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Congress·In Committee·about 1 year ago

Congress Proposes Bill to Exempt Millions of Acres of Farmland from Federal Water Regulations

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
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Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill changes the Clean Water Act to ensure the federal government cannot regulate "prior converted cropland" as protected water. This refers to land that was drained or changed before December 23, 1985, so that it could be used for farming. By removing this land from federal oversight, farmers would not need to seek special water permits for most activities on that land.
  • The bill defines farming activities very broadly to include grazing, haying, raising fish, and even leaving land empty for conservation or to help the soil recover after a natural disaster. This wide definition makes it easier for landowners to keep their exempt status even if they are not actively growing traditional crops.
  • Land only loses this special exemption if it is "abandoned," which the bill defines as not being used for any farming purpose for at least five years. If the land is abandoned and turns back into a natural wetland during that time, the government could then step back in to regulate it under water protection laws.
  • This proposal specifically blocks the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers from using certain 2023 rules that tried to regulate this land if its use changed. By writing these protections into law, it prevents federal agencies from changing the requirements for farmers without a new act of Congress.
AgricultureEnergy Environment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 27, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2025

Committee on Environment and Public Works reviews the bill

The bill must clear this committee before the full Senate can vote on it. Until then, no changes take effect for farmers or regulators.

Related News

3 articles
Agweek·about 1 year ago

Federal legislation would define prior converted cropland to give farmers long-term certainty

The Farmers Freedom Act of 2025 aims to codify the definition of prior converted cropland (PCC) to ensure it remains exempt from Clean Water Act regulations. The bill seeks to provide permanent regulatory certainty for producers who have faced shifting federal rules regarding wetlands.

C+
Northern Plains News·about 1 year ago

Rounds Leads Legislation to Address Federal Government Overreach on South Dakota Farmers, Ranchers and Landowners

The Farmers Freedom Act of 2025 would provide a permanent definition of prior converted cropland under the Clean Water Act, preventing the EPA from reclassifying previously exempt land as protected wetlands if it becomes temporarily unavailable for production due to flooding.

C+
Hoosier Ag Today·about 2 years ago

Farmers Freedom Act to Address Government Overreach

Legislation introduced by Senator Mike Rounds seeks to restore the Trump-era definition of prior converted cropland. The bill ensures that farmers do not lose their exempt status unless land is abandoned for five years, providing flexibility for conservation and soil recovery.

CR+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Farmers Freedom Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 795
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(6)
R: 6

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.