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Bill

S 5309

A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide payments for alternative manure management practices under the environmental quality incentives program, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Martin Heinrich and 2 co-sponsors

The bill would authorize EQIP payments to farmers for adopting alternative manure management practices to reduce environmental impacts.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5309

Overview

S. 5309, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to expand and modify payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) specifically for alternative manure management practices. The bill aims to incentivize producers to adopt manure management approaches that differ from conventional methods, with the intent of improving environmental outcomes and agricultural sustainability. The measure has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Purpose and Intent

  • To provide financial payments to farmers and ranchers through EQIP for selecting and implementing alternative manure management practices.
  • To encourage adoption of practices that reduce environmental impacts associated with manure handling, storage, and utilization.
  • To broaden the set of eligible practices within EQIP that address manure management, potentially expanding access to federal cost-sharing and incentive payments for producers who pursue nontraditional or innovative approaches.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to explicitly authorize payments under EQIP for alternative manure management practices.
  • Clarifies the scope of eligible activities and potentially adjusts payment rates, cost-share requirements, and contract terms to accommodate nonstandard manure management approaches.
  • Aligns EQIP program authority with current or emerging best management practices in manure handling, storage, treatment, nutrient recovery, and utilization.
  • May specify eligibility criteria, application procedures, ranking factors, and duration of EQIP contracts for these practices.

(Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated focus as described in the bill’s title and available action history. The exact statutory text would detail precise eligibility, payment schedules, environmental performance metrics, and oversight requirements.)

Who is Affected

  • Farmers and ranchers who operate operations with manure management needs, including dairy, beef, swine, poultry, and other livestock producers.
  • Eligible landowners and operators who participate in EQIP and meet program requirements.
  • State and local governments or partners that deliver EQIP through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in coordination with applicants.
  • Environmental and agricultural stakeholders seeking enhanced manure management options and environmental outcomes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Action history shows introduction and immediate referral:
    • Introduced in the Senate and read twice.
    • Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration.
  • As a bill in the early stages, it would follow standard Senate process: committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor consideration, with potential markups to refine eligibility, funding, and implementational details.
  • No specific funding levels or effective dates are provided in the available record; those would typically be defined in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal notes.

Potential Impacts

  • Environmental: Potential reductions in water quality and air emissions through expanded use of advanced or alternative manure management practices.
  • Agricultural: Increased access to federal cost-sharing and incentives may lower barriers to adopting innovative manure practices.
  • Economic: Possible changes in grant and cost-share dynamics, influencing budgeting for EQIP and the adoption timeline for producers.

Notes

  • This summary is based on the bill’s title, sponsor information, and the action history. For precise details on eligible practices, payment rates, contract terms, enforcement, and funding, the full text of S. 5309 and accompanying committee reports would be required.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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