DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1326

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T16:38:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This Act, titled the "DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act," aims to foster joint research and development (R&D) efforts between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). It seeks to advance shared priorities in agriculture and energy, such as sustainable technologies, data integration, and environmental protection, through collaborative interagency activities.

Key Provisions

• Joint R&D Activities: The Secretaries of DOE and USDA must conduct cross-cutting collaborative R&D to align their missions. This includes focus areas like:
• Advanced technologies such as modeling, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics for optimizing agriculture and energy systems (e.g., life cycle analysis of farms or energy sources).
• Fundamental sciences in agriculture, biology, computing, and environment, including crop breeding, pest control, and integration with existing DOE programs.
• Energy-water connections, biomass and biofuels, sustainable fuels (e.g., for aviation), and co-locating farms with energy or carbon storage technologies.
• Invasive species management, high-risk innovative research, grid modernization, rural tech development (e.g., precision farming tools), and wildfire prevention/mitigation.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): The Secretaries must create an MOU or similar agreement to coordinate these efforts, using a competitive, merit-based review process open to federal agencies, national labs (government research facilities), universities, nonprofits, and other entities.
• Data and Collaboration Support:
• Develop methods for handling large, standardized datasets on agriculture, environment, supply chains, and economics.
• Encourage data sharing and open development among federal agencies, labs, universities, nonprofits, and industry, while ensuring compliance with federal data security rules.
• Provide infrastructure and workforce training as needed.
• Focus on technologies to boost farm efficiency, product processing, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (gases that contribute to climate change).
• Agreements and Collaboration: Authorizes reimbursable agreements (cost-sharing deals) between DOE, USDA, and other partners to enhance R&D effectiveness, plus cooperation with other federal agencies.
• Reporting Requirement: Within two years of enactment, the Secretaries must report to relevant congressional committees on interagency coordination, capability expansions, achievements, future opportunities, and ongoing collaboration.
• Research Security: All activities must follow existing federal laws on protecting research from security risks (e.g., foreign interference), as outlined in the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act introduces new mandatory joint R&D mechanisms between DOE and USDA, building on but not altering prior laws like the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act, Energy Act of 2020, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, and America COMPETES Act. It establishes a formal MOU process and expands collaborative focus areas (e.g., AI in agriculture, wildfire-energy links) that were previously siloed, without repealing or directly amending existing statutes. The two-year reporting mandate adds accountability not previously required for these specific interagency efforts.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination between DOE and USDA, potentially expanding their technical expertise and resource sharing. National labs and other federal entities may see increased funding opportunities through competitive grants, improving efficiency in addressing overlapping issues like biofuels and rural energy.
• On Citizens: Could lead to practical benefits for farmers and rural communities, such as better crop tools, reduced emissions in farming, wildfire protections for infrastructure, and sustainable energy options. Broader advancements in AI and data analytics might improve food security and environmental health.
• On International Relations: Indirect effects through U.S. leadership in global agriculture-energy innovations (e.g., sustainable fuels), potentially strengthening trade or climate diplomacy, but no direct international provisions are included.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Primarily DOE and USDA, with involvement from national labs and other agencies (e.g., those handling invasive species or grid security).
• Research and Academic Institutions: Universities, nonprofits, and labs eligible for funding and partnerships.
• Industry and Private Sector: Energy companies, biofuel producers, agribusinesses, and tech firms benefiting from data sharing, reimbursable agreements, and innovations in rural manufacturing or precision agriculture.
• Citizens and Communities: Farmers, rural residents, and environmental groups impacted by efficiency gains, emission reductions, and wildfire mitigation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces interagency cooperation under existing frameworks, with built-in safeguards for research security to prevent misuse of sensitive data. The competitive merit-review process ensures fair allocation of resources, aligning with federal grant standards.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges; it supports Congress's authority over federal spending and science policy (Article I, Section 8), promoting efficient use of taxpayer funds without infringing on states' rights or individual liberties.
• Political: Encourages bipartisan priorities in innovation and sustainability, potentially bridging urban-rural divides through rural tech focus. The reporting to Congress provides oversight, reducing risks of unchecked agency expansion, but implementation depends on future appropriations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
• 2025-03-24: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-03-24: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 35 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1204) (Roll call 73)
• 2025-03-24: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 35 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1204) (Roll call 73)
• 2025-03-24: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1214)
• 2025-03-24: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
• 2025-03-24: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1326.
• 2025-03-24: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1204-1205)
• 2025-03-24: Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
• 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (8 pages)
• DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (7 pages)
• DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (7 pages)