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Requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop and offer an insurance policy that covers losses to table, wine, and juice grapes caused by freezes. The Corporation must begin research and development (or contract for it) within 1 year, make the policy available within 18 months if statutory requirements are met, and provide a report to specified congressional committees within 2 years describing research results and the policies developed.
Within 1 year after the date of enactment, the Corporation must carry out research and development, or offer to enter into one or more contracts with qualified persons to carry out research and development, regarding a policy to insure table, wine, and juice grapes against losses due to a freeze event.
Notwithstanding the last sentence of section 508(a)(1) and section 508(a)(2), not later than 18 months after the date of enactment, the Corporation shall make available the policy described in subparagraph (A) if the requirements of section 508(h) are met.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment, the Corporation must submit to the Committees on Appropriations and Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes (i) the results of the research conducted under subparagraph (A) and (ii) a description of the policies made available under this paragraph.
Who is affected and how:
Table, wine, and juice grape producers: Direct beneficiaries. If the Corporation develops and offers the freeze insurance, growers will have an additional tool to manage revenue or production losses from freezing events, reducing uninsured risk and financial shocks from cold damage.
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation / USDA: Responsible for initiating R&D or contracting for it, developing actuarial rates and policy terms, and offering the new policy. This requires staff time, technical analyses, possible contracting costs, and administrative action to certify and list the policy.
Agricultural communities in grape-growing regions: Indirect beneficiaries through greater financial stability of local farms, which can help protect jobs and economic activity in grape-producing areas.
Insurers and private-sector partners: Entities that work with or deliver federal crop insurance (e.g., approved insurance providers, actuaries, contractors) may take part in product development, delivery, and underwriting processes.
Fiscal impact: The text mandates action and reporting but does not specify new appropriations or subsidy changes. Implementation may involve administrative costs within the Corporation; if the policy becomes subsidized under existing crop insurance subsidy rules, there could be future budgetary implications depending on participation and subsidy rates, but those are not specified here.
Overall effect: The bill is a targeted, narrow change intended to expand risk-management options for grape producers by directing the federal crop insurance program to create a freeze-loss product and report to Congress on the work and outcomes.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Nicholas A. Langworthy · Last progress January 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced in House