THIS WEEK IN
Federal Policy News
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Senate Passes Reconciliation Bill; Expected to Pass in the House Friday |
On Saturday, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a reconciliation bill that passed along party lines (Vice President Harris broke the tie). The legislation now heads to the House, where Representatives are expected to return from their August Recess in order to pass it on Friday.
Recent scoring by the Congressional Budget Office agreed that the IRA would reduce the deficit by $102 billion over the next 10 years; however, they also determined it would have little impact on inflation in the short term. Despite a number of proposed amendments and Parliamentarian review, the bill largely remained intact as originally proposed.
The IRA includes $4 billion for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to address the impact of drought on western water supplies. Money can be used for compensation to water users for temporary or multi-year reduction in water usage, projects that reduce use of or demand for water supplies or provide environmental benefits, in the CO River Basin, and for ecosystem and habitat restoration projects that address drought impacts. It also includes:
- $18 billion for four conservation programs (EQIP, RCPP, CSP, & ACEP) starting in FY 2023; prioritization for projects that mitigate or address climate change through the management of agricultural production
- $1 billion to NRCS for conservation technical assistance
- $300 million to USDA for measuring the impact of ag practices on GHG emissions
- Over $5 billion for wildfire prevention and climate resiliency projects on public and private forestlands
Provided it passes this week, the bill would represent a major win for Democrats, particularly as many head back to their home states ahead of election season.
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Comments Submitted to USFWS on Experimental Populations Proposed Rule |
Earlier this week, California Farm Bureau submitted comments in opposition to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Rule that would revise the regulations concerning experimental populations of endangered and threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. If finalized, the proposal would remove language generally restricting the introduction of experimental populations to only the species’ ‘‘historical range’’ therefore allowing for the introduction of populations into habitat outside of their historical range for conservation purposes. CAFB’s comment emphasized that scrutiny on introductions outside a species’ historic range is appropriate, expressed concern that the expansion of USFWS authority under the proposal, and highlighted the risks of introducing predator and invasive species across the nation. |
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USDA Accepting ELAP Applications for 2022 |
Last week, the USDA announced that they would begin accepting applications for Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP). The applications are open to those producers with eligible 2022 losses due to disease, adverse weather, water shortages, and wildfires (although not those covered directly by LFP or LIP). To find more, click the following link to see the USDA’s page, or here for their latest release.
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CDFA Farm Bill Listening Sessions Continue |
The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, California Natural Resources Agency and Cal EPA, has announced listening sessions with farm bill stakeholders to inform California’s priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.
The first virtual listening session occurred yesterday where Shannon Douglass, California Farm Burau’s First Vice President participated on behalf of CA Farm Bureau, highlighting key priorities for the organization such as but not limited to expansion of crop insurance programs to include specialty crops, conservation programs, trade promotion programs and plant and animal disease prevention.
We encourage participation of the listening sessions to all CA Farm Bureau members and are happy to provide additional details and/or resources if needed.
Listening Session Schedule
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August 16, 12-2 PM (In-Person & Virtual) in San Diego, CA – Register for Zoom here.
- August 23, 12-2 PM (In-Person) in Fresno, CA
- September 7, 9-11 AM (In Person) in Richmond, CA
In addition to the listening session, written comments can also be submitted via email to CDFA at farmbill@cdfa.ca.gov. For more information, CDFA farm bill resources, and the option to submit comments online, please visit the CDFA website here.
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Comments submitted to USFS on Devil's Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory 2022 Gather |
California Farm Bureau has provided comments to the Modoc National Forest in support of their wild horse gather on the on the Devil's Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory. The recent aerial census in and around the Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory estimated the current population at 1,205 adult wild horses, showing that wild horse populations still exceed the appropriate management level of 206-402 adult wild horses. Long-term, over-population of wild horse populations creates substantial rangeland impacts and, in some cases, can push areas over critical thresholds that make rehabilitation nearly impossible. Reducing the population of wild horses helps address impacts on aquatic resources, wildlife, grazing, and other traditional cultural practices. In addition to expressing support for the wild horse gather, the letter also expressed support for continued use of helicopters and motorized vehicles. |
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Registration Open for AFBF-Hosted FMMO Forum |
Prompted by a call from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to get as many people involved in dairy as possible in one room to discuss solutions to Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) shortfalls, the American Farm Bureau Federation is hosting a forum Oct. 14-16 in Kansas City, Missouri. The forum will include panels on various aspects of FMMOs followed by roundtable discussions structured to spur conversation among all parts of the dairy sector, but with a clear focus on farmers. The panel sessions will cover the origins and purposes of FMMOs, Class I, Class III and Class IV pricing issues, and simplifying FMMOs. Registration is open through September 22. |
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Sara Arsenault
Director of Federal Policy
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Matthew Viohl
Federal Policy, Associate Director
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Erin Hutson
Federal Policy, Consultant
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