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Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act

USA119th CongressHR-4529| House 
| Updated: 7/17/2025
David Scott

David Scott

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (22)
Nikema Williams (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act" aims to boost market access for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through a new competitive grant program. This program supports the establishment or expansion of food hubs , which are businesses that aggregate, distribute, and market agricultural food products from producers. Eligible entities, including groups of farmers (at least half socially disadvantaged) or non-profit organizations, can use grant funds for infrastructure, equipment, operating expenses, and marketing services. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to appropriate $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for these grants, which do not require matching funds and can last up to five years. To further support these initiatives, the bill introduces an Agriculture Hub Credit , a new 25% tax credit for qualified expenses incurred when purchasing agricultural food products from food hubs developed or expanded under the grant program. The Secretary of Agriculture will establish a certification process for contracts to ensure fair transactions for this credit. Additionally, the Secretary must create a process to prioritize the purchase of agricultural food products from socially disadvantaged farmers and these food hubs for use in USDA domestic food assistance programs. This process can waive full and open competition procedures if they present barriers to market entry, with congressional notification. A significant component of the bill focuses on enhancing civil rights accountability within the Department of Agriculture. It mandates that USDA officials and employees be held accountable for discriminatory actions, retaliation, harassment, or civil rights violations, including failures to provide service receipts or timely process applications. Corrective actions, which can range from policy changes to disciplinary measures such as removal or suspension, must be taken based on administrative findings or investigations. The bill also expands equitable relief provisions, allowing the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights to grant relief to participants filing civil rights complaints without requiring prior approval from other USDA officials. To further support producers, the bill establishes an independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson within the USDA. This Ombudsperson will assist producers in navigating the civil rights review process, raise awareness of appeals, and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding equitable program access and implementation. The Office will have timely access to departmental records and report annually to Congress. Finally, the bill amends the burden of proof for National Appeals Division hearings, requiring the USDA agency to demonstrate by substantial evidence that its adverse decision was valid.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4169
Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act
Jul 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 17, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4169
    Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act


  • July 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 17, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.

Agriculture and Food

Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act

USA119th CongressHR-4529| House 
| Updated: 7/17/2025
The "Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act" aims to boost market access for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through a new competitive grant program. This program supports the establishment or expansion of food hubs , which are businesses that aggregate, distribute, and market agricultural food products from producers. Eligible entities, including groups of farmers (at least half socially disadvantaged) or non-profit organizations, can use grant funds for infrastructure, equipment, operating expenses, and marketing services. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to appropriate $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for these grants, which do not require matching funds and can last up to five years. To further support these initiatives, the bill introduces an Agriculture Hub Credit , a new 25% tax credit for qualified expenses incurred when purchasing agricultural food products from food hubs developed or expanded under the grant program. The Secretary of Agriculture will establish a certification process for contracts to ensure fair transactions for this credit. Additionally, the Secretary must create a process to prioritize the purchase of agricultural food products from socially disadvantaged farmers and these food hubs for use in USDA domestic food assistance programs. This process can waive full and open competition procedures if they present barriers to market entry, with congressional notification. A significant component of the bill focuses on enhancing civil rights accountability within the Department of Agriculture. It mandates that USDA officials and employees be held accountable for discriminatory actions, retaliation, harassment, or civil rights violations, including failures to provide service receipts or timely process applications. Corrective actions, which can range from policy changes to disciplinary measures such as removal or suspension, must be taken based on administrative findings or investigations. The bill also expands equitable relief provisions, allowing the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights to grant relief to participants filing civil rights complaints without requiring prior approval from other USDA officials. To further support producers, the bill establishes an independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson within the USDA. This Ombudsperson will assist producers in navigating the civil rights review process, raise awareness of appeals, and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding equitable program access and implementation. The Office will have timely access to departmental records and report annually to Congress. Finally, the bill amends the burden of proof for National Appeals Division hearings, requiring the USDA agency to demonstrate by substantial evidence that its adverse decision was valid.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4169
Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act
Jul 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 17, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4169
    Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act


  • July 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 17, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
David Scott

David Scott

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (22)
Nikema Williams (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Agriculture Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted