119-hr1904

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1904 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 1904

 To amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
 Policy Act of 1977 to establish the Climate Scientific Research 
 Advisory Committee and the Rural Climate Alliance Network, and for 
 other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 6, 2025

 Ms. Brownley (for herself and Ms. Stansbury) introduced the following 
 bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
 Policy Act of 1977 to establish the Climate Scientific Research 
 Advisory Committee and the Rural Climate Alliance Network, and for 
 other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Coordination of 
Agriculture Research and Data Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

 The purposes of this Act are--

    (1) to strategically align agriculture climate research and 
 data systems;

    (2) to strengthen technical assistance and technology 
 transfer; and

    (3) to establish a national agriculture climate research 
 agenda to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

SEC. 3. AGRICULTURE CLIMATE RESEARCH COORDINATION AND DATA.

    (a) Agriculture Climate Scientific Research Advisory Committee.--
Subtitle B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 1413C. AGRICULTURE CLIMATE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ADVISORY 
 COMMITTEE.

 ``

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
Office of the Chief Scientist an advisory committee, to be known as the 
`Agriculture Climate Scientific Research Advisory Committee' (referred 
to in this section as the `Committee').
 ``

    (b) Duties.--The Committee shall--
 ``

    (1) review, and make recommendations and provide 
 consultation to the Secretary regarding, the long-term and 
 short-term national policies and priorities of the Department 
 of Agriculture for--
 ``
        (A) data collection for climate-specific 
 agricultural research, extension, education, and 
 economics; and
 ``
        (B) agricultural climate research priority areas 
 and scientific agendas for measuring, monitoring, 
 reporting, and verification of climate and 
 environmental outcomes that include--
 ``
            (i) carbon removal, carbon sequestration, 
 and greenhouse gas emission related to 
 agriculture;
 ``
            (ii) soil health;
 ``
            (iii) livestock methane production;
 ``
            (iv) wetland management; and
 ``
            (v) climate smart agriculture practices;
 ``

    (2) identify gaps in current agriculture climate research 
 and develop a biennial national research agenda and annual 
 scientific recommendations to address areas of critical need 
 for publicly funded agriculture climate research;
 ``

    (3)
        (A) every 5 years, evaluate the results and 
 effectiveness of climate-specific agricultural research, 
 extension, education, and economics with respect to the 
 policies and priorities described in paragraph

    (1) ; and
 ``
        (B) make recommendations to the Secretary based on such 
 evaluation;
 ``

    (4) review and make programmatic and priority research 
 recommendations to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, 
 and Economics on the climate-specific agricultural research, 
 extension, education, and economics described in paragraph

    (3)
        (A) ;
 ``

    (5) review and make recommendations on the mechanisms of 
 the Department of Agriculture for technology assessment, which 
 shall be conducted by qualified professionals, for the purposes 
 of--
 ``
        (A) performance measurement and evaluation of the 
 implementation by the Secretary of the strategic plan 
 of the Department of Agriculture required under 

section 306 of title 5, United States Code;
 ``
        (B) implementation of climate-specific national 
 research policies and priorities that are consistent 
 with the purposes described in 

section 1402; and
 ``
            (C) the development of mechanisms for the 
 assessment of emerging public and private climate-
 specific agricultural research and technology transfer 
 initiatives;
 ``

    (6) every 5 years, establish and update standardized data 
 collection, management, and dissemination protocols for--
 ``
        (A) agriculture climate research programs of the 
 Department of Agriculture; and
 ``
        (B) initiatives of the Rural Climate Alliance 
 Network established under 

section 1419
            (c) ;
 ``

    (7)
        (A) consult with industry groups, producer networks, 
 advocacy organizations, scientific societies, and higher 
 education associations on climate-specific agricultural 
 research, extension, education, and economics; and
 ``
        (B) make recommendations to the Secretary based on such 
 consultation;
 ``

    (8) consult with, and receive communications from, other 
 Federal departments and agencies on climate plans and 
 priorities relating to agriculture and forestry for the purpose 
 of advising the Secretary of opportunities for collaboration, 
 coordination, and avoiding duplication;
 ``

    (9)
        (A) review climate research technology transfer and 
 new scientific practices for climate mitigation and adaptation; 
 and
 ``
        (B) make recommendations to the Rural Climate Alliance 
 Network established under 

section 1419
            (c) based on such review; 
 and
 ``

    (10) review and suggest annual budget recommendations to 
 support a climate research agenda for the Secretary to propose 
 in each annual budget of the Department of Agriculture.
 ``
            (c) Membership.--
 ``

