HR 3991
Research for Healthy Soils Act
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the USDA to prioritize research and extension efforts focused on the impact of microplastics and PFAS on farmland. Specifically, it authorizes grants to study these substances in land-applied biosolids and compost, including methods for removal and analysis of their effects on crops and soil. The bill also reauthorizes existing USDA research initiatives through fiscal year 2031, encompassing programs related to pollinator health, food safety, and honey bee monitoring.
Key provisions
- Authorizes grants for research on microplastics and PFAS in agricultural land.
- Directs research into techniques for removing or degrading these substances from biosolids.
- Requires analysis of the impact on crops and soil health.
- Reauthorizes USDA grants through fiscal year 2031.
- Includes specific research areas such as wastewater processing impacts and soil remediation.
Who is affected
- Farmers
- Agricultural Landowners
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Environmental Researchers
- Consumers
Notable changes
- Adds microplastics and PFAS as a high-priority research area within the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act.
- Reauthorizes existing USDA grants through 2031, extending funding for several key initiatives.
- Specifies research activities related to the fate and transport of these substances on farmland.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 3991
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include as a high-priority research and extension area research on microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farmland.
This Act may be cited as the Research for Healthy Soils Act
.
Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of carrying out or enhancing research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including structural firefighting foam, in land-applied biosolids or compost on farmland, including by—
conducting surveys and collecting data on concentration, particle size, and chemical composition of such substances in land-applied biosolids on farmland;
conducting an analysis of the impact on agricultural crops and soil health of such substances in land-applied biosolids on farmland, including the uptake of such substances by various crops or livestock;
conducting research to better understand how wastewater processing impacts such substances;
conducting research to better understand the fate, residence time, and transport of such substances on farmland; and
conducting research on how to remediate soil and water systems contaminated with such substances.
Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended by striking 2023
each place it appears in subsection (e)(5), subsection (f)(5), paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3) of subsection (g), and subsection (h) and inserting 2031
.