Next Week: Tues. Dec. 23 at Noon—AgWorks: Staying Compliant with Anti-Discrimination Laws
National Agricultural Policy: USDA Announces $12 Billion in ‘Bridge Payments’
On December 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the agency will distribute $12 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding for “one time bridge payments” to U.S. farmers “in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs.” According to the announcement, $11 billion is allocated for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which will provide payments to row crop farmers who produce barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower. The remaining $1 billion “will be reserved for commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar.” USDA states that “bridge payments are intended” to support producers until certain financial provisions from the July 2025 reconciliation bill (H.R.1) become effective on October 1, 2026, “including reference . . . increase[s] between 10-21% for major covered commodities such as soybeans, corn, and wheat.” According to USDA, “farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026.”
Antitrust: Executive Order Establishes DOJ, FTC ‘Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces’
On December 6, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Addressing Security Risks From Price Fixing and Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Food Supply Chain” (EO 14364), which directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman and the Attorney General (AG) to establish a Food Supply Chain Security Task Force within their respective organizations. The EO then directs the FTC and Justice Department (DOJ) task forces to “take all necessary and appropriate actions to investigate food-related industries within their established areas of expertise and determine whether anti-competitive behavior exists in food supply chains in the United States, as well as whether control of food-related industries by foreign entities is increasing the cost of food products in the United States or creating a national or economic security threat to Americans.” The EO also instructs the AG to bring criminal charges “as appropriate” and directs the FTC and DOJ task forces to provide briefings within 180 and 365 days to the Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the chairs of congressional committees of jurisdiction.
Wildlife Habitat: Endangered Species Act Proposed Rules Published
On November 21, 2025, the U.S. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published in the Federal Register four proposed rules regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The first, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat” (90 FR 52607) (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0039) changes certain regulations under 50 CFR Part 424, which discuss factors for listing, delisting, or reclassifying species and criteria for designating a critical habitat. The second, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat” (90 FR 52592) (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0048) amends ESA section 4(b)(2) to “articulate when and how [FWS] determine[s] whether the benefits of excluding an area outweigh the benefits of designating the area as critical habitat (exclusion analysis).” The third, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Interagency Cooperation Regulations” (90 FR 52600) (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0044) proposes to “confirm the Services’ application of statutory requirements for interagency cooperation, while continuing to provide for the conservation of listed species.” And the fourth, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants” (90 FR 52587) (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0029) proposes remove the “‘blanket rule’ option for protecting newly listed threatened species pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act” and would obligate FWS to create new “species-specific rules” for those species that are currently under the blanket rule. Comments for all proposed rules are open until December 22, 2025. See also Brigit Rollins, FWS & NMFS Propose New ESA Rules, National Agricultural Law Center (Dec. 9, 2025).
Water Quality: Chesapeake Bay Executive Council Updates Watershed Agreement, Elects Gov. Josh Shapiro as Chair
On December 2, 2025, the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council (15 U.S.C. § 1511d) held its annual meeting at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. During the meeting, Governor Josh Shapiro was unanimously elected to serve as Chair of the Council, also announced by the governor. According to the announcement, the Council also “approved several major updates that will guide the next phase of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort,” including updating the 2014 Chesapeake Bay agreement with new goals through 2040, creating a new Policy Steering Committee, and directing “staff to work with federally recognized tribal nations to recommend formal pathways for tribal participation and collaboration by July 1, 2026.”
Technology: FDA Announces Expanded Artificial Intelligence Capabilities for Staff
On December 1, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced “the deployment of agentic AI [artificial intelligence] capabilities for all agency employees.” According to the announcement, the availability of the AI tool “will enable FDA staff to further advance the use of AI to assist with more complex tasks, such as . . . pre-market reviews, review validation, post-market surveillance, inspections and compliance and administrative functions.” However, FDA states that “tool is entirely optional for FDA staff and is used voluntarily.” FDA noted that in May 2025, the agency implemented an “LLM-based tool, Elsa,” which FDA states was “voluntarily used by more than 70% of staff.”
Technology: Land O’Lakes and Microsoft Announce Artificial Intelligence Partnership
On November 12, 2025, Microsoft Corp. announced a partnership with Land O’Lakes Inc. to co-develop “AI-powered tools, including a digital assistant called ‘Oz.’” Specifically, the partnership aims to develop technology to “improve efficiency and resiliency [which] can help farmers manage costs and stabilize their operations, safeguarding the future of agriculture.” Oz, the digital assistant, is supposed to help retail agronomists with growing season challenges so farmers can “control production cost and optimize yield potential.” In its partnership, Land O’Lakes has shifted over two-thirds of its information technology to Microsoft.
