S. 2500 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryFunding research on microplastics in farm soil
This bill makes research on microplastics in biosolids (treated sewage applied to farmland) a priority area for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It funds grants for studying how to remove microplastics from biosolids before they're used on farms, and it continues funding for other USDA research programs through 2031, including work on crop health, food safety, pollinators, and honeybee diseases.
How it affects you
If you farm or work in agriculture, this means more research resources focused on keeping microplastics out of soil used on your land. Farmers who use biosolids as fertilizer may benefit from better techniques to ensure those materials are cleaner. For most other people, the main effect is indirect—it supports the agricultural and food systems that supply your food.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 29, 2025)
Research for Healthy Soils Act
This bill includes research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics in land-applied biosolids on farmland as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area and reauthorizes other research and extension activities. Microplastic is a plastic or plastic-coated particle that is less than 5 millimeters in size.
The bill specifically allows grants for carrying out or enhancing research on microplastics (e.g., through the development or analysis of wastewater treatment techniques to filter out or biodegrade microplastics from biosolids intended to be used for agricultural purposes).
Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2031. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2031
• the Pulse Crop Health Initiative;
• the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network;
• pollinator protection research and extension grants;
• increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and
• a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
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. 2500
A BILL
Research for Healthy Soils Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) · Introduced Jul 29, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 29, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.”