Explanation of H.R. 662
This bill, known as the 'Block Grant Assistance Act of 2023', aims to make changes to the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023 to provide improved funding for agricultural producers affected by disasters.
The bill states that the Secretary of Agriculture may now provide assistance in the form of block grants to eligible states and territories for losses described under the agricultural programs. This means that instead of providing direct funding for specific individual losses, the Secretary can give a lump sum of money to states and territories, which they can then use to support their agricultural producers who have suffered losses due to disasters.
It is important to note that this bill has been designated as an emergency requirement, meaning it is being treated as a priority and will bypass normal spending restrictions.
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on June 12, 2023.