Tina Smith

Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026

Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a streamlined process for farmers and ranchers to provide benefits under certain federal nutrition programs. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). Specifically, USDA must establish a streamlined application process for farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under the nutrition programs, including by developing a single application for the programs or an information sharing system. USDA must also develop a streamlined process for these vendors to use standardized technology to process program benefits (such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application). Further, USDA must ensure that the program benefit processing equipment and systems made available by a state agency are appropriate for the entity. For example, this includes ensuring wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems are appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.

Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2026

The bill would extend and reauthorize a federal grant program that helps bring high-speed internet access to rural communities that lack reliable broadband service. This program provides funding to rural electric cooperatives and other organizations to build the infrastructure needed to connect underserved areas to the internet. The measure affects rural residents and businesses that currently have limited or no access to broadband, as well as the utility companies and nonprofits that would receive grants to expand internet service.

HELP Separated Children Act

The legislation would establish protections for children whose parents or guardians are detained or deported due to immigration enforcement actions, such as ensuring they have access to legal representation, notification of their parent's whereabouts, and plans for their care and custody. The bill aims to prevent children from being separated from their families or left without supervision during immigration raids and deportations. It would affect immigrant families, child welfare agencies, and immigration enforcement officials.

Data to Save Moms Act

This bill would require the federal government to collect and analyze data on maternal health outcomes, pregnancy-related deaths, and complications to identify patterns and improve care for pregnant women and new mothers. By tracking this information across different states and populations, the legislation aims to help doctors and public health officials spot problems early and develop better strategies to reduce maternal mortality and serious health risks. The bill would primarily affect pregnant women, healthcare providers, hospitals, and state health departments working to improve maternal health outcomes.

Livestock Consolidation Research Act of 2026

Livestock Consolidation Research Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Economic Research Service (ERS) to publish a report on consolidation and concentration in the livestock industry (i.e., beef, dairy, pork, and poultry production, including broilers, eggs, and turkeys). ERS must publish the report within one year of the Census of Agriculture being made publicly available. As background, USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the census every five years. NASS released the 2022 census in 2024. The ERS report must include (1) information on changes in the size and location of ranches, farms, processing facilities, and packers throughout the United States; and (2) the impact of these changes on farmers, ranchers, and downstream consumers.

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish an Addressing Teacher Shortages Program. Through this program, ED shall award grants for local educational agencies to address teacher shortage challenges. Specifically, grant funds may be used to establish or expand teaching residency programs, teacher mentor programs, specified recruitment and training programs, and other evidence-based strategies to increase teacher retention and support teachers.

PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026

This bill would require health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medication (PrEP) without requiring patients to pay out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles. The legislation aims to make preventive HIV drugs more accessible and affordable for people at risk of infection, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from using these medications.

Investments in Rural Transit Act

This bill would provide federal funding and support to improve public transportation systems in rural areas, which currently have limited bus and transit options compared to cities. The money would help rural communities build new transit routes, purchase vehicles, and maintain existing services so that residents without cars can travel for work, medical appointments, and other needs. The legislation aims to address transportation gaps that make it harder for rural Americans to access jobs and services.

Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025

This bill would increase funding and support for research into lung cancer in women and expand access to preventive screening services like CT scans for women at risk. It aims to address the fact that lung cancer affects women differently than men and that many women develop it without smoking histories. The legislation would help doctors better understand, detect, and prevent lung cancer in female patients.

Addressing Climate Financial Risk Act of 2026

This bill would require banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions to assess and disclose how climate change could affect their investments and business operations, similar to how they already report other financial risks. The goal is to help investors and regulators understand which financial companies might face losses from climate-related events like floods or droughts, and to encourage these institutions to reduce their exposure to climate risks. This affects anyone with bank accounts, insurance policies, or retirement investments, since it could influence how financial companies manage money and price their services.

A resolution supporting after-school programs and Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of after-school programs held on October 23, 2025.

This resolution expresses support for Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of after-school programs held on October 23, 2025.

CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2025

CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Bond Guarantee Program for four years and revises it to allow for a greater number of participants. CDFIs are financial institutions serving low-income communities. Designation as a CDFI allows an institution to participate in programs such as the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. The program provides CDFIs with financing for community and economic development projects through federal credit subsidies that allow CDFIs to issue bonds. The bill (1) reduces the program’s minimum loan amount from $100 million to $25 million, (2) eliminates the cap on the annual number of guarantees, and (3) revises the maximum amount that may be held in a CDFI's relending account for secondary loans.

Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025

This bill would make changes to how the federal government provides housing loans and assistance to people in rural areas through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service program. The reforms likely aim to make it easier for rural residents and farmers to access affordable housing financing and improve the quality of housing programs in communities outside cities and suburbs.

New Producer Economic Security Act

This bill would likely provide financial protections and support programs for farmers and agricultural producers to help stabilize their incomes and reduce economic risks from market fluctuations, weather events, or other challenges. The specific measures would probably include things like insurance programs, direct payments, or loan assistance designed to help keep farming operations financially secure. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Agriculture Committee to determine what final form it will take.