Rancher Explains Law’s Benefits at Congressional Hearing Event
Kevin Kester, a California rancher and member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), speaks at a House Ways and Means Committee field hearing to explain how the One Big Beautiful Bill helps ranchers.
The NCBA worked for over a year to make sure family cattle producers were protected from future tax increases. Their efforts led to several important tax changes in the bill, which is now law.
One major win is raising the Death Tax exemption to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for couples. This change helps families pass farms on to the next generation without heavy taxes.
The bill also protects Stepped-Up Basis rules, which reduce tax burdens when ranches are inherited. Another big help is making the Section 199A tax deduction permanent. This allows small farm and ranch owners to keep 20% of their business income.
Other tax benefits include raising the Section 179 deduction to $2.5 million for equipment costs and making 100% bonus depreciation permanent. These updates let farmers deduct large purchases all at once.
Ranchers also gain support through disaster-related deductions and extended federal programs. These include more funds for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and Livestock Indemnity Program. The law also strengthens conservation programs and disease protections.
Kester praised the bill’s final version, which avoided controversial land sales or forced land use changes.
This law gives U.S. cattle producers strong support to grow their operations and prepare for the future, keeping ranching in families and protecting rural communities.