The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Congressional research reportJul 29, 2026
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House
and Senate Bills with Current Law
Updated July 29, 2026
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R48918
SUMMARY
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House
and Senate Bills with Current Law
The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law and is the primary piece of legislation that governs an
array of agricultural and food programs. The most recent farm bill is the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334). The Farm, Food, and National Security
Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) would add, amend, and reauthorize some of the programs in the 2018
farm bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee chairman released a discussion draft (referred to
here as the Senate bill) of the Agriculture Act of 2026 on June 23, 2026. This report provides an
overview of H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill and compares those bills with current law.
R48918
July 29, 2026
Lisa S. Benson,
Coordinator
Specialist in Agricultural
Policy
Across Titles I-XII, H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would reauthorize and amend food and agricultural policies in a wide
variety of ways, with certain differences, as in the following examples. Title I of H.R. 7567 would restore tobacco eligibility
for funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), whereas the Senate bill would amend and add reporting
requirements of CCC expenditures and activities. Title II of both bills contain reauthorizations, amendments, and new
programs that aim to incentivize farmers and ranchers to voluntarily implement resource-conserving practices on private
land. Under H.R. 7567, proposed changes would center on directing programs to specific resource concerns and production
methods. The Senate bill includes several changes relating to disaster and watershed programs, as well as guidelines for
conservation practice standards. Title III of both bills would reauthorize and amend international food assistance and export
programs. H.R. 7567 would move the responsibilities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the
Food for Peace Act (P.L. 83-480), as amended, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including administration of
Food for Peace Title II Grants. Title IV of both bills would generally extend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) and other related nutrition programs through September 30, 2031. While both nutrition titles include many of the
same nutrition policies, at times with substantive differences, there are provisions only in H.R. 7567 or only in the Senate
bill. Examples of nutrition policies only in H.R. 7567 are amending the statutory purpose of the SNAP program to reflect
health objectives, allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken, and creating a new option for fresh food
access in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Only in the Senate bill are nutrition policies such as
requirements for tribal input and supply chain response in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and stricter authorization rules for certain SNAP retailer types. Title V
of both bills would increase the maximum loan amounts for individual farmers and ranchers who borrow from USDA. Both
bills would add eligibility for farm loans to commercial fishing entities; the House bill would allow farm ownership loans and
farm operating loans and include fish processing facilities; the Senate bill would allow farm operating loans only and exclude
fish processing. Title VI of both bills would expand the types of health care institutions eligible to refinance debt using Rural
Development loans under certain circumstances. Only in H.R. 7567 would the Circuit Rider Program be expanded to also
provide rural water and wastewater systems with disaster recovery assistance. Title VII of both bills would reauthorize USDA
agricultural research, extension, education, veterinary, and land-grant institution authorities through FY2031. H.R. 7567
would generally make broader administrative and programmatic changes, including the repealing of several existing
authorities and establishing new programs. The Senate bill would generally retain more existing authorities, authorize higher
funding levels for selected programs, and establish a smaller number of new initiatives. Title VIII of both bills includes a
variety of provisions relating to forestry research, federal forest management, and financial and technical assistance to
nonfederal forestland owners. In addition to other differences, the House bill includes a subtitle concerning giant sequoia
protection, whereas the Senate bill does not. Title IX of the House-passed bill would reauthorize most of the 2018 farm bill
energy title programs and repeal two programs; whereas the Senate bill energy title would reauthorize all the energy title
programs. Both bills would modify certain programs. Among other things, the House bill would add new sections to Title IX
pertaining to solar energy; the Senate bill does not contain such sections. Title X of both bills would reauthorize USDA to
issue block grants to states through FY2031 to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Only in H.R. 7567 would the
domestic hemp production program be amended to reflect changes to the statutory definition of hemp that were made in P.L.
119-37. Title XI of both bills would modify the definition of veteran farmers and ranchers used in the Federal Crop Insurance
Program and increase premium subsidies available for these individuals, among other program changes. Title XI of H.R.
7567 and the Senate bill differ in terms of the changes they would make to final agency determinations, the composition of
the board of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, and research and development priority areas, among other differences.
Title XII of H.R. 7567 would restrict a state from enacting and enforcing production standards on livestock products not
produced in the state and amend the authorities of USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations and the National Appeals Division. The
Senate bill would establish a crop input economist within USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist and direct USDA to
produce a report on fertilizer production and use.
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
House Action ............................................................................................................................. 1
Senate Action ............................................................................................................................ 2
Budgetary Impact ............................................................................................................................ 2
Title-by-Title Summary ................................................................................................................... 6
Title I, Commodity Program ..................................................................................................... 6
Commodity Policy .............................................................................................................. 6
Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs ......................................................................... 7
Title II, Conservation .............................................................................................................. 16
Conservation Reserve Program......................................................................................... 16
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship
Program.......................................................................................................................... 16
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program ................................................................. 17
Forest Conservation Easement Program ........................................................................... 17
Other Conservation Programs ........................................................................................... 18
Title III, Trade ......................................................................................................................... 51
Title IV, Nutrition .................................................................................................................... 72
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program .................................................................... 72
Food Distribution Programs .............................................................................................. 73
Other Nutrition Programs and Policies ............................................................................. 74
Title V, Credit .......................................................................................................................... 95
Title VI, Rural Development ................................................................................................. 108
Rural Health Care ........................................................................................................... 109
Broadband Deployment .................................................................................................. 109
Water and Waste Disposal Infrastructure ......................................................................... 110
Rural Child Care .............................................................................................................. 111
Title VII, Research, Extension, and Related Matters ............................................................ 137
Title VIII, Forestry ................................................................................................................ 166
Title IX, Energy ..................................................................................................................... 207
Title X, Horticulture, Marketing, and Regulatory Reform .................................................... 219
Title XI, Crop Insurance........................................................................................................ 237
Implications for Policyholders ........................................................................................ 237
Implications for Approved Insurance Providers ............................................................. 237
Implications for USDA ................................................................................................... 238
Title XII, Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................ 246
Livestock and Other Animals.......................................................................................... 247
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 ................................................. 247
National Security ............................................................................................................ 248
Fertilizer .......................................................................................................................... 249
U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization...................................................................... 249
Other Miscellaneous Provisions ..................................................................................... 250
Tables
Table 1. Estimated Changes in Mandatory Spending in H.R. 7567 ................................................ 3
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Table 2. Baseline Projections by Title of the Farm Bill ................................................................... 4
Table 3. Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation in H.R. 7567 .......................................... 5
Table 4. Title I, Commodities .......................................................................................................... 8
Table 5. Title II, Conservation ....................................................................................................... 19
Table 6. Title III, Trade .................................................................................................................. 54
Table 7. Title IV, Nutrition............................................................................................................. 75
Table 8. Title V, Credit................................................................................................................... 96
Table 9. Title VI, Rural Development .......................................................................................... 111
Table 10. Title VII, Research, Extension, and Related Matters ................................................... 138
Table 11. Title VIII, Forestry ....................................................................................................... 167
Table 12. Title IX, Energy ........................................................................................................... 209
Table 13. Title X, Horticulture, Marketing, and Regulatory Reform .......................................... 221
Table 14. Title XI, Crop Insurance .............................................................................................. 239
Table 15. Title XII, Miscellaneous .............................................................................................. 251
Contacts
Author Information...................................................................................................................... 280
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Introduction
Congress has established federal policy related to the food and agriculture sectors through
periodic farm bills since the 1930s. The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law and is the primary
piece of legislation that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. Policy areas
addressed in farm bills have expanded from providing support for selected commodities to
providing support for a wide range of programs and policies, such as commodity support,
conservation, trade, domestic nutrition assistance, credit, rural development, research, forestry,
energy, horticulture, and crop insurance.1
The farm bill contains a number of different authorities for programs to exist, operate, and receive
funding. Certain programs are permanently authorized and would continue in the absence of new
farm legislation. Other farm bill programs have authorizations that expire approximately every
five years and require reauthorization to continue. The most recent farm bill, the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334), expired in 2023. It was extended three
times, for a year at a time: in November 2023 to cover FY2024 and crop year 2024 (P.L. 118-22,
Division B, §102); in December 2024 to cover FY2025 and crop year 2025 (P.L. 118-158,
Division D, §4101); and in November 2025 to cover FY2026 (P.L. 119-37, Division E, §5002).
Congress amended selected provisions of the 2018 farm bill through Title I of the FY2025 budget
reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21).2 The FY2025 budget reconciliation law did not reauthorize all
expired or expiring programs or authorizations of the 2018 farm bill. For mandatory spending
programs, budget reconciliation rules did not allow policy changes that did not have a budgetary
effect. Policy changes and reauthorizations to discretionary spending programs were not allowed
under budget reconciliation. The FY2025 budget reconciliation law included changes for
mandatory spending programs in certain titles, including the commodities, nutrition, crop
insurance, and conservation titles, as well as relatively smaller programs with mandatory funding
in the trade, research, energy, horticulture, and miscellaneous titles.
House Action
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) would add to, amend, and
reauthorize some of the programs in the 2018 farm bill. H.R. 7567 would also amend and
reauthorize certain provisions of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (P.L. 64-190). H.R. 7567 was
introduced on February 13, 2026. The House Committee on Agriculture considered the bill and
ordered it reported favorably, as amended, to the House on March 5, 2026, by a vote of 34-17.
Members submitted 155 committee amendments. During committee markup,
•
•
•
45 amendments passed by vote (including 1 manager’s amendment, 5 as part of
an en bloc amendment, and 1 second-degree amendment to another
amendment);3
29 amendments failed by vote (3 amendments failed by voice vote, and 26
amendments failed by recorded vote);
32 amendments were offered and withdrawn after discussion;
1 CRS In Focus IF12047, Farm Bill Primer: Background and Status, by Jim Monke and Megan Stubbs.
2 CRS Report R48775, The Farm Bill After FY2025 Budget Reconciliation: Frequently Asked Questions, by Jim Monke
and Megan Stubbs .
3 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Agriculture, “Markup of ‘To Consider H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026,’” https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118990.
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•
•
47 amendments were not offered; and
2 amendments were ruled out of order as not germane.
H.R. 7567 was reported on April 21, 2026, with the committee’s report, H.Rept. 119-620. In
developing the rule for floor consideration, 371 amendments were submitted, of which 57 were
made in order for floor consideration (H.Res. 1224, H.Rept. 119-628).4
On April 27, 2026, the House considered 57 amendments for H.R. 7567. Of the amendments
made in order,
•
•
•
•
45 amendments passed by voice vote (24 as part of an en bloc amendment, 21
individually);
5 amendments passed by recorded vote;
4 amendments failed by recorded vote; and
3 amendments were not offered.
The House passed H.R. 7567, as amended, by a vote of 224-200 on April 30, 2026.
Senate Action
The Senate Agriculture Committee chairman released a discussion draft of the Agriculture Act of
2026 on June 23, 2026.5 For comparison to the House bill, this report refers to the discussion draft
as “the Senate bill.”
This report provides a summary of each title included in the House-passed version of H.R. 7567
and in the Senate bill. Following the summary of each of the 12 titles included in H.R. 7567 and
the Senate bill, this report includes tables describing each provision in the House and Senate bills
and provides a comparison of the House bill, Senate bill, and current law. For any program
authority affected by an extension, the most recent extension law is noted. In certain cases, the
Senate bill includes comparable provisions that are in a different title than the House bill. In those
cases, the provisions are cross-referenced in the title where the House bill provision is located as
well as in the title where the Senate bill provision is located.
Budgetary Impact
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a score of H.R. 7567, as reported, on April 24,
2026, ahead of House floor consideration. CBO has not released a score of the Senate bill.
The score of H.R. 7567 indicates that the bill would be budget neutral for mandatory (direct)
spending over an 11-year budget window (FY2026-FY2036).6 In the shorter term, it is expected
to increase mandatory spending by $162 million over the first six years (FY2026-FY2031) (Table
1). Changes in the score are relative to the February 2026 CBO baseline (Table 2).7
4 House Committee on Rules, “H.R. 7567—Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” April 27, 2026, https://
rules.house.gov/bill/119/hr-7567.
5 U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, “Farm Bill 2.0,” available at
https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/agricultural-act-of-2026-farm-bill-20. See the discussion draft of the Agriculture
Act of 2026 at https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/agricultural_act_of_20261.pdf.
6 Congressional Budget Office (CBO), “H.R. 7567, Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” April 24, 2026,
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/62376.
7 CBO, “Details About Baseline Projections for Selected Programs,” February 2026, https://www.cbo.gov/data/
baseline-projections-selected-programs.
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The largest budgetary changes to mandatory spending are in the conservation title; the bill would
reduce outlays for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by $786 million over
FY2026-FY2036 and redistribute funding to other conservation programs, most with temporary
budget effects. The bill would also extend authority in the trade title to replenish the Bill Emerson
Humanitarian Trust; its budget effects would be offset from restructuring trade promotion
authorities that were included in FY2025 budget reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21). The bill also
extends funding in the energy title for the Biobased Markets Program, offset by a rescission to the
Biorefinery Assistance Program.
For discretionary spending programs, CBO estimates that increases in authorizations that are
subject to appropriation total $22 billion over 5 years (FY2027-FY2031) and $22 billion over 10
years (FY2027-FY2036) (Table 3). FY2026 is not included in these estimates because
appropriations have already been enacted. Estimated outlays from these authorizations of
appropriation are nearly $16 billion over 5 years (FY2027-FY2031) and $21 billion over 10 years
(FY2027-FY2036). Details are not available about the shares that are reauthorization of currently
authorized appropriations and the amounts that are new programming.
Budget Background for the Farm Bill
Budget enforcement in Congress for mandatory spending uses baseline and scoring procedures that are followed
by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The goal is to determine whether proposed changes in a
bill would increase or decrease government spending. The baseline is a projection of what outlays would be under
current law if it were continued; it is the benchmark against which proposed changes in a bill are compared. The
baseline incorporates current assumptions about economic conditions, including expectations about prices,
acreage, trade, inflation, poverty, program participation, and eligibility. The score is the effect that each provision,
or the bill in total, is expected to have compared with the baseline (CRS In Focus IF13124, Distinguishing Between
Discretionary and Mandatory Spending; and CRS Report 98-560, Baselines and Scorekeeping in the Federal Budget
Process).
The total score of a bill determines whether the bill meets budget enforcement requirements, such as pay-as-yougo (PAYGO) or cut-as-you-go (CUTGO) (CRS In Focus IF11032, Budgetary Decisionmaking in Congress). A bill may
add or subtract funds from programs, or transfer funds among programs and titles using reductions to offset
increases. PAYGO refers to both a law and House and Senate rules that bills should not increase the deficit,
essentially, that budgetary increases are fully offset by spending reductions or additional revenue, so that the net
score of a bill is zero (CRS Report R41157, The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010: Summary and Legislative History;
CRS Report R47413, Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process; and CRS Report RL31943, Budget
Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Rule). CUTGO is a protocol in the House during the 119th
Congress prohibiting offsets from having revenue-raising provisions (CRS Report R41510, House Rule XXI, Clause
10: The CUTGO Rule).
Budget laws require CBO to score proposed changes over an 11-year budget window regardless of the length of
the new authorization period. The current 11-year scoring period is FY2026-FY2036 for authorizations in H.R.
7567 that generally would expire in FY2031 (Table 1).
