Farmers Freedom Act of 2025
Congress Proposes Bill to Exempt Millions of Acres of Farmland from Federal Water Regulations
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
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.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Small farming operations that work prior converted cropland would benefit from reduced permitting costs and regulatory uncertainty. Many small farms lack the legal and administrative resources to navigate complex federal wetland permitting processes, so this exemption could save them significant time and money.
State Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
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.
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.
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.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Farmers Freedom Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(6)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.