HB 1305 Summary

• The agriculture commissioner shall administer the agriculture in the classroom program with advice from the agriculture in the classroom council, replacing previous joint administration model.

• The agriculture in the classroom council is reduced from sixteen members to seven members: the agriculture commissioner or designee, the superintendent of public instruction or designee, and six members appointed by the agriculture commissioner.

• The agriculture commissioner may award grants and contract for provision of agriculture classroom programs, curriculum development for kindergarten through grade twelve, and teacher training in agricultural curriculum activities.

• The agriculture commissioner may accept and expend private contributions, gifts, and grants from federal and private sources in support of the program, with designated funds used for their specified purposes.

• The bill passed the House 93-0 and Senate 45-0 with minimal absences.