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119-hr-8374119th CongressWALLET

Equal Treatment for Farmers Act

Sponsored By: Representative Harris, Mark [R-NC-8]

Introduced

Summary

Removes the "socially disadvantaged" classification from federal farm laws. The bill would excise that designation from dozens of USDA statutes and program rules and add a broad prohibition on race- or gender-based preferences in USDA programs.

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  • Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers: Would lose the statutory basis for targeted preferences across loans, occupancy rules, and assistance programs previously tied to that designation.
  • Veterans and beginning farmers: Many provisions would be rewritten to substitute or preserve veterans or beginning farmers as eligible categories, shifting priority language toward those groups.
  • USDA program operations: Adds an explicit rule that no Department of Agriculture program may give preference, priority consideration, or enhanced benefits based on race or gender, reshaping how benefits and priorities are set.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

5% of conservation help for beginners

If enacted, the bill would require that, to the maximum extent practicable, 5 percent of funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and 5 percent of acres in the Conservation Stewardship Program be used to assist beginning farmers or ranchers. The rule applies for fiscal years 2009–2018 and for fiscal years 2019–2031 as specified. Beginning farmers would have prioritized access to that share of conservation funds and acres.

Perennial crop planting payment cap

If enacted, the bill would limit establishment payments for eligible perennial crops to no more than 50 percent of establishment costs and no more than $500 per acre. Eligible costs include seeds and stock, planting costs as set by the Secretary, and for nonindustrial private forestland, site preparation and tree planting. The payment would be a one-time amount per enrolled acre and would take effect upon enactment.

More lending help for heirs-property owners

If enacted, the bill would strike the statutory definition and many references to “socially disadvantaged” in the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It would direct the Secretary to prefer eligible relenders in States that adopted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act when relending to heirs-property owners. The bill would also limit any prior owner’s occupancy right to a written request not exceeding five years. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

No race or gender preferences at USDA

If enacted, the bill would prohibit any USDA program from giving preference, priority, or enhanced benefits based on race or gender. It would remove the statutory category “socially disadvantaged” across many farm laws and program rules. Farmers who previously had race- or gender-based priority could lose that statutory pathway. Agencies would need to change rules and guidance to follow the new ban when it takes effect.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Harris, Mark [R-NC-8]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

    MD • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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