119th Congress Agriculture and Food
H.R. 575: Increased TSP Access Act of 2025
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications.
As background, TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, that work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.
The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs.
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USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors).
In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs within a specified time period.
USDA must also review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity within a specified time period. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs.
The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA.
Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, certification results, and utilization rates.
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
- Mike Bost R-ILOriginal
- Don Bacon R-NEOriginal
- Nicole (Nikki) Budzinski D-ILOriginal
- Donald Davis D-NCOriginal
- Randy Feenstra R-IAOriginal
- C. Franklin R-FLOriginal
- Mike Flood R-NEOriginal
- Brad Finstad R-MNOriginal
- Valerie Hoyle D-OROriginal
- Dusty Johnson R-SDOriginal
- Darin LaHood R-ILOriginal
- Susie Lee D-NVOriginal
- Mark Pocan D-WIOriginal
- Brittany Pettersen D-COOriginal
- Bryan Steil R-WIOriginal
- Kim Schrier D-WAOriginal
- Eric Sorensen D-ILOriginal
- Andrea Salinas D-OROriginal
- Jill Tokuda D-HIOriginal
- Gabriel (Gabe) Vasquez D-NMOriginal
- Rudy Yakym R-INOriginal
- David Taylor R-OH
- April McClain Delaney D-MD
- Eugene Vindman D-VA
- Josh Gottheimer D-NJ
- Seth Magaziner D-RI
- Chris Pappas D-NH
Who scored on this bill
- 1James Baird SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reached a cosponsor milestone3 events+12
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Other bills by James Baird
History
- Introduced in the House by James Baird.
Show the full action history (3 actions)
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.