AG VETS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1230
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-24T08:07:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act" (AG VETS Act), H.R. 1230, aims to help military veterans start or improve careers in farming and ranching by funding education and training programs. It directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a grant program that supports organizations in providing these opportunities.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The USDA Secretary must set up a competitive grant program to award funds to eligible organizations for building or expanding farming and ranching programs targeted at veterans (defined as individuals who served in the U.S. military under federal law, specifically 38 U.S.C. § 101(2)).
- Eligible Recipients: Grants go to organizations such as:
- Cooperative extension services (state-based programs that provide agricultural education).
- Land-grant colleges or universities (public institutions focused on agriculture, science, and engineering, as defined in federal law).
- Non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities, state agriculture departments, nonprofits, community-based groups, or partnerships among these.
- Allowed Uses of Funds: Recipients can use grants for:
- Training and classroom education on farm and ranch business operations and management.
- Developing or identifying curricula (educational materials) that veterans can use to run their farms or ranches.
- Offering workshops, tours, and hands-on field experiences supervised by instructors.
- Other USDA-approved activities to encourage more veterans to gain agriculture skills.
- Matching Requirement: Grant recipients must provide non-federal matching funds (e.g., from state, local, or private sources) equal to at least the grant amount.
- Funding Authorization: Up to $5 million is authorized annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to run the program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 by adding a new section (Section 414) specifically for veteran-focused agriculture grants. Previously, the 1998 Act supported general agricultural education and research but did not include targeted programs for veterans in farming and ranching.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA will administer the program, requiring new administrative processes for grant applications, awards, and oversight. State agriculture departments and extension services may see increased responsibilities and funding opportunities.
- On Citizens: Veterans gain better access to practical training, potentially easing their transition from military service to civilian agriculture careers, which could boost rural economies and food production. Educational institutions and nonprofits benefit from federal support to expand programs.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. agriculture and veteran support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, as the program directly targets their education and entry into farming/ranching.
- Educational and Nonprofit Organizations: Eligible entities like colleges, extension services, and community groups that apply for and receive grants to deliver services.
- USDA and State Agencies: Responsible for program implementation, funding distribution, and evaluation.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Involved in authorizing and appropriating funds, with potential broader effects on agricultural policy and veteran support initiatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill builds on existing federal authority under agricultural and veteran laws without creating new regulatory burdens. It requires matching funds to ensure fiscal responsibility and leverages definitions from established statutes (e.g., for veterans and land-grant institutions) to avoid ambiguity.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers to spend for the general welfare (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8), particularly in supporting agriculture and veterans, with no apparent conflicts.
- Political: Reinforces bipartisan priorities in veteran affairs and rural development, potentially appealing to agricultural states. It introduces targeted spending amid ongoing debates over federal agriculture budgets, but the modest authorization ($5 million/year) limits fiscal controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (4 pages)