COMPOST Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3272

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-02-21T09:05:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

H.R. 3272: Cultivating Organic Matter through the Promotion Of Sustainable Techniques Act (COMPOST Act)

Purpose

The legislation aims to promote composting as a key tool for environmental conservation by formally recognizing it within federal agricultural programs. It seeks to encourage the production and use of compost from organic waste to improve soil health, water retention, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting related facilities and programs through financial incentives (though specific grant and loan details are referenced in the bill's title but not detailed in the provided text).

Key Provisions

• Designation of Composting as a Conservation Practice: Composting is defined and established as an eligible conservation practice and activity under federal agricultural conservation programs. This includes:
• Producing compost from organic waste generated on a farm or brought from nearby communities, without necessarily requiring a dedicated facility.
• Actively managing and applying compost on farms to enhance soil health and water retention, in compliance with applicable laws.
• Definition of "Nearby" Communities: The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, must create regulations to determine what qualifies as a "nearby" community. This ensures that transporting organic waste to farms for composting results in a net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Inclusion in Specific Programs:
• Adds composting to the Conservation Stewardship Program, alongside practices like agriculture drainage management.
• Incorporates composting practices into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides financial and technical help to farmers for conservation efforts.
• Technical Assistance and Standards: Requires the development of a specific composting practice standard through an established review process. This builds on any pre-existing standards for composting facilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 (a major law governing U.S. farm conservation programs) in several sections:

• Section 1241(j): Inserts a new paragraph designating composting as a conservation practice/activity and provides its definition, while redesignating an existing paragraph.
• Section 1240I(2)(B)(i): Expands the Conservation Stewardship Program to explicitly include composting practices.
• Section 1240A(6)(A)(ii): Broadens EQIP eligibility to cover composting as a soil health management tool.
• Section 1242(h): Mandates the creation of a composting practice standard as part of technical assistance delivery, requiring a review and establishment process.

These changes integrate composting more deeply into existing conservation frameworks, making it eligible for federal support that was previously unavailable or limited.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will need to issue new regulations, update program guidelines, and develop standards for composting, potentially increasing administrative workload and coordination with the EPA. This could lead to expanded use of conservation funding for composting initiatives.
• On Citizens and Farmers: Farmers and rural communities gain access to federal incentives for adopting composting, which could lower costs for waste management, improve farm productivity through better soil, and create local jobs in composting operations. Urban or nearby communities may benefit from reduced waste disposal needs and lower emissions.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though promoting U.S. sustainable agriculture practices could indirectly support global efforts to combat climate change by demonstrating reduced greenhouse gas strategies.

Overall, the bill could accelerate the shift toward circular economy practices (reusing waste as resources) in agriculture, potentially reducing landfill use and environmental pollution.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Farmers and Agricultural Producers: Primary beneficiaries, as they can now access conservation program funding and technical support for composting to enhance soil and water management.
• Local Communities and Waste Generators: Households, businesses, or municipalities in "nearby" areas can divert organic waste to farms, reducing local waste burdens and emissions.
• Environmental and Conservation Groups: Organizations focused on sustainability, soil health, and climate action stand to gain from formalized federal support for composting.
• Government Entities: USDA and EPA, which must implement regulations, standards, and consultations; state and local governments may see indirect effects through compliance with waste transport rules.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill relies on existing authority under the Food Security Act, ensuring composting aligns with federal conservation goals without creating new major entitlements. It emphasizes regulatory flexibility (e.g., defining "nearby" communities) to avoid unintended environmental harms, potentially setting precedents for integrating waste management into agriculture law.
• Constitutional Implications: No direct challenges; amendments to conservation programs fall within Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to promote general welfare through agriculture and environmental policy.
• Political Implications: As a bipartisan-introduced bill (by Democratic representatives), it highlights growing consensus on climate-friendly farming practices. It could influence future farm bills by prioritizing organic waste solutions, though implementation success depends on USDA rulemaking and funding availability, which might spark debates over resource allocation in conservation budgets.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Cultivating Organic Matter through the Promotion Of Sustainable Techniques Act — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (4 pages)