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Modifies definitions for 'natural disaster' in subsection (a)(2); redesignates existing subsection (e) as subsection (f); and inserts a new subsection (e) establishing an option for advance payments of up to 75 percent of emergency measure costs and a 180-day expenditure period with return requirements for unexpended funds.
Amends subsection (b) to change the advance payment options (replaces prior single 25% advance option with specific percentages for replacements and for repairs/restorations), extends the return-of-funds period from 60 days to 180 days, and adds a new subsection (c) defining wildfire determinations for eligible damage.
Allows producers and nonindustrial private forest landowners to get advance payments for emergency conservation and emergency forest restoration after qualifying wildfires, increases the time to use or return advance funds from 60 days to 180 days, and clarifies which wildfires qualify for program assistance. The changes add a statutory definition for qualifying wildfires, create an option to receive up to 75% of eligible costs in advance, and require unused advance funds to be returned if not spent within the extended period.
Amends Section 401 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201) by making multiple changes to subsection (b).
In subsection (b), the subsection heading is amended by inserting additional text (text of insertion is not specified in this excerpt).
In subsection (b), paragraph (1) is amended: (i) an insertion is made (text not shown in excerpt); and (ii) existing language is replaced with a new option allowing advance payments before an agricultural producer carries out repair, replacement, or restoration.
Adds an option for agricultural producers to receive an advance payment, before carrying out repair, replacement, or restoration: (A) for a replacement, 75 percent of the cost of the replacement, as determined by the Secretary; (B) for a repair or restoration, 50 percent of the cost of the repair or restoration, as determined by the Secretary.
In subsection (b), paragraph (2) is amended by striking "60-day" and inserting "180-day", changing the referenced time period from 60 days to 180 days.
Primary beneficiaries are agricultural producers and owners of nonindustrial private forest land who suffer damage from qualifying wildfires; they can access funds more quickly to begin cleanup, stabilization, and restoration work. Faster access to up to 75% of estimated costs can speed recovery, reduce downtime, and limit further resource loss. USDA (especially NRCS) will need to adopt procedures for advance payment processing, wildfire determinations under the clarified definition, tracking of expenditures, and recoupment of unused funds — increasing administrative workload and oversight responsibilities. The requirement to return unused funds within 180 days reduces long-term risk of unrecovered advances but may require recipients to manage expenditures carefully or return funds if projects are delayed. No new federal spending authorization or tax changes are evident in the amendments themselves, so budgetary impacts depend on existing program authority and available program funds. Overall the change is operational and aimed at improving timeliness of assistance after wildfires while adding guardrails for accountability.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced February 19, 2025 by Debra Fischer · Last progress February 19, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in Senate