Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5030
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-16T08:07:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025" (H.R. 5030), aims to boost the domestic market for U.S.-grown specialty crops—such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and other non-basic crops—by creating a federal grant program. It encourages advertising, promotion, and other activities to increase demand and sales within the United States, helping these crops compete better in the home market.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Marketing Service, must create a grant program to fund domestic market development for specialty crops. Grants go to "eligible organizations" (defined below) for activities like generic advertising and demand-building promotions.
- Application Requirements:
- Submit an application with a detailed marketing plan outlining promotion activities, fund usage, market goals, and how federal funds will supplement (not replace) non-federal resources.
- Include a certification that federal funds will not supplant private or other non-federal funding.
- Grant Details:
- Grant amounts are justified in writing by the Secretary, with recipients required to match at least 25% of the grant using non-federal funds (cash or in-kind contributions like donated services).
- Grants can be awarded on a multiyear basis, with annual reviews to ensure compliance.
- The Secretary can terminate grants for non-compliance, such as failing to follow the plan or contribute required resources.
- Oversight and Evaluation:
- Starting 15 months after the first grant, the Secretary must monitor spending, evaluate marketing plan effectiveness, and require audits if issues arise (including for subcontractors).
- Restrictions on Fund Use:
- Funds cannot support promotion of foreign products or direct aid to large for-profit corporations (exceptions for cooperatives, certain associations, or nonprofits).
- Eligible Organizations: Includes U.S. agricultural trade groups, regional state organizations, cooperatives, state agencies, private groups that promote U.S. specialty crops, and organizations under federal marketing orders. These must not directly profit from specific crop sales.
- Funding: Authorizes $75 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026, with some funds usable for program administration.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 by adding a new Section 204, introducing a dedicated domestic-focused grant program. Previously, the Act emphasized international competitiveness and export promotion for specialty crops; this expands it to prioritize U.S. market growth, filling a gap by funding generic domestic advertising and promotion not previously authorized at this scale.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will administer the program, increasing its workload for grant reviews, evaluations, and audits, but with dedicated funding to cover administrative costs.
- Citizens and Economy: U.S. specialty crop producers (e.g., farmers in states like California) could see higher domestic sales and stable prices, benefiting rural economies and food supply chains. Consumers may gain better access to promoted U.S. crops through increased awareness.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the program focuses solely on domestic markets and prohibits funding for foreign product promotion, potentially reducing reliance on exports.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Specialty Crop Producers and Growers: Primary beneficiaries, as the program targets increased domestic demand for their products.
- Eligible Organizations: Trade associations, cooperatives, state agencies, and nonprofits that apply for and manage grants to run promotion campaigns.
- USDA and Federal Government: Responsible for program oversight, funding allocation, and compliance enforcement.
- Small Businesses and Cooperatives: Indirectly supported through restrictions favoring smaller entities and exceptions for cooperatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal support for agriculture under existing commodity promotion laws, with built-in safeguards like matching funds and audits to ensure accountability and prevent misuse. No challenges to separation of powers, as it directs executive branch implementation.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to promote commerce and agriculture; no apparent free speech or due process issues, as funds support voluntary generic promotions rather than mandating private actions.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship from California representatives highlights regional agricultural interests (e.g., nuts, fruits). It could enhance support for farm-state policies but may face debates over federal spending priorities amid budget constraints.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 2025-08-22: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-08-22: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-08-22 — PDF (8 pages)