Bill · H.R. 8424· House(119-HR-8424)
Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/21/2026
- Last activity
- 4/21/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Hillary Scholten
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to simplify how farmers and ranchers become vendors for various nutrition programs. It requires the creation of a streamlined application process, such as a single application or an information-sharing system, to cover programs like SNAP and the senior farmers' market nutrition program. Additionally, the bill mandates a streamlined process for vendors to handle benefits using standardized technology like mobile applications. The Act also amends existing law to ensure that equipment provided to entities like farmers markets includes wireless or mobile processing technology. Finally, the Secretary must report on the progress of these application changes within one year.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would farmers be better off under this?+6
The bill greatly simplifies the application and benefit processing requirements for direct marketing farmers and ranchers.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill reduces administrative burdens for farmers and ranchers by streamlining the vendor application process for nutrition programs.
Would children be better off under this?+3
The bill improves the efficiency of WIC, which provides nutritional support for infants and young children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Simplified Application Process for Farmers and Ranchers: The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a single application or an information-sharing system so that direct marketing farmers and ranchers can apply to multiple nutrition programs more easily (Section 2(b)(1)).
-
Easier Benefit Processing: The Act mandates a streamlined process for vendors to process benefits using standardized technology, such as a mobile application or a single piece of equipment (Section 2(c)).
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Improved Technology for Markets: The bill ensures that entities such as farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets have access to appropriate wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+6Good For Children+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Seniors+3Good For People With Disabilities+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicaid Funding+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
David ValadaoRepublican · California