Agricultural Law Weekly Review—May 8, 2023

Conservation Programs: USDA Begins Implementation Phase of Climate-Smart Commodities Program Projects 🌾
On April 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the beginning of the implementation phase of projects funded through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. With the implementation phase, USDA is launching the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Learning Network (Partnerships Network). This Partnership Networks allows for collaboration between projects. Producers interested in participating can find projects in their area through the project dashboard. For background, see ALWR—Dec. 16, 2022, “Conservation Programs: USDA Announces Additional $325 Million for Climate-Smart Commodities Projects” and ALWR—Sept. 16, 2022, “National Agricultural Policy: USDA Announces $2.8 Billion for 70 Climate-Smart Partnership Projects.”

Food Safety: FSIS Proposes Designating Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products Containing Salmonella as ‘Adulterated’
On April 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a notice in the Federal Register titled “Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products.” This Notice proposes that not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken containing one colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher levels of Salmonella be declared adulterated under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). Public comments will be received via the Federal Register until June 27, 2023.

Water Quality: EPA Publishes Chesapeake Bay Settlement Agreement for Public Comment
On April 21, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register titled “Proposed Settlement Agreement, Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedure Act Claims,” soliciting public comment until May 22, 2023, on the proposed settlement of the Chesapeake Bay States’ suit against EPA over Pennsylvania’s non-compliance with the applicable 2025 TMDLs. For more information, see Agricultural Law in the Spotlight: EPA Settlement Agreement of Chesapeake Bay TMDL Compliance Litigation Discloses New Pennsylvania Enforcement Policies.

Food Labeling: FDA Re-Opens Comment Period for Draft Guidance on Plant-based Milk Labeling
On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reopened the comment period for the draft guidance published in the Federal Register titled “Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements; Draft Guidance for Industry.” FDA will accept comments on the guidance until July 31, 2023. The comment period was previously closed on April 24, 2023. For background, see ALWR—Mar. 6, 2023, “FDA Publishes Draft Guidance on Labeling Plant-Based Milks.”

National Agriculture Policy: USDA Announces $45 Million in Funding for Organizations Through its 2501 Program
On April 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of $45 million through its Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program), managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). This funding is available to organizations serving communities identified in the 2501 Program. Applications are received through grants.gov. The USDA will hold two webinars on June 12, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. EDT and July 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. EDT to provide more information. Links to these webinars are included in the announcement.

Agricultural Finance: USDA Announces $130 Million in Automatic Payments for Distressed Borrowers
On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that USDA will provide $130 million in automatic payments to distressed farm loan borrowers, appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). According to the announcement, the payments will be made to certain delinquent borrowers, borrowers with restructured loans, and borrowers whose interest was greater than their owed principal balance. Additionally, FSA states that it will begin reviewing individual applications for assistance in May 2023.

National Agricultural Policy: APHIS Publishes Strategic Plan for 2023–2027
On April 25, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that the agency published its new strategic plan for fiscal years 2023–2027 as part of APHIS’s mission. According to the announcement, the plan covers six goals: 1) “Protecting agriculture from plant and animal diseases and pests,” 2) “Positioning the Agency’s workforce to better meet current and future challenges,” 3) “Delivering solutions that reduce the impacts of zoonotic and emerging diseases, and ecosystem changes, such as climate change,” 4) “Expanding safe trade,” 5) “Managing wildlife diseases,” and 6) “Promoting the welfare of animals.”

Technology: FAA Issues Approval for Guardian Agriculture’s Drone Protection Systems
On April 24, 2023, Guardian Agriculture announced that it received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin operating its agricultural drones nationwide. Guardian Agriculture is a company developing arial drone protection systems using its Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) capabilities. The FAA’s decision grants Guardian Agriculture exemptions from several federal regulations and allows commercial operations to begin nationwide. More information on Guardian Agriculture’s Guardian SC1 system model can be found on its website.

 

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CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Events:

Multi-District Antitrust Litigation in the Protein Sectors (Poultry, Pork and Beef). Free webinar presented by Center Staff Attorney Brook Duer for the National Agricultural Law Center.

