H.R. 3272

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To require the designation of composting as a conservation practice and activity, and to provide grants and loan guarantees for composting facilities and programs, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · May 8, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Brownley · Committee: Committee on Agriculture

Table of contents

• H.R. 3272
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Composting as conservation practice

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the or the .

SEC. 2. Composting as conservation practice

• (a) Conservation standards and requirements
  • Section 1241(j) of the Food Security Act of 1985 () is amended— 16 U.S.C. 3841(j)
    • by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
      • (2) Composting as conservation practice and activity
        • (A) In general
          • The Secretary shall by regulation provide that composting is a conservation practice and a conservation activity for the purposes of this title.
        • (B) Composting defined
          • (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term composting means—
          • an activity (including an activity that does not require the use of a composting facility) to produce compost from organic waste that is—
          • generated on a farm; or
          • brought to a farm from a nearby community and used to produce compost on that farm; and
          • 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.
          • (ii) The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall issue regulations for determining whether a community is nearby for purposes of clause (i)(I), which shall ensure that bringing organic waste from the community to the farm to produce compost results in a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
    • by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
• (b) Conservation stewardship program
  • Section 1240I(2)(B)(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 () is amended by inserting after . 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–21(2)(B)(i)
• (c) Environmental quality incentives program
  • Section 1240A(6)(A)(ii) of the Food Security Act of 1985 () is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end. 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–1(6)(A)(ii)
• (d) Delivery of technical assistance
  • Section 1242(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 () is amended by adding at the end the following: 16 U.S.C. 3842(h)
    • (5) Development of composting practice standard
      • In addition to conducting a review under this subsection of any composting facility practice standard established before the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish a composting practice standard under the process developed under paragraph (3).