Disaster Relief for Farmworkers Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced
Summary
Emergency relief grants for farmworkers would create a standing USDA program to fund immediate aid and build resilience when defined "covered disasters" disrupt farm work. The program would be run through the Under Secretary for Rural Development and trigger during weather events, health crises, or other conditions that force farmworkers to miss work or lose income.
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- Farmworkers: Migrant and seasonal farmworkers would get emergency relief for lost income, shelter, direct payments, and services during covered disasters.
- Farmworker organizations: Membership-based groups and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits with farmworker experience would be eligible for grants to deliver relief, expand capacity, and fund infrastructure support.
- Communities and USDA operations: Grants could fund community resiliency projects and emergency infrastructure, and USDA must create a promotional plan and consult with eligible organizations before awarding funds. Funds awarded would remain available until expended.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Emergency disaster relief for farmworkers
This bill would create a USDA grant program to help farmworkers during declared disasters. The program would start in fiscal year 2024 and run each year after. Grants would go to eligible farmworker organizations, such as membership groups or 501(c)(3) nonprofits with farmworker experience. Covered disasters would include extreme weather, pandemics, and events that cause farmworkers to lose income or work. Funds could pay for direct cash or services, shelter, resiliency projects, and capacity building. Grant funds would remain available until spent. The Agriculture Secretary would have to develop a promotional plan and consult farmworker groups before making grants.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov