This bill amends the Noxious Weed Control Act by requiring the Director of Agriculture to administer a grant program aimed at assisting local control authorities and other weed management entities in managing noxious weeds. The bill specifies that the director "shall" administer the grant program, replacing the previous language that allowed for discretion ("may"). It also establishes a new intent for the Legislature to appropriate six million dollars annually, starting in the fiscal year 2025-26, for vegetation management within the banks or floodplain of natural streams, increasing the previous intended amount from three million dollars.

The bill outlines the eligibility criteria for grant applications, which include conducting research, demonstrating innovative control methods, and responding to invasive plant species threats. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing projects based on their potential impact on noxious weed problems and their alignment with broader vegetation management goals. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Game and Parks Commission assist grant recipients and encourages the use of interlocal agreements for project implementation. The original section of the law is repealed, consolidating the updated provisions into the existing framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-958.02