October 29, 2026
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Cline, and Ms. McBride) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide block grants to States for certain crop losses as a consequence of freezes or cold weather conditions that occurred in the month of April, 2026.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Farmer Recovery Opportunity and Support for Temperatures Relief Act
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Sec. 2. Block grants to address certain crop losses due to cold weather conditions or freezes that occurred in April, 2026
(a) In general
Not later than 120 days after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this section pursuant to subsection (f), the Secretary shall provide assistance in the form of block grants to covered States for losses of revenue, quality, or production of crops (including crops prevented from planting), trees, bushes, and vines, as a consequence of a freeze or cold weather condition that occurred in the month of April, 2026.
(b) Eligibility
Assistance under subsection (a) shall be made available upon request by a covered State, acting through the department of agriculture of such State or other appropriate State agency, as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Multi-Year crops
The assistance under subsection (a) shall include compensation to producers for losses of multi-year crops.
(d) Report
Not later than 120 days after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this section pursuant to subsection (f), and for each fiscal quarter thereafter until the amounts so provided are expended, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate describing the implementation of assistance provided pursuant to this section.
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered State
The term covered State
means Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
(2) Secretary
The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, to remain available until expended.