Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens farmer privacy and limits unauthorized sharing by requiring consent and imposing penalties while preserving aggregated research use — at the cost of added operational friction and a risk that strict penalties and narrow exceptions will slow legitimate data-sharing and assistance.
Farmers and applicants (farmers-agricultural-workers, applicants and recipients) gain stronger privacy and control over sensitive application data because disclosures are restricted and voluntary consent is required before sharing.
Researchers and program managers (farmers-agricultural-workers, state-governments) can still use de-identified, aggregated data for evaluation and reporting, preserving the ability to analyze program outcomes without exposing individual identities.
Federal employees and program participants benefit from a clearer deterrent against unlawful disclosures because unlawful sharing of applicant data is subject to criminal penalties (fine and potential imprisonment), which can reduce misuse.
Federal employees and agencies (federal-employees) may become over-cautious or avoid legitimate information-sharing because the criminal penalties for improper disclosure could produce a chilling effect on lawful collaboration and interagency support.
Farmers and program delivery (farmers-agricultural-workers, federal-employees) may face slower or reduced technical assistance and program operations when outside experts or detailees are restricted from accessing applicant data, potentially delaying services and problem resolution.
Farmers and applicants (farmers-agricultural-workers) may experience delays or complications in receiving services when the narrow consent exception requires burdensome consent procedures or is misunderstood, limiting legitimate data-sharing needed for timely assistance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal crime for FSA officials to share applicant or recipient information with special government employees or detailees, with narrow exceptions and penalties up to $10,000 and 1 year imprisonment.
Introduced September 4, 2025 by April McClain Delaney · Last progress September 4, 2025
Creates a criminal privacy protection for people who apply for or receive Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs by making it illegal for FSA officials to share their application or recipient information with certain outside or detailed government workers. It allows two narrow exceptions (de-identified, aggregate data and voluntary consent that is not required to get benefits) and sets penalties of up to $10,000, one year in jail, or both for knowing violations.