Agriculture

Jennifer Lester Moffitt, of California, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, vice Gregory Ibach.

United States · United States Senate · 28 April 2021

Carson City Public Land Correction Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Carson City Public Land Correction Act This bill provides for the conveyance of federal land in Carson City, Nevada. The Department of the Interior must convey approximately 258 acres of identified federal land to Carson City. The Department of Agriculture shall convey to Carson City, without consideration, a parcel of approximately 0.45 acres of identified Forest Service land for the expansion of a roadway in the city. Interior shall dispose of approximately 28 acres of federal land identified as the Prison Hills Property. On the disposal of such land, Carson City shall retain (1) a public utility easement, concurrent with Koontz Lane and Conti Drive in the city, that provides waterlines and access to the water tank and trailhead immediately east of such parcels of federal land; and (2) an existing drainage easement for a future detention basin. If Carson City offers to convey to Interior the approximately 21 acres of land identified as Bennett Ave Properties and Pinion Hills Dr Property, Interior shall accept the offer and then dispose of the land conveyed to it. Carson City may enter into an agreement to sell, lease, or otherwise convey all or a portion of the approximately 75 acres of identified city land in which the Bureau of Land Management has a reversionary interest to third parties for public purposes. The bill provides for the disposition of the proceeds of the land sales conducted pursuant to this bill.

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act This bill adds requirements regarding the availability of training that the Department of Agriculture provides under current law for local food service personnel in schools. The training must be scheduled primarily during regular, paid working hours; offered in-person whenever appropriate; and incorporate hands-on training techniques. If the training is scheduled outside of working hours, food service personnel must be informed about the necessity of scheduling the program and compensated for attending the program. Personnel may not be penalized for failing to attend a program outside of working hours.

America Grows Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

America Grows Act of 2021 This bill permanently funds several agencies that perform agriculture research. The bill provides specified funding for the following agencies within the Department of Agriculture: the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The bill exempts the funding from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. It also exempts the budgetary effects of the funding from the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule.

Kids Eat Local Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Kids Eat Local Act This bill modifies Department of Agriculture requirements for the national school food programs relating to the purchases of locally produced food. The bill allows institutions participating in the school food programs to use locally grown, locally raised, or locally caught as a product specification in food procurement requests.

Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021 This bill directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to implement a National Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative to advance societal well-being, national security, sustainability, and economic productivity and competitiveness. Among other activities, the initiative must include sustained support for research centers, individual investigators, technologies, and training. The initiative shall include outreach to primarily undergraduate and minority-serving institutions about initiative opportunities, and shall encourage the development of research collaborations between research-intensive universities and such institutions. The OSTP shall designate an interagency committee to coordinate initiative activities as appropriate. The interagency committee shall submit triennial reports to Congress through FY2028 in support of the initiative. The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a review of, and make recommendations with respect to, the ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and other appropriate societal issues related to engineering biology research and development. The NSF, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Agriculture, and Department of Health and Human Services shall carry out related activities as part of the initiative.

Kids Eat Local Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Kids Eat Local Act of 20 21 This bill modifies Department of Agriculture requirements for the national school food programs relating to the purchases of locally produced food. The bill allows institutions participating in the school food programs to use locally grown, locally raised, or locally caught as a product specification in food procurement requests.

Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act of 202 1 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Pilot Program to award grants to local educational agencies for (1) projects that hire qualified, full-time food and nutrition educators to carry out programs in schools that have the goal of improving student health and nutrition; and (2) projects that fund school gardens or other evidence-based interventions relating to student health and nutrition, aligned with the latest school nutrition standards, to create hands-on learning opportunities for students. In awarding grants under the program, USDA must prioritize projects that serve schools or districts (1) in which not less than 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, or (2) that include neighborhoods with high rates of childhood obesity or other diet-related diseases. Additionally, it must give priority to projects that provide programming in summer months and those that are joint partnership projects.

Robert Farrell Bonnie, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation, vice William Northey.

United States · United States Senate · 27 April 2021

Puppy Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2021

Puppy Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; appropriate and nutritious food; continuous access to potable water; and meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.

