RTCP Revitalization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5241
- 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 General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-16T08:08:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, titled the RTCP Revitalization Act, amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to establish mandatory funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation for reimbursement payments to geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. These payments help offset higher transportation costs for producers in remote or isolated areas.
Key Provisions
- Removes the phrase "Subject to the availability of funds" from the existing law, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments without that condition.
- Revises payment rules so that no dollar limit applies to individual farmers or ranchers in years when total available funding meets or exceeds the amount needed for all applications received.
- Creates a new mandatory funding schedule from the Commodity Credit Corporation: $10 million in fiscal year 2026, increasing annually to $15 million for fiscal year 2031 and each year after.
- Retains an authorization for additional appropriations if needed.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill converts the program from discretionary funding (dependent on annual appropriations) to permanent mandatory funding with specified annual amounts. It also eliminates payment caps when funding is sufficient, replacing prior language that allowed such limits.
Potential Impacts
- Provides stable, predictable funding for eligible farmers and ranchers in geographically isolated regions.
- May increase participation and support for agriculture in remote U.S. areas by reducing financial uncertainty.
- Affects the Commodity Credit Corporation's budget by directing specific amounts annually without requiring new congressional appropriations each year.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (primary beneficiaries).
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of Agriculture (responsible for administration).
- The Commodity Credit Corporation (source of mandatory funds).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The changes rely on the Commodity Credit Corporation's existing authority to provide mandatory funding, a common mechanism in agricultural policy. No new payment limitations or eligibility changes are introduced beyond the funding guarantees. The bill does not alter constitutional spending powers or create new regulatory structures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- 2025-09-09: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-09-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- RTCP Revitalization Act — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (3 pages)