[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8251 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8251
To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the tree
assistance program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 13, 2026
Mr. Huizenga (for himself and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the tree
assistance program, and for other purposes.
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 ``Protecting America's Orchardists and
Nursery Tree Growers Act''.
SEC. 2. TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1501(e)(1) of the Agricultural Act of
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or biennial'' after
``annual''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or pest'' after
``insect''.
(b) Economic Viability.--Section 1501(e)(2)(A) of the Agricultural
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``provide'' and all that follows through ``under paragraph (3)
to'' and inserting ``provide assistance under paragraph (3)
to'';
(2) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting ``, regardless of production
history,'' after ``growers'';
(B) by inserting ``, or the trees no longer produce
an economically viable crop,'' after ``the trees''; and
(C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period;
and
(3) by striking clause (ii).
(c) Assistance.--Section 1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7
U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (3)(A), by striking
``and (5)'' and inserting ``, (5), and (6)''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
``(C) Acreage limitation adjustments.--The
Secretary shall have discretion to modify or waive, in
whole or in part, the acreage limitation described
under subparagraph (B), as the Secretary determines
appropriate.''.
(d) Requirements With Respect to Assistance.--Section 1501(e) of
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(6) Timing requirement.--As a condition for receiving
assistance under this subsection, an eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower shall agree to carry out any activity for
which such assistance is provided not later than--
``(A) 2 years after the date on which the Secretary
notifies such eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower of an approval under paragraph (9); or
``(B) if the period described under subparagraph
(A) is not adequate for tree survival, at such time as
is necessary to ensure tree survival.
``(7) Alternatives for replanting trees.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower receiving assistance under this
subsection may use such assistance to replant using--
``(i) an alternative variety of tree from
the variety planted prior to the tree loss for
which such assistance is provided;
``(ii) an alternative stand density from
the stand density planted prior to such loss;
and
``(iii) an alternative location from the
location in which such loss occurred.
``(B) Cost share limitations with respect to
alternatives.--The assistance provided under this
subsection to an eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower shall be in an amount that is not greater than
the amount such eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower would receive if such eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower replanted using--
``(i) for an alternative described under
subparagraph (A)(i), the variety of tree
planted prior to the tree loss for which such
assistance is provided;
``(ii) for an alternative described under
subparagraph (A)(ii), the stand density planted
prior to such loss; and
``(iii) for an alternative described under
subparagraph (A)(iii), the location in which
such loss occurred.''.
(e) Notice of Application Status.--Section 1501(e) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9801(e)) is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(9) Notice of application status.--Not later than 120
days after receiving an application for assistance under this
subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) approve or deny such application; and
``(B) notify the applicant of such approval or
denial.''.
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