Four titles of the 2018 farm bill account for 99% of the baseline projection (nutrition, crop insurance, farm
commodities, and conservation). The total 10-year baseline is $1.374 trillion over FY2027-FY2036 (Table 2) (CRS
In Focus IF12233, Farm Bill Primer: Budget Dynamics).
Table 1. Estimated Changes in Mandatory Spending in H.R. 7567
in millions of dollars, mandatory outlays
Title and program
FY2026-FY2031
FY2026-FY2036
Title I. Commodities
Tree Assistance Program
5
0
Title I Subtotal
5
0
Title II. Conservation
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Title and program
FY2026-FY2031
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
FY2026-FY2036
-593
-786
Conservation Stewardship Program
47
49
Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program
56
56
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act
50
54
Emergency Conservation Program
43
0
Emergency Watershed Program
16
15
Farm Management Incentive Payments
11
11
Transition Option for Certain Farmers
47
47
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, including
Adjusted Gross Income provision
173
216
Forest Conservation Easement Program
198
227
Regional Conservation Partnership Program
53
110
Title II Subtotal
101
-1
Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation
-35
-70
Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act
70
70
Title III Subtotal
35
0
Title VI. Rural Development
2
0
Title VII. Research, Extension, and Related Matters
1
1
Title VIII. Forestry
20
0
Biobased Markets Program
16
18
Biorefinery Assistance
-18
-18
Title IX Subtotal
-2
0
162
0
Title III. Trade
Title IX. Energy
Total Changes in Mandatory Spending
Source: CRS using Congressional Budget Office (CBO), “H.R. 7567, Farm, Food, and National Security Act of
2026,” April 24, 2026, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/62376.
Notes: Estimates are based on the House-reported version of H.R. 7567. The House-passed version did not
amend provisions related to this score. Estimated changes in outlays are relative to the February 2026 CBO
baseline (https://www.cbo.gov/data/baseline-projections-selected-programs). Omits titles with a score of $0 or
unspecified amounts less than +/-$500,000. Some titles in the CBO score did not have program-level detail.
Table 2. Baseline Projections by Title of the Farm Bill
in millions of dollars, 10-year mandatory outlays
Farm Bill Title
FY2027-FY2036
(February 2026)
Title I. Commodities
142,625
Title II. Conservation
73,004
Title III. Trade
8,280
Title IV. Nutrition
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Title VII. Research
3,510
Title IX. Energy
535
Title X. Horticulture
2,440
Title XI. Crop Insurance
155,539
Title XII. Miscellaneous
2,248
Total
1,373,560
Source: CRS analysis of Congressional Budget Office, “Details About Baseline Projections for Selected
Programs,” February 2026, https://www.cbo.gov/data/baseline-projections-selected-programs, for the five largest
titles and amounts in law for programs in other titles.
Note: Not all farm bill titles have programs that receive mandatory spending and projected baseline. Amounts in
the February 2026 baseline incorporate policy changes as a result of 2025 budget reconciliation in P.L. 119-21, as
well as changed economic assumptions.
Table 3. Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation in H.R. 7567
in millions of dollars, discretionary authorizations of appropriation and estimated outlays
Title and program
FY2027-FY2031
FY2027-FY2036
Title II. Conservation
Authorization of appropriations
750
750
Estimated outlays
627
750
Authorization of appropriations
625
625
Estimated outlays
357
490
1,196
1,196
997
1,066
1,190
1,190
325
405
Authorization of appropriations
4,705
4,705
Estimated outlays
2,542
4,691
Authorization of appropriations
8,324
8,361
Estimated outlays
5,869
8,345
Authorization of appropriations
4,225
4,225
Estimated outlays
3,886
4,225
715
715
Title III. Trade
Title IV. Nutrition
Authorization of appropriations
Estimated outlays
Title V. Credit
Authorization of appropriations
Estimated outlays
Title VI. Rural Development
Title VII. Research, Extension, and Related Matters
Title VIII. Forestry
Title IX. Energy
Authorization of appropriations
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Title and program
Estimated outlays
FY2027-FY2031
FY2027-FY2036
516
715
Authorization of appropriations
495
495
Estimated outlays
458
495
Authorization of appropriations
219
219
Estimated outlays
208
219
Authorization of appropriations
22,444
22,481
Estimated outlays
15,785
21,401
Title X. Horticulture, Marketing and Regulatory Reform
Title XII. Miscellaneous
Total
Source: CRS using Congressional Budget Office, “H.R. 7567, Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,”
April 24, 2026, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/62376.
Notes: Estimates are based on the House-reported version of H.R. 7567. The House-passed version did not
amend provisions related to this score. Authorization amounts are for specific appropriations; indefinite amounts
that would need to be estimated are not included. Title I (Commodities) and Title XI (Crop Insurance) do not
contain any specific authorizations of appropriations.
Title-by-Title Summary
Title I, Commodity Program8
The commodity titles of H.R. 7567, as passed by the House, and of the Senate bill would
authorize and amend many of the agricultural commodity support and disaster assistance
programs administered by the Farm Service Agency in USDA (Table 4). Title I of the FY2025
budget reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21) amended and/or reauthorized various programs included
in the commodity title of the 2018 farm bill through the 2031 crop year.9 As a result, H.R. 7567
and the Senate bill do not include provisions relating to many of these programs, and the scope of
the commodity title in H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill is limited compared with previous farm bills.
Commodity Policy
H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would continue the suspension of non-expiring farm bill
commodity support provisions from the 1930s and 1940s through crop year 2031, as was done in
recent farm bills.10 H.R. 7567 does not make changes to the commodities eligible for support
from the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC), or Marketing Assistance
8 This section was prepared by Christine Whitt, Analyst in Agricultural Policy, Resources, Science, and Industry
Division (RSI); Jim Monke, Specialist in Agricultural Policy, RSI; Stephanie Rosch, Analyst in Agricultural Policy,
RSI; and Megan Stubbs, Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural Resources, RSI.
9 See CRS Report R48574, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1): Title I, Farm Safety Net and Miscellaneous Provisions,
coordinated by Stephanie Rosch.
10 See CRS Report R47659, Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill and Extension for 2025, by Jim Monke, Randy Alison
Aussenberg, and Megan Stubbs.
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Loan (MAL) programs.11 The Senate bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to study
making dry edible beans eligible for these programs and authorize appropriations of “such sums
as necessary” for a new program to reduce and maintain dry edible beans stocks-to-use ratios at
historical levels. H.R. 7567 would not make changes to the eligible entities who can submit
information to USDA about a producer’s average adjusted gross income.12 The Senate bill would
add enrolled agents licensed to provide tax services by the U.S. Treasury to the eligible entities
list.
H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would mandate that dairy product manufacturers report production
costs and yield information to USDA. This information would be used to update factors that
represent the costs to manufacture a dairy product (the dairy industry refers to these costs as make
allowances) for the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system.13 Both bills would clarify
the timeline for USDA to submit certain dairy reports to the House Committee on Agriculture and
the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Both bills would make the Dairy
Forward Pricing Program permanent.14 H.R. 7567 would increase the number of eligible entities
for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, whereas the Senate bill would increase the
program’s authorized appropriations.
H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would allow producers to repay nonrecourse marketing assistance
loans during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., during a government shutdown) when USDA
employees may be furloughed.15 H.R. 7567 would authorize USDA to provide storage facility
loans for on-farm storage of propane used for agricultural production and to conduct a study on
the feasibility of providing storage facility loans for fertilizer. The Senate bill would authorize
storage facility loans for on-farm storage of propane and fertilizer, including equipment and
infrastructure necessary for fertilizer storage.
The Secretary of Agriculture has broad authority to use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
funding to support agricultural commodities.16 H.R. 7567 would remove the exclusion for tobacco
from the list of eligible agricultural commodities, thereby restoring tobacco eligibility for funding
from the CCC.17 The Senate bill would make no changes to the tobacco exclusion from the list of
CCC-eligible agricultural commodities (i.e., the bill would retain the existing statutory exclusion
for tobacco). The Senate bill would also amend and add reporting requirements for CCC
expenditures and activities.
Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs
H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would amend the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to provide
payment recipients flexibility in replanting after losses and give recipients the option of receiving
an initial partial payment prior to incurring replanting or rehabilitation costs. In H.R. 7567 and the
Senate bill, USDA’s authority to offer initial partial payments would expire (sunset) on September
11 For background on the Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and Marketing Assistance Loan programs,
see CRS Report R45730, Farm Commodity Provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill (P.L. 115-334), by Stephanie Rosch.
12 Statute restricts eligibility for certain farm programs based on a producer’s average adjusted gross income. For
background, see CRS Report R46248, U.S. Farm Programs: Eligibility and Payment Limits, by Megan Stubbs and
Stephanie Rosch.
13 See CRS In Focus IF12923, Pricing Amendments to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders, by Christine Whitt and CRS
Report R48573, U.S. Dairy Policy, by Christine Whitt.
14 See CRS Report R48573, U.S. Dairy Policy, by Christine Whitt.
15
See CRS In Focus IF12140, Farm Bill Primer: MAL and LDP Farm Support Programs, by Stephanie Rosch.
16 See CRS Report R44606, The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), by Megan Stubbs.
17 See CRS In Focus IF13196, Farm Support for Tobacco and the 2026 Farm Bill, by Stephanie Rosch.
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
30, 2035. The Senate bill includes provisions that would expand covered losses under TAP to
commercial trees that are no longer commercially viable due to a natural disaster. H.R. 7567 and
the Senate bill would require USDA to establish a framework to provide assistance to specialty
crop producers for certain losses, including economic crises and market disruptions. The Senate
bill includes a provision that defines the term specialty crop. H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would
authorize USDA to use block grants for administering supplemental ad hoc agricultural disaster
assistance. The Senate bill includes language clarifying that USDA is required to administer such
block grants via states. H.R. 7567 would require USDA to expand the proof of death standards in
the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for losses due to depredation by Mexican wolves.18 The
Senate bill would clarify that Mexican gray wolves and panthers are eligible under LIP. In
addition, the Senate bill would require USDA to accept documentation showing probability or
confirmation of an eligible livestock attack by animals or avian predators.
The Senate bill would clarify that the definition of livestock used to determine eligibility for
USDA’s livestock disaster assistance program includes unweaned livestock. The Senate bill
would also expand covered losses under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
(NAP) and would codify elements of LIP and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock,
Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish that can be found in the program’s respective regulation.
Table 4. Title I, Commodities
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Suspension of permanent price
support authority. Suspends the
permanent price support authority
of the Agricultural Adjustment Act
of 1938 (P.L. 75-430) and the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1949 (P.L. 89-439) for certain
commodities for the 2014-2026
crop years and for milk through
December 31, 2026. (7 U.S.C.
§9092; P.L. 119-37)
Suspension of permanent price
support authority. Extends the
suspension of permanent price
authority through crop year 2031
for commodities other than dairy.
Extends the suspension for dairy
through December 31, 2031.
(§1001)
Suspension of permanent price
support authority. Identical to
House provision. (§1101)
18 See CRS In Focus IF12101, Farm Bill Primer: Disaster Assistance, by Christine Whitt.
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Tree Assistance Program
(TAP). Provides payments to
eligible orchardists and nursery
growers to replant or rehabilitate
trees, bushes, and vines damaged by
natural disasters. Eligible losses
must exceed normal mortality.
Payments reimburse eligible
orchardists and nursery growers
for 65% of the cost of replanting
trees or nursery stock and 50% of
the cost of rehabilitation (e.g.,
pruning and removal). (7 U.S.C.
§9081(e))
Tree assistance program.
Expands coverage to include
biennial tree crops and losses due
to pest infestations. Clarifies that
trees that are no longer producing
an economically viable crop as a
result of a natural disaster are
eligible for TAP payments. Adds
requirements for TAP recipients to
replant or rehabilitate trees within
two years after the application
approval or at a time necessary to
ensure tree survival. Provides
recipients flexibilities in the
alternative planting activities that
can be reimbursed, which include
replanting alternative varieties,
replanting alternative stand
densities, and replanting in
alternative locations. Additional
payments are not provided for
these alternative activities. Requires
USDA to notify applicants of
application receipt and approve or
deny the application within 120 days
of submission. Adds the authority
for USDA to administer an initial
payment before incurring eligible
covered costs. Adds required
payment calculation components,
such as estimates for initial partial
payments for the cost of replanting
or rehabilitating the eligible tree,
bush, or vine; subsequent payments;
and potential overpayments. The
payments provisions sunset in
September 2035. (§1002)
Tree assistance program.
Expansion of the program, timing
requirements, flexibilities and
payment limitations for alternatives
used in replanting, requirement to
notify applicants within 120 days,
initial payments, and sunset
provisions are functionally the same
as the House provision. Does not
include the economically viable
provision. (§1303)
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No comparable provision.
Specialty crop emergency
assistance framework. Requires
USDA to establish a framework to
provide payments to specialty crop
producers impacted by adverse
events, such as economic crises and
market disruptions. Requires USDA
to calculate payments based on the
producer’s previous sales history
and availability of funds. Authorizes
USDA to create special rules that
take into account crop value,
production costs, and the legal and
organizational structure of
producers. Applies payment limits
used for other USDA direct
payment programs and excepts
entities that derive 75% of their
average gross income from farming
and other related activities.
Authorizes USDA to establish a
separate payment limit of not less
than $900,000 for each excepted
entity for any crop year. Applies
producer reporting and payment
limits as used in other USDA direct
payment programs. Does not
specify a funding mechanism for this
framework. (§1003)
Specialty crop emergency
assistance framework. Defines a
specialty crop to mean the same
collection of crops defined in 7
U.S.C. §1621 statutory note. This
definition includes fruits and
vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits,
and horticulture and nursery crops
(including floriculture). Other
provisions are functionally the same
as the House provision. (§1304)
No comparable provision.
Assistance in the form of block
grants. Authorizes USDA to use
block grants when administering
additional funds for agricultural
disaster assistance to address losses
for which other federal assistance is
unavailable. (§1004)
Assistance in the form of block
grants. Provides the same general
block grant authority as H.R. 7567.
Specifies USDA may make such
block grants to states. (§1305)
Dairy Forward Pricing
Program. Authorizes a USDA
dairy forward pricing program that
applies to milk purchased for
manufactured products and
excludes milk purchased for fluid
consumption. Expires September
30, 2026. (7 U.S.C. §8772; P.L.
119-37)
Dairy-related extensions.
Removes the program termination
date. (§1005(a))
Reauthorizations. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§1201(a))
Dairy Indemnity Program.
Authorizes payments to dairy
farmers when a public regulatory
agency directs removal of raw milk
from the market because of
contamination by pesticides, nuclear
radiation or fallout, or toxic
substances and other chemical
residues. Authority expires
September 30, 2026. (7 U.S.C.
§4553; P.L. 119-37)
Dairy-related extensions.
Extends authority through
September 30, 2031. (§1005(b))
Reauthorizations. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§1201(b))
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Dairy Promotion and Research
Program. Authorizes the National
Dairy Promotion and Research
Board to oversee a generic dairy
product promotion and a research
and nutrition education program
(i.e., “dairy checkoff”) and to spend
funds to develop foreign markets
for U.S. dairy products. Authority
expires September 30, 2026. (7
U.S.C. §4504(e)(2); P.L. 11937)
Dairy-related extensions.
