To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include as a high-priority research and extension area research on microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Wyden, …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Research for Healthy Soils Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make research grants to study microplastic pollution in biosolids (treated sewage sludge) that are applied to farmland. The bill adds microplastics research as a priority area and extends funding authorization for agricultural research programs through 2031.
Who Benefits and How
Universities and agricultural research institutions benefit by receiving new grant funding to study microplastics in agricultural settings. Environmental testing companies benefit through contracts to conduct surveys and analyze microplastic concentrations in biosolids and soil. Wastewater treatment technology companies benefit from funding to develop and test filtration systems that can remove microplastics before biosolids are applied to farms. Farmers who use biosolids as fertilizer benefit indirectly by getting better information about potential soil health impacts.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers bear the cost of funding these research grants through USDA's budget. Biosolids management companies and wastewater utilities face increased scrutiny and potential regulatory risks if the research reveals harmful effects of microplastics in their products, though they may also benefit from solutions developed through the research.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes USDA grants for surveys measuring microplastic concentration, particle size, and chemical composition in biosolids applied to farmland
- Funds development and testing of wastewater treatment techniques to filter out or biodegrade microplastics before agricultural use
- Supports research on how microplastics in biosolids affect crop growth and soil health
- Studies microplastic fate, residence time, and transport patterns in agricultural soils
- Extends authorization for USDA high-priority research and extension programs from 2023 to 2031
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Authorize USDA research grants to study microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland and extend authorization for agricultural research programs through 2031
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Address emerging environmental concern about microplastic pollution in agricultural systems by funding research; extend existing USDA research programs"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Agricultural researchers and universities (grant recipients)
- Wastewater treatment facilities (potential technology development)
- Environmental monitoring companies
- Farmers (information about soil health impacts)
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers (funding for research grants)
- Potentially biosolids industry if research reveals harmful impacts
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "grant_authority"
- → USDA (Department of Agriculture - administers 7 U.S.C. 5925)
- "grant_authority"
- → USDA (Department of Agriculture)
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
plastic or plastic-coated particles that are less than 5 millimeters in any dimension
treated sewage sludge applied to land for agricultural purposes
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology