Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025
Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to access federal disaster aid when droughts strike their operations. Specifically, it expands which farmers qualify for certain emergency assistance programs, allows them to build permanent water infrastructure (like wells and pipelines) with federal support, and speeds up the approval process during droughts by cutting through standard environmental review requirements. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily impacts livestock producers—ranchers and farmers who raise cattle and other animals—especially those holding state or federal grazing permits. It also affects the Department of Agriculture, which administers these programs.
The changes are designed to help agricultural operations recover more quickly during severe drought conditions. **Key provisions:** The bill increases payments under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program so ranchers can receive one payment after just four weeks of severe drought (instead of waiting eight weeks), with two payments available if drought conditions persist for eight weeks. It also broadens eligibility to grazing permit holders and allows permanent infrastructure improvements to qualify for emergency funding—changes intended to support long-term recovery rather than just temporary relief. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025This bill expands access to Department of Agriculture disaster assistance programs and requires increased interagency cooperation in drought-related activities.The bill specifies that state and federal grazing permit holders are eligible for the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Further, emergency measures eligible for payments include new permanent measures, such as permanent water wells and pipelines. The bill also waives the 30-day comment period required for applications under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for emergency measures carried out during a drought emergency.Modifications to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program allow for one monthly payment when a county has four consecutive weeks of a D2 rating (severe drought) and two payments for eight consecutive weeks of D2. Currently, one payment is available for eight consecutive weeks of D2.The bill expands coverage for producers under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) to include losses caused by drought. The bill also specifies that covered losses include transportation costs related to feed or water shortages. Further, the bill requires the ELAP payment rate for honey bee producers to incorporate additional factors, such as per-hive and per-colony rates of loss.The USDA must establish an interagency working group to improve the consistency and accuracy of U.S. Drought Monitor data.Finally, the Farm Service Agency and the Forest Service must enter into a memorandum of understanding to better align their drought response activities.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S1607-1609)