NC H737

Establishes the GAP Expenses Cost Share Program within the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide cost-sharing for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) expenses related to food safety certification and equipment upgrades.

Program covers up to 75% of average GAP expenses with farmers contributing 25%, capped at $5,000 per year and $10,000 lifetime per farmer.

Prioritizes funding for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and beginning farmers; limits participation to farmers with average annual adjusted gross income at or below $250,000 (with exemption for farmers deriving 75% or more income from farming).

Appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2021-2022 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2022-2023 from the General Fund, allocated as $600,000 annually to the GAP Expenses Cost Share Program and $400,000 annually to the GAP Certification Cost Share Program.

Requires annual reporting by September 1 to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and the Fiscal Research Division on program activities, funding disbursements, and program effectiveness.