Agriculture

Livestock Disaster Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Water for Conservation and Farming Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2023 This bill revises the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which is a component of the Farm Service Agency's (FSA's) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CREP is a public-private partnership program which allows states, tribal governments, and nonprofit and private entities to partner with FSA to implement CRP practices. CRP is a land conservation program that provides an annual rental payment to farmers in exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental health and quality.  The bill specifies that dryland agricultural uses and grazing are included as appropriate practices under CREP. The bill also allows a land owner or operator to elect to determine the annual payment amount allocated for each year of a CREP agreement, instead of a fixed payment per year for the contract period. For drought and water conservation agreements that include the permanent retirement of water rights, annual payment rates must be equal to the irrigated acre payment rates determined by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the case of an agreement that permits dryland agricultural uses, the annual payment rates must be equal to the difference between the irrigated acre payment rates and the dryland acre payment rates determined by USDA. The payment formula is retroactive for certain existing drought and water conservation agreements.  Further, the bill exempts CREP payments from the $50,000 annual payment limitation under CRP.     

1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023 This bill expands the allowable areas of focus for Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs) and reauthorizes the 1890 COEs program through FY2028. (The 1890 Institutions are historically Black colleges and universities that belong to the U.S. land-grant university system and receive federal funds through programs administered by the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.) The current areas of focus for 1890 COEs may also include climate change adaptation and mitigation; fostering forestry resilience and conservation; food safety, bioprocessing, and value-added agriculture; and the integration of the social sciences into the food and agricultural sciences. The bill also specifies that no more than 10 1890 COEs may be in the program. Currently, there is no maximum limit.

FARMLAND Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense Act of 2023 or the FARMLAND Act of 2023 This bill expands federal authority and oversight over foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry. The bill expands the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to include the review of land transactions (involving foreign entities) that exceed $5 million or 320 acres of land over the preceding three years. This applies to land that is primarily used for agriculture, the extraction of energy sources, or the extraction of critical precursor materials for biological technology industries, information technology components, or national defense technologies. Further, the bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to CFIUS membership. (CFIUS is an interagency committee that oversees the national security risks of certain foreign direct investment in the U.S. economy, including by reviewing certain real estate transactions.) Further, the bill expands enforcement of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must appoint a Chief of Operations of Investigative Actions to (1) monitor AFIDA compliance, and (2) conduct investigations on efforts to steal agricultural knowledge and technology and to disrupt the U.S. agricultural base. The bill prohibits foreign persons who own or operate land from participating in Farm Service Agency programs and establishes penalties for violators. The bill also requires USDA and the Department of Homeland Security to jointly develop a database of agricultural land owned by foreign persons.

To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to establish and carry out a pilot program to use blockchain technology in food safety and labeling.

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2023

This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish and carry out a pilot program to use blockchain technology in food safety and food labeling. (In general, a blockchain is a digital database containing information that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large decentralized, publicly accessible network.) Specifically, the pilot program must, to the extent practicable, use blockchain technology to (1) trace food that may be adulterated and food that has been subject to a voluntary or mandatory recall; and (2) verify that food labeled as organic has been produced and handled in accordance with specific organic certification standards. The Department of Agriculture must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Food and Drug Administration to implement the program.

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2023

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes and expands the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management. To be eligible for support, a collaborative forest landscape restoration proposal must describe plans to prevent, remediate, or control invasions of pathogens. For each proposal nominated for selection by a Forest Service regional office, the office must provide a federal government staffing plan for providing support to collaboratives. In selecting proposals, the Department of Agriculture must give special consideration to proposals that seek to use innovative implementation mechanisms, including conservation finance agreements and good neighbor agreements; reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire or increase ecological restoration activities within areas across land ownerships and within the wildland-urban interface; and enhance watershed health and drinking water sources. The bill increases the number of proposals that may be funded during any fiscal year.

