GRAIN DRY Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1302
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-14T14:59:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The GRAIN DRY Act (H.R. 1302) aims to expand access to federal loan programs for agricultural infrastructure by explicitly including storage facilities for propane—a fuel commonly used in farming activities like crop drying—as an eligible expense. This clarification supports rural agricultural operations facing growing demands for efficient storage and energy resources.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially titled the "Growing Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Needs to Deliver Rising Yields Act" or the "GRAIN DRY Act."
- Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies Section 1614(a) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8789(a)) to broaden the use of funds under the storage facility loan program.
- Funds can now support:
- (1) Producers for general storage needs.
- (2) Agricultural producers specifically for constructing or upgrading propane storage facilities, where the propane is primarily used for agricultural production (defined per existing USDA regulations in 7 CFR 4279.2).
- The bill was introduced in the House on February 13, 2025, by Representatives Finstad and Costa, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, the storage facility loan program (under the 2008 Act) focused on general storage for producers but did not explicitly mention propane storage as eligible.
- This amendment adds a new paragraph explicitly designating propane storage for agricultural use as a qualifying purpose, removing any ambiguity and expanding the program's scope without altering funding levels or other core requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the loan program, may see increased applications and administrative workload to process propane-related projects, but this could enhance support for rural energy infrastructure without requiring new appropriations.
- On Citizens: Rural farmers and agricultural producers benefit from easier access to low-interest loans for essential infrastructure, potentially lowering energy costs and improving efficiency in operations like grain drying, which could stabilize food production and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly supports U.S. agricultural competitiveness by bolstering domestic farming capabilities, which could influence global trade in crops and energy resources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Agricultural Producers: Primary beneficiaries, especially those in rural areas reliant on propane for on-farm activities such as heating, drying, or powering equipment.
- Rural Communities: Indirectly supported through enhanced local farming infrastructure, potentially aiding economic stability in agriculture-dependent regions.
- USDA and Lenders: Involved in program implementation, with possible shifts in loan portfolio to include more energy-focused projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The change is a narrow, technical amendment that aligns with existing USDA definitions of agricultural production, reducing potential disputes over eligibility without introducing new regulatory burdens or challenges to federal authority.
- Constitutional: No significant implications, as it operates within Congress's established powers to regulate agriculture and commerce under Article I.
- Political: Reinforces bipartisan support for rural agriculture (introduced by representatives from farming states), potentially serving as a model for future infrastructure bills amid ongoing debates on energy independence and farm subsidies; however, it avoids controversial elements like funding increases or environmental mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Growing Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Needs to Deliver Rising Yields Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (2 pages)