United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7587
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T23:20:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to update and expand the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD Fund). Its goal is to strengthen collaborative agricultural research between the United States and Israel, while broadening participation to include certain other nations and adding support for mid-stage research projects.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Findings: The bill notes that the BARD Fund was created in 1977 as a competitive program for joint U.S.-Israel agricultural research. It has funded over 1,300 projects with a $315 million investment that has returned $16 for every $1 spent, leading to new practices, patents, and economic benefits.
- Amendments to BARD Fund (Section 3):
- Clarifies the original 1977 agreement language.
- Expands eligible partners beyond the U.S. and Israel to include signatories of the Abraham Accords Declaration, Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel, and other interested nations.
- Adds support for mid-stage research to advance cooperative projects.
- Authorizes $8 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- BARD Fund Accelerator (Section 4): Creates a new accelerator program to support mid-stage research in priority areas, including fast-tracking joint projects, providing management and technical assistance, and advancing work involving the U.S., Israel, or Abraham Accords signatories. It authorizes $12 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced The legislation modifies the existing BARD Fund structure by updating agreement references, expanding the geographic and national scope of participants, and introducing a dedicated accelerator program for mid-stage research. It also establishes new multi-year funding authorizations that were not previously specified in the statute.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture would oversee increased funding and expanded international partnerships, potentially requiring additional administrative resources for the BARD Fund.
- Citizens and Economies: Enhanced research could lead to improved agricultural practices, new technologies, and economic growth in both the U.S. and participating countries through patents and commercial applications.
- International Relations: The bill promotes broader cooperation with Israel and nations that have normalized relations with it, which may strengthen diplomatic and scientific ties in agriculture.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. and Israeli agricultural scientists and research institutions.
- Governments of the United States and Israel.
- Signatories of the Abraham Accords and Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel.
- Other nations interested in participating in the expanded program.
- Agricultural industries and economies in the U.S. and partner countries that may benefit from research outcomes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress's authority to authorize appropriations and amend agricultural research statutes, with no apparent constitutional conflicts. Politically, it emphasizes expanded international collaboration in agriculture, particularly with Israel and select Arab states, which could influence U.S. foreign policy priorities in the region through science-based partnerships.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act — issued 2026-02-13 — PDF (5 pages)