November 20, 2024

Agricultural Law Weekly Review—November 21, 2024

Avian Influenza: USDA Confirms first HPAI in Swine 🌾
On October 30, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that the agency had confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI/H5NI) in swine in the United States, located in an Oregon non-commercial backyard farming operation. According to the announcement, the premises included “a mix of poultry and livestock, including swine” that “shared water sources, housing, and equipment,” which the department states “has enabled transmission between species [in other states].” APHIS states that “the animals were not intended for the commercial food supply” and, as such, “there is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply as a result of this finding.”

 Food Safety: FDA, EPA Announce Approval of First Antimicrobial Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Treatment
On November 4, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issued a constituent update announcing the registration of SaniDate 12.0, “the first ever approval of a treatment for use against foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, in the agricultural water used to grow produce.” According to the announcement, SaniDate is the first antimicrobial product to be registered using the agencies’ “revised efficacy protocol for pre-harvest agricultural water,” which complies with FDA’s May 2024 agricultural water rule. FDA states that “prior to this registration, chemical applications for use in pre-harvest agricultural water were limited to treatment for the management of algae and biofilm formation or produce rot, but this approval sets a critical standard for reducing the presence of human pathogens directly.” Although “farmers are not required to treat their agricultural water,” FDA and EPA state that “treatment can serve as one option that can be used to help protect the safety of produce.”

Water Quality: Sonoma County Voters Reject Measure J, CAFO Elimination Proposal
On November 5, 2024, Sonoma County voters rejected (85.21-14.79%) the ballot initiative Measure J, which would have prohibited the in-county operation of a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), defined as an “[animal feeding operation] . . . designated as a CAFO of any size by the permitting authority” in addition to EPA-designated “medium” and “large” CAFOs. The measure would have “requir[ed] existing CAFOs to phase out within three years, impos[ed] financial penalties for violations, and establish[ed] a job retraining program for CAFO workers.”  

Water Issues: United States and Mexico Approve Rio Grande Water Sharing Agreement
On November 7, 2024, the United States and Mexico signed International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Minute 331, which allows Mexico to deliver to the United States “water earlier in the five-year cycle under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico water treaty.” Also announced by the IBWC, the agreement states that “whenever storage in any Mexican reservoir on the six tributaries . . . of the 1944 Water Treaty is in excess of normal conservation capacity, Mexico shall release . . . [the] excess volumes downstream with the goal that they reach the Rio Grande mainstream,” which would then be available for delivery to the United States. The substantive provisions of the agreement expire in five years unless modified and direct the countries to “explore[] all possible measures to improve the reliability and predictability of Rio Grande water deliveries for both countries, including those that will allow an equitable distribution of the waters available in the basin among all users in the United States and Mexico, in accordance with the . . . 1944 Water Treaty” “[w]ith the goal of concluding a new Minute by no later than December 2029.”

National Agricultural Policy: Treasury Publishes Final Rule Expanding Foreign Land Transaction Oversight
On November 7, 2024, the Department of Treasury, Office of Investment Security published in the Federal Register a final rule (89 FR 88128) adding “nearly 60 military installations . . . to an existing list of military installations around which [the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)] has jurisdiction over real estate transactions and [extending] CFIUS jurisdiction around nearly 10 existing installations.” Also announced by the Department of Treasury, the final rule amends 31 CFR 802.227 to revise the definition of “military installation” and create the expanded CFIUS jurisdiction. The final rule becomes effective on December 9, 2024.

Nutrition Programs: FNS Publishes Policy Memorandum Prohibiting Electronic Payment Fees for Low-Income Families
On November 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced the publication of a memorandum stating the department’s policy that “families with students eligible for free or reduced price meals must not be charged any fees along with the cost of a meal, including fees for using electronic payment services.” Additionally, FNS stated that “nothing in th[e] memorandum should be construed to suggest other fees associated with school meals are acceptable” and advised that schools “should not construe th[e] memorandum to suggest that fees should be shifted to, or increased for, students paying the full price for meals.” The memorandum becomes effective for the 2027-28 school year.

