H.R.2156 - Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 2156, the "Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act," aims to amend the Food Security Act of 1985. It seeks to establish an exception to certain payment limitations for individuals or legal entities that derive a significant portion of their income from agriculture. This exception would apply to payments or benefits under specific sections of the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
Expected Effects
The bill's passage would allow farmers, ranchers, and those involved in silviculture activities who derive at least 75% of their adjusted gross income from these activities to potentially receive larger disaster relief payments. This could provide a more substantial safety net for agricultural producers facing economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. The change aims to ensure that those heavily reliant on agriculture are not unduly limited by existing payment caps.
Potential Benefits
- Provides greater financial security to farmers and ranchers heavily dependent on agriculture.
- Could encourage continued investment in agricultural activities by reducing financial risk.
- May help stabilize rural economies that rely on agriculture.
- Simplifies the process for accessing disaster relief for eligible agricultural producers.
- Broadens the definition of agricultural activities to include agri-tourism and direct-to-consumer marketing.
Potential Disadvantages
- May disproportionately benefit larger agricultural operations.
- Could increase overall government spending on disaster relief programs.
- Potential for abuse if the definition of "agricultural related activities" is too broad.
- May create an uneven playing field between agricultural producers who qualify for the exception and those who do not.
- Could lead to increased lobbying efforts to expand the scope of the exception.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to support the agricultural sector, which is vital to the nation's economy and food security. Congress has broad authority to regulate agriculture under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8). The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).