# What This Bill Does

This bill would cap the budget for a specific office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture at $15.2 million for the year 2024. That office—called the Office of Hearings and Appeals—is responsible for handling disputes and appeals related to USDA decisions and programs.

# Who This Affects and Why It Matters

The Office of Hearings and Appeals is where farmers, agricultural businesses, and other people affected by USDA decisions can go to challenge those decisions if they believe they were treated unfairly. This includes disputes over farm loans, crop insurance denials, conservation program eligibility, and other agricultural matters. If this bill passes and the office doesn't have enough funding, it could mean longer wait times for people trying to appeal USDA decisions, fewer staff members to handle cases, or potentially some appeals not being processed at all.

The practical impact would be felt by farmers and agricultural workers who need to dispute USDA rulings. Someone waiting for a decision on a farm loan appeal or fighting a denied insurance claim could face significant delays if the office is understaffed or underfunded. The $15.2 million cap essentially freezes or potentially reduces the office's budget, depending on what it was previously allocated. This is a relatively small amount in the context of the federal budget, but it could have real consequences for people trying to resolve disputes with the government.

To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Executive Operations, Office of Hearings and Appeals for fiscal year 2024.

Biggs, Andy

 <p>This bill limits FY2024 funding for the Department of Agriculture's Office of Hearings and Appeals.</p>