• May 17, 2023, noon–1 pm (ET). Register.

Understanding Agricultural Law. A free monthly Zoom webinar series for all agricultural and rural business advisors. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. Recordings and materials from the series, more information, and registration available here. Recent in the series:

• May 19, 2023, noon–1 pm (ET): Understanding the Basics of Landowner Immunity Statutes. Register.
• June 23, 2023, noon–1 pm (ET): Understanding the Basics of the Farm Credit System (registration coming soon)

Legal Considerations for Diversification Opportunities in Agritourism. Free webinar presented by Center Staff Attorney Jackie Schweichler with Penn State Extension.

• May 25, 2023, noon—1 pm (ET). Register.

An Overview of U.S. Charitable Food Surplus Programs. Free webinar presented by Center Staff Attorney Audry Thompson for the National Agricultural Law Center.

• June 21, 2023, noon–1 pm (ET). Register.

Dairy Quarterly Legal Webinar. A free quarterly Zoom webinar series covering U.S. dairy industry legal and regulatory developments with an in-depth focus topic presentation. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. Recordings and materials from the series, more information, and registration available here. Recent in the series:

• July 18, 2023, noon–1 pm (ET): 2^nd Quarter 2023 (registration coming soon)

Legal Planning for Specialty Crop Producers. A free six-webinar series is available for on-demand viewing by registering.

Podcasts:

• 240. Louisiana’s Truth in Labeling is Constitutional; Dispositive Motion Filed in Dicamba Registration Challenge (Apr. 26, 2023)
• 239. WOTUS Final Rule Enjoined in 24 States; Perdue Farms Wage-Fixing Litigation Settlement (Apr. 18, 2023).
• 238. ‘Gruyere’ is Generic; “Product of the USA’ Labeling Proposed Rule (Apr. 11, 2023).

Resources of Interest:

• Southern Ag Today, Revisiting Planted Versus Base Acres, Joe Outlaw and Bart Fischer (Apr. 27, 2023).
• Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., WOTUS Update: 2023 Rule Enjoined in 27 States, Brigit Rollins (Apr. 27, 2023).
• Univ. Md. Risk Mgmt. Educ. Blog, Frequently Asked Questions: Paul, What Happens If A Trespasser is Hurt on My Property?, Paul Goeringer (Apr. 25, 2023).
• Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, Our OSU students answer agricultural law questions, Peggy Kirk Hall (Apr. 25, 2023).
• Tex. A&M Agric. Law Blog, Case Addresses Requirements to Exercise Right of First Refusal, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet (Apr. 24, 2023).
• Agric. Law & Tax’n Blog, Deductibility of Personal Interest and the Home Mortgage Exception, Roger A. McEowen (Apr. 22, 2023).
• Northeast SARE, Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management, Second Edition (Apr. 2023)
• Northeast SARE, 2022 Annual Report: Innovations in sustainable agriculture (Feb. 2023).
• Progressive Farmer, Farmer Indicted on Organic Crops Fraud Asks Court to Return Equipment for 2023, Todd Neeley (May 1, 2023).
• Progressive Farmer’s Ag Policy Blog, House Ag Chair Wants to Limit Ag Secretary Access to CCC Funds, Jerry Hagstrom (May 2. 2023).
• Am. Farm Bur. Fed.’s Market Intel, H-2A Wages Become a Bit More Clear with Newly Released Data, Veronica Nigh (May 2, 2023).
• Penn State Extension, Spotted Lanternfly Permit Training for Businesses, free on-line courses (two hours):
  • Register for Pennsylvania businesses.
  • Register for Maryland businesses: “To stop its spread, the Maryland Department of Agriculture and other neighboring states have issued quarantines for counties where the presence of this pest has been confirmed .. . Penn State Extension and the Maryland Department of Agriculture have developed this self-paced online course to train designated employees how to comply with the quarantine . . . Once a designated employee passes this course, he or she will receive one (1) spotted lanternfly permit. It is then the designated employee’s/business’s responsibility to make the needed copies of the permit for company vehicles.”
  • Register for New Jersey businesses: “As of February 6, 2023, the entire state of New Jersey (all counties) is under quarantine for spotted lanternfly . . . Penn State Extension and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture have developed this self-paced online course to train designated employees how to comply with the quarantine. . . Once a designated employee passes this course, his or her company will receive spotted lanternfly permits for company vehicles.”

