WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 8525

To amend the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to provide for seasonal and perishable programs, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Raul Ruiz

Creates a Seasonal and Perishable Crop Loss Program paying producers when imports depress prices below a reference, based on region, window, and production.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8525

Overview

HR 8525, introduced April 27, 2026 by Rep. Raul Ruiz, seeks to amend the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to create a new Seasonal and Perishable Crop Loss Program. The program would provide annual payments to producers in defined geographic regions when imports cause the effective price of seasonal and perishable crops to fall below a reference price. Payments would be calculated based on the gap between the reference price and the effective price, adjusted for a producer’s recent production in the same seasonal marketing window. Eligibility is limited to certain farm operations with specific income criteria.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a new Title V: Seasonal and Perishable Programs within the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004.
  • Provide crop loss payments to producers of seasonal and perishable crops when import competition depresses prices during defined marketing periods.
  • Stabilize income for U.S. producers of eligible crops affected by imports.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of the Seasonal and Perishable Crop Loss Program (Section 501).
    • Effective starting with Marketing Year 2027 and each year thereafter.
    • Payments triggered if:
    • The effective price for the crop during the marketing year is less than the reference price, and
    • The price decline is caused by imports.
  • Geographic coverage (Section 501(a)(2)):
    • Applies to U.S. regions where the crop is grown within a defined seasonal marketing window and where there is an annual normal harvest and shipment.
  • Definitions and mechanisms (Section 501):
    • Effective price (Section 501(b)): National average market price for the crop during its seasonal marketing window.
    • Payment amount (Section 501(c)):
    • If last seasonal marketing window payments are triggered, payment equals:
      • (Reference price − Effective price) × 3-year average production for the same seasonal window (per the producer’s farm).
  • Eligibility (Section 501(d)):
    • Producers must meet at least one of:
    • Average adjusted gross income (AGI) less than $5,000,000 for the last three tax years.
    • At least 75% of AGI derived from farming, ranching, or forestry for the tax year seeking payment.
  • Definitions (Section 501(e)):
    • Seasonal marketing window: the marketing season when the crop is normally marketed within the region, ending no later than eight weeks after the last harvest date.
    • Reference price: national average price for the crop over the most recent three marketing seasons.
    • Seasonal and perishable crop: fresh or chilled specialty crops (including certain HS tariff codes) marketed raw and typically harvested and shipped within eight weeks.
    • Secretary: the Secretary of Agriculture.

Who is affected

  • Producers of eligible seasonal and perishable crops in covered geographic regions.
  • U.S. agricultural operations with AGI under $5 million or those deriving at least 75% of AGI from farming/ranching/forestry, who participate in the named marketing window.
  • Regions defined by geography and crop marketing windows where the crop is grown and normally harvested/shipped within the window.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Marketing Year 2027 and each year thereafter.
  • Implementation hinges on determining:
    • The reference price (three-year average) for eligible crops.
    • The national average market price during the seasonal marketing window.
    • Whether imports are the cause of the price shortfall.
  • Payments are issued in the last seasonal marketing window, using the formula stated in the bill.
  • The bill requires the development of administrative mechanics to define geographic coverage, determine eligibility, compute payments, and monitor import-related causes.

Notable considerations

  • The bill ties eligibility to AGI and farming reliance, potentially excluding higher-earning operations.
  • The program links payments to import-driven price declines, highlighting trade and import considerations.
  • The exact crops and HS codes covered depend on future regulatory definitions aligned with the referenced tariff codes.

This summary provides the bill’s core structure, purposes, and key operational details as drafted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.