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US HB4529
Bill
Status
7/17/2025
Primary Sponsor
David Scott
Click for details
AI Summary
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Establishes a competitive grant program with $100,000,000 authorized for fiscal year 2026 to support food hubs that increase market access for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, with grants lasting up to 5 years and no matching funds required
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Creates a 25% tax credit for businesses that purchase agricultural food products from qualifying food hubs serving socially disadvantaged farmers, applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025
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Requires USDA to prioritize purchasing agricultural products from socially disadvantaged farmers for domestic food assistance programs, with authority to waive certain federal contracting requirements that create market entry barriers
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Mandates accountability measures for USDA employees found to have engaged in discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or civil rights violations, including potential removal, suspension, or pay reduction
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Establishes an independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson within USDA to assist farmers navigating civil rights complaints and shifts the burden of proof in National Appeals Division hearings to require the agency to prove adverse decisions were valid
Legislative Description
Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act
Agriculture and food
Last Action
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
7/17/2025