Sponsors (52)
The bill directs $300 million to build and operate sterile‑fly rearing facilities to prevent costly screwworm outbreaks and boost rural biosecurity and jobs, at the trade‑off of significant federal spending, localized disruption, and operational risk if implementation or site selection falls short.
Farmers and livestock producers: reduced risk of screwworm infestations protecting animals and reducing production losses and disease‑related costs.
Rural communities and agricultural workers: creation of local jobs and increased biosecurity capacity from construction and operation of modular sterile‑fly rearing facilities funded by the authorized $300 million.
Taxpayers and government overseers: USDA and Congress will publish annual public reports improving transparency about agricultural threats, response effectiveness, and program accountability.
Taxpayers: $300 million in federal spending could increase deficits or divert funds from other programs or priorities.
Farmers and state governments: concentrating sterile‑fly release in selected areas risks operational failure if site selection or implementation is poor, reducing effectiveness and wasting funds.
Rural communities and nearby farmers: temporary disruptions and local environmental concerns from facility construction and fly‑release operations (noise, traffic, perceived insect releases).
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced May 14, 2025 by Tony Gonzales · Last progress May 14, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to begin building one or more modular facilities to rear sterile New World screwworm flies and arrange for their dispersal to areas at risk of infestation. Authorizes $300,000,000 (available until expended) to carry out construction and operations, and requires USDA to report to Congress and publish annual assessments of the pest threat and program effectiveness.