Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Thompson (PA)
Introduced
Summary
Strengthens domestic food production and farm resilience. The bill reauthorizes and reshapes a wide set of farm, conservation, nutrition, broadband, research, and forestry programs through 2031 while adding targeted funding and new tools for disaster relief, supply-chain capacity, and precision agriculture.
Show full summary
- Farmers and producers: Raises loan limits and relaxes some ownership tests to help entry and refinancing. Farm ownership caps increase to $850,000 direct and $3.5 million guaranteed, and operating loan caps rise with other updated lending and guaranteed loan rules.
- Conservation, forestry, and pests: Expands conservation programs, precision-ag incentives, and emergency watershed/rehabilitation tools. It authorizes State and Tribal soil health grants with $100.0 million per year and a feral swine eradication budget of $150.0 million per year for 2025–2031.
- Rural communities, broadband, nutrition, and supply chains: Boosts rural broadband with a redesigned ReConnect program funded at $350.0 million per year, creates food supply chain guaranteed loans up to $40.0 million to expand processing and storage, and makes SNAP online purchasing permanent nationwide.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
108 provisions identified: 71 benefits, 7 costs, 30 mixed.
Forest easement payments and tax break
If enacted, the bill would require payments for permanent forest easements equal to the difference in fair market value before and after the easement. For 30-year or state-maximum duration easements, payments would be at least 50% and at most 75% of the permanent-easement amount. The federal share for forest land easements would generally be 50% of fair market value, and could be up to 75% for forests of special environmental significance or land owned by socially disadvantaged owners. The bill would let the Secretary use standard appraisal methods and would exclude easement compensation from adjusted gross income for receiving landowners. Agreements must generally run 3–5 years unless longer is justified, and eligible entities may use their own terms if they meet enforcement and planning requirements.
Easier small rural loans and credit
If enacted, the bill would let Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance loans cover up to 100% of a project (but not more than 50% of related real estate renovation costs). Zero-interest loan rules would require reasonable repayment terms and remove a letter-of-credit requirement if the borrower assigns a security interest. The bill would also let Farm Credit help service providers to aquatic producers and let producers use storage facility loans for propane used mainly in agriculture.
Faster guarantees for small loans
If enacted, USDA would require a short, simple loan form for farm real estate and operating guaranteed loans of $1,000,000 or less. Lenders must be told within 5 business days after a complete application whether it is approved or denied. The bill sets maximum guarantee shares by loan size: up to 90% for loans ≤ $125,000; up to 75% for loans over $125,000 to $500,000; and up to 50% for loans over $500,000 to $1,000,000.
Help for farmers, pests, and farm innovators
If enacted, the bill would create new support for farmers and agricultural innovators. It would authorize $200 million per year for 2027–2031 to buy local foods and provide technical help, require FSA rules within one year to let some distressed guaranteed loans be refinanced into FSA direct loans, fund feral swine control with Commodity Credit Corporation allocations, create an Agricultural Innovation Corps to train researchers, and set annual funding for ATTRA including $1.5 million per year for the Armed to Farm Initiative. It would also expand the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to include crisis hotlines.
More loans and grants for small farms
If enacted, several loan and grant limits would rise. The Rural Microloan cap would go from $50,000 to $75,000 and another microloan cap from $50,000 to $100,000. FSA loan limits would increase (direct farm ownership to $850,000; guaranteed ownership to $3.5 million starting FY2026; direct operating to $750,000; guaranteed operating to $3.0 million starting FY2026). The Healthy Food Financing Initiative cap would rise by $10 million. State mediation grants could rise to $700,000 and allow 25% carryover. The Sun Grant Program would add 'bioproducts' and raise a statutory share to 30%. Organic conservation payment caps would increase to $200,000 for FY2027–FY2031.
Minimum funding for therapeutic foods
If enacted, for each fiscal year 2027–2031 the bill would require at least $200 million to be spent on ready-to-use therapeutic foods for emergency food assistance when two conditions hold: the latest Joint Child Malnutrition Estimate shows child wasting over 5 percent, and Title II funding that year exceeds $1.2 billion.
Food and agriculture risk planning
If enacted, the Department's Office of Homeland Security would do a risk assessment of food and agriculture vulnerabilities within one year and at least every two years after. The Department would run annual cross-sector food emergency simulations and brief Congress within 180 days after each assessment with recommendations and requested resources.
Repeating distance learning dollars
If enacted, the bill would authorize $82 million for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031 for Distance Learning and Telemedicine loans and grants. The authorized funds would remain available for two fiscal years after the year appropriated and replace the prior 2019–2023 authorization period.
Big push for rural broadband access
If enacted, the bill would create a package of rural broadband programs. It would authorize $350 million per year for a ReConnect Rural Broadband Program for FY2027–FY2031 and require program rules within 270 days. It would fund small community mapping grants (up to $50,000 each) and technical assistance grants to help rural applicants. The bill would also create a $10 million per year Innovative Broadband Advancement demonstration program for FY2027–FY2031 with build and delivery timelines for projects.
More trade promotion funding
If enacted, the bill would set dollar minimums and caps for trade program subaccounts and require Commodity Credit Corporation funds for agricultural trade promotion. It would provide $255 million for FY2026, $500 million for FY2027, and $533 million for each year FY2028–FY2031, and the Secretary must allocate funds under the listed per-component rules.
