Soil Health Federal Bill Tracker Alert - August/September 2023

 

Here's your Soil Health Federal Bill Tracker update. As always, visit the Land Core Bill Tracker to see all tracked soil health bills.

Below is a selection of bills that have been introduced and advanced recently. Despite the August recess, we still added 30 “Core” soil health marker bills to the Bill Tracker and dozens more “Secondary” bills.

With Farm Bill drafts expected soon from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, bill introductions have slowed in October, but we still expect to see some additional proposals introduced prior to the full Farm Bill being ready for review.

You can also explore more specific areas of interest to the 118th Congress on the Bill Tracker:

Sign up to get these updates directly in your inbox. We will include more analysis of where these bills end up in the Farm Bill as soon as the text is released. We are anxious to find out more!

New Core Soil Health Bills Introduced

S.3023 / H.R.5951 - Soil CARE Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Merkley (D-OR), Democrat Only, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Salinas (D-OR-6), Democrat Only, Referred to Committee

The Soil Conservation and Regeneration Education, or Soil CARE Act, aims to establish a training program for the U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel to provide education and resources on the evolving methods and science related to soil health management in agriculture. The training program would be used to help improve soil health, reduce input costs, and increase regenerative practices on farmland. See in tracker.

S.2241 / H.R.5160 - Advancing Research on Agricultural Climate Impacts Act

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Smith (D-MN), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Sorenson (D-IL-17), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

This bill directs USDA to conduct research relating to measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. Specifically, it develops consistent and standardized soil carbon measurement methodologies, develops MMRV tools through AFRI, establishes a Soil Carbon Inventory and Analysis Network led by NRCS and ARS to analyze changes in soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, develops modeling tools, and conducts on-farm demonstrations. See in tracker.

S.2710 / H.R.5133 - Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Cardin (D-MD), Democrat only, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Wittman (R-VA-1), Bipartisan, Referred to Subcommittee (9/19/2023)

This bill seeks to establish the Chesapeake Bay States' Partnership Initiative to assist agricultural producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed with conservation efforts to improve water quality, soil health, and climate resilience. Additionally, it would expand the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to include cropland and pastureland, focusing on grazing and riparian buffer zones to positively impact water quality. See in tracker.

H.R.5922 - Conservation and Regenerative Optimization Practices (CROP) for Farming Act

Sponsor: Rep. Lawler (R-NY-17), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

The CROP for Farming Act would direct the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to include greenhouse gas emissions (specifically nitrous oxide or methane) and carbon storage in plants or soil as considerations in conservation incentive contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). See in tracker.

H.R.5252 - EQIP Improvement Act of 2023

Sponsor: Rep. Hayes (D-CT-5), Democrat only, Referred to Committee

This bill would reduce the overall five-year EQIP payment cap per grant award from $450,000 to $150,000; reduce the federal cost-share from 75% to 40% for structural practices including roads, fish ponds, stock ponds, dams, animal waste pits, pipelines, and land clearing (see bill text for full list of practices); and eliminate the requirement that 50% of EQIP funding flow to livestock operators. See in tracker.

S.2541 - Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023

Sponsor: Sen. Tuberville (R-AL), Republican only, Referred to Committee

This bill directs USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) to conduct research and development activities related to the incorporation of oilseed crops, such as canola and rapeseed, into double cropping policies. The bill specifies that research should evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of including oilseed crops in double cropping and assess potential risks to soil health, biodiversity, and farming profitability. See in tracker.

S.2706 - A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements relating to drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Fischer (R-NE), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

This bill would establish a Policy Research Center on Drought Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Mitigation. This center will enter into cooperative agreements with research institutions to conduct research and education programs related to the impact of public policies and trade agreements on various sectors, including agriculture, the environment, rural communities, and consumers. See in tracker.

S.2696 - EQIP Water Conservation Act of 2023

Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein (D-CA), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

This bill would allow USDA to waive certain limitations on payments under contracts entered into under this Act, with the goal of providing more flexibility in the application of payment limitations for water conservation and irrigation efficiency practices. See in tracker.

H.R.5199 - Specialty Crop Research Act of 2023

Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin (D-MI-7), Democrat only, Referred to the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (9/25/2023)

This bill seeks to extend funding and support for specialty crop research through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) and the Inter-Regional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4). See in tracker.

H.R.5457 - Carbon Dioxide Removal Research and Development Act of 2023

Sponsor: Rep. Tonko (D-NY-20), Democrat only, Referred to Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry (9/26/2023)

The Carbon Dioxide Removal Research and Development Act of 2023 creates an interagency and interdepartmental framework to focus on science-driven Carbon Dioxide Removal development and technologies. See in tracker.

S.2558 / H.R.5031 - Joint Chiefs Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Reintroduction)

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Bennet (D-CO), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin (D-MI-7), Bipartisan, Referred to Subcommittee (9/19/2023)

This bill would formally establish the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Initiative (Joint Chiefs) at USDA and double funding for the program, which supports forest and grassland restoration projects across public and private land. See in tracker.

New Secondary Soil Health Bills Introduced

S.2668 / H.R.5296 - Fair Credit for Farmers Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY), Democrat only, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Adams (D-NC-12), Democrat only, Referred to Subcommittee (9/26/2023)

The "Fair Credit for Farmers Act of 2023" aims to provide financial relief and fairness to distressed farmers and ranchers, improve transparency in adverse decision processes, and make it easier for farmers to access equitable relief through appeals. See in tracker.

S.2631 / H.R.3424 - Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Kelly (R-MS-1), Bipartisan, Referred to Subcommittee (6/23/2023)

The bill aims to establish a program that facilitates the conservation and restoration of forest land and related resources through the acquisition of conservation easements, with a focus on maintaining working forest land, protecting biodiversity, and meeting other conservation goals. See in tracker.

