S. 5526
Agricultural Act of 2026
Sponsor: John Boozman · 0 cosponsors
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Text of the bill
I Commodities
A Commodity Policy
B Dairy
C Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance
D Administration
II Conservation
A Conservation Reserve Program
B Environmental Quality Incentives Program
C Conservation Stewardship Program
D Funding and administration
E Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
F Regional Conservation Partnership Program
G Forest Conservation Easement Program
H Other Conservation programs
III Trade
A Food for Peace Act
B Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
C Other agricultural trade laws
D Reports
IV Nutrition
A Supplemental nutrition assistance program
B Commodity distribution programs
C Miscellaneous
V Credit
A Farm Credit System
B Farm ownership and operating loans
C Administrative provisions
VI Rural Development
A Rural Electrification Act of 1936
I Rural broadband access
II Additional amendments
Section 313B of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–2) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through In the case and inserting the following:
(b) Zero interest loans
(1) Collateral
(A) Acceptable forms. The Secretary may, at the sole discretion of the Secretary, accept as collateral for a zero interest loan under this section any of the following:
(i) An irrevocable letter of credit.
(ii) A performance bond.
(iii) A revenue pledge.
(iv) A senior preferred security interest.
(v) The assignment of a mortgage.
(vi) Such other forms of security as the Secretary determines are reasonably adequate and acceptable.
(B) Consideration of past performance. In determining an adequate and acceptable form of collateral for a zero interest loan under this section, the Secretary shall consider the past financial and project performance of—
(i) a borrower of a loan or a recipient of a grant under this section; and
(ii) any recipients of the funds provided by a borrower or recipient described in clause (i).
(C) Consideration of administrative costs. In determining an adequate and acceptable form of collateral for a zero interest loan under this section, the Secretary shall make every practicable effort to accept a form of collateral that minimizes the administrative costs of securing collateral, for the purpose of maximizing the benefits of the program under this section for the ultimate recipients of the funds provided through zero interest loans.
(D) No effect of the acceptance of collateral on subsidies. The Secretary shall ensure that accepting collateral for zero interest loans under this section has no impact on the subsidy rate of—
(i) loans guaranteed by the Secretary under this title; or
(ii) direct loans issued by the Secretary under this title.
(2) Repayments. In the case
; and
(2) in subsection (e)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking 2023 and inserting 2031; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking 2024 and inserting 2031.
B Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
C Miscellaneous
I Rural care economy
II Other miscellaneous provisions
VII Research, Extension, and Related Matters
A National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977
B Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
C Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998
D Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
I Agricultural security
II Miscellaneous provisions
E Other Matters
VIII Forestry
A Forest data modernization
B Forest health and management
I Forest Service management
II State and private partnerships
III Timber innovation
C Forest conservation
D Land designations
E White oak resilience
F Other matters
IX Energy
X Horticulture
A Horticulture marketing and information
B Regulatory reform
XI Crop insurance
XII Miscellaneous
A Livestock
B National security
C Fertilizer
D United States grain standards reauthorization
E Year-Round E15 and RFS reform
F Other miscellaneous provisions