H.R. 8502 – HARVEST Act

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Updated June 5, 2026 at 5:41 AM UTC

The HARVEST Act directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to study how to expand educational programs and technical help for the transfer of farm land and assets—especially heirs‑property—among the next generation of farmers and ranchers. The focus is on increasing opportunities for the historically Black 1890 land‑grant institutions to provide this assistance. The study’s findings will be reported to Congress.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Agriculture must conduct a study and submit a report to Congress by September 30, 2026 on ways to increase opportunities for 1890 institutions to offer education and technical assistance about transferring agricultural land and assets, including heirs property.
The bill defines “heirs property” as tenancy‑in‑common land without a recorded partition agreement, where a significant portion of ownership (20% or more) is held by relatives or those who inherited it.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee

June 15, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 27, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee

April 27, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee

June 15, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 27, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8502

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 27, 2026

Mr. Figures (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Sewell, and Mrs. Beatty) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions to conduct educational programs and provide technical assistance with respect to issues relating to the transfer of agricultural land and assets, including heirs property, to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Heirs’ Agricultural Resources, Viability, Education, and Succession Transfer or the HARVEST Act.

2.

Study on technical assistance with respect to transfer of agricultural land and assets

(a)

In general

Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study on, and submit to Congress a report on, ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)) to conduct educational programs and provide technical assistance with respect to issues relating to the transfer of agricultural land and assets, including heirs property, to the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

(b)

Heirs property defined

In this section, the term heirs property means real property held in tenancy in common which, as of the date on which a partition action is filed, satisfies all of the following requirements:

(1)

There is no recorded agreement binding all the co-tenants which governs the partition of the property.

(2)

One or more of the co-tenants acquired title from a relative, whether living or deceased.

(3)

Any of the following applies:

(A)

20 percent or more of the interests are held by co-tenants who are relatives.

(B)

20 percent or more of the interests are held by an individual who acquired title from a relative, whether living or deceased.

(C)

20 percent or more of the co-tenants are relatives.