Year-Round E15 Sales Proposed in Updated Farm Bill Draft

The Senate Agriculture Committee has released an updated draft of the farm bill that would allow nationwide sales of E15 gasoline on a year-round basis. The proposal aims to provide long-term certainty for ethanol producers, particularly those in Minnesota who rely heavily on corn and ethanol production.

The draft also revises the proposed cost-sharing requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Starting from fiscal year 2029, states with SNAP payment error rates of at least six percent would be required to cover part of their benefit costs. Those with error rates of at least 10 percent would have to pay 20 percent by fiscal year 2031.

The Senate Agriculture Committee will consider the bill on Thursday, August 6. The proposed provisions remain subject to change and are not yet law.