United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4853
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T23:20:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 4853: United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act
Purpose
This legislation amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to update the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD Fund). It aims to expand support for collaborative agricultural research between the United States and Israel, including new mechanisms for mid-stage projects and additional funding.
Key Provisions
- Findings: Notes that the BARD Fund, established in 1977, has funded over 1,300 projects with $315 million in investments, yielding a $16 return per $1 spent, and has produced new agricultural practices, patents, and economic benefits for both nations.
- Amendments to Existing Law:
- Updates references to the original 1977 agreement establishing the BARD Fund.
- Adds authority to support mid-stage research on topics of mutual interest to the United States and Israel.
- Creates a BARD Fund accelerator program to fast-track cooperative research, provide management and technical assistance, and advance projects in priority areas based on technology readiness levels.
- Authorizes $8 million annually in appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill modifies Section 1458(e) of the 1977 Act by expanding the BARD Fund's scope beyond initial research to include mid-stage development and establishing a dedicated accelerator program. It also introduces a new multi-year funding authorization, increasing resources for these activities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Relevant U.S. agencies, such as those under the Department of Agriculture, may face expanded administrative responsibilities for managing the accelerator program and allocating new funds.
- Citizens: Could lead to agricultural innovations benefiting U.S. farmers and consumers through improved practices and technologies developed via U.S.-Israel collaboration.
- International Relations: Strengthens bilateral ties with Israel by enhancing joint research efforts in agriculture and food production.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. and Israeli agricultural scientists and researchers.
- U.S. and Israeli agricultural industries and economies.
- Federal agencies involved in research funding and international cooperation.
- Policymakers in Congress and the executive branch.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill represents a straightforward amendment to existing agricultural research statutes with no apparent conflicts with constitutional provisions. It maintains a focus on cooperative international programs and includes bipartisan sponsorship, potentially facilitating smoother legislative progress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2026-06-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act — issued 2026-06-22 — PDF (4 pages)