H.R. 7206

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7206 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7206

To provide for economic assistance to agricultural producers, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2026

Ms. Craig (for herself, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Costa, Ms. 
Adams, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Brown, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Budzinski, 
Mr. Sorensen, Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. 
Gray, Ms. McDonald Rivet, Mr. Figures, Mr. Vindman, Mr. Riley of New 
York, Mr. Mannion, Mrs. McClain Delaney, and Mr. Carbajal) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Budget, 
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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for economic assistance to agricultural producers, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Farm and Family Relief Act''.

SEC. 2. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES.

(a) Benefit Cost-Shift Delay.--Section 4(a)(2)(B) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(a)(2)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i) by striking ``2028'' and inserting 
``2032'';
(2) in clause (ii)--
(A) in subclause (I)--
(i) by striking ``2028'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``2032''; and
(ii) by striking ``2025 or 2026'' and 
inserting ``2029 or 2030''; and
(B) in subclause (II) by striking ``2029'' each 
place it appears and inserting ``2033''; and
(3) by striking clause (iii).
(b) Administrative Cost-Shift Delay.--Section 16(a) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a)) is amended by striking 
``through fiscal year 2026, 50 percent, and for fiscal year 2027'' and 
inserting ``through fiscal year 2028, 50 percent, and for fiscal year 
2029''.

SEC. 3. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR PRODUCERS OF ELIGIBLE COMMODITIES.

(a) In General.--
(1) Economic assistance payments.--With respect to the 2025 
crop year, if the Secretary determines that the expected gross 
return per acre for an eligible commodity determined under 
paragraph (2) is less than the expected cost of production per 
acre for that eligible commodity determined under paragraph 
(3), the Secretary shall, not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, make a 1-time economic assistance 
payment to each producer of that eligible commodity during that 
crop year.
(2) Expected gross return per acre.--The expected gross 
return per acre for an eligible commodity referred to in 
paragraph (1) shall be equal to--
(A) in the case of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, 
barley, oats, cotton, rice, and soybeans, the product 
obtained by multiplying--
(i) the projected average farm price for 
the applicable eligible commodity for the 2025-
2026 marketing year contained in the December 
2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand 
Estimates published by the World Agricultural 
Outlook Board on December 9, 2025; and
(ii) the national average harvested yield 
per acre for the applicable eligible commodity 
for the most recent 10 crop years, as 
determined by the Secretary; and
(B) in the case of each eligible commodity not 
specified in subparagraph (A), a comparable estimate of 
gross returns, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Expected cost of production.--The expected cost of 
production per acre for an eligible commodity referred to in 
paragraph (1) shall be equal to--
(A) in the case of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, 
barley, oats, cotton, rice, and soybeans, the total 
costs listed for the 2025 crop year with respect to the 
applicable eligible commodity contained in the data 
product relating to such commodity and crop year 
entitled ``U.S. Commodity Costs and Returns by Region 
and by Commodity'' published by the Economic Research 
Service; and
(4) Payment amounts.--
(A) In general.--The amount of an economic 
assistance payment to a producer for an eligible 
commodity under paragraph (1) shall be equal to the 