Limits on seed cotton payments
If enacted, beginning with the 2026 crop year a farm that gets coverage under the Stacked Income Protection Plan (SIP) for upland cotton would be ineligible for seed cotton payments under Price Loss Coverage or Agriculture Risk Coverage for that same crop year. This change could reduce payments to affected cotton farms.
Changes to SNAP benefits and incentives
If enacted, the bill would extend SNAP's authorization through 2031 and keep trafficking rules and the retailer fee ban through 2031. It would make online SNAP purchasing a permanent nationwide program, with transition steps starting within 120 days and rules within one year. The bill would cap the Federal share for nutrition incentive activities at 50% but allow waivers for persistent poverty areas. It would also add animal protein to eligible incentive foods and add policy language directing SNAP to support healthy, varied diets.
National pesticide labeling preemption
If enacted, the bill would make EPA-approved pesticide labeling and packaging the national standard and bar States, localities, and courts from imposing different labeling or packaging rules. The restriction would not apply if a company is in material violation of specified FIFRA provisions and has been penalized. The bill preserves some State authority under other parts of FIFRA. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Rural broadband eligibility and ReConnect changes
If enacted, USDA broadband applicants would have to submit a complete shapefile and the agency must check both the FCC deployment map and the IIJA Deployment Locations Map when confirming eligibility. An area is not 'unserved' if, within the prior 5 years, another federal or state program obligated funds to serve it at 100/20 Mbps. The ReConnect program would be reworked within 270 days, merge unobligated pilot funds into the new program, set long grant terms (minimum 10 years), apply buildout speed multipliers tied to award length, and give top priority to places lacking 25/3 Mbps service. Community Connect grants would face updated selection numbers and minimum speed requirements.
CCC funding and Title VI oversight
If enacted, the bill would set Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) baseline funding for core programs: $2.53 billion (FY2027), $2.73 billion (FY2028), $3.13 billion (FY2029), $3.175 billion (FY2030), and $3.255 billion (FY2031). It would also fund a forest easement program and $450 million per year for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for FY2027–FY2031. At the same time, not less than 3% and not more than 5% of Title VI appropriations would be set aside each year for oversight and accountability, reducing the share available for other Title VI activities.
Faster SNAP processing and EBT security
If enacted, States would be allowed to hire private contractors to help process SNAP applications when they have big backlogs, higher error rates (6% or more), or sudden application increases. Contractors could not be paid to delay or deny eligibility or have a financial interest in approved stores. The Agriculture Secretary would have to post notices within 10 days when States use contractors. The Secretary would also have to publish a proposed rule to improve EBT card security within six months of enactment.
Food distribution and senior nutrition funding
If enacted, the bill would extend program authorizations through 2031 for FDPIR, surplus commodity distributions, TEFAP, and Emergency Food Assistance. It would create a CSFP Delivery Pilot with grants (priority to rural-serving groups) and authorize $10 million per year for 2027–2031. The CSFP pilot caps a state's maximum grant by a formula tied to its caseload (the smaller of $4,000,000 and the greater of the state's caseload×60 or $10,000). The bill would also authorize a Tribal CSFP self-determination demonstration and staffing funds.
Rural health, telemedicine, and facility aid
If enacted, USDA would set up and report on a Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program, provide refinancing and financial planning help for eligible rural facilities (including a waiver for insolvent facilities), and authorize up to $2 million per year for 2027–2031 for the assistance program. The bill would expand which rural health sites qualify for refinancing and give telemedicine and distance learning grants higher priority for mental, behavioral, and maternal health services.
Help buying land and down payments
If enacted, the bill would clarify how a down payment loan is calculated so the down payment cannot exceed 45% of a specified lesser value, subject to section 305(a). The Agriculture Secretary would also publish a catalog at least every two years listing Federal, State, and private programs that help people get land, loans, closing cost help, down payment assistance, title help for heirs' property, and related services through 2031.
Lower-cost energy upgrades for rural homes
If enacted, eligible groups (including Tribes and certain nonprofits) could get loans to finance energy efficiency and renewable measures for rural households. An eligible entity that takes a loan could elect a grant equal to up to 5% of the loan (10% when used to serve qualified consumers in persistent poverty counties). Loans could have terms up to 20 years and the Secretary would prioritize applicants serving mostly rural ratepayers.
New forest easement conservation program
If enacted, the bill would create a Forest Conservation Easement Program to buy easements or other interests to conserve private and Tribal forest land and restore habitat. Eligible entities include States, Indian Tribes, and certain nonprofits. Non-Federal matching shares may include cash, qualified donations from the landowner, or costs to secure the deed. The Secretary may delegate management and may only modify or end easements under strict conservation and notice rules.
Better vet loan repayment rules
If enacted, the Secretary would be able to identify veterinarian shortage areas using geography and practice areas and must build prediction tools for emerging shortages and share them with States. Veterinarians could not be made ineligible just because they are in a similar Federal, State, or local program. The Secretary must streamline application procedures and set guidance within one year.
