HARVEST Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8502
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-18T15:24:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report on methods to expand the role of 1890 Institutions in delivering education and technical assistance on transferring agricultural land and assets, including heirs property, to future farmers and ranchers.
Key Provisions
- Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to complete a study and submit a report to Congress no later than September 30, 2026.
- The study focuses on increasing opportunities for 1890 Institutions to address land and asset transfer issues.
- Defines “heirs property” as real property held in tenancy in common that meets specific conditions: no recorded partition agreement, acquisition of title from a relative by at least one co-tenant, and at least 20 percent of interests or co-tenants involving relatives.
- The bill is titled the “Heirs' Agricultural Resources, Viability, Education, and Succession Transfer Act” or “HARVEST Act.”
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces no amendments to current statutes. It creates a new, one-time directive for a study and report by the Department of Agriculture without altering ongoing programs or authorities.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Requires the Department of Agriculture to allocate resources to conduct the study and prepare the report.
- On citizens: May eventually lead to improved support for farmers and ranchers facing challenges with heirs property and intergenerational land transfers, particularly in communities served by 1890 Institutions.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- 1890 Institutions (historically Black land-grant colleges and universities).
- The Department of Agriculture.
- Farmers, ranchers, and families dealing with heirs property and land succession issues.
- Congress, which will receive the study results.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill raises no significant constitutional questions. It represents a targeted federal effort to address documented challenges with heirs property through research rather than new regulatory or funding mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Heirs’ Agricultural Resources, Viability, Education, and Succession Transfer — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (3 pages)