H.R. 8457

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8457 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8457

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants and direct or 
guaranteed loans to increase domestic fertilizer production for United 
States farmers.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 22, 2026

Mr. Sorensen (for himself, Mrs. Hinson, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Mann, Ms. 
Craig, Mr. Bost, and Ms. Davids of Kansas) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants and direct or 
guaranteed loans to increase domestic fertilizer production for United 
States farmers.

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 ``Homegrown Fertilizer Act''.

SEC. 2. FERTILIZER FOR AMERICAN FARMERS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an 
entity eligible for a grant or loan under this section in 
accordance with subsection (c).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary for Rural 
Development.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) the 50 States; and
(B) the District of Columbia.
(4) United states.--The term ``United States'' means--
(A) the States;
(B) the territories of the United States; and
(C) the territory of Indian Tribes.
(b) Grants and Loans.--The Secretary shall provide grants and 
direct or guaranteed loans to assist eligible entities in increasing or 
expanding the manufacturing, processing, and storage of fertilizer and 
nutrient alternatives in the United States.
(c) Eligible Entities.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant or loan under 
this section, an entity shall be--
(A) an independently owned and operated--
(i) for-profit business or corporation;
(ii) nonprofit organization;
(iii) producer-owned cooperative or 
corporation; or
(iv) certified benefit corporation;
(B) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; or
(C) a State or local government.
(2) Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant or loan under 
this section, an entity described in paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be physically located within the United States;
(B) comply with all Federal, State, Tribal, and 
local regulations governing fertilizer and nutrient 
manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and 
waste management; and
(C) certify to the Secretary that the entity does 
not hold a market share (in manufacturing, processing, 
or distribution) greater than or equal to the entity 
that holds the fourth-largest share of that market for 
nitrogen, phosphate, potash, or any combination of 
thereof.
(d) Priorities.--In awarding grants and loans under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that will use 
the grant or loan for a proposal for a project--
(1) that will improve on fertilizer production methods and 
efficient use technologies to promote innovation in 
fertilizers, nutrient alternatives, and biostimulants;
(2) the additional fertilizer or nutrient alternative 
manufacturing, processing, or storage capacity created by which 
will be dedicated to United States agricultural commodity 
production; or
(3) that demonstrates the project will improve competition, 
increase options, and reduce prices or volatility of fertilizer 
products or nutrient alternatives important for farmers.
(e) Eligible Activities.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
or loan under this section may use the grant or loan for--
(1) building a new facility, buying an existing facility, 
or purchasing land for a facility;
(2) covering predevelopment costs, such as engineering and 
other professional fees;
(3) providing working capital to expand capacity or 
increase outputs;
(4) modernizing or expanding an existing facility, 
including making updates to existing buildings or constructing 
new buildings on site;
(5) purchasing or modernizing processing and manufacturing 
equipment;
(6) developing, customizing, and installing equipment, 
devices, and technology to improve processing functions, worker 
conditions, or safety;
(7) installing or updating equipment that reduces 
emissions, increases fertilizer use efficiency, or improves air 
and water quality;
(8) ensuring legal compliance with packaging and labeling 
requirements, such as sealing, boxing, labeling, and conveying;
(9) confirming legal compliance with occupational and 
safety regulations;
(10) engaging in workforce recruitment, training, 
apprenticeships, and retention to ensure expansion projects are 
adequately staffed;
(11) increasing domestic storage of fertilizer or nutrient 
alternatives; and
(12) such other activities as the Secretary determines to 
be appropriate.
(f) Grant Amount.--
(1) In general.--The amount of a grant under this section 
shall not exceed $100,000,000.
(2) Matching funds.--An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this section shall provide non-Federal matching 
funds in an amount that is equal to the amount of the grant.
(g) Loan Terms and Conditions.--Except as otherwise provided in 
this section, the terms and conditions of a loan under this section 
shall be the same as the terms and conditions of a business and 
industry direct or guaranteed loan under section 310B(g) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)).
(h) Duration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide a grant or loan 
under this section for a project that is not longer than 5 
years.
(2) Extension.--The Secretary may extend the period 
described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines an 
extension is appropriate.
(i) Combination and Nonsupplantation of Other Funds.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use the amounts made 
available to carry out this section to supplement, and not 
supplant, funds provided under other Federal, State, or local 
laws.
(2) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with 
other Federal agencies, such as the Department of Energy, and 
State, regional, or local agencies to allow applicants under 
this section to package proposals to be considered under 
relevant authorities jointly.
(j) Condition.--As a condition on receipt of a grant or loan under 
this section, the grant or loan recipient shall repay the grant or loan 
in full if any company or facility developed through the project using 
the grant or loan, or most or all of the assets of such company or 
facility, is sold, is transferred, or otherwise changes ownership, 
during the 10-year period beginning on the completion of the project, 
to an entity that holds a market share (in manufacturing, processing, 
or distribution) greater than or equal to the entity that holds the 
fourth-largest share of that market for nitrogen, phosphate, potash, or 
any combination of thereof.
(k) Funding.--In addition to other available funds, the Secretary 
may use the authority under section 5 of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714c) to transfer such sums of the 
funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation from available borrowing 
authority as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out 
this section.
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