Friends in the Field Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7665

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

2026-07-02T08:07:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Friends in the Field Act" (H.R. 7665) aims to promote sustainable agriculture by prioritizing research, development, and education on biological pest control methods. These methods use natural organisms, like beneficial insects or microbes, to manage pests instead of relying solely on chemical pesticides, helping to reduce crop damage and prevent food-borne illnesses.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) by adding a new subparagraph (21).
• Authorizes research and extension grants specifically for biological pest control activities, including:
• Supporting research and development of biological pest control techniques.
• Creating educational materials, information, and outreach programs.
• Focuses on limiting crop damage (e.g., from insects or diseases) and reducing food-borne illnesses (e.g., those caused by contaminated produce).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the list of "high-priority research and extension areas" under the 1990 Act from 20 to 21 items.
• Introduces biological pest control as an explicitly eligible category for federal grants, which were previously not specifically highlighted, potentially broadening funding opportunities without altering the overall grant program structure.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may see increased grant applications and funding allocations for biological pest control projects, supporting its role in agricultural research through programs like the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
• Citizens: Farmers and agricultural workers could benefit from more accessible, environmentally friendly pest management tools, potentially lowering costs and health risks from chemical exposure. Consumers may gain from safer food supplies with fewer pesticide residues.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could enhance U.S. agricultural exports by promoting sustainable practices that align with global standards for eco-friendly farming.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Farmers and Agricultural Producers: Direct beneficiaries through access to new research and tools for pest management.
• Researchers and Extension Services: Universities, labs, and educators who can apply for grants to develop and disseminate biological pest control knowledge.
• USDA and Federal Agencies: Responsible for administering and funding the expanded grant programs.
• Consumers and the Public: Indirectly affected via improved food safety and reduced environmental harm from pesticides.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: This is a straightforward amendment to an existing federal statute, with no anticipated challenges to its enforceability; it builds on established USDA grant authority without creating new regulatory burdens.
• Constitutional: No significant issues, as it involves Congress's enumerated power to regulate interstate commerce and promote agriculture (Article I, Section 8).
• Political: Represents a bipartisan push for sustainable farming practices, potentially appealing to environmental and rural interests; as an introduced bill in the 119th Congress (not yet enacted), its passage could signal growing federal support for integrated pest management amid climate and food security concerns.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
• 2026-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2026-02-24: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Friends in the Field Act — issued 2026-02-24 — PDF (2 pages)