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Creates a permanent USDA grant program to provide emergency relief and resiliency support to farm workers after a declared “covered disaster,” starting in fiscal year 2026. The Secretary (through the Under Secretary for Rural Development) must award grants to eligible farm worker organizations to deliver direct emergency aid, build community resilience and infrastructure such as shelter, and support capacity-building and other emergency services; funds remain available until spent and the agency must run a promotional plan and consult with service organizations.
The bill directs federal funds to provide immediate relief and build capacity for organizations serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers after disasters—improving recovery and resilience—but creates ongoing federal costs and risks uneven access if local groups cannot deliver services.
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers will receive direct emergency relief (cash, shelter, and services) following covered disasters starting FY2026, improving immediate recovery and basic needs access.
Organizations that serve farmworkers (nonprofits, community groups) can get grants to build capacity and disaster-resilient infrastructure (including shelters), strengthening future disaster response and recovery for affected communities.
Grant-funded shelter and infrastructure support will reduce displacement and housing instability for affected farmworkers after disasters, improving health and safety outcomes.
Relying on community organizations (including 501(c)(3)s) to deliver aid could leave some farmworkers without timely or direct access if local groups lack capacity, are ineligible, or are unevenly distributed.
The program creates recurring federal spending beginning in FY2026 to fund relief and grants, which will increase taxpayer costs and add to the federal budget baseline.
A broad definition of 'covered disaster' could expand eligibility and trigger aid more frequently than intended, increasing program scope and administrative burden.
Introduced May 7, 2025 by Andrea Salinas · Last progress May 7, 2025