Satellite-Based Agricultural Data Act

Summary#

This bill adds commercial weather services to a list of priority research areas under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). It does this by changing one line in the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2)(E)(iii)). The amendment inserts the phrase ", including through the use of data and tools available from commercial weather services" after the words "mitigation measures." In short, projects that use data or tools from commercial weather services are explicitly named as a priority for AFRI funding.

What it means for you#

• If you are a researcher, farmer, or company that uses commercial weather data or tools, projects like yours would be explicitly listed as a priority area when applying for AFRI grants.
• If you apply for AFRI funding, reviewers may consider use of commercial weather data and tools as fitting a priority area created by this change.
• If you are not involved with AFRI or agricultural research, this change likely has no direct effect on you.

Expenses#

No publicly available information. The text of the bill does not include cost estimates or describe changes to funding levels.

Proponents' View#

The bill was introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen, John Moolenaar, and Jake Ellzey. No publicly available information on additional public statements or detailed reasons from the sponsors is included in the bill text or provided metadata.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opposition or objections is included in the bill text or provided metadata.