S-5335 : Still Just a Bill

The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 (S. 5335) is a comprehensive bill aimed at reforming and continuing agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2029. Key provisions include:

• Commodities: Revisions to commodity policy, marketing loans, sugar, and dairy programs, including adjustments to price loss coverage, agriculture risk coverage, and loan rates.
• Conservation: Updates to wetland conservation, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and other conservation initiatives, with a focus on funding, technical assistance, and administrative requirements.
• Trade: Amendments to the Food for Peace Act and the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, addressing policies, commodity provisions, assistance levels, and trade promotion.
• Nutrition: Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and commodity distribution programs, aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and access to nutritious foods.
• Credit: Modifications to farm ownership, operating, and emergency loan programs, including loan limits, eligibility requirements, and support for distressed borrowers.
• Rural Development: Initiatives to improve rural healthcare, childcare, partnerships, and infrastructure, along with amendments to the Rural Electrification Act and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
• Research, Extension, and Related Matters: Amendments to various acts related to agricultural research, extension, and teaching, with a focus on research grants, partnerships, and capacity building.
• Forestry: Provisions for forest data modernization, forest health and management, forest conservation, and land designations, with adjustments to hazardous fuel reduction, insect infestations, and Tribal consultation.
• Energy: Measures to promote biobased markets, biorefinery assistance, advanced biofuels, rural energy programs, and carbon utilization.
• Horticulture: Support for specialty crops through market news allocation, local agriculture markets, organic production, food safety education, and plant pest and disease management.
• Crop Insurance: Enhancements to producer affordability, accessibility, and representation in crop insurance, including higher premium subsidies and expanded coverage options.
• Livestock: Focus on animal disease prevention and management, sheep production, meat processing establishments, and prompt payment for livestock.
• Historically Underserved Producers: Initiatives to improve farming opportunities, transparency, and accountability for historically underserved producers.
• Agriculture and Food Defense: Amendments to the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act and measures to protect against cybersecurity threats to agriculture and food systems.
• Other Miscellaneous Provisions: Various provisions related to maple research, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, marketing orders, farmer seed liaison, and Department of Agriculture authorities.