Bill · H.R. 9572· House(119-HR-9572)
BUFFER Act
- Introduced
- 7/2/2026
- Last activity
- 7/2/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Sponsored by
- Becca Balint
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Building Up Farmland Frontiers for Ecological Resilience Act" or the "BUFFER Act," aims to amend the Food Security Act of 1985. The specific purpose is to clarify which land is eligible for enrollment in the conservation reserve program. It proposes changes to how eligible land is determined under section 1231(b). Specifically, it introduces new criteria regarding land subject to various laws or regulations.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill expands the criteria for land eligible for enrollment in the conservation reserve program through local and state regulations.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+4
The bill explicitly allows land subject to Tribal laws or regulations to be eligible for the conservation reserve program.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill expands enrollment eligibility for land subject to local resource-conserving or environmental protection regulations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Expanded Enrollment Eligibility: The bill adds a new paragraph (8) that allows land to be eligible for enrollment if a Tribal, State, or other local law, ordinance, or regulation requires resource-conserving or environmental protection measures. This could benefit those seeking to participate in the conservation reserve program while complying with local regulations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Specific Land: Under the new paragraph (8), land is not eligible for enrollment if the requirement to implement a resource-conserving or environmental protection measure was imposed by an administrative order or a court order.
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+5Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3
- 7/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.