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Bustos and Conference Committee sign off on 5-year Farm Bill

The first United State Farm Bill since 2014 seems primed to become law soon.Rep. Cheri Bustos signed off on the final conference report on Monday (yesterday), in her capacity as a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee.

House leadership selected the East Moline Democrat for this ad hoc committee to negotiate a compromise on the versions the Senate and House passed.

The final version of the Farm Bill holds a few new provisions, such as legalizing industrial hemp, federalizing a law that State Rep. Dan Swanson passed last year allowing farmers to grow the crop in Illinois.

Bustos got several bills of her own absorbed into the omnibus bill, including the Farmers of Tomorrow Act.

The legislation “modernizes requirements” so more farmers can access USDA loans with an additional provision aimed at encouraging more veterans to go into farming.

The Congresswoman also introduced legislation hoping to stem the epidemic of opioid and heroin overdose deaths in rural America.

Bustos’ bill sets aside more money from the USDA for substance abuse treatment including expanded access to telemedicine and directs grants meant to fund essential community facilities to prioritize substance abuse, treatment prevention and recovery.

The 5-year Farm Bill seems to enjoy wide bi-partisan support.

The Senate approved it today, 87-13 and the House is expected to take up a vote this week.

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