S. 1693: Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience Act of 2025 (FARMER Act), proposes several amendments to the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1938. The main objectives and changes introduced by the bill are as follows:

1. Premium Support for Insurance Plans

The bill aims to enhance economic support for farmers by modifying how premium support is provided for farm-based revenue protection and yield protection insurance plans. Specifically:

The bill allows for a portion of the insurance premium to be covered, with specific percentages set for different coverage levels:

77 percent coverage for a specific high coverage level.
68 percent coverage for a slightly lower coverage level.

2. Changes to Coverage Levels

The legislation alters the coverage levels that farmers can qualify for under the supplemental coverage option. This includes:

Reducing a certain clause from 14 to 10 in the context of coverage levels.
Increasing another coverage threshold from 86 to 90.

3. Premium Subsidy Adjustments

The bill increases the premium subsidy available under the supplemental coverage option. This is an adjustment from a previous level of 65 percent to a new level of 80 percent.

4. Study on Supplemental Coverage Options

The bill directs a study to examine the feasibility of modifying the supplemental coverage option to include:

Coverage for larger counties (over 1,400 square miles).
Insurance coverage options that are not limited to those available on a county-wide basis or individual farm basis.

This study is to be carried out by the Corporation, and a report on the findings and recommendations must be submitted to the appropriate Senate and House committees within a year of the bill's enactment.

5. Overall Impact

The changes proposed in this bill are primarily aimed at improving the financial support structures for farmers dealing with crop losses or revenue impacts, thereby enhancing the resilience of agricultural practices.