Section 1 of the bill creates in the department of agriculture the
agricultural drought and climate resilience office (office). The office may provide voluntary technical assistance, nonregulatory programs, and incentives that increase the ability to anticipate, prepare for, mitigate, adapt to, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related
to drought or the climate. The office may accept gifts, grants, and donations for these purposes. On July 1, 2021, the state treasurer shall transfer all unobligated money in the agriculture value-added cash fund to the newly created agriculture drought and climate resiliency cash fund. The commissioner of agriculture shall appoint the head of the office and may promulgate rules necessary for the administration of the office's assistance, programs, and incentives. Section 2 annually transfers $500,000 from tier 2 of the severance
tax operational fund to the new cash fund until July 1, 2029.
