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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations2025-02-26

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill establishes the 2024 Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program and appropriates $475 million to help North Carolina farmers recover from verified crop losses caused by natural disasters in 2024. The program provides financial assistance to farmers in counties designated as agricultural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with funds transferred from state reserves and distributed based on acreage, county loss estimates, and yield/price averages.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses significant agricultural losses across all North Carolina counties from 2024 disasters including drought, excessive rainfall, and tropical storms.
• •Farmers facing verified crop losses would receive timely financial assistance to recover losses and cover agricultural production expenses, helping stabilize rural communities and the $111 billion agriculture industry that was already impacted by an $8 billion decline from the previous year.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may express concerns about using $475 million from existing state reserves intended for other purposes, potentially limiting funds available for other emergency needs or economic development.
• •Some may question whether disaster relief should rely on state funds versus federal assistance programs, or worry about the administrative burden and verification requirements on farmers who must submit detailed documentation within strict deadlines.