What This Bill Does
This bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide block grants to states to help cover revenue losses caused by certain freezes or cold weather conditions. The money would flow through state governments, which could then use the funds to respond to weather-related agricultural losses in their areas. It is aimed at producers and rural communities that suffer financial harm when cold snaps damage crops, orchards, nurseries, or other farm-related revenue streams. The bill is an appropriations measure, so its practical effect would depend on the amount Congress ultimately sets aside.
- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide block grants to states
- Targets revenue losses caused by certain freezes or cold weather conditions
- Uses state governments as the main distribution channel for aid
- Falls under the appropriations process, so funding levels would be set by Congress
Who This Bill Affects
For farmers and agricultural businesses affected by freeze damage, this bill could mean state-administered federal aid to offset lost revenue after qualifying cold-weather events. If you live in a farming region, the practical effect would be more disaster assistance flowing through your state government, potentially helping stabilize local prices, jobs, and farm operations after severe freezes.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Fruit and specialty-crop growers These producers are often hit hardest by sudden freezes because a single weather event can destroy an entire season’s revenue. They would favor a flexible grant program that can move money quickly to the areas with the biggest losses.
- State agriculture agencies States can tailor relief to local crop patterns and weather impacts better than a single national formula. A block grant structure gives them room to respond to regional emergencies without waiting for a separate federal program for each event.
- Rural businesses and farmworkers When farms lose income, the effects spread through local economies. Supporters would argue that timely aid helps preserve jobs, keep suppliers afloat, and reduce broader rural economic disruption.
- Fiscal conservatives They may object to creating a new federal spending stream for weather-related losses, especially if the funding level is open-ended or competes with other priorities in the appropriations process. They may also question whether states should bear more of the cost themselves.
- Taxpayers concerned about uneven administration Some may worry that block grants can produce inconsistent standards from state to state, making it harder to ensure fair and efficient use of federal dollars. They may prefer a narrower, more tightly targeted disaster program.
- Agricultural producers outside qualifying freeze areas Farmers affected by drought, floods, pests, or other disasters could view the bill as too specific, since it focuses on freeze and cold-weather losses rather than broader crop-risk coverage. They may argue that relief should be more comprehensive.
Key Implications
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““provide block grants to States””
This means the federal government would send money to state governments rather than paying every affected producer directly. States would then decide how to distribute aid within federal rules.
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““losses of revenue as a consequence of certain freezes or cold weather conditions””
The aid is tied to financial harm from qualifying cold events, not just physical crop damage. That can matter for growers whose sales collapse because a freeze ruins harvest timing or marketable yield.
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““Secretary of Agriculture””
USDA would be the federal agency responsible for administering the program. In practice, that places the relief within the department that already handles farm support and disaster-related assistance.
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““appropriat[e] sums””
The bill would require Congress to set aside money for the program through the spending process. The size of the benefit would depend on the final appropriation, not just the authorization language.
Latest Status
June 2, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.