AGRITOURISM Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3470

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-20: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2153)

Last Updated

2026-03-25T08:06:10Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The AGRITOURISM Act (H.R. 3470) aims to create a dedicated office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote agritourism—activities that blend farming with tourism, such as farm tours, outdoor recreation, and on-site sales. It seeks to support rural economies by encouraging these activities, which provide educational, financial, and social benefits to communities while helping farms diversify income and preserve agricultural traditions.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is titled the "Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces Act" or simply the "AGRITOURISM Act."
• Findings and Sense of Congress:
• Congress recognizes agritourism's value in offering unique public experiences, including education (e.g., school tours, winery visits), outdoor recreation (e.g., hiking, fishing), entertainment (e.g., festivals, farm animal interactions), direct sales (e.g., u-pick fruits, farm stands), accommodations (e.g., bed-and-breakfasts on farms), and farm-based dining.
• It highlights benefits like generating extra income for small, family-run farms; spurring rural economic growth; providing learning opportunities for families; and preserving farming heritage.
• Congress expresses that the USDA Secretary should integrate agritourism into the department's overall work to maximize these advantages.
• Establishment of the Office of Agritourism:
• Creates a new Office of Agritourism within the USDA.
• Appoints a senior official as Director to lead the office.
• Defines key terms: "Director" refers to the office head; "State" includes all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
• Duties of the Director:
• Promote agritourism activities and businesses in every state, focusing on education, recreation, entertainment, direct sales, accommodations, and other related areas.
• Implementation Methods:
• Coordinate with USDA agencies and officials.
• Advise the USDA Secretary on agritourism issues.
• Update USDA programs to include best practices for agritourism.
• Conduct outreach to stakeholders (e.g., farmers, businesses), build partnerships, share best practices, offer mentorship, and provide technical assistance (practical advice on operations).
• Develop tools for coordinating USDA programs and promoting agritourism resources across agencies.
• Review and enhance farm business development programs, including guidance on financial literacy (basic money management skills), business planning, and marketing for agritourism.
• Build networks connecting agritourism businesses.
• Collaborate with other federal agencies when necessary.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (a law that structures USDA operations) by adding a new Section 217 to establish the Office of Agritourism.
• Makes a technical change by renumbering an existing section (the first Section 225, related to food access) to Section 224A to avoid conflicts.
• Adds a conforming amendment to Section 296(b) of the 1994 Act, granting the USDA Secretary explicit authority to implement the new office's activities.

These changes expand USDA's organizational structure without altering broader agency powers, focusing instead on integrating a new focus area.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Establishes a new office within USDA, potentially requiring additional staff, budget, and coordination efforts. It encourages better integration of agritourism into existing programs, which could streamline rural development initiatives but may increase administrative workload.
• On Citizens: Rural residents and families could gain from more educational and recreational opportunities, while small farmers benefit from supplemental income, business support, and marketing help. This may boost local economies through tourism-driven jobs and diversification, particularly in underserved rural areas.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is focused on domestic U.S. agriculture and tourism, with no provisions for foreign trade, borders, or global partnerships.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• USDA and Federal Agencies: The department gains a new office and responsibilities; other agencies may collaborate on promotion and resources.
• Farmers and Agritourism Businesses: Small and family-owned operations stand to benefit from technical assistance, networking, and program updates to grow their ventures.
• Rural Communities and Residents: Local economies, schools, and families could see enhanced economic development, education, and cultural preservation.
• State and Territorial Governments: The office promotes activities nationwide, including in states, D.C., and territories, potentially aiding local tourism boards or economic development offices.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill operates within existing USDA authority by amending a prior reorganization law, ensuring the new office fits seamlessly into federal agricultural policy. It introduces no new regulatory burdens or liabilities, focusing on promotion rather than mandates.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with Congress's power to structure executive agencies (under Article I) and promote general welfare through economic support for agriculture (a traditional federal role).
• Political: Introduced with bipartisan support from representatives across parties, signaling broad agreement on rural economic aid. It could influence future farm bills by embedding agritourism as a priority, potentially affecting funding debates in agriculture committees, but it avoids controversial topics like land use or environmental regulations.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-20: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2153)
• 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces Act — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (6 pages)