Environmental Policy: FAO Publishes ‘State of Food and Agriculture 2024’ Report
On November 8, 2024, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced the publication of report titled “The State of Food and Agriculture 2024.” The report builds on the 2023 report, “which quantified the preliminary global hidden costs of agrifood systems using true cost account.” The 2024 Report defines “hidden cost” as “any cost to individuals or society that is not reflected in the market price of a product or service,” including “external costs . . . or economic losses triggered by other market or policy failures” and found that “hidden costs within global agrifood systems amount to approximately $12 trillion annually.” According to the report, environmental hidden costs “associated with greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen runoff, land-use changes, and water pollution are particularly high in countries with diversifying agrifood systems,” such as Mexico, China, and eastern Europe, “where rapid economic growth is coupled with evolving consumption and production patterns.”

 

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Understanding Agricultural Law Series. A free monthly Zoom 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:

Podcasts:

Farmland Legal Energy Podcast

Introduction to Precision Agriculture

An Overview of Critical Minerals

Commercial Energy Payments on Farmland

Resources of Interest:

Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, 2025 Federal Estate Tax Sunset, Robert Moore (Oct. 31, 2024)

Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, Carbon Capture and Storage: Legal Issues with ‘Pore Space’, Peggy Kirk Hall (Oct. 29, 2024)

Univ. Md. Risk Mgmt. Educ. Blog, Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act: What Business Owners Need to Know, Nicole Cook (Nov. 5, 2024)

Southern Ag Today, Election Impacts on Current Ag Committee Members, Joe Outlaw, Texas A&M (Nov. 7, 2024)

Southern Ag Today, Trade Policy Scenarios after the U.S. Presidential Election and What They Could Mean for Southern U.S. Agriculture, Raghav Goyal (Oct. 31, 2024)

Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., Texas Files Suit Against FWS For Decision to List Mussels as Endangered, Brigit Rollins (Nov. 5, 2024)

Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., Fourth Amendment, Warrantless Search of Ag Lands on the Agenda at 2025 Western Conference, Drew Viguet (Oct. 30, 2024)

Tex. A&M Agric. Law Blog, Case Highlights Requirements for Handwritten Will, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet (Nov. 4, 2024)

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

U.S. ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPA New England issues a Draft OCS Air Permit for new offshore wind farm project (Nov. 15, 2024)

EPA Highlights Progress Achieved to Reduce Waste and Conserve Resources on America Recycles Day (Nov. 15, 2024)

EPA Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Protect Salmon from Chemical Used in Rubber Products (Nov. 14, 2024)

Biden-Harris Administration Makes Unprecedented Progress to Protect Communities from PFAS Pollution (Nov. 14, 2024)

EPA Announces Nearly $2M Clean Ports Investment in Puerto Rico (Nov. 14, 2024)

EPA U.S.-Mexico Border 2025 Program Hosted Binational Emergency Preparedness Event in Brownsville, Texas (Nov. 14, 2024)

EPA Announces Members to the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (Nov. 13, 2024)

EPA Takes Action on Iowa’s 2024 List of Impaired Waters (Nov. 13, 2024)

Denali Water Solutions LLC to Pay $610K for Alleged Illegal Sewage Sludge Application (Nov. 12, 2024)

EPA Finalizes Rule to Reduce Wasteful Methane Emissions and Drive Innovation in the Oil and Gas Sector (Nov. 12, 2024)

EPA Announces Rowan University to Receive $350,000 award Grant to Help Businesses Prevent Pollution as Part of Investing in America Agenda (Nov. 12, 2024)

National Biosolids Land Applier to Pay $610,000 for Overapplication (Nov. 12, 2024)

EPA Announces $48,763,746 of Clean Ports Investments in Georgia Ports Authority (Nov. 8, 2024)

United States Files Court Settlement for Cleanup and Reimbursement of Costs at Iowa-Nebraska Light & Power Company Superfund Site in Norfolk, Nebraska (Nov. 8, 2024)

