Sponsors (24)
The bill delivers rapid, targeted emergency payments to designated farmers to speed recovery from the March 4, 2026 freeze, at the cost of a $3.5 billion federal outlay and with gaps and potential unevenness in who receives aid.
Farmers and producers in counties the Secretary designated for the March 4, 2026 disaster receive direct emergency payments to cover revenue, quality, or production losses (including multi-year crops).
State governments and rural communities can obtain block grants quickly (on request) so funds are disbursed faster to affected agricultural communities, supporting a speedier local recovery.
Taxpayers and state governments benefit from the appropriation being designated as an emergency so assistance can be provided immediately without requiring offsets in the regular budget process.
Taxpayers bear a $3.5 billion emergency cost, which could increase the federal deficit or crowd out other spending priorities.
Farmers and rural communities outside counties with the Secretary's specific March 4, 2026 designation are excluded, leaving nearby growers with similar losses without relief.
State-administered block grants give states discretion in distribution, which could produce uneven payouts or administrative delays depending on state capacity and choices.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Appropriates $3.5 billion to USDA for state-requested block grants to compensate eligible Florida producers for freeze/cold-weather losses tied to a March 4, 2026 disaster designation.
Official title: To appropriate sums for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide block grants to States for losses of revenue as a consequence of certain freezes or cold weather conditions.
Introduced June 2, 2026 by Scott Franklin · Last progress June 2, 2026
Provides $3.5 billion in emergency funding to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create block grants for Florida state agencies to compensate agricultural producers for crop, tree, bush, vine, and multi-year crop losses caused by freeze or cold weather tied to the March 4, 2026 disaster designation. Funds are available upon state request, limited to counties covered by the Secretary’s disaster designation, and remain available until expended. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees within 120 days of enactment and quarterly thereafter until the funds are spent, and designates the appropriation as an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.