Naturally Offsetting Emissions by Managing and Implementing Tillage Strategies Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Naturally Offsetting Emissions by Managing and Implementing Tillage Strategies Act of 2023 or the NO EMITS Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out activities to improve soil health, including to address climate change. Specifically, USDA must establish a program that provides agricultural producers incentives (i.e., payments) for and technical assistance with adopting or maintaining practices or cropping systems to improve soil health, award grants to states and Indian tribes for implementing soil health programs, and use a portion of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide agricultural producers with technical assistance for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The bill also (1) makes practices related to livestock production eligible for certain competitive grants under the On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program, and (2) increases funding for the program.

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2023 This bill includes additional priorities as Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension areas. Under the bill, USDA may award grants for developing and evaluating (1) technologies to mechanize agricultural processes (and may emphasize processes for harvesting specialty crops), and (2) agricultural uses of artificial intelligence (and may emphasize uses for improving specialty crop production).  Further, USDA may award grants to support research projects at land-grant colleges and universities to develop and apply methods to manage and eradicate invasive species of plants and animals, including through methods of biocontrol; and aquaculture methods, including through the propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species. 

Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish within USDA a stand-alone competitive research and extension grant program to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in the United States through the advancement and acceleration of mechanization and automation. Specialty crops are fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). The bill provides specified funds for FY2024 and each succeeding year to carry out the program. The grant program includes projects that create or improve cost-effective technologies to reduce a specialty crop grower's manual labor requirements and increase the efficiency of crop production, resource management, harvesting, processing, post-harvest technologies, and packaging; increase adoption of mechanization and automation technologies; and accelerate automation and mechanization through prototype development, in-field trial testing, ongoing industry engagement, and rapid commercialization. Entities eligible for the grant program are federal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations and corporations, state agricultural experiment stations, individuals, and organizations representing specialty crop growers.

No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2023 This bill requires all households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to meet the program's income and asset requirements. Federal requirements generally provide two pathways for SNAP financial eligibility. A household may meet program-specific federal eligibility requirements, which include both income eligibility and an asset test. A household may also be automatically or  categorically eligible for SNAP based on eligibility for or receiving cash benefits from other specified low-income assistance programs (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF]). Under this categorical eligibility, households that already meet financial eligibility rules in a program like TANF are not required to go through another financial eligibility determination in SNAP. Further, a majority of states also provide broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE), a policy that makes most households with an income below a certain threshold categorically eligible for SNAP. Under BBCE, these states typically make households categorically eligible through receiving or being authorized to receive a minimal non-cash TANF benefit or service (e.g., a pamphlet). A state may set its own BBCE financial eligibility requirements for a household so long as the income requirement is below a certain level. A state's requirements do not have to match SNAP program-specific eligibility requirements. For example, most states that provide BBCE do not have an asset test for SNAP eligibility.  The bill requires all SNAP households, including those that qualify under categorical eligibility, to meet the SNAP program's income and asset requirements. These requirements take effect one year after the bill's enactment and do not apply to certification periods that begin before the effective date. 

EAT Healthy Foods from Local Farmers Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

OH SNAP, Close the Fruit and Vegetable Gap Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Opt for Health with SNAP, Close the Fruit and Vegetable Gap Act of 2023 or the OH SNAP, Close the Fruit and Vegetable Gap Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes, and provides increased specified funds for, the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) for FY2024-FY2028 and each fiscal year thereafter. GusNIP provides competitive grants for projects that increase low-income consumers' purchases of fruits and vegetables by providing (1) incentives at Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) points of  purchase, and (2) produce prescriptions to SNAP/Medicaid participants.

Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide competitive research grants for the development of public cultivars (i.e., seeds) and animal breeds. The bill defines a public cultivar and public animal breed as the commercially available uniform end product of a publicly funded breeding program that has been sufficiently tested to demonstrate improved characteristics and stable performance. Further, if intellectual property rights are asserted, they are in the form of plant patents or plant variety protection and not utility patents. USDA must give priority to high-potential research projects that lead to the release of public cultivars and animal breeds, including those with specified adaptations, features, and benefits (e.g., that are regionally adapted, environmentally resilient, or of indigenous and place-based importance and are endangered). Any person who receives title to a plant patent or plant variety protection developed with grant funds may grant the exclusive right to use or sell that public cultivar or animal breed to another person only if that person agrees to substantially produce in the United States any cultivars or animals embodying, or produced through the use of, the public cultivar or animal breed. The bill also establishes a coordinator for public cultivars and animal breeding research within the USDA Research, Education, and Extension Office, whose duties include developing a strategic plan and promoting collaboration.

OH SNAP, Close the Fruit and Vegetable Gap Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Opt for Health with SNAP, Close the Fruit and Vegetable Gap Act of 2023 or the OH SNAP, Close the Fruit and Vegetable Gap Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes, and provides increased specified funds for, the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) for FY2024-FY2028 and each fiscal year thereafter. GusNIP provides competitive grants for projects that increase low-income consumers' purchases of fruits and vegetables by providing (1) incentives at Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) points of purchase, and (2) produce prescriptions to SNAP/Medicaid participants.

SAFE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2023 or the SAFE Act of 2023 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. In recent years, appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Enhancement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Enhancement Act of 2023 This bill allows the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) of the Farm Service Agency to provide additional coverage for crops and grasses used for grazing. Specifically, the bill removes an exception that prohibits certain additional coverage for crops and grasses used for grazing. (NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when natural disasters result in lower yields, crop losses, or prevented crop planting.) 

Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act This bill restricts state and local governments from imposing certain standards or conditions on the preharvest production of agricultural products sold or offered for sale in interstate commerce. Specifically, it prohibits the imposition of such standards or conditions if (1) the production occurs in another state, and (2) the standard or condition adds to requirements applicable under federal law and the laws of the state and locality where the product is produced. The bill also allows for a private right of action to challenge state or local regulations relating to agricultural goods sold in interstate commerce. A person may bring an action in (1) the U.S. district court for the judicial district in which the person is affected by a regulation or the person resides, operates, or does business; or (2) any other appropriate court with jurisdiction.

Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act of 2023 This bill makes permanent the prohibition on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit transaction fees. The current prohibition expires at the end of FY2023. The bill also specifies that the prohibition applies to states (and any agent, contractor, or subcontractor of a state who facilitates the provision of SNAP benefits) for costs for fraud prevention tools, coverage of infrastructure costs, and other costs associated with updating the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) processing infrastructure. 

AG RESEARCH Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Augmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful Act or the AG RESEARCH Act This bill provides funding for maintenance at agricultural research facilities. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must (1) revise its review process for evaluating proposals for agricultural research facilities to include consulting with representatives of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) peer review panels; and (2) establish a grant program within NIFA to provide agricultural research facilities with a federal share of the cost for the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of the research facilities or the equipment necessary for agricultural research. Additionally, the bill provides funding for the grant program and for USDA to provide direct payments to research facilities of the Agricultural Research Service for addressing deferred maintenance. USDA must give priority to the most critical structures in accordance with the Agricultural Research Service Capital Investment Strategy (April 2012).

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act This bill waives the adjusted gross income limitations for payments or benefits under specific Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs for a person or legal entity that derives a portion of their income from agriculture. (Currently, a person or entity is not eligible to receive certain benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if their average gross income exceeds $900,000.) Specifically, in the case of an excepted payment or benefit, the adjusted gross income limitation is waived if 75% or more of the average adjusted gross income for the person or entity is derived from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities. These activities include agritourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, and the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person or entity. The bill applies to the USDA Livestock Indemnity Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Tree Assistance Program; and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

Dairy Farm Resiliency Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Dairy Farm Resiliency Act This bill updates the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. (The DMC program was enacted in the 2018 farm bill to support dairy operations by allowing producers to buy a guaranteed margin for their milk production. The margin is the difference between the Department of Agriculture's [USDA's] national all milk price and a calculated feed cost, which provides producers optional risk protection on price and feed costs.) The bill requires that a dairy operation's production history for DMC be based on the most recent three-year history and be recalculated every five years. (A participating dairy producer must have an established milk production history with USDA's Farm Service Agency.) The bill also increases Tier 1 margin coverage for annual milk production to 6 million pounds or less (currently 5 million pounds or less) and Tier 2 margin coverage to over 6 million pounds (currently over 5 million pounds).   

