DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

Bill: 119-hr-1326
Sponsor: Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Introduced: 2025-02-13 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural research
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Department of Agriculture
Department of Energy
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Pest management
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: 

DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture to carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities through the establishment of an interagency agreement.

The agencies are authorized to (1) carry out reimbursable agreements in order to maximize research and development effectiveness, and (2) collaborate with other federal agencies. Further, the interagency agreement must require the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed process, which considers applications from federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions.

Research and development activities may include

collaborative research in a variety of focus areas such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, biofuels and biobased products, grid modernization and security, rural technology development, and wildfire risks and prevention;

developing methods to accommodate large voluntary standardized and integrated data sets on agricultural, environmental, supply chain, and economic information;

supporting research infrastructure and workforce development; and

collaborative research and development on ways to improve agriculture operations and processing efficiencies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-03-25
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 35 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1204)
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 35 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1204)
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1214)
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1326.
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1204-1205)
action_date: 2025-03-24
text: Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Introduced in House