H.R. 3871 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3871 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 6, 2023Ms. Perez (for herself and Mrs. Kim of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL 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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Research for Healthy Soils Act. 2. Microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland (a) In general Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (21) Microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of carrying out or enhancing research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland, including by— (A) conducting surveys and collecting data on microplastic concentration, particle size and chemical composition in land-applied biosolids on farmland; (B) the development or analysis of wastewater treatment techniques to filter out or biodegrade microplastics from biosolids intended to be used for agricultural purposes; (C) conducting an analysis of the impact on agricultural crops and soil health of microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland; (D) conducting research to better understand how wastewater processing impacts microplastics; and (E) conducting research to better understand the fate, residence time, and transport of microplastics on farmland. . (b) Microplastics defined Section 1672(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Definitions In this section, the term microplastic means a plastic or plastic-coated particle that is less than 5 millimeters in any dimension. . 3. Reauthorization of high-priority research and extension initiatives Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended by striking 2023 each place it appears in subsection (e)(5), subsection (f)(5), paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3) of subsection (g), and subsection (h) and inserting 2028.