CHILE Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates a permanent legal framework letting USDA pay specialty crop farmers, such as growers of fruit, vegetables, and nuts, directly when an economic crisis or market disruption hurts their sales.
• Congress would appropriate $5 billion starting in fiscal year 2027, and the money stays available until it is fully spent on these emergency farmer payments.
• Payments are based on a farmer's past sales multiplied by a loss factor the Secretary sets, and the law specifically tells USDA to account for the higher costs of growing specialty crops.
• Most producers face standard payment caps, but full time farmers who get at least 75 percent of their income from farming can receive a higher amount set by the Secretary, with a guaranteed floor of $900,000.