§2. Expedited approval pilot program
This section establishes a pilot program, to be implemented not later than one year after enactment, for expedited qualification and approval of (1) direct farm ownership loans under subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and (2) guaranteed farm ownership loans under that subtitle that are serviced by a Preferred Certified Lender and provided to creditworthy borrowers, as determined by the lender. (Farm ownership loans enable eligible farmers, ranchers, and rural residents—particularly beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers—to purchase or enlarge farms.) The Secretary must streamline specified loan determinations, submit annual reports to the agriculture committees on program actions and results beginning one year after enactment, and ensure the program authorizes no waivers except of application processing timelines; the pilot terminates effective September 30, 2031. This section also makes conforming amendments to loosen, to the extent practicable, three statutory deadlines in FY2025 and each subsequent fiscal year for obligating direct and guaranteed farm loan funds (i.e., April 1 and September 1 deadlines in specified subparagraphs of section 346(b)(2)).