Bill > S1729

This bill aims to streamline and improve conservation practice standards within the Food Security Act of 1985 by introducing several key changes. The bill establishes a more dynamic and innovative approach to conservation practices, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to review and update conservation standards at least once every 5 years on a rolling basis. It creates a new, publicly accessible administrative process for developing, proposing, reviewing, and adopting conservation practice standards, with a focus on incorporating new technologies and scientific advancements. The bill prioritizes innovative technologies such as precision agriculture, biological fertilizers, nutrient use efficiency technologies, animal feed additives, and perennial production systems. It also mandates public input opportunities, requiring the Secretary to solicit feedback from state technical committees, allow public submissions of conservation practices, and publicly post summaries of comments received. Additionally, the bill expands the scope of Conservation Innovation Grants to support the development and evaluation of new innovative approaches and technologies that can be integrated into existing or new conservation practice standards. The overall goal is to make conservation standards more flexible, technology-driven, and responsive to emerging agricultural and environmental challenges.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1729/all-info