Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8251 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8251 To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the tree assistance program, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 13, 2026 Mr. Huizenga (for himself and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the tree assistance program, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting America's Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act''. SEC. 2. TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) Definitions.--Section 1501(e)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or biennial'' after ``annual''; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or pest'' after ``insect''. (b) Economic Viability.--Section 1501(e)(2)(A) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(2)(A)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``provide'' and all that follows through ``under paragraph (3) to'' and inserting ``provide assistance under paragraph (3) to''; (2) in clause (i)-- (A) by inserting ``, regardless of production history,'' after ``growers''; (B) by inserting ``, or the trees no longer produce an economically viable crop,'' after ``the trees''; and (C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and (3) by striking clause (ii). (c) Assistance.--Section 1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``and (5)'' and inserting ``, (5), and (6)''; an