HR2156119th CongressWALLET

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

Sponsored By: Representative Panetta

In Committee

Summary

Creates an exception to federal farm payment limits for people or entities that derive at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income from farming, ranching, or silviculture. It also lets certain related activities count toward that 75% test, including agri‑tourism, direct‑to‑consumer sales, and sale of owned agricultural equipment.

Show full summary
  • Producers and farm households who get 75% or more of their average adjusted gross income from agricultural activities can have certain payments treated as "excepted" for the applicable crop, fiscal, or program year. This can widen eligibility for payments otherwise limited by law.
  • The law defines "excepted payment or benefit" to include payments under subtitle E of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 and payments under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Those specific payment streams are excluded from the usual limits when the 75% test is met.
  • Legal entities are covered under the same 75% rule. The Secretary of Agriculture may determine other agricultural‑related activities that count toward the test, and the statute’s cross‑reference is updated to reflect the new exception.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Removes caps for some farm disaster aid

If enacted, some farmers and ranchers could get certain disaster program payments without the usual payment cap. This would apply in a crop, fiscal, or program year when at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income comes from farming, ranching, or silviculture. Agri-tourism, direct-to-consumer sales, and sales of farm equipment the person or entity owns could count, plus other farm-related activities the Secretary allows. The exception would only cover payments under subtitle E of the 2014 Agricultural Act and under section 196 of the 1996 Act.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Panetta

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Cammack

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Lofgren

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Scott, Austin

    GA • R

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Davis (NC)

    NC • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Harder (CA)

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Rouzer

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Fitzpatrick

    PA • R

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Franklin, Scott

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Schrier

    WA • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Bera

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

  • Gottheimer

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

  • Thompson (CA)

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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