A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Research for Healthy Soils Act," aims to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. It seeks to add research on microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farmland to the list of high-priority research and extension areas. The bill focuses on studying these substances in land-applied biosolids or compost, including structural firefighting foam. It also includes provisions to extend the timeline for certain high-priority research and extension initiatives.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill supports farmers by researching ways to mitigate soil contamination and protect crop/livestock health.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Improving soil health and managing contaminants benefits rural agricultural communities.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill directs research and extension grants toward studying microplastics and PFAS in agriculture.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced understanding of agricultural impacts: Research and extension grants may be used to study how microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances affect agricultural crops and soil health, including how substances are taken up by crops or livestock (Section 2).
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Development of filtration and biodegradation techniques: The bill allows for the development or analysis of techniques, such as wastewater treatment and composting, to filter out or biodegrade these substances from biosolids intended for agricultural use (Section 2, Subsection B).
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Improvement of soil and water systems: Research may be conducted on how to remediate soil and water systems that have been contaminated with these substances (Section 2, Subsection F).
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Data collection and tracking: The bill provides for conducting surveys and collecting data regarding the concentration, particle size, and chemical composition of these substances in land-applied biosolids (Section 2, Subsection A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill supports farmers by researching ways to mitigate soil contamination and protect crop/livestock health. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Improving soil health and managing contaminants benefits rural agricultural communities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill directs research and extension grants toward studying microplastics and PFAS in agriculture.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill prioritizes research to mitigate the impact of microplastics and PFAS on soil and water systems.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/12/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Young KimRepublican · California
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island