Legislative Hearings/Meetings/Reports:

U.S. Sen. Ag. Committee:

• Commodity Programs, Credit, And Crop Insurance – Part 2: Industry Perspectives on Risk Management and Access To Credit, recorded May 4, 2023.
• Commodity Programs, Credit, And Crop Insurance – Part 1: Producer Perspectives on The Farm Safety Net, recorded May 2, 2023.
• Conservation in the Farm Bill: Making Conservation Programs Work for Farmers and Ranchers, recorded Apr. 20, 2023.

U.S. House Ag. Committee Hearings:

• The Future of Digital Assets: Measuring the Regulatory Gaps in the Digital Asset Markets, May 10, 2023, 9:30 am (ET), livestream
• Stakeholder Perspectives on Agricultural Trade, May 11, 2023, 10 am (ET), livestream
• The Future of Digital Assets: Identifying the Regulatory Gaps in Spot Market Regulation, recorded Apr. 27, 2023.
• Producer Perspectives on the 2023 Farm Bill, recorded Apr. 26, 2023.

Pennsylvania General Assembly Committee Hearings:

• Pennsylvania Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Public Hearing on future of Over Order Premium on Class I Milk, recorded 25, 2023.
• Pennsylvania House Agriculture Committee Hearing, Informational meeting to discuss the status of organic production in PA, recorded Apr. 11, 2023.

Pennsylvania Farm/Food Employers’ Listserv (PFEL) is a human resources networking group exclusively for farm and food employers. Subscribe by email with “subscribe” in the subject line to pfel-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.

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FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE 

U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES

Statement from Secretary Vilsack on Emergency Fuel Waivers for E15 Sales (Apr. 28, 2023).

USDA Announces $45 Million Funding Opportunity to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters (Apr. 27, 2023).

USDA Kicks-off Effort to Expand Market Opportunities for Climate-Smart Commodities and Learn from Pilot Projects (Apr. 27, 2023).

House Republican Proposals Hurt Rural Communities (Apr. 26, 2023).

USDA Proposes Declaring Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products (Apr. 25, 2023)

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Arkansas Disaster Areas (Apr. 24, 2023).

USDA Announces New National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director (Apr. 24, 2023).

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) PRESS RELEASES

EPA Opens Public Comment on Proposal Granting Louisiana Primacy for Carbon Sequestration and Protection of Drinking Water Sources (Apr. 28, 2023).

EPA Proposes Draft Determination to Protect Cape Cod’s Sole Source of Drinking Water; Seeks Public Input on Groundwater Impacts from Proposed Machine Gun Range Project (Apr. 27, 2023).

EPA Invests $41 million in New Technical Assistance to Help Communities Address Wastewater Challenges (Apr. 27, 2023).

USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES:

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

USDA Expands Local Foods in School Meals through Cooperative Agreement with Missouri

(Apr. 26, 2023).

Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Keeping Corn from Frequenting the Phosphorus Buffet Line (Apr. 25, 2023).

Sorghum Bran Rises as an Ingredient for Enhancing Gluten-Free Bread (Apr. 24, 2023).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

APHIS Releases New Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 (Apr. 25, 2023).

Economic Research Service (ERS)

Estimating the State-Level Food Expenditure Series (Apr. 27, 2023).

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

USDA’s CLEAR30 Offers Producers with Expiring Voluntary Conservation Contracts Rental Incentives and Longer Term Options (Apr. 26, 2023).

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

Integrating Nutrition into Healthcare in the Midwest (Apr. 28, 2023).

Easier Enrollment in WIC Leads to Healthier Moms and Kids (Apr. 27, 2023).

School Breakfast: A Jump Start to a Great Day (Apr. 25, 2023).

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Arkansas Disaster Areas (Apr. 24, 2023).