    (1) Number and appointment.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed 
 of 18 members as follows:
 ``
            (i) The Secretary.
 ``
            (ii) The Chief Scientist.
 ``
            (iii) The Director of the Global Climate 
 Change Program established under 

section 2402 
 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
 Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6701).
 ``
            (iv) The Under Secretary for Natural 
 Resources and Environment.
 ``
            (v) The Under Secretary for Farm 
 Production and Conservation.
 ``
            (vi) The Under Secretary for Marketing 
 and Regulatory Programs.
 ``
            (vii) The Executive Director of the 
 Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.
 ``
            (viii) The Administrator of the 
 Agricultural Research Service.
 ``
            (ix) The Director of the National 
 Institute of Food and Agriculture.
 ``
            (x) The Administrator of the Economic 
 Research Service.
 ``
            (xi) The Administrator of the National 
 Agricultural Statistics Service.
 ``
            (xii) The Director of the Office of 
 Energy and Environmental Policy.
 ``
            (xiii) The Deputy Chief for Research and 
 Development of the Forest Service.
 ``
            (xiv) 1 member of the National Academy of 
 Sciences, to be appointed by the Secretary.
 ``
            (xv) 4 members to be appointed by the 
 Secretary from nominations submitted by the 
 nominating entities described in subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Nominating entities described.--The 
 nominating entities described in this subparagraph are 
 organizations, associations, societies, cooperative 
 extensions, State agricultural experiment stations, 
 technical assistance provider organizations, councils, 
 federations, producer groups, agriculture manufacturing 
 entities, restaurants, the food service industry, the 
 agriculture technology industry, environmental 
 organizations, forestry organizations, nonprofit 
 organizations, and companies or other entities as 
 determined appropriate by the Secretary.
 ``

    (2) Terms.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
 subparagraph
        (B) , members of the Committee appointed 
 under clause
            (xiv) or
            (xv) of paragraph

    (1)
        (A) shall be 
 appointed for a term of not more than 6 years.
 ``
        (B) Terms of initial appointees.--The initial 
 members of the Committee appointed under clause
            (xiv) or
            (xv) of paragraph

    (1)
        (A) shall be appointed for the 
 following terms:
 ``
            (i) 2 shall be appointed for a term of 2 
 years, which may be extended by the Secretary 
 for an additional 6 years.
 ``
            (ii) 2 shall be appointed for a term of 4 
 years, which may be extended by the Secretary 
 for an additional 6 years.
 ``
            (iii) 1 shall be appointed for a term of 
 6 years.
 ``
            (C) Limitation.--Except as provided in 
 subparagraph
        (B) , members of the Committee appointed 
 under clause
            (xiv) or
            (xv) of paragraph

    (1)
        (A) may not 
 serve consecutive terms on the Committee.
 ``
            (D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Committee--
 ``
            (i) shall not affect the duties of the 
 Committee under this section; and
 ``
            (ii) shall be filled in the same manner 
 as the original appointment.
 ``

    (3) Chairperson, vice chairperson, and executive 
 subcommittee.--
 ``
        (A) Election.--At the first meeting of the 
 Committee each calendar year, the Committee shall elect 
 from among the members of the Committee--
 ``
            (i) a chairperson;
 ``
            (ii) a vice chairperson; and
 ``
            (iii) 7 members to serve on the executive 
 subcommittee established under subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Executive subcommittee.--The Committee shall 
 establish an executive subcommittee charged with the 
 responsibility of working with the Secretary and 
 officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture 
 to summarize and disseminate the recommendations of the 
 Committee.
 ``
            (d) Consultation and Recommendations.--
 ``

    (1) Duties of committee.--In fulfilling the duties of the 
 Committee under this section, the Committee shall consult with 
 appropriate agencies of the Department of Agriculture.
 ``

    (2) Duties of secretary.--After receiving recommendations 
 from the Committee pursuant to any provision in this section, 
 the Secretary shall provide a written response to the Committee 
 regarding the manner and extent to which the Secretary will 
 implement such recommendations.
 ``