EPA Head of Water Office Visits Pennsylvania to Tout $10 million in Funding to Replace Lead Pipes and Upgrade Water Infrastructure (Nov. 1, 2024)

U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Virginia Disaster Areas (Nov. 15, 2024)

At the White House Tribal Youth Forum, USDA Announces New Investments in Tribal Students and Higher Education (Nov. 15, 2024)

FACT SHEET: Celebrating Three Years of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at USDA (Nov. 15, 2024)

Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act Tops $1 Billion in Clean Energy Investments to Nearly 7,000 American Farms and Rural Small Businesses (Nov. 14, 2024)

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for South Carolina Disaster Areas (Nov. 4, 2024)

USDA Builds on Actions to Protect Livestock and Public Health From H5N1 Avian Influenza (Oct. 30, 2024)

Biden-Harris Administration Makes Investments to Strengthen American Farms & Businesses, Increase Competition and Lower Costs (Oct. 30, 2024)

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $239 Million to Increase Access to Clean, Affordable Domestic Biofuels as Part of Investing in America Agenda (Oct. 29, 2024)

USDA partners with states to conserve private forestlands as part of Investing in America agenda (Oct. 29, 2024)

USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES:

Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA and Montana Award $3.1 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure (Nov. 13, 2024)

USDA Issues Final Decision on Amendments to all Eleven Federal Milk Marketing Orders (Nov. 12, 2024)

USDA and Alabama Award $5.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure (Nov. 8, 2024)

USDA Issues a Packers and Stockyards Complaint against Hill City Commission LLC (Nov. 7, 2024)

USDA Releases 2023 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary (Nov. 7, 2024)

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case against Hottle Livestock (Nov. 7. 2024)

USDA Issues a Packers and Stockyards Complaint against Kolb’s Dairy Sales LLC. (Nov. 7. 2024)

USDA Cites Cantero Produce Corp. in Florida for PACA Violations (Oct. 31, 2024)

USDA Files Action Against Berry People LLC in California for Alleged PACA Violations (Oct. 31, 2024)

USDA Announces $33.5 Million in Grant Awards to Expand Local and Regional Food Systems (Oct.31, 2024)

Biden-Harris Administration Makes Investments to Strengthen American Farms & Businesses, Increase Competition and Lower Costs (Oct. 30, 2024)

USDA Issues a Default Decision against Austin W. Lambrich for Violating the Packers and Stockyards Act (Oct. 28, 2024)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

APHIS in Action: Navigating Crisis: How Foresight and Collaboration Saved a $10 Million Shipment (Nov. 15, 2024)

USDA Provides Nearly $5 Million to Support Developing Antimicrobial Resistance Dashboard Tools (Nov. 14, 2024)

APHIS Announces Final Notice on Additional Exemptions for the Movement of Organisms Modified or Produced Through Genetic Engineering (Nov. 12, 2024)

APHIS Proposes Updated Veterinary Services User Fees  (Nov. 7, 20240)

APHIS Authorizes the Importation of Hass Avocados from Guatemala into the United States (Nov. 7, 2024)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Shares Update on H5N1 Detection in Oregon Swine, Bovine Vaccine Candidate Progression (Nov. 6, 2024)

USDA Builds on Actions to Protect Livestock and Public Health from H5N1 Avian Influenza (Oct. 30. 2024)

Federal and State Veterinary Agencies Share Update on HPAI Detections in Oregon Backyard Farm, Including First H5N1 Detections in Swine (Oct. 30. 2024)

Farm Service Agency

USDA Extends Application Deadline for Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Until December 13    (Nov. 14, 2024)

$1 Million in Funding Available for People’s Gardens (Nov. 13, 2024)

2024 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Now Open (Nov. 12, 2024)

USDA Makes Acreage Reporting Improvements to Allow Flexibility for Urban and Innovative Producers (Nov. 9, 2024)

