H.R. 2858

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2858 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2858

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out research and 
development with respect to winter canola, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 10, 2025

Mr. Kustoff (for himself, Mr. Strong, and Mr. Mann) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out research and 
development with respect to winter canola, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Winter Canola Study Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES AND FINDINGS.

(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are the following:
(1) To ensure the continued growth of clean and sustainable 
feedstocks, supported by new crop insurance products that 
recognize double-cropping systems.
(2) To recognize the importance and regionality 
characteristics of winter canola grown rotationally or as a 
double-crop and the economic and environmental benefits to 
producers.
(3) To recognize that by investing in lower carbon-
intensity renewable fuels, such as those produced from winter 
canola crops, the United States can provide sustainable fuels, 
create jobs, enhance our rural communities, and bolster our 
national security.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Winter Canola improves farm economics.
(2) Oil from winter canola is a source of renewable energy 
as a feedstock for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and jet 
biofuel.
(3) Winter canola oil-based renewable fuels reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions by over 50 percent compared to 
conventional fuels.
(4) Expanding winter canola production will provide 
additional feedstock to meet growing renewable fuel demand 
without bringing new land into production.

SEC. 3. STUDY OF INCLUSION OF CERTAIN OILSEED CROPS UNDER DOUBLE AND 
ROTATIONAL CROPPING POLICIES.

Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 4 U.S.C. 
1522(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(20) Double cropping and rotational cropping of certain 
oilseed crops.--
``(A) Definition of covered oilseed crops.--In this 
paragraph, the term `covered oilseed crops' means 
rapeseed and canola crops that--
``(i) require a period of cold temperatures 
(vernalization) before the plants will produce 
flowers and seeds; and
``(ii) are planted and harvested on land 
that would otherwise be idle in a rotation 
pattern.
``(B) Research and development.--The Corporation 
shall carry out research and development, or offer to 
enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified 
persons to carry out research and development, with 
respect to the inclusion of covered oilseed crops under 
double cropping and rotational cropping policies.
``(C) Requirements.--The research and development 
carried out pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be 
conducted in consultation with stakeholders to 
evaluate--
``(i) the factors impacting availability 
and cost of crop insurance when incorporating 
covered oilseed crops into double cropping and 
rotational cropping policies; and
``(ii) the potential risk management 
benefits associated with incorporating covered 
oilseed crops into double cropping and 
rotational cropping policies, including risk 
management benefits to soil health, 
biodiversity, and the profitability of farming 
operations.
``(D) Emphasis.--In awarding contracts under 
subparagraph (B), the Corporation may place emphasis on 
qualified persons that--
``(i) have previous research experience 
with covered oilseed crops; and
``(ii) have access to a facility with the 
capacity to carry out the applicable 
research.''.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH ON 
SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS.

Section 1473D of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3319d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the 
end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as 
subparagraph (G); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the 
following:
``(F) to examine potential benefits and opportunities for 
supplemental and alternative crops (including winter rapeseed 
and winter canola); and''; and
(2) in subsection (e),
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the 
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2029.''.

SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Not later than 13 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes--
(1) the results of the research and development carried out 
under the amendments made by section 3; and
(2) any recommendations with respect to those results.
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