Bill > S555

This bill, the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2023, aims to improve disaster assistance programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Key provisions include: 1. Expanding eligibility for the Emergency Conservation Program to include federal land users, state/local government land lessees, and allowing for permanent improvements like water wells and pipelines. 2. Streamlining the application process for the Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program on federal lands, including waiving public comment periods and accepting environmental reviews conducted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 3. Modifying the Livestock Forage Disaster Program to provide assistance after shorter drought periods (4 consecutive weeks) and increasing monthly payments. 4. Enhancing the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish program to better account for costs and losses faced by eligible honey bee producers. 5. Establishing an interagency working group to improve the availability and use of data in the U.S. Drought Monitor, and requiring the USDA to align drought response activities between the Farm Service Agency and Forest Service.