Raul Ruiz (D-CA)
To amend the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to provide for seasonal and perishable programs, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
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
This bill proposes an amendment to the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. It seeks to establish a Seasonal and Perishable Crop Loss Program. Under this program, the Secretary of Agriculture would provide annual payments to producers of specific seasonal and perishable crops. These payments are triggered if the effective price of a crop falls below a set reference price due to imports. The bill also establishes specific eligibility requirements regarding income and farming revenue.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill establishes a loss program to compensate producers when import competition reduces crop prices below a reference level.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides a new revenue stream for agricultural producers facing import-driven price drops.
- Scored +3
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill provides direct financial relief to producers in specific geographic regions that grow seasonal crops.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill provides domestic subsidies that respond to import competition, which may impact international trade dynamics.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial support for producers: The bill provides annual crop loss payments to producers of seasonal and perishable crops if the effective price falls below the reference price due to imports (Section 501(a)(1)).
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Protection against import-related loss: Payments are specifically intended to address crop loss caused by imports (Section s501(a)(1)(B)).
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Targeted relief for specific producers: The payment system is designed for producers in geographic regions where seasonal and perishable commodities are grown within a specific marketing window and have a normal annual harvest and shipment (Section 501(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Income limitations on eligibility: A producer may be ineligible for payments if their average adjusted gross income is $5,000,000 or more for the three tax years preceding the most recent tax year, unless they derive at least 75 percent of their adjusted gross income from farming, ranching, or forestry (Section 501(d)).
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 establishes a loss program to compensate producers when import competition reduces crop prices below a reference level. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides a new revenue stream for agricultural producers facing import-driven price drops. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Financial support for crop producers can provide economic stability to rural communities reliant on seasonal agriculture.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The provision of loss payments to producers may help stabilize agricultural employment in affected regions. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Providing financial stability to specialty crop producers may support local agricultural economies.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides direct financial relief to producers in specific geographic regions that grow seasonal crops.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill provides domestic subsidies that respond to import competition, which may impact international trade dynamics.
- 4/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House