Advancing IoT for Precision Agriculture Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2021

Advancing IoT for Precision Agriculture Act of 2021 This bill supports research and development for connected technologies that advance precision agriculture. In awarding grants under its sensor systems and networked systems programs, the National Science Foundation (NSF) shall consider certain research and development on sensor connectivity in environments of intermittent connectivity and intermittent computation. The NSF must prioritize applications that incorporate distance learning tools and approaches in awarding grants under the Advanced Technological Education Program to (1) junior or community colleges to develop or improve associate degree or certificate programs in an in-demand industry sector or occupation; or (2) institutions of higher education partnering with private sector employers, industry partnerships, or sector partnerships that commit to offering apprenticeships, internships, research opportunities, or applied learning experiences to enrolled students. The Government Accountability Office shall provide (1) a technology assessment of precision agriculture technologies; and (2) a review of federal programs that provide support for precision agriculture research, development, adoption, education, or training.

Puppy Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Puppy Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; appropriate and nutritious food; continuous access to potable water; and meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.

Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps Act or the RENEW Conservation Corps Act This bill establishes the Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps program within the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture under which participants must implement eligible projects (e.g., planting trees or controlling invasive species).

America Grows Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

America Grows Act of 2021 This bill permanently funds several agencies that perform agriculture research. The bill provides specified funding for the following agencies within the Department of Agriculture: the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The bill exempts the funding from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. It also exempts the budgetary effects of the funding from the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule.

NOMINATION OF DR. JEWEL H. BRONAUGH, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

United States · United States Senate · 22 April 2021

Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill extends through FY2028 the Highlands Conservation Act, which provides for land conservation in Highlands states (i.e., Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The bill authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Service to add a municipality to the Highlands region upon the request of a Highlands state. The bill revises the way in which land is identified for conservation to require using the best available science and geographic information systems. The bill allows political subdivisions of states to enter into agreements with the Department of the Interior for land conservation projects. A Highland state that receives funds for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5% of the funds to administer that project. The bill extends through FY2028 Forest Service and other Department of Agriculture programs to conserve land and natural resources in the Highlands region.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to administer a pilot program to employ veterans in positions that relate to conservation and resource management activities.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior to jointly establish a pilot program to employ veterans in positions that relate to the conservation and resource management activities of USDA and Interior. The VA, USDA, Interior, and the Department of Defense (DOD) are authorized to enter into a partnership to include the pilot program as part of the Skillbridge program, which is a DOD program to provide training to members who are transitioning out of service in the Armed Forces. The bill also requires the VA to establish guidelines containing best practices for other federal agencies that carry out programs to employ veterans who are transitioning from service in the Armed Forces.

Legacy Roads and Trails Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Legacy Roads and Trails Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Forest Service Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Program. Specifically, under the program, the Forest Service, taking into account predicted changes in weather and hydrology related to global climate change, shall carry out storm damage risk reduction, including deferred maintenance, repairs, road and trail relocation, and associated activities on roads, trails, tunnels, and bridges under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service; restore waterways and natural migration of fish and other aquatic species by removing or replacing culverts or other infrastructure from such waterways; and decommission unneeded roads. In implementing the program, the Forest Service shall give priority to projects that protect or restore water quality and watershed function; a watershed that supplies a public drinking water system; the habitat of a threatened, endangered, or sensitive fish or wildlife species, or a species of conservation concern; or a watershed for which the Forest Service has completed a watershed protection and restoration action plan. The Forest Service shall identify the minimum road system needed for each unit of the National Forest System. USDA shall review, and may revise, an identification of the minimum road system in accordance with federal regulations relating to the administration of the forest transportation system.

Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act This bill addresses renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish a grant program under which USDA may award grants for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency activities, energy storage, smart grids, or microgrids. In addition, USDA may award grants to train residents of Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to develop, construct, maintain, or operate renewable energy systems. The Department of Energy must ensure that its national laboratories offer to provide technical assistance to grant recipients. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Agriculture Resilience Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Agriculture Resilience Act This bill establishes, expands, and revises multiple programs and activities of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) primarily to reduce carbon emissions from the agriculture sector. Specifically, USDA must finalize and implement a plan to achieve net-zero emissions from the sector by 2040. USDA must periodically review and revise the plan, as necessary, and annually report on its implementation. Additionally, the bill expands the scope of various USDA research, extension, and education programs; conservation programs; and livestock programs to incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation. Expanded activities include efforts to improve soil health and preserve farmland and grassland. Further, the bill changes programs that support renewable energy in rural areas to address carbon emissions in the agriculture sector. Among these changes, the bill provides statutory authority for a program for reducing methane emissions from livestock waste that is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency and transitions the program to USDA. The bill also addresses food waste, for example, by (1) standardizing the voluntary labels used by food producers to indicate the date by which food should be used or discarded, and (2) making composting activities eligible for support through USDA conservation programs. Moreover, the bill establishes grants to reduce and prevent food waste in landfills and in schools.

Climate Agricultural Conservation Practices Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Climate Agricultural Conservation Practices Act This bill requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service within the Department of Agriculture to consider climate benefits, such as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, in reviews or revisions of its conservation practice standards. (These standards provide guidance and set out minimum quality criteria for implementing federally funded conservation practices.)

CALL Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Conservation for Agricultural Leased Land Act or the CALL Act This bill directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the Department of Agriculture to carry out a study and make recommendations regarding conservation practices on leased agricultural land. The study must (1) address issues such as participation in conservation programs and barriers to adopting conservation practices; and (2) be carried out with particular consideration of farmers and ranchers who are people of color, including Black and indigenous farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a voluntary Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification Program to help reduce entry barriers into voluntary environmental credit markets for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners. A voluntary environmental credit market is a market through which agriculture and forestry credits may be bought or sold. Entities eligible to participate in the program are (1) providers of technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, or private forest landowners in carrying out sustainable land use management practices that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, or sequester carbon; or (2) third-party verifiers that conduct the verification of the processes described in the protocols for voluntary environmental credit markets. Among other requirements, USDA must publish (1) a list of protocols and qualifications for eligible entities; (2) information describing how entities may self-certify under the program; (3) information describing how entities may obtain the expertise to meet the protocols and qualifications; and (4) instructions and suggestions to assist farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in facilitating the development of agriculture or forestry credits and accessing voluntary environmental credit markets. USDA must also establish an advisory council to make recommendations regarding the list of protocols and qualifications, best practices, and voluntary environmental credit markets. The bill also rescinds certain funds provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and makes the funds available for the certification program.

Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act of 2021 This bill modifies the Environmental Quality Incentives Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide permanent incentive payments to producers to adopt practices designed to improve soil health through increasing carbon levels in soil. USDA must conduct a study regarding changes in soil health and soil organic carbon levels as a result of the adopted practices to improve soil health; develop ranking and scoring criteria under the program that prioritize practices that score highest in soil carbon sequestration on eligible land; create a soil organic carbon conservation activity plan under the program to measure and monitor sequestration and mitigation improvement levels from the practices; provide for streamlined and coordinated procedures for the program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, including contracting, conservation planning, conservation practices, and related administrative procedures; and establish a program to provide grants to land-grant colleges and universities to conduct research relating to soil health and carbon science and conduct research relating to soil health and carbon science at its agricultural research stations.

Agriculture Resilience Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Agriculture Resilience Act of 2021 This bill establishes, expands, and revises multiple programs and activities of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) primarily to reduce carbon emissions from the agriculture sector. Specifically, USDA must finalize and implement a plan to achieve net-zero emissions from the sector by 2040. USDA must periodically review and revise the plan, as necessary, and annually report on its implementation. Additionally, the bill expands the scope of various USDA research, extension, and education programs; conservation programs; and livestock programs to incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation. Expanded activities include efforts to improve soil health and preserve farmland and grassland. Further, the bill changes programs that support renewable energy in rural areas to address carbon emissions in the agriculture sector. Among these changes, the bill provides statutory authority for a program for reducing methane emissions from livestock waste that is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency and transitions the program to USDA. The bill also addresses food waste, for example, by (1) standardizing the voluntary labels used by food producers to indicate the date by which food should be used or discarded, and (2) making composting activities eligible for support through USDA conservation programs. Moreover, the bill establishes grants to reduce and prevent food waste in landfills and in schools.

