(CNN) Congressional negotiators are currently debating a provision inside the long-delayed farm bill that could extend lucrative farm subsidies to the "nieces, nephews, first cousins and their spouses."

After months of hold-ups, Congress is negotiating the final farm bill, which could reach the floor as soon as this week. One of the final issues being hammered out is a controversial expansion of farm subsidies that critics say would enable extended family members to receive subsidies, even if they don't live or work directly on the farm.

The farm bill is a colossal piece of legislation that sets the eating and farming policy of the United States, including crop insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- colloquially referred to as SNAP or food stamps -- and proposed changes to federal forest management policies. The previous, 2014 farm bill expired September 30.

The House and Senate separately passed their versions of the farm bill in June, and are now locked in conference to hash out the final bill. The Senate bill did not expand the subsidy eligibilities, while the House bill included a provision by the House Agricultural Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, a Texas Republican, that does.

Current law allows the children, siblings and spouses of farmers to receive subsidies up to $125,000 if they have an ownership stake in the farm and are "actively engaged" in the farming operations. But that provision is vague, and does not require the "actively engaged" family members to live or work on the farm. Remote management, such as overseeing payroll or marketing, can be considered active engagement.

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