Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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 is known as the Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act. It amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to reauthorize the specialty crop research initiative. The bill also establishes a new specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development program. Additionally, it gives the Secretary the ability to waive matching funds requirements. Finally, it sets aside specific funding amounts from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry out this new program.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would farmers be better off under this?
Directly supports specialty crop farmers through dedicated research grants, mechanization funding, and matching fund waivers.
- Scored +7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Aids rural economies and agricultural communities by enhancing the efficiency and long-term viability of specialty crop production.
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
Allocates dedicated funding and establishes a new program for specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 adds a new specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development program that could benefit farmworkers by improving their safety, health, and working conditions through new technologies.
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Section 2 allows the Secretary to waive matching funds requirements, which could make it easier for certain eligible entities to receive grants without needing to secure matching funds first.
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Section 2 prioritizes project proposals that address the training or retraining of farmworkers to operate, repair, program, or maintain new automation solutions, which helps workers learn new technical skills.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any explicit mentions of negative outcomes, burdens, or consequences for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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? — Directly supports specialty crop farmers through dedicated research grants, mechanization funding, and matching fund waivers. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Aids rural economies and agricultural communities by enhancing the efficiency and long-term viability of specialty crop production. Would business owners be better off under this? — Benefits specialty crop growers and agricultural business owners by funding cost-effective automation and mechanization solutions. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Prioritizes training and retraining programs for farmworkers to adapt to new technologies, supporting workforce skill development.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides grant opportunities and potential matching funds waivers that benefit specialty crop growers and agricultural businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports agricultural research and technology development that can create new technical and maintenance roles within the farming sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Funding research and automation for specialty crops aims to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Allocates dedicated funding and establishes a new program for specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Directly boosts agricultural research, automation, and technological development specifically tailored for rural specialty crop producers.
- 6/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/2/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Introduced in Senate
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan