Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025
Summary
The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025 aims to bolster the domestic market for specialty crops by establishing a grant program. This program, overseen by the Secretary of Agriculture, will provide funds to eligible organizations. These organizations will use the funds to develop, maintain, and expand the market for domestically produced specialty crop commodities.
The bill amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. It outlines application requirements, marketing plan specifications, and grant amount determination processes. The act also includes provisions for multiyear grants, termination conditions, and program evaluations.
Funding is authorized at $75 million per fiscal year beginning in 2026. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness and consumption of U.S.-grown specialty crops within the United States.
Expected Effects
The act will likely increase the demand and consumption of domestically produced specialty crops. This will be achieved through targeted marketing and promotion efforts funded by the grant program. The program could also lead to increased economic activity within the agricultural sector.
Eligible organizations will receive financial assistance to implement marketing plans. These plans are designed to reach domestic consumers and promote the benefits of specialty crops. The act also emphasizes accountability through required matching funds, evaluations, and audits.
Ultimately, the act seeks to strengthen the position of American farmers and producers of specialty crops. It aims to ensure a stable and growing market for their products within the United States.
Potential Benefits
- Increased demand for domestically produced specialty crops.
- Financial support for agricultural organizations to promote their products.
- Potential for job creation within the agricultural sector.
- Improved market access for small and medium-sized specialty crop producers.
- Enhanced consumer awareness of the benefits of specialty crops.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for inefficient allocation of grant funds.
- Administrative overhead associated with managing the grant program.
- Risk of market distortion if certain specialty crops are favored over others.
- Possible difficulty in accurately measuring the program's effectiveness.
- The requirement for matching funds could exclude some smaller organizations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states. By promoting the domestic market for specialty crops, the bill indirectly regulates interstate commerce.
Additionally, the bill's focus on agricultural development could be viewed as promoting the general welfare, as mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution. The act does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, the delegation of authority to the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and manage the grant program raises questions about the non-delegation doctrine. This doctrine requires Congress to provide clear standards for executive branch agencies to follow when exercising delegated authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).