Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act

This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to modify the tree assistance program for orchardists and nursery tree growers. It expands definitions, adjusts eligibility and assistance rules, and adds new requirements for replanting and application processing.

Sec. 2, Tree assistance program: The bill makes several changes to the tree assistance program. It expands the definition of eligible tree losses to include biennial crops and damage from pests, not just insects. It clarifies that assistance can go to growers regardless of production history and covers trees that no longer produce an economically viable crop. It gives the Secretary discretion to modify or waive acreage limitations on assistance. It adds a timing requirement: growers must carry out assisted activities within 2 years of approval, or a longer period if needed for tree survival. It allows growers to use assistance to replant with alternative tree varieties, stand densities, or locations, but the assistance amount cannot exceed what they would get for replanting the original variety, density, or location. It also requires the Secretary to approve or deny applications within 120 days and notify the applicant.