Agriculture & Food Production

Making America's Food Safer Act

Tommy Tuberville (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would expand the FDA's third-party food certification program so that accredited auditor certifications can be used for more purposes, including deciding which foods and facilities qualify for import programs and informing inspection priorities, and it would let the FDA share unredacted food safety information, such as outbreak data, inspection results, recall distribution lists, and consumer complaints, with State, local, Tribal, and territorial health authorities. It would also allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to order the destruction of refused food imports that pose a significant public health concern, taking away the option to export them, with the owner or consignee responsible for the destruction costs after notice and a chance to be heard. This bill expands voluntary third-party food safety audits for food manufacturers and processors, but requires owners and consignees of refused imported goods that pose health risks to pay for their destruction, raising costs and increasing inspection scrutiny.

Where it stands

The Senate passed S. 4974 with an amendment by unanimous consent on September 28, 2026, and on October 5, 2026 the bill was held at the desk, so it is now pending in the House. No House committee referral, calendar listing, or floor scheduling has occurred, and the House must pass identical text for the bill to advance.

Bycatch Reduction Act

Dan Sullivan (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require trawl vessels in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries to meet new gear performance standards, install seafloor contact detection systems and modified bottom-trawl components, equip pelagic trawl nets with tested salmon excluder devices, and face penalties under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for noncompliance, with deadlines running one to two years after enactment. It would also reconstitute an Alaska salmon research task force, fund salmon tagging and genetic research, streamline electronic monitoring and experimental fishing permits, add Council transparency measures like recorded votes and published meeting recordings, authorize $10 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the bycatch reduction engineering program, and create a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund to help fishermen buy or modify cleaner fishing gear. This bill requires Alaska trawl fishing vessels to install salmon excluder devices, seafloor contact detection systems, and modified trawl gear with penalties for noncompliance, while offering federal funds and streamlined permits to help owners buy cleaner gear.

Where it stands

S4938, the Bycatch Reduction Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 24, 2026. At a markup on September 16, 2026, the committee ordered the bill to be reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, completing the committee stage; no written report or calendar placement appears on the record yet.

Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Glenn Thompson (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill authorizes funding for agricultural conservation, rural broadband, forestry, and nutrition programs while modifying regulations for trade, animal welfare, and land management. It establishes new grant frameworks for specialty crops, aquaculture, and renewable energy while extending existing farm and rural development authorities through 2031. This bill funds conservation payments, expanded farm loans, crop insurance aid, and grants for specialty crops, dairy processors, and meat facilities serving farmers, ranches, and food producers, while adding dairy reporting duties and fees for forest botanical harvesters.

Where it stands

The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on April 30, 2026, and the bill was received in the Senate on May 19, 2026. It is now pending in the Senate with no scheduled meetings listed in the current calendar data.

Federal Food Administration Act of 2025

Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would create a new Federal Food Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services to take over food safety regulation and inspection duties currently held by the Food and Drug Administration. The new agency would conduct risk-based inspections of food facilities, requiring annual checks for high-risk sites and semi-annual checks for infant formula manufacturers, while transferring existing FDA food programs and staff to the new entity. This bill moves food safety oversight to a new Federal Food Administration, requiring food processors and infant formula makers to face mandatory annual or twice-yearly inspections and compliance costs, while its fair-trade mission could aid market access.

Where it stands

HR 6567 is referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as of December 10, 2025. No markup or hearing is scheduled, and the bill remains in committee where the chair controls whether action occurs.

Tariff Relief for American Development and Employment Act of 2026

John James (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a Tariff Impact Relief Program and a TRADE Fund, financed from net new tariff revenue, that gives refundable credits, low-interest working-capital loans, investment credits, and emergency bridge financing to United States manufacturers, farmers, processors, and suppliers that document material economic injury from tariffs or foreign retaliation. Recipients would have to keep the aided production and employment in the United States and repay the money if they move work abroad, at least 35 percent of yearly aid would go to small and medium-sized firms with a 30-day decision target for urgent working-capital applications, stock buybacks and executive pay raises would be banned uses, and the program would sunset after five years unless Congress renews it. This bill gives US farms, ranches, and food and beverage processors that can document tariff or retaliation injury refundable credits, low-interest loans, and investment aid, with extra priority for small and medium-sized firms.

Where it stands

HR 10759 was referred on October 6, 2026 to the House Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, with the periods for each committee to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill is at the earliest committee stage, and no hearing or markup is on the calendar for either panel.

RAISE Act of 2026

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a federal program, run by the Agriculture Secretary, that pays farmers who grow high value crops, including citrus, for revenue losses or losses of crop quality or production caused by disasters such as hurricanes, freezes, droughts, wildfires, floods, and storms. The payments could be delivered directly or through block grants to states and territories. This bill creates a federal disaster payment program for growers of high value crops such as citrus, covering crop revenue, quality, and production losses from hurricanes, freezes, droughts, and wildfires, with states receiving block grants to distribute the aid.

