Drought Assistance Improvement Act
Drought Assistance Improvement Act
Plain Language Summary
# Drought Assistance Improvement Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The Drought Assistance Improvement Act would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to receive federal financial assistance during droughts. Specifically, it modifies two existing Farm Service Agency programs that help agricultural producers when drought damages their operations. The bill would allow livestock farmers to receive payments sooner—after just four weeks of severe drought instead of waiting eight weeks—and would let them collect two payments during extended droughts rather than one.
It also expands assistance to include crawfish farmers who suffer losses from drought or bad weather. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects livestock farmers and ranchers who rely on pastureland for grazing animals, as well as crawfish producers in states like Louisiana. The changes would help these agricultural producers access disaster relief more quickly when drought conditions strike their regions. **Current Status** The bill (HR 441) was introduced by Representative Julia Letlow (R-LA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Drought Assistance Improvement ActThis bill modifies access to two Farm Service Agency (FSA) administered programs: the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).The bill modifies the LFP to allow for one monthly payment when a county has four consecutive weeks of a D2 rating (severe drought) and two payments for eight consecutive weeks of D2. Currently, one payment is available for eight consecutive weeks of D2. As background, LFP makes payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on drought-affected pastureland, including cropland planted specifically for grazing.The bill also expands coverage under ELAP for losses caused by adverse weather or drought. The bill includes under ELAP the loss of a crawfish harvest due to adverse weather or drought. As background, ELAP provides payments to producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish as compensation for losses due to disease, adverse weather, feed or water shortages, or other conditions that are not covered under other programs.The FSA must establish ELAP documentation standards for (1) collecting data, (2) the production of crawfish, and (3) defining loss conditions due to drought.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.