FARMER Act

This bill would increase federal help paying premiums for certain crop insurance plans. If a farmer chooses an individual farm-based revenue or yield protection plan and uses enterprise units or whole-farm units, the government would pay a larger share of the premium: 77% for one covered level and 68% for another. It also updates the rules for the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), changing how coverage levels and subsidies work under that option.

The bill also orders a study on how to adjust SCO for very large counties (over 1,400 square miles) so coverage could be set at a level smaller than a whole county but larger than individual coverage. A report to Congress would be due within one year with results and recommendations.

Key points

• Who is affected: Farmers who use federal crop insurance, especially those choosing enterprise or whole-farm units.
• What changes: Higher government premium support (up to 77% or 68% for certain coverage levels) and updates to SCO coverage and subsidies .
• When: The study’s report would be due one year after the bill becomes law.