SB 187 - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations

• Appropriates $162,833,400 gross funding for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for fiscal year 2024, with $97,605,500 from state general fund and remainder from federal and special revenue sources.

• Authorizes 542.0 classified and 6.0 unclassified full-time equivalent positions across departmental divisions including food and dairy safety, animal industry, pesticide management, environmental stewardship, and laboratory services.

• Allocates $25,500,300 in one-time appropriations for emerging contaminants research, soil health and regenerative agriculture programs, minority-owned food and agriculture ventures, small producer supply chain initiatives, and local conservation district support.

• Requires department to submit quarterly workforce reports, maintain public accountability scorecards, track out-of-state travel expenses, and provide detailed reports on foodborne illnesses, bovine TB status, environmental stewardship activities, and fair fund distributions.

• Establishes work project appropriations for county fair capital improvements, food and agriculture investment programs, and various environmental and agricultural development initiatives with September 30, 2025 completion dates.