Extends authority through
September 30, 2031. (§1005(c))
Reauthorizations. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§1201(b))
Mandatory reporting for dairy
products. Requires USDA to
establish a mandatory program for
dairy product manufacturers to
report to USDA price, quantity, and
moisture content of sold products.
(7 U.S.C. §1637b)
Mandatory reporting of dairy
product processing costs.
Amends the manufacturers
reporting requirements to include
production costs and product yield
information to USDA, as
determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture. Requires USDA to
publish a report with cost and yield
information not more than two
years after enactment and every
two years thereafter. (§1006)
Mandatory reporting of dairy
product processing costs.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences to the
House provision. Data reporting
and publishing requirements are
functionally the same as the House
provision. (§1202)
Dairy reports. Requires USDA to
submit annual reports for the dairy
checkoff and Dairy Products
Promotion and Research order (i.e.,
“fluid milk checkoff”) to the
agriculture committees of
jurisdiction.a (7 U.S.C. §4514)
Dairy reports. Clarifies USDA’s
dairy reporting requirements.
Requires USDA to submit dairy
reports to the agriculture
committees of jurisdictiona for each
calendar year after enactment and
for each report to be submitted not
more than 18 months after the last
day of the calendar year. (§1007)
Dairy Reports. Contains minor
wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§1203)
Repayment of nonrecourse
marketing assistance loans.
Provides terms for the repayment
of marketing assistance loans. (7
U.S.C. §9034; 7 U.S.C.
§7272(d))
Limitation on voluntary
services. Sets limits on
government employment and
services during a lapse in
appropriations (during a
government shutdown). (31
U.S.C. §1342)
Processing of certain loans.
Authorizes USDA to allow
producers to repay marketing
assistance loans during a lapse in
appropriations (a government
shutdown) when USDA employees
may be furloughed. Designates this
activity as excepted from furlough
for the safety of human life or
protection of property. (§1008)
Servicing of loans. Identical to
House provision. (§1102)
Farm storage facility loans.
Authorizes USDA to provide loans
to producers of grains, oilseeds,
pulse crops, hay, renewable
biomass, and other storable
commodities (other than sugar) to
construct or upgrade storage and
handling facilities for various
commodities. (7 U.S.C. §8789(a))
Storage facility loans. Adds the
authority for USDA to provide
loans for producers to construct or
upgrade storage facilities for
propane that is primarily used for
agricultural production. (§1009)
Storage facility loans. Adds
authority for USDA to provide
loans for producers to construct or
upgrade storage facilities for both
propane and fertilizer that are
primarily used for agricultural
production. (§1105(a))
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Study on storage facility loans
for on-farm fertilizer storage.
Directs the Secretary to conduct
and submit a study to the
agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona, within a year of
enactment, on the feasibility of
providing storage facility loans for
on-farm fertilizer storage. (§1013)
Rulemaking. When amending the
Code of Federal Regulations to allow
loans for fertilizer storage, the bill
requires USDA to include various
types of infrastructure and
equipment necessary to receive,
store, and remove fertilizer
products. (§1105(b))
No comparable provision.
Strengthening domestic food
production supply chains.
Requires the President to prioritize
preserving and strengthening
domestic production of sugar for
domestic food use when
administering federal policies.
(§1010)
Strengthening domestic food
production supply chains.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences from the
House provision. (§1106)
Administration Generally.
Provides for expedited rulemaking
for amendments made under Title 1
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L.
113-79), Title I of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115334), and certain crop insurance
and horticultural provisions. (7
U.S.C. §9091(c))
Regulations. Provides for
expedited rulemaking for
amendments made by Title I of the
Farm Food and National Security
Act of 2026. (§1011(a))
Regulations. Provides for
expedited rulemaking for
amendments made by Title I of the
Agricultural Act of 2026. (§1401)
Loan implementation. Requires
USDA to use Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC) funds to
ensure that the Marketing
Assistance Loan program benefits
are provided in full in any year that
discretionary spending limits are
enforced via sequestration or other
means. (7 U.S.C. §9097(d))
Regulations. Makes minor
conforming amendments and
clarifies the applicability for sugar
loans. (§1011(b))
Implementation. Makes minor
conforming amendments and
clarifies the applicability for sugar
loans with wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§1403(1))
The Secretary of Agriculture has
broad authority of the CCC
Charter Act (P.L. 80-89), as
amended, to use CCC funding in
fulfillment of its purpose to support
certain agricultural commodities.
Tobacco is specifically statutorily
excluded from eligibility. (15
U.S.C. §714c)
Restoration of tobacco as an
agricultural commodity in
Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act.
Removes the exclusion on tobacco
being considered an agricultural
commodity, thereby making
tobacco eligible for funding from
the CCC. (§1012)
No comparable provision.
No directly comparable provision.
Electronic forms for covered
disaster assistance programs.
Requires USDA, as soon as
practicable, to allow producers the
option to enroll in certain
agricultural disaster assistance
programs using electronic forms.
(§1014)
No comparable provision.
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Dairy Businesses Innovation
Initiatives (DBI). Requires USDA
to provide grants to at least 3
eligible regionally located entities to
conduct dairy related technical
assistance and training and to
provide sub-grants for dairy-related
modernization, specialization, value
chain innovation, product
development, and marketing. (7
U.S.C. §1632d)
Dairy business innovation
initiatives. Requires USDA to
provide grants to at least 4 eligible
regionally located entities. (§1015,
Title X—Horticulture)
Dairy business innovation
initiatives. Increases the
authorization of appropriations to
$36 million per fiscal year.
(§12503, Title XII—
Miscellaneous)
Definitions. Defines the types of
livestock eligible for USDA’s natural
disaster assistance programs. (7
U.S.C. §9081(a))
No comparable provision.
Supplemental agricultural
disaster assistance. Expands the
definition of livestock to include
unweaned livestock. (§1302(a))
Livestock Indemnity Program
(LIP). Provides payments to eligible
livestock owners and contract
growers for livestock and unborn
livestock deaths in excess of normal
mortality or livestock that are sold
at reduced price because of an
eligible loss condition (e.g., adverse
weather, disease, or animal attack).
Eligibility is predicated on the
occurrence of an eligible loss
condition and direct causation of
the death or injury of the animal.
LIP regulations require
documentation to substantiate
eligible attacks, obtained from a
source such as, but not limited to,
the following: APHIS, state level
Department of Natural Resources,
or other sources or
documentation, such as third
parties, as determined by the
Deputy Administrator. LIP
regulations define non-adult cattle,
including beef, beefalo, buffalo,
bison, and dairy, as being delineated
by weight categories of either less
than 400 pounds or 400 pounds or
more at the time of death or
reduced sale. (7 C.F.R.
§1416.305(d)(7)) (7 U.S.C.
§9081(b)) (7 C.F.R. §1416.302)
Revision of evidence standards
for livestock indemnity
payments for losses by Mexican
wolves. Requires USDA, within
180 days of enactment, to expand
the LIP proof of death standards for
livestock losses due to depredation
by Mexican wolves to include
evidence that does not primarily
depend on subcutaneous
hemorrhaging. (§1016, Title X—
Horticulture)
Supplemental agricultural
disaster assistance. Clarifies
livestock losses due to depredation
by Mexican gray wolves and
panthers are eligible under LIP.
Requires USDA to accept
documentation showing probability
or confirmation of an eligible
livestock attack by animals or avian
predators. Requires USDA to
determine LIP payments for eligible
livestock on the basis of weight
categories of either less than 400
pounds or 400 pounds or more.
Other eligible livestock weight
categories may be used but may be
set only at an amount greater than
400 pounds. (§1302(b))
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Emergency assistance for
Livestock, Honeybees, and
Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP).
Requires USDA to make payments
to producers of livestock,
honeybees, and farm-raised fish as
compensation for losses due to
disease, adverse weather, feed or
water shortages, or other
conditions (such as wildfires) that
are not covered under other
livestock natural disaster direct
assistance programs. (7 U.S.C.
§9081(d))
No comparable provision.
Supplemental agricultural
disaster assistance. Codifies
assistance for transportation costs
that are necessary to reduce losses
due to drought. Expands ELAP to
cover losses of winter stockpile
grazing. (§1302(c))
Adjusted gross income
limitation. Allows certified public
accountants or attorneys to submit
certified information regarding a
producer’s adjusted gross income.
(7 C.F.R. §1308-3a)
No comparable provision.
Certification of average
adjusted gross income by
enrolled agents. Allows enrolled
agents licensed by the U.S. Treasury
to provide tax services in
accordance with 31 U.S.C. §330 to
submit certified information.
(§1103)
Records; annual report.
Requires an annual report of CCC
business to be forwarded by the
Secretary to the President for
transmission to Congress. Also
requires quarterly itemized reports
for certain expenditures over
$10,000. (15 U.S.C. §714k)
No comparable provision.
Commodity Credit
Corporation records, reports,
and data. Amends CCC reporting
requirements to allow for the
Secretary to transmit annual
reports directly to Congress.
Increases quarterly reporting
threshold to $25,000 for certain
expenditures. Adds a biannual
report requirement for publicly
available Commodity Estimates
Books containing budget data,
policy assumptions, and supporting
economic data. Requires that each
report to Congress be submitted to
the agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona and the House
Committee on Appropriations and
the Senate Committee on
Appropriations. Reports that
include expenditures made using
CCC authority by the Secretary
(referred to as “section 5”
authority) must include reference
to the corresponding subsection of
the CCC Charter Act. (§1104)
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No directly comparable provision.
Statute defines eligible covered
commodities for the Agriculture
Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price
Loss Coverage (PLC) programs and
eligible loan commodities for the
Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL)
program. (7 U.S.C. §9011 and 7
U.S.C. §9031(a))
No comparable provision.
Dry edible beans study. Requires
the Secretary to contract with one
or more qualified entities not later
than 60 days after enactment to
study the inclusion of dry edible
beans as covered commodities
and/or loan commodities for the
purpose of providing an effective
safety net for producers. Requires
the Secretary to provide a report of
the study’s findings to the
agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona not later than 120 days
after enactment. Authorizes
appropriations of “such sums as
necessary” for a mitigation program
to reduce stocks-to-use ratios of
dry edible beans to maintain
average historical levels. (§1107)
Administration and operation
of noninsured crop assistance
program (NAP). NAP can
provide coverage for eligible
commodities against losses caused
by eligible natural disasters, such as
drought, flood, and freeze for which
crop insurance, with limited
exceptions, is not available. Eligible
losses must be due to an eligible
event and must directly affect the
enrolled crop. (7 U.S.C. §7333)
No comparable provision.
Noninsured crop disaster
assistance program. Expands the
loss requirements to include losses
resulting from a lack of water from
the community ditch because of an
eligible natural disaster. Defines a
community ditch as a private,
unincorporated or cooperative
irrigation ditch system, including an
acequia or unincorporated mutual
ditch company. (§1301)
Education Program. Authorizes
the Secretary of Agriculture to
establish an education program for
certain USDA staff for the purpose
of uniformly applying payment limits
and other restrictions for certain
program.
No comparable provision.
Technical Correction. Amends
the office that makes the initial
determination about the application
of payment limits and other
restrictions to be the Farm Service
Agency. (§1402)
Deobligation of unliquidated
obligations. Requires the
Secretary to deobligate and return
to the Treasury certain funds not
disbursed to recipients within 5
years of obligation. (7 U.S.C.
§9097(e))
No comparable provision.
Implementation. Extends
deobligation requirement to certain
funds provided in P.L. 117-328, P.L
117-43, P.L. 116-260, P.L. 116-94,
P.L. 116-20, P.L. 115-334, P.L. 115123, and the Agricultural Act of
2026. (§1403(2))
Report. Requires the Secretary to
submit annual reports to the
agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona on January 1 of each
year for 2020-2023 describing tilled
native sod acreage that received
reduced crop insurance or
Noninsured Crop Disaster
Assistance program benefits. (7
U.S.C. §9097(f))
No comparable provision.
Implementation. Extends
requirement through January 1,
2031. (§1403(3))
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Sources: Compiled by CRS from H.R. 7567 and a discussion draft of the Agriculture Act of 2026 issued by the
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee chairman on June 23, 2026.
a. “Agriculture committees of jurisdiction” refers to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Title II, Conservation19
The conservation titles of H.R. 7567, as passed by the House, and of the Senate bill contain
reauthorizations, amendments, and new programs that aim to incentivize farmers and ranchers to
voluntarily implement resource-conserving practices on private land. Both bills would reauthorize
expiring programs and provisions, create a new forest easement program and a new state-centered
soil health program, and emphasize the goal of streamlining conservation program delivery
(Table 5). The proposed changes in H.R. 7567 center on expanding precision agriculture,
establishing wildlife corridor habitat, and amending program implementation requirements. The
Senate bill focuses on drought and water-related activities and would amend existing emergency
and watershed programs and guidelines for conservation practice standards.
Conservation Reserve Program
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides federal payments to landowners to remove
agricultural land from production and restricts the conversion of grasslands to non-grazing uses.
Under both H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill, CRP would be reauthorized at its current level of 27
million acres through FY2031. Existing CRP subprograms would be reauthorized at current
levels, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (8.6 million acres of total CRP
acres), CRP grassland contracts (a minimum of 2 million acres of total CRP acres), and the
Farmable Wetlands Program (not more than 750,000 acres total).
Under H.R. 7567, funding for CRP initiatives would be reauthorized, including $12 million total
for forest management incentive payments and $50 million total for the Transition Incentives
Program. The Senate bill would not reauthorize these initiatives.
The Senate bill would limit enrollment in CRP grassland contracts (maximum of 12 million acres
of total CRP) and expand payments for grazing and water infrastructure. The bill would provide
additional flexibilities for haying in the last two weeks of the primary nesting season if they
would not cause long-term damage to the vegetative cover for wildlife populations. The Senate
bill would also increase the rental payment limit of $50,000 per fiscal year to $125,000 per fiscal
year, the first increase since the program’s creation in 1985.20
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship
Program
The two working lands programs—the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and
the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)—provide technical and financial assistance to
farmers to improve land management practices. Many of the proposed amendments in H.R. 7567
to EQIP and CSP would emphasize the use of precision agriculture practices and technology,
composting, and wildlife corridor habitat. The bill would create new subprograms and initiatives
under both programs, including a U.S. southern border initiative under EQIP and a state
assistance for soil health initiative under CSP. Funding for the new initiatives would come from
19 This section was prepared by Megan Stubbs, Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural Resources, RSI
Division.
20 The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was originally established in the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198).
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
existing funds authorized for EQIP and CSP. Payment limits restricting total funds received per
person under EQIP and CSP, which have expired, would be reestablished and in effect through
FY2031.21 H.R. 7567 would use EQIP funding to pay for a new Forest Conservation Easement
Program (FCEP) and funding increases in other conservation programs. In total, H.R. 7567 is
estimated to reduce EQIP budget authority by $1.0 billion over 10 years (FY2026-2036), less
sequestration. This is estimated to result in $786 million less in EQIP spending (outlays) over the
same period, less sequestration.22
The Senate bill contains similar language to the House-passed bill’s precision agriculture
language but does not include wildlife corridor habitat or composting. Payment limits for both
EQIP and CSP would also be extended by the Senate bill. The soil health program created in the
House-passed bill under CSP is created as a stand-alone program in the Senate bill and referred to
as a conservation assistance program. The new program would authorize $50 million annually
through FY2031 and be offset, in part, with the bill’s reductions to EQIP and CSP.23
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical
assistance through two types of easements: (1) agricultural land easements that limit
nonagricultural uses on productive farm or grasslands and (2) wetland reserve easements that
protect and restore wetlands. Most of the changes to ACEP in H.R. 7567 would focus on
additional incentives for socially disadvantaged farmer participation, the federal share of
easement costs, enforcement rights of an easement, and modification and exchange requirements.