Where it stands

HR10749 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on October 5, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup yet noticed. The chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is not the only possible route.

Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act

Thomas Massie (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the Agriculture Secretary to exempt small livestock producers from federal meat inspection when they slaughter and process their own animals and sell the meat directly to consumers at farms, farm stands, farmers markets, and similar venues, as long as they stay under annual limits of 25 cattle, 60 swine, or 250 sheep or goats and sell only within the state. To keep the exemption, producers would have to label the meat with an exemption notice and their name and address, ensure it is not adulterated or misbranded, and follow any food safety rules the Secretary sets, and states could still keep looser rules of their own. This bill exempts small cattle, hog, sheep, and goat farmers who slaughter 25 or fewer cattle or 60 or fewer swine and sell meat directly to consumers from federal meat inspection requirements, while larger inspected processors face new competition.

Where it stands

HR10744, the Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on October 5, 2026. It now awaits committee action, which depends on whether the chair notices a hearing or a markup, though committee action is not the only route since leadership, suspension, a special rule, or discharge could provide another path.

To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require certain types of cattle to be included in a livestock pilot program, and for other purposes.

Gabe Evans (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would expand a federal livestock crop insurance pilot program so that, beginning with the 2027 crop year, it also covers bred cattle, replacement heifers, and cull cattle, in addition to the cattle already covered. This bill expands the federal livestock insurance pilot program so that, starting in 2027, cattle ranchers and farmers can also buy coverage for bred cattle, replacement heifers, and cull cattle they currently cannot insure.

Where it stands

HR 10735 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on October 5, 2026. It now sits at the earliest stage of the committee process, where the committee chair alone decides whether the bill ever gets a hearing or a markup.

Agricultural Act of 2026

This is an omnibus proposal impacting several different industries, including Agriculture & Food Production.

John Boozman (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal, the Agricultural Act of 2026, would be a sweeping farm bill that extends and rewrites federal agriculture, conservation, nutrition, rural development, forestry, trade, research, and crop insurance programs through 2031 while adding new support such as larger commodity base acres and disaster payments, higher farm loan and conservation payment limits, grants for meat and poultry processing, rural broadband and water funding, and expanded aid for specialty crop and organic producers. It would also allow year-round sales of gasoline containing up to 15 percent ethanol, end small refinery renewable fuel exemption petitions after 2027, reinstate country of origin labeling for beef, let stores and restaurants sell state-inspected meat and poultry online nationwide, and strengthen whistleblower protections and mandatory training in commodities markets. This bill extends farm programs through 2031, giving farmers and ranchers higher loan limits, expanded disaster and specialty crop payments, larger conservation assistance, and rural broadband funding, while dairy manufacturers face new reporting duties and meat processors gain small-packer exemptions.

Where it stands

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry approved S5526 as an original measure at its markup on September 24, 2026, and the bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders the same day, as Calendar No. 683. It was reported without a written report, which is normal in the Senate, so it now sits on the Calendar of Business awaiting floor consideration.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027

This is an omnibus proposal impacting several different industries, including Agriculture & Food Production.

Andy Harris (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would fund federal agriculture, food, and rural programs for fiscal year 2027, including farm production and conservation work, rural water, electricity, telecom, and broadband loans, large nutrition programs like SNAP, school meals, and WIC, and the Food and Drug Administration and commodity futures regulator. It would also cancel some unspent funds, add small amounts for items like meat processing and farmers markets, and attach restrictions such as barring purchases of Chinese poultry and blocking enforcement of certain rules. This bill funds farm loans, crop insurance payments, and dairy indemnity payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers, gives rural business grants, delays food traceability enforcement, preempts state animal food labeling rules, but charges meat and poultry processors for off-shift inspections.

Where it stands

The House passed this appropriations bill on June 4, 2026, by a 213 to 210 roll call vote, and the Senate received it on June 8, 2026. It is now pending in the Senate, which must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

Ecuador Shrimp Tariff Act

Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would phase in new tariffs on shrimp imports from Ecuador, rising from 10 percent in 2027 to 20 percent in 2028 and 40 percent in 2029, and would also add a 10-cents-per-kilogram duty on shrimp imports from all countries, with the money from that extra duty used to pay for inspections of imported shrimp and catfish. It would also strip cooked shrimp and crawfish, whether whole or in sections, of their status as processed food items so that they become subject to country-of-origin labeling rules, and would direct the US Trade Representative to modify the country's trade concession schedule to make room for the higher Ecuador tariffs. This bill helps US shrimp and catfish farmers and seafood processors by raising tariffs on Ecuadorian shrimp, funding import inspections, and covering cooked shrimp and crawfish under country-of-origin labeling.