Ways to Get Involved with the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (Apr. 24, 2023).

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

USDA Proposes Declaring Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products (Apr. 25, 2023).

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

USDA Faculty Exchange Program Helps Tuskegee University Expand Its International Impact (Apr. 27, 2023).

Cancellation of Export Sales to China (Apr. 27, 2023).

Cancellation of Export Sales to China (Apr. 24, 2023).

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

Land-grant Universities Key in Managing Devastating Emerald Ash Borer (Apr. 28, 2023).

The Biggest Asset is You (Apr. 27, 2023).

NIFA Invests $6M in Foundation Knowledge of Ag Production Systems (Apr. 26, 2023).

Variety Trials Improving Gardens (Apr. 25, 2023).

Award-winning Film Highlights Rutgers Efforts to Protect Basil from Blight (Apr. 24, 2023).

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register Apr. 24–28, 2023):            

Agricultural Marketing Service

88 FR 25565 Proposed Rule—Public Comment: “Marketing Order Regulations for Almonds Grown in California” (Apr. 27, 2023).

88 FR 25559 Proposed Rule—Public Comment: “Almonds Grown in California; Amendments to the Marketing Order” (Apr. 27, 2023).

88 FR 25559 Proposed Rule: “Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Continuance Referendum” (Apr. 27, 2023).

88 FR 25289 Proposed Rule—Public Comment: “Origin of Livestock; New Information Collection” (Apr. 26, 2023).

88 FR 24968 Notice—Public Comment: “Tobacco Inspection and Grading Services: Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Apr. 25, 2023).

88 FR 24751 Notice—Public Comment: “Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Apr. 24, 2023).

88 FR 24752 Notice—Public Comment: “Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” 9Apr. 24, 2023).

Agriculture

88 FR 25617 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [National Agricultural Statistics Service: Agricultural Resource Management Phases 3 Economic Surveys.]” (Apr. 27, 2023).

88 FR 24968 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Domestic Quarantine Regulations.]” (Apr. 25, 2023).

Delaware River Basin Commission

88 FR 24778 Notice: “Notice of Public Hearing and Business Meeting” (Apr. 24, 2023).

Environmental Protection Agency

88 FR 25501 Final Rule—Public Comment: “Fluazifop-P-butyl; Pesticide Tolerances” (Apr. 27, 2023).

88 FR 24983 Notice—Public Comment: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients March 2023” (Apr. 25, 2023).

88 FR 24705 Final Rule: “[alpha]-D-Glucopyranoside, [beta]-D-Fructofuranosyl, Polymer with Methyloxirane and Oxirane; Tolerance Exemption” (Apr. 24, 2023).

88 FR 24699 Final Rule—Public Comment: “Oxirane, 2-Methyl-, Polymer with Oxirane, Ether With 1,2,3-Propanetriol (3:1); Tolerance Exemption” (Apr. 24, 2023).

88 FR 24702 Final Rule—Public Comment: “Oxirane, 2-Methyl-, Polymer with Oxirane, Ether With D-Glucitol (6:1); Tolerance Exemption” (Apr. 24, 2023).

88 FR 24744 Proposed Rule—Public Comment: “Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities March 2023” (Apr. 24, 2023). 88 FR 24790 Notice—Public Comment: “Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations” (Apr. 24, 2023).

Farm Credit Administration

88 FR 26301 Notice: “Sunshine Act Meetings” (Apr. 28, 2023).

Food and Drug Administration

88 FR 26320 Notice—Public Comment: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Federal-State Food Regulatory Program Standards.” (Apr. 28, 2023).

88 FR 26318 Notice—Public Comment: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Records and Reports Concerning Experiences with Approved New Animal Drugs: Adverse Event Reports” (Apr. 28, 2023).

88 FR 26322 Notice: “Cheese Slice Products Deviating from Identity Standard; Temporary Permit for Market Testing” (Apr. 28, 2023).

88 FR 25658 Notice—Public Comment: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Associated with Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fees” (Apr. 27, 2023).

