Rural Investment for Producers and the Environment (RIPE) Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Riley (NY)
Introduced
Summary
Payments to producers for conservation practices in selected watersheds. This bill would create a demonstration program to test performance-based payments to producers who implement defined conservation practices in chosen eligible watersheds.
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- Producers: Farmers and ranchers in selected watersheds would enter 3 to 5 year contracts and receive annual payments set per acre and per animal unit. Payments must reflect adoption costs, income foregone, upkeep, and the environmental benefits produced.
- Limited‑resource and socially disadvantaged producers: Those producers would get a 15% higher payment rate and the program must reserve 10% of funds for them.
- Program design and environmental outcomes: The Agriculture Department would use performance-based metrics, provide technical assistance, and report annually on enrolled acres, animal units, environmental benefits, and greenhouse gas impacts.
*This bill would authorize $1 million for FY2026 and $150 million each year for FY2027–FY2029 from the Commodity Credit Corporation, increasing federal spending by about $451 million.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New watershed conservation contracts for farmers
If enacted, producers in selected watersheds would be able to join a new Demonstration Program run by the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Secretary would select no more than 2 eligible watersheds per State or territory and no more than 30 total. Watersheds that serve Tribal lands would not count toward the 2-per-State limit. Contracts would last 3 to 5 years and must allow extra conservation practices and participation in environmental services markets. Payments would be set each year per acre and per animal unit to cover adoption costs, income foregone, long-term maintenance, and environmental benefits. The agency would reserve 10 percent of funds for limited-resource or socially disadvantaged producers and pay those producers 15 percent more than the base rate. The Secretary would set a minimum contract payment and review payment rates within 1 year and annually. Technical assistance would start in the contract's second year and could come from public, private, or nonprofit providers. The program would get Commodity Credit Corporation funding: $1 million for FY2026 and $150 million each year for FY2027 through FY2029, available until expended.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Riley (NY)
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