TEMP Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18]
- Committees
- Agriculture Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 20, 2026
Bottom line
This bill mandates federal research into new crop insurance products to protect farmers from temperature-related crop losses, aiming to enhance agricultural stability.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to conduct research and development for an index-based insurance policy. This policy would protect various crops, including tomatoes, citrus, and strawberries, against losses specifically caused by frost or cold weather events, offering coverage for either production or revenue loss.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill addresses a critical gap in current crop insurance offerings, providing much-needed risk management tools for farmers vulnerable to unpredictable cold weather events, thereby enhancing agricultural stability and food security for producers of specialty crops.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that expanding federal crop insurance programs could lead to increased government expenditures and potential market distortions, or that private insurance markets should address these specific risks without federal intervention.
The bill is very short and easy to read, allowing for quick comprehension of its provisions and intent.
Section 2, amending Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c))
Research and Development on Frost or Cold Weather Insurance
This section mandates the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to conduct or contract for research and development of an index-based insurance policy. This policy would protect various crops, including tomatoes, peppers, sugarcane, strawberries, melons, citrus, peaches, and blueberries, against losses specifically due to frost or cold weather events. The research must evaluate risk management tools like indices for low-frequency, catastrophic weather events and result in a policy covering either production loss or revenue loss.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision directly addresses a significant vulnerability for farmers whose livelihoods are threatened by unpredictable frost and cold weather, providing a pathway to more stable agricultural operations through tailored insurance products.
Critics contend
Opponents might express concern about the potential for increased federal involvement in specific agricultural risks, suggesting that such R&D could be costly and might not yield a viable, broadly applicable insurance product, or that private markets are better suited to innovate in this area.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need to protect farmers from specific weather risks with the potential costs and administrative complexities of developing and implementing new federal insurance products. It also considers the balance between direct production loss and revenue loss protection.