Emergency and tree disaster payments
If enacted, specialty crop producers could get emergency payments equal to prior-year specialty crop sales times a Secretary-set payment factor, subject to available appropriations. Farms whose average gross income is at least 75% from farming could be exempt from the usual payment cap, and the Secretary would set a yearly maximum that cannot be less than $900,000. Tree Assistance would let eligible orchardists or nursery growers replant with alternative varieties or locations and would allow an initial payment based on estimated fair market costs before work is done. Initial payments must be reconciled and any overpayment repaid; that initial-payment authority ends September 30, 2035.
Faster tree, forest, and tick help
If enacted, private forest owners could get advance payments up to 75% of estimated emergency measure costs and would have 180 days to spend them. The Tree Assistance Program would require USDA to approve or deny applications within 120 days and require replacement or rehab activities within two years. The bill would mandate an independent review of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and expand Critical Conservation Areas to include habitat connectivity and migration corridors.
Free legal help to keep family farms
If enacted, USDA could fund nonprofit agreements to provide no-cost legal and accounting help to underserved heirs to resolve undivided ownership of farmland or forest land. Agreements would generally run up to four years, could be extended in limited cases, and require annual reporting. The bill authorizes $60 million per year for FY2027–2031 for this effort.
Priority for rural childcare funding
If enacted, the bill would create an Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative and require USDA to give selection priority (for FY2027–FY2029) to applicants who use certain loans and grants to improve childcare availability, quality, or cost in rural areas. The Secretary must ensure balanced geographic distribution, evaluate results within 3 years, and report outcomes to Congress within 4 years.
Block grants for uncovered disaster losses
If enacted and additional funds are made available, the bill would allow USDA to provide block grants to States or other recipients to cover agricultural losses from natural disasters that are not covered by other Federal law. Covered losses include revenue, quality, or production losses for crops, trees, poultry, and livestock.
Grants for meat processors and co‑ops
If enacted, USDA would run a competitive Meat Processing Grants program with awards up to $500,000 and terms up to 3 years. Federal cost-share could be up to 90% for grants $100,000 or less and up to 75% for grants above $100,000. The program would be authorized $3 million per year for FY2027–2031. The bill would also require renewal grants for qualifying nonprofit cooperative development centers, annual reporting by the cooperative working group, and a statutory definition of cooperative development (training, education, and technical help).
Loans and help for precision farming
If enacted, the bill would let guaranteed and conservation loans be used to buy precision agriculture tools and to adopt precision farming practices. The Secretary could raise conservation payments for precision-ag costs to cover up to 90% of those costs. The bill also directs more use of third-party providers for soil health planning like cover crops and nutrient management.
More conservation help and technical aid
If enacted, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program would require projects to give at least 50% of costs as direct funding and cap administrative reimbursements at 10% of project funds. The Secretary would identify technical assistance funding, may reimburse or advance reasonable TA costs, and must simplify reimbursements. USDA would set payments to third-party technical-assistance providers at no more than USDA's direct cost and exclude those payments from conservation cost-share calculations. The Emergency Conservation Program would let producers get interim advances (up to 75% for replacement/rehab, 50% for repair). The Secretary must also create a livestock grazing wildfire strategy within 18 months.
More rural veterinary practice support
If enacted, the Veterinary Services Grant Program would prioritize expanding and attracting veterinary practices in rural areas. The Secretary must streamline the application process within one year. Grants could pay for relocation costs, startup equipment, and housing or living stipends for veterinary students, trainees, and technicians.
New crop insurance rules and studies
If enacted, approved insurance providers could support and confidentially access product development data and one provider's support could deem a product marketable. The Corporation must study and report on mushroom insurance and offer a policy if requirements are met within 2 years. The FCIC must report on hurricane wind-index outages within 1 year and consider backup data sources. The Manager may raise the crop-insurance disclosure threshold to 10 percent, and servicing of marketing assistance and sugar loans would count as emergency services during an appropriations lapse. Agencies would have to prove adverse decisions by substantial evidence in appeals.
Simpler grants for local food hubs
If enacted, the Local Agriculture Market program would define 'food hub' and continue through 2031. The Secretary must create a simplified application for projects asking for less than $100,000 in specified categories. Between 10% and 50% of certain grant funds must go to applicants using this simplified process. Grants could buy special-purpose equipment.
Stronger crop insurance and pilots
If enacted, crop insurance rules would allow revenue-loss coverage for a drop in market price when the farmer did not cause the drop. The bill would require research to expand revenue-based insurance for several crops and an 18-month report on findings. The Secretary would set up a Specialty Crop Advisory Committee within 180 days to advise policy. A pilot starting with the 2027 crop year in parts of Texas would suspend late-planting reductions for at least four crop years and report by 90 days after 2031.
Domestic food production priority
If enacted, the bill would declare that preserving and strengthening certain domestic food production is a priority objective for the President when Federal rules or guidance affect the covered programs. Agencies would be guided to favor U.S. production when they set or change program rules.
Food for Peace moves to USDA
If enacted, this bill would transfer Food for Peace authorities and related assets and contracts from USAID to the Agriculture Department starting for instruments on or after January 1, 2026. It would require the Secretary to arrange transfers, write or amend rules to finish the move, and consult with the State Department as needed. The bill would also limit non-procurement spending so no more than 50% of annual funds could be used for items other than buying U.S.-grown commodities and ocean transport, and it would require an annual aid report to Congress.
