Promoting Precision Agriculture Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1985

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Last Updated

2025-05-14T14:32:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Promoting Precision Agriculture Act aims to boost the use of precision agriculture technologies in the United States. Precision agriculture involves using advanced tools to manage farming inputs (like seeds, fertilizers, and water) more precisely, reducing waste and improving efficiency while protecting the environment. The Act also seeks to position the U.S. as a leader in developing international standards for these technologies through private sector involvement.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: The Act defines key terms to ensure clarity, including:
• Precision agriculture: Targeted management of farming resources to cut waste and boost efficiency.
• Precision agriculture equipment: Tools like GPS mapping, sensors, AI analytics, wireless networks, and variable-rate applicators for inputs.
• Advanced wireless communications technology: Next-generation networks like 5G or Wi-Fi.
• Artificial intelligence (AI): Refers to systems that perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, as defined in existing federal law.
• Foreign adversary: Entities posing significant risks to U.S. national security.
• Trusted: Providers not influenced by foreign adversaries.
• Voluntary consensus standards development organization: Groups that create industry standards through open, balanced processes, as outlined in federal guidelines.

• Development of Standards (Section 4): Within two years of enactment, the Secretary of Agriculture must collaborate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, which sets measurement and tech standards) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC, which regulates communications) to create voluntary, industry-led guidelines for interconnecting precision agriculture equipment. These standards focus on promoting scalability and ease of adoption. The process involves consulting public and private stakeholders, including standards organizations, government agencies, and local governments. Key considerations include evolving tech needs, connectivity requirements, cybersecurity risks (e.g., threats to farmers and supply chains), and the roles of advanced wireless tech and AI.

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Assessments (Section 5): Starting one year after standards are developed, and every two years for the next eight years, the GAO (an independent agency that audits federal programs) must evaluate the standards. Assessments will check if they are truly voluntary, developed with industry input, and effective in increasing precision agriculture adoption. Findings will be reported to congressional committees on agriculture, commerce, science, and technology.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act introduces new requirements for federal coordination on precision agriculture standards, which were not previously mandated. It builds on existing laws (e.g., definitions from defense authorizations) but does not amend or repeal prior statutes. Instead, it creates fresh initiatives for voluntary standards and oversight, emphasizing private sector leadership without imposing regulations on farmers or companies.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lead standard development, increasing its role in tech innovation. NIST and FCC will provide expertise, potentially straining resources short-term but fostering long-term collaboration. GAO's studies will inform future policy without new funding specified.
• On Citizens: Farmers and rural communities could benefit from easier-to-use, interoperable tech that lowers costs, reduces environmental harm (e.g., less fertilizer runoff), and improves yields. However, adoption depends on voluntary participation and access to "trusted" tech, which might exclude some small operations initially.
• On International Relations: By promoting U.S. leadership in global standards, the Act could enhance American influence in agricultural technology markets, countering foreign competitors (especially adversaries). It prioritizes "trusted" providers, potentially limiting reliance on equipment from high-risk countries and supporting U.S. exports of ag tech.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Farmers and Agricultural Producers: Primary beneficiaries through improved tools for efficient crop and livestock management.
• Technology and Equipment Providers: Companies developing sensors, AI, wireless networks, and software; they must align with new standards to access broader markets.
• Federal Agencies: USDA (lead role), NIST, FCC (consultation), and GAO (oversight).
• Industry Organizations: Voluntary standards groups and private sector entities involved in developing guidelines.
• Congressional Committees: Those receiving GAO reports, influencing future agriculture and tech policy.
• Rural and State/Local Governments: Indirectly affected through better connectivity and cybersecurity in agriculture.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The Act emphasizes voluntary standards, avoiding mandates that could face legal challenges under property rights or regulatory overreach doctrines. It incorporates national security by excluding "foreign adversaries," aligning with existing laws like the National Defense Authorization Act, but requires USDA to define "trusted" providers clearly to prevent disputes.
• Constitutional: No direct conflicts; it supports the federal government's commerce clause authority over interstate tech and agriculture without infringing on states' rights, as consultations with state/local governments are required.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of innovation, food security, and rural economic growth. By focusing on private sector-led efforts, it minimizes government intervention, appealing to free-market perspectives, while GAO oversight ensures accountability. Potential for international tension if standards disadvantage foreign tech firms.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
• 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-03-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-10: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1045)
• 2025-03-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Promoting Precision Agriculture Act — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (8 pages)