H.R. 6780

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6780 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6780

To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to 
direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish research centers of 
excellence for alternative protein innovation, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 17, 2025

Ms. Brownley (for herself, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Lieu, Ms. 
Tokuda, and Mr. Garcia of California) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to 
the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to 
direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish research centers of 
excellence for alternative protein innovation, 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 ``Producing Real Opportunities for 
Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Protein innovation that produces high-quality foods 
using under-utilized biomass and biomanufacturing processes is 
an essential component of the bioeconomy.
(2) The United States has produced several groundbreaking 
biotechnological breakthroughs across the last decade that can 
diversify the food system.
(3) In recent years, multiple countries have dramatically 
increased public investments into alternative protein research 
and development.
(4) According to the Department of Agriculture, every $1 of 
investment into agricultural research results in $20 of 
economic productivity.
(5) As of 2019, the plant-based food industry supported 
over 55,000 jobs in the United States, and the protein sector 
could create as many as 10,000,000 jobs globally by 2050.
(6) Diversifying the protein supply of the United States 
will increase domestic supply chain resilience, decrease 
reliance on foreign grain and other commodities, and provide 
more choices to American consumers.
(7) The global demand for meat is predicted to double by 
2050, thus increasing the need for additional food sources.
(8) A diversified food system would improve global and 
domestic food security.
(9) Protein innovation can strengthen national security, 
improve supply chain resilience, and lower the risk of 
bioterrorism.

SEC. 3. RESEARCH CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
INNOVATION.

Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Centers of Excellence for Food and Agriculture Innovation.--
``(1) Recognition.--The Secretary shall recognize not fewer 
than 3 centers of excellence, one of which will be led by an 
1890 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7601)), to focus on the areas specified in paragraph (2) 
relating to the advancement of emerging and innovative food and 
agriculture with an emphasis on diversifying edible protein 
sources.
``(2) Areas of focus.--
``(A) Food biomanufacturing research and 
development.--A center of excellence recognized under 
paragraph (1) may carry out research, development, and 
education programs that support the quality, 
production, or cost-effectiveness of emerging and 
innovative foods that employ--
``(i) bioprocessing;
``(ii) biomanufacturing; and
``(iii) the conversion of biomass into 
proteins and fats at scale.
``(B) Student success and workforce development.--A 
center of excellence recognized under paragraph (1) may 
engage in activities to ensure that students have the 
skills and education needed to work in innovative food 
and agriculture industries, including agricultural 
science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and 
related fields of study.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Producing Real Opportunities for Technology 
and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act, and every year 
thereafter, the Secretary 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 
describing--
``(A) the resources invested in the centers of 
excellence recognized under paragraph (1); and
``(B) the work being done by such centers of 
excellence.''.

SEC. 4. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

Section 2(b)(2)(E) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2)(E)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (v) as clauses 
(iii) through (vi), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause:
``(ii) tools and production methods that 
increase the availability of edible protein 
sources using bioprocessing, biomanufacturing, 
and the conversion of under-utilized biomass 
into high-value ingredients;''.

SEC. 5. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE.

(a) Establishment of National Program.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural 
Research Service (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), 
shall establish a new national program dedicated to protein security 
that increases rural prosperity and farmer profits, which is focused 
on--
(1) bioprocessing;
(2) biomanufacturing; and
(3) the conversion of under-utilized biomass into high-
value ingredients.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the program under this section $10,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

SEC. 6. FOOD BIOMANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in 
this section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a grant program to 
ensure that the United States has a viable domestic food 
biomanufacturing and production capability to support and sustain 
increased global demand for protein.
(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity is eligible to receive a grant 
under subsection (a) if--
(1) such entity is--
(A) a nonprofit or for-profit private entity;
(B) an institution of higher education;
(C) a National Laboratory;
(D) a State or local government; or
(E) a consortium of entities described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (D); and
(2) such entity--
(A) is headquartered in the United States and 
operates primarily within the United States;
(B) is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by 
1 or more individuals who are citizens of the United 
States; and
(C) deploys intellectual property and content that 
is owned by United States individuals.
(c) Grants.--
(1) Use of funds.--An entity that receives a grant under 
this section shall use funds received through the grant--
(A) to carry out 1 or more demonstration projects 
for the advanced biomanufacturing, production, or 
bioprocessing of edible proteins and fats at scale;
(B) to construct 1 or more new commercial-scale 
facilities for such advanced biomanufacturing, 
production, or bioprocessing; and
(C) to retool, retrofit, or expand 1 or more 
existing facilities located in the United States and 
determined qualified by the Secretary for such advanced 
biomanufacturing, production, or bioprocessing.
(2) Amount of grants.--The amount of a grant awarded under 
this section shall be not less than $10,000,000 for an eligible 
entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in paragraph 
(1).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this 
section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

