S355 - North Carolina Farm Act of 2024. (SL 2024-32)

Overview: Section 8 of S.L. 2024-32 codifies a new permanent prescribed burn cost share program for the purpose of supporting prescribed burns on privately owned forestlands. Reimbursement rates must set by the Board of Agriculture by rule, in consultation with the Forest Service, but the maximum allowable cost share reimbursement cannot exceed 75% based on program rate per acre caps. The program requires a General Fund appropriation to operate. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is directed to report on implementation of the program by January 15 of each even-numbered year to the chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division.

This section becomes effective July 1, 2025.