John Thune (R-SD)
CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S4999)
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 CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2025 aims to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to improve the conservation reserve program. It introduces continuous enrollment for state acres used for wildlife enhancement practices. The bill allows for emergency haying during specific conditions like drought, flooding, or wildfires. It also expands cost-sharing payments to include various types of grazing infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation adjusts mid-contract management definitions and increases the payment limitation for rental payments.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides flexibility for emergency haying during disasters and expands support for grazing infrastructure.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill increases the cap on rental payments and provides subsidies for infrastructure development.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill provides cost-sharing for essential grazing infrastructure like wells and fencing in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Continuous Enrollment for Wildlife: Land can be enrolled under the state acres for wildlife enhancement practice established by the Secretary, providing continuity for these specific practices. (Section 2(a))
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Emergency Resource Access: Landowners may access emergency haying during localized or regional droughts, flooding, wildfires, or other emergencies, provided certain conditions regarding forage loss or drought severity are met. (Section 2(b))
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Infrastructure Support: The bill provides cost-sharing payments for establishing grazing infrastructure, such as interior cross fencing, perimeter fencing, and water infrastructure like wells or tanks, if it addresses a resource concern. (Section 2(c))
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Reenrollment Eligibility: Land that has grazing infrastructure established with cost-sharing assistance remains eligible for reenrollment in the conservation reserve upon contract expiration. (Section 2(c))
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Increased Rental Payment Limits: The payment limitation for rental payments is increased from $50,000 to $125,000. (Section 2(e))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Emergency Haying: Emergency haying or grazing is restricted to no more than 50 percent of contract acres and must occur during the final 2 weeks of, or outside of, the primary nesting season. (Section 2(b))
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Prohibition of Damage to Wildlife Cover: Haying or grazing is not permitted if it would cause long-term damage to the vegetative cover for wildlife populations supported by the specific practice on that land. (Section 2(b))
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Management Payment Limitations: Cost-sharing payments for management activities specifically exclude those activities relating to haying or grazing. (Section 2(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 provides flexibility for emergency haying during disasters and expands support for grazing infrastructure. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill increases the cap on rental payments and provides subsidies for infrastructure development.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides cost-sharing for essential grazing infrastructure like wells and fencing in rural areas. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill introduces continuous enrollment for state acres specifically for wildlife enhancement practices.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill expands cost-sharing for grazing infrastructure and increases rental payment limits, which benefits agricultural businesses.
- 7/31/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S4999)
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota