To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to allow for the advance payment of assistance under Tree Assistance Program, and for other purposes.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill amends section 1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014, which governs the Tree Assistance Program for eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to disburse up to 25 percent of the assistance owed for covered tree losses before the orchardist or nursery tree grower begins replanting the trees for which assistance is provided. The bill does not create a new disaster program; it changes timing so a portion of already available assistance can arrive earlier in the replanting process.
Who Benefits and How
Eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers benefit because they can receive up to one-quarter of Tree Assistance Program support before replanting begins, improving cash flow after qualifying losses. Agricultural lenders and suppliers may benefit indirectly if producers have earlier funds to buy trees, nursery stock, labor, or supplies. Rural communities dependent on orchards and nurseries benefit if earlier replanting support speeds recovery.
Who Bears the Burden and How
USDA Farm Service Agency staff must administer advance disbursements, verify eligibility and covered losses before full replanting, and reconcile advance payments against final assistance. Federal taxpayers face earlier cash outlays under the Tree Assistance Program. Producers receiving advances may need to meet later replanting and documentation requirements or risk repayment or adjustment.
Key Provisions
- Amends Agricultural Act of 2014 section 1501(e) for Tree Assistance Program payments.
- Authorizes USDA to disburse up to 25 percent of assistance before replanting begins.
- Applies the advance payment to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers with covered tree losses.
- Preserves the underlying Tree Assistance Program framework while changing payment timing.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Allows USDA to advance up to 25 percent of Tree Assistance Program payments to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers before they begin replanting trees covered by the assistance.
Key Policy Areas
Agriculture, Disaster Assistance
Primary Purpose
Allows USDA to advance up to 25 percent of Tree Assistance Program payments to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers before they begin replanting trees covered by the assistance.
Policy Domains
Substantive provisions
Identified Gains
- Eligible orchardists
- Nursery tree growers
- Agricultural suppliers
- Rural orchard communities
Identified Costs
- USDA Farm Service Agency
- Federal taxpayers
- Advance payment recipients
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
Mr. Edwards (for himself and Ms. Tokuda) introduced the following …
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced in House
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
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