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.
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.
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2029, and for other purposes.
To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to establish and carry out a pilot program to use blockchain technology in food safety and labeling.
To require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a consistent set of policy guidelines for Federal research agencies to address mental health and mentoring of graduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements relating to drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and for other purposes.