MATCH Act of 2023
Key claim: The MATCH Act would allow state, local, and tribal governments to count emergency cleanup and watershed protection expenses incurred before formal USDA approval toward their required local cost-share contributions.
Abstract
(S757 · 118th Congress) Making Access To Cleanup Happen Act of 2023 or the MATCH Act of 202 3 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to (1) identify a list of emergency watershed protection measures the cost of which may be incurred by a state, local government, or Indian tribe prior to entering into an agreement with USDA under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program; and (2) develop procedures, including appropriate deadlines, to be implemented at the state level, through which such entities may request and incur the cost for additional emergency watershed protection measures. USDA must consider any applicable pre-agreement costs incurred by a state, local government, or Indian tribe for undertaking emergency watershed protection measures as meeting part of its contribution towards the project costs. Latest action (2023-03-09): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Why this matters
Crediting eligible pre-approval expenses toward local matching requirements could ease disaster-recovery financing for governments undertaking watershed cleanup that protects farms and rural communities. The bill is at the introduced stage; the finding establishes no enacted change or measured effect on farmers, consumers, or food prices.