    (e) Compensation and Personnel.--
 ``

    (1) Appointment of executive director and staff.--To 
 assist the Committee in the performance of the duties of the 
 Committee, the Secretary may appoint, without regard to the 
 civil service laws, and after consultation with the chairperson 
 of the Committee--
 ``
        (A) a full-time executive director, who shall--
 ``
            (i) perform such duties as the 
 chairperson of the Committee may direct; and
 ``
            (ii) receive compensation at a rate not 
 to exceed the rate payable for GS-15 of the 
 General Schedule established by 

section 5332 of 
 title 5, United States Code; and
 ``
        (B) a professional staff of not more than 3 full-
 time employees qualified in climate-specific 
 agricultural research, extension, education, and 
 economics, of which 1 shall serve as the executive 
 secretary of the Committee.
 ``

    (2) Additional assistance and personnel.--The Secretary 
 shall detail, on a reimbursable basis, personnel of the 
 Department of Agriculture to the Committee as necessary to 
 assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this 
 section.
 ``

    (3) Compensation of members.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
 subparagraph
        (B) , members of the Committee shall serve 
 without pay for each day during which such members are 
 engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in 
 the Committee.
 ``
        (B) Prohibition of compensation of federal 
 employees.--Members of the Committee who are full-time 
 officers or employees of the United States may not 
 receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by 
 reason of their service on the Committee.
 ``
            (C) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee 
 shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
 lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees 
 of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
 5, United States Code, while away from the home or 
 regular place of business of the member in the 
 performance of services for the Committee.
 ``

    (f) Federal Advisory Committee Act Charter.--The Committee shall 
be deemed to have filed a charter for the purpose of 

section 1008
            (c) of 
title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the `Federal Advisory 
Committee Act').
 ``

    (g) Termination.--

Section 1013

    (a)

    (2) of title 5, United States 
Code, (relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not 
apply to the Committee.
 ``

    (h) Committee Expenses Not Counted Toward General Limitations.--
The expenses of the Committee shall not be counted toward any general 
limitation on the expenses of advisory committees, panels, commissions, 
and task forces of the Department of Agriculture contained in any Act 
making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, whether 
enacted before, on, or after the date of enactment of this section, 
unless the appropriation Act specifically refers to this subsection and 
specifically includes the Committee within the general limitation.''.

    (b) Rural Climate Alliance Network.--Subtitle C of title XIV of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 is amended by inserting after 

section 1418 (7 U.S.C. 3153) the 
following:

``

SEC. 1419. RURAL CLIMATE ALLIANCE NETWORK.

 ``

    (a) Definition of Agricultural Producer.--In this section, the 
term `agricultural producer' means an individual who is engaged in 
farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, or another occupation 
relating to agriculture.
 ``

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of this section are--
 ``

    (1) to provide science-based climate adaptation and 
 mitigation assistance and training programs to rural 
 communities and agricultural producers;
 ``

    (2) to coordinate the transfer of new technology and 
 research relating to climate change that will impact behavioral 
 and management changes to agricultural systems, including to--
 ``
        (A) individuals who work in the field of climate 
 science, including agricultural producers; and
 ``
        (B) individuals, organizations, and other 
 entities with an established history of working with 
 agricultural producers;
 ``

    (3) to improve agriculture research collaboration, data 
 collection, and partnerships and the sharing of information 
 about new scientific advancements in climate research, as well 
 as inform future research efforts; and
 ``

    (4) to facilitate the exchange of regional agriculture 
 climate data and research through a network of partners.
 ``
            (c) Rural Climate Alliance Network.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and 
 administer through the Climate Hubs a network, to be known as 
 the `Rural Climate Alliance Network' (referred to in this 
 subsection as the `Network')--
 ``
        (A) that serves as a coordination hub for the 
 provision of agriculture climate research, climate 
 data, extension, and technical assistance for 
 agricultural producers, the food and agricultural 
 industry, nonprofit organizations relating to food and 
 agriculture, and researchers relating to food and 
 agriculture to address the effects of climate change; 
 and
 ``
        (B) to improve--
 ``
            (i) responses to climate disasters 
 through data collection and information 
 sharing;
 ``
            (ii) communication of climate risks;
 ``
            (iii) accessible education and technical 
 transfer of climate-related, regionally 
 relevant agricultural data and research to 
 agricultural producers in all regionally 
 appropriate languages;
 ``
            (iv) tools and networks that deliver 
 information to prevent damage from extreme 
 weather events, pest and disease outbreaks, and 
 other related climate change impacts;
 ``
            (v) communication between agricultural 
 producers and the agricultural research 
 community to ensure that agricultural research 
 considers the perspectives of agricultural 
 producers, such as changes in yield and 
 fluctuating costs of inputs;
 ``
            (vi) coordination between other Federal 
 agencies, as the Secretary determines 
 appropriate; and
 ``
            (vii) coordination between entities in 
 the private sector, such as participants in the 
 agricultural and food supply chains that work 
 with agricultural producers, relating to 
 climate data, adaptation, mitigation, and 
 response.
 ``

    (2) Composition.--The Network shall include--
 ``
        (A) entities, and employees of entities, that 
 conduct research, exchange data, provide monitoring and 
 verification services, or provide technical assistance 
 relating to food and agriculture, including--
 ``
            (i) colleges and universities;
 ``
            (ii) State cooperative institutions;
 ``
            (iii) State extension services;
 ``
            (iv) State departments of agriculture;
 ``
            (v) State agricultural experiment 
 stations;
 ``
            (vi) Indian Tribes (as defined in 

section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
 Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
 ``
            (vii) qualified nonprofit organizations, 
 as determined by the Secretary;
 ``
            (viii) qualified private businesses, as 
 determined by the Secretary;
 ``
            (ix) agricultural producers, producer 
 groups, or producer organizations, including 
 agricultural trade associations and research 
 and promotion boards (commonly known as 
 `checkoffs');
 ``
            (x) agencies and offices within the 
 Department of Agriculture; and
 ``
            (xi) any other technical assistance 
 provider, research entity, or data analytics 
 entity that the Secretary determines to be 
 qualified to participate in the Network;
 ``
        (B) climate resilience-related research networks 
 within the Department of Agriculture, including--
 ``
            (i) the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research 
 Network;
 ``
            (ii) the Extension Disaster Education 
 Network;
 ``
            (iii) the Eastern Forest Environmental 
 Threat Assessment Center;
 ``
            (iv) the Western Wildland Environmental 
 Threat Assessment Center;
 ``
            (v) the Sustainable Agriculture Research 
 and Education program;
 ``
            (vi) the National Soil Dynamics 
 Laboratory;
 ``
            (vii) the National Cooperative Soil 
 Survey;
 ``
            (viii) the Economic Research Service;
 ``
            (ix) regional and rural development 
 centers; and
 ``
            (x) other existing climate-related 
 research networks within the Department of 
 Agriculture that the Secretary determines to be 
 appropriate to participate in the Network; and
 ``
            (C) other government-affiliated entities and 
 climate resilience-related research networks outside of 
 the Department of Agriculture, including--
 ``
            (i) the Foundation for Food and 
 Agriculture Research;
 ``
            (ii) the U.S. Global Change Research 
 Program;
 ``
            (iii) State and public weather station 
 networks;
 ``
            (iv) the National Weather Service and 
 other weather data systems within the National 
 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
 ``
            (v) the harvest program of the National 
 Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
 ``
            (vi) other existing local, State, or 
 Federal climate-related research networks, as 
 determined by the Secretary.
 ``
            (d) Activities of the Network.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--An individual or entity within the 
 Network may--
 ``
        (A) through the means described in paragraph

    (2) --
 ``
            (i) initiate, expand, or sustain 
 agricultural research programs that build 
 capacity to mitigate, respond to, and recover 
 from climate change disasters, including--
 ``
            (I) programs of the Agricultural 
 Research Service;
 ``
            (II) the Agriculture and Food 
 Research Initiative;
 ``
            (III) the Sustainable Agriculture 
 Research and Education program;
 ``
            (IV) the Agriculture Advanced 
 Research and Development Authority; and
 ``
            (V) programs of the Foundation 
 for Food and Agriculture Research;
 ``
            (ii) inform and advise about agricultural 
 climate variability, change, vulnerability, 
 risk, adaptation, and mitigation;
 ``
            (iii) respond to climate impacts on 
 ecosystems, economics, and diversity;
 ``
            (iv) collect and store agricultural 
 climate data to share with other individuals 
 and entities within the Network and Federal 
 research partners;
 ``
            (v) assist agricultural producers in 
 implementing new management approaches to adapt 
 to, reduce the risk of, and provide societal 
 solutions to mitigate climate change;
 ``
            (vi) transfer technology, research 
 outcomes, and information; and
 ``
            (vii) improve climate change awareness, 
 education, and planning assistance, as 
 necessary; and
 ``
        (B) enter into cooperative agreements or 
 contracts, on a multiyear basis, with community-based, 
 direct-service organizations to initiate, expand, or 
 sustain--
 ``
            (i) activities carried out under 
 subparagraph
        (A) and paragraph

