H.R. 1 - The Big Beautiful Bill (Simplified) - Part 1 - Agriculture and Rural America

It's long, it's complicated, and Marjorie Taylor Greene (and probably most people she works with) hasn't read it. Let's not be one of those people. Here is a simplified version of a very complex, and very dangerous bill, that's easy to read and something we can all understand. Please share with friends and family. Thank you.

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TITLE 1 -- COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

A - NUTRITION

10001 - THRIFTY FOOD PLAN

The "Thrifty Food Plan was developed by the USDA to provide a healthy diet for families on a limited budget. It is the basis for the SNAP program. According to this plan the Secretary of Agriculture (currently Brooke Rollins) can adjust requirements for qualification on October 1st of each year based on cost adjustments.

10002 - ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS WORK REQUIREMENTS

This section talks about who is exempt (i.e. pregnant, mentally/physically unfit), but the bottom line says "exceptions in subparagraphs F through H shall cease to have an effect on October 1, 2030. This includes currently homeless, veterans, (and) 24 and under who were in foster care or under the responsibility of the state."

10003 - ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS WAIVERS

An amendment to paragraph 4 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which deals with reenrollment requirements for SNAP, specifically who is eligible. It states that "...the average monthly number of exemptions...during a fiscal year does not exceed 1% of the number of covered individuals in the State." (This is amended down from 8%.)

10004 - AVAILABILITY OF STANDARD UTILITY ALLOWANCES BASED ON RECEIPT OF ENERGY ASSISTANCE

Amending the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to specify not all households qualify, but just those with elderly or disabled members.

10005 - RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNET EXPENSES

A new section added to include that no internet fees can be used as a shelter expense deduction.

10006 - MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENTS

This deals with what the Secretary of Agriculture can allot to SNAP based on the State's payment error rate, and amends the percentages.

10007 - ADMINISTRATIVE COST SHARING

Amendment to change the wording so that the Secretary is authorized to now pay each State agency 25% of all administrative costs involved in providing SNAP, instead of 50% as it was before.

10008 - GENERAL WORK REQUIREMENT AGE

Age ranges for this work-requirement section have been changed from 15 to 60, to now 17 to 65, who are no longer eligible for SNAP. Work requirements for someone with a child under the age of 6, has been amended to "under the age of 7," and the exemptions for a child between the ages of 1 and 6, is now also 1 and 7.

10009 - NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE

An amendment was added to include data-sharing for those on SNAP, in order to prevent dual applications for assistance across multiple states.

10010 - QUALITY CONTROL ZERO TOLERANCE

An erasure of the previous allowable error amount of $37, to now be $0.

10011 - NATIONAL EDUCATION AND OBESITY PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM REPEALER

Total removal of the nutrition education and obesity prevention program for eligible individuals.

10012 - ALIEN SNAP ELIGIBILITY

An amendment to change who is allowed to participate in SNAP. (C) Those who entered the U.S. prior to 1948 now do not qualify, unless they came from Cuba.

10013 - EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE

Amendment to the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to extend the time allotted for transfer of $4 million in emergency food assistance from 2024 to 2031.

Fort Benton, Montana

B - INVESTMENT IN RURAL AMERICA

10101 - SAFETY NET

This section amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to change the term "references prices" to equate to specific prices per bushel for wheat, corn, sorghum, barley, oats, et al. After the year 2031 these process will be multiplied by 1.005, not to exceed 115%. Extensions from 2023 to 2031 for most regulations. Limits of not more than 30 million base acres to be included in these regulations per eligible farms. All eligibility for allotted base acres is determined through a "five-year average," which includes acreage planted, and any prevention of planting due to natural disaster. For new owners, the Secretary of Agriculture will consider planting history. Losses in unborn livestock are eligible for compensation. Emergency assistance for livestock, farmed fish, and honeybees.

10102 - CONSERVATION

Amending portions of the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend through 2031. Reducing $5 million just $1 million for the Grassroots Source Water Program. Reducing $50 million to $10 million for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. Amending portions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to include reducing $75 million for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program to $15 million. Adding funding to fiscal years 2026 through 2031. Doing the same for funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation.

10103 - SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION PROGRAM

The Secretary will conduct a program to encourage expansion of commercial export markets for agriculture, and use funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation.

10104 - RESEARCH

In reference to the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, amending years to extend through 2031. In reference to the Agricultural Act of 2014 and as pertains to the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, amended to reduce funds from $200 million to "remain available under expended" to $37 million "no later than 30 days after the date of enactment." In reference to scholarships for students at 1890s institutions, which did provide full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board for up to 4 years, is now $60,000 total until expended. In reference to the Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities, funds increased from $6 million to $8 million "until expended." Specialty Crop Research Initiative increased from $80 million to $175 million after 2025. For the Research Facilities Act, there will now be a specified grant program, $125 million for each fiscal year beginning in 2026.

Woodman School - Lolo, Montana

10105 - SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS; FORESTRY

If any county in any state has already received their 25% payment for 2024, this will be deducted from future payments. The same for 50%. All dates updated from 2023 to 2026, as per the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. All dates updated from 2025 to 2028. Any dates listed as 2026 are now 2029. Competitive grants for non-federal forest landowners are rescinded. For state and private forestry conservation programs, $100,719,676 are rescinded.

10106 - ENERGY

Biobased Markets Program dates in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 are updated from 2024 to 2031. Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels dates are updated from 2024 to 2031.

10107 - HORTICULTURE

Funding increased for Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program from $63 million to $75 million for 2018 through 2025. Year updated from 2018 to 2026, with increased funding from $75 million to $90 million. The Specialty Crop Block Grant funding will increase from $72.9 million (2023) to $85 million for 2018 through 2025, and will increase to $100 million in 2026. The Organic Production and Market Data Initiative will increase from $1 million (2024) to $10 million for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. Funding used for modernization and improvement of International Trade Technology Systems and Data Collection will increase from $1 million (2024 & 2025) to $5 million in 2026. Funding leftover from the Multiple Crop and Pesticide Use Survey will be used until expended.

10108 - MISCELLANEOUS

Funding for Animal Disease Prevention and Management, as per the Animal Health Protection Act, will increase from $30 million for fiscal years 2023 through 2025, to $233 million per each fiscal year 2026 through 2030, from the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Funding for the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program will increase from $2 million to $3 million, and all dates will be changed from 2024 to 2031.

If you would like to read the bill yourself, click the link below.

The Big, Beautiful Bill

Ellie is an author, editor, and owner of Red Pencil Transcripts, and works with filmmakers, podcasts, and journalists all over the world. She lives with her family just outside of New York City.