More forest restoration and support
If enacted, this bill would expand tools and funding for forest restoration and make forest data easier to use. It would let stewardship contracts run longer, allow contractors a cancellation payment for multiyear deals, and permit some fee waivers for eligible users. The bill would add monitoring and carbon reporting to the Forest Inventory program and let special districts join restoration agreements and build approved roads when needed. It would also extend some Forest Service conveyance and lease authorities and require reporting on white oak restoration funds.
Stronger national animal health programs
If enacted, the bill would add animal disease traceability to eligible activities under the national animal disease program. It would also extend authorization for the national animal health laboratory, the disease preparedness program, and the national animal vaccine and countermeasures bank through 2031. These steps would make tracing and response activities explicitly eligible for program support.
Tighter oversight of foreign farmland
If enacted, the bill would require USDA to build a database of agricultural land owned by foreign persons within three years and audit it annually after it becomes operational. USDA must report on national-security risks of foreign-held farmland within 180 days and yearly after that. The bill would also add a senior Chief of Operations for Investigative Actions at USDA to investigate threats to U.S. agriculture and give the Secretary a role in CFIUS reviews of certain agricultural land transactions involving listed foreign countries.
Faster wildfire response and forest work
If enacted, the bill would protect approved aerial fire retardant and water enhancer drops from court injunctions when done under the EPA–Forest Service compliance agreement, for five years after enactment. The Forest Service and Interior would run a public-private pilot to test wildfire tech and report yearly; that pilot would expire Sept. 30, 2031. The Forest Service would aim to contain detected wildfires on high-risk national forest lands within 24 hours when extreme conditions apply, while protecting firefighter safety and state/local response. The bill would also require standardized hazardous-fuels tracking and public reporting and authorize regional biochar demonstration projects that use at least 50% forest-thinning feedstock; biochar authority would end seven years after enactment.
Loans and grants for water systems
If enacted, the Agriculture Secretary would be able to offer 0% or 1% loans, forgive or modify loans, refinance, and waive fees for eligible rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems to help long-term sustainability. The bill would let eligible households get loans or subgrants up to $20,000 per household water well or decentralized wastewater system; loans would be 1% interest and terms up to 20 years. The Secretary must judge applications based on the needs of the system and its users and would publish annual source-water protection reports and an interactive map starting on enactment.
Commission to study farm transitions
If enacted, the Secretary would set up a Commission on Farm Transitions within 60 days to study apprenticeships, mentoring, business training, succession, heirs' property, tax policy, and barriers facing underserved and women farmers. The Commission would report to Congress within two years with recommendations. This could shape future programs and supports for new and transitioning farmers.
More research and college support
If enacted, the bill would broaden AFRI research priorities to include aquaculture, drought- and region-ready crops, controlled-environment agriculture, precision ag, and workforce training through September 30, 2031. The Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics would set up memoranda of understanding with DOE, NSF, and DOD within one year to coordinate research and report to Congress within two years. It would also change a land-grant funding clause to guarantee a minimum funding floor and extend certain authorizations through 2031.
New USDA research centers and funding
If enacted, the bill would require the Agriculture Secretary to set up Centers of Excellence focused on topics like aquaculture, biosecurity, precision agriculture, biotechnology, and farm business management. Eligible hosts would include land-grant and other agricultural colleges and veterinary schools, and hosts would partner with ARS and other public and private partners. The centers would be spread across regions as practicable and each institution could host only one center at a time. This would create new local research, extension, and training capacity for students and producers.
Data, reporting, and rural modernization
If enacted, the bill would create a Rural Development Innovation Center to modernize rural program delivery and require annual reports to Congress. It would set up a temporary NASS modernization commission (with $1,000,000 from CCC funds) to report within three years. The Forest Service and NRCS must build a public forest-and-wood-product carbon data platform within two years. The bill would let USDA charge fees for complex Forest Inventory and Analysis data requests and require public input when selecting Legacy Road and Trail Remediation projects regionally.
More biosecurity and biotech support
If enacted, the bill would expand detector-dog training capacity and let USDA make off-site training agreements with States, prioritizing major ports and pest risks. It would create a competitive Agriculture and Food Protection Grant Program for biosecurity, cybersecurity, facilities, and workforce training for fiscal years 2027–2031. The bill would also create an Office of Biotechnology Policy at USDA to coordinate biotech, biomanufacturing, and commercialization, with $1,000,000 authorized per year for 2027–2031. The bill would establish an Aquaculture Advisory Committee and annual reporting on federal aquaculture spending.
Biobased procurement and labeling rules
If enacted, the bill would require the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, with the Agriculture Secretary, to give agencies materials on evaluating biobased products and to collect and post annual procurement information on biobased product availability. The Agriculture Secretary would report within 90 days on NAICS and NAPCS codes related to the bioeconomy. The bill also directs the Secretary to issue national labeling rules for terms like "biobased" and "plant-based" within one year, after consulting industry and growers.
Clear product 'common name' rules
If enacted, the bill would add a clear definition of "common name" for agricultural and food products that reflects ordinary or customary label names and aligns with Codex standards. The Secretary could rely on dictionaries, product standards, and ordinary use when determining common names, which aims to protect market access and labeling clarity for exporters and producers.
