Research for Healthy Soils Act

Hozzl · 2023-12-15T15:58:59Z

Explore the details of House Bill 3871 Research for Healthy Soils Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Agriculture and Food. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/15/2023, 3:58 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3871

The Research for Healthy Soils Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 3871, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to promote research and innovation in the field of soil health.

The bill aims to establish a competitive grant program within the Department of Agriculture to fund research projects focused on improving soil health. This research will focus on developing sustainable agricultural practices that promote healthy soils, increase crop yields, and reduce the need for chemical inputs.

Additionally, the Research for Healthy Soils Act seeks to establish a Soil Health and Climate Research Program to study the impact of soil health on climate change mitigation and adaptation. This program will fund research projects that explore the relationship between soil health and carbon sequestration, water retention, and overall ecosystem resilience. Overall, the Research for Healthy Soils Act is designed to support scientific research that will help farmers and land managers improve soil health, increase agricultural productivity, and mitigate the effects of climate change. By investing in soil health research, this bill aims to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system for future generations.

Congressional Summary of HR 3871

Research for Healthy Soils Act

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., 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

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.

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Current Status of Bill HR 3871

Bill HR 3871 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 6, 2023. Bill HR 3871 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on June 6, 2023. Bill HR 3871's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. as of July 28, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3871

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3871

Primary Policy Focus

Agriculture and Food

Potential Impact Areas

- Agricultural conservation and pollution

- Agricultural research

- Farmland

- Research administration and funding

- Soil pollution

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3871

Research for Healthy Soils Act

To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include as a high-priority research and extension area research on microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland.