[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2858 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2858
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out research and
development with respect to winter canola, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2025
Mr. Kustoff (for himself, Mr. Strong, and Mr. Mann) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out research and
development with respect to winter canola, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Winter Canola Study Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES AND FINDINGS.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are the following:
(1) To ensure the continued growth of clean and sustainable
feedstocks, supported by new crop insurance products that
recognize double-cropping systems.
(2) To recognize the importance and regionality
characteristics of winter canola grown rotationally or as a
double-crop and the economic and environmental benefits to
producers.
(3) To recognize that by investing in lower carbon-
intensity renewable fuels, such as those produced from winter
canola crops, the United States can provide sustainable fuels,
create jobs, enhance our rural communities, and bolster our
national security.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Winter Canola improves farm economics.
(2) Oil from winter canola is a source of renewable energy
as a feedstock for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and jet
biofuel.
(3) Winter canola oil-based renewable fuels reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by over 50 percent compared to
conventional fuels.
(4) Expanding winter canola production will provide
additional feedstock to meet growing renewable fuel demand
without bringing new land into production.
SEC. 3. STUDY OF INCLUSION OF CERTAIN OILSEED CROPS UNDER DOUBLE AND
ROTATIONAL CROPPING POLICIES.
Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 4 U.S.C.
1522(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(20) Double cropping and rotational cropping of certain
oilseed crops.--
``(A) Definition of covered oilseed crops.--In this
paragraph, the term `covered oilseed crops' means
rapeseed and canola crops that--
``(i) require a period of cold temperatures
(vernalization) before the plants will produce
flowers and seeds; and
``(ii) are planted and harvested on land
that would otherwise be idle in a rotation
pattern.
``(B) Research and development.--The Corporation
shall carry out research and development, or offer to
enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified
persons to carry out research and development, with
respect to the inclusion of covered oilseed crops under
double cropping and rotational cropping policies.
``(C) Requirements.--The research and development
carried out pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be
conducted in consultation with stakeholders to
evaluate--
``(i) the factors impacting availability
and cost of crop insurance when incorporating
covered oilseed crops into double cropping and
rotational cropping policies; and
``(ii) the potential risk management
benefits associated with incorporating covered
oilseed crops into double cropping and
rotational cropping policies, including risk
management benefits to soil health,
biodiversity, and the profitability of farming
operations.
``(D) Emphasis.--In awarding contracts under
subparagraph (B), the Corporation may place emphasis on
qualified persons that--
``(i) have previous research experience
with covered oilseed crops; and
``(ii) have access to a facility with the
capacity to carry out the applicable
research.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH ON
SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS.
Section 1473D of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3319d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as
subparagraph (G); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the
following:
``(F) to examine potential benefits and opportunities for
supplemental and alternative crops (including winter rapeseed
and winter canola); and''; and
(2) in subsection (e),
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through
2029.''.
SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 13 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes--
(1) the results of the research and development carried out
under the amendments made by section 3; and
(2) any recommendations with respect to those results.
<all>