BUFFER Act

This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to modify the criteria for land eligible for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The primary change expands eligibility to include land that is already subject to resource-conserving or environmental protection measures mandated by Tribal, State, or other local laws or regulations . This provision aims to encourage participation in the CRP by landowners who are already undertaking conservation efforts due to local requirements. However, the bill explicitly excludes land from eligibility if the required conservation measures are imposed by an administrative order or a court order . This distinction ensures that the program supports proactive conservation efforts rather than compliance with punitive or remedial directives.