H.R. 2396 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Mar 27, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryUnfreezes farm funding and protects rural offices
The bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release frozen funding for farm-related agreements and contracts that were made before the bill becomes law, and to pay back any amounts the department owes. It also prevents the USDA from canceling signed contracts with farmers or farm assistance organizations unless they break the terms of their deal. Additionally, the bill requires the USDA to notify Congress at least 60 days before closing any county farm offices, conservation field offices, or rural development centers.
How it affects you
Farmers and agricultural businesses with existing USDA contracts would see their frozen funding released and any overdue payments restored. People in rural areas who rely on local USDA offices for assistance would have more protection against those offices closing without warning, since Congress would be notified in advance.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 27, 2025)
Honor Farmer Contracts Act
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to unfreeze funding for agreements and contracts and prohibits USDA from closing certain offices and service centers without notifying Congress in advance.
Specifically, USDA must (1) unfreeze funding for, and implement, all agreements and contracts entered into by USDA prior to the bill's enactment; and (2) pay all related past due amounts owed by USDA as rapidly as possible.
Further, the bill prohibits USDA from canceling a signed agreement or contract with a farmer or an entity providing assistance to farmers (unless the farmer or entity is not in compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract).
Finally, the bill prohibits USDA from closing Farm Service Agency county offices, Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices, or Rural Development Service Centers without providing written notice and a justification to Congress at least 60 days before the closure.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2396
A BILL
Honor Farmer Contracts Act
Sponsor: Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-2) · Introduced Mar 27, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 18, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.”