Farm to School Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Farm to School Act of 20 21 This bill modifies and expands the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Farm to School Program. The program currently provides grants and technical assistance to schools, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers, and nonprofit entities to improve access to local foods in schools. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes the program through FY2027; permits USDA to provide land-grant colleges and universities with grants, research, evaluation, and technical assistance under the program; expands the purposes for grants awarded under the program to include implementing educational activities relating to agriculture, nutrition, or food; requires USDA to provide technical assistance, research, and information to increase awareness of and participation in farm to school programs among agricultural producers, including beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers; directs USDA to seek to improve local food procurement and distribution options for agricultural producers and eligible institutions; authorizes USDA to fund projects that include innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution; establishes new limitations on the amount and duration of grants; and limits funds that may be used for administrative costs.

Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act This bill makes vacant grazing allotments temporarily available to holders of grazing permits or leases after a natural disaster. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall make available to the holder of a grazing permit or lease issued by either Interior or USDA the temporary use of a vacant grazing allotment if one or more grazing allotments covered by the grazing permit or lease of the holder are temporarily unusable because of resource conditions from unforeseen natural events or disasters (including an extreme weather event, drought, wildfire, infestation, or blight). The bill allows investment of amounts in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The bill allocates income generated by that investment to rangeland improvement projects and enhancing, expanding, or improving access to public lands or National Forest System land to benefit hunting and recreation activities. The bill increases the maximum duration of grazing permits and leases from 10 years to 20 years.

A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to complete an interagency report on the effects of special recreation permits on environmental justice communities, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to complete an interagency report on the use of special recreation permits by recreation service providers serving environmental justice communities. The bill defines an environmental justice community as a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities, that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects than other communities. Interior and USDA (1) shall contact all existing or prospective special recreation service providers to request a voluntary estimate of the number of user days used by, or, in the case of a prospective recreation service provider, expected to be used by, individuals from environmental justice communities; (2) shall request from recreation service providers and interested members of the public any other information required for the report; and (3) shall not use participation or the provision of information to Interior and USDA by a recreation service provider as a condition of a special recreation permit.

Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act This bill modifies provisions relating to qualified small issue bonds for manufacturing purposes by expanding the definition of manufacturing facility to include a facility that (1) is used in the creation or production of intangible property; or (2) is functionally related, subordinate to, and located on the same site as a facility used in the manufacturing or production of tangible or intangible personal property. The bill also increases from $10 million to $50 million the maximum bond size limitation. The bill modifies requirements for private activity bond financing for first-time farmers. The modified provisions (1) increase from $450,000 to $552,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) the amount of bond proceeds that may be used by a first-time farmer to acquire land for farming purposes, (2) repeal the separate dollar limitation on the use of bond proceeds for used farm equipment, and (3) revise the definition of substantial farmland to determine farm size by reference to the average (instead of median) size of a farm in the county in which the farm is located.

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act This bill designates specified National Forest System lands, National Park System lands, and public lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and as components or additions to existing components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill also designates specified federal lands as biological connecting corridors and as special corridor management areas. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall accept the donation of valid existing permits or leases authorizing grazing on specified public lands or National Forest System lands. The bill designates segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The bill designates specified areas as wildland recovery areas. USDA shall develop a wildland recovery plan for each recovery area. A panel of independent scientists shall study roadless lands greater than 1,000 acres that are within the National Forest System in the Wild Rockies bioregion in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming, but not designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, for their role in maintaining biological diversity. The bill prohibits road construction, timber harvest, oil or gas leasing, mining, or other development that impairs the natural and roadless qualities of the land.

Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act of 2021 This bill revises several provisions related to the Child and Adult Care Food Program. These revisions include increasing reimbursement rates; requiring reimbursements to be adjusted annually to reflect the Consumer Price Index for food away from home, rather than the Consumer Price Index for food at home used under current law; providing for an additional meal service to be served in child care settings with eight or more hours between the first meal service and the beginning of the fourth meal service; expanding geographical eligibility for tier I family or group day care homes; and requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to examine the feasibility of reducing unnecessary or duplicative paperwork for those participating or seeking to participate in the program. The bill also provides funding to (1) provide nutrition training and technical assistance under the program, and (2) increase the participation of children from underserved communities.

Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act of 2021 This bill establishes and provides funding for the Restoration and Resilience Grant Program and the Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program. The bill establishes a Restoration Fund Advisory Council to provide advice to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) respecting the grant program. The grant program shall provide grants to eligible entities (e.g., a state agency, a unit of local government, or a tribal government) for purposes such as (1) increasing the capacity for planning, coordinating, and monitoring restoration and resilience projects on federal land and nonfederal land; or (2) restoration and resilience projects on nonfederal land. Under the Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program, USDA shall carry out restoration and resilience projects that reduce wildfire potential, improve community resilience in the wildland-urban interface, or restore wildlife habitat.

School Lunch Affordability Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

School Lunch Affordability Act of 2021 This bill provides that only school food authorities with a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account on June 30 of the year preceding the previous school year are required to establish a price for paid lunches using the formula specified under current law (known as Paid Lunch Equity requirements).

Protecting the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

This bill redesignates the America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership in Iowa as the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The bill extends through FY2031 the authority of the Department of Agriculture to provide grants or other assistance for the heritage area. The bill increases the total amount that may be appropriated for the heritage area.

Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a voluntary Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification Program to help reduce entry barriers into voluntary environmental credit markets for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners. A voluntary environmental credit market is a market through which agriculture and forestry credits may be bought or sold. Entities eligible to participate in the program are (1) providers of technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, or private forest landowners in carrying out sustainable land use management practices that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, or sequester carbon; or (2) third-party verifiers that conduct the verification of the processes described in the protocols for voluntary environmental credit markets. Among other requirements, USDA must publish (1) a list of protocols and qualifications for eligible entities; (2) information describing how entities may self-certify under the program; (3) information describing how entities may obtain the expertise to meet the protocols and qualifications; and (4) instructions and suggestions to assist farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in facilitating the development of agriculture or forestry credits and accessing voluntary environmental credit markets. USDA must also establish an advisory council to make recommendations regarding the list of protocols and qualifications, best practices, and voluntary environmental credit markets. The bill also rescinds certain funds provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and makes the funds available for the certification program.

A bill to modify the maximum paycheck protection program loan amount for farmers and ranchers, sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

This bill modifies the calculation of loan amounts for partnerships with no employees (e.g., self-employed farmers) under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19. Specifically, the bill allows such individuals to apply for a loan in the amount of the difference between their gross and net income loan amounts, even if they have already received a loan based on their net income and received forgiveness for that loan.

AIM Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Agricultural Intelligence Measures Act of 2021 or the AIM Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Office of Intelligence in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the National Intelligence Program. The office must leverage the capabilities of the intelligence community and the intelligence-related research of the National Laboratories to ensure that USDA is fully informed of threats by foreign actors to U.S. agriculture; focus on understanding foreign efforts to steal U.S. agriculture knowledge and technology, and develop or implement biological warfare attacks, cyber or clandestine operations, or other means of sabotaging and disrupting U.S. agriculture; prepare, conduct, and facilitate intelligence briefings for USDA; operate as the liaison between USDA and the intelligence community, with the authority to request intelligence collection and analysis on matters related to U.S. agriculture; collaborate with the intelligence community to downgrade intelligence assessments for broader dissemination within USDA; and facilitate the sharing of information on foreign activities related to agriculture with the intelligence community.

