Bill > S507

This bill aims to enhance precision agriculture in the United States by developing interconnectivity standards and promoting technological innovation in the agricultural sector. The bill defines precision agriculture as a method of managing crop and livestock production inputs with high spatial and temporal detail to improve efficiency and reduce waste. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Federal Communications Commission, to develop voluntary, consensus-based standards for precision agriculture within two years of enactment. These standards will address connectivity needs, cybersecurity challenges, advanced wireless communications technology, and artificial intelligence's impact on agriculture. The bill provides comprehensive definitions for key terms like precision agriculture equipment, which includes technologies such as GPS mapping, satellite imagery, yield monitors, sensors, data management software, and autonomous systems. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will conduct studies every two years for eight years to assess the effectiveness of these standards, evaluating their voluntariness, industry coordination, and success in encouraging precision agriculture adoption. The overarching goals are to enhance U.S. participation in precision agriculture and promote American leadership in developing voluntary consensus standards for the agricultural technology sector.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/507/all-info