Where it stands

On September 30, 2026 the bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It now sits at the committee stage, where the chair decides whether to schedule a markup.

CARE Act of 2026

Ben Ray Luján (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would tighten federal child labor rules for farm work by raising the minimum ages for agricultural employment, ending the waiver provision for child hand-harvest laborers, and requiring the Labor Department to ban anyone under 18 from working as a pesticide handler within 30 days of enactment. It would also raise civil fines for child labor violations to between $500 and $15,000 per affected employee, allow fines of $15,000 to $60,115 per violation causing the serious injury, illness, or death of a worker under 18, with doubling for repeated or willful violations, add prison terms of up to 5 years for repeated or willful violations causing such death or serious harm, and require farm employers to report any serious injury, illness, or death of an agricultural worker under 18 within 5 days, with fines of $500 to $7,000 for failing to report. This bill raises costs and legal risks for farms employing workers under 18 by ending hazardous work and young hand harvest exemptions, banning minors from pesticide handling, requiring injury reports within 5 days, and imposing fines up to $60,115 and prison terms, while preserving the parental farm exemption.

Where it stands

The CARE Act of 2026 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on September 30, 2026. It now sits with that committee, which is the stage where most bills in this chamber stall, and no hearing or markup is scheduled in the available calendar data.

Pesticide Data Transparency Act

Nancy Mace (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would remove a current legal shield that stops federal agencies from releasing pesticide data that could reveal the identity and location of individual farms, allowing such producer-identifying data to be made public. It would also require the Environmental Protection Agency, within 180 days of enactment, to report to Congress on what records were previously barred from release and how it plans to publish them, and would bar the agency from issuing any rule or guidance that could prevent or significantly delay that disclosure. This bill strips federal confidentiality protection from pesticide-use records, so crop producers' identities, locations, and pesticide practices tied to their farms can be publicly released, exposing them to scrutiny from rivals, customers, and neighbors.

Where it stands

HR10629, the Pesticide Data Transparency Act, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 28, 2026 and sits at the earliest committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled. The Agriculture chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is not the only possible route to the floor.

LABEL Act

Tim Moore (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would add new display rules for fish labels under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, requiring that country of origin and whether fish is farm-raised or wild be shown together in a conspicuous spot, in type no smaller than the farm-raised or wild designation itself, and on the front of the package when fish is sold in a consumer package. These rules would take effect one year after the bill is signed into law. This bill requires fish farms, wild fish harvesters, and seafood processors and packagers to put conspicuous country-of-origin and farm-raised or wild labels on the front of consumer packages, which could shift shoppers toward American product.

Where it stands

HR10580 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 24, 2026, and that is its only recorded action. The bill sits at the committee stage, where the chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, and no calendar placement or upcoming meetings appear in the record.

Agricultural Data Privacy Act of 2026

Pete Ricketts (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would give agricultural producers legal ownership and control of the data generated on their farms, livestock, land, and equipment, and would bar companies that collect or process that farm data from selling it to third parties without the producer's express written consent obtained through a separate, clear disclosure. It would also require every new contract involving farm data to state that no-sale-without-consent rule, require companies holding farm data to maintain reasonable security practices, and let the Attorney General sue violators for a $1,000 civil penalty per violation as the only enforcement route, with notice and a 45-day cure window required before penalty suits over contract disclosures and security practices but not over unauthorized sales. This bill makes farms and ranches the legal owners of their farm data with a written-consent right over any sale of it, while requiring equipment makers and data platforms holding that data to maintain security and face penalties.

Where it stands

S. 5459 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on September 23, 2026. The bill is at the committee stage, the first and most common choke point in the Senate, and no hearing or markup appears on the committee's calendar.

BEEF Act

Gabe Vasquez (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would void a 2026 presidential proclamation that expanded foreign beef import quotas and would bar any future presidential action that increases beef imports unless Congress approves it with a specific law within 30 days. It would also create a 12-member Beef Import and Domestic Supply Advisory Board at the Department of Agriculture, chaired by the Secretary, to develop a strategy for rebuilding the cattle herd, increasing domestic beef production, cutting red tape for ranchers, and keeping beef affordable, with the board ending four years after enactment. This bill helps domestic cattle ranchers, feeders, and beef processors by blocking expanded foreign beef import quotas, creating an Agriculture Department advisory board to rebuild the cattle herd, cut rancher red tape, and expand domestic processing capacity.

Where it stands

The BEEF Act (HR 10509) was referred on September 17, 2026 to the House Committee on Ways and Means and in addition to the House Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of provisions within each committee's jurisdiction, with the referral period to be determined by the Speaker. The bill is at the earliest committee stage, with no hearings or markups scheduled in our calendar data and nothing further noticed.

