Proposed Office of Biotechnology Policy at the USDA

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If enacted, this bill would create a single point of leadership for agricultural biotechnology, potentially changing how the USDA coordinates research, labeling, and trade policies for biotech developers and agricultural producers.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Biotechnology developers

They are identified as a group the Director must consult regarding biotechnology-related activities.

Agricultural producers

They are identified as a group the Director must consult regarding biotechnology-related activities.

Department of Agriculture

The department is required to establish and staff a new office and reorganize existing policy functions.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is the primary statute governing the structure and authority of the USDA. context

Summary

This bill proposes creating a new Office of Biotechnology Policy within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to centralize the management of policies related to biotechnology, , and . The new office would be responsible for coordinating research, regulation, and commercialization efforts across the department and with other federal and state agencies.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If enacted, this bill would create a single point of leadership for agricultural biotechnology, potentially changing how the USDA coordinates research, labeling, and trade policies for biotech developers and agricultural producers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What would the new Office of Biotechnology Policy actually do?

It would coordinate the USDA's policies and activities regarding biotechnology, , and , including research, regulation, and trade.

Who would the new office work with?

The office would coordinate with other USDA agencies, the EPA, the FDA, and other federal and state agencies, while consulting with industry developers, academics, and farmers.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Related Legislation

Federal Bill85% related

CLEAN SMART Act of 2024

This bill creates a new network of national laboratories to accelerate the cleanup of radioactive and hazardous waste sites managed by the Department

Connected Entities

personPadilla“Sponsor of the bill”Map →

organizationDepartment of Agriculture“The agency responsible for overseeing the Office of Biotechnology Policy”Map →

personYoung“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

organizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Agency to be coordinated with”Map →

organizationFood and Drug Administration“Agency to be coordinated with”Map →

organizationU.S. Government Publishing Office“Source of the document”Map →

bill_numberFood Access Liaison“Section 225 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level