Legis Daily

BUFFER Act

USA119th CongressS-4912| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
Peter Welch

Peter Welch

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (1)
Bernard Sanders (Independent)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Building Up Farmland Frontiers for Ecological Resilience Act," or BUFFER Act, aims to clarify and expand land eligibility for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under the Food Security Act of 1985. This legislation specifically modifies the criteria for land enrollment, focusing on parcels subject to certain environmental regulations. A key provision makes land eligible for CRP enrollment if it is already otherwise qualified and a Tribal, State, or local law, ordinance, or regulation mandates a resource-conserving or environmental protection measure or practice. This change broadens the scope of land that can participate in the program, encouraging compliance with local environmental standards through federal conservation incentives. However, the bill explicitly states that land where such measures are required due to an administrative or court order will not be eligible for enrollment, preventing the program from subsidizing compliance with punitive actions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2798
BUFFER Act
Sep 9, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5216
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2798
    BUFFER Act


  • September 9, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5216
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.


  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9572: BUFFER Act

BUFFER Act

USA119th CongressS-4912| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
The "Building Up Farmland Frontiers for Ecological Resilience Act," or BUFFER Act, aims to clarify and expand land eligibility for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under the Food Security Act of 1985. This legislation specifically modifies the criteria for land enrollment, focusing on parcels subject to certain environmental regulations. A key provision makes land eligible for CRP enrollment if it is already otherwise qualified and a Tribal, State, or local law, ordinance, or regulation mandates a resource-conserving or environmental protection measure or practice. This change broadens the scope of land that can participate in the program, encouraging compliance with local environmental standards through federal conservation incentives. However, the bill explicitly states that land where such measures are required due to an administrative or court order will not be eligible for enrollment, preventing the program from subsidizing compliance with punitive actions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2798
BUFFER Act
Sep 9, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5216
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2798
    BUFFER Act


  • September 9, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5216
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.


  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Peter Welch

Peter Welch

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (1)
Bernard Sanders (Independent)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9572: BUFFER Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted