ACE Agriculture Act
Sponsored By: Representative Panetta
Introduced
Summary
This bill would permanently authorize and expand AGARDA, the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, to drive high‑risk agricultural technology and water‑conservation innovation. It broadens the agency's mission, raises funding caps, and strengthens leadership and staffing powers to speed development of new farming tools and climate resilience.
Show full summary
- Farmers and rural communities could see new tools for drought resilience, water conservation, pest and disease control, and greenhouse gas reduction because AGARDA's mission would explicitly include those priorities.
- Researchers, startups, and technology developers would gain greater R&D support as authorized funding rises to $100 million per year for FY2027–FY2032 and as AGARDA targets long‑term, high‑risk barriers to commercialization.
- USDA operations and program design would change. The AGARDA Director would report to the Chief Scientist, a required strategic plan would guide work, the Director could appoint highly qualified staff, and the bill allows other USDA funds to support AGARDA while forbidding Commodity Credit Corporation funds.
*This bill would raise AGARDA's authorized funding to $100 million per year for FY2027–FY2032, increasing authorized federal R&D spending compared with prior $50 million annual levels.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More AGARDA funding, with limits
This bill would authorize $100 million per year for AGARDA for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032, replacing the prior $50 million per year authorization for FY2019–2023. It would let the Secretary use other USDA funds, in addition to amounts already available, to carry out AGARDA. At the same time, the bill would explicitly bar using Commodity Credit Corporation funds for AGARDA. It would also remove certain existing statutory clauses in the section.
Make AGARDA permanent and expanded
This bill would remove the word "pilot" and make the AGARDA authority ongoing. It would broaden AGARDA's goals to include water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and resilience to extreme weather, drought, and pests. The bill would add "economic cost" to project selection criteria. The AGARDA Director would report to the Chief Scientist and must keep qualified staff. The Secretary would have to use AGARDA's strategic plan when running the program.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Panetta
CA • D
Cosponsors
Feenstra
IA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2026
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 1/27/2026
Salinas
OR • D
Sponsored 4/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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