Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023

1/8/2024, 8:30 PM

Summary of Bill S 231

Bill 118 s 231, also known as the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023, aims to enhance and improve the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The ECP is a program that provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who have experienced natural disasters or emergencies that have caused damage to their land.

The main goal of this bill is to streamline and expedite the process for farmers and ranchers to receive assistance through the ECP. It includes provisions to increase funding for the program, improve outreach and communication to potential applicants, and simplify the application process. Additionally, the bill seeks to expand the types of conservation practices that are eligible for assistance under the ECP.

Furthermore, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023 includes measures to ensure that the program is more responsive to the needs of farmers and ranchers in times of crisis. This includes establishing a more efficient system for assessing damage to agricultural land, as well as providing technical assistance to help farmers implement conservation practices that will mitigate future risks. Overall, this bill aims to strengthen the Emergency Conservation Program and make it more effective in providing timely and targeted assistance to farmers and ranchers in need. It is designed to improve the resilience of agricultural operations in the face of natural disasters and emergencies, ultimately benefiting both farmers and the broader agricultural community.

Congressional Summary of S 231

Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023

This bill revises the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program to provide agricultural producers and owners of nonindustrial private forest land impacted by natural disasters the option to receive an advance on cost-sharing payments before carrying out emergency measures.

The bill also expands eligibility for payments under the programs to include emergency measures to address damages caused by (1) a wildfire that is not caused naturally if the damage is caused by the spread of the wildfire due to natural causes, and (2) a wildfire that is caused by the federal government.

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Current Status of Bill S 231

Bill S 231 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 2, 2023. Bill S 231 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 2, 2023.  Bill S 231's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. as of February 2, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 231

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
2
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 231

Primary Policy Focus

Agriculture and Food

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 231

Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023A bill to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to remove barriers to agricultural producers in accessing funds to carry out emergency measures under the emergency conservation program, and for other purposes.
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Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 231

R
Deb Fischer
Nebraska(Republican)
R
Ben Ray Lujan
New Mexico(Democrat)

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