Bill > S2582

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for researching and tracking soil carbon sequestration in agricultural settings. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a standardized methodology for directly measuring soil carbon, create a voluntary reporting system for producers to share soil carbon data, and establish a Soil Carbon Inventory and Analysis Network that will conduct nationwide soil carbon tracking every five years. The bill also mandates the development of predictive modeling tools to estimate how different land management practices impact atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide levels. To ensure the research is thorough and inclusive, the bill requires consultation with diverse stakeholders including farmers, soil carbon experts, academic researchers, and nonprofit organizations. The research aims to provide scientifically robust methods for understanding how agricultural practices can help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon in soil, with provisions to protect landowner privacy and ensure data is collected voluntarily. The bill authorizes approximately $20 million in total funding across different research initiatives and includes requirements for regular updates to methodologies and models to reflect the latest scientific understanding.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2582/all-info