The bill would exempt ACEP participants from the adjusted gross income (AGI) limit, which
restricts eligibility for various USDA programs to persons and legal entities whose average AGI is
less than $900,000, unless 75% or more of the income is from farming, ranching, or silviculture
activities.24
The Senate bill would also include the AGI exemption for ACEP participants but would include
different changes to the federal share of easement costs, certification of eligible entities, and the
use of de minimis adjustments to easements.
Forest Conservation Easement Program
The House-passed and Senate bills would both create a new Forest Conservation Easement
Program (FCEP) that would fund two types of easements: forest land easements and forest
reserve easements. Forest land easements would be similar to ACEP agricultural land easements
in that they would protect the sustainability of forestlands by limiting non-forest land uses. Forest
reserve easements would be similar to Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) easements in
that they would protect and enhance forest ecosystems and species habitat. Both bills would
repeal HFRP and provide FCEP mandatory funding through FY2031.
21 Payment limits under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program
(CSP) restrict the amount of funds a person or legal entity may receive under the program. Limits under both programs
expired in FY2023 and were extended through FY2024 under the FY2024 farm bill extension (P.L. 118-22, Division B,
§102). The most recent two farm bill extensions have excluded EQIP and CSP payments limits (P.L. 118-158, Division
D, §4101(e)(2)(B); and P.L. 119-37, Division E, §5002(e)(2)(B)).
22 See Table 3 in Congressional Budget Office, Estimated Changes in Direct Spending Under H.R. 7567, the Farm,
Food, and National Security Act of 2026, February 23, 2026, pp. 4-5, https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/202602/hr7567.pdf.
23 At the time of publication, no official CBO score of the Senate draft bill has been released.
24 7 U.S.C. §1308-3a.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Other Conservation Programs
Both H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill include adjustments to other conservation programs. The
House-passed bill would increase funding for programs, such as the Feral Swine Eradication and
Control Program, as well as make changes relating to the delivery of technical assistance,
streamlining, adjustment of federal cost share, or altering of eligibility requirements to programs
(e.g., the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Emergency Conservation Program,
Emergency Watershed Protection Program, and Watershed Rehabilitation Program).
The Senate bill includes some of the House-passed bills changes, such as the funding increases to
the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program, changes relating to the delivery of technical
assistance, and advanced payment options under the Emergency Conservation Program. Other
changes included in the Senate bill are not included in the House bill, such as amendments to the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 83-566).
Nearly all the conservation programs receive mandatory funding. Much of this funding was
adjusted under the FY2025 budget reconciliation law.25 Under H.R. 7567, the conservation title is
estimated to be budget neutral with reductions in EQIP offsetting increases in other programs. A
score of the changes proposed in the Senate bill has not been released as of this report’s
publication date.
25 For additional information, see CRS In Focus IF13114, Agricultural Conservation After Enactment of the FY2025
Budget Reconciliation Law (P.L. 119-21), by Megan Stubbs.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Table 5. Title II, Conservation
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Definitions. Defines 27 terms for
the purposes of all conservation
programs within the Food Security
Act of 1985, as amended. (16
U.S.C. §3801; P.L. 99-198)
Definitions. Adds definitions for
precision agriculture, precision
agriculture technology, and wildlife
habitat connectivity. Does not change
existing definitions.
Defines precision agriculture as
“managing, tracking, or reducing”
inputs with a high level of precision
to “improve efficiencies, reduce
waste, and maintain environmental
quality.”
Defines precision agriculture
technology as any technology that
“directly contributes” to a
reduction or improvement in input
use.
Defines wildlife habitat connectivity
as the degree to which landscape or
habitat elements facilitate native
species’ movements among seasonal
habitats. (§2001)
No comparable provision.
Mitigation banking. Authorizes
appropriations of $5 million
annually through FY2026 for grants
to develop wetland mitigation banks
for agricultural use. (16 U.S.C.
§3822(k)(1)(B); P.L. 119-37)
Mitigation banking. Reauthorizes
appropriations at current levels
through FY2031. (§2002)
No comparable provision.
Conservation reserve.
Authorizes CRP through FY2026 to
enter into contracts with eligible
landowners and operators to
conserve and improve soil, water,
and wildlife and to address state,
regional, and national conservation
initiatives. (16 U.S.C. §3831(a);
P.L. 119-37)
Conservation reserve.
Reauthorizes the program through
FY2031. (§2101(a))
Conservation reserve. Identical
to House provision. (§2101(a))
Eligible land. One type of land
eligible for enrollment into CRP is
highly erodible cropland if (1)
untreated it could substantially
reduce the land’s future agricultural
production capability, or (2) it
cannot be farmed in accordance
with a conservation plan and has a
cropping history or was considered
to be planted for four of the six
years preceding December 20, 2018
(except for land previously enrolled
in CRP). (16 U.S.C. §3831(b))
Conservation reserve. Replaces
the December 20, 2018, date with
the date of enactment of the House
bill, shifting the six-year cropping
history to include land planted for
four of the six years preceding the
date of enactment. (§2101(b))
Conservation reserve. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2101(b))
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Maximum acreage enrolled.
Authorizes CRP to enroll up to 24
million acres in FY2019, 24.5 million
acres in FY2020, 25 million acres in
FY2021, 25.5 million acres in
FY2022, and 27 million acres in
FY2023-FY2026. (16 U.S.C.
§3831(d)(1); P.L. 119-37)
Conservation reserve. Maintains
enrollment at 27 million acres
through FY2031. (§2101(c)(1))
Conservation reserve. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2101(c)(1))
Grasslands. Requires USDA to
enroll 2 million acres through CRP
grassland enrollment by the end of
FY2023. Incrementally increases the
minimum enrollment of grassland
acres to 1 million acres in FY2019,
1.5 million acres in FY2020, and 2
million acres in FY2021-FY2026.
(16 U.S.C. §3831(d)(2); P.L.
119-37)
Conservation reserve.
Reauthorizes the CRP grassland
enrollment minimum of 2 million
acres through FY2031.
(§2101(c)(2))
Conservation reserve.
Reauthorizes the CRP grassland
enrollment minimum of 2 million
acres through FY2031. Adds a
maximum CRP grassland
enrollment of 12 million acres.
(§2101(c)(2))
State enrollment rates.
Requires 60% of available CRP
acres to be allocated per state on
the basis of historical enrollment.
Enrollment rates must consider the
average number of acres enrolled in
each state each year of FY2007FY2016, the average number of
acres enrolled in CRP nationally
each year of FY2007-FY2016, and
the acres available for enrollment
each year of FY2019-FY2026. (16
U.S.C. §3831(d)(4); P.L. 11937)
Conservation reserve. Extends
the state enrollment rate
requirement to include the acres
available for enrollment for FY2026FY2031. Historic enrollment dates
for FY2007-FY2016 remain
unchanged. (§2101(c)(3))
No comparable provision.
Continuous enrollment
procedure. Sets continuous CRP
enrollment targets of not fewer
than 8 million acres by FY2019, 8.25
million acres by FY2020, 8.5 million
acres by FY2021, and 8.6 million
acres by FY2026. (16 U.S.C.
§3831(d)(6)(B); P.L. 119-37)
Conservation reserve. Maintains
enrollment target of 8.6 million
acres through FY2031.
(§2101(c)(4))
Conservation reserve. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2101(c)(3)(B))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Continuous enrollment
procedure. Requires CRP
enrollment to be continuous for
marginal pastureland, land that
would have a positive impact on
water quality if enrolled, selected
cropland, and Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP) contracts. (16 U.S.C.
§3831(d)(6)(A); P.L. 119-37)
The State Acres for Wildlife
Enhancement (SAFE) is a CRP
initiative administratively created by
USDA in which it partners with
nonfederal entities to protect
wildlife habitat through CRP
contracts.
Conservation reserve. Adds
SAFE to the list of contracts
required to be considered
continuously. (§2101(c)(5))
Conservation reserve. Contains
minor wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2101(c)(3)(A))
Farmable Wetlands Program
(FWP). A subprogram under CRP
since 2008, FWP is authorized
through FY2026 to enroll up to
750,000 acres of wetland and buffer
acreage in CRP. (16 U.S.C.
§3831b(a)(1); P.L. 119-37)
Farmable wetland program.
Maintains enrollment limit and
reauthorizes FWP through FY2031.
(§2102)
Farmable wetland program.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences from the
House provision. (§2103)
Eligibility for consideration.
Allows for land that expires from
CRP to be considered for
reenrollment. Land devoted to
hardwood trees is only eligible for
one reenrollment, unless the land is
part of a riparian forested buffer,
forested wetlands, or shelterbelt.
(16 U.S.C. §3831(h); P.L. 11937)
No comparable provision.
Conservation reserve. Adds that
land with grazing infrastructure
established under a CRP grassland
contract is eligible for reenrollment.
(§2101(d))
Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program
(CREP). Establishes CREP as a
subprogram of CRP, in which
USDA enters into agreements with
states and conservation groups to
target selected areas and natural
resource concerns in exchange for
continuous CRP sign-ups and higher
payments for enrollment. (16
U.S.C. §3831a)
No comparable provision.
Conservation reserve
enhancement program. Adds
the option to update agreements
under CREP following enactment.
Adds payment requirements for
CREP agreements that include the
retirement of water rights or
dryland agricultural uses. (§2102)
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Specified activities permitted.
Permits certain specified activities
(e.g., harvesting, grazing, or other
commercial uses of the forage) on
CRP land under selected conditions,
including but not limited to
emergencies. Allows emergency
grazing at 50% of the normal
carrying capacity on all practices
during the primary nesting season
without a reduction in rental rate
under certain drought and forage
loss conditions. (16 U.S.C.
§3833(b))
No comparable provision.
Duties of the Secretary. Allows
for emergency haying on 50% of
contract acres during the final two
weeks of the primary nesting
season without a reduction in rental
rates under certain drought and
forage loss conditions. Adds that
emergency haying or grazing is not
permitted during the final two
weeks of the primary nesting
season if doing so would cause
long-term damage to the vegetative
cover for wildlife populations.
Provides that haying and grazing
activities without a reduction in
rental rate are not required to
comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
(§2104)
Cost sharing payments. Defines
land enrolled in CRP as eligible to
receive cost-share assistance for
implemented practices. Limits costshare payments to 50% of the actual
cost of establishing the practice and
no more than 100% of the total
cost. Limits cost-share for seed to
50% of the seed mixture cost. No
cost-share is available for midcontract management activities.
Owners are ineligible from
receiving cost-share payments if
assistance is provided under other
federal programs, unless it is related
to a CREP contract. (16 U.S.C.
§3834(b))
No comparable provision.
Payments. Adds grazing and water
infrastructure as eligible for up to
50% cost-share if grazing is included
in the conservation plan and
addresses a resource concern.
Allows cost-share for mid-contract
management activities, excluding
grazing or haying. (§2105(a))
Annual rental payments.
Authorizes annual rental payments
for land enrolled in CRP. Provides
USDA discretion in determining the
amount to be paid, considering
factors including the amount
necessary to encourage enrollment.
(16 U.S.C. §3834(d)(1))
No comparable provision.
Payments. Requires that the
rental rate be based on the three
predominant soils on the land.
Does not allow for inflation
adjustments to payments.
(§2105(b))
Payment limitations for rental
payments. Limits the total amount
of rental payments received under
CRP directly or indirectly to
$50,000 per fiscal year. (16 U.S.C.
§3834(g))
No comparable provision.
Payments. Increases rental
payment limit to $125,000 per fiscal
year. (§2105(c))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Definitions. Defines 10 terms
under EQIP. Defines practice as one
or more improvements (e.g.,
structural, land management or
vegetative practice; forest
management; and other practices
defined by USDA) or conservation
activities (e.g., comprehensive
nutrient management plans,
precision conservation management
planning, and other plans as
determined by USDA). (16 U.S.C.
§3839aa-1(6))
Definitions. Amends the definition
of practice to include composting
practices in the description of
improvements to eligible land and
precision agriculture practices and
technology in the description of a
conservation activity. (§2201)
Definitions. Adds definitions of
precision agriculture and precision
agriculture technology.
“Precision agriculture” is defined as
a way of managing, tracking, or
reducing inputs to improve
efficiencies, reduce waste, and
maintain environmental quality.
“Precision agriculture technology”
is defined as a technology that
contributes to a reduction in or
improved efficiency of inputs.
(§2201)
Special rule involving payments
for income forgone. Allows
USDA, when determining payment
rates, to accord great significance
on certain practices that promote
natural resource improvements.
(16 U.S.C. §3839aa-2(d)(3)(F))
Establishment and
administration. Adds wildlife
habitat connectivity to the list of
practices that may be accorded
great significance by USDA when
determining payment rates.
(§2202(a)(1))
No comparable provision.
Other payments. Prohibits
duplicative payments from other
federal programs for EQIP-funded
practices. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa2(d)(6))
Establishment and
administration. Exempts from the
prohibition on duplicative payments
USDA loans or loan guarantees
used to cover the costs of EQIP
practices. Requires USDA to inform
EQIP participants that they may be
eligible for a USDA loan for costs
associated with implementing EQIP
practices. (§2202(a)(2))
Establishment and
administration. Contains minor
wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§§2202(a)(1) &
(a)(2))
Increased payments for highpriority practices. Allows states
the option, in consultation with the
state technical committee, to
identify no more than 10 highpriority practices that will be
eligible for up to 90% of the
practice cost. Practices must
address nutrients in groundwater
and surface waters, conservation of
water, identified wildlife habitat, or
watershed-specific resource
concerns. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa2(d)(7))
Establishment and
administration. Adds “Statedetermined” to the paragraph
heading. Expands the list of
resource concerns that eligible
practices may address to include
restoration of wildlife habitat and
increased carbon sequestration or
reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions. (§2202(a)(3))
Establishment and
administration. Adds “Statedetermined” to the paragraph
heading. (§2202(a)(3))
No comparable provision.
Establishment and
administration. Allows payments
for up to 90% of the cost of
precision agriculture practices and
technology. (§2202(a)(4))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No comparable provision.
Establishment and
administration. Allows payments
for wildlife corridor costs on land
enrolled in CRP and of ecological
significance. Multiple payments may
not be made for the same practice.
(§2202(a)(5))
No comparable provision.
Allocation of funding. Requires
that 50% of payments go to
practices related to livestock
production through FY2026. (16
U.S.C. §3839aa-2(f)(1); P.L.
119-37)
Establishment and
administration. Reauthorizes
required payments for livestockrelated practices through FY2031.
(§2202(b))
Establishment and
administration. Identical to the
House provision. (§2202(b))
Water conservation or
irrigation efficiency practice.
Allows EQIP payments to
producers or selected eligible
entities for water conservation or
irrigation efficiency practices. (16
U.S.C. §3839aa-2(h)(1))
Establishment and
administration. Expands eligibility
to include the adoption of precision
agriculture practices and technology
relating to water conservation and
energy efficiency. (§2202(c))
No comparable provision.
