A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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
The Fair Seeds for Farmers Act aims to amend the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. This amendment seeks to limit intellectual property protection for plants. It introduces specific definitions for germplasm and plant varieties. The bill establishes limitations on what can be protected under Federal law. It also prevents the enforcement of certain contractual obligations regarding biological materials. These changes apply to new patent applications and agreements entered into after the act's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill enables farmers to save, use, and breed seeds and biological materials without facing certain contractual restrictions.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill allows for more freedom in seed saving and plant research which can benefit small-scale agricultural businesses.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides more freedom for agricultural business owners to engage in breeding and seed saving.
The opposite
- Scored -6
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
The bill reduces the level of intellectual property protection available for plant-related innovations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Freedom of use for biological materials: Under Section 2(a)(1)(B), no contractual obligation or agreement can be enforced that limits the use of a plant, plant variety, plant germplasm, or other biological material for activities such as research, breeding, experimentation, seed saving, or propagation. This could benefit those involved in these specific activities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduction in intellectual property protection: Section 2(a)(1)(A) states that no protection may be provided under any Federal law with respect to a plant, plant variety, or plant germplasm, except pursuant to specific laws described in the bill. This limits the scope of existing intellectual property protections.
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 enables farmers to save, use, and breed seeds and biological materials without facing certain contractual restrictions. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides more freedom for agricultural business owners to engage in breeding and seed saving.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — The bill reduces the level of intellectual property protection available for plant-related innovations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill allows for more freedom in seed saving and plant research which can benefit small-scale agricultural businesses.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill facilitates plant research and conservation by reducing restrictions on germplasm use.
- 7/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont