Sponsors (4)
The bill preserves in-person USDA services and local economic stability for rural communities while reducing agency flexibility and likely increasing recurring operating costs for taxpayers.
Farmers, agricultural workers, and rural residents retain regular in-person access at local USDA service centers during standard business hours, preserving access to grants, loans, and technical assistance.
Producers and rural clients face reduced travel time and costs because local NRCS, FSA, and Rural Development offices remain open, maintaining continuity of services.
Small and remote communities avoid losing county service centers that provide farm programs and disaster assistance, supporting local economic stability and social support networks.
Taxpayers and federal budget managers may face higher operating costs because the USDA has reduced flexibility to consolidate offices, potentially diverting funds from programs or staff.
The Department of Agriculture could be required to maintain underutilized offices and staff in low-demand areas, increasing recurring lease and personnel costs and administrative burden.
State and local governments could see slower USDA relocations during emergencies or mission-driven reorganizations because the Secretary’s ability to move or consolidate operations is constrained.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars USDA from closing or relocating county/field service offices except when within 20 miles of another same‑State office or when moved within the same county for routine leasing, and requires minimum local staffing.
Official title: To prohibit the closure or relocation of certain Department of Agriculture offices, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 18, 2026 by Sharice Davids · Last progress June 18, 2026
Prevents the Department of Agriculture from closing or moving county- or field-level USDA service offices (NRCS, FSA, Rural Development, and county service centers), with only two narrow exceptions: when an office is within 20 miles of another comparable office in the same State, or when an office is moved within the same county as part of routine leasing. It also requires the Department to maintain minimum staffing at local NRCS, FSA, and Rural Development centers so those offices stay open and accessible to the public during standard business hours. The result is a federal restriction on office consolidation and relocation intended to keep local agricultural and rural service access stable and preserve in-person service availability for farmers, rural residents, and communities that rely on USDA field-level assistance.