Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens privacy protections for farmers and deters unlawful disclosures while preserving useful aggregated data sharing, at the cost of added operational friction and the risk that fear of penalties or narrow consent rules will slow legitimate data-sharing and services.
Farmers and program applicants will have sensitive application data protected from unauthorized sharing, reducing privacy risks and misuse of their information.
Farmers and the public gain stronger legal deterrence against unlawful disclosures because FSA personnel who improperly share data face criminal penalties (fines and possible imprisonment).
Researchers and policymakers (and indirectly farmers) retain access to de-identified, aggregated program data for reporting and evaluation, preserving oversight and program improvement while protecting identities.
Farmers and program recipients may face slower or reduced technical assistance when outside experts or detailees are barred from accessing applicant data, potentially delaying services or program delivery.
Federal employees may become overly cautious about sharing information—even when lawful—reducing interagency collaboration and hindering efficient program administration due to fear of criminal penalties.
Farmers seeking assistance could experience delays or confusion if the narrow consent exception requires burdensome procedures or is misunderstood, complicating legitimate data-sharing needed for services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes unauthorized disclosure of FSA borrower/applicant information to certain outside or detailed personnel a federal crime, with narrow exceptions and penalties up to $10,000 and one year imprisonment.
Official title: To strengthen privacy protections for recipients of loans and payments processed by the Farm Service Agency.
Introduced September 4, 2025 by April McClain Delaney · Last progress September 4, 2025
Makes it a federal crime for Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials to disclose information that borrowers or program applicants provide to the FSA to certain outside or detailed federal personnel, with narrow exceptions. Allows disclosures only in de-identified aggregate or statistical form or when the information provider gives voluntary consent that is not a condition of program participation or benefit receipt, and creates penalties up to $10,000, up to one year in prison, or both for knowing violations. Applies specifically by adding a new privacy protection to the law governing FSA information handling, prohibiting disclosure to ‘‘special government employees’’ and employees detailed to FSA, while preserving the ability to share de-identified data and to share data when a provider gives non‑coercive consent.