Payments for conservation
practices related to organic
production. Limits a participant’s
payments for organic production
conservation practices to a total of
$140,000 for FY2019-FY2026. (16
U.S.C. §3839aa-2(i)(3); P.L.
119-37)
Establishment and
administration. Increases a
participant’s payment limit for
organic production conservation
practices to a total of $200,000 for
FY2027-FY2031. (§2202(d))
Establishment and
administration. Extends a
participant’s payment limit for
organic production conservation
practices of a total of $140,000 for
FY2027-FY2031. (§2202(d))
Conservation incentive
contracts. Conservation incentive
contracts under EQIP are multiyear
contracts that address priority
resource concerns within selected
geographic regions. (16 U.S.C.
§3839aa-2(j)(2))
Establishment and
administration. Amends incentive
practices to include precision
agriculture practices and
technology. (§2202(e))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Establishment and
administration. Creates an
initiative to provide payments to
address and repair agricultural land
or infrastructure damage that may
contribute to natural resource
concerns. Limits eligibility to land at
or near the U.S. southern border.
(§2202(f))
No comparable provision.
Limitation on payments. Limits
an EQIP participant’s payments to
an aggregate of $450,000 for
FY2019-FY2024. (16 U.S.C.
§3839aa-7; P.L. 118-22)
Limitation on payments. Limits
an EQIP participant’s payments to
an aggregate of $450,000 for
FY2027-FY2031. (§2203)
Limitation on payments.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences from the
House provision. (§2203)
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Conservation innovation grants
and payments. Conservation
Innovation Grants (CIG) is a
competitive grant program within
EQIP. Grants include cost-matching
requirements to implement
innovative conservation projects.
(16 U.S.C. §3839aa-8(a))
Conservation innovation grants
and payments. Adds development
and evaluation of new technologies
as an eligible project. (§2204(a))
Conservation innovation grants
and payments. Contains minor
wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2204(a))
On-farm conservation
innovation trials. Requires $25
million of EQIP funds to be used for
on-farm conservation innovation
trials to test new or innovative
conservation approaches either
directly with producers or with
eligible entities annually for FY2019FY2031. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa8(c))
Conservation innovation grants
and payments. Adds perennial
production systems as an eligible
approach. (§2204(b))
No comparable provision.
Reporting and database.
Requires USDA to establish and
maintain a public conservation
practice database based on data
reported under completed CIG
projects. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa8(d))
Conservation innovation grants
and payments. Requires database
to include management and
structural conservation practices
and data that may be used to
evaluate new and emerging
technologies. (§2204(c))
Conservation innovation grants
and payments. Contains minor
wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2204(b))
Definitions. CSP defines
conservation activities as conservation
systems, practices, or management
measures, including structural,
vegetative, and land management
measures (including drainage
management systems); priority
resource concern planning;
comprehensive conservation
planning; soil health planning; and
activities that assist with adaptation
or mitigation against weather
volatility. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa21(2))
Conservation activities defined.
Adds “energy-efficient pumping
systems” and “composting
practices” to conservation activities
definition. (§2205)
No comparable provision.
No directly comparable provision.
USDA requires, through regulation,
that for an EQIP contract to include
irrigation-related practices, the
participant must provide
documented evidence that there is
a history of irrigation on the land.
(7 C.F.R. §1466.78(f))
No comparable provision.
Establishment and
administration. Adds a
requirement that state technical
committees be given the
opportunity to apply for a waiver of
the irrigation history requirement.
The waiver request may cover the
entire state or regions of the state.
Approval may be contingent on
demonstration of no adverse
impact to aquifer depletion or
surface stream flow. Water
efficiency requirements apply to
contracts resulting from a waiver.
(§2202(a)(4))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Water conservation or
irrigation efficiency practice.
USDA may enter into an EQIP
contract with states, irrigation
districts, groundwater management
districts, acequias, land-grant
Mercedes, or similar entities to
implement water conservation or
irrigation practices. Practices must
be implemented on eligible land or
land under the control of the entity.
USDA can waive payment and
eligibility limitations for these
contracts. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa2(h)(2))
No comparable provision.
Establishment and
administration. Deletes the
waiver authority for these
contracts. Adds a requirement that
payments to an entity, directly or
indirectly, may not exceed a total of
$2 million between FY2027 and
FY2031. (§2202(c))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Establishment and
administration. Adds that USDA
is not allowed to require soil testing
(unless the practice requires soil
testing) or planning beyond what is
required to implement the practice
under EQIP. (§2202(e))
No comparable provision.
Conservation stewardship
program. Allows payments for
wildlife corridor costs on land
enrolled in CRP and of ecological
significance. Multiple payments may
not be made for the same practice.
Payments for wildlife corridor costs
do not alter emergency haying or
grazing access on CRP acres.
(§2301(2))
No comparable provision.
Conservation stewardship
payments. CSP enrolls land into
multiyear contracts to encourage
producers to address priority
resource concerns in a
comprehensive manner by
undertaking additional conservation
activities and improving,
maintaining, and managing existing
conservation activities. CSP
payments are required to be based
on several factors (e.g., costs
incurred, income forgone, expected
conservation benefits, and
integration across an entire
operation). (16 U.S.C. §3839aa24(c)(2))
Duties of the Secretary. Adds
costs associated with planning and
adopting precision agriculture
technology to the factors in which
CSP payments are based. Requires
program annual payments to be no
less than $4,000. (§2302(a))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Supplemental payments for
resource-conserving crop
rotations and advanced grazing
management. Authorizes
additional payments for the
adoption of resource-conserving
crop rotations and advanced grazing
management. Requires payments
for these practices to be at least
150% of the annual payment rate.
(16 U.S.C. §3839aa-24(d))
Duties of the Secretary. Adds
precision agriculture conservation
activities as eligible for additional
payments. (§2302(b))
No comparable provision.
Payment limitations. Limits CSP
payments to a total of $200,000 for
all CSP contracts entered into by an
individual participant for FY2019FY2024. (16 U.S.C. §3839aa24(f); P.L. 118-22)
Duties of the Secretary. Limits
CSP payments to a total of
$200,000 for all CSP contracts
entered into by an individual
participant for FY2027-FY2031.
(§2302(c))
Duties of the Secretary.
Identical to House provision.
(§2301)
No comparable provision.
State assistance for soil health.
Creates a new Soil Health Program
for eligible states and Indian Tribes.
Grants are authorized to
supplement existing state and tribal
soil health programs. Limits grants
to $5 million annually or to 50% or
75% of the cost of implementing a
state program or tribal program,
respectively. Grants are one year
with the possibility of renewal.
Makes $100 million of CSP funds
available for the program annually
for FY2027-FY2031, with limitations
on administrative expenses.
(§2303)
State conservation assistance.
Similar to House provision,
including the creation of a new
program, grants to supplement
existing state and tribal soil health
programs, and limits for grants and
cost-share payments.
Differences from House version
include the program name
(Conservation Assistance Program).
Grants may be for up to five years,
with possible renewal. Limits
administrative expense for USDA
to 3% of total program funding and
for state and tribal participants to
7% of total grant funding.
Authorizes $50 million annually in
mandatory funding from the CCC
for FY2027-FY2031. (§2805)
Conservation of private
grazing land. Authorizes
appropriations of $60 million
annually for the program through
FY2026. (16 U.S.C. §3839bb(e);
P.L. 119-37)
Conservation of private
grazing land. Reauthorizes
appropriations at current levels
through FY2031. (§2401)
Conservation of private
grazing land. Identical to House
provision. (§2804)
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Feral Swine Eradication and
Control Pilot Program. Requires
USDA, under the pilot program, to
study the extent of damage from
feral swine, develop eradication and
control measures and restoration
methods, and provide cost-share
funding to agricultural producers in
established pilot program areas.
Requires the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) and
the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) to
coordinate the pilot through NRCS
state technical committees. Limits
cost-share assistance to 75% of the
costs of eradication and control
measures or restoration. Provides
$75 million in mandatory CCC
funding for FY2019-FY2023, $15
million for FY2024, and $105
million for FY2025-FY2031.
Requires funding to be split equally
between NRCS and APHIS, with no
more than 10% for administrative
expenses. (7 U.S.C. §8351 note)
Feral swine eradication and
control program. Codifies the
pilot as a program with nearly
identical requirements. Increases
total funding for FY2025-FY2031 to
$150 million. Amends the funding
split as 40% to NRCS and 60% to
APHIS. Retains the 10% limit for
administrative expenses. Requires
NRCS and APHIS to contract with
one or more land-grant universities
to assist with the program. Limits
eligibility to selected universities.
(§2402)
Feral swine eradication and
control program. Similar to
House provisions, including
codification of the pilot program,
program requirements, funding
levels, and agency funding split.
Does not include the House
version’s requirement to contract
with certain land-grant universities.
(§2803)
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. The
Watershed Operations program
provides technical and financial
assistance to states and local
organizations to plan and install
watershed projects. (16 U.S.C.
§1003)
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Adds a
new provision allowing USDA to
fund remedial actions for completed
work under the program.
(§2403(a))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Adds a
new provision requiring USDA to
streamline procedures and expedite
agreement approval methods for
the Watershed Operations
program. (§2403(a))
No comparable provision.
Data. Requires USDA to collect
and maintain data at the national
and state levels for the Watershed
Operations program, including
program expenditures and
expected benefits from project
implementation. (16 U.S.C.
§1010)
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Requires
USDA to make collected data
publicly available. Requires
additional data to be collected and
made public related to total
allocations, funds expended, and
contract and agreement details. The
public data requirement is to
exclude information relating to
agreements with individual
landowners. (§2403(b))
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Requires
USDA to make collected data
publicly available. (§2801(i))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Watershed Rehabilitation
Program. Provides 65%-100% of
the cost of rehabilitating dams built
by NRCS that are near, at, or past
their evaluated life expectancy.
Implemented as the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program. (16 U.S.C.
§1012(b)(2))
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Increases
the minimum required federal share
of the cost of rehabilitation to 90%.
Removes the requirement that 20%
of total benefits of the watershed
rehabilitation project must relate to
agriculture, which may include rural
communities. Removes the
requirement that more than 50% of
land situated in the drainage area
above retention reservoirs have
agreements to carry out
recommended soil conservation
measures and farm plans.
(§2403(c)(1))
No comparable provision.
Funding. Authorizes
appropriations of $85 million
annually for the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program through
FY2026. (16 U.S.C.
§1012(h)(2)(E); P.L. 119-37)
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act.
Reauthorizes appropriations at
current levels for the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program through
FY2031. (§2403(c)(2))
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Identical
to House provision. (§2801(j))
Emergency Conservation
Program (ECP). ECP provides
emergency funding and technical
assistance to producers to
rehabilitate farmland damaged by
natural disasters. Producers may
accept a reduced payment for
repairing or replacing fencing rather
than receive a higher payment
following the completion and
inspection of fence installation.
Limits advanced payments for
fences to 25% of the total payment
(based on cost). (16 U.S.C.
§2201)
Emergency conservation
program. Increases the advanced
payment limit for repairing or
replacing damaged fencing to 75% of
the payment for replacement or
rehabilitation of fencing (based on
market value) and not more than
50% of the payment for fence repair
(based on market value). Repair and
replacement can include updated
technology if it does not increase
cost. Expands eligibility of the
program to include wildfires not
caused naturally, including wildfires
caused by the federal government.
(§2404)
Emergency conservation
programs. Contains minor
wording and grammatical
differences from the House
provision. (§2802(a))
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Emergency Watershed
Protection (EWP) program.
Assists sponsors, landowners, and
operators in implementing
emergency recovery measures for
runoff retardation and erosion
prevention to relieve imminent
hazards to life and property created
by natural disasters, including the
purchase of floodplain easements.
(16 U.S.C. §2203(b))
Emergency watershed
program. Amends the floodplain
easement requirements under the
EWP program to include floodplain
restoration, maintenance, and
compatible use authority. Allows
restoration on floodplain easements
to be undertaken at levels above
immediate impairment needs if it is
in the best interest of the long-term
health and protection of the
watershed. Requires that USDA
identify a list of costs that may be
incurred prior to entering into an
agreement with USDA under EWP.
These identified pre-agreement
costs may count toward the
sponsor’s share of the total cost of
the project if an agreement is
entered into. (§2405)
Emergency watershed
program. Similar to House
provisions regarding amendments
to allow increased restoration.
Amends the eligible purpose of
floodplain easements to also include
restoration and enhancement of the
hydraulic functions and values of a
floodplain and to conserve the
natural values of a floodplain.
Requires USDA to acquire the
rights and interests necessary to
restore, protect, manage, maintain,
enhance, and monitor floodplain
easements. Allows for compatible
uses. (§2802(c))
No directly comparable provision.
The Conservation Effects
Assessment Project (CEAP) is a
USDA-created multiagency effort
led by NRCS to quantify the effects
of conservation practices on
agricultural lands.
National agriculture flood
vulnerability study. Requires a
CEAP report to the agriculture
committees of jurisdictiona within
two years of enactment on the
flood risk on agricultural lands,
including analysis of economic loss,
effectiveness of mitigation activities,
analysis of flood risk based on
available data, existing risk
reduction activities, and
recommendations for further flood
risk reduction. (§2406)
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Study on environmental
benefits of winter wheat as a
cover crop. Requires NRCS to
submit a study on the
environmental benefits of using
winter wheat as a cover crop to the
House Committee on Agriculture.
(§2407)
No comparable provision.
Declaration of policy. Provides a
declaration of policy that erosion,
floodwater, and sediment damage in
watersheds cause loss of life and
property constituting a national
menace. Declares that it is the
sense of Congress that the federal
government should cooperate with
state and local governments to
prevent such damages through
preservation, protection, and
improvement in water resources.
(16 U.S.C. §1001)
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Retitles
the section and adds a
congressional finding that expands
the declaration of policy to include
drought, declines in agricultural
production, and harm to wildlife as
constituting a national menace.
Amends the sense of Congress to
focus on cooperation with local
organizations. (§2801(a))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Definitions. Defines 3 terms
under the Watershed Operations
program, including Secretary, works
of improvement, and local
organization.
“Works of improvement” is defined
as any undertaking for flood
prevention; the conservation,
development, and utilization of
water; or the conservation and
proper utilization of land. Projects
may not exceed 250,000 acres and
no structure may exceed more than
12,500 acre-feet of floodwater
detention capacity or 25,000 acrefeet of total capacity. Limits
appropriations for larger projects.
Requires that at least 20% of the
total benefits of the project must
directly relate to agriculture
(including rural communities).
“Local organizations” is defined as a
state, political subdivision of a state,
soil and water conservation district,
flood prevention or control district,
irrigation or reservoir company,
water users’ association, or tribal
organization. (16 U.S.C. §1002)
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Adds
definitions for conservation of water
and management of water and makes
amendments to the definitions of
local organization and works of
improvement.
“Conservation of water” means a
reduction in the total annual
consumptive use of water created
under the program.
“Management of water” means a
project or activity that increases
water efficiency.
Amends the defined list of “local
organization” to also include a canal
company, ditch association, or
acequia.
Amends the acreage limit under
“works of improvement” to not
exceed 250,000 acres, including
federal land. Adds a definition of
“rural communities” required to
meet the 20% benefits threshold.
