(a) It is the purpose of this section to provide assistance to purchase or use innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to State waters, improve water quality of State waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce costs to farmers.

(b) The capital equipment assistance program is created in the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide State financial assistance for the purchase of new or innovative equipment to improve manure application, separation of phosphorus from manure, or nutrient management plan implementation.

(c) Assistance under this section shall in each fiscal year be allocated according to the following priorities and as further defined by the Secretary. Priority shall be given to capital equipment to be used on multiple farms; equipment to be used for phosphorus reduction, separation, or treatment; and projects managed by nonprofit organizations that are located in descending order within the boundaries of:

(d) An applicant for a State grant under this section to purchase or implement phosphorus reduction, separation, or treatment technology or equipment shall pay 10 percent of the total eligible project cost. The dollar amount of a State grant to purchase or implement phosphorus reduction, separation, or treatment technology or equipment shall be equal to the total eligible project cost, less 10 percent of the total as paid by the applicant, and shall not exceed $300,000.00. (Added 2007, No. 197 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2011, No. 104 (Adj. Sess.), § 28d, eff. May 7, 2012; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 51, eff. May 14, 2012; 2015, No. 39, § 8; 2017, No. 77, § 8; 2017, No. 77, § 12, eff. July 1, 2023; 2019, No. 64, § 9.)