    (2) ; or
 ``
            (ii) programs described in subsection

    (b)

    (1) .
 ``

    (2) Means described.--An eligible entity may carry out 
 the activities described in paragraph

    (1)
        (A) through--
 ``
        (A) the development of phone technology, online 
 applications, websites, handbooks, manuals, 
 publications, warning systems, and other communication 
 networks in all regionally appropriate languages;
 ``
        (B) training, including training programs and 
 workshops, for disseminating information to--
 ``
            (i) crop insurance agents;
 ``
            (ii) loan and credit officers;
 ``
            (iii) agricultural suppliers;
 ``
            (iv) agricultural producers;
 ``
            (v) State cooperative agents;
 ``
            (vi) third-party providers (as defined in 
 

section 1242

    (a) of the Food Security Act of 
 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842

    (a) ));
 ``
            (vii) Certified Crop Advisers and 
 Certified Professional Soil Scientists 
 certified by the American Society of Agronomy;
 ``
            (viii) Federal officers and employees, 
 including officers and employees of the Natural 
 Resources Conservation Service, the Farm 
 Service Agency, the Agricultural Research 
 Service, and the Forest Service;
 ``
            (ix) non-Federal technical assistance 
 providers;
 ``
            (x) climate change experts who work with 
 agricultural producers; and
 ``
            (xi) other individuals and entities that 
 may--
 ``
            (I) assist agricultural producers 
 who are vulnerable to climate impacts; 
 or
 ``
            (II) provide societal solutions 
 to mitigate the climate impacts of 
 agriculture;
 ``
            (C) curriculum development for managing climate 
 risks, mitigating climate change, and understanding 
 climate risks and economic implications; and
 ``
            (D) such other means as the Secretary determines 
 to be appropriate.
 ``

    (e) Report to Congress.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
 enactment of the Improving Coordination of Agriculture Research 
 and Data Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and any 
 relevant Federal department or agency, and make publicly 
 available, a report describing--
 ``
        (A) the current needs of climate mitigation and 
 resilience research and data systems in the food and 
 agriculture sector;
 ``
        (B) progress made toward developing and adopting 
 climate solutions across the food and agriculture 
 system;
 ``
            (C) technical assistance needs of rural 
 communities and agricultural producers;
 ``
            (D) actions and recommendations of the 
 Agriculture Climate Scientific Research Committee 
 (established under 

section 1413C); and
 ``
        (E) recommended Federal budget activities and 
 funding levels for research, data systems, and 
 technical assistance priorities relating to climate 
 mitigation.
 ``

    (2) Contents.--The report under paragraph

    (1) shall 
 include--
 ``
        (A) an inventory and assessment of efforts to 
 support the climate change adaptation, mitigation, risk 
 management, and resilience tools for agricultural 
 producers by--
 ``
            (i) the Federal Government;
 ``
            (ii) States and territories of the United 
 States;
 ``
            (iii) Indian Tribes (as defined in 
 

section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
 Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
 ``
            (iv) units of local government;
 ``
            (v) communities comprising agricultural 
 producers;
 ``
            (vi) qualified nonprofit organizations, 
 as determined by the Secretary;
 ``
            (vii) agriculture and food businesses;
 ``
            (viii) State extension services;
 ``
            (ix) land-grant colleges and 
 universities; and
 ``
            (x) other appropriate entities, as 
 determined by the Secretary;
 ``
        (B) a baseline report on soil carbon 
 sequestration on measurable soil carbon stocks and 
 sequestration;
 ``
            (C) a description of the challenges faced by 
 agricultural producers that may impact the climate 
 change resilience of those agricultural producers;
 ``
            (D) a long-term strategy for responding to the 
 challenges described under subparagraph
            (C) and 
 recommendations based on best practices for further 
 action to be carried out by appropriate Federal 
 departments or agencies--
 ``
            (i) to improve the response by the 
 Federal Government to those challenges; and
 ``
            (ii) to seek to improve climate change 
 resilience among rural communities and 
 agricultural producers; and
 ``
        (E) an evaluation of the impact that climate 
 change challenges faced by rural communities, Indian 
 Tribes, and agricultural producers have on--
 ``
            (i) the agricultural workforce;
 ``
            (ii) agricultural production;
 ``
            (iii) rural families and communities, 
 including relating to food security; and
 ``
            (iv) succession planning.''.
 <all>