Moves the appropriation limit for
larger projects to a separate
section.
(§2801(b))
Assistance to local
organizations. Authorizes USDA
to conduct investigations and
surveys, prepare plans (including
engineering evaluation), enter into
cooperative agreements with local
organizations for works of
improvement, and enter into
agreements with landowners,
operators, and occupiers based on
developed conservation plans.
Applications must be made in
writing to the soil and water
conservation districts involved with
conservation plan development.
Cost-share is determined by USDA.
USDA may terminate agreements if
determined to be in the public
interest. USDA may waive
watershed plans for projects if
considered to be duplicative. (16
U.S.C. §1002)
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Adds
subsection headings and conforming
amendments. Adds a requirement
that the NRCS state conservationist
have final authority to approve
watershed plans for works of
improvement within the state. Local
organizations may use program
funds for approved third parties to
conduct preliminary investigations.
Additional authorities may be
granted to the NRCS state
conservationist if the authorities
support streamlining efforts. USDA
has 45 days, plus a 45-day
extension, to approve or
disapprove applications. No funds
may be provided for a project
without an approved watershed
plan, unless the need for a plan has
been waived. (§2801(c))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Cost share assistance. Cost
share assistance of up to 50% of the
cost of acquiring an easement may
be provided for perpetual wetland
or floodplain conservation
easements. (16 U.S.C. §1003a)
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Adds that
other non-USDA federal funding
provided for a project would be
considered part of the nonfederal
share of the project cost.
(§2801(d))
Works of improvement. Works
of improvement under the
Watershed Operations program
include flood prevention (both
structural and land treatment
measures) and water and land
utilization projects with specific size
limits. No appropriations are to be
provided for projects that need an
estimated federal contribution of
more than $25 million for
construction or include a storage
structure with a capacity in excess
of 2,500 acre-feet, unless the plan is
approved by the agriculture
committees of jurisdiction.a No
appropriations are to be provided
for a projects with a single
structure with a capacity in excess
of 4,000 acre-feet, unless the plan
(including the plan for the
structure) is approved by the
Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee and the House
Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. (16 U.S.C. §1002)
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Moves
and restructures the congressional
approval requirement to include a
requirement that no funds be
provided for works of improvement
involving a federal contribution
over $50 million or including any
structure that provides more than
2,500 acre-feet of total capacity,
unless approved by resolution
adopted by certain congressional
committees, specifically as follows:
the agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona for plans involving a
structure with less than 4,000 acrefeet of total capacity and the Senate
Committee on Environment and
Public Works and the House
Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. (§2801(f))
No comparable provision
No comparable provision.
Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act. Adds a
requirement that USDA, in
collaboration with NRCS state
conservationists and project
participants, review and update the
engineering standards and
requirements used for projects.
(§2801(g))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Emergency conservation
programs. Adds a new provision
allowing users (through permit or
lease) of federal, state, and local
lands to conduct permanent and
temporary improvements on the
land using ECP. Waives public
comment periods and allows for
the acceptance of certain
environmental reviews on federal
land. (§2802(b))
Congressional Research Service
32
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Emergency Forest Restoration
Program (EFRP). EFRP provides
cost-share assistance to private
forestland owners to repair and
rehabilitate damage caused by a
natural disaster, such as wildfires,
hurricanes or excessive winds,
drought, ice storms or blizzards, or
floods, on nonindustrial private
forestlands. (16 U.S.C. §2206)
No comparable provision.
Emergency conservation
programs. Expands EFRP land
eligibility to include federal, state,
and local lands. Expands the type of
eligible assistance to include water
for grazing livestock and affected
structures. Expands eligible events
to include wildfires not caused
naturally, including wildfires caused
by the federal government. Adds an
option for advance payment for up
to 75% of the fair market value of
the cost of repairs or rehabilitation.
Advance payment funds must be
used within two years or returned.
Waives public comment period and
allows for the acceptance of certain
environmental reviews on federal
land conducted by approved
qualified contractors under certain
circumstances. (§2802(d))
Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC), CRP
funding. Provides a total of $12
million for forest management
thinning payments and a total of
$50 million for transition contracts
in mandatory CCC funding for
FY2019-FY2023. Limits total funding
for CRP by enrolled acres, not total
dollars. (16 U.S.C. §3841(a)(1))
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Reauthorizes
mandatory funding authority for
forest management payments and
transition contracts through
FY2031. (§2501(a)(1))
Funding. Does not reauthorize
mandatory funding authority for
forest management payments and
transition contracts. Adds $100
million annually in mandatory CCC
funding for FY2027-FY2031 for CRP
grazing and water infrastructure
cost-share payments on land not
enrolled in a CRP grassland
contract. (§2401(1))
EQIP funding. Provides
mandatory CCC funding of $2.655
billion for FY2026, $2.855 billion for
FY2027, and $3.255 billion annually
for FY2028-FY2031. (16 U.S.C.
§3841(a)(3)(A))
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Reduces the
mandatory CCC funding authority
for EQIP to $2.53 billion in FY2027,
$2.73 billion in FY2028, $3.13
billion in FY2029, $3.175 billion in
FY2030, and $3.255 billion in
FY2031. (§2501(a)(2))
Funding. Reduces the mandatory
CCC funding authority for EQIP to
$2.5 billion in FY2027, $2.6 billion
in FY2028, $2.7 billion in FY2029,
$2.9 billion in FY2030, and $3.255
billion in FY2031. (§2401(2)(A))
No directly comparable provision.
Authorizes appropriations for the
Healthy Forests Reserve Program
(HFRP) of $12 million annually
through FY2026. (16 U.S.C.
§6578; P.L. 119-37)
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Provides mandatory
CCC funding for a new Forest
Conservation Easement Program
(FCEP) of $25 million in FY2027,
$50 million annually for FY2028FY2030, and $65 million in FY2031.
(§2501(a)(3))
Funding. Identical to House
provision. (§2401(3))
Regional Conservation
Partnership Program (RCPP)
funding. Provides mandatory CCC
funding of $425 million for FY2026
and $450 million annually for
FY2027-FY2031. (16 U.S.C.
§3871d(a))
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Moves funding
authority for RCPP from within the
program and provides mandatory
CCC funding of $450 million
annually for FY2027-FY2031.
(§2501(a)(3))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Regional equity. Requires
regional equity through
proportional distribution of
conservation program funds based
on historical funding levels. (16
U.S.C. §3841(e))
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Excludes FCEP from
regional equity requirements.
(§2501(b))
No comparable provision.
Acceptance and use of
contributions for public-private
partnerships. Requires USDA to
establish contribution accounts for
public-private partnership projects
to address natural resource
priorities (e.g., climate change and
carbon sequestration). Contributed
funds are used to leverage existing
funds for certain conservation
programs (e.g., EQIP, CSP, ACEP,
and RCPP). Requires annual reports
to the agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona through FY2031. (16
U.S.C. §3841(f))
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Amends eligible
programs to include FCEP.
(§2501(c))
No comparable provision.
Report on program
enrollments and assistance.
Requires annual reports to the
agriculture committees of
jurisdiction,a through FY2026, on
program enrollments and assistance
under conservation programs,
including significant payments,
waivers, and exceptions. (16
U.S.C. §3841(i); P.L. 119-37)
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Reauthorizes the
annual report requirements through
FY2031. (§2501(d))
No comparable provision.
Conservation standards and
requirements. Requires that
NRCS serve as the lead USDA
agency for developing and
establishing technical standards,
including standards for conservation
practices, and requirements for
conservation programs. Requires
that technical standards used by the
Farm Service Agency (FSA) be
consistent with the technical
standards developed by NRCS. (16
U.S.C. §3841(j))
Commodity Credit
Corporation. Adds a requirement
that USDA provide a technical
standard for composting. Defines
composting as an activity to produce
compost from organic waste that is
used and managed on a farm.
Requires consultation with the
Environmental Protection Agency
on whether nearby community
contribution of organic waste
would result in a net reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions.
(§2501(e))
Conservation standards and
requirements. Adds that NRCS is
also the lead USDA agency for
scheduling revisions to existing
standards and establishing new
standards. (§2402)
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
34
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Delivery of technical
assistance. Requires USDA to
provide all producers participating
in conservation programs technical
assistance, either by USDA or
through an approved third-party
provider. (16 U.S.C. §3842(a))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Adds definitions for
nonfederal certifying entity and farmerto-farmer network.
Defines “nonfederal certifying”
entity as a nonfederal entity, Indian
Tribe, or state agency that is
approved by USDA to certify thirdparty technical service providers.
Defines “famer-to-farmer network”
as an association of farmers that
share technical assistance,
information, or related support.
(§2502(a))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Similar to House
provisions, including definition of
nonfederal certifying entity.
Does not include the House
provision adding a farmer-to-farmer
network definition. (§2404(1))
Certification of third-party
providers. Technical Service
Providers (TSPs), as labeled by
USDA, are third-party providers
(individuals or businesses) that have
technical expertise in conservation
planning and design for a variety of
conservation activities. Farmers,
ranchers, private businesses,
nonprofit organizations, and public
agencies hire TSPs to provide these
services on behalf of NRCS. NRCS
certifies and approves TSPs through
a certification process. (16 U.S.C.
§3842(e))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Expands TSP definition
to specifically include commercial
and nonprofit entities, state and
local governments, and federal
agencies. Amends the certification
process to allow for other
nonfederal certifying entities to
approve TSPs. Adds requirements,
including application deadlines for
nonfederal certifying entities.
(§2502(d))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Similar to House
provisions, including the expansion
of TSP definition, allowance of
other nonfederal certifying entities
to approve TSPs, and additional
requirements for nonfederal
certifying entities’ applications,
duties, and deadlines. (§§2404(2)(4))
Administration. Allows USDA to
use mandatory funding authorized
for CRP, ACEP, EQIP, and CSP to
fund TSPs. Establishes terms of
agreements with TSPs and requires
a review of TSP certification
requirements. Requires payments
to TSPs to be based on fair and
reasonable amounts. (16 U.S.C.
§3842(f))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Expands the use of
mandatory funding to include all
USDA conservation programs.
Requires additional review of TSP
certification requirements and
adjustments for increased use,
outreach, and quality of TSP
services. Amends payment rates to
be equal to, but not exceed, the
cost of USDA providing technical
assistance. Adds additional payment
considerations for specialized
equipment and services. Excludes
TSP payments from any cost-share
requirements under applicable
conservation programs. Requires
TSP information to be made public.
Requires USDA to emphasize TSP
use for planning relating to cover
crops, precision agriculture
practices, and comprehensive
nutrient management. Allows
mandatory funding to be used to
fund farmer-to-farmer networks.
(§2502(e))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Amends required
review of TSP certification
requirements to occur within one
year of enactment. Adds a review
requirement to conduct outreach
and receive input from TSPs.
(§2404(5))
Congressional Research Service
35
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Review of conservation
practice standards. Requires
USDA to complete a review of
conservation practice standards.
Expands consultation requirements
to include input from state technical
committees. Requires USDA to
develop an administrative process
to expedite revisions of
conservation practice standards, to
consider scientific and technological
advancements, to provide local
flexibility in the creation of interim
practice standards and partnerproposed techniques, and to solicit
input from state technical
committees. Requires a report to
Congress every two years on the
process and the revisions and
innovations considered under the
process. (16 U.S.C. §3842(h))
Delivery of technical
assistance. Renames the section
heading to “Establishment and
Review.” Reauthorizes required
review of conservation practice
standards and requires additional
reviews at least every five years.
Requires the evaluation of new and
innovative technologies that provide
equivalent or improved natural
resource benefits compared with
existing standards. Requires public
input and reporting of the final
decisions. Creates a new process
for establishing interim and new
conservation practice standards,
including development of a
streamlined process, consideration
of public input, public reporting
requirements, and required reports
to Congress. Prioritizes review for
innovative technologies, such as
precision agriculture technologies,
biological fertilizers, and perennial
production systems. Establishes a
new Office of Conservation
Innovation within NRCS that would
require the detailing of up to six
staff to support and carry out the
conservation practice standard
review and revision processes.
Requires the creation of a
composting practice standard.
(§2502(f))
Establishment and review of
conservation practice
standards. Similar to House
provisions, including the heading
change, reauthorization of reviews
every five years, required evaluation
of new and innovative technology,
prioritization of review for
innovative technologies, and
required reports to Congress.
Differences to House version
include the establishment of
conservation practice standard
requirements and considerations
for local flexibility. Requires more
detailed public information
reporting. Does not include the
House creation of an Office of
Conservation Innovation. (§2403)
No comparable provision.
Delivery of technical
assistance. Provides USDA with
direct hire authority to appoint
individuals to positions that provide
technical assistance to NRCS
conservation programs. Allows
appointments to be made without
regard to federal hiring preferences,
standards, and ranking
requirements. Maintains
requirements for Selective Service
registration and prohibition on the
consideration of recommendations
of Senators and Representatives.
Requires applicants to meet
qualifications relating to the
provision of technical assistance and
standards established by the Office
of Personnel Management.
(§2502(g))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No comparable provision.
Delivery of technical
assistance. Requires USDA to
support nonstructural methods of
livestock control (e.g., virtual fence)
and other practices to support
wildlife habitat connectivity.
(§2502(h))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision
Delivery of technical
assistance. Creates a provision
allowing USDA to enter into
cooperative agreements with
eligible entities, such as nonprofits,
Indian Tribes, local governments,
institutes of higher education,
states, and farmer-to-farmer
networks, to build capacity and
support for farmer-to-farmer
networks. Priority is given for
entities that would work with
historically underserved and
limited-resource producer groups
or in high poverty areas. Entities
would be required to complete
certain actions, such as facilitating
access to farmer-to-farmer
networks and mentoring resources,
coordinating training, supporting
other farmer-to-farmer networks,
or issuing subawards to increase
farmer-to-farmer assistance.
Requires USDA to provide a report
to the agriculture committees of
jurisdiction.a (§2502(i))
No comparable provision.
Acreage limitations. Establishes
that no county may enroll more
than 25% of cropland into CRP or
wetland reserve easements under
ACEP. Allows not more than 15%
of a county to be enrolled as a
wetland reserve easement under
ACEP. Permits USDA to waive this
limitation in some situations. (16
U.S.C. §3844(f))
Administrative requirements
for conservation programs.
Deletes the limit that not more
than 15% of a county may be
enrolled as a wetland reserve
easement under ACEP. (§2503(b))
Administrative requirements
for conservation programs.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences from the
House provision. (§2405)
Review and guidance of
practice costs and payment
rates. Requires USDA to review
and issue guidance on the cost
effectiveness of cost-share rates and
payment rates for all farm bill
conservation programs. Requires
USDA to issue guidance to states
for an annual review and adjustment
of rates. (16 U.S.C. §3844(j))
Administrative requirements
for conservation programs.
Requires an annual review of the
actual practice costs by state and
the payment rates under all farm bill
conservation programs. Requires
USDA to establish procedures for
updating payment rates to reflect
practice costs at the time of
practice implementation.
(§2503(c))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Source water protection
through targeting of
agricultural practices. Requires
USDA to encourage conservation
practices relating to water quality
and quantity that protect source
waters used for drinking water
through all farm bill conservation
programs. Allows producers to
receive incentives and increased
payment rates (up to 90% of cost)
for such practices. Requires USDA
to collaborate with community
water systems and NRCS state
technical committees to identify
local priority areas. Requires 10% of
all annual funding for conservation
programs (except CRP) to be used
for water protection practices for
FY2019-FY2031. (16 U.S.C.
