Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5150
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-08: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3883)
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:26:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act (H.R. 5150) aims to enhance privacy safeguards for individuals who apply for or receive loans and payments through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It prevents unauthorized sharing of personal and financial information submitted during these processes.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Disclosure: It is illegal for the USDA Secretary, FSA officers, or employees to share applicant or recipient information with:
- Special government employees (temporary or part-time federal workers serving in advisory roles, as defined in U.S. criminal code).
- Employees temporarily assigned (detailed) to the FSA from other government agencies.
- Exceptions:
- Sharing data in a summarized or grouped (aggregate) form that does not reveal individual identities, such as overall statistics.
- Sharing with the explicit permission of the person who provided the information, but only if that permission is not required to participate in or receive FSA benefits.
- Penalties for Violations: Anyone who knowingly breaks these rules faces a fine of up to $10,000, up to one year in prison, or both.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 339 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (a 1972 law governing rural and agricultural financing). It adds a new subsection (f) specifically targeting privacy, which was not previously detailed in this way. Prior law focused more on general borrower protections but did not explicitly restrict disclosures to temporary or detailed government workers.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FSA and USDA may need to update internal policies, training, and data-handling procedures to comply, potentially increasing administrative costs but reducing risks of data breaches involving non-permanent staff.
- On Citizens: Farmers, ranchers, and rural borrowers gain stronger protections for sensitive financial details, which could encourage more applications for aid by building trust in the system. However, it might limit quick access to information for certain government collaborations.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic agricultural programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Applicants and recipients of FSA loans and payments, including farmers, agricultural producers, and rural residents who submit personal or financial data.
- Government Entities: USDA Secretary, FSA employees, and temporary/detailed federal workers who handle or access this information.
- Oversight Bodies: The House Committee on Agriculture, which reviews the bill, and potentially federal courts for enforcement of penalties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement through criminal penalties, aligning with broader federal privacy trends (e.g., similar to protections under laws like the Privacy Act of 1974). It clarifies boundaries for data sharing without infringing on necessary government functions via exceptions.
- Constitutional: Supports the Fourth Amendment's privacy protections by limiting unwarranted government access to personal information, though it does not create new constitutional rights.
- Political: Introduced by bipartisan sponsors from agricultural states, it reflects priorities in farm policy to protect rural economies amid growing concerns over data security. If passed, it could set a precedent for privacy enhancements in other USDA programs, potentially influencing future farm bills.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-08: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3883)
- 2025-09-04: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-09-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (3 pages)