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Understanding Agricultural Law Series. A free monthly webinar series for agricultural and rural business advisors. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Fridays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:
Jan. 23, 2026, Understanding the Basics of Pennsylvania’s Seasonal Farm Labor Law
Feb. 27, 2026, Understanding the Basics of the USDA National Appeals Division
Mar. 27, 2026, Understanding the Basics of Right to Farm Laws
Apr. 24, 2026, Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard
May 22, 2026, Understanding the Basics of the PA Preferred Program
Jun 26, 2026, Understanding the Basics of Agricultural Vehicle Regulation
July 24, 2026, Understanding the Basics of International Agricultural Trade & Tariffs
Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar Series. A free quarterly webinar series covering dairy industry legal and regulatory developments with an in-depth focus topic. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Tuesdays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:
Jan. 27, 2026, 4th Quarter 2025: Dairy Product Standards of Identity—Regulations and Current Issues
Apr. 14, 2026, 1st Quarter 2026 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar
Jul 14, 2026, 2nd Quarter 2026 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar
Oct. 13, 2026, 3rd Quarter 2026 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar
AgWorks: Connecting Agricultural Businesses to Workforce Services and Training. From 2025 to 2027, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law and Penn State Extension will collaborate with farms and agriculture-related businesses to strengthen the workforce system. AgWorks will provide 100 registered small- to medium-sized Pennsylvania farms and agribusinesses with no-cost training and consultation to ensure business sustainability. As part of the AgWorks program, the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will provide legal consulting and present 20+ employment law programs.
Upcoming AgWorks webinars and workshops:
Dec. 23, 2025, AgWorks: Staying Compliant with Anti-Discrimination Laws
Jan. 21, 2026, AgWorks: Wage and Hour Laws—Requirements and Exemptions
Feb. 24, 2026, AgWorks: Wage and Hour Laws—Calculation and Enforcement
Subscribe to the Pennsylvania Farm Employers’ Listserv (PFEL): an email networking and resource-sharing group exclusively about human resources information for agricultural operations.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Legal Services Plan: “A new member-benefit program involving law firms that specialize in legal areas commonly utilized by farmers.”
Resources of Interest:
NEW: Penn State University, Eyes for an agricultural robot: AI system identifies weeds in apple orchards, Jeff Mulhollem (Dec. 4, 2025)
Southern Ag Today, California Defines Ultra-processed Foods, Emily Stone (Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr.) (Dec. 12, 2025)
Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, $12 Billion Farm Aid Package Not Enough, Farm Leaders Say, Ryan Hanrahan (Dec. 12, 2025)
Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, USDA Launches $700M Regenerative Agriculture Program, Ryan Hanrahan (Dec. 11, 2025)
Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., Eleventh Circuit Upholds Florida’s Foreign Ownership Law, Ramie Parsons (Dec. 9, 2025)
Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., FWS & NMFS Propose New ESA Rules, Brigit Rollins (Dec. 9, 2025)
Tex. A&M Agric. Law Blog, Does Agritourism Hinder or Promote Farmland Preservation?, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet and Jesse Richardson (Dec. 8, 2025)
Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., Considerations for Seeking Grain Indemnity Funds, Will Scobey (Dec. 4, 2025)
Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, Trump Admin Backs Bayer’s Bid to Limit Roundup Lawsuits, Ryan Hanrahan (Dec. 4, 2025)
Southern Ag Today, Recent Tariff Exceptions and Trade Agreements Aimed to Reduce Food Costs, Luis Ribera (Ctr. North Am. Studies) (Dec. 4, 2025)
Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, The never-ending story: U.S. EPA and Army Corps of Engineers open comment period for new “Waters of the United States” definition, Ellen Essman (Dec. 3, 2025)
Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., WOTUS Update: EPA & Corps Propose New Definition, Brigit Rollins (Dec. 2, 2025)
Univ. Md. Risk Mgmt. Educ. Blog, Federal Estate Tax and Gift Tax Limits Announced For 2026, Paul Goeringer (Dec. 2, 2025)
Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, Is Property Tax Relief on the Horizon? The General Assembly sends four bills to Governor DeWine, Ellen Essman (Dec. 1, 2025)
Tex. A&M Agric. Law Blog, Motorcycle v. Cow Collision Results in Lawsuit, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet (Dec. 1, 2025)
STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASES
Pennsylvania Invests More Than $6.9 Million to Ensure That 27 Farms, 2,354 Acres of Prime Farmland in 13 Counties Stay Farms Forever (Dec. 11, 2025)
Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvania Farmers They Have Access to Quality Health Insurance Coverage Through Pennie (Dec. 10, 2025)
Shapiro Administration Invites Pennsylvanians to Support Service Members by Donating Christmas Trees through ‘Trees for Troops’ (Dec. 5, 2025)
PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 49 and 50—November 6 & 13, 2025):
Department of Environmental Protection
55 Pa.B. 8440 Notice: “Planning Grant Awards under Section 901 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988” (Dec. 13, 2025)
