US HB5367

Establishes a pilot program within 2 years requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to make or guarantee development loans up to $100,000 to qualified beginning farmers and ranchers for capital investments benefiting their operations for more than one year

Loan terms include 3-10 year repayment periods, interest rates between 0-3%, collateral requirements of no more than 100% loan-to-value (reducible based on borrower experience), and flexible principal repayment with minimum 1% of remaining balance due annually

Eligible development expenditures include initial assets, soil fertility improvements, perennial establishment, breeding stock development, equipment and tools, branding and market development, bookkeeping systems, payroll setup, and regulatory compliance infrastructure

Requires the Secretary to provide comprehensive training and support to borrowers covering bookkeeping, taxation, credit, regulatory compliance, cash flow, profitability, and risk management through existing agricultural education and development programs

Mandates ongoing evaluation of the pilot program and biennial reports to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees on program operations and outcomes