More research and farm tech support
If enacted, the bill would fund and prioritize research and extension on many farm topics. It would reserve at least $30 million per year (FY2027–2031) for specialty crop mechanization grants and authorize $7 million per year (FY2027–2031) for regional agroforestry centers. It would expand organic technical assistance across USDA programs and support urban and controlled-environment agriculture with new grant authority through 2031. The Secretary must also seek industry input before maple (Acer) grant rounds.
New soil health and mitigation grants
If enacted, Congress would make $100 million available each year for FY2027–2031 for a State Assistance for Soil Health grant program. Grants could not exceed $5 million and would cover up to 50% of costs for States and up to 75% for Tribes. The bill would also authorize $5 million per year (FY2027–2031) for mitigation banking and create a one-year Southern Border Initiative to pay producers in qualifying border counties to repair covered damage to farmland or infrastructure.
Steps to protect and expand exports
If enacted, the bill would create an Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to identify trade barriers, coordinate enforcement, and report to Congress quarterly. It would require a two-year specialty-crop export report every two years and let USDA negotiate pre-agreed regionalization or compartmentalization with trading partners to limit outbreak-related trade bans. The bill would fund small amounts for foreign market infrastructure technical assistance (capped at $1.5M in FY2027 and $5M thereafter) and set aside at least $15,000,000 per year for the International Food Relief Partnership in FY2027–2031.
Higher fines and naming for AFIDA
If enacted, the bill would raise civil penalties under the foreign ownership of agricultural land reporting law. Failure to file could be penalized up to 25 percent, and knowingly false or misleading reports would face penalties of 5 percent to 25 percent. The Secretary would publish the names of people who paid penalties, including after appeals.
Crop insurance admin rate freeze
If enacted, the bill would require the Board to set administrative reimbursement rates for approved insurance providers and agents in 2027 and later equal to the rate set for 2026. This would freeze reimbursement rates at the 2026 level for 2027 and subsequent reinsurance years.
Rescind unused biorefinery funds
If enacted, the bill would rescind $18,000,000 of unobligated balances made available for the Biorefinery Assistance program under section 9003. That would reduce the pool of grant or loan funds available for future biorefinery projects upon enactment.
Cuts to agricultural research authorities
If enacted, the bill would strike several older statutory provisions that created authorities for research, extension, and certain programs. Organizations and programs that relied on those specific legal authorities could lose their statutory basis or related funding unless another authority exists.
School meal rules and buying priorities
If enacted, the bill would require school food authorities to buy at least 95% domestic products in each food category starting the first school year after enactment. The Secretary must publish a list of domestically unavailable items within 6 months and update it every 2 years. The bill would extend authority to buy fresh fruits and vegetables through 2031, allow whole milk at school breakfast, rename and expand the dairy program to cover specified cheeses, and increase dairy program funding authorization to $50 million.
Easement and wetland program changes
If enacted, the bill would change several easement and wetland programs. It would cap restoration payments at $500,000 per forest reserve easement. It would let landowners use permanent, 30‑year, or State-max-duration forest easements but limit 30‑year easement spending to 10% of annual program funds. It would expand wetland easement payments to cover up to 100% of eligible stewardship costs, reserve at least 15% for enhancement, and add Tribes and socially disadvantaged landowners as priorities. The bill would also allow small administrative fixes to easements, but it would bar Rural Development loans or grants to drain or convert wetlands except for narrow exceptions and permitted projects.
Changes to forest and conservation programs
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary restore vegetation and hydrology on floodplain easement lands and allow compatible uses like hunting, managed timber, or occasional haying if long-term protections are met. CRP dates would be extended and the Secretary must try to enroll at least 8,600,000 acres under continuous enrollment by September 30, 2031, but no more than 25 percent of a county's cropland could be enrolled in CRP or wetland easements. Title V of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program would be repealed for new enrollments, but existing contracts remain valid. The bill would speed partnership agreements, require payments to partners within 30 days, create a forest botanical harvest fee program, and offer endangered species assurances for qualifying easements.
Higher timber sale threshold and emergency rules
If enacted, the bill would raise the minimum timber sale threshold from $10,000 to $55,000. It would also let the Secretary dispose of portions of trees or forest products without an appraisal when extreme risks like catastrophic wildfire, insect or disease outbreaks, wind, hurricane, flood, or drought threaten National Forest lands, under Secretary rules. These changes alter sale thresholds and emergency disposal processes.
New live-dog import rules
If enacted, the bill would repeal the old Animal Welfare Act section for live-dog imports during a transition and replace it with new live-dog import rules. You would have to submit electronic health and vaccination certificates and, for dogs intended for transfer, get a Secretary-issued import permit and permanent ID before transport. The Secretary would make a central database and set fees within 18 months. Importers who fail to follow rules would face penalties and must pay for care, quarantine, removal, or return of the dog.
Crop insurance reviews and smoke policy
If enacted, the Crop Insurance Corporation would have to periodically review new products and quality-loss adjustment procedures and hire independent reviewers starting in 2027. The Corporation must complete research on a wine-grape wildfire-smoke insurance product within one year and offer a policy within 18 months if legal requirements are met, and must report to Congress. At the same time, approved insurers could charge up to 1% simple interest per month on delinquent premiums for up to 60 months starting in the 2026 reinsurance year.
