US HB6169

Defers principal and interest payments on direct farm loans for 2 years for delinquent or financially distressed borrowers, extends loan maturity dates by 2 years, and reduces interest rates to 0.125% during the deferral period

Waives guarantee fees on guaranteed farm loans for covered producers (limited resource, socially disadvantaged, beginning, and veteran farmers/ranchers) for at least 2 years

Restricts USDA from using borrowers' principal residences as loan collateral unless other assets are insufficient, and requires automatic release of residence security when other collateral reaches 100% of remaining loan value

Allows farm ownership loans to refinance existing debt up to 4 times and removes restrictions on loan eligibility based on previous debt write-downs or losses to the Secretary

Shifts the burden of proof in National Appeals Division hearings to USDA (rather than the farmer) for appellants with adjusted gross income at or below $300,000, and expands equitable relief options for farmers harmed by erroneous agency decisions