S. 1150 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 26, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryOpens USDA conservation certifications to more providers
The USDA currently relies on Technical Service Providers—private businesses, nonprofits, and tribal organizations—to help farmers and landowners with conservation planning and implementation. This bill would streamline how USDA certifies these third-party providers, allowing more entities to become official certifiers and making it easier for providers with relevant specialty certifications to qualify. It also requires USDA to pay these providers at rates equal to what it pays its own staff, and to publish clear public information about available providers and certification results.
How it affects you
If you're a farmer or landowner seeking conservation assistance, you could have access to a wider range of private and nonprofit providers to help with your land. Businesses, nonprofits, and tribal organizations that provide these conservation services would have clearer pathways to become officially certified, potentially expanding the services available in your area.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 26, 2025)
Increased TSP Access Act of 2025
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications.
As background, TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, that work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.
The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs.
USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors).
In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs within a specified time period.
USDA must also review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity within a specified time period. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs.
The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA.
Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding and certification results.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1150
A BILL
Increased TSP Access Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) · Introduced Mar 26, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 26, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.”