Changes for wood, bioenergy, and biorefineries
If enacted, the bill would expand which wood, forest, and biorefinery projects qualify for grants or loans, allow construction or retrofit of facilities, and add priorities for projects in high-unemployment counties or those that cut carbon. It would raise some program thresholds and lengthen program dates through 2031. At the same time, Wood Innovation Grants would usually require a 50% non-Federal match and the Community Wood Facilities Program sets a program cap and other limits.
Limits on USDA-funded farmland solar
If enacted, the Secretary would be barred from giving USDA financial help to convert 'covered farmland' to ground-mounted solar, with narrow exceptions. Conversions under 5 acres would be allowed. Conversions under 50 acres would be allowed only if most energy is used on the farm and every local county and municipality in which the project sits supports it. Approved projects must have a farmland conservation plan and money for decommissioning, and USDA could not fund projects that buy solar components from certain foreign countries or companies.
Loan ownership rules and concentration limits
If enacted, the bill would change ownership tests for several USDA loan programs by replacing 'a majority' with 'at least 50 percent' and by allowing 'qualified operators' to meet operator requirements. It would also stop a Farm Credit Corporation from treating loans as 'qualified' if a single borrower’s total loans exceed 10% of the lender's tier 1 capital, with regulators allowed to set a lower limit for safety.
New hemp testing and penalties
If enacted, hemp growers would have to designate whether they produce only industrial hemp or hemp for other uses. Testing would use total THC (including THCA) at a 0.3 percent limit. States or Tribes could reduce sampling for an "only industrial hemp" designation only if growers provide documents showing intent and practices. A person who knowingly grows an inconsistent crop could be barred from the program for five years. The Secretary must set a lab accreditation process with the DEA.
New loan fees and faster farm loans
If enacted, USDA would be able to charge an initial guarantee fee up to 3% of guaranteed principal and a periodic retention fee up to 0.75% of outstanding principal on certain guaranteed or insured loans (including B&I and ReConnect). The bill would create a Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan authority with loans up to $40 million each and reserve a small annual share of funds for FY2025–FY2029. Farm Credit Banks could finance essential community facilities with an aggregate cap of 15% of outstanding loans starting October 1, 2026. The bill also changes loan-indexing to use land-value averages, clarifies owner-operator ownership tests (50% and 75% rules), lowers some farm-loan experience requirements from 3 to 2 years, and starts a pilot to expedite certain farm loan approvals (ending September 30, 2031).
Limits on ESA reconsultation for plans
If enacted, the bill would say agencies do not have to reinitiate Endangered Species Act consultation for land management plans when a new species is listed or new information arises. This would reduce procedural steps for Forest Service and BLM plans and could speed project approvals. It would also reduce opportunities for new ESA review tied to plan changes.
New rules for pesticides and data
If enacted, the bill would limit local governments from making rules on pesticides when the State or EPA already regulates them. It would also require certain interim EPA registration review notices through October 1, 2031 to include measures to reduce harm to listed species or critical habitat. The bill would make the pesticide working group meet with pest management leadership, publish annual reports on the EPA website, consult industry and NGOs yearly, and share crop and pesticide survey data with EPA and the public.
Rural water, waste, and utility funding rules
If enacted, the bill would continue a national Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program and expand its technical and disaster recovery help. It would let banks for cooperatives make loans and provide assistance for rural waste, telecom, and electricity projects. The Water Source Protection Program would require adjacent landowner written agreement and generally a 50% non-Federal match (waivable). The law would extend authority to guarantee utility bonds through 2031 and add Indian tribes as eligible recipients for solid waste grants.
New process for Dietary Guidelines
If enacted, Dietary Guidelines reports would start in 2030 and occur at least every 10 years. Each report would be written through public rulemaking and must meet an evidence standard of 'significant scientific agreement.' Recommendations must be affordable and accessible. The bill would create an Independent Advisory Board, require certain timelines for scientific questions, and bar topics deemed irrelevant to dietary guidance, such as taxation, labeling, production practices, and many demographic or cultural topics.
Major pesticide and plant rules
If enacted, the bill would require EPA to coordinate with USDA and publish an economic analysis when it imposes pesticide risk mitigation measures. The EPA could exempt some pesticides or plant-incorporated protectants that other agencies adequately regulate, with guidance due within one year. The bill would also make label-consistent pesticide uses lawful without extra permits and add new statutory definitions for plant inputs that change which products are treated as pesticides.
Changes to export finance and RBIC limits
If enacted, the bill would lower the export finance exposure limit to 15% of a bank's total assets instead of a share of capital. It would also let Farm Credit System institutions own or control up to 75% of a Rural Business Investment Company, up from 50%. These changes alter bank risk and ownership rules and could reduce some export financing while increasing Farm Credit influence over RBICs.
Farm Credit Administration clarity
If enacted, the bill would declare the Farm Credit Administration to be the sole and independent regulator of the Farm Credit System for activities under the Farm Credit Act. The change would take effect on enactment and prevents other laws or rules from altering FCA's exclusive authority unless Congress says so in statute.
