Us Congress House Bill HB3656

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/29/25
• Refer: 5/29/25

Caption

To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement under the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes.

Impact

By allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to waive matching funds, the bill is expected to facilitate increased funding opportunities for entities engaged in agricultural research. This legislative change may lead to more innovative developments in the specialty crop sector, encouraging research that addresses regional agricultural challenges and enhancing food production capabilities. Moreover, this could potentially lead to improved market competitiveness for specialty crops on both a national and international level.

Summary

House Bill 3656 aims to amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 by authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture the ability to waive the matching funds requirement for grants made under the specialty crop research initiative. This change is intended to enhance the accessibility of funds for agricultural research initiatives, particularly those that focus on specialty crops, which are important for various local economies and agricultural diversity across the country.

Contention

Despite the intended benefits, there may be contention surrounding HB 3656, particularly regarding how the waiver of matching funds could affect the distribution of federal resources. Critics might argue that this approach could lead to an uneven allocation of funds, favoring larger organizations or state entities over smaller, local agricultural initiatives. The prioritization of certain crops and research areas could also become a point of debate, as stakeholders from various sectors within agriculture may have differing opinions on which crops warrant greater attention and funding.