To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to allow for the advance payment of assistance under Tree Assistance Program, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.R. 6436

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 Forestry and Horticulture.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:08:05Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill (H.R. 6436) aims to update the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) under the Agricultural Act of 2014. TAP provides financial help to farmers who grow trees for fruit, nuts, or nursery stock when those trees are damaged or destroyed by natural disasters like floods, droughts, or diseases. The main goal is to let eligible farmers receive part of their aid money upfront, before they start replanting, to make recovery easier and faster.

Key Provisions

• Advance Payment Option: The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture can now give up to 25% of the total assistance amount as an early payment to qualifying orchardists (farmers growing fruit or nut trees) and nursery tree growers.
• Eligibility and Timing: This upfront payment applies to losses from eligible disasters (as defined in the existing law). The payment can be made before replanting begins, but it is part of the overall aid for replacing lost trees.
• Scope: The change only affects the payment process and does not alter the types of losses covered or the total aid amounts.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill adds a new subsection (6) to Section 1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (codified at 7 U.S.C. 9081(e)).
• Previously, TAP assistance was disbursed after losses were verified and replanting started, with no option for advance funds. This amendment introduces flexibility for partial early payments, up to 25%, to address cash flow issues for farmers facing immediate recovery needs.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which runs TAP, may need to update its processes for verifying eligibility and disbursing funds earlier. This could increase administrative workload slightly but streamline overall program efficiency.
• On Citizens: Orchardists and nursery tree growers benefit from quicker access to funds, reducing financial stress after disasters and potentially speeding up farm recovery. It helps small and mid-sized farmers who might struggle with upfront replanting costs.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic agricultural support program focused on U.S. farmers.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary Beneficiaries: Eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers in the U.S., particularly those in disaster-prone areas like regions affected by weather events or pests.
• Government Entities: The USDA and its Farm Service Agency, responsible for implementing and funding TAP.
• Indirectly Affected: Agricultural suppliers (e.g., tree nurseries) and rural communities reliant on farming economies, as faster recovery could stabilize local jobs and food production.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The amendment is straightforward and builds on existing TAP authority without creating new entitlements or liabilities. It maintains USDA discretion in disbursements, avoiding mandatory payments.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues; it aligns with Congress's power to regulate agriculture and provide disaster relief under the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
• Political: This change supports the agricultural sector, a key interest group in rural areas, and could appeal to lawmakers focused on farm resilience amid increasing natural disasters due to climate variability. It reflects bipartisan interest in practical aid delivery, as shown by introduction from representatives across party lines.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
• 2025-12-04: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-12-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to allow for the advance payment of assistance under Tree Assistance Program, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-04 — PDF (2 pages)