RTCP Revitalization Act
RTCP Revitalization Act would codify and expand federal support for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers by providing mandatory funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to cover reimbursement payments under the relevant provisions of the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act. The bill changes how funding is allocated and capped, aiming to ensure predictable, year-to-year support. It sets explicit annual funding levels starting in fiscal year 2026 and continuing through 2031 and beyond, and it relaxes payment-cap restrictions when funding is sufficient to cover all eligible applications. In short, the bill shifts this program from a potentially discretionary/limited funding approach to a guaranteed, escalating funding stream via the CCC, with rules intended to remove caps on payments when funding is ample and to ensure more stable assistance for farmers and ranchers in geographically disadvantaged areas.
Key Points
- 1Mandatory funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation for reimbursement payments to geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, codifying this support as a binding obligation rather than discretionary spending.
- 2Specific, escalating funding levels: $10 million (FY2026), $11 million (FY2027), $12 million (FY2028), $13 million (FY2029), $14 million (FY2030), and $15 million (FY2031 and each year thereafter).
- 3Removal of the “subject to availability of funds” constraint in the funding mechanism, giving the Secretary authority to administer payments without the prior funding availability hurdle.
- 4Payment limitations clause updated: if funding for the year is equal to or greater than the amount needed to pay eligible applications, the Secretary may not impose a limit on the amount paid to any individual geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher for that year.
- 5Administrative framework remains under the Section 1621 structure of the 2008 Act, with the Secretary responsible for carrying out the payments using CCC funds.