CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2051
Chapter 280, Laws of 2022
67th Legislature
2022 Regular Session
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS—SHORT-TERM DISASTER RECOVERY FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 31, 2022
Passed by the House February 9, 2022 CERTIFICATE
Yeas 94 Nays 0
I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the
House of Representatives of the
LAURIE JINKINS State of Washington, do hereby
Speaker of the House of certify that the attached is
Representatives SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2051 as
passed by the House of
Representatives and the Senate on
the dates hereon set forth.
Passed by the Senate March 4, 2022
Yeas 48 Nays 0
BERNARD DEAN
DENNY HECK Chief Clerk
President of the Senate
Approved March 31, 2022 4:47 PM FILED
April 1, 2022
Secretary of State
JAY INSLEE State of Washington
Governor of the State of Washington
 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2051
Passed Legislature - 2022 Regular Session
State of Washington 67th Legislature 2022 Regular Session
By House Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives
Rule, Shewmake, Ormsby, and Ramel)
READ FIRST TIME 02/03/22.
1 AN ACT Relating to providing short-term disaster recovery
2 financial assistance to agricultural producers; adding a new section
3 to chapter 89.08 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an
4 emergency.
5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
6 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that severe
7 flooding hit Whatcom county in November of 2021, causing significant
8 damage and immediate disruption to agricultural production including
9 crop loss, livestock loss, and damage to facilities. The legislature
10 finds that financial relief and recovery resources are often
11 necessary for the survival of farms and ranches impacted by such
12 destructive natural disasters.
13 (2) The legislature further finds that disaster aid is critical
14 to farmers and ranchers who may need financing but struggle to access
15 capital due to a lack of financial documentation, lack of collateral,
16 credit issues, or a perception of not being bankable. Following a
17 disaster, farmers and ranchers may deplete their savings, borrow from
18 family or friends, take out second mortgages, or grow credit card
19 debt to stay afloat.
20 (3) The legislature further finds that some disaster assistance
21 is available through programs provided by the United States
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 1 department of agriculture, but that some farmers and ranchers may not
2 be aware of the resources available and that it can take time to
3 secure grant funds.
4 (4) The legislature further finds that short-term aid, or gap
5 funding, would help retain businesses and jobs in the agricultural
6 industry, and will help community and food system resilience while
7 farmers and ranchers wait for longer term financing.
8 (5) Therefore, the legislature intends to establish a grant
9 program to initially provide short-term financial assistance to
10 farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of the Whatcom county flooding
11 that can be replicated in future natural disasters, and to ensure
12 that farmers and ranchers are made aware of federal disaster
13 assistance programs and how to access them.
14 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 89.08
15 RCW to read as follows:
16 (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this
17 specific purpose, the commission, in cooperation with local
18 conservation districts, must develop and implement a short-term
19 disaster recovery financial assistance program for farmers and
20 ranchers. The program must initially address providing short-term
21 funding to farmers and ranchers that sustained physical damage or
22 economic loss due to the major flooding event that occurred in
23 Whatcom county during November 2021.
24 (2) Under the program, the commission may provide grants to
25 eligible farmers and ranchers. Grant funds may be used for payroll,
26 utilities and rent, marketing and advertising, building improvements
27 or repairs, replacing damaged or lost crops, livestock, and
28 equipment, and other operations and business expenses.
29 (3) In order to be eligible to apply for a grant under this
30 section, a farmer or rancher must provide documentation of a
31 reduction in agricultural income or activity as a result of a natural
32 disaster such as a flood, earthquake, or wildfire.
33 (4) The commission must coordinate with the department of
34 agriculture and local conservation districts in conducting outreach
35 to farmers and ranchers in order to increase awareness and
36 understanding of the disaster recovery financial assistance program,
37 and to ensure that farmers and ranchers are aware of other disaster
38 relief assistance available through the state and federal government.
39 (5) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.
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1 NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate
2 preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of
3 the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes
4 effect immediately.
Passed by the House February 9, 2022.
Passed by the Senate March 4, 2022.
Approved by the Governor March 31, 2022.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 1, 2022.
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