Packers and Stockyards Improvements Act

Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would expand the Agriculture Department's enforcement powers under the Packers and Stockyards Act by letting its investigators issue civil investigative demands for documents, items, written answers, and sworn testimony, adding live poultry dealers to the companies covered by that enforcement authority, and requiring the Department to share livestock market data with its own enforcers and with Commodity Futures Trading Commission staff for monitoring violations. It would also label a list of conduct unfair practices, including using poultry grower rankings to cut pay, unreasonably variable contract prices, requiring livestock producers to deal almost exclusively with one packer, failing to pay for pickup delays beyond seven days, terminating poultry or swine growing contracts without repaying growers' requested investments, and failing to compensate producers after a processing plant closure, and it would protect employees, contractors, subcontractors, and agents who report violations, with possible punitive damages up to $400,000. This bill hits meat and poultry businesses directly: packers, live poultry dealers, and swine contractors face USDA investigations and new bans on ranking-based pay cuts and unfair contract terminations, while poultry, swine, and livestock growers gain compensation and whistleblower protections.

Where it stands

HR10506, the Packers and Stockyards Improvements Act, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 17, 2026. The bill now sits at the starting point of the ordinary House route, where the committee chair decides whether it ever receives a hearing or a markup.

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to consider certain acreage not planted due to a lack of irrigation water to be eligible for prevented planting payments, and for other purposes.

Jeff Hurd (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to treat farmland left unplanted because of a reasonably expected shortage of irrigation water as eligible for prevented planting payments under federal crop programs, as long as the irrigation infrastructure is functional, the acres were irrigated in at least one of the previous four crop years and planted to the same crop in at least one of those years, and the land cannot support dryland farming of that crop. Payments for such acreage would be cut by 50 percent for the fifth through eighth consecutive years, 75 percent for the ninth and tenth, and 100 percent for the eleventh consecutive year and each year after, with acreage at that point permanently ineligible, and the bill would also direct rule changes to count drought at the water source itself as a qualifying lack of water. This bill lets the Secretary of Agriculture treat irrigated farmland left unplanted for lack of irrigation water as eligible for prevented planting payments, while reducing and eventually eliminating payments on acreage left unplanted for eleven or more consecutive crop years.

Where it stands

HR10411 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 16, 2026, and no hearing or markup appears on the calendar. The next committee step depends on the Agriculture chair noticing a hearing or a markup, though leadership routes that bypass the committee remain possible.

American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026

Seth Magaziner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would expand US Department of Agriculture direct and guaranteed farm loans to cover commercial fishing and fish processing businesses, letting borrowers borrow to buy fishing permits and vessels, make vessel improvements, and acquire or improve fish processing facilities and their operations. It would also make wild-caught fish eligible for local food marketing grants with an option for the Agriculture Secretary to waive or reduce matching fund requirements for fishing and seafood businesses, and would open Farm Credit System lending to businesses that provide services to producers or harvesters of aquatic products. This bill redefines farmers and ranchers to include commercial fishing and fish processing businesses, giving them USDA farm loans for vessels, permits, and facilities plus eligibility for local food marketing grants, while adding them to loan and grant competition.

Where it stands

HR10342 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 10, 2026, the standard first step for a House bill. It now sits at committee stage, and the honest default is that most House measures die quietly in committee unless the chair notices further action.

Dietary Supplement Innovation Act

Diana Harshbarger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would rewrite the rule barring approved drugs and investigational drug ingredients from foods and dietary supplements, adding exceptions such as for ingredients marketed as food before October 15, 1994 and for drugs whose Phase 2 or Phase 3 trials have been inactive or withdrawn for at least seven years or whose sponsor has publicly announced stopping development. It would also let food and supplement makers immediately challenge FDA warning letters or statements alleging a product illegally contains a drug ingredient, with the government bearing the burden of proving a violation. This bill lets food and supplement makers use drug ingredients once trials sit inactive for seven years or sponsors quit development, while keeping their products barred from added drugs outside those exceptions and giving them fast court challenges to FDA warning letters.

Where it stands

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup appearing in our calendar data.

Fairness for Farm Workers Act

Adelita S. Grijalva (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would end the overtime exemption for agricultural workers under federal labor law, requiring farm employers to pay time-and-a-half after 55 hours a week starting in 2027, stepping down to 40 hours by 2030, with each step delayed three years for employers with 25 or fewer employees. It would also strip away most federal minimum-wage and overtime exemptions for farm work, keeping only the carve-outs for immediate family members of the employer and for small farms using 500 or fewer man-days of agricultural labor per quarter. This bill requires farms, ranches, dairies, and other agricultural employers to pay farmworkers time-and-a-half after 55 hours weekly, phasing down to 40 hours by 2030, while ending most minimum-wage and overtime exemptions except for immediate family members and very small farms.

Where it stands

HR10273 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on September 3, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no committee meetings scheduled in our calendar data. Its Senate companion S5304 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on August 6, 2026 and likewise has not moved beyond referral.

Protecting American Beef Producers Act

Shomari Figures (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would nullify Presidential proclamation 11059, titled Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer, giving it no force or effect and barring any federal funds from being spent to carry it out. It would also bar the President or any other official from waiving, suspending, or reducing any tariff, duty, or fee on beef or beef products imported into the United States unless Congress enacts that reduction into law or declares an emergency affecting the domestic beef supply. This bill keeps tariffs on imported beef in place unless Congress acts, helping ranchers and domestic beef processors face less foreign price competition while raising costs for beef importers and the processors who use imported beef.

Where it stands

The bill was referred on September 2, 2026 to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Agriculture, a multiple referral in which each panel considers the provisions falling within its jurisdiction, with the period for each referral to be determined by the Speaker. No hearing, markup, or calendar placement appears in the record, so it is at the beginning of the committee stage in both panels.

Not In My Barn Yard Act

Glenn Thompson (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill prohibits the federal government from using eminent domain to seize agricultural land when a feasible alternative for the public use exists. It defines agricultural land as property used for farming, ranching, forestry, or timber production within the past five years, excluding small plots with low annual sales. This bill protects farms, ranches, and timber operations by barring the federal government from using eminent domain to seize their land whenever a feasible alternative site for the public project exists.

Where it stands

The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on August 20, 2026 and remains at that stage with no scheduled meetings. The committee chair controls whether to schedule a markup or take no further action.

Fairness for Farm Workers Act

Alex Padilla (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill gradually extends overtime pay protections to agricultural workers by lowering the weekly hour threshold for time-and-a-half wages from 55 to 40 hours between 2027 and 2030. It also removes broad exemptions for agricultural labor, requiring most farms to comply with federal minimum wage and overtime rules while retaining a small exemption for very small operations that use fewer than 500 man-days of labor. This bill requires farms, ranches, and agricultural employers to pay agricultural workers time-and-a-half overtime as the weekly threshold drops from 55 to 40 hours by 2030, removing prior exemptions except for very small operations using fewer than 500 man-days.

Where it stands

The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on August 6, 2026, and currently awaits committee action.

EGG SAVE Act of 2026

Todd Young (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would establish a tax credit for commercial egg hatcheries that purchase and install in-ovo sex identification equipment, offering a 50 percent credit in 2027, 40 percent in 2028, and 30 percent in 2029. This credit applies only to equipment placed in service by the end of 2029 that uses technology to determine the sex of avian embryos with at least 95 percent accuracy. This bill gives commercial egg hatcheries a tax credit covering 50, 40, or 30 percent of the cost of buying and installing in-ovo equipment that identifies the sex of avian embryos with at least 95 percent accuracy, depending on the year placed in service through 2029.

Where it stands

S5346 is pending in the Senate Committee on Finance following its referral on August 6, 2026. No hearings or markups are currently scheduled for the measure in the available calendar data.

Voice for Farm Workers Act

Alex Padilla (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would extend the existence of the Department of Agriculture's Farmworker Coordinator position through 2031, whose current authorization was set to lapse in 2023. It would also expand the Coordinator's job to include assessing how well Department outreach programs serve farmworkers, coordinating outreach across Department agencies, giving input on farmworker policy decisions, telling farmworker employers about federal programs their employees may qualify for, and hiring staff to do this work. This bill keeps the USDA Farmworker Coordinator running until 2031 and requires it to tell farm and ranch employers about federal programs their farmworkers can use, helping agricultural employers connect employees with services.

Where it stands

S5301 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on August 6, 2026. It now sits in committee, where most Senate bills stall, and no committee meetings are scheduled in the available calendar data.

COWS Act of 2026

Alex Padilla (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill authorizes federal payments covering up to 100 percent of costs for farmers to adopt alternative manure management practices and on-farm composting through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize small, medium-sized, and socially disadvantaged livestock operations when awarding these contracts and to develop new technical standards for composting. This bill pays up to 100 percent of the costs for livestock and dairy farms to adopt alternative manure management and composting practices, prioritizing small, medium-sized, and socially disadvantaged operations when awarding the contracts.

Where it stands

S5309 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on August 6, 2026 and is currently pending in that committee.

RANCH Act

Mike Rounds (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill establishes a voluntary ranchland program that pays farmers and ranchers to convert eligible cropland to perennial grass for grazing through 10 to 15 year contracts. Participants receive annual rental payments, cost-sharing for grass establishment, and additional incentives for using native seeds or for being beginning farmers. This bill lets farmers and ranchers enroll cropland in 10 to 15 year contracts that pay annual rental rates, cover half the cost of planting perennial grass, and give bonus payments for native seed mixes and beginning farmers.

Where it stands

The RANCH Act was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on August 6, 2026. The bill is currently in the initial committee consideration stage with no scheduled meetings.

