Figures introduced a four-bill “Rural Futures” package aimed at protecting SNAP, providing financial assistance to rural hospitals, improving farmland retention, and expanding workforce development in rural communities.
Improve farmland retention.
Occurrences
introduced a “Rural Futures” package, four bills aimed at protecting SNAP, providing financial assistance to rural hospitals, improving farmland retention, and expanding workforce development in rural communities
H.R. 8502. A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions to conduct educational programs and provide technical assistance with respect to issues relating to the transfer of agricultural land and assets, including heirs property, to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture.
The HARVEST Act ... requires a comprehensive report on opportunities to expand the role of land-grant colleges and universities in providing education and technical assistance related to heirs' property, improving land retention and generational wealth in agricultural communities.
Evidence
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Entry in the Congressional Record (Apr 27, 2026) noting introduction of a bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on ways to increase opportunities for 1890 Institutions to provide educational programs and technical assistance concerning transfer of agricultural land and assets, including heirs property.
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Legislative tracking entry for H.R. 8502 (sponsored by Rep. Shomari Figures) shows the bill was introduced April 27, 2026 and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture; status remains in committee (no enactment recorded).
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Rep. Figures' official statement said the 2026 Farm Bill included one of his amendments, co-led with Rep. Joyce Beatty, to address heirs' property by expanding education and technical assistance around land transfer, estate planning, and farm succession so families can avoid losing land.
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The Senate's official 119th Congress legislation page, last updated August 8, 2026, lists the Farm Bill through FY2031 as H.R. 7567 with "Advanced Action" and no Public Law/Veto entry.
Assessments
Figures materially pursued the promise during his current House term by sponsoring H.R. 8502 and backing a Farm Bill amendment on heirs property, land-transfer education, estate planning, and farm succession. Those actions are serious legislative efforts tied to farmland retention, but the evidence shows no enacted law, funded program, or implemented federal outcome as of the lookback window. A study bill pending in committee and an unenacted Farm Bill provision do not fulfill the promised improvement.
Rep. Figures sponsored H.R. 8502 (introduced Apr 27, 2026) directing USDA to study ways to increase 1890 Institutions' capacity to provide education/technical assistance on land transfer and heirs property — a targeted legislative step toward improving farmland retention. The bill was referred to the House Agriculture Committee and has not been enacted or implemented, so the campaign promise to improve farmland retention has not been delivered. Because he materially advanced legislation on the issue, an effort badge is warranted despite lack of delivery.