difference between--
(i) the amount equal to 65 percent of the 
product obtained by multiplying--
(I) the economic loss for that 
eligible commodity determined under 
subparagraph (B); and
(II) the eligible acres of that 
eligible commodity on the farm 
determined under subparagraph (C); and
(ii) the amount of any payment issued by 
the Secretary to such producer with respect to 
crop year 2025 for such eligible commodity or 
such eligible acres on the farm under the 
Farmer Bridge Assistance Program of the 
Department of Agriculture as described in the 
press release of the Department of Agriculture 
on December 8, 2025 (Release No. 0239.25).
(B) Economic loss.--For purposes of subparagraph 
(A)(i), the economic loss for an eligible commodity 
shall be equal to the difference between--
(i) the expected cost of production per 
acre for that eligible commodity, as determined 
under paragraph (3); and
(ii) the expected gross return per acre for 
that eligible commodity, as determined under 
paragraph (2).
(C) Eligible acres.--For purposes of subparagraph 
(A)(i)(II), the eligible acres of an eligible commodity 
on a farm shall be equal to the sum obtained by 
adding--
(i) the acreage planted on the farm to that 
eligible commodity for harvest, grazing, 
haying, silage, or other similar purposes for 
the 2025 crop year; and
(ii) an amount equal to 100 percent of the 
acreage on the farm that was prevented from 
being planted during the 2025 crop year to that 
eligible commodity because of drought, flood, 
or other natural disaster, or other condition 
beyond the control of the producers on the 
farm, as determined by the Secretary.
(D) Acreage planted.--For purposes of subparagraph 
(C)(i), the Secretary shall consider acreage planted to 
include any land devoted to planted acres for accepted 
skip-row planting patterns, as determined by the 
Secretary.
(E) Data.--If the Secretary determines there is 
insufficient data to determine the comparable estimate 
of gross returns with respect to an eligible commodity 
under paragraph (2)(B) or a comparable total estimated 
cost-of-production with respect to an eligible 
commodity under paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary shall 
use data related to a similarly situated commodity for 
purposes of determining the payment amount under this 
paragraph.
(b) Payment Limitations.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
sections 1001, 1001A, 1001B, and 1001C of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308, 1308-1, 1308-2, 1308-3) shall apply 
with respect to assistance provided under this section.
(2) Exception.--The total amount of payments received, 
directly or indirectly, by a person or legal entity (except a 
joint venture or general partnership) under this section may 
not exceed--
(A) $125,000, if less than 75 percent of the 
average gross income of the person or legal entity for 
the 2021, 2022, and 2023 tax years is derived from 
farming, ranching, or silviculture activities; and
(B) $250,000, if not less than 75 percent of the 
average gross income of the person or legal entity for 
the 2021, 2022, and 2023 tax years is derived from 
farming, ranching, or silviculture activities.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The terms ``extra-long staple cotton'' and ``producer'' 
have the meanings given those terms in section 1111 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011).
(2) The term ``cotton'' means extra-long staple cotton and 
upland cotton.
(3)(A) The term ``eligible commodity'' means a loan 
commodity (as defined in section 1201(a) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9031(a))).
(B) The term ``eligible commodity'' does not include graded 
wool, nongraded wool, mohair, or honey.
(4) The terms ``legal entity'' and ``person'' have the 
meanings given those terms in section 1001(a) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(a)).
(5) The term ``rice'' means long grain rice and medium 
grain rice.
(6) The payment limitations under paragraph (2) shall be 
separate from annual payment limitations under any other 
program.

SEC. 4. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR SUGAR BEET PRODUCERS.

(a) In General.--
(1) Block grants.--From the amounts appropriated under 
subsection (c), the Secretary shall make block grants to sugar 
beet cooperatives to carry out economic assistance payments in 
accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Use of funds.--A sugar beet cooperative that receives a 
block grant under paragraph (1) may only use the grant funds to 
make payments to members of such cooperative that are sugar 
beet producers for the economic losses incurred by such 
producers during the 2025 crop year for sugar beets.
(b) Payments.--In carrying out the block grants under subsection 
(a)(1), the Secretary shall--
(1) establish, in consultation with sugar beet cooperatives, a per-
acre payment rate for purposes of determining the amount and allocation 
of such block grants; and
(2) reduce from the amount of a block grant to a sugar beet 
cooperative, as determined under paragraph (1), the total amount of 
assistance each member of such cooperative that is a sugar beet 
producer received for the 2025 crop year under the Farmer Bridge 
Assistance Program of the Department of Agriculture as described in the 
press release of the Department of Agriculture on December 8, 2025 
(Release No. 0239.25).
(c) Appropriation.--There is appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section $330,000,000.

SEC. 5. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and implement a 
program under which the Secretary will provide a one-time payment to 
eligible producers to aid such producers in--
(1) expanding domestic markets for the covered specialty 
crops of such producers; or
(2) developing new markets for such crops.
(b) Application.--An eligible producer seeking payment under this 
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
require.
(c) Amount of Payments.--
(1) In general.--Except as specified in paragraph (2), the 
Secretary shall calculate the amount of the payment under this 
section to an eligible producer based on the producer's sales 
of covered specialty crops in calendar year 2025.
(2) New producers.--
(A) In general.--In the case of a new producer, the 
Secretary shall calculate the amount of the payment 
under this section using the new producer's estimate of 
their sales of covered specialty crops in calendar year 
2026.
(B) Required documentation.--A new producer shall 
provide to the Secretary as evidence to support the 
estimate referred to in paragraph (1)--
(i) a legally binding contract or agreement 
under which the producer has agreed to sell a 
covered specialty crop during calendar year 
2026; or
(ii) evidence that, at the time of 
application, a covered specialty crop has been 
planted and is expected to be harvested and 
sold in calendar year 2026.
(3) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of the payment an 
eligible producer may receive under this section shall not 
exceed $900,000. Such maximum amount may be reduced if the 
amount of funds made available to carry out this section for a 
fiscal year is insufficient (as determined by the Secretary) to 
make all payments for which applications are submitted under 
this section.
(4) Reduction of total payment.--The amount of the payment 
an eligible producer may receive under this section with 
respect to a covered specialty crop shall be reduced by the 
amount of any payment issued by the Secretary to such producer 
for such covered specialty crop (or acres on the farm planted 
to such crop) under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program of the 
Department of Agriculture (as described in the press release of 
the Department of Agriculture on December 8, 2025 (Release No. 
0239.25)).
(5) Prohibition on duplicate payments.--An eligible 
producer may not receive financial assistance under this 
section and under section 6 with respect to the same losses.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered specialty crop.--The term ``covered specialty 
crop'' means--
(A) a specialty crop;
(B) dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and 
vegetable seed;
(C) Christmas trees;
(D) any culinary and medicinal herb or spice;
(E) honey, hops, maple sap, tea, coffee, turfgrass, 
and grass seed; and
(F) such other crop as determined appropriate by 
the Secretary.
(2) Eligible producer.--The term ``eligible producer'' 
means a producer of covered specialty crops (including a new 
producer) that--
(A)(i) is in the business of producing covered 
specialty crops as of the date on which the producer 
seeks payment under this section; and
(ii) is entitled to an ownership share and shares 
in the risk of producing a covered specialty crop that 
will be sold in the calendar year for which payment is 
sought;
(B) is--
(i) a citizen of the United States or 
lawful alien (as defined in section 1400.3 of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations));
(ii) a partnership, corporation, limited 
liability company, or other organizational 
structure organized under State law;
(iii) an Indian Tribe or Tribal 
Organization (as those terms are defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); or
(iv) a foreign person that meets the 
requirements specified in section 1400.401 of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations); and
(C) has an average adjusted gross income that--
(i) is less than $900,000 for the preceding 
three tax years; or
(ii) equals or exceeds $900,000 if the 
producers's average adjusted gross farm income 
is at least 75 percent of the producer's 
average adjusted gross income.
(3) New producer.--The term ``new producer'' means a 
producer of covered specialty crops who, at the time of 
application for payment under this section--
(A) began producing specialty crops in either of 
the preceding two crop years but did not have sales due 
to the immaturity of the crop;
(B) began producing specialty crops in the 
preceding crop year but did not have a complete year of 
sales; or
(C) is beginning to grow specialty crops in the 
crop year with respect to which the application is 
submitted.
(4) Specialty crop.--The term ``specialty crop'' has the 
meaning given such term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops 
Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 
108-465).
(e) Funding.--
(1) In general.--There is appropriated to the Secretary 
$5,000,000,000 to carry out this section.
(2) Reduction based on other funding.--In providing 
payments under this section, the Secretary shall use an amount 
equal to the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) reduced 
by any amount obligated by the Secretary for payments to 
eligible producers of specialty crops under the Farmer Bridge 
Assistance Program of the Department of Agriculture (as 
described in the press release of the Department of Agriculture 
on December 8, 2025 (Release No. 0239.25)).
(3) Rescission.--Effective on the date that is the end of 
the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this 
Act, there is rescinded from the unobligated balance of the 
amount appropriated under paragraph (1) an amount equal to the 
amount under paragraph (1) reduced by the amount obligated by 
the Secretary for payments to eligible producers of specialty 
crops under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program of the 
Department of Agriculture (as described in the press release of 
the Department of Agriculture on December 8, 2025 (Release No. 
0239.25)) for such period.

