SWAT Act of 2026

Bill Number

S. 3810

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Last Updated

2026-05-20T11:03:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2026 (also called the SWAT Act of 2026) aims to address the economic damage caused by the spotted wing drosophila, an invasive fruit pest from East Asia. It establishes dedicated funding to support research and efforts to reduce its impact on U.S. fruit crops, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, and plums. Congress notes that this pest leads to about 20% revenue loss in key crops, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates.

Key Provisions

• Fund Establishment: Creates a specific fund within the USDA to finance research on the spotted wing drosophila and activities to lessen its harm to crops.
• Administration: The Administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)—the agency responsible for protecting U.S. agriculture from pests and diseases—will manage the fund. This includes:
• Selecting eligible recipients (such as researchers or organizations) for grants or cooperative agreements.
• Overseeing how the money is used.
• Funding Authorization: Allocates $6,500,000 annually for the fiscal year the Act is enacted and the next four fiscal years.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the Plant Protection Act (a federal law focused on preventing the spread of plant pests and diseases) by adding a new section (420A). Previously, there was no dedicated fund or specific authorization for spotted wing drosophila research and mitigation, so this introduces targeted federal support without altering broader pest management rules.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: USDA and APHIS will gain resources and administrative responsibilities to coordinate pest control efforts, potentially improving efficiency in invasive species management.
• On Citizens: Fruit farmers and growers may see reduced crop losses and higher revenues, benefiting rural economies in pest-affected regions (e.g., states like Michigan, Maine, Georgia, and Oregon, based on sponsoring senators). Consumers could experience more stable fruit supplies and prices.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it supports U.S. agricultural competitiveness against invasive species from abroad, indirectly aiding trade by protecting domestic production.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Fruit Growers and Farmers: Primary beneficiaries, as they face direct revenue losses from the pest.
• Researchers and Agricultural Organizations: Eligible for grants to develop new control methods, such as better monitoring or biological controls.
• USDA and APHIS: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the program.
• Taxpayers and Consumers: Indirectly affected through federal spending and potential stabilization of food prices.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill is a straightforward authorization of appropriations (federal budget approval for spending), which does not require new regulations or override existing laws. It builds on the Plant Protection Act without raising separation-of-powers issues.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate agriculture and interstate trade, as pests affect national markets.
• Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (Democrats and Republicans), highlighting cross-party interest in agricultural protection. It could set a precedent for targeted funds against other invasive species, potentially influencing future farm bills. No major controversies noted in the text.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Cosponsors (4)

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
• 2026-02-09: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (3 pages)