Two Ohio Counties Declared a Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought; With Additional Counties in Ohio Eligible as Contiguous Counties (Nov. 7, 2024)

Thirty Counties in Kentucky Declared a Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought, With Additional Counties in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio Eligible as Contiguous Counties (Nov. 7, 2024)

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for New York Producers (Nov. 6, 2024)

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Excessive Rain, Wind, and Flash Flooding (Nov. 5, 2024)

USDA Announces November 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers (Nov. 1, 2024)

USDA to Begin Issuing $2.14 Billion to Agricultural Producers through Key Conservation and Safety-Net Programs (Oct. 28, 2024)

Forest Service

USDA Forest Service Uses Post-Hurricane Emergency Authority (Nov. 13, 2024)

USDA Forest Service awards $20M to reduce wildfire risk, support local economies Nov. 13, 2024)

USDA Forest Service Partners with States to Conserve Private Forestlands as Part of Investing in America Agenda (Oct. 29, 2024)

National Agricultural Statistics Service

MEDIA ADVISORY: USDA NASS and ERS to attend National Association of Farm Broadcasting 2024 Trade Talk (Nov. 8, 2024)

2023 Irrigation and Water Management Data Now Available (Oct. 31, 2024)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

USDA Announces New Investments in Tribal Students and Higher Education (Nov. 15, 2024)

The Perfect Recipe: Extension, College and Experiment Station (Nov. 12, 2024)

NIFA Outlines Progress, Sets New Goals on Advancing Climate Change Science in New Accomplishments and Action Agenda Report (Nov. 8, 2024)

NIFA Invests $8M in Biorefining and Biomanufacturing (A1531) (Nov. 6, 2024)

NIFA Invests $26.8 Million to Further Commercialize Small Business-Led Innovations (Oct. 31, 2024)

National Resource Conservation Service

Cecil and Kent County Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Conservation Assistance to Protect Working Lands and Wildlife Habitat (Nov. 15, 2024)

Protecting Georgia Farmland through Partnership with American Farmland Trust (Nov. 15, 2024)

A Q&A on Sagebrush Conservation with Jeremy Maestas (Nov. 14, 2024)

Emerging Farmers Conference (Nov. 14, 2024)

NRCS Wisconsin Encourages Producers with High-Priority Projects to ACT NOW (Nov. 14, 2024)

A Comparison of Cool-Season Cover Crop Seeding Rates in Northeastern Missouri (Nov. 13, 2024)

Protect Maine’s Wetlands: Apply for Wetland Reserve Easement assistance by Dec. 6 (Nov. 12, 2024)

The Sustainable Agriculture Conference: Sowing Seeds and Growing Towards the Future. (Nov. 12, 2024)

USDA-NRCS and Partners in Georgia Announce Fiscal Year 2025 Sign-Up for Conservation Easements Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Nov. 8, 2024)

Op-Ed: Military Veterans Are Vital to Indiana’s Farming Future (Nov. 8, 2024)

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting 2025 Applications for Two Arkansas RCPP Projects (Nov. 8, 2024)

Connecting Farmers with Conservation and Community through NRCS Partnership (Nov. 8, 2024)

USDA Invests $1.5 Billion in 92 Partnership Projects to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture (Nov. 5, 2024)

USDA Invests $1.5 Billion in 92 Partnership Projects, including a Puerto Rico Beef Cattle Initiative Project, to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture as Part of the Biden-Harris Investing in America Agenda (Oct. 29, 2024)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register  Oct. 28–Nov. 14, 2024):   

Agricultural Department

89 FR 89917 Rule: “Modernizing Grant Program Regulation [Rural Business-Cooperative Service]” (Nov. 14, 2024)

89 FR 89569 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request” [Economic Research Service, Corn and Soybean Grower Survey]” (Nov. 13, 2024)

89 FR 87840 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [National Veterinary Services Laboratories Request Forms]” (Nov. 5, 2024)

