SWAT Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Andrea Salinas and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a dedicated SWD Research and Mitigation Fund under the Plant Protection Act to fund research, detection, IPM, surveillance, and coordination.

Introduced in House

Bill Overview

HR 9976, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to amend the Plant Protection Act to establish a dedicated fund for research and mitigation of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). The bill is sponsored with co-sponsors Andrea Salinas and David Valadao and has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Main Purpose and Intent

Create a dedicated funding mechanism to advance research, detection, prevention, and mitigation of SWD, a pest that affects a range of fruit crops and small fruits.

Improve coordination among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as researchers and industry stakeholders, to address SWD impacts.

Key Provisions and Changes

Establishment of a SWD Research and Mitigation Fund (or similarly named fund) under the Plant Protection Act.

Authorized uses of the fund likely include:

Research on SWD biology, monitoring methods, and control tactics.
Development and dissemination of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Surveillance, early detection, and rapid response activities.
Outreach and extension programs to educate growers, exporters, and inspectors.

Eligible recipients for fund allocations may include:

Federal agencies (e.g., USDA or APHIS components).
State agriculture departments and extension services.
Research institutions, universities, and cooperative extension programs.
Nonprofit organizations or industry groups involved in SWD management (subject to statutory guidelines).

Provisions to ensure fund transparency and accountability, potentially including:

Regular reporting on fund balance, expenditures, and program outcomes.
Auditing or oversight mechanisms to prevent misallocation.

Timeline and implementation:

The bill would specify effective dates for the fund’s creation and initial funding rounds, along with any sunset or renewal provisions (if applicable).

Who Would Be Affected

Fruit and berry growers and other crops susceptible to SWD, who could benefit from improved management tools and early detection.

State and local agricultural agencies and extension services involved in pest surveillance and farmer education.

Researchers and universities conducting SWD-related studies.

Exporters and supply chain stakeholders impacted by SWD management and policy measures.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture as of July 27, 2026.

Next steps likely include committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor action.

If enacted, the fund would become a dedicated funding stream within the Plant Protection Act framework, with implementation guided by accompanying rules or administrative guidance.

Potential Implications

Enhanced federal support for SWD-specific research and control measures could accelerate development of effective IPM strategies and detection technologies.

A dedicated fund may improve coordination across jurisdictions and streamline resource allocation for SWD-related activities.

Outcomes could include reduced crop losses from SWD, improved market access for affected commodities, and increased resilience of fruit production systems.

Note: This summary is based on the bill title and action history provided. For precise language, definitions, appropriation amounts, eligible uses, and programmatic details, the full text of HR 9976 would need to be consulted.