Existing law establishes the State Conservation Commission and authorizes the establishment of conservation districts to facilitate the conservation, protection and controlled development of the renewable natural resources of this State, which includes soil. (Chapter 548 of NRS) Section 6 of this bill establishes the Soil Health Advisory Board within the Commission to advise the Commission on the Healthy Soils Initiative. The Advisory Board consists of: (1) nine voting members, including six members who represent certain agricultural interests in this State; and (2) any other nonvoting member appointed by the Commission to provide any necessary assistance or technical or scientific expertise. Section 7 of this bill creates the Healthy Soils Initiative within the Commission, which must: (1) encourage the adoption of soil health practices by agricultural producers; (2) promote and advance the understanding of the environmental and economic benefits of soil health practices; and (3) support and advance scientific research into soil health. Section 8 of this bill authorizes the Commission to establish, as part of the Healthy Soils Initiative: (1) a grant program for soil health activities and projects; (2) a soil health monitoring and inventory platform; and (3) any other program the Commission determines is appropriate. Section 8 requires, with certain exceptions, any program or platform established by the Commission to be voluntary and incentive-based. Section 8 also provides that, if the Commission establishes a grant program, the Commission must adopt certain regulations relating to the grant program. Section 9 of this bill establishes the Fund for Soil Health in the State Treasury and requires the Commission to administer the Fund. Sections 10 and 57 of this bill provide that, with certain exceptions, any information in the records and files of the Commission regarding the identity of an agricultural producer or program participant and the practices of an agricultural producer or program participant is confidential. Section 10.5 of this bill requires the Conservation Districts Program in the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to provide staff services to the Commission to carry out the provisions of sections 2-11 of this bill. Section 11 of this bill authorizes the Commission to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of sections 2-11. Sections 2-5 of this bill define certain terms relating to the provisions of sections 2-11. Sections 12-56 and 58 of this bill make conforming changes to existing references to incorporate the provisions relating to the Commission into the Nevada Revised Statutes. Section 59 of this bill makes an appropriation to the Conservation Districts Program to provide staff services to the Commission for administering the Healthy Soils Initiative and for the salary of an employee to assist the Commission in administering the Healthy Soils Initiative.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 548.010, 548.015, 548.032, 548.050, 548.085, 548.157, 548.160, 548.175, 548.178, 548.190, 548.195, 548.205, 548.210, 548.215, 548.220, 548.235, 548.240, 548.245, 548.280, 548.330, 548.340, 548.345, 548.350, 548.355, 548.360, 548.365, 548.370, 548.375, 548.380, 548.385, 548.390, 548.393, 548.395, 548.400, 548.405, 548.4052, 548.410, 548.415, 548.495, 548.515, 548.520, 548.525, 548.530, 548.540, 555.206, 239.010, 318A.280
Reprint 1: 548.010, 548.015, 548.032, 548.050, 548.085, 548.157, 548.160, 548.175, 548.178, 548.190, 548.195, 548.205, 548.210, 548.215, 548.220, 548.235, 548.240, 548.245, 548.280, 548.330, 548.340, 548.345, 548.350, 548.355, 548.360, 548.365, 548.370, 548.375, 548.380, 548.385, 548.390, 548.393, 548.395, 548.400, 548.405, 548.4052, 548.410, 548.415, 548.495, 548.515, 548.520, 548.525, 548.530, 548.540, 555.206, 239.010, 318A.280
BDR: 548.010, 548.015, 548.032, 548.050, 548.085, 548.157, 548.160, 548.175, 548.178, 548.190, 548.195, 548.205, 548.210, 548.215, 548.220, 548.235, 548.240, 548.245, 548.280, 548.330, 548.340, 548.345, 548.350, 548.355, 548.360, 548.365, 548.370, 548.375, 548.380, 548.385, 548.390, 548.393, 548.395, 548.400, 548.405, 548.4052, 548.410, 548.415, 548.495, 548.515, 548.520, 548.525, 548.530, 548.540, 555.206, 239.010, 318A.280