Biofuel, SAF, and biomass changes
If enacted, the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels would be authorized through 2031. The bill would repeal the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program and the Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program. It would add sustainable aviation fuel to the definition of "advanced biofuel," direct the Department to make a SAF strategy, and require the Department to treat many forest and biowaste feedstocks as qualified renewable biomass with zero-or-less carbon intensity if use does not cause forest conversion.
Market agencies can own small packers
If enacted, the Secretary would revise rules to allow market agencies to own, finance, or help run small packers if the plant stays under set slaughter-size limits. The rule sets separate capacity thresholds for cattle and sheep and for hogs, and market agencies must disclose ties to livestock sellers. The Secretary must revise the regulation within one year.
Voluntary standards for precision farming
If enacted, the Department would develop voluntary, consensus-based technical standards for precision agriculture within two years. Standards would cover connectivity, cybersecurity, wireless tech, AI, and data interoperability. The Government Accountability Office would assess the standards one year after development and every two years for eight years.
State pilot to sell custom-exempt meat
If enacted, the bill would let States run pilot programs that allow eligible custom-exempt facilities to sell slaughtered meat directly to consumers within the same State. Each participating State may approve up to 5 facilities, and the Secretary may approve up to 10 additional facilities nationally where a State does not operate a pilot. Products must be clearly labeled, not eligible for resale, and facilities must meet humane handling, sanitation, and inspection requirements. The pilot would require State reports starting September 30, 2026, and would end on September 30, 2031.
Easier Forest Service hiring for Job Corps grads
If enacted, for fiscal year 2026 and each year after, the Secretary could appoint a Job Corps graduate to some Forest Service competitive jobs without following certain normal hiring rules, if the graduate meets the job's qualification standards.
Veteran farming training grants
If enacted, the bill would create a competitive grant program to fund organizations that train veterans in farming and ranching. The program would be authorized at $3,000,000 for each fiscal year 2025 through 2031 and recipients must match grant funds with non-Federal dollars. The bill would also add an "Armed to Farm" training activity into an existing rural program to give veterans training and resources. The grant program would sunset on September 30, 2031.
Help for small meat and poultry processors
If enacted, the bill would require USDA to publish studies, best-practice guidelines, and scale‑appropriate model HACCP plans for small and very small meat and poultry processors within 18 months. Within 2 years, USDA would publish a guidance document explaining HACCP plan requirements after public comment. USDA would be prohibited from publishing a business's confidential HACCP plan.
Narrower SNAP retailer noncompliance rule
If enacted, the bill would change SNAP retailer rules so a retailer is treated as failing the cited standard only when it fails on two consecutive occasions within a three-year period. The change applies upon enactment and affects authorized SNAP retailers.
USDA civil rights ombuds office
If enacted, USDA would set up an independent Office of the Ombudsman for civil rights within 120 days. The Ombudsman would help producers and customers with civil rights reviews and appeals and get access to records within 60 days of request. The office would report annually to Congress and is authorized $1 million per year for fiscal 2027–2031.
Insurance provider appeal deadlines clarified
If enacted, the bill would set 90-day deadlines for approved insurance providers to appeal initial findings and for the agency to issue final findings and determinations. Providers would have set timelines to seek final administrative determinations and to appeal to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. If the agency misses these deadlines, providers are generally relieved from debts owed to the agency, except for matters referred to the OIG or DOJ.
Training and outreach for new farmers
If enacted, the Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities would add education and support aimed at youth and young adults and its authorization would be extended through September 30, 2031. The Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach program would be run through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and also be authorized through September 30, 2031.
Clearer notices for detained plant imports
If enacted, USDA must issue guidance within 180 days telling plant importers what happens when a shipment is detained under the Lacey Act. Importers would be told the specific reasons, the date presented for exam, how long detention may last, what tests will be done (so an importer can replicate them), and what information could speed release.
Extend many rural program authorizations
If enacted, the bill would extend statutory authorization dates for many USDA rural programs through fiscal year 2031. Programs affected include Rural Cooperative Development, Rural Business Investment, Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones, Intermediary Relending, Rural Business Development Grants, local and regional food programs, cooperative lending pilots, the Heirs Property relending program, and the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The change keeps these programs authorized but does not itself appropriate new money.
Faster certifying for technical helpers
If enacted, the Secretary would set up a process within 180 days to approve non-Federal certifying entities that can certify third-party technical assistance providers. The bill would also require a faster path to certify third-party providers, with some Secretary decisions in 30 days and registry updates within 10 days, plus public reporting on provider funding and use.
Flexibility for cooperative centers and grants
If enacted, the Agriculture Secretary could waive a specific board-composition rule for Agriculture Innovation Centers if the board is adequate. The bill also broadens cooperative development grant scoring language to prioritize socially vulnerable, underserved, or distressed communities and makes the '25 percent' scoring item read as 'at least 25 percent' with equal priority for all who meet it.
Help for underserved rural communities
If enacted, USDA would provide technical assistance within one year to strengthen local capacity and improve access to rural development programs in underserved and distressed rural areas. The Secretary must publish an annual report starting one year after enactment showing how the help affected target areas.