S.2472 / H.R.5070 - USDA CROP Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Marshall (R-KS), Republican only, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Arrington (R-TX-19), Republican only, Referred to Subcommittee (9/26/2023)

This bill seeks to improve coordination between agencies involved in pesticide regulation, enhance feedback and data sharing, and provide safeguards for agricultural producers when more restrictive pesticide regulations are proposed. Specifically, it would mandate USDA's Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) to collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during pesticide registration and reevaluation processes, and requires the OPMP to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to review and provide feedback on reasonable and prudent actions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). See in tracker.

S.2250 / H.R.4902 - Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Bennet (D-CO), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Caraveo (D-CO-8), Bipartisan, Referred to Subcommittee (8/28/2023)

The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 creates a groundwater conservation easement program under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. See in tracker.

S.2698 / H.R.5057 - Agricultural Emergency Relief Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein (D-CA), Democrat only, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Thompson (D-CA-4), Bipartisan, Referred to Subcommittee (9/19/2023)

This bill aims to establish a program under the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to producers who have suffered crop losses due to various disasters, including droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and more, with specific criteria and qualifications. See in tracker.

S.2452 / H.R.5134 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023

Senate Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

House Sponsor: Rep. Alford (R-MO-4), Bipartisan, Referred to Subcommittee (9/19/2023)

This bill aims to improve USDA's BioPreferred Program by recognizing the value of biobased products in the United States and supporting domestic manufacturing of biobased products made from agricultural commodities. The bill intends to expand the role of the Department of Agriculture in promoting biobased products and increase federal purchasing of such products. It also emphasizes strengthening domestic manufacturing and making a national commitment to rural and agricultural economies. See in tracker.

H.R.5877 - USDA Express Loan Act

Sponsor: Rep. Finstad (R-MN-1), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

This bill directs the Farm Service Agency to introduce two programs: the "USDA Express Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loan Program" and the "USDA Express Guaranteed Farm Operating Loan Program." The goal is to expedite access to credit for American farmers and ranchers by streamlining the loan application and approval process, and states that decisions on loan applications must be made within 36 hours of receipt by USDA express lenders. See in tracker.

H.R.5289 - Livestock Consolidation Research Act of 2023

Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin (D-MI-7), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

Directs USDA-ERS to publish a report on consolidation and concentration in the livestock industry, including 1) changes in the size and location of ranches, farms, processing facilities, and packers throughout the United States; and 2) the financial, market entry, access to resources, and dietary impacts of the changes on farmers, ranchers, and downstream consumers. See in tracker.

H.R.4772 - Stop CCP Land Act

Sponsor: Rep. Bice (R-OK-5), Republican only, Referred to Committee

The "Stop China's Continuous Purchase of Land Act," or the Stop CCP Land Act, would require that a State be ineligible to receive funds under certain Federal programs unless the State has in effect a State law restricting the purchase of agricultural land by certain foreign persons. See in tracker.

H.R.5023 - Peas, Legumes, and Nuts Today (PLANT) Act

Sponsor: Rep. McGovern (D-MA-2), Democrat only, Referred to Committee

The "PLANT Act" would establish a new office within the USDA to promote plant-based protein and food options, establish an advisory committee to advise on policies related to plant-based foods, establish grants and loans related to operations and marketing, and share technical and non-technical assistance with plant protein producers. See in tracker.

H.R.5747 - Crop Insurance Transparency Act

Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Bipartisan, Referred to Committee

This bill seeks to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to enhance transparency in crop insurance. It would require the Secretary of Agriculture to annually disclose the names of individuals and entities who received federally subsidized crop insurance, livestock, or forage policies, along with the amount of premium subsidies and federal indemnity payments they received. Information about individuals and entities under catastrophic risk protection plans is exempt from disclosure. See in tracker.

H.R.4800 - Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act

Sponsor: Rep. Panetta (D-CA-19), Bipartisan, Referred to the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit (8/24/2023)

This bill proposes amending the Food Security Act of 1985 by establishing an exception to certain payment limitations for individuals or legal entities that earn their income from agriculture, such as farming, ranching, or forestry activities. Specifically, if at least 75% of a person's or legal entity's average adjusted gross income comes from these agricultural activities and they provide documentation to the Secretary of Agriculture to demonstrate this, they will not be subject to certain payment limitations during a crop, fiscal, or program year. See in tracker.

H.R. 5235 - Farm to Fuselage Act

Sponsor: Rep. Crockett (D-TX-30), Bipartisan, Referred to the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit (9/25/2023)

This bill seeks to promote sustainable aviation fuels in the United States. It recognizes the potential benefits of such fuels, including increasing domestic energy security, supporting the agricultural sector, and stimulating rural economic development. See in tracker.

H.R.5172 - Next Generation of Farmers Act

Sponsor: Rep. Nunn (R-IA-3), Bipartisan, Referred to the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit (9/25/2023)

This bill aims to reduce the eligibility requirement for direct farm real estate loans. The current requirement of having 3 years of experience in farm or ranch management is being lowered to either 1 year of experience, as determined by the Secretary, or having other acceptable education or experience for a period determined by the Secretary, which can be as short as 6 months. See in tracker.

H.R.5106 - Meat and Poultry Processing Efficiency Act

Sponsor: Rep. Finstad (R-MN-1), Republican only, Referred to the Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry (9/19/2023)

This bill could support small and midsized livestock producers. Livestock integration is a key principle of soil health, thus, improving processing capacity can help support farmers to adopt soil health practices. See in tracker.

Bill tracker alerts summarize updates to our soil health federal bill tracker. View this update as a PDF.

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Policy Memos, EducationLand Core Staff