HR575-119

What This Bill Does

The Increased TSP Access Act rewrites Food Security Act technical assistance rules to increase the number and use of third-party conservation technical service providers. It changes NRCS technical assistance language to emphasize timely, science-based, site-specific design and implementation help. USDA may work with private-sector entities, and the Secretary may certify providers directly, through approved non-federal entities, or through approved state agencies with licensing or certification authority in natural resources, agriculture, or engineering. Within 180 days, USDA must establish a process for non-federal certifying entities, with eligibility based on scale, experience with providers and producers, technical expertise, and agricultural history. USDA has 40 business days to approve or reject certifying entity applications and 10 business days to review provider certifications submitted by certifying entities before adding satisfactory providers to the registry. USDA must also create streamlined certification for providers with credentials such as certified crop advisors, professional engineers, or other approved technical certifications. Within one year, USDA must review provider requirements, adjust rules, conduct outreach on barriers, set a target utilization rate, establish fair and reasonable payment amounts equivalent to but not above USDA technical assistance rates, exclude certain provider payments from cost-share requirements, and publish accessible public information on provider obligations, certification results, provider contributions, improvements needed, and utilization targets versus actual use.

Who Benefits and How

Agricultural producers seeking conservation assistance benefit from more technical service provider capacity and faster access to practice design help. Third-party technical service providers benefit from new certification pathways and clearer payment rates. Certified crop advisors and professional engineers benefit from streamlined certification based on existing credentials. Non-federal certifying entities benefit from authority to certify providers at scale if USDA approves them.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NRCS technical assistance staff must create certification processes, review applications, update registries, set rates, conduct outreach, and publish transparency data. State certifying agencies must assess provider qualifications, provide training, and notify USDA of certifications or withdrawals. Agricultural retailers and cooperatives seeking certifier status must meet USDA eligibility criteria and certification duties. Federal conservation program managers must monitor utilization targets, payment rates, cost-share treatment, and provider quality.

Key Provisions

• Defines non-federal certifying entity and expands private-sector technical assistance delivery.
• Authorizes USDA, approved non-federal entities, and approved state agencies to certify third-party providers.
• Requires a non-federal certifier process within 180 days and USDA decisions within 40 business days.
• Requires USDA review of provider certifications within 10 business days before registry listing.
• Creates streamlined certification for credentials such as certified crop advisors and professional engineers.
• Requires a one-year review of certification requirements, outreach on barriers, and target utilization rates.
• Requires fair and reasonable payment rates and public transparency on funds, certifications, provider quality, and utilization.