ACE Agriculture Act of 2026
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This bill would reauthorize and expand the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority to address long-term industry risks.
What it does
This bill would reauthorize the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) through fiscal year 2031 and transition it from a pilot program to a permanent office with dedicated staff. The legislation proposes expanding the program's research goals to include water conservation, greenhouse gas emission responses, and resilience against drought and various pathogens. Additionally, it would authorize the Department of Agriculture to use any unobligated funds to support advanced research in areas where high economic costs prevent private industry from acting alone.
Who is affected
The bill directly affects the Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is required to establish and maintain a dedicated staff for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA). The legislation also impacts the agricultural research and development industry by targeting advanced research areas where economic costs typically prevent private industry from acting alone. Additionally, the program's expanded focus on sustainability and resilience affects entities involved in water conservation, greenhouse gas emission response, and the management of plant and animal pathogens.
Key provisions
- Reauthorization of AGARDA. The bill extends the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) through fiscal year 2031.
- Expansion of environmental and resilience goals. The program's objectives are expanded to include water conservation, greenhouse gas emission response, and resilience against drought, infectious diseases, and various pathogens or pests.
- Support for high-cost research and development. The bill directs the program to undertake advanced research in areas where the private sector is unlikely to invest due to high economic costs.
- Transition from pilot to permanent program. The legislation removes the pilot program designation and requires the Department of Agriculture to establish and maintain dedicated staff for the authority.
- Funding flexibility. The Department of Agriculture is authorized to use any unobligated agency funds to implement the program's activities.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The bill reauthorizes the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) through fiscal year 2031.
Relationship to existing law
This bill reauthorizes the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) through FY2031 and removes its current designation as a pilot program. It further modifies the program's existing framework by expanding its environmental sustainability goals and requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish permanent staff for the authority.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to address long-term and high-risk challenges in food and agriculture by reauthorizing and expanding the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA). It intends to foster innovation in areas where private industry is unlikely to invest due to high costs, specifically focusing on environmental sustainability, water conservation, greenhouse gas emissions, and resilience against drought and pathogens.