To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to the feral swine eradication and control program, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3457
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T13:05:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to establish a comprehensive federal program to eradicate and control feral swine populations, addressing their damage to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. It amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to create structured support for research, financial assistance, and coordination efforts.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The Secretary of Agriculture must create a feral swine eradication and control program to assess damage, develop eradication and control methods, restore affected areas, and provide financial aid to farmers in "threatened areas" (regions where feral swine pose risks, as determined by the Secretary).
- Financial Assistance: Aid is available to agricultural producers for implementing feral swine control (e.g., trapping or technology) and restoring damaged land. The federal share covers up to 75% of costs, with the remainder from non-federal sources, which can include in-kind contributions like materials or services.
- Coordination and Contracts: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) must collaborate through state technical committees. They are required to contract with eligible land-grant colleges or universities (public institutions focused on agriculture and related fields) for research on control methods, damage assessment, and educational support.
- Funding Allocation: Allocates $150 million in mandatory funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 from existing agricultural funds. Of this:
- 40% goes to NRCS for on-farm assistance like trapping and technology.
- 60% goes to APHIS for population reduction methods, both established and innovative.
- No more than 10% can be used for administrative expenses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Inserts a new section (1240N) into Chapter 5 of Subtitle D of the Food Security Act of 1985, formalizing and expanding feral swine efforts beyond prior initiatives.
- Repeals Section 2408 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which established a temporary pilot program for feral swine control, replacing it with this permanent, funded structure. Also updates the table of contents in the 2018 Act to reflect the repeal.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances USDA operations by mandating coordination between NRCS and APHIS, increasing their budgets for feral swine activities and requiring partnerships with universities, potentially improving efficiency in wildlife management.
- Citizens and Farmers: Provides direct financial relief to agricultural producers in affected areas, reducing economic losses from crop and property damage caused by feral swine. Could benefit rural communities by protecting food production and ecosystems.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved control of invasive species like feral swine may indirectly support U.S. agricultural trade by preventing disease spread to livestock, which could affect exports.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Agricultural Producers: Primary beneficiaries through financial assistance for control and restoration efforts.
- USDA Agencies (NRCS and APHIS): Responsible for program implementation, funding distribution, and coordination.
- Land-Grant Colleges and Universities: Eligible partners for contracts, focusing on research, education, and technical support; must demonstrate expertise in damage assessment and wildlife programs.
- State Governments and Technical Committees: Involved in coordination and identifying threatened areas.
- Environmental and Wildlife Groups: Indirectly affected through ecosystem restoration and population control.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes mandatory funding from existing agricultural programs, ensuring stable resources without needing annual appropriations. Cost-sharing requirements promote shared responsibility but allow flexibility via in-kind contributions.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate agriculture and invasive species affecting interstate commerce.
- Political: Shifts from a pilot to a long-term program, signaling bipartisan priority on invasive species (introduced by representatives from multiple states). May encourage state-federal partnerships but could face scrutiny over funding allocation and eligibility criteria for universities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to the feral swine eradication and control program, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (6 pages)