Bill > S3498

This bill, titled the "EQIP Improvement Act of 2025," makes several adjustments to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which is part of the Food Security Act of 1985 and provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. Specifically, it modifies the limitations on payments a producer can receive for implementing conservation practices. Under the revised rules, payments for most practices will be capped at 75 percent of the associated costs, while certain specific infrastructure projects like access roads, animal mortality facilities, and various types of dams and irrigation systems will have a lower payment cap of 40 percent of costs. Importantly, producers can receive 100 percent of their foregone income due to implementing these practices. The bill also reallocates funding for wildlife habitat and reduces the overall payment limitation for EQIP participants from $450,000 to $150,000. Finally, it mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture submit an annual report to Congress detailing how program funds are obligated by practice category and by the size of the producer's operation within each state.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3498/all-info