House Passes Crop Insurance Bill

September 30, 1999

The House, by voice vote, Wednesday approved a crop insurance reform bill that increases producers' insurable yields and reduces premiums with a larger federal subsidy. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) says it "reduces the need" for farmers to depend on Congress for ad hoc disaster assistance.

Three titles are included in the bill designed to increase participation, improve program administration, provide new procedures to approve policies and plans of insurance, and to bolster the compliance and enforcement program of USDA's Risk Management Agency.

Title I expands levels of coverage offered to producers by providing greater federal assistance in buying better coverage levels. It also provides an adjustment in actual production history for producers who have suffered multiple losses in the 1990s.

The second title seeks to improve the operations of the federal crop insurance program. Title III reorganizes the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board of directors and makes other improvements in the administration of the program. For complete information click on Crop Insurance for more details.