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7 U.S. Code § 7333. Administration and operation of noninsured crop assistance program
(a) Operation and administration of program
(1) In general
(A) CoveragesIn the case of an eligible crop described in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Agriculture shall operate a noninsured crop disaster assistance program to provide coverages based on individual yields (other than for value-loss crops) equivalent to—
(i)
catastrophic risk protection available under section 508(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)); or
(ii)
except in the case of crops and grasses used for grazing, additional coverage available under subsections (c) and (h) of section 508 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) that does not exceed 65 percent, as described in subsection (l).
(B) Administration
The Secretary shall carry out this section through the Farm Service Agency (referred to in this section as the “Agency”).
(C) Data collection and sharingThe Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency on the type and format of data received under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program that—
(i)
best facilitates the use of that data in developing policies or plans of insurance offered under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and
(ii)
ensures the availability of that data on a regular basis.
(D) CoordinationThe Secretary shall coordinate between the agencies of the Department that provide programs or services to farmers and ranchers that are potentially eligible for the noninsured crop disaster assistance program under this section—
(i) to make available coverage under—
(I)
the fee waiver under subsection (k)(2); or
(II)
the premium discount under subsection (l)(3); and
(ii)
to share eligibility information to reduce paperwork and avoid duplication.
(2) Eligible crops
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), in this section, the term “eligible crop” means each commercial crop or other agricultural commodity that is produced for food or fiber (except livestock) for which catastrophic risk protection under subsection (b) of section 508 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) and additional coverage under subsections (c) and (h) of such section are not available or, if such coverage is available, it is only available under a policy that provides coverage for specific intervals based on weather indexes or under a whole farm plan of insurance.
(B) Crops specifically included
The term “eligible crop” shall include floricultural, ornamental nursery, and Christmas tree crops, turfgrass sod, seed crops, aquaculture (including ornamental fish), sea grass and sea oats, camelina, sweet sorghum, biomass sorghum, and industrial crops (including those grown expressly for the purpose of producing a feedstock for renewable biofuel, renewable electricity, or biobased products).
(C) Combination of similar types or varieties
At the option of the Secretary, all types or varieties of a crop or commodity, described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), may be considered to be a single eligible crop under this section.
(3) Cause of loss
To qualify for assistance under this section, the losses of the noninsured commodity shall be due to drought, flood, or other natural disaster, as determined by the Secretary.
(4) Program reduction in benefits relating to crop production on native sod
(A) Definition of native sodIn this paragraph, the term “native sod” means land—
(i)
on which the plant cover is composed principally of native grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, or shrubs suitable for grazing and browsing; and
(ii)
that has never been tilled, or the producer cannot substantiate that the ground has ever been tilled, for the production of an annual crop as of the date of enactment of this paragraph.
(B) Reduction in benefits
(i) In general
(I) Agricultural Act of 2014
During the first 4 crop years of planting, as determined by the Secretary, native sod acreage that has been tilled for the production of an annual crop during the period beginning on February 8, 2014, and ending on December 20, 2018, shall be subject to a reduction in benefits under this section as described in this subparagraph.
(II) Subsequent yearsNative sod acreage that has been tilled for the production of an eligible crop after December 20, 2018, shall be subject to a reduction in benefits under this section as described in this subparagraph for not more than any 4 crop years—
(aa)
during the first 10 crop years after the initial tillage; and
(bb)
during which a crop on that acreage is enrolled under subsection (l)(2) or (k).
(ii) De minimis acreage exemption
The Secretary shall exempt areas of 5 acres or less from clause (i).
(iii) ReductionFor purposes of the reduction in benefits for the acreage described in clause (i)—
(I)
the approved yield shall be determined by using a yield equal to 65 percent of the county expected yield; and
(II)
the service fees or premiums for crops planted on native sod shall be equal to 200 percent of the amount determined in subsections [1] (l)(2) or (k), as applicable, but in no case shall exceed the amount determined in subsection (l)(2)(B)(ii).
(C) Application
This paragraph shall only apply to native sod acreage in the States of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska.