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119-s-1042119th CongressWALLET

Smoke Exposure Research Act

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

Smoke exposure research for wine grapes: This bill would direct the Agricultural Research Service to lead a research program on wildfire smoke effects in viticulture and enology, including identifying taint compounds, standardizing testing, building a background-level database, and developing mitigation and barrier methods.

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  • Wine grape growers and wineries would get standardized sampling and testing methods, a database of natural background levels, and new risk-assessment and mitigation tools aimed at reducing smoke taint in grapes and wine.
  • Land-grant colleges and universities in California, Oregon, and Washington would partner with ARS and contribute existing regional research on smoke exposure and winemaking practices.
  • The Agricultural Research Service would run the structured program to identify responsible compounds, create fast and inexpensive screening methods, and study compounds that could act as a physical barrier between smoke and grapes.

*This bill would authorize $6.5 million for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, about $32.5 million total, increasing federal spending by that amount.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New smoke research for wine grapes

If enacted, this would set up a research program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It would study wildfire smoke damage to wine grapes and wine. The program would identify smoke‑taint compounds and set standard, fast, low‑cost tests. It would build a database of normal background levels in grapes. It would create risk tools and ways to prevent or cut smoke taint, including barrier compounds. Work would be done with land‑grant universities in California, Oregon, and Washington. Congress could provide $6.5 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, available until spent. This would fund research, not direct payments to growers or wineries.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/13/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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