HF3719 Summary

• Appropriates $53.4 million for fiscal year 2019 to the Department of Agriculture for protection services, agricultural advancement, and administration programs.

• Authorizes $35 million in bond sales for Rural Finance Authority agricultural loans, including beginning farmer, seller-sponsored, and livestock expansion programs.

• Extends fertilizer research fee and grant programs until June 30, 2030 and establishes a new rural energy feasibility loan program for renewable energy projects.

• Modifies production incentive program eligibility for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biomass thermal production by reducing quarterly production minimums and allowing increased sourcing flexibility.

• Excludes off-sale alcoholic beverage sales from food handler license fee calculations and increases farmer mental health counseling funding to $330,000 for the second year.