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119-s-4912119th CongressWALLET

BUFFER Act

Sponsored By: Senator Welch, Peter [D-VT]

Introduced

Summary

Disqualifies land from the Conservation Reserve Program when Tribal, State, or local laws require conservation measures. The bill would amend Section 1231(b) of the Food Security Act to add that exclusion and to adjust related wording.

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  • Farmers and landowners: Land that is subject to Tribal, State, or local laws requiring resource‑conserving or environmental practices would not qualify for CRP enrollment. Administrative orders and court orders are also treated as disqualifying legal requirements.
  • Tribal, State, and local governments: Local conservation rules could make privately held land ineligible for CRP in those jurisdictions, changing how local policy choices interact with federal enrollment incentives.
  • Conservation program administrators: The bill revises statutory text in Section 1231(b) and removes a phrase about decisions being “as determined by the Secretary,” which would change how the Department of Agriculture assesses CRP eligibility.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New CRP limits for farm owners

This bill would make some land ineligible for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Land that is otherwise eligible would be disqualified if a tribal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation requires any resource‑conserving or environmental protection practice. Land would also be ineligible if the requirement was imposed by an administrative order or a court order. If enacted, affected owners or operators would lose CRP rental or incentive payments for those parcels. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Welch, Peter [D-VT]

VT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 6/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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