April 27, 2026
Mr. Figures (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Sewell, and Mrs. Beatty) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions to conduct educational programs and provide technical assistance with respect to issues relating to the transfer of agricultural land and assets, including heirs property, to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Heirs’ Agricultural Resources, Viability, Education, and Succession Transfer
or the HARVEST Act
.
Sec. 2. Study on technical assistance with respect to transfer of agricultural land and assets
(a) In general
Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study on, and submit to Congress a report on, ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)) to conduct educational programs and provide technical assistance with respect to issues relating to the transfer of agricultural land and assets, including heirs property, to the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
(b) Heirs property defined
In this section, the term heirs property means real property held in tenancy in common which, as of the date on which a partition action is filed, satisfies all of the following requirements:
(1)
There is no recorded agreement binding all the co-tenants which governs the partition of the property.
(2)
One or more of the co-tenants acquired title from a relative, whether living or deceased.
(3)
Any of the following applies:
(A)
20 percent or more of the interests are held by co-tenants who are relatives.
(B)
20 percent or more of the interests are held by an individual who acquired title from a relative, whether living or deceased.
(C)
20 percent or more of the co-tenants are relatives.