The HARVEST Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to Congress by September 30, 2026, on ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions to run educational programs and provide technical assistance about transferring agricultural land and assets to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. The study must include issues related to "heirs property." The Act’s short title is the Heirs' Agricultural Resources, Viability, Education, and Succession Transfer Act. The bill was introduced April 27, 2026, by Representatives Figures, Thompson, Sewell, and Beatty and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and its Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
The bill text defines "heirs property" as real property held in tenancy in common that, when a partition action is filed, meets all these conditions: (1) no recorded agreement binding all co-tenants governs partition; (2) one or more co-tenants got title from a relative; and (3) at least one of three 20 percent tests is met (20% or more of interests held by relatives, 20% or more of interests held by someone who got title from a relative, or 20% or more of the co-tenants are relatives).
No publicly available information on estimated costs or appropriations is provided in the bill text. The bill directs the Secretary to conduct a study and submit a report but does not specify funding or authorize spending.
The bill text shows it was introduced to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to study ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions to provide education and technical assistance on transferring agricultural land and heirs property to the next generation. The sponsors named in the bill are Representatives Figures, Thompson, Sewell, and Beatty.
No publicly available information about opponents’ views or formal objections is included in the bill text or provided metadata.