Tick-Borne Livestock Disease Research Prioritization Act

Eric Schmitt (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would allow federal research and extension grants to be used for developing vaccines, treatments, and surveillance methods for tick-borne diseases in livestock. It would also fund education programs to help veterinarians and state agriculture departments identify and prevent these diseases. This bill funds research grants and education programs for tick-borne livestock diseases, giving cattle ranchers and livestock producers better vaccines, treatments, surveillance, and prevention guidance for their herds.

Where it stands

S5253 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on August 5, 2026. The bill currently awaits action from the committee chair, who controls the scheduling of a markup.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026

Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill establishes a Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Program within the Department of Agriculture to deploy nonlethal strategies that reduce conflicts between humans, wildlife, and livestock. It authorizes $20 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for these efforts, including research, assistance to producers, and training. This bill funds and benefits farms, ranches, and other agricultural producers by giving them assistance, training, and best practices to use nonlethal strategies that reduce livestock losses and property damage from wildlife.

Where it stands

S5234 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on August 4, 2026. The measure is currently awaiting committee consideration, with no meetings scheduled in the available calendar data.

MAWS Act of 2026

Sarah Elfreth (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a two-year pilot program that pays covered entities to purchase blue catfish caught in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. These entities must use the funds to buy fish from watermen or seafood processors and may use up to 15 percent of the money for transportation costs. This bill creates a two-year federal pilot program that pays pet food, animal feed, and seafood processors to buy Chesapeake Bay blue catfish from watermen, boosting sales for watermen and processors while requiring covered animal food makers to report on their practices.

Where it stands

The House passed the MAWS Act of 2026 on March 17, 2026, under suspension of the rules, and the bill was received in the Senate on March 18, 2026, where it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

FASTER Act of 2026

Anna Paulina Luna (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This act expands the federal definition of major food allergens to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat, requiring these grains to be labeled as such on packaged foods. It also mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services submit a report to Congress regarding Celiac disease surveillance, diagnostics, and treatment options. This bill requires food manufacturers and packagers whose products contain barley, rye, or oats to label these grains as major food allergens on all packaged foods sold in interstate commerce, raising relabeling and reformulation costs.

Where it stands

The FASTER Act of 2026 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 30, 2026. No upcoming meetings are currently listed in the calendar data for this bill.

Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026

Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would require food manufacturers to add front-of-package warning labels for high levels of added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat, and mandate new disclosures for artificial dyes, flavors, and specific ingredients like phosphorus and caffeine. It also establishes strict rules for online food sales and imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for failing to submit required label information to a new public database. This bill requires food and beverage manufacturers and importers to add front-of-package warning labels for sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and artificial dyes, disclose phosphorus and caffeine, submit label information to a new FDA database, and pay civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for failing to comply.

Where it stands

S5166 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on July 29, 2026. The measure is currently in committee with no scheduled meetings, while its House companion HR8385 remains referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act

Andrew Ogles (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress within 180 days identifying barriers that certified organic farms and transitioning farms face when participating in Department of Agriculture programs. The measure also mandates annual updates for three years detailing progress on removing these barriers and any recommended administrative or statutory changes. This bill requires USDA to report on barriers keeping certified organic and transitioning organic farms out of USDA programs, which could lead to changes giving these operations better access to credit, conservation, and disaster assistance.

Where it stands

HR 9968 is in the House Committee on Agriculture, having been referred on July 27, 2026. The committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup is scheduled, as these steps are not automatic.

Safe Baby Formula Act of 2026

Tom Barrett (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish evidence-based action levels for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in infant formula within 90 days of enactment. It also mandates a study on how these metals affect infant health to be completed within one year. This bill requires infant formula manufacturers and importers to meet new federal action levels for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, forcing producers to reformulate or discard nonconforming stock while rewarding those already meeting the thresholds.

Where it stands

HR9949 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 27, 2026, placing the measure at the initial committee stage where the chair determines whether to notice a markup.

Bycatch Reduction Act

Nicholas J. Begich III (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill mandates that specific trawl fishing vessels in the North Pacific install seafloor contact detection systems and salmon excluders to reduce bycatch and habitat damage, while prohibiting seafood imports from foreign fisheries that do not meet comparable conservation standards. This bill requires North Pacific trawl fishing vessels to install seafloor contact detection systems, modified gear, and salmon excluders to cut bycatch, while offering grants and streamlined permits to help fishermen pay for and test these changes.

Where it stands

HR9953 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 27, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the calendar data.

South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026

Austin Scott (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

It prohibits the commercial harvest or trade of South Atlantic red snapper from federal waters during any period when recreational fishing for the species is closed. The Secretary of Commerce is required to issue implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment, with violations subject to penalties under existing federal fishery laws. This bill makes it unlawful for commercial fishing operations and seafood businesses to harvest or sell South Atlantic red snapper from federal waters during recreational closures, cutting their harvest volume and sales during those periods.