PPP Flexibility for Farmers, Ranchers, and the Self-Employed Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

PPP Flexibility for Farmers, Ranchers, and the Self-Employed Act This bill makes various changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with respect to certain loans, loan applicants, and loan recipients. First, the bill permits farming partnerships with gross farming income from self-employment to request a recalculation of the amount of their PPP loans based on the partners' distributive shares of gross income from the partnership. The recalculation is available retroactively for loans made on or before the date of enactment of this bill. Additionally, applicants for PPP loans may calculate their maximum loan amount based on the applicant's Internal Revenue Service Form 1040, Schedule C (i.e., profit or loss from a business). This applies retroactively to PPP loans made or approved on or before December 27, 2020. The bill also increases the maximum amount of a second draw PPP loan for individuals who received PPP loan forgiveness. The maximum second draw PPP loan amount for an eligible individual includes the increased PPP loan amount the individual would have received under the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act had the individual not already received loan forgiveness. This applies retroactively to second draw loans made on for before the date of enactment of this bill. The bill changes from a quarterly period to any contiguous 90-day period the calculation of revenue loss in determining eligibility for a second draw PPP loan. The bill also extends certain dates with respect to the administration of the PPP.

Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management to develop a distinct wildland firefighter occupational series. The series must apply to the following positions forestry technician; range technician; other positions related to significant prevention, preparedness, control, suppression, or management activities for wildland firefighters; and other positions conducting activities necessary to meet any other emergency incident. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture must use the series in the advertising and hiring of a wildland firefighter. The bill requires an employee in a wildland firefighter occupational series to receive a pay differential based on the unusual physical hardship or hazardous nature of the position. An individual employed as a wildland firefighter on the date on which the occupational series takes effect may (1) remain in the occupational series in which the individual is working, or (2) be included in the wildland firefighter occupational series.

Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act of 2021 This bill establishes and provides funding for the Restoration and Resilience Grant Program and the Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program. The bill establishes a Restoration Fund Advisory Council to provide advice to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) respecting the grant program. The grant program shall provide grants to eligible entities (e.g., a state agency, a unit of local government, or a tribal government) for purposes such as (1) increasing the capacity for planning, coordinating, and monitoring restoration and resilience projects on federal land and nonfederal land; or (2) restoration and resilience projects on nonfederal land. Under the Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program, USDA shall carry out restoration and resilience projects that reduce wildfire potential, improve community resilience in the wildland-urban interface, or restore wildlife habitat.

Trillion Trees Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021

Trillion Trees Act This bills establishes a variety of requirements and incentives to plant trees and conduct other land management practices for the purposes of capturing and storing carbon in domestic and international trees and forests. Additionally, the bill provides incentives to research or develop other carbon sequestration tools. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to set targets to increase forest carbon stock through January 1, 2100, for the purposes of sequestering and storing carbon in U.S. forests. It also establishes and provides funding for the Trillion Trees Challenge Fund to provide grants to nonfederal entities for activities related to reforestation efforts on public or private lands. In addition, it raises the cap on the Reforestation Trust Fund to enhance forest health in the National Forest System and requires the USDA to establish a Tree City USA Grant Program. The bill also allows the U.S. Agency for International Development to enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to establish an International Forest Foundation to promote reforestation and prevent deforestation. Additionally, it establishes requirements and incentives to address seedling shortages and support nurseries. Finally, the bill provides market incentives to research or develop other carbon sequestration tools relating to biochar, sustainable building practices, biochemical and bioplastic products, and biomass energy.

RESTORE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2021

Restoring Environments, Soils, Trees, and Operations to develop the Rural Economy Act of 2021 or the RESTORE Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA), at the request of a governor of a state, to select a forest landscape in the state on which to conduct a forest landscape project. For a project, USDA must carry out one or more specified management activities, including installing fuel breaks, conducting controlled burns, and removing dead trees.

Forestry Education and Workforce Development Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2021

Forestry Education and Workforce Development Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants to eligible institutions to carry out forestry education and workforce development programs to prepare students for careers in forestry. The amount of grant funds awarded each fiscal year to land grant colleges or universities shall be equal to the amount of grant funds awarded to other institutions of higher education and area career and technical education schools. Enrollees in Civilian Conservation Centers may provide assistance in carrying out reforestation activities in priority areas, as determined by USDA.

Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2021

Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to award competitive grants to land-grant colleges or universities for raising public awareness, conducting workshops, and providing technical assistance to increase agricultural producers' voluntary adoption of conservation practices (e.g., alley cropping) and innovative climate practices (e.g., carbon sequestration). Grantees must carry out activities in partnership with at least one other entity, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a land-grant college or university, a state entity, or a nonprofit organization.

