to l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r the Per Diem and Mileage Act.»HCEDC t e w d m a n o SECTION HCEDCº6 5»HCEDC.
[NEW MATERIAL] USE OF d m :
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 8 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d APPROPRIATED FUNDS.--Funds appropriated to the board of regents for the department to administer the program may be used for:
capacity building for HAWCº the districts and other»HAWC eligible entities;
capacity building for eligible entities;
HAWCºF.
F.
soil health research;»HAWC HAWCºF.
soil health research;
G.»HAWC travel reimbursement and per diem in accordance with the Per Diem and Mileage Act;
G.
and HAWCºG.
travel reimbursement and per diem in accordance with the Per Diem and Mileage Act;
H.»HAWC other expenditures as determined by the department to be necessary to support the overall effective administration of the program.
and H.
HAFCºSECTION HCEDCº7 6»HCEDC.
other expenditures as determined by the department to be necessary to support the overall effective administration of the program.
APPROPRIATION.-- h HAFCºHAWCºFive million one hundred fifty thousand dollars g o t hr ($5,150,000)»HAWC HAWCºOne million one hundred fifty thousand g e i k dollars ($1,150,000)»HAWC»HAFC HAFCºFive million one hundred h r i s fifty thousand dollars ($5,150,000)»HAFC is appropriated from h , t, e u g the general fund to the board of regents of New Mexico state e b l e e h university for expenditure in fiscal year 2020 and subsequent n d d i = = o h fiscal years for the New Mexico department of agriculture to l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r administer the healthy soil program pursuant to the Healthy t e w d m a n o Soil Act.
HB 204/a Page 7 25
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at d m :
b e d s º o t n = .212106.1 s k m e - 9 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.»HAFC » g o » r h t i k l i g t h s , e h t l i w l b l e e , g n d l h = = b , a l º d i a r e r = , a t e d m a n o d m :
b r e t º o t n = .212106.1 s k em e - 10 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d
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Action History

  1. Signed

  2. passed Senate

  3. DO PASS committee report adopted

  4. Sent to Senate Finance Committee

  5. passed House

  6. DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

  7. DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

  8. DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

  9. Sent to House Commerce & Economic Development Committee & House Agriculture & Water Resources Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

  10. Sent to House Pre-file

Sponsors

  • Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics · Primary
  • Melanie A. Stansbury · Primary
  • Nathan P. Small · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 110 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

  • Stefanics, Elizabeth "Liz"
  • Stansbury, Melanie A.
  • Nathan P. Small Democrat

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (110)

110 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 204?
HB 204 is sponsored by Stefanics, Elizabeth "Liz", Stansbury, Melanie A., and Nathan P. Small (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 204?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 10, 2019. Enacted.
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