Help states without meat plants
If enacted, the bill would require USDA to do outreach each year from FY2027 through FY2031 to States that have a State meat or poultry inspection program but no selected establishment. USDA would report at the end of each year to Congressional agriculture and appropriations committees on outreach and results.
More time before USDA sells property
If enacted, USDA would lengthen several deadlines before it disposes of inventory real property. Deadlines of 15 days would become 60 days and 135-day periods would become 180 days. The Secretary must also determine whether property is suitable for farming and ranching as part of the process.
New organic milk price reports
If enacted, USDA would collect and publish cost-of-production data for organic milk and set up an Organic All Milk Prices Survey. The survey would report monthly national and regional organic milk payments and costs, using data from NASS, ERS, or AMS, and continue through 2031.
Change to research advisory board seats
If enacted, the bill would increase the National Agricultural Research advisory board from 15 to 16 members and add one member to represent insular-area industry, consumer, or rural interests. It would also change a separate numeric membership requirement and extend a related date to 2031.
Many farm program dates extended
If enacted, the bill would replace many statutory references to 2023 with 2031 across farm law, keeping program authorities and reporting windows in place through 2031. It would also extend the temporary suspension of permanent price support authority through 2031. These date updates preserve existing authorities and continuity for agencies and stakeholders.
Microorganism movement pilot program
If enacted, the Secretary would create a pilot within 100 days letting up to 75 responsible parties move certain engineered microorganisms interstate between their biocontainment facilities without an individual permit. Applicants would apply in a 45-day window, must meet containment, recordkeeping, inspection, and prior-permit criteria, and the pilot ends three years after selections are complete.
More USDA program reporting and disclosure
If enacted, the bill would require more frequent and detailed public reports across USDA programs. The Food Loss and Waste Liaison would publish an annual report listing projects, agreements, and how market disruption was managed and would summarize work with EPA and FDA. The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research would post details about gifts, grants, and use of certain funds for Congress and the public.
Studies on floods and solar on farms
If enacted, the bill would require USDA to deliver a national agriculture flood vulnerability report within two years. It would also require a study, with Energy Department consultation, on the economic and environmental effects of installing solar on farmland, with a report due within two years.
USDA tribal relations oversight expanded
If enacted, the bill would expand the USDA Office of Tribal Relations' duties to advise the Secretary on tribal policy and to oversee each self-determination contract and self-governance compact with tribes and tribal organizations. The Office could also carry out other functions the Secretary considers appropriate. This aims to improve coordination and oversight of tribal arrangements.
Visual dental checks for animals
If enacted, the Animal Welfare Act would say that "adequate veterinary care" includes a visual dental exam when practicable. Licensed facilities, veterinarians, and inspectors would use dental inspection as part of care standards.
Faster telecom permits on forests
If enacted, the bill would exempt certain communications use authorizations on National Forest System lands from NEPA and some historic-preservation re-reviews when equipment is placed on existing infrastructure or in areas already analyzed. The Secretary would not need to reinitiate reviews for those previously analyzed areas.
Extend CFTC whistleblower account
If enacted, the bill would extend the statutory authority for the CFTC Whistleblower Office Account through September 30, 2031. The bill would also redesignate the section and add a short title. This keeps the account authority and related administrative rules in place.
Cap on federal crop trust funding
If enacted, the bill would limit Federal contributions to the Global Crop Diversity Trust so federal payments cannot exceed 33 percent of the Trust's total funds for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This sets a federal ceiling for contributions during that period.
Repeal two AREERA provisions
If enacted, the bill would strike sections 404 and 411 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998. Entities and programs relying on those specific statutory authorities would lose them on enactment.
4‑H name and emblem rules
If enacted, the Secretary could authorize or restrict who uses the 4‑H name and emblem and could charge fees for commercial authorizations. Fees collected would go into a special 4‑H account that stays available until spent. The Attorney General could bring civil suits for unauthorized commercial use to prevent consumer confusion.
New dairy reporting and cost data
If enacted, the bill would change when dairy reports are due and expand what manufacturers must report. For calendar years beginning after enactment, dairy reports would be due within 18 months after year end. Manufacturers already under reporting rules would also have to report production cost and yield data for products processed in their facilities, and the Secretary would publish a dairy processing cost report within three years and every two years after that.
New marketing order and commodity rules
If enacted, mandarin oranges and almonds could be added to marketing orders, letting producers join collective marketing rules. The bill would also remove a statutory processing-date limitation in the marketing order law. Separately, the bill would strike a forward-pricing subsection from the Dairy Production Stabilization Act, removing that specific statutory pricing provision.
AFIDA outreach and CFIUS sharing
If enacted, USDA would run nationwide outreach about foreign land reporting (AFIDA) using existing resources. The Department must also make one or more memoranda of understanding with CFIUS within one year to share AFIDA reports and the identity of foreign persons who file.
Stricter dog-welfare inspection powers
If enacted, the bill would require rules so inspectors can notify law enforcement or State animal health officials during inspections and consider immediate confiscation or destruction of a dog in 'unrelieved suffering.' The bill would define 'unrelieved suffering' and let the Secretary set rules for these actions. This strengthens enforcement but increases compliance risk for regulated dealers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Thompson (PA)
PA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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