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Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act

USA119th CongressS-228| Senate 
| Updated: 1/23/2025
Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
John Cornyn (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to provide crucial support for agricultural producers who depend on acequia systems , which are centuries-old, community-managed water delivery networks vital for local agriculture and cultural landscapes, particularly in New Mexico. It amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to explicitly ensure these producers receive assistance under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program for losses suffered due to drought conditions. The bill also streamlines the maintenance of acequias by prohibiting the requirement of special use permits for routine upkeep and minor improvements on federal land. This includes essential activities such as annual ditch cleaning, silt removal, and infrastructure repair, facilitating the continued operation of these critical irrigation systems. Furthermore, it mandates a Department of Agriculture report within two years to assess acequia producers' access to USDA programs and identify targeted assistance for traditional infrastructure vulnerable to drought.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2077
Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2077
    Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Water Resources Development

Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act

USA119th CongressS-228| Senate 
| Updated: 1/23/2025
This legislation aims to provide crucial support for agricultural producers who depend on acequia systems , which are centuries-old, community-managed water delivery networks vital for local agriculture and cultural landscapes, particularly in New Mexico. It amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to explicitly ensure these producers receive assistance under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program for losses suffered due to drought conditions. The bill also streamlines the maintenance of acequias by prohibiting the requirement of special use permits for routine upkeep and minor improvements on federal land. This includes essential activities such as annual ditch cleaning, silt removal, and infrastructure repair, facilitating the continued operation of these critical irrigation systems. Furthermore, it mandates a Department of Agriculture report within two years to assess acequia producers' access to USDA programs and identify targeted assistance for traditional infrastructure vulnerable to drought.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2077
Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2077
    Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
John Cornyn (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Water Resources Development

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