[20070810]RS22695_2002年农业法案可能到期.pdf

Order Code RS22695Updated August 10, 2007Possible Expiration of the 2002 Farm BillJasper WomachSpecialist in Agricultural PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryWill an extension of current law be needed if Congress does not enact a new farmbill before September 30, 2007? Commodity provisions of the 2002 farm bill apply tocrops harvested in 2007, and farmers entitled to payments will receive them even afterSeptember 30. Also, with past history as the example, it is unlikely that expiredauthority to appropriate funds will constrain the congressional appropriations process.With appropriations, basic nutrition programs would continue. But, these programspresent some unique issues that would not be resolved without action beyond a regularappropriation. Looking back, the 1990 farm bill expired in 1995, but Congress did notadopt the replacement legislation until the spring of 1996.What might happen if Congress does not enact a new farm bill before September 30,2007 the end of this fiscal year and the commonly reported expiration date of the 2002farm bill?The 2002 omnibus farm bill (P.L. 107-171) includes a wide range of programauthorities, some of which are mandatory and o