Tina Smith (D-MN)
Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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 specific nutrition programs. It requires the creation of either a single application or an information-sharing system to streamline the approval process across multiple programs. Additionally, the bill mandates a streamlined process for vendors to process benefits using standardized technology like mobile applications. The legislation also amends existing law to ensure that equipment provided to certain entities includes wireless or mobile technology appropriate for farmers markets and direct-to-consumer markets.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill directly reduces the complexity of applying for and managing multiple nutrition program vendor statuses.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill reduces administrative burdens on farmers and ranchers through streamlined application and benefit processing processes.
- Scored +2
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Improving vendor access to the senior farmers' market nutrition program helps ensure easier access to food for seniors.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Easier Vendor Application Process: By requiring the Secretary to develop a single application or an information-sharing system, the bill aims to help direct marketing farmers and ranchers apply to multiple covered nutrition programs more easily (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Improved Benefit Processing: The bill requires a streamlined process for vendors to handle benefits using standardized technology, such as mobile applications or a single piece of equipment (Section 2(c)).
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Better Equipment for Markets: The bill ensures that equipment or systems provided to certain entities, specifically including farmers markets and direct-to-consumer markets, are appropriate and include wireless or mobile processing technology (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified 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 directly reduces the complexity of applying for and managing multiple nutrition program vendor statuses. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Streamlined vendor processes for programs like SNAP and WIC can improve the ease with which low-income families access local food. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improving vendor access to the senior farmers' market nutrition program helps ensure easier access to food for seniors.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill reduces administrative burdens on farmers and ranchers through streamlined application and benefit processing processes. Is this likely to create jobs? — By reducing administrative hurdles for farmers to become vendors, the bill facilitates more direct-to-consumer sales opportunities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill emphasizes the use of wireless and mobile technology systems for farmers markets and direct-to-consumer markets.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Streamlining vendor access to nutrition programs may increase the availability of healthy food options for low-income populations.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan