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Makes composting an official conservation practice by directing the Secretary to adopt a regulatory definition and to treat composting as an approved conservation activity. Requires the Secretary to develop a composting practice standard, review existing conservation practice standards, and coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency on rules about what counts as a "nearby" community for composting activities.
Redesignate paragraph (2) as paragraph (3) in Section 1241(j) of the Food Security Act of 1985.
Insert a new paragraph (2) titled “Composting as conservation practice and activity” that requires the Secretary, by regulation, to provide that composting is a conservation practice and a conservation activity for the purposes of this title.
Define “composting” to include an activity (including activities that do not require use of a composting facility) to produce compost from organic waste.
Define “composting” to also include the use and active management of compost on a farm, in accordance with any applicable Federal, State, or local law, to improve water retention and soil health.
Require the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to issue regulations to determine whether a community is “nearby” for purposes of bringing organic waste from the community to the farm to produce compost; those regulations must ensure such transport results in a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Inserts a new paragraph (2) into 16 U.S.C. 3841(j) that (A) requires the Secretary to provide by regulation that composting is a conservation practice and activity for purposes of the title and (B) defines 'composting' and directs consultation with the EPA Administrator to issue regulations determining whether a community is 'nearby' to ensure net GHG reductions; also redesignates existing paragraph (2) as paragraph (3).
Adds a new paragraph (5) to 16 U.S.C. 3842(h) requiring the Secretary to establish a composting practice standard and to review any composting facility practice standard established before the date of enactment under the subsection's process.
Primary affected groups include farmers, ranchers, landowners, and conservation planners who use federal conservation programs: they will gain a clear regulatory basis to include composting in conservation plans and potentially access program support tied to conservation practice lists. Composting facility operators and municipal/municipal‑solid‑waste managers may be impacted by new practice standards and by EPA‑USDA coordination on proximity rules that could affect siting, operations, and community protections. Local governments and nearby communities could see changes in how composting projects are planned and evaluated, especially where "nearby" community impacts are considered. Federal agencies (USDA and EPA) will incur administrative workload to draft regulations, create the composting practice standard, and harmonize interagency guidance. Environmental outcomes are likely positive (increased soil health, organic matter recycling, reduced landfill disposal), but specifics will depend on the content of the regulations and practice standard. The provision does not allocate funding or create explicit new program spending, so effects will be realized through existing conservation program authorities once standards are in place.
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Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Julia Brownley · Last progress May 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced in House