S 5128 — Fertilizer SUSTAIN Act

Summary

Fertilizer Stewardship, Utilization, Sustainability, Technology, Access, Innovation, and Nourishment Act or the Fertilizer SUSTAIN Act This bill (1) directs the Department of the Interior to designate potash and phosphates as critical minerals, (2) revises the Federal Register and National Environmental Policy Act permitting process for mining and phosphate and potash exploration, and (3) requires the Environmental Protection Agency to allow phosphogypsum to be used in government road projects.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html November 17, 2022

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill designates phosphate and potash as critical minerals and amends various provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 regarding conservation technical assistance and support for precision agriculture.

• 30 U.S.C. 1606(c)(4)

  potash and phosphates as critical minerals

  Phosphate and potash are now classified as critical minerals.

• 16 U.S.C. 3842(a)(2)

  nonprofit entity, → an individual certified crop advisor described in subsection (e)(6),

  Certified crop advisors are recognized as eligible participants for conservation technical assistance.

• 16 U.S.C. 3842(e)

  (6) Certified crop advisors.--An individual possessing a current registration and credentials as a certified crop advisor-- (A) shall be exempt from obtaining a certification under paragraph (4); and (B) may provide assistance to an eligible participant with respect to conservation practices within the scope of the registration of the individual.

  Establishes requirements and exemptions for certified crop advisors providing conservation assistance.

• 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(d)

  (8) Increased payments for precision agriculture and nutrient management.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Secretary may increase the amount that would otherwise be provided for a practice under this subsection to not more than 90 percent of the costs associated with-- (A) adopting precision agriculture or nutrient management practices; and (B) acquiring precision agriculture or nutrient management equipment and technology.

  Allows for increased cost-share payments for precision agriculture and nutrient management to 90%.

• 16 U.S.C. 3871a(4)

  (K) An agriculture retailer.

  Agriculture retailers are now eligible partners in the regional conservation partnership program.

• 16 U.S.C. 3842(h)

  (5) Review relating to plant biostimulants.-- (A) Definition of plant biostimulant.--In this paragraph, the term `plant biostimulant' means a substance, micro-organism, or mixture of a substance and a micro-organism, that, when applied to seeds, plants, the rhizosphere, soil, or other growth media, acts to support the natural processes of a plant independently of the nutrient content of that substance, micro-organism, or mixture, including by improving-- (i) nutrient availability; (ii) uptake or use efficiency; (iii) tolerance to abiotic stress; and (iv) consequent growth, development, quality, or yield. (B) Review required.--The Secretary shall conduct a review of nutrient management practice standards to determine if plant biostimulants should be approved for use in appropriate conservation practice standards.

  Requires the Secretary to review conservation practice standards regarding the use of plant biostimulants.

Action History

1. November 17, 2022

   Introduced in Senate

2. November 17, 2022

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sponsors

• Roger Marshall · Primary

Subjects