Risk-based Oversight for Integrity Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4904
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T04:53:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to modernize oversight of the National Organic Program. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study risk-based oversight methods, defines "risk to organic integrity," and authorizes potential regulatory reforms to differentiate oversight based on risk levels while preserving organic standards.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Adds terms including "appropriate committees of Congress," "national organic program," "National Organic Standards Board," "oversight protocols," and "risk to organic integrity" (the likelihood that a product marketed as organic was not produced or processed in compliance with the Act).
- Study Requirement: The Secretary must complete a study within one year on the feasibility of risk-based oversight protocols, including differential treatment of noncompliance, common organic plans, multi-tiered certification, increased guidance, and limited virtual inspections.
- Report and Consultation: A public report must be submitted to Congress and posted online within 18 months. The Secretary must consult with the National Organic Standards Board, certifying agents, organic farms and handlers, consumers, and other stakeholders.
- Regulatory Authority: Based on study findings and congressional consultation, the Secretary may issue regulations to establish or modify oversight protocols, provided they maintain organic integrity, support the domestic sector, and follow a minimum 90-day public comment period.
- Virtual Inspections: Allows limited use under specific conditions—on-site inspections required for operations outside the U.S.; U.S. operations may use virtual inspections in intervening years based on risk; handling operations without physical receipt of product may use virtual methods.
- Conforming Changes: Updates annual inspection rules and removes outdated references to the National Organic Standards Board in several sections.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces a risk-based framework to the National Organic Program, shifting from uniform oversight to protocols that prioritize higher-risk activities. It adds new statutory definitions and authorizes the Secretary to adjust certification, inspection, and compliance processes. It also modifies inspection requirements under section 2107 to permit virtual methods in limited circumstances if regulations are promulgated.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Agriculture would conduct the study, consult stakeholders, issue a report, and potentially develop new regulations, which could alter administrative workloads and resource allocation.
- Citizens and Organic Sector: Lower-risk certified farms and handlers might face reduced costs and burdens, while higher-risk entities could see increased scrutiny. Consumers could benefit from maintained integrity standards.
- International Relations: Operations outside the U.S. would continue to require on-site inspections, potentially affecting import oversight and trade compliance for organic products.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The National Organic Standards Board
- Certifying agents
- Certified organic farms and handling operations (domestic and international)
- Consumers of organic products
- The Department of Agriculture
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill expands executive regulatory authority within existing statutory limits but requires congressional consultation before new rules. It contains no apparent constitutional conflicts and emphasizes enforcement to protect organic integrity. The measure is bipartisan, sponsored by Senators from both parties, and focuses on administrative efficiency rather than substantive changes to organic production standards.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2026-06-24: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Risk-based Oversight for Integrity Act — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (10 pages)