Warner Robins Today

Representatives Austin Scott, Jimmy Panetta, and Tracey Mann have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing all crop insurance infrastructure, with a specific focus on specialty crops. The legislation, known as the Ensuring Access to Risk Management Act, addresses a critical flaw in the current system that disproportionately impacts specialty crop producers.

Chairman of the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee, Rep. Austin Scott, emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "As the Chairman of the Subcommittee with jurisdiction over Federal Crop Insurance, I’m pleased to introduce this legislation to ensure that the infrastructure delivering our farmers and ranchers their most important safety net is on solid ground."

Rep. Jimmy Panetta highlighted the need to correct flaws in the crop insurance system, stating, "The current design of our crop insurance system can hurt many specialty crop producers all across the country, including in California’s 19th Congressional District. Our bipartisan legislation would correct that flaw and provide improved risk management infrastructure when prices fluctuate."

Meanwhile, Rep. Tracey Mann emphasized the significance of establishing a minimum reimbursement rate for administrative and operating expenses and restoring the annual inflation adjustment, stating, "By establishing a minimum reimbursement rate for administrative and operating expenses and restoring the annual inflation adjustment, this legislation helps Congress further strengthen the agricultural safety net to give farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers the certainty they deserve."

The legislation aims to address the lack of inflation adjustments in risk management delivery funding for specialty crops and restore the annual inflation adjustment for all crops. Rep. Scott underscored the bipartisan support for the legislation, expressing optimism about its potential impact, "A large, bipartisan majority of Congress has twice gone on record in support of the important policies our legislation today advances."

The representatives look forward to working during the Farm Bill process to implement these policies for the benefit of farm and ranch families across the country. The full text of the legislation can be accessed for further details.