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023 This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes). The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (as applicable) to enter negotiations with Montana to exchange certain state lands for federal lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the community. The bill also establishes the Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, establishes the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Implementation Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, and provides funding for specified accounts established by the bill.

Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act This bill includes Indian tribes as entities that can identify priority resource concerns under certain federal conservation programs. Currently, a priority resource concern is defined as a natural resource concern or problem, as determined by the Department of Agriculture, that is identified at the national, state, or local level as a priority for a particular area of a state. This bill expands the definition to include identification at the tribal level as a priority for a particular area on tribal land.

A bill to require training for State and regional employees of the Department of Agriculture on the rural housing and development programs of the Department.

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for a Department of Agriculture pilot program that provides direct loans to Native community development financial institutions to increase homeownership opportunities for tribal communities in rural areas.

Investing in Our Crops Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Investing in Our Crops Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide additional payments to producers under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for implementation of a nutrient management practice. USDA must provide the payments through FY2025 and may use up to 5% of the funding to provide technical assistance.

Food Access and Stability Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Food Access and Stability Act of 2023 This bill repeals the sunset of the work requirements exemption for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). (SNAP recipients who are ABAWDs have work-related requirements in addition to the general SNAP work registration and employment and training requirements.) Under current law, homeless individuals, veterans, and certain foster care individuals (those who are 24 years old or younger and were in foster care on the date of attaining 18 years of age or a higher age) are exempt from the work requirements for ABAWDs. This exemption sunsets at the end of FY2030. The bill repeals the sunset of these exemptions, making them permanent.   

Healthy SNAP Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Healthy SNAP Act of 2023 This bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to redefine the foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits may not be used for soft drinks, candy, ice cream, or prepared desserts, such as cakes, pies, cookies, or similar products. Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must designate by regulation foods and food products to include in the SNAP definition of the term food . USDA must consider food and products that (1) based on nutrition research, contain nutrients lacking in the diets of people in the United States; and (2) promote the health of the population served by SNAP, based on relevant nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. USDA must also, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the fat, sugar, and salt content of the food and food products are appropriate. At least every five years, USDA must review and amend the list. Prepared meals purchased with SNAP benefits must have nutritional values consistent with standards developed by USDA for the list of food and food products.  A state agency may substitute different foods for food USDA designated under this bill, with USDA approval, so long as the foods are nutritionally equivalent; this is permitted to allow for different cultural eating patterns.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, schools participating in the program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans; USDA regulations require milk to be fat-free or low-fat and allow milk to be flavored or unflavored. The bill modifies these restrictions and instead permits schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. In addition, schools currently participating in the program must provide meals that meet certain nutrition requirements; USDA regulations require that the average saturated fat content of the meals offered must be less than 10% of the total calories. Under the bill, fluid milk is excluded from the saturated fat content calculation; milk fat included in any fluid milk provided by the program must not be considered saturated fat for the purposes of measuring compliance with USDA regulations.

Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act of 202 3 This bill revises the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) of the Farm Service Agency. CRP is a land conservation program that provides an annual rental payment to farmers in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental health and quality. Specifically, the bill permanently establishes a continuous enrollment procedure for land that will be enrolled under the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative. Additionally, the bill provides federal cost sharing payments for the establishment of grazing infrastructure on all CRP contracts and practices, if grazing is included in the conservation plan and addresses a resource concern. It also provides federal cost sharing payments under CRP for management activities to implement the conservation plan that are not related to haying or grazing. Further, the bill increases the CRP annual rental payment limitation from $50,000 to $125,000.

Nutrition Administration Assistance Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

Nutrition Administration Assistance Act of 2023 This bill authorizes additional funding through FY2028 to pay administration costs incurred by states for certain Department of Agriculture programs. The bill specifically authorizes funding for administration costs incurred by state agencies to carry out the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, states to carry out state plans under the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and states to carry out the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

Community Facilities Program for Rural Clean School Bus Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

Community Facilities Program for Rural Clean School Bus Infrastructure Act This bill expands the essential community facilities direct loan and grant program of the Department of Agriculture to allow loans or grants to be used for deploying clean school buses and related infrastructure. Specifically, loans or grants may be used for (1) acquisition and labor costs for charging or other infrastructure needed to charge or maintain clean school buses, or (2) planning and technical activities to support the adoption and deployment of clean school buses.

PUPP Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Providing for Unhoused People with Pets Act of 2023 or the PUPP Act of 2023 This bill permits the Department of Agriculture to award grants for interim and permanent housing that accommodates individuals (or families) who are homeless and have pets. Entities eligible for the grant include local governments, nonprofits, and entities that house or shelter homeless individuals. Additionally, grant recipients must make available supportive services and basic veterinary care.

Feral Swine Eradication Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Feral Swine Eradication Act This bill reauthorizes the feral swine eradication and control pilot program and removes the pilot program designation. This Department of Agriculture (USDA) program responds to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. The bill also directs USDA to require the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to continue monitoring an area for reoccurrence of feral swine for one year after USDA determines that feral swine has been eradicated from an eligible area. The current even distribution of the program's funds between APHIS and the NRCS is amended to allocate 60% of the funds to APHIS and 40% of the funds to the NRCS. Further, the bill includes new reporting requirements, which direct APHIS and the NRCS to submit a joint report to Congress on the program. This report must be publicly available on USDA's website.

Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act This bill amends the purpose of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include the prevention and mitigation of the effects of flooding and drought and the improvement or expansion of flood resiliency. (Under the RCPP, USDA enters into agreements with eligible partners to deliver conservation projects in specific geographical areas. Within an RCPP project, producers enter into contracts and agreements with USDA to carry out eligible conservation activities.)

Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act This bill provides statutory authority for and expands the Farm Service Agency's (FSA's) Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program (the Increasing Land Access Program) for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners. Specifically, the FSA must make competitive grants to, enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide other capital support to eligible entities (e.g., state or local governments, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education) to provide direct assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest owners who are (1) historically underserved, or (2) operating in high-poverty areas. The bill specifically excludes from assistance any foreign-based or foreign-owned corporation. The direct assistance may include payments to intended beneficiaries to acquire real property (including air rights and water rights), secure clear title on an heirs' property farmland, and improve or remediate land, water, and soil. Eligible entities may also use grants (1) to provide direct assistance to intended beneficiaries in assessing, purchasing, acquiring, or retaining eligible land; (2) for activities designed to support farm establishment and long-term viability; and (3) to provide technical assistance. The FSA must establish a stakeholder committee and, in collaboration with the committee, develop a process for evaluating proposals and distributing funds to eligible entities. In developing this process, the FSA must consider perspectives from diverse stakeholders, diverse geographic distribution, and diverse farming models, practices, and purposes. 

Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems, Livelihoods, and Local Seafood Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems, Livelihoods, and Local Seafood Act or the SHELLS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Office of Aquaculture and an Aquaculture Advisory Committee. The term aquaculture means the propagation and rearing of aquatic species in controlled or selected environments, including ocean ranching (with exclusions). Specifically, the Office of Aquaculture must encourage and promote aquaculture operations that promote U.S. food security and limit adverse environmental effects. USDA must also establish a 14-member Aquaculture Advisory Committee to advise USDA on (1) developing and advancing aquaculture best practices; (2) the history, use, and preservation of indigenous and traditional aquaculture practices and ecological knowledge; and (3) providing technical assistance to aquaculture farmers and businesses.

Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023

Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative to prioritize certain loans and grants that address childcare in agricultural and rural communities. Under the bill, childcare includes eligible programs that provide quality care and early education for young children who are in kindergarten or have not yet entered kindergarten. Under the initiative, USDA must give priority to applicants that propose to use certain loans or grants to address the availability, quality, or costs of childcare in an agricultural or rural community. In addition, USDA must prioritize communities in farming-dependent counties and ensure a balanced geographical distribution of the benefits. USDA must conduct a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the projects carried out under the initiative and submit a report to Congress. 

Keeping SNAP in our Communities Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Genome to Phenome Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Genome to Phenome Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2023 or the AG2PI Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture through FY2028. The AG2PI competitive grant program seeks to (1) expand knowledge concerning genomes and phenomes of crops and animals that are of importance to the U.S. agriculture sector, and (2) support and coordinate research.

Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act This bill amends the federal crop insurance program (FCIP) to increase the premium assistance rate for beginning and veteran farmers or ranchers. Specifically, the bill amends the amount of percentage points that are added to the premium assistance rate for beginning and veteran farmers or ranchers for an applicable insurance policy or plan (currently 10 percentage points) to provide 15 percentage points in each of the 1st and 2nd reinsurance years, 13 percentage points in the 3rd year, 11 percentage points in the 4th year, and 10 percentage points in each of the 5th through the 10th reinsurance years. The bill also amends the FCIP definition of beginning farmer or rancher to include a farmer or rancher who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch for more than 10 crop years (currently more than 5 crop years). 

Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative to prioritize certain loans and grants that address childcare in agricultural and rural communities. Under the bill, childcare includes eligible programs that provide quality care and early education for young children who are in kindergarten or have not yet entered kindergarten. Under the initiative, USDA must give priority to applicants that propose to use certain loans or grants to address the availability, quality, or costs of childcare in an agricultural or rural community. In addition, USDA must prioritize communities in farming-dependent counties and ensure a balanced geographical distribution of the benefits. USDA must conduct a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the projects carried out under the initiative and submit a report to Congress. 

Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2023 This bill establishes the Office of Food Safety Reassessment within the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and addresses related issues. The office must conduct reassessments of additives, food contact substances, and other related substances to ensure that such substances are safe. Specifically, every three years, the office must reassess the safety of at least 10 substances or classes of substances, including those that are generally recognized as safe for use in food. The office must issue final regulations relating to the safety of each reassessed substance. The bill also specifies 10 substances that the office must assess in its first review. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must reestablish the Food Advisory Committee to advise the FDA on issues related to the substance assessments required by this bill.

Growing Opportunities for Innovative Farming Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023 This bill increases and extends the authorization to finance cooperative projects among the United States, Israel, and developing counties that identify and support local solutions to sustainability challenges related to water resources, agriculture, and energy storage. The U.S. Agency for International Development shall report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of expanding development projects to include multilateral cooperation among the United States, Israel, and regional Arab partners.

MILK Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Milk is Indisputably Liked by Kids Act of 2023 or the MILK Act of 2023 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture. Currently, schools participating in the program may provide lactose-free and flavored and unflavored milk. Under the bill, these schools must offer students flavored milk and maintain the discretion to offer lactose-free milk and unflavored milk.

MAPLE SYRUP Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Market Access, Promotion, and Landowner Education Support for Your Regionally Underserved Producers Act or the MAPLE SYRUP Act This bill reauthorizes the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) at the Department of Agriculture through FY2028. The bill also changes the name of Acer to the Maple Research and Market Promotion Program. The Acer competitive grant program promotes the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with research and education related to maple syrup production, natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry, and the marketing of maple syrup and maple sap products. Acer also provides grants to encourage owners and operators of privately held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer to initiate or expand maple sugaring activities, or to voluntarily make the land publicly accessible for maple sugaring activities.