Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023

3/14/2024, 1:06 PM

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023

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 of 2023, also known as Bill 118 s 2704, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to ensure that all farmers, regardless of their size or type of operation, have fair and equal access to federal disaster assistance programs.

The bill aims to address the disparities that currently exist in the distribution of disaster assistance funds, which often favor larger, more industrialized farms over smaller, family-owned operations. By providing more equitable access to these programs, the bill seeks to level the playing field for all farmers and ensure that they have the support they need to recover from natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and wildfires.

Specifically, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023 includes provisions that would require the US Department of Agriculture to develop guidelines for determining eligibility for disaster assistance programs based on factors such as the size and type of operation, as well as the extent of the damage caused by the disaster. The bill also includes measures to increase transparency and accountability in the distribution of funds, to ensure that they are allocated fairly and efficiently. Overall, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023 aims to promote fairness and equality in the distribution of federal disaster assistance funds to farmers, regardless of the size or type of their operation. By providing more equitable access to these programs, the bill seeks to support the resilience and sustainability of America's agricultural industry in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
Congress
118
Number
S - 2704
Introduced on
2023-07-27
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/27/2023
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 of 2023

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 of 2023, also known as Bill 118 s 2704, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to ensure that all farmers, regardless of their size or type of operation, have fair and equal access to federal disaster assistance programs.

The bill aims to address the disparities that currently exist in the distribution of disaster assistance funds, which often favor larger, more industrialized farms over smaller, family-owned operations. By providing more equitable access to these programs, the bill seeks to level the playing field for all farmers and ensure that they have the support they need to recover from natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and wildfires.

Specifically, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023 includes provisions that would require the US Department of Agriculture to develop guidelines for determining eligibility for disaster assistance programs based on factors such as the size and type of operation, as well as the extent of the damage caused by the disaster. The bill also includes measures to increase transparency and accountability in the distribution of funds, to ensure that they are allocated fairly and efficiently. Overall, the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023 aims to promote fairness and equality in the distribution of federal disaster assistance funds to farmers, regardless of the size or type of their operation. By providing more equitable access to these programs, the bill seeks to support the resilience and sustainability of America's agricultural industry in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to 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

Comments

Related

Bill Update Alert:  Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act
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Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/5/2024

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023

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

Latest Action7/27/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3766)