A Bill to Amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990

This bill aims to include research on microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on farmland as a high-priority area.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Research for Healthy Soils Act’’.

SECTION 2. MICROPLASTICS AND PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES ON FARMLAND

Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘‘(21) MICROPLASTICS AND PER – AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES ON FARMLAND .—
Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of carrying out or enhancing research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including structural firefighting foam, in land-applied biosolids or compost on farmland, including by—

‘‘(A) conducting surveys and collecting data on concentration, particle size, and chemical composition of such substances in land-applied biosolids on farmland;
‘‘(B) the development or analysis of techniques, including wastewater treatment and composting, to filter out or biodegrade such substances from biosolids intended to be used for agricultural purposes;
‘‘(C) conducting an analysis of the impact on agricultural crops and soil health of such substances in land-applied biosolids on farmland, including the uptake of such substances by various crops or livestock;
‘‘(D) conducting research to better understand how wastewater processing impacts such substances;
‘‘(E) conducting research to better understand the fate, residence time, and transport of such substances on farmland; and
‘‘(F) conducting research on how to remediate soil and water systems contaminated with such substances.’’.

SECTION 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES

Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 is amended by striking ‘‘2023’’ each place it appears in subsection (e)(5), subsection (f)(5), paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3) of subsection (g), and subsection (h) and inserting ‘‘2031’’.