H.R. 3656: To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement under the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes.

This bill proposes changes to the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 specifically regarding the specialty crop research initiative. Here are the key points of the bill:

Matching Funds Requirement

The current law requires entities receiving grants under the specialty crop research initiative to provide matching funds—essentially a financial contribution that matches the grant amount.

Authority to Waive Matching Funds

The bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to waive this matching funds requirement for grants awarded under the specialty crop research initiative starting from the date the bill becomes law. This means that eligible entities could receive funding without being required to match it with their own funds.

Purpose of the Change

The aim of waiving the matching funds requirement is to make it easier for various organizations—including universities, nonprofit organizations, and other research entities—to access funding for specialized crop research. This could potentially encourage more innovative research and development in the agriculture sector, particularly concerning specialty crops, which are often less commercially prioritized than major crops.

Impact on Research Entities

By enabling a waiver on matching funds, the bill seeks to support a broader range of projects and increase participation from smaller entities that may struggle to secure the necessary matching funds. This could improve research output and findings in the specialty crop area, contributing to advancements in agriculture.

Funding Source

The bill does not specify how the grants will be funded or if there will be changes to the overall funding levels for the specialty crop research initiative, but it suggests the possibility of increased accessibility to these funds for a wider range of participants in the research community.

Administrative Flexibility

The bill enhances administrative flexibility by empowering the Secretary of Agriculture to make decisions about funding requirements, which could lead to more responsive and timely funding processes for agricultural research projects.

Relevant Companies

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