Protecting American Farmland Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3313
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Taxation
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-17T15:18:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Protecting American Farmland Act" (H.R. 3313) aims to safeguard prime farmland—high-quality land ideal for growing crops—from being converted for solar energy projects. It does this by restricting federal funding and excluding such projects from key tax incentives for clean energy, prioritizing agricultural use over certain renewable energy developments.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Federal Funding (Section 2): Federal agencies are barred from using government funds, loans, or loan guarantees to support "covered solar energy projects" that convert prime farmland. A covered project is defined as a ground-mounted solar facility primarily for generating and selling electricity. "Conversion" means any activity that makes the land unsuitable for agricultural production under state standards. Prime farmland is defined as land with the best soil for food, feed, or fiber crops, per the Farmland Protection Policy Act.
- Tax Credit Exclusions:
- Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 3): Solar equipment on prime farmland no longer qualifies for this tax credit (under Internal Revenue Code Section 25D), effective for property placed in service after enactment.
- Renewable Electricity Production Credit (Section 4): Solar facilities on prime farmland are excluded from this credit (Section 45), effective after enactment.
- Clean Electricity Production Credit (Section 5): Similar exclusion for solar facilities (Section 45Y), effective after enactment.
- Energy Credit (Section 6): Adds a rule to Section 48 excluding property on prime farmland from this investment tax credit, effective after enactment.
- Clean Electricity Investment Credit (Section 7): Excludes solar energy investments on prime farmland (Section 48E), effective for facilities placed in service after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new outright ban on federal funding for solar projects converting prime farmland, which was not previously restricted in this way.
- Amends multiple sections of the Internal Revenue Code (1986) to add specific exclusions for prime farmland solar installations from five major clean energy tax credits. These credits previously supported solar projects without land-use restrictions, so this narrows eligibility to encourage development on non-agricultural land.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Department of Energy or Department of Agriculture must redirect funding away from prime farmland solar projects, potentially slowing some renewable initiatives but preserving agricultural resources. This could increase administrative burdens for reviewing project sites.
- On Citizens: Farmers and rural communities benefit from protected land for food production, enhancing food security. However, homeowners or businesses seeking solar tax credits may face higher costs if projects are on prime farmland, and it could limit local clean energy adoption in agricultural areas.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic land use and funding; it may indirectly affect U.S. renewable energy goals under international climate agreements by constraining solar expansion on certain lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Farmers and Agricultural Producers: Primary beneficiaries, as their prime farmland is shielded from conversion, supporting ongoing crop production.
- Solar Energy Developers and Utilities: Face restrictions on project sites and loss of tax incentives, potentially increasing costs and pushing developments to less productive or urban lands.
- Federal Agencies: Including the IRS (for tax administration), Department of Energy (for funding decisions), and Department of Agriculture (for farmland oversight).
- Taxpayers and Consumers: May see broader effects through altered energy costs and federal spending priorities, with potential trade-offs between clean energy affordability and agricultural stability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on existing definitions from the Farmland Protection Policy Act and Internal Revenue Code, ensuring enforceability without creating new regulatory frameworks. The bill's amendments to tax law could face challenges if seen as overly restrictive on property rights, but it aligns with congressional authority over federal spending and taxation.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with key amendments; it balances federal fiscal powers with state agricultural standards, avoiding takings issues since it regulates incentives rather than mandating land use.
- Political: Highlights tensions between renewable energy promotion (e.g., via tax credits from laws like the Inflation Reduction Act) and farmland preservation, potentially sparking debates in agricultural states versus those pushing green energy transitions. As an introduced bill (May 8, 2025, 119th Congress), its passage could influence broader farm and energy policy discussions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting American Farmland Act — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (6 pages)