Bill > S2077

This bill amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to ensure that producers who rely on acequia systems (traditional community water distribution channels in New Mexico) have access to drought protections and disaster assistance programs. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program to producers who rely on acequia systems for any losses suffered due to the cause of the disaster determination. Additionally, the bill exempts acequias from needing special use permits for routine maintenance and minor improvements on federal lands. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report on the number of producers relying on acequias, the assistance provided to them, their access to USDA programs, and any targeted USDA initiatives for these producers.