Sponsors (5)
Want me to put this bill in plain English?
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Makes multiple amendments to subsection (h) of 16 U.S.C. 3842: changes review frequency for conservation practice standards; updates cross-reference language to name the Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2025; adds public‑engagement requirements (public input opportunity, posting summary of comments and decisions, publishing revised standards); replaces paragraph (3) with a detailed new requirement for the Secretary to establish a streamlined, public process (with timeline) for proposing, reviewing, and adopting interim and regular conservation practice standards; adds requirements to consider innovations and technologies, allow State/local flexibility and partnership-led proposals, solicit State technical committee input, permit public submission of practices; establishes an innovative technology review priority list; and expands public information and reporting requirements including posting a report on the Department of Agriculture website and adding other information the Secretary finds appropriate.
Amends 16 U.S.C. 3841(j)(1) by altering punctuation in subparagraphs (B) and (C) and adding a new subparagraph (D) that requires a schedule for the revision of existing and establishment of new conservation practice standards under section 1242(h).
Amends subsection (a)(1) by replacing the phrase 'pay the cost of' with 'award' and by inserting additional text before the semicolon and before the final period of the paragraph.
Makes changes to how USDA handles conservation innovation grants and how conservation practice standards are proposed, adopted, and reviewed. It replaces certain grant-payment language with “award,” broadens what counts as eligible practices, requires publication of evaluation data and recommendations, and adds a required schedule for revising and creating conservation practice standards. Directs the Secretary to establish a public, streamlined process within one year for proposing, reviewing, and adopting interim and permanent conservation practice standards; to prioritize innovative technologies; to solicit and publish public input and review results; and to ensure standards are reviewed at least every five years and that related reporting is made public.
Amend Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3939aa–8), subsection (a)(1): strike the phrase "pay the cost of" and insert the word "award" in its place.
Amend Section 1240H, subsection (a)(1): insert additional text before an existing "; and" (the exact inserted text is not shown in this section chunk).
Amend Section 1240H, subsection (a)(1): insert additional text before the final period at the end of the subsection (the exact inserted text is not shown in this section chunk).
Amend Section 1240H, subsection (d)(2)(A), clause (i): strike the word "practices" and insert "practices, including both management and structural practices,".
Amend Section 1240H, subsection (d)(2)(A), clause (i): strike "and" at the end of the clause.
Primary federal implementer is the Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically agencies that manage conservation programs (e.g., NRCS). Farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who adopt conservation practices will be affected because the rulemaking and standards they use to qualify for technical assistance and program participation may change more quickly and include interim standards. Entities that develop conservation technology, delivery practices, and monitoring/evaluation tools (private companies, nonprofits, technical service providers) stand to benefit if prioritized for rapid consideration. Grant applicants and recipients for conservation innovation awards will operate under clarified award language and may face new reporting or data-sharing expectations. The public and stakeholders will gain greater transparency through required publication of evaluation data, review results, and recommendations.
Operational impacts: USDA must allocate staff time and administrative capacity to design and run the new public streamlined process, publish materials, and carry out regular reviews — administrative costs that would be absorbed within agency budgets unless Congress provides additional funding. Because the bill emphasizes interim standards and prioritizes innovation, adopters may have earlier access to new practices but also face evolving requirements as standards are updated. The changes do not themselves appropriate money, so program expansion or additional technical assistance would depend on existing budgets or future appropriations.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced May 13, 2025 by Joni Ernst · Last progress May 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in Senate