Bill Summary
The "Agricultural Biotechnology Coordination Act" proposes to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 by establishing an "Office of Biotechnology Policy" within the Department of Agriculture. This office will be responsible for prioritizing and coordinating policies related to biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, and similar emerging technologies.
Key provisions include:
1. **Establishment of the Office**: The Secretary of Agriculture will create this office, which will be led by a Director who reports directly to the Secretary.
2. **Duties of the Office**: The office will develop and coordinate departmental policies and activities concerning biotechnology, including research, communication, regulation, and commercialization. It will also assist other departmental offices in fulfilling their responsibilities related to biotechnology.
3. **Interagency Coordination**: The office will ensure collaboration with relevant federal and state agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, to support biotechnology initiatives.
4. **Consultation**: The office will engage with biotechnology developers, academics, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders to ensure that their perspectives are considered in decision-making.
Overall, this legislation aims to enhance the federal government's capacity to manage and promote agricultural biotechnology and its applications.
Possible Impacts
The Agricultural Biotechnology Coordination Act, as outlined in the provided legislation, could affect people in several ways:
1. **Farmers and Agricultural Producers**: The establishment of the Office of Biotechnology Policy may lead to more streamlined regulations and support for the use of biotechnology in agriculture. This could enable farmers to access new biotech crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases or that require fewer resources (like water and fertilizer). As a result, farmers might experience increased yields and reduced costs, ultimately enhancing food security and economic viability.
2. **Consumers**: With the Office's responsibility for regulation and labeling, there may be clearer guidelines on how biotech products are labeled and marketed. This could empower consumers with more information about the food they purchase, including whether products contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Enhanced transparency might influence consumer choices, leading to a more informed public regarding biotechnology in food production.
3. **Biotechnology Developers and Researchers**: The Act's emphasis on research, development, and interagency coordination may foster an environment that encourages innovation in biotechnology. Researchers and companies involved in biotech may benefit from increased funding, collaboration opportunities, and a more cohesive regulatory framework. This could accelerate the development of new technologies and products, potentially leading to breakthroughs that address agricultural challenges, such as climate change and food scarcity.
These examples illustrate how the legislation could have wide-ranging implications for various stakeholders in the agricultural and biotechnology sectors.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2692 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2692
To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to
require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish in the Department of
Agriculture an Office of Biotechnology Policy, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 3, 2025
Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to
require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish in the Department of
Agriculture an Office of Biotechnology Policy, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Biotechnology
Coordination Act''.
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after section 222 (7
U.S.C. 6923) the following:
``SEC. 223. OFFICE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY.
``(a) Prioritizing Biotechnology.--The Secretary shall prioritize
biotechnology in the Department by providing for the effective
coordination of policies and activities with respect to biotechnology,
biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, and related emerging technologies.
``(b) Establishment of Office.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the
Department an office, to be known as the `Office of
Biotechnology Policy' (referred to in this section as the
`Office').
``(2) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director,
who shall report directly to the Secretary (or a designee).
``(c) Duties.--The Office shall be responsible for--
``(1) the development and coordination of policies,
activities, and services of the Department with respect to
biotechnology and related topics, including--
``(A) research and development;
``(B) communication, extension, and education;
``(C) regulation and labeling; and
``(D) commercialization, use, and trade;
``(2) assisting other offices and agencies of the
Department in fulfilling responsibilities relating to
biotechnology under applicable law; and
``(3) carrying out such other duties as are required under
law or determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
``(d) Interagency Coordination.--In support of the duties under
this section, the Office shall provide leadership to ensure
coordination of interagency activities with--
``(1) the Environmental Protection Agency;
``(2) the Food and Drug Administration; and
``(3) other relevant Federal and State agencies.
``(e) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties under this section,
the Office shall consult as necessary with biotechnology developers,
academics, agricultural producers, and other entities that may be
affected by biotechnology-related activities or actions of the
Department or other Federal or State agencies.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 296(b) of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(11) The authority of the Secretary to carry out section
223.''.
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