Predictive models

(a) In general The Secretary shall develop and maintain a modeling tool (or combination of tools) that shall predict the impacts of different land management practices, including implementing conservation activities, on atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide and soil carbon sequestration across the United States. (b) Consultation In developing the modeling tool or tools under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the Secretary of Energy; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; (3) agricultural producers, including socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e))); (4) soil carbon experts; (5) nonprofit organizations; (6) academic researchers; (7) private companies with expertise in soil carbon sequestration or in atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide monitoring for agricultural operations; and (8) other stakeholders, including the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies or non-Federal entities, who reflect the operational, geographic, and socioeconomic diversity of United States agricultural operations. (c) Requirements The modeling tool or tools described in subsection (a) shall— (1) be anchored in direct measurements of land, including soil sampling, such as under the program established under section 1240N of the Food Security Act of 1985 and the programs described in section 3(b)(3); (2) account for differences that could impact land management outcomes, including— (A) soil type; (B) type of land use; (C) type of crop; (D) geography and local long-term weather patterns; (E) geographic size of the land-use operation; (F) ongoing or existing conservation activities; and (G) such other items as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; (3) allow a user of the tool to estimate the changes in atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide or soil carbon sequestration, and the uncertainty of those estimated changes, that occur as a result of implementing 1 or more conservation activities; and (4) be user-friendly and accessible— (A) to producers and researchers; and (B) in multiple languages. (d) Reviews and updates (1) Reviews Not less frequently than annually, the modeling tool or tools described in subsection (a) shall be reviewed to determine if an update is required to reflect the best available data and science. (2) Updates If it is determined that an update is required under paragraph (1), the update shall be made not later than 1 year after the date of that determination. (e) Partners (1) In general In analyzing data, conducting research, and developing and maintaining the modeling tool or tools under subsection (a), the Secretary may partner with— (A) an Institution described in paragraph (2); (B) an institution of higher education with expertise in predictive modeling, large-scale data collection, soil carbon research, or agricultural conservation management; or (C) a Federal research center. (2) Institutions described An Institution referred to in paragraph (1)(A) is any of the following: (A) An 1862 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)). (B) An 1890 Institution (as defined in that section). (C) A 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382)). (f) Reporting Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that— (1) describes the progress of the Secretary in developing the modeling tool or tools under subsection (a); (2) contains an assessment of the accuracy with which a user will be able to use the tool to determine the permanence and additionality of atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide reduced or carbon sequestered; (3) describes the models and survey and analysis information that the Secretary has developed or collected, or intends to develop or collect, as applicable, for purposes of developing or maintaining the tool; (4) describes— (A) whether it was determined that an update was required under subsection (d)(1); and (B) if an update was required, the specifics of the update; and (5) includes any other information that, as determined by the Secretary, is relevant to— (A) the efficacy of the tool; (B) the intended applications of the tool; or (C) the determination of— (i) changes in atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide or soil carbon sequestration associated with producer land-use practices; or (ii) (I) estimates of the impacts of land use practices, including conservation activities, on atmospheric carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide and soil carbon sequestration; and (II) the measurement error of the tool. (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for each fiscal year.