§3844(n))
Administrative requirements
for conservation programs.
Requires USDA to identify a source
water protection coordinator for
each state. Requires an annual
public report that includes program
and funding information, including
an interactive map with aggregated
data. (§2503(d))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Administrative requirements
for conservation programs.
Allows USDA to encourage the use
of conservation practices that
support the development,
restoration, and maintenance of
habitat connectivity and wildlife
corridors. (§2503(e))
No comparable provision.
CSP funding. Provides mandatory
CCC funding of $1.3 billion for
FY2026, $1.325 billion for FY2027,
$1.35 billion annually for FY2028,
$1.375 billion annually for FY2029FY2031. (16 U.S.C.
§3841(a)(3)(B))
No comparable provision.
Funding. Reduces the mandatory
CCC funding authority for CSP to
$1.275 billion in FY2027, $1.3
billion in FY2028, and $1.325 billion
annually in FY2029-FY2031.
(§2401(2)(b))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Temporary administration of
conservation programs. Allows
USDA to carry out CRP, EQIP,
CSP, ACEP, and RCPP using
regulations and policies in effect
before enactment, consistent with
amendments made in the bill. This
authority terminates 270 days after
enactment, upon which time USDA
is required to carry out the
programs in accordance with final
regulations. (§2406)
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Definitions. Defines seven terms
under ACEP. Defines buy-protect-sell
transaction to allow land owned by
an eligible entity to be eligible for
the program, subject to the transfer
of ownership to a farmer or
rancher within three years following
the acquisition of the agricultural
land easement (ALE). (16 U.S.C.
§3865a)
Agricultural land easements.
Deletes the definition of buy-protectsell transaction. (§2601)
Definitions. Amends the definition
of buy-protect-sell transaction to
include one or more eligible
entities. Does not allow for the
eligible entity to hold both the ALE
and have ownership of the land
subject to the easement.
Adds a definition for buy-sell-protect
transaction that allows land owned
by an eligible entity to be eligible for
the program, subject to the transfer
of ownership to a farmer or
rancher prior to or upon the
acquisition of the ALE. (§2501)
Availability of assistance.
Provides ACEP funds for the
purchase of ALEs by eligible
entities, for technical assistance to
implement the program, and to
develop an ALE plan and for buyprotect-sell transactions. (16
U.S.C. §3865b(a))
Agricultural land easements.
Deletes buy-protect-sell
transactions as eligible for funding.
(§2602(a))
Agricultural land easements.
Adds buy-sell-protect transactions
as eligible for funding. (§2502(a))
Cost-share assistance. Limits the
federal share of an ALE to 50% of
the fair market value of the
easement. Requires ALE eligible
entities to provide contributions
that are at least equivalent to the
federal share. Allows grasslands of
special environmental significance
up to 75% of the fair market value
for the federal share. The
nonfederal portion used by the
eligible entity can be cash,
landowner donations, costs
associated with the easement, or
other costs determined by USDA.
(16 U.S.C. §§3865b(b)(1) and
(b)(2))
Agricultural land easements.
Limits the federal share of an ALE
to 65% of the fair market value of
the easement. Creates a new
exception in the case of a socially
disadvantaged farmer or rancher
who holds at least 50% ownership
interest; the federal share may be
up to 90% of the fair market value
of the easement. Requires the
nonfederal portion to cover the
remainder in value of the easement.
Adds a low cost-share option that
reduces the federal share of an ALE
to 25% of the fair market value of
the easement if the agreement does
not include a right of enforcement
for USDA. Under the low costshare option, allows the eligible
entity to use its own terms and
conditions for the ALE if USDA
determines they are consistent with
the purposes of the programs and
permit effective enforcement.
Requires entities using the low
cost-share option to provide at
least 50% of the fair market value of
the ALE in cash. (§2602(b)(1))
Agricultural land easements.
Similar to House provisions,
including the addition of a low costshare option and related allowances
and requirements for the low costshare option.
Differences to House include an
increase to the limit for the federal
share of an ALE to 60% of the fair
market value of the easement.
Requires the nonfederal portion to
cover not less than 40% of the fair
market value of the easement
except in the case of grasslands of
special environmental significance.
Increases the federal share
allowance for grasslands of special
environmental significance to 80%
of the fair market value of the
easement and adds that eligible
entities must pay not less than 20%
of the fair market value of the
easement. (§2502(b)(1))
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Evaluation and ranking of
applications. Requires the
evaluation and ranking criteria for
ALE applications to maximize the
benefit of federal investment under
ACEP. (16 U.S.C. §3865b(b)(3))
Agricultural land easements.
Adds a new provision allowing
USDA to pool applications from
socially disadvantaged farmers or
ranchers and consider them
separately from other ALE
applications. (§2602(b)(2))
No comparable provision.
Agreements with eligible
entities. ACEP ALE enrollment is
through eligible entities that enter
into cooperative agreements of
three to five years in length with
USDA. The entities acquire
easements and hold, monitor,
manage, and enforce the easements.
Entities may use their own terms
and conditions for ALEs if USDA
determines they are consistent with
the purpose of the program, permit
effective enforcement, and include a
right of enforcement for USDA.
(16 U.S.C. §3865b(b)(4))
Agricultural land easements.
Requires eligible entities’ terms and
conditions to include a right for
USDA to require transfer of the
easement if the eligible entity ceases
to exist or is no longer eligible for
ACEP. (§2602(b)(3))
No comparable provision.
Certification of eligible entities.
Requires USDA to establish a
process for certifying eligible
entities with specified criteria. Land
trusts accredited by the Land Trust
Accreditation Commission with
more than 10 successful ALEs
under ACEP or other easement
programs and state agencies with
more than 10 successful ALEs
under ACEP or other easement
programs may be considered
certified under ACEP if they meet
program responsibilities. Requires
USDA to review eligible entities
every 3 years. Allows USDA to
revoke certifications if found
ineligible after review and a180-day
grace period to correct actions. (16
U.S.C. §3865b(b)(5))
Agricultural land easements.
Amends the certification process in
order to minimize administrative
burdens on USDA and to recognize
the ability of experienced eligible
entities to administer easements
with minimal USDA oversight.
Lowers the threshold for
certification to 5 successful ALEs
under ACEP for both land trusts
and states. Expands certification
eligibility considerations to entities
that are not land trusts or states
but have more than 10 successful
ALEs under ACEP or other
easement programs. Requires
annual quality review of a sample
set of eligible entities.
(§2602(b)(4))
Agricultural land easements.
Amends the stated purpose of the
certification process to be an effort
to minimize administrative burdens
on USDA and recognize the ability
of experienced eligible entities to
administer easements with minimal
USDA oversight. Adds an expedited
certification process for public
entities and accredited land trusts.
Adds that certification under ACEP
applies to partnerships established
under RCPP. Adds de minimis
adjustments to be included in the
required USDA review of eligible
entities every 3 years.
(§2502(b)(2))
Availability of assistance.
Permits ACEP Wetland Reserve
Easements (WREs) to enroll land to
restore, protect, and enhance
wetlands through 30-year
easements, permanent easements,
or 30-year contracts for Indian
Tribes. (16 U.S.C. §3865c(b)(1))
Wetland reserve easements.
Expands eligibility of 30-year
contracts to include socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(§2603(a)(1))
No comparable provision.
No comparable provision.
Wetland reserve easements.
Allows USDA to evaluate and rank
applications from socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers
separately from other applications.
(§2603(a)(2))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
40
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No comparable provision.
Wetland reserve easements.
Requires USDA to provide funding
for repair, maintenance, and
enhancement activities on existing
WREs in accordance with a WRE
plan. Prioritizes identified
maintenance and management
needs. Limits payments to 100% of
the cost of the practice. Requires
USDA to provide a report to the
agriculture committees of
jurisdictiona within two years of
enactment on funds required and
used under this provision.
(§2603(c))
Wetland reserve easements.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences to the
House provision. (§2503(5))
Technical assistance. USDA may
use contracts with private entities
or agreements with states,
nongovernmental organizations, or
Indian Tribes to carry out
restoration, enhancement, or
maintenance of WREs. (16 U.S.C.
§3865c(d))
Wetland reserve easements.
Renames subsection. Expands
eligibility to federal and local
agencies. Adds repair, assessment,
and monitoring to the actions that
could be carried out through a
contract or agreement. (§2603(d))
Wetland reserve easements.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences to the
House provision. (§2503(5))
Wetland reserve enhancement
option. Authorizes USDA to
conduct a WRE option (referred to
as the Wetlands Reserve
Enhancement Partnership, WREP)
that uses agreements with states to
leverage funds for high-priority
wetlands projects. (16 U.S.C.
§3865c(e))
Wetland reserve easements.
Requires at least 15% of funds
available to carry out ACEP WREs
to be used for WREP. (§2603(e))
No comparable provision.
Congressional Research Service
41
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Modification and exchange.
Allows USDA to modify or
exchange any ACEP easement if no
reasonable alternative exists and
the modification or exchange (1)
results in a greater or equivalent
conservation value, (2) results in a
greater or equivalent economic
value to the United States, (3) is
consistent with the original intent of
the easement and purposes of
ACEP, and (4) is in the public
interest and furthers the practical
administration of ACEP. USDA may
not increase payments because of
modifications or exchanges. (16
U.S.C. §3865d(c)(2))
Administration. Separates the
modification and exchange
requirements into separate
provisions. For modifications,
removes the authority to modify an
ACEP easement if no reasonable
alternative exists and replaces it
with a requirement that the
modification supports the long-term
agricultural viability of the farm and
conservation values of the
easement. Removes the allowance
for the modification based on
creating a greater or equivalent
economic value to the United
States. Allows modifications of an
easement to make corrections,
exercise reserved rights, and make
changes based on water availability.
Amends the limitation on increased
payments if the modification would
add acres to the easement. Adds
that ACEP modifications are not to
be considered major federal actions
under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). Exchange
requirements remain unchanged as
a separate provision.
(§2604(a)(1))
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
No comparable provision.
42
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No comparable provision.
Administration. Allows de
minimis adjustments of ACEP
easements if they further the
practical administration of the
programs and are not a
subordination, modification,
exchange, or termination. Defines
de minimis adjustments to include
typographical errors, minor changes
in legal descriptions due to mapping
errors, transfers of interest
between eligible entities, changes to
building envelope boundaries,
access relocations, temporary work
areas, and other adjustments
determined appropriate by USDA.
Allows eligible entities to modify
terms and conditions if they do not
conflict with the required minimum
terms and conditions.
(§2604(a)(2))
Administration. Allows de
minimis adjustments of ACEP
easements if they increase
conservation values or have limited
to no negative effect on
conservation values; are in the
public interest or further the
practical administration of the
programs; and are not a
subordination, modification,
exchange, or termination. Eligible
entities may be allowed to make de
minimis adjustments if they would
increase conservation values or
have limited to no negative effect
on conservation values, are
consistent with the program
purpose and further the practical
administration of the program, are
not made to resolve a violation, and
are not made on easements co-held
by the United States. Defines de
minimis adjustments to include title
corrections, typographical errors,
minor changes in legal descriptions
due to mapping errors, changes to
building envelope boundaries, and
access relocations. Eligible entities
must report de minimis adjustments
within 30 days or risk loss of
certification or other remedies.
(§2504)
Limitation. Limits eligibility for
various USDA programs (including
ACEP) to persons and legal entities
whose average adjusted gross
income (AGI) is no more than
$900,000. (7 U.S.C. §13083a(b)(1))
Administration. Exempts ACEP
from AGI limits and removes any
income derived from ACEP from
being included in the AGI
calculation. (§2604(b))
Adjusted gross income
limitation. Identical to House
provision. (§2505)
Congressional Research Service
43
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No directly comparable provision.
The purpose of ACEP ALEs is to
protect agricultural use and future
viability by limiting nonagricultural
uses. (16 U.S.C. §3865(b)(3))
HFRP assists private and tribal
landowners in restoring and
enhancing forest ecosystems for the
purposes of species recovery,
biodiversity improvement, and
carbon sequestration enhancement
as outlined in restoration plans.
(16 U.S.C. §6571)
Forest conservation easement
program. Creates a forest
conservation easement program
that funds two types of easements:
forest land easements and forest
reserve easements. Forest land
easements are similar to ALEs
under ACEP. Forest reserve
easements are similar to easements
under HFRP, which would be
repealed on enactment. Authorizes
FCEP to acquire easements for the
purpose of protecting the
sustainability of forestlands by
limiting non-forestland uses,
protecting and enhancing forest
ecosystems and species habitats,
and carrying out the purposes of
HFRP prior to repeal. (§2701)
Forest conservation easement
program. Contains minor wording
and grammatical differences from
the House provision. (§2701)
Congressional Research Service
44
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No directly comparable provision.
HFRP defines acreage owned by
Indian tribes as land held in trust by
the United States for the benefit of
Indian Tribes or tribal members;
land held by Indian Tribes or
individual Indians subject to federal
restrictions; land subject to rights of
use, occupancy, and benefit of
certain Indian Tribes; land held in
fee title by an Indian Tribe; land
owned by a native corporation
formed under §17 of the Indian
Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C.
§5124) or §8 of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
§1607); or any combination thereof.
(16 U.S.C. §6572(e)(2)(A))
Forest conservation easement
program. Defines terms used by
FCEP, including
Acreage owned by an Indian tribe,
which repeats the definition used
under HFRP;
Eligible entity means an “agency of
state or local government,” Indian
Tribe, or eligible organization;
Eligible land means private forestland
or “acreage owned by an Indian
Tribe” that, if enrolled in either a
forest land easement or forest
reserve easement, would protect
forest use and species habitat;
Forest land easement means an
easement that protects forestland
use while maintaining working
forest production, in accordance
with a forest management plan;
Forest management plan means a
“forest stewardship plan” or other
plan developed by a third party or
state forestry agency, as
appropriate;
Forest reserve easement means an
easement that protects forestland
use while maintaining working
forest production, in accordance
with a forest reserve easement
plan;
Program means FCEP; and
Socially disadvantaged forest
landowner means a forest landowner
who is a member of a group that
has been subjected to racial or
ethnic prejudice because of their
identity as members of a group
without regard to their individual
qualities. (§2701)
Forest conservation easement
program. Contains minor wording
and grammatical differences from
the House provision. (§2701)
Congressional Research Service
45
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No directly comparable provision.
ACEP ALEs provide for the
purchase of conservation easements
through eligible entities by limiting
the land’s nonagricultural uses. The
federal cost may not exceed 50% of
the fair market value of the
easement. Grasslands of special
environmental significance are
allowed up to 75% of the fair
market value for the federal share.
Fair market value is determined
through approved industry
methods. The nonfederal portion
can be cash, landowner donations,
costs associated with the easement,
or other costs determined by
USDA. Requires the evaluation and
ranking criteria for ALE applications
to maximize the benefit of federal
investment under ACEP. USDA
must enter into agreements with
eligible entities that have the
authority and resources to enforce
easements, polices, and procedures.
Agreements with noncertified
entities are three to five years in
length, and they may use their own
terms and conditions on approval.
Substitution of qualified projects
may be made if mutually agreed on.
