118th Congress Agriculture and Food
S. 3623: Research for Healthy Soils Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill includes research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area. Microplastic is a plastic or plastic-coated particle that is less than 5 millimeters in size.
The bill specifically allows grants for carrying out or enhancing research in this area (e.g., through the development or analysis of wastewater treatment techniques to filter out or biodegrade microplastics from biosolids intended to be used for agricultural purposes).
Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2028. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2028
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- the Pulse Crop Health Initiative;
- the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network;
- pollinator protection research and extension grants;
- increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and
- a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Cory Booker D-NJOriginal
- Chris Van Hollen D-MDOriginal
- Ron Wyden D-OROriginal
- Sheldon Whitehouse D-RIOriginal
Who scored on this bill
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History
- Introduced in the Senate by Jeff Merkley.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.