Bill Summary
The "Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act" aims to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 by establishing an exception to certain payment limitations for individuals or legal entities that earn a significant portion of their income from agricultural activities. Specifically, the amendment allows these entities to receive payments or benefits under certain agricultural programs without being subject to the usual income limitations, provided that at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income comes from activities such as farming, ranching, silviculture, agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, and related agricultural activities. This change is intended to support those heavily engaged in agriculture, enabling them to access financial assistance during crop or fiscal years when needed.
Possible Impacts
The "Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act" as described could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Increased Financial Support for Farmers**: By allowing individuals or legal entities to qualify for disaster payments or benefits without being subject to the standard income limitations, farmers who derive a significant portion (75% or more) of their income from agricultural activities could receive vital financial assistance during difficult years. This could help stabilize their operations, sustain their livelihoods, and encourage continued agricultural production.
2. **Support for Diverse Agricultural Activities**: The inclusion of various agricultural-related activities such as agritourism and direct-to-consumer marketing in the income calculation broadens the scope of what counts as agricultural income. This means that farmers engaging in innovative practices or diversifying their income streams may be better supported, promoting economic resilience and potentially leading to increased employment opportunities within their communities.
3. **Encouragement for New Entrants into Agriculture**: By lowering the barriers to accessing disaster assistance, this legislation could encourage new farmers or entities to enter the agricultural sector. Those who might have been deterred by strict income limitations may find it more feasible to invest in farming, thereby contributing to local economies, enhancing food production, and fostering a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 984 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 984
To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish an exception to
certain payment limitations in the case of person or legal entity that
derives income from agriculture, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 12, 2025
Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish an exception to
certain payment limitations in the case of person or legal entity that
derives income from agriculture, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster
Programs Act''.
SEC. 2. EXCEPTION FOR INCOME DERIVED FROM AGRICULTURE.
Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-
3a(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (3) and (4)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Exception.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of a payment or
benefit described in subparagraph (B), the limitation
established by paragraph (1) shall not apply to a
person or legal entity during a crop, fiscal, or
program year, as appropriate, if not less than 75
percent of the average adjusted gross income of the
person or legal entity derives from farming, ranching,
or silviculture activities, including agritourism,
direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products,
the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person
or entity, and other agriculture-related activities, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(B) Payment or benefit described.--A payment or
benefit referred to in subparagraph (A) is--
``(i) a payment or benefit under subtitle E
of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7
U.S.C. 9081); or
``(ii) a payment or benefit under section
196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333).''.
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