Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-4529119th CongressWALLET
Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act
Sponsored By: Representative Scott, David [D-GA-13]
Introduced
Summary
Would expand market access for Black and other socially disadvantaged farmers through a new competitive food hub grant program. It would also pair that program with a 25 percent Agriculture Hub tax credit and stronger USDA civil rights oversight to help producers reach buyers and resolve discrimination claims.
Show full summary
- Farmers and producers: Would fund competitive grants to create or expand food hubs for aggregation, processing, storage, transportation, and marketing. The program authorizes $100 million for FY2026 and grants may run up to five years with no Federal matching requirement.
- USDA food programs and purchasers: The Secretary could prioritize purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and grant-funded hubs for domestic food assistance and may waive full and open competition to lower market barriers.
- Businesses and taxpayers: Would establish a 25 percent tax credit for qualified food hub expenses and certified contracts tied to the grant program, effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2025.
- Complainants and USDA staff: Would create an independent Civil Rights Ombudsperson office, require corrective actions and employee accountability for civil rights violations, authorize equitable relief for affected participants, and put the burden of proof in appeals on the agency.
*Would authorize $100 million for the food hub grants in FY2026 and allow additional appropriations for the Civil Rights Ombudsperson, increasing federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tax credit for buying from food hubs
This bill would create a 25% tax credit for qualified food hub expenses. You could claim it for tax years starting after December 31, 2025, for purchases from grant-supported hubs or under certified contracts. The USDA would set a contract certification process within one year to verify arm’s-length deals and no related parties. If you claim the credit, you would have to reduce related deductions or inventory by the credit amount. The credit would end once USDA determines the related grant program has finished.
Stronger civil rights help for farmers
This bill would make it easier for farmers to get fair treatment in USDA programs. Farmers who acted in good faith on USDA advice could get equitable relief, and the agency would have to prove its adverse decisions in appeals. USDA would set up an independent Civil Rights Ombudsperson within 120 days to help with reviews and appeals and get records within 60 days. The Secretary would be required to hold employees accountable for discrimination or retaliation. Congress would authorize needed funds for the ombudsperson office for FY2026 through FY2028.
Grants to build and grow food hubs
This bill would fund $100 million in FY2026 for competitive grants to start or expand food hubs. Grants could pay for land, buildings, equipment, operations, and marketing tools, for up to five years, with no non‑federal match. USDA could prioritize buying from socially disadvantaged farmers and these hubs, and waive some competition rules when they block market entry. USDA would publish annual reports each year starting by December 31, 2026, until all grants are complete.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, David [D-GA-13]
GA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]
GA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]
AL • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov