Bill > HR3783

This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to provide a comprehensive definition for plant biostimulants, which are substances that support plant growth and health through natural processes without directly providing nutrients. The bill defines plant biostimulants as substances or microorganisms that, when applied to seeds, plants, soil, or growth media, improve nutrient availability, enhance stress tolerance, and ultimately support plant growth, development, quality, and yield. It distinguishes plant biostimulants from plant regulators, nutrients, and other agricultural substances, clarifying that they can be of biological origin or synthetically derived with similar structure and function to biological substances. Additionally, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to update its regulations within 120 days to reflect these new definitions. The legislation also mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a two-year study on plant biostimulants, examining their potential benefits for soil health, including increasing organic matter, reducing atmospheric volatilization, promoting nutrient management, limiting nutrient runoff, restoring soil bioactivity, supporting carbon sequestration, and improving agricultural sustainability. The study results will be reported to congressional agricultural committees and made publicly available.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3783/all-info