Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9094
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T18:46:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9094: Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act of 2026
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill appropriates federal funds to help states recover from agricultural revenue losses caused by freezes or cold weather conditions. It targets assistance specifically for events in early 2026, using block grants administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Key Provisions Outlined
- Funding Amount and Availability: Appropriates $3,500,000,000 from the Treasury for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, to remain available until spent. These funds go to the USDA Office of the Secretary for block grants to states.
- Eligible Losses: Covers losses in revenue, quality, or production of crops (including those prevented from planting), trees, bushes, and vines due to freeze or cold weather. It also includes compensation for multi-year crops.
- Geographic Restrictions: Funds are limited to counties that received a USDA disaster designation for freeze and related cold weather on March 4, 2026.
- Distribution Process: Funds become available only upon request from a state department of agriculture or another state agency approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary must submit a report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees within 120 days of enactment, and then quarterly until funds are fully used, detailing how assistance is implemented.
- Emergency Designation: The amount is classified as an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This legislation creates a new, one-time appropriation for targeted agricultural disaster aid through state block grants, rather than relying solely on existing USDA programs. It does not amend broader statutes but adds specific emergency funding with custom eligibility rules tied to a single disaster designation date.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA gains authority to distribute large-scale block grants quickly, with ongoing reporting duties; state agriculture departments handle requests and coordination.
- On Citizens: Agricultural producers in designated counties may receive direct compensation for crop and tree losses, potentially stabilizing local economies in affected areas.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are specified in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Agricultural producers and farmers in counties with the March 4, 2026, disaster designation.
- State departments of agriculture or equivalent agencies in eligible states.
- The USDA, including its Office of the Secretary.
- Congressional appropriations committees responsible for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill invokes an emergency spending designation, which allows the funds to bypass certain budget limits under existing law.
- It focuses assistance on a narrow set of counties and a specific disaster event, creating a targeted rather than nationwide program.
- The legislation was introduced with broad support from members of the Florida congressional delegation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18]
Cosponsors (23)
Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (3 pages)