Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2156

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.

Last Updated

2026-04-03T08:05:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act (H.R. 2156) aims to provide greater access to federal disaster assistance payments for individuals and entities primarily engaged in farming, ranching, or forestry activities. It creates an exception to existing income-based limits on these payments, ensuring that those who derive most of their income from agriculture can receive full benefits without restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Income Exception: The bill amends Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt qualifying persons or legal entities from payment limitations if at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income (AGI) comes from farming, ranching, silviculture (forestry), or related activities. These activities include agri-tourism (farm-based tourism), direct-to-consumer sales of farm products, sales of owned agricultural equipment, and other agriculture-related pursuits as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• Covered Payments: The exception applies specifically to:
• Payments or benefits under Subtitle E of Title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (crop insurance and disaster assistance programs).
• Payments or benefits under Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (supplemental crop disaster assistance).
• Application Period: The exemption is effective for the relevant crop, fiscal, or program year.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Under current law (Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985), payment limits apply to persons or entities based on their AGI, with exceptions for those deriving at least 75% of income from farming, ranching, or silviculture—but these exceptions previously excluded disaster-related payments.
• The bill expands the existing exception by adding a new paragraph (4), explicitly including disaster payments (from the 2014 and 1996 Acts) as "excepted payments or benefits." It also updates references in the law to incorporate this new provision, removing the prior exclusion of disaster aid from the income-derived exception.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Qualifying farmers, ranchers, and forestry operators could receive higher or unrestricted federal disaster aid during events like droughts, floods, or crop losses, improving financial recovery for those heavily reliant on agriculture. Non-qualifying entities (e.g., those with diversified income) would remain subject to limits, potentially redirecting aid more equitably to core agricultural producers.
• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would need to verify income sources for eligibility, possibly increasing administrative workload but streamlining aid distribution. This could lead to higher overall federal spending on disaster programs if more recipients qualify for full payments.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. agricultural resilience could indirectly support global food supply stability by bolstering domestic production.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Farmers, Ranchers, and Forestry Operators: Primary beneficiaries, especially small- to medium-sized operations focused on agriculture, who may now access full disaster payments.
• Legal Entities in Agriculture: Includes farm businesses, cooperatives, or partnerships deriving 75%+ of income from ag-related activities.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Responsible for implementing and overseeing the changes, including income verification.
• Taxpayers and Federal Budget: Indirectly affected through potential increases in disaster aid expenditures.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The amendment aligns with existing AGI-based rules but broadens their scope, potentially reducing legal challenges from farmers denied aid due to income diversification. It requires USDA to define "agricultural related activities," which could lead to regulatory guidance or disputes over interpretations.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the bill supports Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to allocate federal funds for agriculture, promoting equal protection by targeting aid to those most dependent on farming.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad agricultural support, but it may spark debates on federal spending priorities, equity in aid distribution, and whether the 75% threshold adequately ensures benefits go to "real" farmers versus larger agribusinesses.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

Cosponsors (13)

Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (3 pages)