55 Pa.B. 8318 Notice: “Availability of Draft Policy for Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities; Availability for Public Comment” (Dec. 6, 2025)
55 Pa.B. 8319 Notice: “Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting Cancellation” (Dec. 6, 2025)
Environmental Quality Board
55 Pa.B. 8366 Proposed Rulemaking: “Safe Drinking Water Revised Consumer Confidence Report Rule” (Dec. 13, 2025)
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE
H.R. 378 “A Resolution designating Dec. 17, 2025, as ‘Sustainable Forestry Initiative Day’ in Pennsylvania to commend the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Pennsylvania SFI Implementation Committee for its 30 years of leadership, commitment and impact on the sustainability of this Commonwealth’s forests and forest-based communities.” Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs [House] (Dec. 10, 2025)
H.B. 2065 “An Act amending the act of March 1, 1974 (P.L.90, No.24), known as the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973, providing for prohibited pesticides.” Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs [House] (Dec. 9, 2025)
S.B. 1098 “An Act amending Title 26 (Eminent Domain) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in procedure to condemn, providing for advance notice to condemnee; in just compensation and measure of damages, further providing for measure of damages, for contiguous tracts and unity of use, for limited reimbursement of appraisal, attorney and engineering fees and for delay compensation; and, in special damages for displacement, further providing for moving and related expenses of displaced persons.” Referred to State Government [Senate] (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.B. 2071 “An Act amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in interactive gaming, further providing for interactive gaming tax.” Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs [House] (Dec. 3, 2025)
FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
EPA Regional Administrator Martucci’s Trip to Puerto Rico Highlights Environmental Progress and Partnerships (Dec. 12, 2025)
EPA and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Sign Agreement to Guide Environmental Protection on Tribal Lands (Dec. 12, 2025)
EPA Unveils Clean Air Act-Related Resource to Provide Transparency for Data Center Developers, Local Communities, Tribes (Dec. 11, 2025)
EPA Takes Action Against Grocery Store Chains for Distribution of Illegal Disinfectants to Arizona, California, and Nevada (Dec. 2, 2025)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES
Mexico Agrees to Meet Water Treaty Obligations for Farmers in the American Southwest (Dec. 12, 2025)
USDA Announces $38.1 Million in Grant Agreement to Cover Agricultural Losses due to Hurricane Helene in Tennessee (Dec. 12, 2025)
Secretary Rollins Sends Letter Challenging California’s Proposed Redistribution of Ag Land (Dec. 11, 2025)
USDA Launches New Regenerative Pilot Program to Lower Farmer Production Costs and Advance MAHA Agenda (Dec. 10, 2025)
Trump Administration Announces $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Payments for American Farmers Impacted by Unfair Market Disruptions (Dec. 8, 2025)
Secretary Rollins Announces Major Investment for Rural Communities Across Georgia (Dec. 5, 2025)
USDA to Expand Crop Insurance Access for Farmers and Ranchers, Boosting the Farm Safety Net (Dec. 5, 2025)
USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA to Conduct Vote on Vidalia Onion Marketing Order (Dec. 11, 2025)
USDA to Conduct Vote on Walla Walla Sweet Onions Marketing Order (Dec. 11, 2025)
Smile Onion 7 Inc. Satisfies Terms of Consent Decision and Order for Alleged PACA Violations (November 30, 2025)
Berry People LLC in California Enters Into Consent Decision and Order Involving Alleged PACA Violations (November 30, 2025)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
FDA Conditionally Approves Topical Drug for Cattle for New World Screwworm and Cattle Fever Tick (Dec. 4, 2025)
Economic Research Service
USDA Reschedules Reports Affected by Lapse in Federal Funding (Dec. 3, 2025)
Farm Service Agency
USDA Announces Dec. 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers (Dec. 12, 2025)
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Constituent Update (Dec. 12, 2025)
Foreign Agricultural Service
Export Sales to China, Mexico, and Unknown Destinations (Dec. 12, 2025)
Export Sales to China and Unknown Destinations (Dec. 11, 2025)
Export Sales to China, Poland, and Unknown Destinations (Dec. 10, 2025)
Food for Progress Program – FY 2024 Report to Congress (Dec. 9, 2025)
STAKEHOLDER NOTICE – Notice of Funding Opportunity for America First Trade Promotion Program (Dec. 9, 2025)
Export Sales to China (Dec. 8, 2025)
Export Sales to Colombia and Mexico (Dec. 4, 2025)
National Agricultural Statistics Service
USDA to Conduct 2025 Organic Survey (Dec. 10, 2025)
Dec. Crop Production (Dec. 9, 2025)
US corn ending stocks down 13% from last year, soybean ending stocks down 8% (November 30, 2025)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
New Name, Same Opportunity: RFA is now NOFO (Dec. 12, 2025)
Employment Outlook Remains Strong for Agriculture Graduates (Dec. 12, 2025)
NIFA Invests $9.6M in Food Safety Outreach Program (Dec. 10, 2025)
NIFA Invests $6.3M in Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research (Dec. 3, 2025)
NIFA Invests $41.5M in Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (Dec. 3, 2025)
Training Sessions for New eRA Grants System Rescheduled (Dec. 2, 2025)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
RCPP Entity Held Easements FY26 Open Sign-up (Dec. 11, 2025)
USDA Launches New Regenerative Pilot Program to Lower Farmer Production Costs and Advance MAHA Agenda (Dec. 10, 2025)
