Bill · S. 1848· Senate(119-S-1848)
Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/21/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2025 aims to regulate agricultural commodity promotion or "checkoff" programs. It seeks to prohibit these programs from using funds to influence government policy or engaging in anticompetitive and unfair practices. The bill requires increased transparency by mandating the publication of financial records, budgets, and disbursements. Additionally, it establishes strict rules regarding conflicts of interest for Board members and employees. To ensure compliance, the Act mandates periodic audits by the Inspector General and the Comptroller General.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill mandates strict financial disclosures and public access to records for agricultural checkoff programs.
Would farmers be better off under this?+6
The bill promotes fairer competition and prevents special interest control within agricultural commodity programs.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill enhances transparency and prevents unfair trade practices within agricultural commodity promotion programs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability for Checkoff Programs: The bill requires that any checkoff program with annual revenue over $20,000,000 cannot contract with parties that attempt to influence government agricultural policy (Section 4(a)(1)).
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Prevention of Special Interest Control: By prohibiting conflicts of interest, the bill aims to prevent special interests from using program funds for the benefit of some producers at the expense of others (Section 4(a)(2) and Section 2(5)).
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Fairer Competition for Agricultural Producers: The bill prohibits boards from engaging in anticompetitive activities, unfair or deceptive practices, or disparaging other agricultural commodities (Section 4(a)(3)).
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Greater Financial Transparency: Checkoff programs must maintain and publish accurate records of funds and contract details for public inspection (Section 4(c)). Furthermore, boards must disclose all approved budgets and disbursements, including the recipient's identity and the purpose of the funds (Section 4(d)).
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Enhanced Oversight: The Act mandates regular audits by the Inspector General and the Comptroller General to ensure programs are complying with the new rules and to improve program integrity (Section 4(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Policy Engagement: For large checkoff programs generating more than $20,000,000, there is a prohibition on contracting with entities that engage in activities intended to influence government policy or action related to agriculture (Section 4(a)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- 11/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 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.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Rand PaulRepublican · Kentucky
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts