This bill removes the phrase "socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers" from many federal agricultural laws. It amends statutes such as the Federal Crop Insurance Act, the Agricultural Marketing Act, the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, and others to strike or redesignate provisions that reference socially disadvantaged farmers. The bill also repeals or changes specific sections and adds a new provision that says no Department of Agriculture program may provide preference, priority consideration, or enhanced benefits to any individual or entity on the basis of race or gender.
If you participate in USDA programs or work in agriculture, the legal category "socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers" would be removed from the many sections listed in the bill. Where laws currently refer to that category for eligibility, priority, or program design, the references would be eliminated or replaced (for example, references to beginning and veteran farmers are kept in some places). The bill also creates a clear prohibition on giving race- or gender-based preferences, priorities, or enhanced benefits in any USDA program.
No publicly available information on costs, savings, or budget effects is included in the bill text or metadata.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata describes supporters' statements or arguments.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata describes opponents' statements or arguments.