118 S2541 IS: Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023 U.S. Senate 2023-07-26 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2541IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 26, 2023Mr. Tuberville (for himself, Mr. Hagerty, Mrs. Blackburn, and Mrs. Britt) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryA BILLTo amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to conduct research and development on the inclusion of certain oilseed crops in double cropping policies, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023.

2.

Study on inclusion of certain oilseed crops under double cropping policies

Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (20)

Double cropping of certain oilseed crops

(A)

Definition of covered oilseed crops

In this paragraph, the term covered oilseed crops means rapeseed and canola crops.(B)

Research and development

The Corporation shall carry out research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and development, with respect to the inclusion of covered oilseed crops under double cropping policies.(C)

Requirements

The research carried out pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be conducted in consultation with stakeholders to evaluate—(i)the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating covered oilseed crops into double cropping policies; and(ii)the potential risks associated with incorporating covered oilseed crops into double cropping policies, specifically with respect to winter-planted covered oilseed crops, including risks to soil health, biodiversity, and the profitability of farming operations.(D)

Emphasis

In awarding contracts under subparagraph (B), the Corporation may place emphasis on persons and institutions that—(i)have previous research experience with covered oilseed crops; and(ii)have access to a facility with the capacity to do the applicable research.(E)

Report

Not later than 13 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation 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 that describes—(i)the results of the research and development carried out under subparagraph (B); and (ii)any recommendations with respect to those results..