Sponsors (2)
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Creates a permanent USDA-administered grant program that provides emergency assistance to farmworkers when the Secretary of Agriculture declares a covered disaster. Grants are awarded to eligible farmworker organizations to deliver short-term relief and services; the bill requires USDA to promote the program and consult with eligible organizations, and makes grant funds available until spent.
Defines “covered disaster” to include adverse weather events (for example drought, wildfire, earthquake, hurricane, flood, derecho, excessive heat, tornado, winter storm, freeze, hail, polar vortex, smoke exposure, or excessive moisture), unexpected health crises (for example a pandemic), and other events or conditions that cause farmworkers to lose income, be unable to work, or stay/return home because of expected work shortages.
Defines “eligible farmworker organization” as either (A) a farmworker membership-based organization, or (B) an organization that is tax-exempt under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (for example 501(c)(3)) and that has experience providing support or relief services to farmworkers, including migrant or seasonal farmworkers.
Defines “migrant or seasonal farmworker” as an individual who (A) performed farm work for wages during any consecutive 12-month period within the preceding 24 months, and (B) received at least one-half of that individual’s total income from farm work or spent at least one-half of their total work time in farm work.
Defines “Secretary” to mean the Secretary of Agriculture.
For fiscal year 2024 and each succeeding fiscal year, when the Secretary determines there is a covered disaster, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, shall make grants to eligible farmworker organizations to provide emergency relief to farmworkers affected by that covered disaster.
Who is affected and how:
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers: Primary intended beneficiaries; the program gives organizations that serve them funding to deliver timely emergency assistance after disasters declared by the Secretary of Agriculture. This can improve access to immediate needs (for example, short-term relief and services) during crises.
Eligible farmworker organizations (nonprofits, community groups, service providers): Directly affected as applicants and recipients of grant awards; they will take on responsibility for program implementation, outreach, delivering services, and managing awarded funds.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Assigned program administration, outreach responsibilities, and consultation duties; USDA must develop promotion and implementation plans and manage grants, which creates additional administrative workload.
Local communities and employers in agricultural regions: Indirect beneficiaries as supporting organizations can help stabilize worker populations and local continuity after disasters. Employers may see improved worker welfare and quicker recovery support.
Federal budget and appropriations process: The text creates authorization for a permanent program but does not specify appropriations; actual funding will depend on future congressional funding decisions. Because funds remain available until spent, multi-year spending flexibility could affect budget planning.
Potential tradeoffs and implementation considerations:
Positive: Faster, targeted emergency aid routed through trusted local organizations; stronger outreach and consultation may improve equitable access for migrant and seasonal workers.
Challenges: Program effectiveness depends on USDA implementation details (award criteria, timing, outreach) and on Congress providing sufficient appropriations; administering timely disaster-triggered awards may require new USDA processes or staff resources.
No direct mandates on states or local governments are imposed, and no tax changes or emergency-designation funding are specified in the text provided.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced May 7, 2025 by Michael F. Bennet · Last progress May 7, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in Senate