This bill seeks to modify existing native sod provisions within the Federal Crop Insurance Act and the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Its primary goal is to establish new requirements for producers who convert native sod acreage for crop production, affecting their eligibility for federal agricultural benefits. These amendments aim to enhance tracking and oversight of native sod conversion across the United States. Specifically, the legislation mandates that producers must certify tilled native sod acreage to the Secretary of Agriculture using Farm Service Agency forms and maps as a condition for receiving benefits under both federal crop insurance and noninsured crop disaster assistance programs. Producers are also required to submit corrections promptly if changes occur in their certified acreage. Furthermore, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress, detailing the certified tilled native sod acreage by county and state from 2026 through 2030, providing transparency on these land use changes.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S1926)
Agriculture and Food
American Prairie Conservation Act
USA119th CongressS-1209| Senate
| Updated: 3/31/2025
This bill seeks to modify existing native sod provisions within the Federal Crop Insurance Act and the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Its primary goal is to establish new requirements for producers who convert native sod acreage for crop production, affecting their eligibility for federal agricultural benefits. These amendments aim to enhance tracking and oversight of native sod conversion across the United States. Specifically, the legislation mandates that producers must certify tilled native sod acreage to the Secretary of Agriculture using Farm Service Agency forms and maps as a condition for receiving benefits under both federal crop insurance and noninsured crop disaster assistance programs. Producers are also required to submit corrections promptly if changes occur in their certified acreage. Furthermore, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress, detailing the certified tilled native sod acreage by county and state from 2026 through 2030, providing transparency on these land use changes.