Hillary Scholten (D-MI)
Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to simplify how farmers and ranchers become vendors for various nutrition programs. It requires the creation of a streamlined application process, such as a single application or an information-sharing system, to cover programs like SNAP and the senior farmers' market nutrition program. Additionally, the bill mandates a streamlined process for vendors to handle benefits using standardized technology like mobile applications. The Act also amends existing law to ensure that equipment provided to entities like farmers markets includes wireless or mobile processing technology. Finally, the Secretary must report on the progress of these application changes within one year.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill greatly simplifies the application and benefit processing requirements for direct marketing farmers and ranchers.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill reduces administrative burdens for farmers and ranchers by streamlining the vendor application process for nutrition programs.
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The bill improves the efficiency of WIC, which provides nutritional support for infants and young children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Simplified Application Process for Farmers and Ranchers: The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a single application or an information-sharing system so that direct marketing farmers and ranchers can apply to multiple nutrition programs more easily (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Easier Benefit Processing: The Act mandates a streamlined process for vendors to process benefits using standardized technology, such as a mobile application or a single piece of equipment (Section 2(c)).
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Improved Technology for Markets: The bill ensures that entities such as farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets have access to appropriate wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill greatly simplifies the application and benefit processing requirements for direct marketing farmers and ranchers. Would children be better off under this? — The bill improves the efficiency of WIC, which provides nutritional support for infants and young children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill helps ensure better access to nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC through streamlined local vendor participation. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill enhances the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program by streamlining vendor processes. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The emphasis on mobile and wireless technology may improve accessibility for various market transactions.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill reduces administrative burdens for farmers and ranchers by streamlining the vendor application process for nutrition programs.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports rural producers by easing their ability to participate in federal nutrition programs through technological updates.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill promotes the use of mobile and wireless technology systems for farmers markets and direct-to-consumer markets.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — By streamlining vendor processes for SNAP and WIC, the bill improves the operational efficiency of nutrition assistance programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill facilitates better access to nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC by making it easier for local farmers to become vendors.
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
David ValadaoRepublican · California