If an eligible entity violates the
terms of the agreement, USDA may
terminate the agreement and
require a refund of any payments,
plus interest. USDA must follow a
certification process for eligible
entities, including a periodic review.
ALEs must be permanent or the
maximum duration under state law.
USDA may provide technical
assistance on request. (16 U.S.C.
§3865b)
Forest conservation easement
program. Authorizes FCEP to
purchase forest land easements,
support development of a forest
management plan, and support
technical assistance to implement
the program. These new forest land
easements are similar to ALEs
under ACEP. Limits the federal
share of an easement to 50% of the
fair market value or up to 75% of
fair market value if it is owned by a
socially disadvantaged forest
landowner or is of special
environmental significance. Sets
requirements for the nonfederal
portion used by the eligible entity
and the fair market value
determination methods to be
similar to ACEP. Requires USDA to
rank applications to maximize
federal investment, with priority
given to easements that would
maintain working forestland and
land with an existing forest
management plan. Allows eligible
entities to enter into cooperative
agreements of three to five years in
length with USDA. Requires the
entities to hold, monitor, manage,
and enforce the easements. Allows
entities to use their own terms and
conditions that are determined by
USDA to be consistent with the
purpose of the program, permit
effective enforcement, include a
forest management plan, limit
impervious surfaces, and include a
right of enforcement for USDA.
Additional permitted terms and
conditions are allowed if they are
intended to keep land in active
forest management, allow mineral
development in accordance with
state law, and include other
relevant activities relating to the
easement. Substitution and violation
provisions are identical to ACEP.
Allows forest management plans to
be a reimbursable cost. Includes the
same duration and technical
assistance requirements as ALEs.
(§2701)
Forest conservation easement
program. Contains minor wording
and grammatical differences from
the House provision. (§2701)
Congressional Research Service
46
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No directly comparable provision.
HFRP enrolls acres using 10-year
agreements, 30-year easements, and
permanent easements. Provides
first priority to endangered or
threatened species listed under the
Endangered Species Act, as
amended (ESA, 16 U.S.C. §1533),
and second priority to candidate
species for listing under ESA, statelisted species, special concern
species, or species in greatest
conservation need. (16 U.S.C.
§6572(f))
Land enrolled in HFRP is subject to
a restoration plan that includes
practices that are necessary to
restore and enhance species’
habitats. (16 U.S.C. §6573)
Payment for a permanent easement
under HFRP is 75%-100% of the fair
market value of the land before the
easement, less the value after the
easement. Cost-share payment for
practices implemented is 100%. For
30-year easements, payment is 75%
of the value of the easement and
75% of the practice costs. For 10year agreements, payments are 50%
of the lesser of the actual cost or
average cost of the practices. (16
U.S.C. §6574)
Requires USDA to provide
technical assistance to landowners
either directly or through third
parties. (16 U.S.C. §6575)
Land enrolled in HFRP may qualify
for “safe harbor” protections if the
land results in a net benefit for
listed, candidate, or other species
under ESA. (16 U.S.C. §6576)
Allows USDA to consult with other
federal and state agencies, nonprofit
organizations, and nonindustrial
private forest landowners under
HFRP. (16 U.S.C. §6577)
Forest conservation easement
program. Authorizes 30-year and
permanent (or maximum duration
under state law) forest reserve
easements and 30-year contracts
(Indian Tribes only). Forest reserve
easements are similar to easements
under HFRP, which would be
repealed on enactment (§2702).
Limits 30-year easements to 10% of
funds. Priority is nearly identical to
that of HFRP. Requires easement
terms to be consistent with the
purpose of the program, and
additional terms may be added at
the landowner’s request. Payment
for a permanent easement is similar
to HFRP but at 100% of the fair
market value. All nonpermanent
easement payments are 50%-75% of
the payment rate for a permanent
easement. Forest reserve easement
plans are similar to HFRP
restoration plans. Cost-share for
practices is 100% for permanent
easements and 50%-75% for all
other easements and contracts.
Technical assistance requirements
and safe harbor protections are
similar to HFRP. Allows USDA to
delegate management, monitoring,
and enforcement responsibilities for
easements to qualified federal or
state agencies. Allows USDA to
consult with agencies and
organizations similar to those
identified under HFRP. (§2701)
Forest conservation easement
program. Contains minor wording
and grammatical differences from
the House provision. (§2701)
Congressional Research Service
47
The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
No directly comparable provision.
ACEP administration requirements
outline ineligible land; application
ranking priority; and requirements
for subordination, exchange,
modification, termination, and how
land enrolled in other programs is
to be handled. Ineligible land
includes land owned by the United
States (not held in trust for Indian
Tribes), states, or local
governments. The land may not be
eligible if it currently has a similar
easement or protection in place or
where the easement could be
undermined by other conditions
(e.g., hazardous substances, rights
of way). Prioritizes expiring CRP
acres for ACEP easements. USDA
may subordinate, exchange, modify,
or terminate easements. Land
enrolled in CRP may be modified or
terminated if enrolled in ACEP.
Land enrolled in previously
repealed programs is considered
enrolled in ACEP. (16 U.S.C.
§3865d)
Forest conservation easement
program. Defines ineligible land
similarly as under ACEP. Allows
USDA to subordinate, exchange,
modify, or terminate easements in a
manner similar to amendments
made to ACEP requirements. Land
enrolled in HFRP prior to repeal is
considered enrolled in FCEP.
(§2701)
Forest conservation easement
program. Similar to House
provisions, including definition of
ineligible land, allowances of
subordination, exchanges,
modification, or termination of
easements, and treatment of land
enrolled in HFRP.
Includes a prohibition on limiting
land eligibility, except when owned
by a foreign entity or individual,
based on acreage size, type of
private forest landownership, or
presence of severed mineral rights.
Does not require direct attribution
of funds for payment limit purposes.
(§2701)
Healthy Forests Reserve
Program (HFRP). HFRP assists
private and tribal landowners in
restoring and enhancing forest
ecosystems for the purposes of
species recovery, biodiversity
improvement, and carbon
sequestration enhancement as
outlined in restoration plans. (16
U.S.C. §§6571 et seq.)
Healthy forests reserve
program. Repeals HFRP with
transitional provisions for existing
contracts to remain in effect for the
term of the contract using
previously available funds or funds
available under FCEP. (§2702)
Healthy forests reserve
program. Contains minor wording
and grammatical differences from
the House provision. (§2702)
Establishment and purpose.
The purpose of RCPP is to address
resource concerns relating to soil,
water, wildlife, and agricultural land
on a regional and watershed scale
through grant agreements with
eligible partners. (16 U.S.C.
§3871(b)(2))
Establishment and purposes.
Adds the prevention of flooding and
drought mitigation to the list of
resource concerns eligible for
RCPP. (§2801)
Establishment and purposes.
Identical to House provision.
(§2601)
Congressional Research Service
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
Definitions. Defines seven terms
under RCPP, including covered
program, eligible activity, eligible land,
eligible partner, partnership
agreement, program, and program
contract.
Covered program includes ACEP,
EQIP, CSP, HFRP, CRP, and
Watershed Operations.
Eligible partner is defined as
producer groups, state or local
governments, Indian tribes, farmer
cooperatives, water district,
irrigation district, rural water
district or association, municipal
water or waste treatment entity,
institutes of higher education, and
other nongovernmental entity or
organizations with a history of
working with producers on
conservation projects. (16 U.S.C.
§3871a(1))
Definitions. Deletes HFRP from
the list of “covered programs” and
adds FCEP. (§2802)
Definitions. Amends the definition
of “eligible partner” to include
agricultural retailers.
Deletes HFRP from the list of
covered programs and adds FCEP.
(§2602; §2702(c)(2))
Partnership agreements
authorized. Authorizes USDA to
enter into partnership agreements
with eligible partners to carry out
approved projects. (16 U.S.C.
§3871b(a))
Regional conservation
partnerships. Requires
partnership agreements to be
entered into within 180 days after
selection. Limits the information
required in the agreement. Requires
information on waiver process be
made available. (§2803(a))
Regional conservation
partnerships. Requires
partnership agreements to be
entered into within 180 days after
selection. Limits the information
required in the agreement.
(§2603(1))
Duties of the Secretary.
Requires USDA to establish
program implementation timelines,
identify state coordinators, provide
assistance to partners, and ensure
that activities achieve identified
benefits. (16 U.S.C. §3871b(d))
Regional conservation
partnerships. Requires payments
to be made to eligible partners
within 30 days of request.
(§2803(b))
Regional conservation
partnerships. Removes USDA
reporting requirements to partners.
(§2603(3))
Duties of eligible partners.
Allows USDA to enter into funding
agreements directly with partners.
Requires activities through these
agreements to be carried out on a
regional or watershed scale;
activities include infrastructure
investment, restoration plan
coordination with producers,
innovative leveraging of federal and
private funds, or other projects
determined by USDA. Requires
annual reports. (16 U.S.C.
§3871c(d)(3))
Assistance to producers.
Requires that under a funding
agreement, at least 50% of the
overall costs of the projects must
be directly funded by the partner
rather than as in-kind or a
combination of in-kind and direct
funding. (§2804)
No comparable provision.
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Availability of funds and
duration of availability. Provides
mandatory CCC funding of $425
million for FY2026 and $450 million
annually for FY2027-FY2031. (16
U.S.C. §3871d(a))
Funding. Deletes provision and
makes conforming amendments,
with funding language for FY2027FY2031 being moved to an earlier
section with no change in funding
levels. (§2805(a))
No comparable provision.
Limits on administrative
expenses and technical
assistance. Excludes administrative
expenses of eligible partners from
coverage. Allows advanced funding
for outreach activities and project
development. Advanced funding for
partners is to be used within 90
days. Requires USDA to limit costs
associated with providing technical
assistance with the program,
publicly reporting technical
assistance costs, and encouraging
the use of third-party assistance
providers. (16 U.S.C.
§§3871d(d), (e))
Funding. Allows up to 10% of
funds available for a project to be
used to reimburse administrative
expenses of the partner. Allows
non-reimbursed expenses to count
toward the partner’s required
contribution. Removes the time
limit for advanced funding. Requires
USDA to provide a simplified
process for fund reimbursement
and advancement. (§§2805(b), (c))
Funding. Limits any single project
from receiving more than $15
million from the program. Allows
program funds to cover indirect
costs for administrative expenses of
the partner at a rate of 15% of the
project cost if negotiated or 10% of
the project cost if not negotiated.
Prohibits USDA from requiring
separate technical assistance
agreements. Limits the cost of
technical assistance provided by a
partner to not more than 30% of
the total cost of the project.
(§2605)
Administration. Requires USDA
to make information on selected
projects publicly available. Requires
a report to the agriculture
committees of jurisdictiona every
two years on the status of projects
funded. Prohibits USDA from
providing assistance to producers
out of compliance with highly
erodible cropland and wetlands
conservation requirements.
Requires USDA to conduct
outreach for historically
underserved producers and issue
regulations for RCPP. (16 U.S.C.
§3871e)
Administration. Requires reports
to Congress be made publicly
available. Requires the terms and
conditions of a program contract to
be consistent with that of the
covered program. Allows USDA to
adjust regulatory requirements but
not the application of statutory
requirements for covered programs
used in a partnership agreement.
Allows USDA to waive selected
ACEP land requirements and
eligible entity certifications. Under
EQIP, prohibits USDA from
considering prior irrigation history
when determining eligible land.
Exempts terms and conditions for
alternative funding agreements from
consistency requirements. (§2806)
No comparable provision.
Critical Conservation Areas
(CCAs). Requires USDA to use
50% of RCPP funds for partnership
agreements in identified CCAs.
Defines priority resource concern as a
natural resource concern in a CCA
that can be addressed through
water quality and quantity
improvement, wildlife habitat
restoration, and other
improvements determined by
USDA. (16 U.S.C. §3871f(a)(2))
Critical conservation areas.
Adds “wildlife connectivity” and
“wildlife migration corridors” to the
definition of priority resource concern.
(§2807(a))
Critical conservation areas.
Contains minor wording and
grammatical differences from the
House provision. (§2606)
Congressional Research Service
Senate Bill
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed H.R. 7567
Senate Bill
CCA designations. USDA may
establish up to eight CCAs at any
one time. Designation may expire
after five years, subject to
redesignation. Areas are selected by
USDA based on several criteria:
multistate areas with significant
agricultural production, those
having an existing agreement or
plan in place, those containing
priority resource concerns, or
those subject to regulatory
requirements. (16 U.S.C.
§3871f(c))
Critical conservation areas.
Requires USDA to include the
Columbia River Basin in the current
Western Water CCA. (§2807(c))
No comparable provision.
Duties of partners. Requires that
the eligible partner contribute a
“significant portion” of the overall
cost of the project. (16 U.S.C.
§3871b(c))
No comparable provision.
Regional conservation
partnerships. Adds that RCPP
funding may be used to satisfy
matching cost requirements under
other non-USDA or nonfederal
programs. (§2603(2))
Payments. Authorizes USDA to
make payments to producers in
accordance with the statutory
requirements under covered
programs. Five-year payments may
be made for conversion to dryland
farming and nutrient management.
Adjusted gross income limits may
be waived to fulfill the objectives of
the program. (16 U.S.C.
§3871c(c))
No comparable provision.
Assistance to producers. Adds
an advance payment option for
producers and partners. Advance
payments must be expended within
90 days for producers or 120 days
for partners or be returned.
(§2604)
Sources: Compiled by CRS from H.R. 7567 and a discussion draft of the Agriculture Act of 2026 issued by the
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee chairman on June 23, 2026.
a.
“Agriculture committees of jurisdiction” refers to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Title III, Trade26
The trade title of H.R. 7567, as passed by the House, and the trade title of the Senate bill address
U.S. international food assistance and agricultural trade programs (Table 6). Under the farm bill
authority, U.S. international food assistance is distributed through three main programs: (1) Food
for Peace Title II Grants (FFP Title II), which provides emergency and nonemergency food
assistance; (2) Food for Progress, which supports agricultural development; and (3) the
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which procures
food to be used in school programs and other feeding programs. Traditionally, these three
programs have relied on U.S. agricultural commodities for their activities. Recent farm bills have
added flexibility to purchase food in local markets or to directly transfer cash or vouchers to
26 This section was prepared by Benjamin Tsui, Analyst in Agricultural Policy, Resources, Science, and Industry
Division.
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The 2026 Farm Bill: Comparison of the House and Senate Bills with Current Law
needy recipients. Currently, by statute, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
administers FFP Title II, and USDA administers the other two programs.27
H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would reauthorize all international food aid programs. The House
bill would move to USDA the responsibilities of USAID under the Food for Peace Act (FFPA;
P.L. 83-480), as amended, including administration of FFP Title II grants, and require the
procurement of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) for nonemergency food assistance under
specified conditions of global child malnutrition. Both bills would require the use of at least 50%
of available funds to procure U.S. agricultural commodities and related ocean transportation on
U.S.-flag vessels and narrow FFPA Title II authorities to provide emergency food aid.
H.R. 7567 and the Senate bill would extend authorities for several other FFPA and related
international programs, including the Farmer-to-Farmer program, Bill Emerson Humanitarian
Trust, and Global Crop Diversity Trust through FY2031. The bill also would create the
International Agriculture Cultural Immersion and Exchange Program.
Current U.S. agricultural export prom
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