SEC. 7. FOOD BIOWORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in 
this section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a competitive grant 
program to support food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing workforce 
development.
(b) Eligible Entity.--An entity is eligible to receive a grant 
under this section if the entity is--
(1) a governmental entity;
(2) a public, private, or cooperative organization 
organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis; or
(3) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304)) on a Federal or State reservation or any other federally 
recognized Indian Tribe.
(c) Use of Funds.--An entity to which a grant is made under this 
section may use the grant funds to--
(1) train new and existing employees on food 
biomanufacturing and bioprocessing methods;
(2) establish a center for training, technology, and trade 
that will provide training to employees in food 
biomanufacturing and bioprocessing;
(3) provide higher-education scholarships to students 
pursuing careers in food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing, 
including at community colleges;
(4) conduct regional, community, and local economic 
development planning and coordination for the purpose of 
increasing food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing;
(5) provide technical assistance to gain compliance with 
Federal, State, or local regulations related to food 
biomanufacturing and bioprocessing; or
(6) facilitate business and lending opportunities related 
to food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing, including 
identifying relevant information necessary for obtaining--
(A) private capital investments;
(B) Federal and State loan guarantees;
(C) Federal and State direct grants; or
(D) other financial support mechanisms from Federal 
and State entities.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030.

SEC. 8. NATIONAL STRATEGY ON ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS.

(a) Establishment of a National Strategy on Alternative Proteins.--
The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the 
``Secretary'') shall--
(1) establish a national strategy on protein security in 
coordination with the Secretaries concerned that meets the 
requirements of subsection (c); and
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, finalize such strategy.
(b) Considerations.--When developing the national strategy under 
subsection (a), the Secretaries concerned shall consider--
(1) the best available science related to edible protein 
diversification that is focused on bioprocessing, 
biomanufacturing, and the conversion of under-utilized biomass 
into high-value ingredients;
(2) the strategic benefits of expanding research, 
development, and production of protein diversification relating 
to--
(A) national security and warfighter readiness;
(B) agriculture opportunities for domestic farmers;
(C) food and agricultural innovation;
(D) resilient supply chains; and
(E) cross-cutting scientific advancements;
(3) global competition and the economic benefits of protein 
diversification relating to--
(A) future economic productivity;
(B) job creation in the biotechnology sector; and
(C) existing public investments and strategies of 
competitor countries; and
(4) existing policies and programs offered by the Federal 
and State governments that--
(A) fund open-access research and development at 
higher-learning institutions and government agencies;
(B) incentivize private sector research and 
development;
(C) support new and existing food biomanufacturers;
(D) support farmers in the United States that 
produce crops and feedstocks that support protein 
diversification and food biomanufacturing; and
(E) represent a barrier for effective--
(i) open-access food biomanufacturing 
research and development;
(ii) scale-up of food biomanufacturing; and
(iii) regulatory oversight.
(c) Contents.--The national strategy shall--
(1) use a whole-of-government approach to ensure that the 
United States remains the global leader of food 
biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, and bioworkforce development 
for future generations; and
(2) include--
(A) objectives to fulfill the purpose of the 
national strategy specified in paragraph (1), including 
interagency coordination;
(B) barriers to fulfill such purpose;
(C) solutions to the barriers identified in 
subsection (b)(4)(E); and
(D) a plan for the implementation of the national 
strategy.
(d) Secretaries Concerned Defined.--In this section, the term 
``Secretaries concerned'' means--
(1) the Secretary of Defense;
(2) the Secretary of Energy;
(3) the Secretary of Commerce;
(4) the Director of the National Science Foundation;
(5) the Director of the National Institutes of Health;
(6) the Commissioner of Food and Drugs;
(7) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention;
(8) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency; and
(9) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy.

SEC. 9. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be 
construed to support the production of insects for food or animal feed.
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