Technology (Agriculture) in United States

in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 7850: Farm Freedom to Repair Act

This bill, known as the Farm Freedom to Repair Act, would allow farmers and repair technicians to bypass digital locks on modern agricultural machinery for maintenance and repair purposes. It directly affects owners of digital electronic agricultural equipment by creating exceptions to existing copyright laws that currently restrict circumventing technological access controls. The legislation permits the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of these machines without violating federal copyright protections, and it also allows the sale and distribution of tools and parts needed for such repairs. By modifying Section 1201 of the U.S. Copyright Code, the bill aims to ensure farmers can keep their equipment operational without legal barriers.

Topics ✓ Technology

Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 4067: Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026, amends existing federal agricultural law to establish specific research and extension grant priorities for land-grant universities. It directs funding toward four main areas: advanced mechanized harvesting technologies, particularly for specialty crops; artificial intelligence applications in agriculture to improve specialty crop production; methods for managing and eradicating invasive plant and animal species; and aquaculture techniques for valuable aquatic species. The legislation allows the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize grants in these areas when awarding funding to land-grant institutions for research and extension projects.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · Senate Nov 20, 2025

S 3227: Protecting American Farmland Act

This bill prohibits federal funding for ground-mounted solar projects that convert prime farmland (defined as the most productive agricultural land under existing law) and excludes such projects from key tax credits like the residential clean energy credit (Section 25D), production tax credits (Sections 45, 45Y), and investment tax credits (Sections 48, 48E). It directly affects solar developers and property owners seeking to install solar facilities on prime farmland, blocking both federal financial support and tax incentives for these projects. The bill uses the existing definition of "prime farmland" from the Farmland Protection Policy Act to prevent agricultural land from being repurposed for solar energy generation. Its core mechanism is a dual restriction: no federal funds for covered projects and exclusion from tax credits for solar installations on protected farmland.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Conservation Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2025

HR 5097: To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award grants to specialty crop producers to acquire certain equipment and provide training with respect to the use of such equipment.

HR 5097 establishes a new grant program under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to help specialty crop producers in the U.S. adopt mechanized and automated equipment. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants covering equipment like drones, sorting machines, precision irrigation systems, and robotic tools, plus required training for their use. Recipients must contribute at least 50% of the costs through non-Federal matching funds. This program directly affects commercial specialty crop growers by providing financial support to modernize operations and improve efficiency.

Topics ✓ Technology

Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 1116: REAL Meat Act of 2025

HR 1116, the REAL Meat Act of 2025, prohibits federal funding for cell-cultured meat (lab-produced meat) by banning government support for its research, production, promotion, or inclusion in USDA programs. It directly affects federal agencies like the Department of Agriculture and research programs by blocking funds for any activity related to cell-cultured meat, except for NASA's space-related use. The bill defines cell-cultured meat as meat grown from animal cells in a lab, ensuring the funding restriction applies specifically to this method. The sole exception allows NASA to fund cell-cultured meat intended for consumption off-planet. This policy change restricts government financial support but does not ban the sale or consumption of cell-cultured meat products.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Environment ✗ Technology

Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · House Jan 20, 2026

HR 7153: Agriculture and National Security Act of 2026

This bill establishes a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA to coordinate national security efforts related to food and agriculture. It requires the USDA Secretary to submit biennial reports to Congress and the National Security Council identifying vulnerabilities such as foreign control of agricultural data, supply chain disruptions, cybersecurity risks, and dependence on foreign-sourced inputs. The bill mandates improved interagency coordination, including sharing personnel with defense and intelligence agencies, and requires the USDA to assess gaps in security efforts and propose solutions. The primary direct effect is on the USDA's internal operations and reporting structure, not on agricultural policies or farmers.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1618: Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2025

S 1618, the Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2025, amends existing farm loan programs to specifically include funding for precision agriculture. It expands loan eligibility for farmers to adopt precision agriculture practices (like GPS-guided equipment) and acquire related technologies (such as soil sensors). The bill adds new provisions allowing these loans to also support participation in environmental incentive programs under the Food Security Act of 1985. It streamlines administration by enabling the Farm Service Agency's Deputy Administrator to handle these loans and simplifying approvals with conservation agencies. This directly affects farmers seeking to modernize operations with technology, with the program now authorized through 2029.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 2100: Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act

This bill modifies tax rules for bonds used to fund agricultural and manufacturing facilities. It expands what counts as a "manufacturing facility" to include production of intangible property (like software) and related on-site facilities, while raising the dollar limit for qualified small issue bonds from $10 million to $30 million (with annual inflation adjustments). It also increases the annual bond limit for first-time farmers from $450,000 to $1 million and changes how farmland size is measured for eligibility. The changes apply to bonds issued after the bill's enactment date for manufacturing and after December 31, 2025, for farm-related bonds. These adjustments primarily affect agricultural businesses and manufacturers seeking tax-exempt financing for facility projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Tags Agriculture

passed · United States · House Mar 25, 2025

HR 1326: DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

HR 1326, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act, requires the Energy and Agriculture Secretaries to jointly conduct collaborative research focused on shared priorities like sustainable energy, agriculture, and climate resilience. It mandates a competitive grant process for federal agencies, universities, and nonprofits to fund projects in areas such as AI for farming/energy systems, biofuels, grid security, and rural technology development. The bill also requires a report to Congress within two years detailing research coordination, achievements, and future collaboration opportunities. This legislation directly affects federal agencies, research institutions, and agricultural/energy sectors through new funding mechanisms and joint projects, without altering existing regulations or creating new mandates for the public.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Climate Change Forestry Artificial Intelligence Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2025

S 1729: Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2025

This bill streamlines how conservation practice standards are developed and updated for U.S. agricultural programs. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a public, rolling review process for conservation standards every five years (replacing the previous annual requirement), prioritizing innovative technologies like precision agriculture and nutrient-efficient farming methods. Farmers, state agricultural agencies, and the public will gain clearer pathways to submit new conservation practices for consideration and provide input during reviews. The bill also mandates publishing all proposed changes, public comments, and final decisions online to improve transparency.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

All technology bills