GRAPE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 292
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-27T14:12:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The GRAPE Act aims to expand federal crop insurance protections for grape producers by mandating research and development of insurance policies specifically covering losses from freeze events affecting table, wine, and juice grapes. This addresses vulnerabilities in grape farming due to weather risks not fully covered under current programs.
Key Provisions
- Research and Development Requirement: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), must conduct or contract for research and development on an insurance policy for table, wine, and juice grapes against freeze-related losses. This must begin no later than 1 year after the bill's enactment.
- Policy Availability: Within 18 months of enactment, the FCIC must make the new insurance policy available to grape producers, provided it meets federal standards for financial soundness (as outlined in section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, which ensures the policy is actuarially sound and can be supported by premiums and federal support).
- Reporting Mandate: Within 2 years of enactment, the FCIC must submit a report to key congressional committees (House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations) detailing the research results and describing any policies developed and offered.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) by adding a new subsection (20), which introduces a targeted mandate for freeze insurance on grapes.
- Overrides certain general limitations in sections 508(a)(1) and 508(a)(2) of the Act to expedite the policy's development and availability, focusing on this specific crop risk without altering broader crop insurance frameworks.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FCIC and USDA will need to allocate resources for research, contracting, policy design, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative costs but enhancing the agency's role in climate-resilient agriculture.
- On Citizens: Grape farmers, particularly in freeze-prone regions like parts of California, New York, and the Midwest, gain access to new risk management tools, which could stabilize incomes, encourage production, and reduce reliance on disaster aid. Consumers may see indirect benefits through more reliable grape supplies for food, wine, and juice industries.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. grape production could strengthen export competitiveness in global wine and table grape markets.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Grape Producers: Primary beneficiaries, including growers of table grapes (for fresh eating), wine grapes (for winemaking), and juice grapes (for beverages), who face significant financial losses from freezes.
- Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) and USDA: Responsible for implementation, research, and policy rollout.
- Congressional Committees: House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations, which oversee funding and receive required reports.
- Insurers and Reinsurers: Private entities partnering with the FCIC to deliver crop insurance policies.
- Agricultural Economy: Broader industry groups, such as wineries and food processors, that depend on stable grape supplies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the federal government's authority under the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand coverage for emerging risks like weather extremes, without requiring new appropriations (though implementation may involve existing budgets). Ensures compliance with actuarial standards to prevent fiscal burdens on taxpayers.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges; aligns with Congress's enumerated powers to regulate interstate commerce and promote agriculture (Article I, Section 8).
- Political: Supports rural and agricultural constituencies in freeze-vulnerable states, potentially advancing bipartisan farm bill priorities on climate adaptation. Could set a precedent for similar targeted insurance expansions for other crops facing specific perils, influencing future USDA policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Grape Research And Protection Expansion Act — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (3 pages)