H.R. 2396: Honor Farmer Contracts Act

This bill, titled the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, proposes several actions aimed at supporting farmers and ensuring the stability of the Department of Agriculture's services. Here are the key provisions of the bill:

Unfreezing Funding

The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to:

• Immediately restore funding for all contracts and agreements that were made before the bill's enactment.
• Promptly pay any overdue dues related to these agreements and contracts.

Contract Compliance

The bill places restrictions on the cancellation of agreements and contracts. Specifically, it states that:

• The Secretary may not cancel signed contracts with farmers or organizations assisting farmers unless there is evidence that the other party has not adhered to the contract's terms.

Office Closures

Regarding the operational aspects of the Department of Agriculture, the bill stipulates that:

• No Farm Service Agency county office, Natural Resources Conservation Service field office, or Rural Development Local Service Center can be closed without giving written notice and justification to Congress at least 60 days in advance of any intended closure.

General Provisions

The overarching aim of the bill is to ensure that farmers receive the support they need from the Department of Agriculture, maintain necessary funding, and keep agricultural service offices operational for rural communities.

Relevant Companies

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