Agricultural practices and innovations

HR 5371: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026

Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026

This bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for federal agencies, provides additional funding for security for federal officials, and extends various expiring programs and authorities.

Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of November 21, 2025, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2026 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2026 begins on October 1, 2025. 

The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2025 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations for various programs.

For example, the CR provides additional funding for security for Members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, and executive branch officials. It also authorizes the District of Columbia to spend local funds at the rates included in its FY2026 local budget.

In addition, the bill extends several expiring programs and authorities, including

  • several public health, Medicare, and Medicaid authorities and programs;
  • various programs and authorities related to veterans;
  • the U.S. Grain Standards Act;
  • the Department of Agriculture livestock mandatory price reporting program;
  • several Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs related to cybersecurity;
  • authorities for DHS and the Department of Justice to take actions to mitigate a credible threat from an unmanned aircraft system;
  • the special assessment on nonindigent persons or entities convicted of certain offenses involving sexual abuse or human trafficking;
  • authorities related to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission whistleblower program; and
  • the Defense Production Act of 1950.

HR 4550: United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025

United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) through FY2030 and modifies authorities under the act.

Under the USGSA, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes official marketing or quality standards for certain grains (e.g., corn, soybeans, and wheat), and the Federal Grain Inspection Service conducts and supervises official grain inspections and weighing services. Most provisions of the act are permanently authorized; however, several expire on September 30, 2025.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030

  • USDA’s authority to collect and spend fees for inspection and weighing services;
  • the 30% cap on administrative and supervisory costs which may be incurred for services performed, with exceptions;
  • standardization and compliance activities and monitoring of foreign ports; and
  • the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee.

The costs associated with equipment and the development of technology are excluded from the current 30% cap for administrative and supervisory costs for services.

The bill also includes a technical change that specifies fees are part of a trust fund, instead of the current fund.

Under the bill, USDA may inspect domestic non-export grain that is loaded or unloaded at an export port, as needed.

Further, USDA must prioritize the adoption of improved grain grading technology to provide for efficient, accurate, and consistent grading of grain.

Additional revisions include

  • allowing USDA to work in cooperation with official agencies in a continuing research program, 
  • expanding reporting requirements, and
  • allowing a Grain Inspection Advisory Committee member to serve until a new member is appointed.

HR 1618: Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act

Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review and recommend changes to its satellite rules to promote precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is a general term describing various crop management tools and practices that leverage technology like Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment and uncrewed aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) to optimize production and sustainability.

In conducting its review, the FCC must consult with the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture, which advises the FCC on methods to assess and advance broadband internet on unserved agricultural land and promote precision agriculture. 

S 613: Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025

Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025

This bill provides statutory authority for the National Mesonet Program (NMP) maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (Mesonets are networks of automated weather and soil observation stations that collect data used in measuring, tracking, and forecasting weather and its effects. The NMP is a national network of local mesonets that collects and disseminates non-federal atmospheric weather observations in the United States.)

The bill sets forth certain requirements for the NMP, including that the program must obtain weather observations in order to improve understanding and forecasting of atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events, and establish means to integrate increased numbers and types of environmental observations into the program annually. However, NOAA may obtain data under the program only when it is demonstrably cost effective and meets or exceeds certain data quality standards. 

Of funds appropriated to the program annually, NOAA must award at least 15% to state, tribal, private, and academic entities seeking to build, expand, or upgrade mesonet system equipment and capacity. Entities receiving funds must agree to provide data to the NMP. In allocating funding, NOAA must prioritize providing funds to entities in remote areas and areas that lack environmental monitoring stations. 

NOAA must also ensure the NMP has an active advisory committee, comprised of subject matter experts, to make recommendations on data needs and procurement, among other topics. 

HR 1326: DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture to carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities through the establishment of an interagency agreement.

The agencies are authorized to (1) carry out reimbursable agreements in order to maximize research and development effectiveness, and (2) collaborate with other federal agencies. Further, the interagency agreement must require the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed process, which considers applications from federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions.

Research and development activities may include

  • collaborative research in a variety of focus areas such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, biofuels and biobased products, grid modernization and security, rural technology development, and wildfire risks and prevention;
  • developing methods to accommodate large voluntary standardized and integrated data sets on agricultural, environmental, supply chain, and economic information;
  • supporting research infrastructure and workforce development; and
  • collaborative research and development on ways to improve agriculture operations and processing efficiencies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

S 228: Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act

Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act

This bill specifies that agricultural producers who rely on acequia systems are eligible to receive assistance under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for all losses suffered as a result of drought, flood, or other natural disasters. Acequias, or community ditches, are community-operated and -organized water irrigation systems.

The bill also provides that a special use permit shall not be required on Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Department of the Interior land for the (1) presence or use of an acequia or the use of the acequia’s water, or (2) routine maintenance and minor improvements conducted by a community user or governing body of an acequia.

Further, USDA must submit a report to Congress on agricultural producers who rely on acequia systems.

HR 471: Fix Our Forests Act

Fix Our Forests Act

This bill establishes requirements for managing forests on federal land, including requirements concerning reducing wildfire threats, expediting the review of certain forest management projects, and implementing forest management projects and other activities.

Specifically, the bill (1) designates certain firesheds at high risk for wildfires as fireshed management areas; (2) directs the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey to jointly establish an interagency Fireshed Center that is responsible for duties related to assessing and predicting fire, including maintaining a fireshed registry on a publicly accessible website that provides interactive geospatial data on individual firesheds; and (3) makes other requirements related to reducing wildfire.

Next, the bill expedites the review of certain forest management projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and exempts certain activities from NEPA review. It also establishes intra-agency strike teams to accelerate the review and any interagency consultation processes under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act. It also limits consultation requirements concerning threatened and endangered species under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Management and Policy Act of 1976. Finally, it limits litigation involving fireshed management projects and limits remedies that courts may provide.

Additionally, the bill supports reducing community wildfire risks, carrying out forest restoration and stewardship activities (including watershed protection and restoration), conducting biochar demonstration projects, advancing technologies to address forest wildfires, and assisting wildland firefighters and their families.