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Drought Assistance Improvement Act
3/6/2025, 9:06 AM
Summary of Bill HR 441
Specifically, the Drought Relief Act includes provisions to improve the timeliness and efficiency of assistance provided to those affected by drought. This includes streamlining the application process for disaster assistance, ensuring that funds are distributed promptly to those in need.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to enhance the resilience of agricultural operations to drought conditions. This includes promoting the adoption of sustainable farming practices that can help mitigate the impact of drought on crops and livestock. Overall, the Drought Relief Act aims to provide much-needed support to farmers and ranchers facing drought conditions, while also promoting long-term resilience in the agricultural sector. By improving the effectiveness of drought-related disaster assistance programs, the bill seeks to ensure that those impacted by drought receive the assistance they need to recover and thrive.
Congressional Summary of HR 441
Drought Assistance Improvement Act
This bill modifies access to two Farm Service Agency (FSA) administered programs: the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
The bill modifies the LFP to allow for one monthly payment when a county has four consecutive weeks of a D2 rating (severe drought) and two payments for eight consecutive weeks of D2. Currently, one payment is available for eight consecutive weeks of D2. As background, LFP makes payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on drought-affected pastureland, including cropland planted specifically for grazing.
The bill also expands coverage under ELAP for losses caused by adverse weather or drought. The bill includes under ELAP the loss of a crawfish harvest due to adverse weather or drought. As background, ELAP provides payments to producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish as compensation for losses due to disease, adverse weather, feed or water shortages, or other conditions that are not covered under other programs.
The FSA must establish ELAP documentation standards for (1) collecting data, (2) the production of crawfish, and (3) defining loss conditions due to drought.
