SB 55 - This act establishes the Empowerment Microgrants Program and Board to provide grants, subject to appropriation, to persons living in impoverished areas who engage in urban agriculture, as defined in the act. The Board shall be composed of individuals from each of the congressional districts, and the Director of the Department of Agriculture shall be a permanent member. Board members shall serve 4 year terms, with no limit on the number of terms a member may serve. To be eligible for a grant, a person shall currently live in an impoverished area, have resided in an impoverished area for the past twelve months, have an income no greater than 200% of the federal poverty level, not be related to any person on the board governing the grant program, and sign a grant award contract. No individual shall qualify for a grant of more than $25,000.
This act will sunset in 6 years unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. If reauthorized, this act will sunset in 12 years.
KAYLA HAHN