Sponsors (2)
The bill speeds and broadens replant assistance—providing faster decisions and more flexibility for growers—while creating potential financial exposure from capped cost‑shares and adding administrative discretion and workload that could produce implementation uncertainty.
Orchardists and nursery growers will get faster, more predictable USDA decisions on replant assistance—applications must be approved or denied within 120 days—reducing uncertainty for replant planning.
Growers can replant with different varieties, densities, or in different locations, giving them flexibility to improve survival and adapt to market or climate conditions.
Eligible growers may qualify for assistance despite exceeding typical acreage limits when the Secretary waives those limits after large or unusual losses, allowing more producers to receive replant support.
Growers choosing alternative replant configurations may face higher out-of-pocket costs because cost-share for alternatives is capped at the amount for prior configurations.
The 120-day decision deadline could strain USDA administrative capacity and lead to rushed reviews or implementation delays elsewhere if staffing or funding are not increased.
Giving the Secretary broad discretion to waive acreage limits risks unequal treatment or uncertainty for growers and state programs if waiver criteria are not clearly defined.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Changes TAP to allow acreage-waivers, set a 2-year (extendable) replanting window, permit alternative replants with capped cost-share, and require a 120-day application decision.
Introduced April 13, 2026 by Bill Huizenga · Last progress April 13, 2026
Amends the Tree Assistance Program to give the Secretary of Agriculture more flexibility in administering assistance to orchardists and nursery tree growers. Changes include new discretion to modify or waive acreage limits, clarified replanting timing rules with a default 2-year completion window (extendable for tree survival), permission to replant with alternative variety/stand density/location while capping cost-share to the amount that would have been paid for the prior variety/density/location, and a requirement that the Secretary approve or deny applications and notify applicants within 120 days. The changes also adjust internal definitions/cross-references and alter the program’s economic viability language. No new authorization amounts or explicit appropriations are included in these amendments; they mainly change how the program is administered and who and how growers may receive assistance.