Federal RuleAug 21
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DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
S231119th CongressWALLET
WEATHER Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require the federal crop insurance program to develop a single index insurance policy that protects farm income from extreme weather. It focuses on a nationwide, data-driven policy that triggers payments when weather indexes show income loss risks.
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- Farmers: Coverage must be available in all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories. Producers could buy coverage sized from 5 percent up to 150 percent of median county-level adjusted gross income, with buy-up limited to farms that grow at least three covered crops.
- Small and underserved producers: The policy gives special consideration to farms with under $350,000 in adjusted gross income and to underserved producers. It aims to reduce paperwork, count losses across all covered crops and value-added on-farm activities, and speed payments to farmers, targeting payments within 30 days after a covered weather event in the county or an adjacent county.
- Program design and oversight: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation must conduct research and development or contract with experts, hold stakeholder meetings, and may consult licensed actuaries. The program would rely primarily on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data but can use other certified weather and satellite data and must publish a public report with recommendations to Congress within one year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New weather income insurance for farms
If enacted, this bill would require the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop a single-index policy that insures farm income lost to covered weather events. Coverage would be required to be available in all 50 states, Tribal lands, DC, and U.S. territories. The policy could let farms buy-up to 150% or buy-down to 5% of median county farm adjusted gross income, in 5% steps, but buy-up would be limited to holders with at least three covered crops. The policy would prioritize seasonal coverage, fewer paperwork rules, payment within 30 days after a covered weather event, and special consideration for farms with under $350,000 AGI and underserved producers. The FCIC would hold stakeholder meetings, may hire actuaries, and must publish an R&D report with recommendations to Congress within 1 year after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Welch, Peter [D-VT]
VT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov