Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025
Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 - Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release any frozen funding for farm agreements and contracts, pay back any amounts owed to farmers or farm support organizations, and prevent the USDA from canceling existing farmer contracts without cause. Additionally, the bill would require the USDA to give Congress at least 60 days' advance notice before closing any Farm Service Agency county offices, Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices, or Rural Development Service Centers. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily impacts farmers and agricultural organizations that have contracts or agreements with the USDA, as well as rural communities that rely on USDA service centers.
It also affects the USDA's operational flexibility and congressional oversight of the agency. **Current status:** The bill (S 1172) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. The bill has not yet advanced to passage.
CRS Official Summary
Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025This 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 agreement or 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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.