PRIA Logo™
119-hr-6969119th CongressWALLET

Rural Investment for Producers and the Environment (RIPE) Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

In Committee

Summary

Direct payments to farmers and ranchers for conservation in targeted watersheds. This bill would create a USDA demonstration that pays producers per acre and per animal unit to adopt selected practices that aim to improve water quality, soil health, climate resilience, biodiversity, and yields.

Show full summary
  • Producers could enter contracts that last 3 to 5 years and receive performance-based payments that cover adoption costs, income foregone, long-term maintenance, and measured environmental benefits.
  • Limited-resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers would get targeted outreach, at least 10 percent of funds reserved for them, and a payment increase equal to 15 percent above the otherwise applicable rate.
  • Watershed communities would see a focused pilot limited to no more than 30 eligible watersheds nationwide and no more than 2 per State, with annual reporting on enrolled acres, animal units, greenhouse gas benefits, and adoption barriers.

*The bill would use Commodity Credit Corporation funding of $1.0 million for 2026 setup and $150.0 million per year for 2027 through 2029, increasing federal outlays.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Direct conservation payments for producers

If enacted, producers in selected watersheds would be able to enter 3-to-5 year contracts for direct payments to adopt conservation practices. Payments would be made each year per acre and per animal unit and would cover adoption and management costs, income foregone or transition losses, long-term maintenance, and environmental benefits including greenhouse gas reductions and carbon sequestration. The Secretary would set a minimum contract payment and review payment rates within one year and annually after that. Ten percent of program funds would be reserved for limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, who would receive payments 15% higher than otherwise applicable rates. Producers could also get technical help starting in the second year of a contract and could still participate in private environmental services markets.

Federal funding for RIPE program

If enacted, the bill would make Commodity Credit Corporation funds available to start and run the RIPE demonstration. It would provide $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to set up regulations and administrative procedures. It would provide $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 to support program operations and payments. These funds would be available until expended.

Which watersheds can participate

If enacted, the Secretary would choose which watersheds can join the demonstration. The Secretary could pick up to 2 watersheds per State or territory and no more than 30 watersheds total. Watersheds that serve Tribal lands would not count toward the 2-per-State limit. The Secretary must complete selections within one year of enactment. Only producers inside selected watersheds would be able to apply for the program.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 1/7/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation