To provide for the political affairs authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.

House Bill

H.R. 5246

119th Congress

To provide for the political affairs authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.

Introduced:Sep 10, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Maria Elvira Salazar

Representative

Republican

FL-27

Cosponsors

10

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Summary

This bill establishes a national agricultural crisis hotline to provide mental health and other support services to farmers, ranchers, and their families. It also expands the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) program, which funds projects that connect agricultural workers to stress assistance resources.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

SponsorMaria Elvira Salazar (R-FL)

Introduced9/10/2025

StatusOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

To provide for the political affairs authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes a national agricultural crisis hotline to provide mental health and other support services to farmers, ranchers, and their families. It also expands the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) program, which funds projects that c

Community Breakdown

Pass

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This bill establishes a national agricultural crisis hotline to provide mental health and other support services to farmers, ranchers, and their families. It also expands the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) program, which funds projects that connect agricultural workers to stress assistance resources.

Bill Number: 5246
Sponsor: Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL)
Introduced: 9/10/2025
Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
Policy Area: Agriculture and Food

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: To provide for the political affairs authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.
Bill Number: 5246
Sponsor: Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL)
Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
Introduced: 9/10/2025
Summary: This bill establishes a national agricultural crisis hotline to provide mental health and other support services to farmers, ranchers, and their families. It also expands the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) program, which funds projects that connect agricultural workers to stress as

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill establishes a national agricultural crisis hotline to provide mental health and other support services to farmers, ranchers, and their families. It also expands the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) program, which funds projects that connect agricultural workers to stress assistance resources.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

National Agricultural Crisis Hotline Act of 2023This bill establishes a national agricultural crisis hotline. The bill also reauthorizes the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Program through FY2028. (The FRSAN Program funds projects that aim to maintain a network connecting individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs.)Specifically, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish, and maintain directly or by grant or contract, a national agricultural crisis hotline as part of the FRSAN. The crisis hotline must provide emotional support, information, suicide crisis intervention, mental health and substance use disorder, and agricultural support resources to farmers, farm managers, farm workers, and ranchers affected by mental health and substance use disorders and their families or household members.Under the program, USDA or an entity receiving a grant or contract must (1) form partnerships between the crisis hotline and existing farm telephone helplines and websites; and (2) develop, and periodically update, a directory of organizations to which hotline staff can make referrals.The bill also includes requirements for<ul><li>the qualifications and training for the call responders and supervisors operating the hotline,</li><li>data collection by the hotline, and</li><li>conducting a public awareness campaign for the hotline. </li></ul>In addition, the bill expands the types of programs eligible for FRSAN grants to include mental health training for agriculture professionals (e.g., farm loan officers, extension agents, and state department of agriculture staff).

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Creates a new national agricultural crisis hotline to offer emotional support, information, and referrals to mental health and substance use treatment for farmers, ranchers, and their families.
Reauthorizes the FRSAN program through 2028 to maintain a network of support services for agricultural workers.
Expands FRSAN eligibility to include mental health training for agricultural professionals like farm loan officers and extension agents.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would directly benefit farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers by providing them and their families access to a 24/7 crisis hotline and expanding the network of available mental health and substance use resources. It aims to address the high rates of stress, depression, and suicide in the agriculture industry.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Related Subjects

Emergency communications systems

Employment and training programs

First responders and emergency personnel

Health care coverage and access

Mental health

Rural conditions and development

Telephone and wireless communication

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5246, 119th Congress (2025). "To provide for the political affairs authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5246

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