Honor Farmer Contracts Act
Honor Farmer Contracts Act
Plain Language Summary
# Honor Farmer Contracts Act Summary **What It Does:** The Honor Farmer Contracts Act would require the USDA to release frozen funding for farm agreements and contracts, pay any overdue amounts owed to farmers, and prevent the USDA from canceling existing farmer contracts without cause. The bill also requires the USDA to notify Congress at least 60 days before closing any Farm Service Agency county offices, Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices, or Rural Development Service Centers. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily impacts farmers and agricultural businesses that have signed contracts with the USDA, as well as rural communities that depend on USDA service centers.
It also affects USDA operations and gives Congress oversight authority over office closures. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. No action has been taken since its introduction in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Honor Farmer Contracts ActThis bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to unfreeze funding for agreements and contracts and prohibits USDA from closing certain offices and service centers without notifying Congress in advance.Specifically, USDA must (1) unfreeze funding for, and implement, all agreements and contracts entered into by USDA prior to the bill's enactment; and (2) pay all related past due amounts owed by USDA as rapidly as possible.Further, the bill prohibits USDA from canceling a signed agreement or contract with a farmer or an entity providing assistance to farmers (unless the farmer or entity is not in compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract).Finally, the bill prohibits USDA from closing Farm Service Agency county offices, Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices, or Rural Development Service Centers without providing written notice and a justification to Congress at least 60 days before the closure.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.