89 FR 87324 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Commercial Floriculture Survey]” (Nov. 1, 2024)

89 FR 87325 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Hawaii Farm Technology Survey]” (Nov. 1, 2024)

Agricultural Marketing Service

89 FR 88661 Proposed Rule: “Almonds Grown in California; Continuance Referendum” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 86287 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona and New Mexico; Decreased Assessment Rate” (Oct. 30, 2024)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

89 FR 89569 Notice: “Movement of Organisms Modified or Produced Through Genetic Engineering; Notice of Additional Modifications Exempt Plants Can Contain” (Nov. 13, 2024)

89 FR 88697 Notice—Comment Period: “Veterinary Services User Fees” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 88712 Notice: “Decision to Authorize the Importation of Fresh Hass Avocado from Guatemala into the United States” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 88000 Notice: “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records” (Nov. 6, 2024)

89 FR 87999 Notice—Comment Period: “Importation of Phalaenopsis Spp. Orchid Plants for Planting in Approved Growing Media from Germany and the Netherlands into the United States” (Nov. 6, 2024)

89 FR 85935 Notice: “Importation of Fresh Soursop Fruit (Annona muricata) From Mexico Into the Continental United States” (Oct. 29, 2024)

Environmental Protection Agency

89 FR 90280 Notice— “Pesticides; Flexible Packaging; Child Resistant Packaging Requirements; Notice of Clarification” (Nov. 15, 2024)

89 FR 89995 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; 2022 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (Renewal)” (Nov. 14, 2024)

89 FR 89992 Notice: “Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB); Request for Nominations” (Nov. 14, 2024)

89 FR 89637 Notice: “Notice of Availability of Draft NPDES New Hampshire Medium Wastewater Treatment Facility General Permit” (Nov. 13, 2024)

89 FR 89011 Notice: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients-September 2024” (Nov. 12, 2024)

89 FR 89011 Notice: “Charter Renewal for the Great Lakes Advisory Board” (Nov. 12, 2024)

89 FR 88940 Proposed Rule: “Air Quality: Revision to the Regulatory Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds-Exclusion of (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HCFO-1224yd(Z))” (Nov. 12, 2024)

89 FR 88948 Notice—Comment Period: “Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities (September 2024)” (Nov. 12, 2024)

89 FR 88764 Notice: “Release of Planning Update in the Review of the Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 88657 Rule— “Fluindapyr; Pesticide Tolerances” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 88047 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses (September 2024)” (Nov. 6, 2024)

89 FR 87872 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” (Nov. 5, 2024)

89 FR 87509 Rule—Comment Period: “Mefenoxam; Pesticide Tolerances” (Nov. 4, 2024)

89 FR 87366 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses (August 2024)” (Nov. 1, 2024)

89 FR 87365 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients (August 2024)” (Nov. 1, 2024)

89 FR 87321 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities (August 2024)” (Nov. 1, 2024)

89 FR 85859 Rule—Comment Period: “Glufosinate-P; Pesticide Tolerances” (Oct. 29, 2024)

89 FR 85531 Notice: “Pesticide Registration Review; Decisions and Case Closures for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” (Oct. 28, 2024)

89 FR 85531 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Pesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment; Notice of Availability” (Oct. 28, 2024)

Farm Production and Conservation Business Center

89 FR 87326 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection Request; Request for Geospatial Products and Services” (Nov. 1, 2024)

Farm Service Agency

89 FR 86310 Notice: “Notice; Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2022” (Oct. 30, 2024)

Food and Nutrition Service

89 FR 91198 Rule: “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances” (Nov. 18, 2024)

89 FR 90547 Rule: “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Employment and Training Program Monitoring, Oversight and Reporting Measures” (Nov. 18, 2024)

89 FR 88230 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Comments Requested: USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse Database Form (FNS 543)” (Nov. 7, 2024)

89 FR 87228 Rule: “Food Distribution Programs: Improving Access and Parity” (Oct. 31, 2024)

89 FR 85488 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities: WIC & FMNP Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation” (Oct. 28, 2024)

