Farmers Freedom Act of 2025

Fewer federal water rules for farms

If enacted, this bill would exclude "prior converted cropland" from the Clean Water Act definition of "waters of the United States." The exclusion applies to land drained or altered before December 23, 1985. Land that is abandoned and has reverted to wetlands would not qualify. "Abandoned" would mean the land was not used for, or in support of, agricultural purposes at least once in the immediately preceding 5-year period, as determined by the Administrator. The bill lists examples of "agricultural purpose," such as grazing, haying, conservation idling, irrigation tailwater storage, and farm-raised fish production. The bill would also bar EPA and Army Corps "change in use" policies from reclassifying such cropland. If your land qualifies, you would likely face fewer federal permits and less regulatory uncertainty.