Bill > S1905

This bill, the Specialty Crop Insurance Act of 2011, amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to improve crop insurance for specialty crops, which are fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products that are not typically grown in large quantities. A key provision allows the Federal Crop Insurance Board to approve advance payments of up to 50 percent of projected research and development costs for new crop insurance policies. This is intended to encourage innovation, particularly for crops or regions not traditionally covered by the federal program, or to address existing flaws in the program. The Board can waive this 50 percent cap if the proposed policy covers an underserved region or crop, including specialty crops, and the applicant lacks sufficient funds to develop the concept. The bill also expands the authority of the Corporation to conduct and contract for research and development activities aimed at maintaining or improving existing policies, developing new ones, and increasing participation by producers of underserved agricultural commodities.