Where it stands

HR9933 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 23, 2026 and awaits committee action with no upcoming meetings scheduled. The committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup is noticed, though leadership retains bypass options such as suspension or special rules.

Farmers Lifeline to Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act

Jimmy Panetta (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill adds the emergency watershed protection measures from the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to the list of programs eligible for funding under the regional conservation partnership program. This inclusion allows these specific emergency measures to be financed through existing regional conservation partnerships. This bill lets farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers use regional conservation partnership funding to pay for emergency watershed protection measures after disasters like floods.

Where it stands

HR 9927 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on July 23, 2026. The bill is currently in committee, where the chair controls whether a hearing or markup is noticed.

Fair Seeds for Farmers Act

Elizabeth Warren (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill prohibits federal intellectual property protection for plants, plant varieties, and germplasm except under the Plant Variety Protection Act and the Plant Patent Act. It also renders unenforceable any contracts that restrict the use of these biological materials for research, breeding, experimentation, seed saving, or propagation. This bill lets farmers and growers save seeds and use plants for breeding, research, and propagation by making seed-restricting contracts unenforceable and ending utility patents on plants.

Where it stands

S5104 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on July 23, 2026. The bill remains in committee with no upcoming meetings scheduled in the calendar data.

Farmers Lifeline Options for Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act

Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill adds emergency watershed protection measures to the list of programs eligible for funding under the regional conservation partnership program. It expands the scope of agricultural conservation funding by including these specific emergency watershed projects as covered activities. This bill lets farms and ranches use emergency watershed protection repairs, such as fixing flood damage to their land, as projects eligible for funding through the regional conservation partnership program.

Where it stands

S5115 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on July 23, 2026. The measure is currently in the committee stage with no upcoming meetings scheduled in the available calendar data.

SUNRAY for Energy Act

Eric Sorensen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require the Agriculture Department to run a study and a national network of research and demonstration sites on agrivoltaics, which combine solar panels with crop or livestock production on the same land, and to issue best-practices guidance for protecting soil health when solar projects are built on farmland. It would authorize $15,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this work, with a report to Congress due within 3 years. This bill funds federal research on pairing solar panels with crops and livestock on the same land, and its study of federal buying of farm products could open new markets for farms with agrivoltaic systems.

Where it stands

The SUNRAY for Energy Act was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 24, 2026 and now sits at the earliest committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled in available calendar data.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act

Christopher Murphy (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a federal program that cancels the remaining principal and interest on certain federal student loans for borrowers who work full time as employees or managers of a qualified farm or ranch, make 120 qualifying monthly payments, and fall into groups such as beginning farmers and ranchers, veterans, socially disadvantaged farmers, or people from groups underrepresented in agriculture. Borrowers who stop working at a qualified farm or ranch for more than 7 cumulative years, or more than 3 years if they were 40 or older when they entered the program, would be removed from the program with only limited exceptions for military service, and the Education Department would have 180 days after enactment to write rules for verifying farm and ranch employment. This bill would forgive student loans for people working full-time or part-time as employees or managers of a qualified farm or ranch, helping farms and ranches attract and keep workers, with federal rules for verifying that work.

Where it stands

S5388 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on September 14, 2026, so it sits at the committee stage, where most Senate bills stop. No calendar placement appears in the record.

ROMA Act

David G. Valadao (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would direct the Agriculture Secretary, through the Agricultural Research Service, to set up and maintain a database of isotopic signatures that identify where processing tomatoes were grown, collect scientific samples from home and abroad, and run or fund research on better isotopic testing methods. It would also require the Secretary to share database information with requesters, coordinate with Customs and Border Protection to support import inspections of tomato products, and report to Congress on the results within two years. This bill would have the Agriculture Department build a database of isotopic signatures identifying where processing tomatoes were grown and share it with customs officials, helping detect mislabeled imported tomato paste and protecting domestic tomato growers and processors.

Where it stands

HR10324, the ROMA Act, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 8, 2026 and is at the start of the committee stage, with no hearings or markups yet noticed in the available calendar data. The next committee step would be a noticed hearing or markup, which the Agriculture chair decides whether to schedule, while House leadership routes such as suspension, a special rule, or discharge remain available regardless of committee action.

Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act

Alex Padilla (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill establishes a new Office of the Farm and Food System Workforce within the Department of Agriculture to improve program access and communication for agricultural and food processing workers. It also creates an advisory committee and an interagency council to coordinate federal efforts on worker safety, health, and economic opportunities while terminating the previous Farmworker Coordinator position. This bill directs the new Department of Agriculture farm and food system workforce office to tell farms, ranches, forestry, fishing, and food processing employers about federal programs their employees may be eligible for, while coordinating worker safety and health policy.

