Bill · S. 5526· Senate(119-S-5526)
Agricultural Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/24/2026
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 683.
- Sponsored by
- John Boozman
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The bill titled the "Agricultural Act of 2026" provides for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031. It covers a wide range of areas including commodities, conservation, trade, nutrition, credit, rural development, research, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, and miscellaneous livestock and national security provisions. The legislation updates and reauthorizes existing agricultural policies, adjusts loan and grant limits, and introduces new provisions to support farmers, rural communities, and consumers.
Yes· 3 of 42
Would farmers be better off under this?+9
The bill provides comprehensive support for agricultural producers, increasing loan limits, disaster relief, and market access.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
The bill heavily invests in rural communities through infrastructure, healthcare, broadband, and agricultural development.
Does this invest in rural communities?+8
The bill heavily invests in rural infrastructure, broadband expansion, water systems, and economic development.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 1105 (Storage Facility Loans): Expands the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program to allow producers to construct or upgrade storage facilities for propane and fertilizer used for agricultural production. This benefits farmers by making necessary inputs more accessible and secure.
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Section 1302 (Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance): Expands livestock indemnity payments and emergency assistance for feed, water shortages, and transportation costs. This provides critical financial relief to livestock producers facing natural disasters, extreme weather, and predatory attacks.
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Section 2104 (Duties of the Secretary): Permits emergency haying on conservation reserve program contract acres in counties designated with severe drought or facing forage production losses. This helps livestock producers secure emergency feed during natural disasters.
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Section 4107 (Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP): Authorizes enhanced cybersecurity measures, requires State agencies to issue chip-enabled EBT cards, and reimburses States for upgrade costs. This protects vulnerable individuals from having their food assistance benefits stolen through card skimming and fraud.
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Section 6101 (Streamlining Broadband Authorities): Reauthorizes and streamlines the ReConnect Program with increased baseline speeds for rural broadband. This expands high-speed internet access for rural residents, businesses, and agricultural producers.
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Section 6302 (Rural Hospital Revitalization): Creates temporary zero-percent interest loans for eligible rural hospitals to construct, improve, or renovate facilities. This protects and expands access to essential healthcare services in rural communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 1102 (Servicing of Loans): Deems the servicing of certain marketing assistance loans and sugar program loans as "services for emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property" during a lapse in appropriations. This could be interpreted as placing government debt servicing on par with life-safety emergencies, potentially burdening agency operations during budget stalemates.
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Section 4102 (State Cost Share Delay): Imposes an 80/20 Federal-to-State cost share for SNAP benefit allotments if a State's payment error rate equals or exceeds 10 percent. This shifts financial burdens onto State governments, which could indirectly lead to reduced state-level program support or administrative tightening for participants.
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Section 12202 (Reporting Requirements): Imposes strict 90-day reporting requirements and disclosures for foreign persons leasing agricultural land for more than 5 years. While aimed at national security, the broad reporting requirements could increase bureaucratic compliance burdens for ordinary agricultural leasing operations.
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+9Good For Rural Residents+9Good For Business Owners+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For Seniors+6Good For Veterans+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For African Americans+5Good For Children+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Students+5Good For Women+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+8Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+7Improves Environmental Protections+7Increases Renewable Energy Investment+7Improves Public Land Management+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+7Improves International Trade+7Improves International Alliances+5Increases Foreign Aid+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Increases Research Funding+6Improves Mental Health Access+5Improves Opioid Crisis Response+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+8Increases Scientific Research Funding+7Increases Public School Funding+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Improves Economic Growth+6Increases Job Creation+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Improves Interstate Commerce+6Increase States Rights+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Childcare Affordability+6Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- 9/24/2026
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Boozman. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 683.
- Bill introduced.
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.