On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a five-year reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and nutrition programs, known as the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill includes key provisions that provide a one-year extension of the federal Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which compensates counties for the loss of property tax revenue when the federal government takes private land into federal ownership. 

Federal PILT is a critical program that RCRC member counties rely on to fund various governmental services. The Farm Bill passed the House after nearly six months of political wrangling between the House and the Senate over crop subsidies, dairy programs, and food stamps, and represents tough negotiations and necessary concessions to gain the majority vote needed to get the bill out of the House. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the Farm Bill in the coming days, sending it to the President for final approval. 

California is expected to receive slightly more than $41 million dollars in federal PILT payments. A specific county-by-county breakdown of funding can be accessed here.

RCRC appreciates the leadership of the House members who voted to support the Farm Bill with a one-year extension of PILT. In addition, RCRC will be advocating to Congress for the need to enact a longer-term program.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at 916.447.4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org