A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
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
The "Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act" aims to amend existing laws to support the research and development of public plant cultivars and animal breeds. It establishes a requirement that at least $75,000,000 per fiscal year be set aside for competitive research grants in these areas. The bill prioritizes projects focusing on environmental resilience, nutritional outcomes, and indigenous importance. It also creates a position for a public cultivar and animal breed research activities coordinator to manage and synchronize Department of Agriculture research. Additionally, the bill directs the implementation of strategic germplasm and cultivar collection plans.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill mandates a specific $75,000,000 annual set-aside for competitive research grants in plant and animal breeding.
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically prioritizes research for cultivars and breeds of Indigenous importance.
- Scored +5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides resources for developing resilient, regionally adapted, and high-potential plant and animal varieties.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Funding for Research: The bill mandates that the Secretary ensure not less than $75,000,000 is used each fiscal year for competitive research grants to develop public cultivars and animal breeds (Section 2, subsection l, paragraph 1).
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Environmental and Nutritional Benefits: Priority is given to research that creates products bred for environmental resilience, such as changing climates, and those intended to enhance nutritional and health outcomes for local and Indigenous populations (Section 2, subsection l, paragraph 2, subparagraphs B and E).
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Protection of Cultural Heritage: The bill prioritizes the development of cultivars and breeds that have Indigenous and place-based importance but are currently endangered (Section 2, subsection l, paragraph 2, subparagraph F).
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Support for Diverse Agricultural Systems: The Secretary is directed to develop a plan that considers traits relevant to organic systems, such as forage-based growth, mobility, and natural disease resistance (Section 5, subsection e, paragraph 2).
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Enhanced Coordination and Transparency: The appointment of a research activities coordinator and the requirement for annual reports to Congress aim to ensure research meets diverse needs in a timely and transparent manner (Section 3, subsection a, paragraph 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Intellectual Property Rights: For those receiving funds, the bill specifies that if intellectual property rights are asserted, they must be in the form of animal breed patents or plant variety protection rather than utility patents (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 3, subparagraphs C and D).
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Production Restrictions: Any person receiving title to a patent or variety protection from these funds, or their assignee, is prohibited from granting exclusive rights to use or sell the product unless the person agrees that the production will happen substantially in the United States (Section 2, subsection l, paragraph 4).
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 Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically prioritizes research for cultivars and breeds of Indigenous importance. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides resources for developing resilient, regionally adapted, and high-potential plant and animal varieties. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The focus on place-based and regionally adapted breeds supports rural agricultural stability. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Enhanced nutritional outcomes through new breeding programs may benefit low-income populations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill promotes collaboration with small-scale organic breeders and emphasizes public access to breeding research. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill invests $75,000,000 annually into research that supports the development and commercialization of new agricultural products.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates a specific $75,000,000 annual set-aside for competitive research grants in plant and animal breeding.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill prioritizes research for environmental resilience, including resilience to changing climates. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill funds research for cultivars and breeds with beneficial characteristics for dual-use renewable energy-agricultural systems.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes the development of cultivars and breeds of Indigenous and place-based importance.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports to Congress and ensures research activity analysis is made available to the public.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill prioritizes research into crops and breeds intended to enhance nutritional and health outcomes for local populations.
- 7/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon