Conservation Reserve Program Modernization Act
Sponsored By: Representative Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
Introduced
Summary
Modernize the Conservation Reserve Program. This bill would expand what land can join CRP and change cost-sharing and rental rules to push more buffers, wetlands, and grasslands into conservation.
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- Farmers and landowners would gain new eligibility for more cropland, marginal pasture, and grasslands. Cropland with a 4-of-6 year cropping history or fields where most of the area is already enrolled could qualify, including partial-field enrollments when the rest is infeasible to farm.
- Conservation partners like States, Tribes, and nongovernmental organizations could propose targeted projects to address water quality, water conservation, and wildlife habitat. The bill highlights buffers, riparian areas, prairie potholes, playas, and wetlands.
- Payments would shift to support establishment and long-term cover. The Secretary would pay 50 percent of establishment costs for permanent vegetation, fencing, water developments, and related practices. Reenrollment rental payments would be capped starting at 85 percent of the county average soil rental rate for the first reenrollment and fall by 10 percentage points for each subsequent reenrollment. County rental rate caps by soil class would be 85 percent for class I-II, 100 percent for class III, 115 percent for classes IV–VII, and 100 percent for continuous enrollments.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Half-cost help for conservation practices
If enacted, CRP would pay 50% of the cost for eligible conservation work. Covered work includes planting permanent vegetation, erosion control, fencing to protect riparian areas and buffers, and water projects to keep livestock out. It would also cover fencing and water to shift land to grazing under the grasslands option, and needed mid-contract management to keep cover healthy. Payments would apply when the Secretary finds them appropriate and in the public interest. This would take effect upon enactment.
More land can join CRP
If enacted, more types of land would qualify for the Conservation Reserve Program. Fields with at least 85% class III–VII soils, or land that cannot be farmed under a compliant plan, could be eligible if the Secretary finds a 4-of-6 year cropping history before enactment. Cropland and grassland near streams or wetlands, grazing grasslands with habitat value, and hard-to-farm field remainders could be added. States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits could propose eligible acres to address water and wildlife concerns. The bill would also define key terms like conservation buffer, eligible partner, and land capability class. These changes would start upon enactment.
Lower CRP rent caps on reenrollment
If enacted, annual CRP rental payments on reenrolled acres would be capped. For the first reenrollment after enactment, payments would be limited to 85% of the county average soil rental rate; each later reenrollment would drop that cap by 10 percentage points. Separately, the county average soil rental rate would be capped as a share of the estimated rental rate before any adjustments for specific practices, wellhead protection, or soil productivity: for general or CREP—class I–II at 85%, class III at 100%, class IV–VII at 115%; for continuous enrollment—100% for all classes. These limits would apply upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
MN • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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