88 FR 24808 Notice—Public Comment: “Food Labeling in Online Grocery Shopping; Request for Information” (Apr. 24, 2023).

88 FR 24752 Notice—Public Comment: “Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection” (Apr. 24, 2023).

Food and Nutrition Service

88 FR 26271 Notice—Public Comment: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) National Disqualified List” (Apr. 28, 2023).

88 FR 25362 Notice—Public Comment: “Agency Information Collection Activities, Proposed Collection: Request for Comments on How Have SNAP State Agencies Shifted Operations in the Aftermath of COVID-19? (SNAP COVID Study)” (Apr. 26, 2023).

88 FR 25358 Notice—Public Comment: “Agency Information Collection Activities, Comments Request: Understanding States’ SNAP Customer Service Strategies” (Apr. 26, 2023).

Food Safety and Inspection Service

88 FR 26249 Notice—Public Comment: “Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products” (Apr. 28, 2023).

88 FR 24969 Notice—Public Comment: “National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection” (Apr. 25, 2023).

National Agricultural Statistics Service

88 FR 25618 Notice—Public Comment: “Notice of Intent to Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Apr. 27, 2023).

Natural Resources Conservation Service

88 FR 25619 Notice—Public Comment: “Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service” (Apr. 27, 2023).

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

88 FR 25369 Notice—Public Comment: “Notice of Funding Opportunity for Rural Cooperative Development Grants for Fiscal Year 2023” (Apr. 26, 2023).

Rural Housing Service

88 FR 26221 Rule: “Loan Guarantees Under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program” (Apr. 28, 2023).

U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

H.R.2989 “To improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2689 “Trust in Government Act of 2023.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2250 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Research and Education Activities for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2248 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Salaries and Expenses for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2247 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2246 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2245 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2211 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Wildland Fire Management for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2209 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2207 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Land Acquisition for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2206 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service, Construction Projects for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2205 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Capital Improvement and Maintenance for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2204 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, National Forest System for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2203 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, State and Private Forestry for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2202 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Forest and Rangeland Research for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2201 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Operations for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2200 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2193 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Buildings and Facilities for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2192 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2189 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Programs and Managements for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.2107 “To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Independent Agencies, Commodity Futures Trading Commission for fiscal year 2024.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development. (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.1567 “ACRES Act.” Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.1319 “Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act.” Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent (Apr. 28, 2023).

H.R.1020 “BAITS Act.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry (Apr. 28, 2023).

See more actions from the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture here.

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY:

S.1380 “A bill to amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to provide States and communities with additional assistance to plant and maintain trees, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Apr. 27, 2023).

S.1366 “A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a forest incentives program to keep forests intact and sequester carbon on private forest land of the United States, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Apr. 27, 2023).

S.1365 “A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide for the enrollment of citrus land in the conservation reserve program, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Apr. 27, 2023).

S.1361 “A bill to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for floodplain easement restoration and management, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Apr. 27, 2023).

S.1336 “A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require that supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits be calculated using the value of the low-cost food plan, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Apr. 27, 2023).

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE 

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASES:           

Shapiro Administration Invites Applications For PA Farm Bill-Funded Grants To Boost Local Meat, Poultry Supply (Apr. 28, 2023).

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 53, No. 17—Apr. 29, 2023): 

Delaware River Basin Commission

53 Pa.B. 2325 Notice: “Public Hearing and Business Meeting.”

Department of Environmental Protection 

53 Pa.B. 2327 Notice: “Applications, Actions and Special Notices.”

Susquehanna River Basin Commission

53 Pa.B. 2406 Notice: “Public Hearing.”

PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE

HB 295 “An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in soil and plant amendment, further providing for registration, for inspection fees, for tonnage reports and for disposition of funds.” Laid on the table [House] (Apr. 25, 2023).

HB 1052 “An Act amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, in licenses, tags and kennels, further providing for service dogs and dogs used by municipal or State Police departments.” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs [House]. (Apr. 28, 2023).

HB 1045 “An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.” Referred to Labor and Industry [House] (Apr. 28, 2023).

 

Written by: 
Dillon Lightfoot—Research Assistant
Megan Guess—Research Assistant 
Brook Duer—Staff Attorney