H.R. 1163House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2017

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

The Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2017 would change the Food Security Act of 1985 to relieve farmers and landowners who receive USDA conservation assistance from some federal reporting rules. By creating an "exempted producer" category, the bill lets these participants avoid certain paperwork that is normally required under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. The change mainly affects producers or landowners who take part in any USDA‑run conservation program.

Key Provisions

Defines an “exempted producer” as any producer or landowner eligible for any USDA conservation program.
Exempts these producers from the reporting requirements in parts 25 and 170 of title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, even though those requirements are normally required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee

March 10, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 16, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.

Agriculture Committee

February 16, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee

March 10, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 16, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1163

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 16, 2017

Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire (for herself, Mr. Crawford, and Mr. Abraham) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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

A BILL

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt certain recipients of Department of Agriculture conservation assistance from certain reporting requirements, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2017.

Exemption for certain recipients of Department of Agriculture conservation assistance from certain reporting requirements

Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(m)

Exemption from certain reporting requirements

(1)

Definition of exempted producer

In this subsection, the term exempted producer means a producer or landowner eligible to participate in any conservation program administered by the Secretary.

(2)

Exemption

Notwithstanding the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–282; 31 U.S.C. 6101 note), the requirements of parts 25 and 170 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (and any successor regulations), shall not apply with respect to assistance received by an exempted producer from the Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.