Rep. Jill N. Tokuda

Maddy summaryHR 4940, the Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2023, expands access to farm credit programs for businesses that support the fishing industry. It amends the Farm Credit Act to include "persons furnishing services directly related to the operating needs" of aquatic product producers or harvesters as eligible for credit from Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations. This change directly affects fishing-related service providers (like equipment suppliers or processors) who previously had limited access to these credit programs. The key mechanism is broadening the existing eligibility criteria to explicitly cover these service businesses, enabling them to secure financing for operational needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to increase access to healthy food for low-income SNAP participants. It raises the incentive funding percentage from 50% to 80% for eligible purchases, creates new cooperative agreements to scale state programs (requiring 90% of funds to be used for redeemed incentives at retailers), and expands a produce prescription program where healthcare providers can refer patients to buy fresh produce. The bill allocates increased annual funding through 2029, including $57.5 million annually for 2024-2028, and requires a study on transitioning produce prescription costs to health insurance within 10 years. It directly affects SNAP recipients, participating retailers (including farmers markets), and community health centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands SNAP eligibility for college students by modifying existing rules. It allows students attending higher education institutions (as defined by the Higher Education Act) to qualify for SNAP benefits if they have a zero expected family contribution (EFC) from FAFSA or meet specific criteria for independent student status under the Higher Education Act. The changes replace outdated language about "employment" with "attending school or working" and remove barriers that previously excluded many low-income students. This directly affects low-income undergraduate and graduate students who may face food insecurity while enrolled in college. The policy change takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Women in Agriculture Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the position of Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison within USDA. Among other things, the liaison must advocate on behalf of women who are farmers and ranchers in interactions with USDA employees and promote the advancement of women in USDA leadership roles. The liaison may also enter into a contract or cooperative agreement to conduct various research, training, and other activities with respect to women who are farmers and ranchers. The liaison must submit an annual report to Congress on USDA grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share programs for woman-owned agriculture operations. In addition, the bill expands the USDA high-priority research and extension areas to authorize grants for developing and making widely available agriculture equipment and machinery that is ergonomically designed for use by women. Further, USDA must give priority to certain loans or grants to address the availability, quality, or cost of childcare in an agricultural or rural community.

Investing in Rural America Act This bill allows Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions to provide financing and technical assistance for essential community facility projects as part of the Department of Agriculture's Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. (This program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.) The FCS financing and technical assistance may be provided in order to make capital available to develop, build, maintain, improve, or provide other support for essential community facilities in rural communities (e.g., certain facilities that provide healthcare, community support, public safety, educational, or utility services).  Under the bill, the financing provided by an FCS institution may not exceed 15% of the institution’s total assets unless the FCS institution offers at least one non-FCS lending institution an interest in the financing under reasonable terms and conditions acceptable to the borrower. The FCS institution must also report the offer to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). The FCA must submit an annual report to Congress on the activities undertaken by FCS institutions under this bill, including through the partnerships between FCS institutions and other lending institutions. The FCA must post the report on the agency's website.

Maddy summaryHR 4745, the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2023, creates a pilot program to expand home delivery of food packages under the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for low-income seniors in rural areas. The bill authorizes $10 million annually (2024-2026) for competitive grants to state agencies, which must prioritize rural service providers to cover costs like transportation, staffing, and outreach for home delivery. It requires grantees to report on delivery metrics, costs, and effectiveness annually. The program directly affects rural CSFP participants facing transportation barriers to accessing food assistance.

Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the bill, USDA must establish and maintain (directly or by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement) a program to help eligible hospital facilities in rural areas with a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less.  The program must provide tailored technical assistance and training to hospital facilities to identify development needs for maintaining essential health care services and support action plans for financial, operational, and quality improvement projects to meet these needs. Development needs include (1) constructing, expanding, and modernizing health care facilities; (2) increasing telehealth capabilities; and (3) acquiring or upgrading health care information systems (e.g., electronic health records). The program must also provide technical assistance and training to help hospital facilities to better manage their financial and business strategies and identify, and apply for assistance from, USDA loan and grant programs. In selecting eligible hospital facilities to participate in the program, USDA must give priority to borrowers and grantees of certain USDA rural assistance programs.   USDA must also submit an annual report to Congress on the progress and results of the program.

Rural Wellness Act This bill prioritizes behavioral and mental health treatment services under certain rural development grant and loan programs. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 the set-asides and prioritizations for substance use disorder treatment services under the Department of Agriculture's (1) Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, (2) Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program, and (3) Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. Under the community facilities program, the bill prioritizes direct loans and grants for the development of behavioral and mental health services facilities, including facilities that provide treatment services. Further, loans and grants provided under the program may be used to develop facilities and systems to provide telehealth services for behavioral and mental health treatment. Under the Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program, the bill prioritizes grants for behavioral and mental health education and treatment. Under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program, the bill includes a 17% set-aside for telemedicine projects that provide substance use disorder treatment services (currently a 20% set-aside).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the ThinkDIFFERENTLY National AgrAbility Project (previously an assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities) under the 1990 Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act. It adds a new provision to provide education and support for youth and young adults with disabilities interested in farming careers. The bill also increases the annual funding cap for the program from $150,000 to $260,000 per grant and authorizes $8 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2033. These changes directly affect farmers with disabilities and youth with disabilities seeking agricultural careers by expanding program support and funding.

Agricultural Representation for the United States Territories Act This bill increases agricultural representation for U.S. territories on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board.  Specifically, the bill increases the advisory board membership to 16 members (from the current 15). The additional member must represent the agricultural interests of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. The bill also extends the advisory board through FY2028. (The NAREEE Advisory Board advises the Department of Agriculture, land-grant colleges and universities, and Congress on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension, and economics.)