SEC. 6. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR QUALIFIED TIMBER LOSSES.

(a) The Secretary shall establish a program under which the 
Secretary shall provide to an eligible entity that submits an 
application under subsection (b)--
(1) a one-time payment or grant, as determined by the 
Secretary, for qualified timber losses;
(2) a one-time loan or loan guarantee, as determined by the 
Secretary, for purposes of enabling the eligible entity to--
(A) address or offset increases in the timber-
related business operating costs of the eligible entity 
during calendar year 2025 due to market and economic 
conditions, as determined by the Secretary; or
(B) establish, reopen, expand, or improve the 
timber-related operations of the eligible entity; or
(3) a payment or grant under paragraph (1) and a loan or 
loan guarantee under paragraph (2).
(b) To be eligible to receive financial assistance under the 
program under subsection (a) an eligible entity shall submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require.
(c)(1) The amount of a payment or grant the Secretary provides to 
an eligible entity under subsection (a)(1) shall not exceed the amount 
that is the lesser of the following:
(A) The amount equal to $40,000 reduced by 
the amount described in paragraph (3).
(B) The amount equal to--
(i) the amount equal to 65 percent 
of the qualified timber losses of the 
eligible entity; reduced by
(ii) the amount described in 
paragraph (3).
(2) The amount of a loan or loan guarantee the Secretary 
provides to an eligible entity under subsection (a)(2) shall 
not exceed the amount equal to $5,000,000 reduced by the amount 
described in paragraph (3).
(3) The amount described in this paragraph is, with respect 
to an eligible entity, the amount of any financial assistance 
the eligible entity receives with respect to calendar year 2025 
under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program of the Department of 
Agriculture (as described in the press release of the 
Department of Agriculture on December 8, 2025 (Release No. 
0239.25)) for qualified timber losses.
(4) An eligible entity may not receive financial assistance 
under this section and under section 5 with respect to the same 
losses.
(d)(1) There is appropriated to the Secretary $500,000,000 to carry 
out this section.
(2) Of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1)--
(A) the Secretary shall use $250,000,000 to provide 
payments or grants under subsection (a)(1); and
(B) the Secretary shall use $250,000,000 to provide 
loans or loan guarantees under subsection (a)(2).
(3) If the Secretary determines the amount of funds under 
subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) is insufficient to 
provide the financial assistance specified in such 
subparagraphs, the Secretary may ratably reduce such 
assistance.
(e) In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible entity'' means an entity that--
(A)(i) is in the business of growing, producing, 
harvesting, transporting, or processing timber, 
including for lumber, pulp, and paper, as of the date 
on which the entity submits an application under 
subsection (b), and was in business during the prior 
calendar year; or
(ii) is entitled to an ownership share, and 
shares in the risk, of timber production on 
private forest land in the United States 
relating to an application under subsection 
(b); and
(B)(i) in the case of an entity that is an 
individual, is a citizen of the United States or lawful 
alien (as defined in section 1400.3 of title 7, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations));
(ii) is a partnership, corporation, 
cooperative, limited liability company, or 
other organizational structure organized under 
State law;
(iii) is an Indian Tribe or Tribal 
organization (as those terms are defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); or
(iv) is a foreign person that meets the 
requirements specified in section 1400.401 of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations).
(2) The term ``qualified timber losses'' means the timber-
related revenue losses of an eligible entity that occurred 
during calendar year 2025 due to market and economic 
conditions, as determined by the Secretary.

