H.R. 8251

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8251 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8251

To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the tree 
assistance program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 13, 2026

Mr. Huizenga (for himself and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the tree 
assistance program, 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 ``Protecting America's Orchardists and 
Nursery Tree Growers Act''.

SEC. 2. TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) Definitions.--Section 1501(e)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or biennial'' after 
``annual''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or pest'' after 
``insect''.
(b) Economic Viability.--Section 1501(e)(2)(A) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
``provide'' and all that follows through ``under paragraph (3) 
to'' and inserting ``provide assistance under paragraph (3) 
to'';
(2) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting ``, regardless of production 
history,'' after ``growers'';
(B) by inserting ``, or the trees no longer produce 
an economically viable crop,'' after ``the trees''; and
(C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; 
and
(3) by striking clause (ii).
(c) Assistance.--Section 1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (3)(A), by striking 
``and (5)'' and inserting ``, (5), and (6)''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
``(C) Acreage limitation adjustments.--The 
Secretary shall have discretion to modify or waive, in 
whole or in part, the acreage limitation described 
under subparagraph (B), as the Secretary determines 
appropriate.''.
(d) Requirements With Respect to Assistance.--Section 1501(e) of 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
``(6) Timing requirement.--As a condition for receiving 
assistance under this subsection, an eligible orchardist or 
nursery tree grower shall agree to carry out any activity for 
which such assistance is provided not later than--
``(A) 2 years after the date on which the Secretary 
notifies such eligible orchardist or nursery tree 
grower of an approval under paragraph (9); or
``(B) if the period described under subparagraph 
(A) is not adequate for tree survival, at such time as 
is necessary to ensure tree survival.
``(7) Alternatives for replanting trees.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible orchardist or 
nursery tree grower receiving assistance under this 
subsection may use such assistance to replant using--
``(i) an alternative variety of tree from 
the variety planted prior to the tree loss for 
which such assistance is provided;
``(ii) an alternative stand density from 
the stand density planted prior to such loss; 
and
``(iii) an alternative location from the 
location in which such loss occurred.
``(B) Cost share limitations with respect to 
alternatives.--The assistance provided under this 
subsection to an eligible orchardist or nursery tree 
grower shall be in an amount that is not greater than 
the amount such eligible orchardist or nursery tree 
grower would receive if such eligible orchardist or 
nursery tree grower replanted using--
``(i) for an alternative described under 
subparagraph (A)(i), the variety of tree 
planted prior to the tree loss for which such 
assistance is provided;
``(ii) for an alternative described under 
subparagraph (A)(ii), the stand density planted 
prior to such loss; and
``(iii) for an alternative described under 
subparagraph (A)(iii), the location in which 
such loss occurred.''.
(e) Notice of Application Status.--Section 1501(e) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9801(e)) is further amended by 
adding at the end the following:
``(9) Notice of application status.--Not later than 120 
days after receiving an application for assistance under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) approve or deny such application; and
``(B) notify the applicant of such approval or 
denial.''.
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