LRBa1377/1
MCP:ahe
2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 2,
TO ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1,
TO ASSEMBLY BILL 873
February 20, 2020 - Offered by Representatives Considine, Spreitzer, Billings,
Bowen, Brostoff, Cabrera, Doyle, Emerson, Fields, Goyke, Haywood, Hebl,
Hesselbein, Hintz, Kolste, McGuire, B. Meyers, Neubauer, Ohnstad, Pope,
Riemer, Sargent, Shankland, Sinicki, Subeck, C. Taylor, Vining, Vruwink
and Zamarripa.
AB873-ASA1-AA2,2,36
(1)
Regional farmer support agents. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for
7the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection
8under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2020-21 is increased by
9$350,500 to increase the authorized FTE positions for the department by 5.0 GPR
10positions to serve as on-the-ground agents to assist farmers in accessing mental
11health support, to coordinate local and regional peer support programming, and to
12provide confidential, one-on-one counseling tailored to concerns facing farmers, and
1one-on-one assistance to farmers that face a crisis due to a natural disaster or
2financial problem. The 5.0 positions authorized under this subsection shall cover
3different regions of the state.
AB873-ASA1-AA2,2,9
4(2) Regional farmer support supervisor. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3)
5for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer
6protection under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2020-21 is
7increased by $90,600 to increase the authorized FTE positions for the department
8by 1.0 GPR position for supervising and coordinating the positions authorized under
9sub. (1).
AB873-ASA1-AA2,2,19
10(3) Regional farmer support training program. In the schedule under s.
1120.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and
12consumer protection under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2020-21
13is increased by $200,000 to provide trainings for mental health professionals and
14agribusiness professionals. Trainings funded under this subsection shall provide the
15skills necessary to understand sources of stress and issues facing the agricultural
16community, identify the warning signs of stress and suicide, identify effective
17communication strategies, reduce the stigma associated with mental health
18concerns, and connect farmers with appropriate mental health resources and other
19resources.”.