Forest Service

89 FR 88717 Notice: “Adoption of Categorical Exclusions Under Section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 88715 Notice: “Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 88001 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; Bid for Advertised Timber” (Nov. 6, 2024)

89 FR 88002 Notice: “Forestry Research Advisory Committee” (Nov. 6, 2024)

89 FR 87840 Notice: “Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board” (Nov. 5, 2024)

89 FR 87537 Notice: “Virginia Resource Advisory Committee” (Nov. 4, 2024)

89 FR 85941 Notice: “Modoc Resource Advisory Committee” (Oct. 29, 2024)

89 FR 85492 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; Significant Cave Nomination Application” (Oct. 28, 2024)

89 FR 85493 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares” (Oct. 28, 2024)

Natural Resources Conservation Service

89 FR 89585 Notice—Record of Decision: “Environmental Impact Statement; Coon Creek Watershed” (Nov. 13, 2024)

89 FR 88719 Notice—Comment Period: “Request for Public Input About Implementation of the Conservation Practices to Support Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation” (Nov. 8, 2024)

89 FR 87538 Notice: “Notice of Availability of Record of Decisions for Etowah River, Georgia; Pocasset River, Rhode Island; Odessa Subarea Special Study Project in Washington; and Cart Creek Site 1 of the North Branch Park River Watershed in North Dakota” (Nov. 4, 2024)

89 FR 86311 Notice: “Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee” (Oct. 30, 2024)

Rural Housing Service

89 FR 90264 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Nov. 15, 2024)

89 FR 90221 Rule: “Updates to the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH), Loan and Grant Rates and Terms; Clarification of Grant Agreement Terms; Announcement of Enforcement Date” (Nov. 15, 2024)

89 FR 87801 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Clarification on the Requirement to Record the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program Deed Restriction” (Nov. 5, 2024)

Rural Utilities Service

89 FR 90264 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection” (Nov. 15, 2024)

89 FR 88631 Rule: “Policy on Audits of RUS Awardees” (Nov. 8, 2024)

U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE:

H.R.10127 “Restoring Trade Fairness Act” Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Energy and Commerce, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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. (Nov. 14, 2024)

H.R.10124 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to support Food is Medicine programs, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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. (Nov. 14, 2024)

H.R.10121 “Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2024” Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and 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. (Nov. 14, 2024)

H.R. 10113 “South Texas Agriculture Emergency Assistance Act” Referred to the House Committe on Agriculture. (Nov. 12, 2024)

H.R.10112 “CAP Act of 2024” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. (Nov. 12, 2024)

H.R.10103 “TRIPS Waivers Act” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 (Nov. 8, 2024)

H.R.10089 “No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2024” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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 (Nov. 1, 2024)

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

No Agriculture actions.

Agriculture-Related Legislative Hearings & Reports

No Upcoming Hearings or Reports.

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASES

Shapiro Administration Tours Riverton Farms, Highlighting PA Investments in Military Veteran Farmers (Nov. 1, 2024)

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 54, Nos. 44 &45—Nov. 2 & Nov. 9, 2024): 

Department of Agriculture

54 Pa.B. 7365 Notice: “Pennsylvania Potato Research Board; Grant Solicitation and Application Procedures”

54 Pa.B. 7363 Notice: “Pennsylvania Peach and Nectarine Research Board; Grant Solicitation and Application Procedures”

54 Pa.B. 7362 Notice: “Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; 2025 Program Guidelines”

54 Pa.B. 7199 Notice: “Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative Grant Program”

Department of Environmental Protection

54 Pa.B. 7369 Notice: “Applications for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits and Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits Under the Clean Streams Law and Federal Clean Water Act”

54 Pa.B. 7440 Notice: “Availability of Technical Guidance”

54 Pa.B. 7440 Notice: “Planning Grant Awards under Section 901 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988”

PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE

No Agriculture actions.

 

Contributors:
Riley Amdor—Research Assistant
Victoria Dutterer—Research Assistant
Samuel Sweeten—Research Assistant
Audry Thompson—Staff Attorney