Agriculture Producers and Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (Dec. 8, 2025)
Final plans approved for Klamath Drainage District Infrastructure Modernization Project (Dec. 5, 2025)
Risk Management Agency
USDA to Expand Crop Insurance Access for Farmers and Ranchers, Boosting the Farm Safety Net (Dec. 5, 2025)
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register: Dec. 1-12, 2025):
Agriculture Department
90 FR 56125 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request” (Dec. 5, 2025)
Agricultural Marketing Service
90 FR 57447 Referendum order: “Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia; Continuance Referendum” (Dec. 11, 2025)
Environmental Protection Agency
90 FR 57758 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Bilingual Pesticide Labeling Tracking (New)” (Dec. 12, 2025)
90 FR 57465 Notice: “Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC); Notice of Charter Renewal” (Dec. 11, 2025)
90 FR 57466 Notice: “Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board; Membership” (Dec. 11, 2025)
90 FR 57418 Proposed rule: “Pesticide Tolerances; Implementing Registration Review Decisions for Certain Pesticides; Atrazine, et al.” (Dec. 11, 2025)
90 FR 57463 Notice: “Pesticide Registration Review; Pesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment; Notice of Availability” (Dec. 11, 2025)
90 FR 56691 Final rule: “Azoxystrobin; Pesticide Tolerances” (Dec. 8, 2025)
90 FR 55315 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal Collection and Request for Comment; Consolidated Pesticide Registration Submission Portal” (Dec. 2, 2025)
90 FR 55107 Notice of receipt and request for comment: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses (September 2025)” (Dec. 1, 2025)
90 FR 55107 Notice of receipt and request for comment: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses (September 2025)” (Dec. 1, 2025)
90 FR 55065 Notice of filing of petitions and request for comment: “Receipt of Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities-September 2025” (Dec. 1, 2025)
Executive Office of the President
90 FR 57349 Executive Order: “Addressing Security Risks From Price Fixing and Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Food Supply Chain” (Dec. 10, 2025)
Farm Credit Administration
90 FR 56066 Proposed rule and request for comment: “Loan Performance Categories and Financial Reporting” (Dec. 5, 2025)
Farm Service Agency
90 FR 56125 Notice; request for comments: “Information Collection Request; Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 1 and Phase 2” (Dec. 5, 2025)
Food and Drug Administration
90 FR 57074 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Establishment, Maintenance, and Availability of Records; Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” (Dec. 9, 2025)
Food Safety and Inspection Service
90 FR 57177 Notice of availability and response to comments: “Availability of Guideline for Label Approval” (Dec. 10, 2025)
90 FR 55297 Notice of public meeting: “Exploring Practical Strategies To Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products” (Dec. 2, 2025)
90 FR 55299 Notice: “Delayed Verification Sampling of Not Ready-to-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products” (Dec. 2, 2025)
International Trade Commission
90 FR 57484 Change in filing deadline for written submissions: “Nonfat Milk Solids: Competitive Conditions for the United States and Major Foreign Suppliers” (Dec. 11, 2025)
National Agricultural Statistics Service
90 FR 57728 Notice and request for comments: “Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Dec. 12, 2025)
90 FR 57729 Notice and request for comments: “Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Dec. 12, 2025)
90 FR 57729 Notice and request for comments: “Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Dec. 12, 2025)
Rural Utilities Service
90 FR 57675 Final rule; confirmation: “OneRD Guarantee Loan Regulation” (Dec. 12, 2025)
U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
H.R.6697 “To amend the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to provide additional agricultural products for distribution by emergency feeding organizations; and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 12, 2025)
H.R.6660 “To ensure that non-animal methods for regulatory testing are used in lieu of animal tests whenever scientifically satisfactory non-animal test methods are available and accepted by regulatory agencies for meeting regulatory requirements, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (Dec. 11, 2025)
H.R.6657 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the restaurant meals program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 11, 2025)
H.R.6655 “To exempt charitable organizations from commodity trading regulations and registration requirements.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 11, 2025)
H.R.6637 “To advance bipartisan priorities.” Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Education and Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, Agriculture, Appropriations, Armed Services, the Budget, Rules, Ethics, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, House Administration, the Judiciary, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, Small Business, and Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (Dec. 11, 2025)
H.R.6636 “To advance sensible priorities.” Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Education and Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, Agriculture, Appropriations, Armed Services, the Budget, Rules, Ethics, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, House Administration, the Judiciary, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, Small Business, and Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (Dec. 11, 2025)
