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
B Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(27) Rural water and wastewater emergency preparedness, response, and recovery technical assistance program
(A) In general. The Secretary shall establish an emergency preparedness and response technical assistance program to provide grants to eligible entities to assist associations described in paragraph (1) that operate rural water or wastewater systems in preparing for and responding to natural or man-made disasters, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Eligible entities. An entity eligible to receive a grant under subparagraph (A) is a nonprofit organization that—
(i) has demonstrated experience providing emergency technical assistance for disaster preparation, recovery, and response activities to water and wastewater utilities nationwide; and
(ii) has the capacity to deploy personnel that possess—
(I) an active water or wastewater system operators’ license; or
(II) documented knowledge of water and wastewater utilities necessary to carry out activities described in subparagraph (C).
(C) Eligible activities. An eligible entity that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) shall use the grant—
(i) to provide on-site personnel and equipment to assist with water and wastewater systems in the event of a disaster;
(ii) to coordinate with statewide emergency response networks to assist with water and wastewater systems;
(iii) to facilitate the development of disaster action plans between entities described in subparagraph (A), units of local government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and State emergency management agencies;
(iv) to improve resiliency and mitigation planning with respect to water or wastewater systems;
(v) to provide geographic information system mapping of water and wastewater systems;
(vi) to prepare or update predisaster risk and resiliency assessments, emergency response plans, communication protocols, or hazard recognition and evaluation skills with respect to water and wastewater systems;
(vii) to conduct preliminary damage assessments of critical infrastructure in the event of a disaster;
(viii) to provide emergency services with respect to water and wastewater systems to restore service in the event of a disaster, including—
(I) pump and motor evaluation and repair;
(II) water disinfection and flushing;
(III) leak detection;
(IV) line repair;
(V) water main and valve location;
(VI) emergency power generation;
(VII) bypass pumping;
(VIII) water treatment;
(IX) maintaining safety measures; and
(X) other appropriate activities;
(ix) to address outstanding deficiencies focused on resolving health-based regulatory, operational, financial, and managerial deficiencies that impact the sustainability of water and wastewater systems;
(x) to assist with application and reporting requirements for Federal and State agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and insurance recovery claims, with respect to water and wastewater systems; and
(xi) to provide for disaster preparation, support, and response activities targeted to disadvantaged communities, as determined by the Secretary, that lack the financial resources and human capital necessary to adequately address significant health, safety, or sanitary concerns with respect to the water and wastewater systems of those communities.
(D) Use of funds
(i) In general. An eligible entity that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) may use the grant for salaries, supplies, and expenses relating to the activities described in subparagraph (C).
(ii) Limitation. Not more than 25 percent of the amount of a grant under subparagraph (A) may be used to purchase or reimburse the rental costs of appropriate emergency equipment, as determined by the Secretary.
(E) Continuity of essential activities. Activities carried out under this paragraph that are necessary to prevent imminent harm to life or property shall be treated as excepted activities and may continue during a lapse in appropriations, using unobligated balances previously appropriated under the heading Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
(F) Restriction. An eligible entity that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) may not use the grant funds to pay for eligible activities for which the eligible entity receives other Federal funds.
(G) Authorization of appropriations. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
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