ACE Agriculture Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7142
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T08:07:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Advancing Cutting Edge Agriculture Act (ACE Agriculture Act) aims to make the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) a permanent program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It expands AGARDA's focus on innovative agricultural technologies to address challenges like climate change, water use, and export competitiveness, while increasing funding to support long-term research and development.
Key Provisions
- Permanent Authorization: Removes the "pilot" label from AGARDA, establishing it as an ongoing entity under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977.
- Expanded Scope: Updates AGARDA's mission to include water conservation technologies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resilience to extreme weather, droughts, diseases, and pests, and improving export competitiveness.
- Organizational Structure: The AGARDA Director reports directly to the USDA Chief Scientist. No other USDA program heads report to the Director, clarifying its independent role. AGARDA must develop and use a strategic plan to guide its operations.
- Personnel: Allows AGARDA to hire qualified scientific and professional staff using existing USDA hiring authorities, ensuring expertise for research and development.
- Funding: Authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 (doubling previous levels). Permits use of other USDA funds but prohibits tapping into the Commodity Credit Corporation's resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts AGARDA from a temporary "pilot" program (previously funded at $50 million per year from 2019 to 2023) to a permanent one with extended and increased funding through 2032.
- Broadens priorities beyond basic agricultural innovation to explicitly cover environmental sustainability, water conservation, and economic risks in technology development.
- Simplifies reporting lines by eliminating advisory roles to the Chief Scientist and restricting internal hierarchies.
- Removes prior funding restrictions and sunset provisions (e.g., subsection (e)), while adding flexibility for non-Commodity Credit Corporation funds and mandating strategic planning integration.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances USDA's capacity for high-risk agricultural research, potentially streamlining innovation efforts but requiring more administrative resources for staffing and planning.
- Citizens and Farmers: Could lead to practical advancements like drought-resistant crops or efficient water technologies, benefiting rural communities, food security, and environmental health.
- International Relations: Boosts U.S. agricultural exports by developing competitive technologies, potentially strengthening trade positions without direct foreign policy changes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- USDA and Researchers: Directly involved in AGARDA's operations, gaining expanded authority, funding, and hiring flexibility.
- Agricultural Industry: Farmers, agribusinesses, and tech developers who may access new tools for sustainability and resilience.
- Environmental and Rural Communities: Benefit from innovations addressing climate and water challenges.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Oversee funding allocations, with increased federal spending on agriculture R&D.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Clarifies AGARDA's position within USDA statutes, avoiding overlaps with other programs, but includes explicit limits on funding sources to comply with existing agricultural finance laws (e.g., no Commodity Credit Corporation use).
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I and promotes general welfare through agricultural advancement.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Panetta and Feenstra) suggests broad support for ag innovation. The funding increase and permanence could influence future farm bills, emphasizing climate and export priorities amid ongoing debates on federal R&D budgets.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 2026-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-01-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Advancing Cutting Edge Agriculture Act — issued 2026-01-16 — PDF (5 pages)