What does Preamble of HR 3685 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To enhance civil rights accountability and enforcement in the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 3685 do?

This bill is formally titled the Just USDA Standards and Transparency Act of 2025

What does CIVIL RIGHTS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR USDA EMPLOYEES. of HR 3685 do?

This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure corrective action is taken against USDA employees found to have engaged in discriminatory, retaliatory, or harassing actions, or other civil rights violations. Covered actions include failure to provide receipts for service, providing inaccurate receipts, failing to provide program information, and delaying program services. Corrective action can include policy changes to prevent future misconduct and disciplinary actions, ranging from removal from service to a letter of reprimand. Findings that trigger corrective action can originate from internal USDA administrative decisions, federal proceedings, civil rights settlements, audits by the Office of the Inspector General, or investigations by the Office of the Special Counsel.

What does IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL of HR 3685 do?

This section amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. The Assistant Secretary is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Assistant Secretary is responsible for ensuring compliance with civil rights laws, coordinating administration of civil rights laws, and incorporating civil rights components into strategic planning initiatives. An Office of Legal Advisor for Civil Rights is to be established within 120 days to provide legal advice and carry out investigations of civil rights complaints.

What does EQUITABLE RELIEF. of HR 3685 do?

This section amends Section 1613 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to allow the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or a designee) to grant equitable relief to participants who file civil rights program complaints. The Assistant Secretary's decisions regarding relief are not subject to prior approval by Department of Agriculture employees, but are subject to reversal only by the Secretary. Section 366 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is also amended to provide for equitable relief by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights regarding direct farm ownership, operating, or emergency loans. Relief under Section 366 can be provided if a farmer or rancher acted in good faith and relied on advice from the Secretary, or if they made a good faith effort to comply with loan requirements. The Assistant Secretary's authority to grant relief is in addition to any other applicable authority.

What does OFFICE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS OMBUDSPERSON. of HR 3685 do?

This section amends the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish an Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson within the Department. The Office is intended to be independent of Department agencies and offices. The Secretary must designate a Civil Rights Ombudsperson with a background in civil rights enforcement. The Office's functions include assisting producers in navigating the civil rights review process and ensuring awareness of appeals processes. The Office will also promote awareness of its services and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding equitable access to Department programs. The Secretary must provide the Office access to departmental records, with requests to be fulfilled within 60 days. The Ombudsperson must submit an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees detailing the Office's activities and findings. Appropriations are authorized for the Office for fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

What does BURDEN OF PROOF FOR NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION HEARINGS. of HR 3685 do?

This section amends Section 277(c)(4) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. The amendment clarifies that in National Appeals Division hearings, the agency bears the burden of proving the validity of an adverse decision. The agency must prove the decision was valid using substantial evidence.

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JUST Act of 2025 — HR. 3685

Last updated: 6/3/2025 · Introduced: 6/3/2025

Author: Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take corrective action against employees found to have engaged in discriminatory practices, including disciplinary measures and policy changes.
It establishes an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights, responsible for ensuring civil rights law compliance and incorporating civil rights into strategic planning, and creates an Office of Legal Advisor for Civil Rights.
The bill allows the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to grant equitable relief to program participants who file civil rights complaints, including farmers and ranchers who relied on USDA advice or made good-faith compliance efforts.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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