To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to support and incentivize domestic activities to address fertilizer shortages and deficiencies, diversify fertilizer sources, and reduce dependency on foreign sources for fertilizer, and for other purposes.

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to support and incentivize domestic activities to address fertilizer shortages and deficiencies, diversify fertilizer sources, and reduce dependency on foreign sources for fertilizer, and for other purposes. 1. Addressing fertilizer shortages (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture shall support and incentivize domestic activities through grants, loans, and other forms of assistance, to address fertilizer shortages and deficiencies, diversify fertilizer sources, and reduce dependency on foreign sources for fertilizer, including by— (1) increasing the availability of innovative fertilizer and fertilizer alternatives, including nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, biological products and technologies, and other nutrients that may assist in the production of agricultural commodities; (2) increasing materials or tools that reduce the need for fertilizer or support the more efficient use of fertilizer, including nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, biological products and technologies, and other nutrients that may assist in the production of agricultural commodities; (3) supporting materials and facilities and research and development, that may support the activities carried out pursuant to this section; (4) supporting sustainable agriculture production through the use of— (A) sustainable fertilizer produced in, or used in a manner that, reduces the greenhouse gas impact; or (B) fertilizer produced through the use of renewable energy sources, including incentivizing greater precision in fertilizer use; (5) supporting activities or other measures that may otherwise address competition-related challenges in the United States fertilizer market and obstacles to producers in obtaining affordable, responsibly manufactured fertilizer as referred to in the notice entitled Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns (6) using the facilities and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation and the authorities under section 1473H of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3319k (b) Priority Applicants In selecting activities to support under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications for such support containing proposals that the Secretary determines will most quickly address fertilizer shortages in the near term and mid-term. (c) Supplement, not supplant (d) Authority The authority of the Secretary to carry out this section is in addition to other authorities of the Secretary. (e) Streamlined process In providing assistance pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall ensure that such assistance be provided through a streamlined and expedient process (as determined necessary by the Secretary) to quickly address fertilizer shortages. (f) Administrative funding Not more than 3 percent of the funding provided under this section may be used by the Secretary for administrative purposes. (g) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $100,000,000, to remain available until expended.

Summary: This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to support and incentivize domestic activities to address fertilizer shortages and deficiencies, diversify fertilizer sources, and reduce dependency on foreign sources for fertilizer, including by increasing the availability of innovative fertilizer and fertilizer alternatives.