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H.R.6849 / 110th Congress

To amend the commodity provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to permit producers to aggregate base acres and reconstitute farms to avoid the prohibition on receiving direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments when the sum of the base acres of a farm is 10 acres or less, and for other purposes.

Became Public Law No: 110-398.

Official summary

Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 13, 2008

(Sec. 1) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 with respect to producers, including peanut producers, with 10 or fewer base acres to: (1) suspend a prohibition on direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments for crop year 2008; and (2) extend the 2008 signup deadline for direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments until the later of November 14, 2008, or the end of the 45-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that no penalty is assessed against producers for failure to submit reports or comply with other program requirements as a result of compliance with the extended signup deadline.

Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to reduce FY2011 amounts available for Federal Crop Insurance Corporation information management upgrades.

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(Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act, regarding the supplemental revenue assistance program (SURE), to define: (1) "actual production on the farm" as the sum of the value of all crops raised on the farm; and (2) "normal production on the farm" as the sum of the expected revenue for all crops on the farm.

Revises the definition of "disaster county" to include any farm in which the actual farm production is less than 50% of normal production.

Requires the actual production on a farm for at least one crop of economic significance to be reduced by at least 10% due to disaster, adverse weather, or disaster-related conditions in order to be eligible for crop loss assistance payments.

Excludes subsequently planted crops and uninsured crops in calculating the disaster assistance program guarantee. Adds provisions regarding normal and actual farm production.

Removes grazing land from SURE.

Funds the tree assistance program from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund.

Sets forth: (1) a de minimis exception to the risk management purchase requirement; (2) a risk management purchase requirement waiver for crop year 2009; and (3) a payment limitation transition rule for crop year 2008.

Makes similar amendments to the Trade Act of 1974.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Etheridge, Bob [D-NC-2] · D–NC

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
61 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Became Public Law No: 110-398.

  2. Became Public Law No: 110-398.

  3. Signed by President.

  4. Signed by President.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Cleared for White House.

  8. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  9. On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H10623-10625)

  10. Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H10623-10625)

  11. Mr. Etheridge asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H10623-10625)

  12. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  13. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  14. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10039)

  16. Received in the Senate, read twice.

  17. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  18. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9319)

  19. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9319)

  20. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6849.

  21. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9319-9321)

  22. Mr. Etheridge moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  23. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 572.

  24. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 110-881.

  25. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 110-881.

  26. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  27. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  28. Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

  29. Introduced in House

  30. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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