A bipartisan, bicameral bill recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) would provide resources to address deferred maintenance at U.S. schools of agriculture.
“For American farmers and ranchers to continue producing the best food, fuel and fiber in the world, we must maintain the best research institutions in the world,” Sen. Moran said. “This legislation will support the work at institutions like Kansas State University by allowing them to modernize their facilities and continue a long history of innovation and supporting the agricultural industry.”
Sen. Moran on May 21 cosponsored the Augmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful (AG RESEARCH) Act, S. 1825, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Kim Schrier (D-WA) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House.
“Agriculture research institutions are crucial in supporting farming communities and driving innovation in the agriculture industry,” said Sen. Hirono. “Decades of underinvestment have left many of these institutions across our country with significant maintenance backlogs, and this legislation will provide much-needed financial support to enable agriculture schools and research facilities to make the critical upgrades and updates they need.”
The bill would amend the Research Facilities Act to address deferred maintenance at agricultural research facilities by providing $1 billion in mandatory funding per fiscal year over five years in grants (S. 1825); and providing $500 million in mandatory funding per fiscal year over five years in grants (U.S. House of Representatives bill).
The measure also would require a 1-to-1 match of grant funds unless waived by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; direct that grants be distributed equitably to the maximum extent practicable; and limit grant funds awarded to any one state to no more than 20 percent, says a summary of the bill provided by Sen. Moran’s office.
The funding would assist agricultural research facilities in efforts to alter or repair facilities or equipment of the facilities necessary for conducting agricultural research, according to the text of the bill.
The AG RESEARCH Act is endorsed by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and Kansas State University.