Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

2/5/2024, 11:45 AM

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

This bill waives the adjusted gross income limitations for payments or benefits under specific Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs for a person or legal entity that derives a portion of their income from agriculture. (Currently, a person or entity is not eligible to receive certain benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if their average gross income exceeds $900,000.)

Specifically, in the case of an excepted payment or benefit, the adjusted gross income limitation is waived if 75% or more of the average adjusted gross income for the person or entity is derived from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities. These activities include agritourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, and the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person or entity.

The bill applies to the USDA

  • Livestock Indemnity Program;
  • Livestock Forage Disaster Program;
  • Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program;
  • Tree Assistance Program; and
  • Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 4127, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all farmers, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender, have equal access to agriculture disaster programs.

The bill aims to address the disparities that exist in the current system, where certain groups of farmers may face barriers to accessing crucial disaster relief programs. By ensuring fair access to these programs, the bill seeks to level the playing field for all farmers and provide them with the support they need in times of crisis.

Specifically, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act includes provisions that require the US Department of Agriculture to collect data on the demographics of farmers who apply for disaster assistance. This data will help identify any disparities in access to these programs and allow for targeted efforts to address them. Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve outreach and education efforts to ensure that all farmers are aware of the disaster programs available to them. This will help increase participation among underserved communities and ensure that all farmers have the information they need to access critical resources. Overall, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act is aimed at promoting equity and fairness in the distribution of disaster relief to farmers. By addressing disparities in access to these programs, the bill seeks to support all farmers in times of need and help them recover from agricultural disasters.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 4127
Introduced on
2023-06-14
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

6/14/2023
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

This bill waives the adjusted gross income limitations for payments or benefits under specific Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs for a person or legal entity that derives a portion of their income from agriculture. (Currently, a person or entity is not eligible to receive certain benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if their average gross income exceeds $900,000.)

Specifically, in the case of an excepted payment or benefit, the adjusted gross income limitation is waived if 75% or more of the average adjusted gross income for the person or entity is derived from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities. These activities include agritourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, and the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person or entity.

The bill applies to the USDA

  • Livestock Indemnity Program;
  • Livestock Forage Disaster Program;
  • Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program;
  • Tree Assistance Program; and
  • Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 4127, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all farmers, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender, have equal access to agriculture disaster programs.

The bill aims to address the disparities that exist in the current system, where certain groups of farmers may face barriers to accessing crucial disaster relief programs. By ensuring fair access to these programs, the bill seeks to level the playing field for all farmers and provide them with the support they need in times of crisis.

Specifically, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act includes provisions that require the US Department of Agriculture to collect data on the demographics of farmers who apply for disaster assistance. This data will help identify any disparities in access to these programs and allow for targeted efforts to address them. Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve outreach and education efforts to ensure that all farmers are aware of the disaster programs available to them. This will help increase participation among underserved communities and ensure that all farmers have the information they need to access critical resources. Overall, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act is aimed at promoting equity and fairness in the distribution of disaster relief to farmers. By addressing disparities in access to these programs, the bill seeks to support all farmers in times of need and help them recover from agricultural disasters.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish an exception to certain payment limitations in the case of person or legal entity that derives income from agriculture, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Agriculture and Food
Potential Impact
Agricultural insurance•
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit•
Disaster relief and insurance

Comments

Related

Member:  Zoe Lofgren
Member:  John S. Duarte
Member:  Nicholas A. Langworthy
Committee:  Agriculture
Bill Update Alert:  Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023
Bill Update Alert:  GATES Act

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/5/2024

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

This bill waives the adjusted gross income limitations for payments or benefits under specific Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs for a person or le...

Latest Action7/28/2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.