Where it stands

S5303 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on August 6, 2026, placing it in the standard committee consideration stage. The related measure S2703 remains inactive, having been referred to the same committee in 2023 without further action.

Colonel Gary LaGrange AgVets Act of 2026

Jerry Moran (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program awarding competitive grants to eligible entities to establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for veterans. It authorizes $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and requires recipients to provide non-federal matching funds equal to the grant amount. This bill funds grants to colleges, extension services, and nonprofits that train veterans for farming and ranching, giving farms and ranches a pipeline of new veteran operators, with recipients matching the federal money.

Where it stands

S5218 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on August 3, 2026, and currently awaits committee action such as a hearing or markup.

Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act

John Fetterman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would designate research and development for controlling the spotted lanternfly as a high-priority initiative eligible for federal grants. It also would extend the authorization period for these high-priority research and extension initiatives through the year 2028. This bill funds research grants to develop tools and treatments against the spotted lanternfly, giving farmers, growers, and crop producers in agriculture access to better pest control that can reduce crop losses and management costs through 2028.

Where it stands

S5200 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on July 30, 2026. No meetings are currently scheduled for this measure.

Defend American Agriculture Act

Clay Higgins (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill increases the aggregate spending limit for the Commodity Credit Corporation to $45 billion for the period through September 30, 2031. It restores the previous $30 billion cap for any time after that date. This bill raises the Commodity Credit Corporation spending limit to $45 billion through September 30, 2031, giving farms and agricultural businesses more access to federal support and financial assistance programs.

Where it stands

HR9781 is currently referred to the House Committee on Agriculture following the action on July 20, 2026, where the committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup is scheduled.

Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act

Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to publish a report and annual updates identifying barriers that certified organic farms and transitioning farms face when applying for federal programs. The Secretary must also describe administrative actions and statutory recommendations intended to remove these barriers. This bill directs the Agriculture Department to report each year on the barriers that certified organic and transitioning crop and livestock farms face when using federal farm programs, potentially leading to changes that improve their access.

Where it stands

S4951 is before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry following its referral on July 13, 2026. The companion HR9968 is in the House Committee on Agriculture as of July 27, 2026.

Home Market Restoration Act of 2026

Bill Cassidy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This act would impose tariff-rate quotas and increase duty rates on imports of shrimp, honey, crawfish, rice, catfish, sheep and goat meat, and beef from specific foreign countries. The legislation would also establish a mechanism to adjust certain specific dollar-based duty rates for inflation and require the publication of these rates. This bill helps domestic shrimp, honey, crawfish, rice, catfish, sheep, goat, and beef producers by capping imports and imposing higher tariffs on shipments above the quotas, reducing foreign competition and raising prices.

Where it stands

The Home Market Restoration Act of 2026 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on July 13, 2026. This places the measure in committee consideration where it must undergo a markup to be reported to the floor.

USDA Field Office Stability Act

Sharice Davids (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would bar the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating county and field offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, Rural Development areas, or county service centers, except for offices within 20 miles of another such office in the same state or routine moves within the same county. It would also require the Secretary to keep staffing levels high enough that local service centers stay open and accessible to the public during standard business hours. This bill guarantees that local USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices stay open and staffed, so farms, ranches, growers, and foresters keep in-person access to farm programs and conservation services.

Where it stands

HR9346, the USDA Field Office Stability Act, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on June 18, 2026. It is at the earliest committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled, and it awaits the committee chair's decision on whether the bill receives any attention at all.

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a memoranda of understanding with CFIUS with respect to reports under AFIDA and to update the AFIDA handbook.

Don Bacon (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to set up formal information-sharing agreements with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States within one year, passing along all reports filed about foreign ownership of US agricultural land, including who the foreign owners are. It would also require an update of the Farm Service Agency's foreign investment disclosure handbook within two years to incorporate recommendations from a 2024 government watchdog report, with further updates every ten years after that. This bill requires USDA to share reports on foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land with the national security review committee, subjecting foreign buyers of farms and ranches to greater scrutiny while imposing recordkeeping updates on landowners.

Where it stands

HR8722 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on May 11, 2026 and has had no further action since, leaving the bill at committee stage with no upcoming meetings scheduled.

Precision Agriculture Workforce Training and Development Act

Mike Flood (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill authorizes research and extension grants to develop precision agriculture workforce training programs in partnership with public or private entities. It also allows the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative to award grants to institutions running cooperative education programs to improve precision agriculture workforce training. This bill funds university grants to train students in precision agriculture, giving farms and food producers a larger pool of workers skilled in technology-based farming methods.

Where it stands

The bill is referred to the House Committee on Agriculture as of April 27, 2026, with no meetings currently scheduled. The committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup is noticed, and the measure faces quiet death in this committee if leadership does not intervene.