H.R. 3254: Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act

This bill, titled the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act, aims to provide emergency assistance to farm workers who are affected by various disasters. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Emergency Relief for Farm Workers

The bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, to provide grants to eligible farm worker organizations when a covered disaster occurs. This provision is applicable for the fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.

Eligible Organizations

Organizations that can receive these grants must meet specific criteria:

• They must be membership-based organizations for farm workers or
• They can be nonprofit organizations that have experience providing support or relief services to farm workers and are recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Use of Funds

The funds received through these grants can be used for several purposes, including:

• Direct financial assistance to farm workers impacted by the disaster.
• Building the capacity of organizations to provide emergency relief.
• Enhancing the resiliency of farm worker communities to better handle future disasters.
• Providing infrastructure support, including shelter, for affected farm workers.
• Offering emergency services as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

Disaster Definitions

The bill defines a "covered disaster" as:

• An adverse weather event, including droughts, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, excessive heat, tornadoes, and other severe weather conditions.
• An unexpected health crisis, such as a pandemic.
• Any other event that results in farm workers losing income or being unable to work.

Funding Availability

Any grant funds allocated to eligible organizations will remain available until they are fully expended, ensuring that organizations can use the money as needed based on the disasters affecting farm workers.

Promotional Plan and Consultation

The Secretary is required to create a promotional plan to facilitate the distribution of emergency relief grants and must consult with eligible farm worker organizations in this process. This aims to ensure that the relief provided is effective and reaches those in need.

Relevant Companies

None found