SEC. 7. OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Forest Service 
an Office of Technology Transfer (referred to this subsection as the 
``Office'').
(b) Mission.--The mission of the Office shall be--
(1) to expand the commercial impact of the research 
investments of the Forest Service; and
(2) to provide for the commercialization of technologies 
that support the mission of the Forest Service.
(c) Chief Commercialization Officer.--
(1) In general.--The Office shall be headed by an officer, 
who shall--
(A) be known as the ``Chief Commercialization 
Officer''; and
(B) report to the Deputy Chief of the Forest 
Service for Research and Development.
(2) Qualifications.--An individual appointed to the 
position of Chief Commercialization Officer shall be an 
individual who, by reason of professional background and 
experience, is specially qualified to advise the Chief of the 
Forest Service and the Deputy Chief of the Forest Service for 
Research and Development on technology transfer at the Forest 
Service.
(3) Duties.--The Chief Commercialization Officer shall--
(A) oversee the expenditure of funds allocated for 
technology transfer within the Forest Service;
(B) represent the Forest Service on--
(i) the Federal Laboratory Consortium for 
Technology Transfer established by section 
11(e) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710(e)); and
(ii) other similar interagency coordinating 
entities;
(C) coordinate with--
(i) other technology transfer and 
commercialization offices within the Department 
of Agriculture; and
(ii) other similar Federal entities, as 
appropriate;
(D) oversee efforts to engage with private sector 
entities, including venture capital companies, on 
issues relating to technology transfer and 
commercialization; and
(E) coordinate efforts to patent or otherwise 
protect under title 35, United States Code, any 
inventions arising from a Forest Service laboratory.
(d) Technology Transfer Working Group.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within 
the Forest Service a Technology Transfer Working Group, which 
shall consist of--
(A) the Deputy Chief of the Forest Service for 
Research and Development;
(B) the Chief Commercialization Officer appointed 
under subsection (c);
(C) representatives from each research station 
within the Forest Service; and
(D) representatives from other Forest Service 
entities with relevant expertise, as appropriate.
(2) Duties.--The Technology Transfer Working Group 
established under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) assist with the coordination of technology 
transfer and commercialization opportunities occurring 
at Forest Service laboratories;
(B) develop and disseminate guidance to researchers 
at Forest Service laboratories on technology transfer 
and commercialization requirements under the Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3701 et seq.) and associated agreements to implement 
those requirements; and
(C) develop and disseminate to the public and 
prospective technology partners information about 
opportunities and procedures for technology transfer 
with the Forest Service.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the 
Technology Transfer Working Group established under paragraph 
(1) shall submit to Congress a report that describes--
(A) the number of cooperative research and 
development agreements entered into by the Forest 
Service under section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler 
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) 
during the preceding 5 years;
(B) the number of agreements with partnership 
intermediaries entered into by the Forest Service under 
section 23 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3715) during the 
preceding 5 years;
(C) the number of licenses and other use 
authorizations issued by the Forest Service for patents 
held by the Forest Service during the preceding 5 
years; and
(D) recommendations for legislative, programmatic, 
or regulatory changes to support the mission of the 
Office.
(e) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
Secretary shall use to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

SEC. 8. AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY COOPERATION ACT OF 
1990.

The International Forestry Cooperation Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4501 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 612. DOMESTIC MARKET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program under 
which the Secretary may undertake such activities as the Secretary 
determines appropriate--
``(1) to access, develop, maintain, and expand 
international markets for United States agricultural timber 
products, including lumber, pulp, and paper; and
``(2) to promote cooperation and the exchange of 
information between domestic and international agricultural 
timber product market participants as a means of promoting the 
export and sale of such United States timber products.
``(b) Funding.--Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the 
Secretary for use carrying out this section $15,000,000, to remain 
available until expended.''.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE ORDERS IMPOSING TARIFFS.

Duties imposed by the following Executive orders, and any successor 
or substantially similar Executive orders, shall have no force or 
effect on and after the date of the enactment of this Act:
(1) Executive Order 14257 (90 Fed. Reg. 15041).
(2) Executive Order 14193 (90 Fed. Reg. 9113).
(3) Executive Order 14194 (90 Fed. Reg. 9117).
(4) Executive Order 14195 (90 Fed. Reg. 9121).

SEC. 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) Definition of Secretary.--In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' 
means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(b) Emergency Designation.--Amounts provided under this Act are 
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement 
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and 
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)).
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