Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new privacy protection for people who apply for or get loans or payments handled by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). It makes it illegal for the Secretary or any FSA officer or employee to share information provided by an applicant or recipient with two specific categories of outside or detailed employees: (A) a “special government employee” as defined in federal law, and (B) a government employee detailed to the FSA under federal rules. The bill allows two exceptions: information that has been converted into statistical or aggregate form that cannot identify the person, and disclosures made with the provider’s consent if that consent is not required to get the benefit. The bill sets a penalty for a knowing violation: a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.

What it means for you#

• If you apply for or receive an FSA loan or payment, this bill would limit who at or connected to FSA can see your application or recipient information.
• Your data could still be used in aggregated or statistical reports that do not identify you.
• Your data could be shared if you give consent, but the law says that consent cannot be required just to get benefits.
• A person who knowingly shares covered information in violation of this rule could face a fine and/or jail time.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, budgetary effects, or how enforcement would be funded is included in the text provided.

Proponents' View#

The bill is presented as a way to strengthen privacy protections for recipients of loans and payments processed by the Farm Service Agency.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents’ views or objections is included in the text provided.