BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Adopt Recommended Positions on Federal Legislation: H.R. 9927 (Panetta) - Farmers Lifeline to Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act; and Other Legislation that may Require Consideration by the Board.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Adopt a Position of “Support” on H.R. 9927 (Panetta) - Farmers Lifeline to Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act.
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SUMMARY:
H.R. 9927 (Panetta) - Farmers Lifeline to Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act Recommended Position: Support
Priority Recommendation: 3
This bipartisan and bicameral bill would expand farmers’ access to federal assistance to undertake voluntary conservation activities that can help reduce flood risks and mitigate the harmful effects of extreme weather. The bill would amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to add the Emergency Watershed Protection Program as a covered program under the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP aims to provide farmers and landowners with solutions to help manage natural resources challenges that affect agricultural land. Eligible projects currently supported through the RCPP include:
• Land management, improvement, and restoration practices;
• Land rentals or payments to producers for actual net loss from land use changes or conservation practices; and
• Public works and watershed improvements.
The Emergency Watershed Protection Program, also run by NRCS, helps communities recover after a natural disaster strikes. NRCS works with local sponsors to recover from storms through stabilizing damaged riverbanks, repairing levees, removing debris, and restoring habitat to protect communities from future flooding. Adding these activities as covered activities under the RCPP would simply expand the options available to farmers and landowners to address damage that threatens farmland before it occurs.
Status:
The bill was introduced in the House on July 23, 2026, and it was referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Importance to Santa Clara Valley Water District:
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, flooding is the second leading cause of disaster for agricultural producers around the world. Farmers in our region face flood risks from an increasingly volatile climate, and coastal farmers also face flood risk posed by rising sea levels. This bill would make it easier for farmers and landowners to undertake conservation activities, including creating voluntary easements and restoring natural habitat to mitigate future flood damage. These activities can help reduce flood risks to certain communities in our county, thereby strengthening our food security and an important part of our regional economy.
Pros:
• Could allow agricultural producers in our county to access additional federal support for doing voluntary conservation activities that will help mitigate for future flooding and extreme weather.
Cons:
• There is no guarantee of funding; it merely creates an additional tool for financing and coordinating farm watershed recovery. Funding would still need to be appropriated to carry out the program.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There is no environmental justice impact associated with this item, as adoption of the recommended position does not enact the legislation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237