H.R.5419 “Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act” Subcommittee Hearings Held (Dec. 11, 2025)
H.R.6598 “To modernize the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to conduct research, development, demonstration, and information programs.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 10, 2025)
H.R.6593 “To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish the Domestic Organic Investment Program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 10, 2025)
H.R.6535 “To extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (Dec. 9, 2025)
H.R.6520 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require States to provide recipient-level data to the Secretary of Agriculture upon request.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 9, 2025)
H.R.6513 “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the captivity of mink, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 9, 2025)
H.R.6496 “To require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to make direct payments to certain specialty crop growers or wine producers who experience certain losses due to increased tariff burdens, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 5, 2025)
H.R.6476 “To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to States, territories, and Indian Tribes to address contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farms, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.R.6462 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to provide to rural communities technical assistance in recovering from disasters, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.R.6457 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the placement of a photograph on an electronic benefit transfer card used by a household to purchase food with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.R.6436 “To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to allow for the advance payment of assistance under Tree Assistance Program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.R.6433 “To provide technical assistance for geographically underserved and distressed areas, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.R.3924 “Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands (Dec. 4, 2025)
H.R.6415 “To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (Dec. 3, 2025)
H.R.6388 “Conservation Reserve Program Modernization Act” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 3, 2025)
H.R.6385 “To amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to reauthorize the Commission on Farm Transitions-Needs for 2050, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 3, 2025)
H.R.1665 “DIGITAL Applications Act” Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 51 – 0 (Dec. 3, 2025)
H.R.1588 “Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act” Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 – 0 (Dec. 3, 2025)
H.R.6369 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program for making payments to covered producers for the cost of carrying out GAP audits, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 2, 2025)
H.R.6368 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the thrifty food plan to apply to the urban and rural parts of the State of Hawaii.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 2, 2025)
H.R.6271 “To provide supplemental appropriations to carry out the emergency food assistance program under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 in the event of a lapse in funding for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.” Sponsor introductory remarks on measure (Dec. 2, 2025)
H.R.6343 “Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 1, 2025)
H.R.6341 “Partnerships for Agricultural Climate Action Act” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Dec. 1, 2025)
H.R.6337 “To increase the supply of affordable housing in America.” Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs, Appropriations, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, the Budget, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (Dec. 1, 2025)
H.R.5782 “Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025” Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management (Dec. 1, 2025)
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY
S.3427 “A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish the Domestic Organic Investment Program, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Dec. 10, 2025)
S.3423 “A bill to make inapplicable to surplus broiler hatching eggs certain regulations relating to shell eggs, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Dec. 10, 2025)
S.3392 “A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to designate an Agritourism Advisor, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Dec. 9, 2025)
S.3377 “A bill to delay the implementation of a rule relating to the importation of sheep and goats and products derived from sheep and goats, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Dec. 4, 2025)
S.3353 “A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to States, territories, and Indian Tribes to address contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farms, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Dec. 4, 2025)
U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE—UPCOMING HEARINGS
U.S. House Ag. Comm., CFTC Reauthorization: Stakeholder Perspectives, Dec. 11, 2025, 10:00 AM EST
U.S. House Ag. Comm., Member Day, Dec. 10, 2025, 10:00 AM
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY—UPCOMING HEARINGS
None.
Contributors:
Audry Thompson—Staff Attorney
Christina Fraser—Research Assistant
Riley Amdor—Research Assistant
