H.R. 5097

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award grants to specialty crop producers to acquire certain equipment and provide training with respect to the use of such equipment.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · September 2, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Valadao · Committee: Committee on Agriculture

Table of contents

• H.R. 5097
  • SEC. 1. Automation and mechanization grants for specialty crops producers

SEC. 1. Automation and mechanization grants for specialty crops producers

• Subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 () is amended by adding at the end the following: 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.
  • (a) In general
    • For purposes of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop producers in the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall establish a program under which the Secretary will award grants to eligible entities to acquire certain equipment and provide training with respect to the use of such equipment.
  • (b) Use of funds
    • An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use funds received through the grant—
      • to acquire mechanized or automated systems and tools that increase the efficiency of a task or reduce human labor for a specific activity, as determined by the Secretary; and
      • to provide training, including worker training, and other professional services required to learn how to deploy and effectively operate such systems and tools, as determined by the Secretary.
  • (c) Amount of grants
    • To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall seek to ensure that the amount of a grant awarded to a single eligible entity is sufficient to provide a significant offset to the costs such eligible entity incurs in carrying out the activities specified in subsection (b).
  • (d) Matching funds requirement
    • The recipient of a grant under this section shall provide non-Federal matching funds equal to not less than 50 percent of the amount of the grant.
  • (e) Definitions
    • In this section:
      • The term includes— mechanized or automated systems and tools
      • The term eligible entity means an individual or entity engaged in the commercial production of specialty crops in the United States.