SUSTAINS Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Sponsoring USDA Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions Act of 2021 or the SUSTAINS Act This bill authorizes the Natural Resources Conservation Service to accept contributions of nonfederal funds to support a broader range of conservation programs. Current law authorizes the service to accept nonfederal contributions of funds to support certain programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. This bill expands the authority to include other conservation programs, including those that address climate change, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat improvement, and protection of drinking water sources. The bill also makes other changes to the administration of contributed funds, such as by allowing the service to match contributions and permitting contributors to designate funds for use in a specific program or geographic area.

BIOCHAR Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Biochar Innovations and Opportunities for Conservation, Health, and Advancements in Research Act of 2021 or the BIOCHAR Act of 2021 This bill establishes two temporary programs to encourage research, development, and commercialization of biochar. This is carbonized biomass produced by converting plant matter through reductive thermal processing for nonfuel uses. First, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) must fund biochar demonstration projects through state, tribal, or local governments; land-grant colleges or universities; or private, nonprofit, or cooperative entities. In selecting projects, the departments must prioritize, for example, projects that (1) have the greatest potential for carbon sequestration; and (2) create new jobs and economic benefits, particularly in rural areas. Projects may use funds for various activities, including developing commercially and technologically viable biochar production units and demonstrating cost-effective market opportunities for biochar and biochar-based products. At least 50% of the plant matter used in a project must come from forest thinning and management activities on National Forest System land. In addition, USDA and DOE must conduct research related to the biochar produced from the projects. Second, USDA must establish a grant program for land-grant colleges and universities to conduct applied research on environmental and economic benefits of biochar. For the duration of the two programs, USDA and DOE must periodically report to Congress about issues related to commercialization of biochar and the status of the programs. The programs terminate after 10 years.

FIRE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Forestry Improvements to Restore the Environment Act of 2021 or the FIRE Act of 2021 This bill provides for salvage activities after a wildfire is contained on certain National Forest System lands. No later than 60 days after a wildfire is contained on such lands (1) the Forest Service, to the maximum extent practicable, shall complete a survey of the lands that were impacted by such wildfire; and (2) the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall convert the timber sales applicable to such lands that were impacted by such wildfire to salvage sales. The bill designates a categorical exclusion for forest management activities where the primary purpose of the activity is for roadside salvage activities that allow for the removal of hazard trees that are within 200 feet of a roadway center line. Activities carried out pursuant to this bill shall be subject to judicial review in the same manner as authorized hazardous fuels reduction projects. A court may not order a preliminary injunction enjoining the USDA from proceeding with timber sales authorized under this bill.

SOS for Seedlings Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Solving Our Shortages for Seedlings Act or the SOS for Seedlings Act This bill requires various activities to alleviate a shortage of tree seedlings. Specifically, the Forest Service must implement a national strategy to address the shortage by expanding the capacity of governmental and private nurseries. In addition, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must carry out a loan program for state, tribal, or local governments; or private, nonprofit, or cooperative organizations to establish or expand facilities that grow, store, extract, or monitor tree seedlings. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2030 a program that permits USDA to establish and operate nurseries, purchase tree seeds or seedlings, plant trees, and otherwise support reforestation.

PPP Equity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

PPP Equity Act of 2021 This bill allows farmers, ranchers, and sole proprietors to retroactively recalculate their loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), based on gross income rather than net profits.

CARE for Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Community Access, Resources, and Education for Families Act or the CARE for Families Act This bill sets out a grant program and other requirements to facilitate collaboration between the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and various social services. Specifically, the bill establishes a grant program to promote and support linkages between WIC agencies and health care providers, early childhood care providers, and other social services providers. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must undertake an initiative to improve communication between state and local WIC agencies and medical providers regarding WIC participants' health information. As part of the initiative, USDA must support the development of software or systems to facilitate such communication and promote bidirectional interoperability between WIC information systems and electronic health records. USDA must also ensure that any disclosure of health information is consistent with federal privacy standards for personal health information.