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119-s-1729119th CongressWALLET

Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Introduced

Summary

Speeds the adoption of new conservation practices and technologies by creating a public, streamlined process for setting and updating standards. It would require clear timelines and public input so innovations get reviewed and used more quickly on working lands.

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  • Farmers and landowners would see faster access to updated and interim conservation practices that can include precision agriculture, nutrient-use efficiency tools, and perennial systems. This aims to move proven innovations into practice sooner.
  • State and local partners and technical committees would get more flexibility to create interim standards and submit partnership-led proposals. The bill sets a requirement for a publicly accessible administrative process to be developed within 1 year and a regular review cadence of not less frequently than once every 5 years.
  • Innovators and technology developers would gain an "Innovative Technology Priority" that focuses review on things like biological fertilizers, animal feed additives, and agroforestry. New and emerging technologies must include evaluation data and recommendations for State and regional use so standards can reflect demonstrated benefits.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More innovation grants for farmers

This bill would let USDA award Conservation Innovation Grants for both management and structural practices. Grants could pay to develop and test new technologies and to help update conservation practice standards. Applicants would need to provide evaluation data and any recommended State or regional uses when required.

Faster process for conservation standards

This bill would require USDA to publish, within 1 year, a public process for proposing and adopting interim and permanent conservation practice standards. The process would include rules for expedited review, a timeline, and a schedule for revising standards. Reviews would occur on a rolling basis at least once every 5 years. The public and State technical committees would get comment opportunities, and the Secretary would have to post comment summaries and decisions. The bill would also direct the Secretary to prioritize review of innovations like precision farming tools, biological fertilizers, animal feed additives, and agroforestry.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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