Bill > HR6717

This bill, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023, amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to remove barriers for agricultural producers in accessing funds to carry out emergency measures under the emergency conservation program. Specifically, it expands the program to cover not only the replacement of fencing, but also other emergency measures to replace or restore farmland or conservation structures requiring an immediate response. It also provides agricultural producers the option to receive up to 75% of the cost of replacement before carrying out the work, and up to 50% of the cost of repairs or restoration. Additionally, the bill clarifies that wildfires not caused naturally but due to the spread of the fire by natural causes, as well as wildfires caused by the Federal Government, are eligible for payments under the program.