HB 968 Summary

• Establishes a Healthy Soils Program within the Department of Agriculture to improve soil health and build soil carbon stocks through farm management practices.

• Requires the program to create a statewide soil health assessment, provide farmer education and technical assistance, establish health standards based on greenhouse gas sequestration findings, and issue financial awards and incentives for implementing soil-health practices.

• Sets long-term goals including establishing deadlines for all agricultural awards to meet soil health standards, requiring plans for state-leased agricultural lands, and creating incentive programs for small farmers, ranchers, and landowners to take carbon-negative actions.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit annual reports to the Legislature no later than twenty days before each regular session detailing program status, progress, and recommendations.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish the program and issue awards (effective date listed as July 1, 3000).