What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Honor Farmer Contracts Act This 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.
Action Timeline
2025-04-18
Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
2025-03-27
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
2025-03-27
Introduced in House
2025-03-27
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.2396 pass?
HR.2396 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: 23%.
What does HR.2396 do?
Honor Farmer Contracts Act This 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…
Who sponsored HR.2396?
HR.2396 was sponsored by Gabe Vasquez (D-New Mexico).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 2396 IH: Honor Farmer Contracts Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2396 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 27, 2025 Mr. Vasquez (for himself, Ms. Pingree , Mr. Riley of New York , and Mr. McGovern ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To unfreeze funding for contracts of the Department of Agriculture, to prohibit Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service office closures, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Honor Farmer Contracts Act . 2. Department of Agriculture funding and offices The Secretary of Agriculture shall— (1) immediately after the enactment of this Act, unfreeze funding for and implement all written agreements and contracts entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture prior to the date of enactment of this Act; (2) as rapidly as possible after the enactment of this Act, pay all past due amounts owed by the Secretary of Agriculture under agreements and contracts described in paragraph (1); (3) not cancel any signed agreement or contract with a farmer or an entity providing assistance to farmers, unless the farmer or entity has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract; and (4) not close any Farm Service Agency county office, Natural Resources Conservation Service field office, or Rural Development Local Service Center without providing written notice and justification to Congress not later than 60 days before the date on which the applicable office or center is intended to be closed.
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