WASHINGTON (DTN) -- USDA would be required to develop a plan to incentivize production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel while also banning funds for most solar farms and studying the impacts of solar installation on farmland, under provisions of the proposed new farm bill in Congress.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., introduced the 802-page "Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026" at the end of last week. The committee will meet to mark up the bill starting on Feb. 23.

The bill includes a range of provisions Congress did not address in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer. That legislation boosted the commodity title and crop insurance but also cut nutrition programs by roughly $28 billion a year -- an issue Democrats are likely to continue to press during bill markup.

Some provisions in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act include regulatory changes for both pesticides and livestock production, likely setting up some partisan divisions as the bill advances.

PESTICIDE OVERSIGHT

Several groups have commented on a provision declaring EPA has exclusive authority over pesticide restrictions and labeling requirements.

The bill would block states, political subdivisions or courts from imposing or continuing any labeling requirements or holding companies liable for failing to comply with requirements for labeling beyond those approved by EPA.

State and localities would not be allowed to impose any additional requirements or restrictions when it comes to "the sale, distribution, labeling, application, or use of any pesticide or device that is subject to regulation."

The Modern Ag Alliance welcomed the new text, pointing to the "labeling uniformity provision," which the group said supports farmers' continued access to essential crop protection tools.

"We need to ensure American farmers continue to have all the tools in the toolbox to be successful, especially crop protection chemistries," said Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance. "These safe, EPA-approved tools help control weeds and pests, protect yields, and manage costs, while also supporting conservation practices like no-till farming, which reduces soil erosion, improves water quality, and lowers fuel use. Ensuring farmers can continue to rely on these tools strengthens both farm viability and the broader food system."

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) also said protecting farmers' continued access to modern agricultural technologies, including pesticides, is critical for the group's members.

"These tools play an essential role in managing risk, improving productivity, and helping farmers produce more with fewer resources -- supporting both the economic viability of farm operations and the environmental sustainability of American agriculture through science-based policies," said Daren Coppock, president and CEO of ARA.

The Environmental Working Group pointed out the pesticide provision would have broad implications and would eliminate local rules across the country.

"More than 40 states, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina and Texas, have adopted commonsense rules governing when and how pesticides can be sprayed near parks, playgrounds and schools. These safeguards reflect local conditions, public health science, and the voices of parents, educators and communities."

Others also suggested the pesticide provision will face aggressive push back from the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) advocates the Trump administration has leaned on to make changes to the food pyramid, rules around food production and other health initiatives.

PROP 12

Livestock products would be covered under interstate commerce, preventing states from enforcing any rules blocking meat products produced in other states. The provision has been a focus for pork producers since California voters passed Proposition 12 in 2018. The Supreme Court upheld Proposition 12 in a 5-4 decision in 2023 and declined to hear a second court challenge last year.

"America's pork producers thank Chairman Thompson for continuing to take bold steps once again to protect our livelihoods from an unsustainable patchwork of state laws," said Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, and president of the National Pork Producers Council. "We implore the full House Agriculture Committee to stand up for the American farmer, preserve states' rights, and help keep pork affordable for the American consumers."

That provision is likely to spark some criticism from animal-rights organizations as the bill advances.

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL

USDA would implement a department-wide strategy to support the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the utilization of agricultural crops to develop aviation fuels. The policy would look to identify ways to maximize production of SAF that would ideally provide more opportunities for farmers and boost rural economic development.

The farm bill cannot be used to pass year-round E15 unless that provision clears the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

SOLAR RESTRICTIONS

On solar farms, the bill also would codify a Trump administration restriction set by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins banning USDA funding of solar panels on farmland. The bill includes exemptions if the solar panels take up less than 5 acres or less than 50 acres if a majority of the power being generated is going to power the farm operation.

USDA would conduct a wide-ranging study on the long-term impacts of solar installations on farmland. The study would analyze the economic impacts, including the effects on crop production, land values, the local economy and food security.

HEMP

The House bill would broaden testing standards to measure total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration at 0.3%, rather than limiting enforcement to Delta-9 THC, effectively closing a loophole that companies have used to market intoxicating hemp-derived products.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable said the proposal would preserve the core federal hemp program while granting USDA, states and tribal governments greater flexibility to reduce or eliminate certain testing requirements and background checks for hemp growers. The measure would also streamline compliance requirements for industrial hemp producers, including fiber and grain farmers.

USDA STATISTICS

A commission led by USDA statistical chiefs would study the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) with recommendations to modernize and streamline data collection and improve the quality of reported statistics. The study would look at technology and other strategies to boost farmer participation and response rates.

MOBILE MEAT PROCESSING

USDA would continue to provide grants and funding to companies and farmer cooperatives to develop more mobile meat processing and rendering facilities. The goal is to create more local and regional food systems, improve livestock producers' access to slaughter facilities and "expand, diversify, and increase resilience in meat and poultry processing and rendering," the bill states.

CROP INSURANCE STUDIES

The Federal Crop Insurance Corp. would conduct multiple studies examining the feasibility of stand-alone insurance policies covering hurricanes and tropical storms, frost and extreme cold, as well as double cropping and rotational planting of certain oilseed crops.

Other studies would evaluate harvest incentives and prevented-planting coverage options for specialty crops.

USDA would also assess nationwide agricultural flood risk, analyzing crop and livestock losses under various flooding scenarios. The report would also identify on-farm conservation practices that could mitigate or reduce flood-related risks.

Looking at wildfires, USDA would also fund research examining the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on specialty crops, including wine grapes, hops, apples and other fruit. Among the areas to be studied would be compounds that can act as barriers to protect crops from smoke.

PFAS AND BIOSOLIDS

Another area for research would be to examine the impacts of microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), known as forever chemicals. That includes examining the impact of PFAS through land-applied biosolids or compost on farmland. The research would look at the effects on crops and soil health, including the uptake of PFAS by crops and livestock.

Also see, "House Takes Another Stab at Farm Bill," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com.

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