S. 904: Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025

The Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance disaster assistance programs related to agriculture, particularly for livestock producers affected by droughts and other adverse weather conditions. Below are key features of the bill:

Eligibility for Assistance

The bill proposes a broadened eligibility criteria for agricultural producers to receive payments during emergencies. This includes:

• Producers holding permits from the federal government for agricultural production or grazing on federal lands.
• Producers leasing land from state or local government for agricultural production or grazing.

Emergency Conservation Program Improvements

Enhancements to the Emergency Conservation Program include:

• Eligibility for federal payments for permanent improvements like water wells and pipelines.
• Streamlining the application process during drought emergencies by waiving the 30-day public comment period typically required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Acceptance of reviews conducted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) concerning archaeological, environmental, and endangered species protections during the application process.

Emergency Forest Restoration Program

The bill amends provisions relating to forest restoration, allowing assistance for:

• Nonindustrial private forest land.
• Land owned by state or local government, as long as the producer holds a lease for agricultural use.

Livestock Forage Disaster Program Updates

Changes in the Livestock Forage Disaster Program include adjusting the eligibility for payment based on consecutive weeks of drought in the grazing period. The bill allows payments for:

• Four consecutive weeks of drought or
• Eight consecutive weeks, reflecting two monthly payments instead of one for drought losses.

Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish

The bill expands the types of adverse conditions covered, allowing support for:

• Losses due to drought, disease, and transportation costs for feed and water.
• Honey bee producers with specifics around payment calculations for hive and colony losses.

Drought Monitor Interagency Working Group

The legislation mandates the establishment of a working group led by the Secretary of Agriculture to improve the consistency and quality of data used in the United States Drought Monitor. This includes:

• Incorporating additional data sources and determining minimum data requirements for drought assessments.
• Addressing barriers in data access and developing methodologies for assessing drought impacts.

Alignment of Drought Response Activities

Moreover, the bill instructs the Farm Service Agency and the Forest Service to create a memorandum of understanding to align their drought response initiatives more closely to ensure consistent determinations regarding drought conditions.

Streamlining Processes and Reducing Bureaucratic Barriers

The bill emphasizes reducing bureaucratic steps for producers seeking assistance during emergencies, including faster access to funds and eliminating unnecessary delays in application processes.

Clerical Improvements and Reorganizations

It includes various clerical improvements and reorganizations within existing regulations to streamline operations and enhance clarity in disaster assistance programs.

Relevant Companies

None found.