Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act
- Bill Number
- S. 984
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1706)
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-14T15:01:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act aims to expand access to certain federal agricultural disaster assistance payments by creating an exception to existing income-based payment limitations. This allows individuals or entities primarily deriving their income from agricultural activities to receive these benefits without being restricted by average adjusted gross income (AGI) caps.
Key Provisions
- Exception to Payment Limitations: The bill amends Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt qualifying persons or legal entities from AGI-based limits on disaster-related payments.
- Income Threshold for Qualification: The exception applies if at least 75% of the entity's average AGI comes from farming, ranching, or silviculture (forestry) activities. This includes related pursuits such as agritourism (agriculture-based tourism), direct-to-consumer sales of farm products, sales of owned agricultural equipment, and other agriculture-related activities, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Covered Payments and Benefits:
- Payments under Subtitle E of Title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (disaster assistance programs).
- Payments under Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (supplemental crop disaster assistance).
- Application Period: The exception is effective during a specific crop, fiscal, or program year, as applicable.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, payment limitations under the Food Security Act of 1985 applied broadly based on AGI from all sources, with limited exceptions (e.g., under paragraph (3) for certain farming income).
- The bill updates references to include a new paragraph (4), introducing this broader income-source exception specifically for disaster programs. This shifts the focus from total AGI to the percentage derived from agriculture, potentially overriding stricter income caps that previously disqualified some recipients.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will need to verify income sources for eligibility, which may increase administrative workload but streamline access to disaster aid for qualifying applicants.
- On Citizens: Farmers, ranchers, and related agricultural businesses could receive higher levels of federal disaster relief during events like droughts, floods, or crop failures, improving financial resilience for those heavily invested in agriculture.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. agricultural support could indirectly strengthen domestic food production and export competitiveness.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Agricultural Producers: Individuals or legal entities (e.g., farms, ranches, forestry operations) that meet the 75% AGI threshold, who gain easier access to disaster payments.
- USDA and Federal Agencies: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the exception, including income determinations.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through potential increases in federal spending on agricultural aid programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The amendment aligns with existing agricultural policy frameworks but expands eligibility criteria, potentially reducing disputes over AGI calculations. It requires USDA discretion in defining "agriculture-related activities," which could lead to regulatory guidance or challenges if interpretations vary.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the bill supports Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to allocate federal funds for agriculture, promoting economic welfare in rural areas.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Senators Padilla and Tillis) suggests broad support for aiding family farms and small agribusinesses amid climate-related disasters. It may influence future farm bills by prioritizing disaster relief over strict income limits, though critics could argue it favors larger operations or increases fiscal burdens.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1706)
- 2025-03-12: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act — issued 2025-03-12 — PDF (3 pages)