Texas
South Texas Agriculture Emergency Assistance Act Proposed to Assist Farmers
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Key points
- U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz introduced H.R. 10113 to provide $280 million in emergency assistance to South Texas agricultural producers.
- The bill addresses economic losses in the 2023 and 2024 crop years resulting from Mexico’s water delivery shortfalls under the 1944 Water Treaty.
- Funding would flow through the Texas Department of Agriculture to distribute proportional financial aid to impacted growers.
NewsWK — Agricultural producers along the Rio Grande may soon receive relief following severe irrigation shortages. Representative Monica De La Cruz introduced new federal legislation to help growers across South Texas.
How will Texas Rio Grande farmer emergency relief deliver funding?
The South Texas Agriculture Emergency Assistance Act mandates a $280 million federal grant for the state. First, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will release the funds. Afterwards, the Texas Department of Agriculture will administer the financial relief. State officials will distribute payments proportionally based on actual grower losses sustained during 2023 and 2024.
What are the key details of Monica De La Cruz HR 10113?
Representative De La Cruz introduced H.R. 10113 during the 118th Congress on November 12, 2024. House leaders assigned the bill to the House Committee on Agriculture. In addition, major agricultural groups endorse the proposed measure:
- Texas Farm Bureau
- Texas Citrus Mutual
- Texas International Produce Association
- Texas Vegetable Association
How does the 1944 Water Treaty Texas farmers rule affect the region?
Financial losses stemmed directly from reduced water supplies along the border river. Under 59 Stat. 1219, known as the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico must deliver specific water allocations to the United States. However, Mexico failed to meet those legal delivery obligations. Consequently, South Texas farming operations suffered severe water shortages across two crop years.
Why is a Texas agriculture water shortage grant needed now?
Because missing water allocations disrupted operations across two seasons, growers incurred substantial harm. Therefore, the legislation references statutory authority under Public Law 107-206 to provide direct emergency relief to impacted agricultural producers.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
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