SCALE Act of 2026

John Hoeven

Republican · ND · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

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

2026-06-22

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would create new state-run programs to help farmers improve soil quality and create better habitats for wildlife on their land. Farmers and landowners would receive assistance—likely financial support or technical guidance—to implement practices that protect soil health while supporting local ecosystems. This would affect agricultural communities and conservation efforts across the country.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4851 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4851 To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish State assistance for soil health and wildlife habitat, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 22, 2026 Mr. Hoeven introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish State assistance for soil health and wildlife habitat, and for other purposes. 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 ``Supporting Conservation through Advancing Local Efforts Act of 2026'' or the ``SCALE Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. Subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 1240L-2. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Agricultural land.--The term `agricultural land' means-- ``(A) cropland; ``(B) grassland; ``(C) rangeland; ``(D) pasture land; ``(E) nonindustrial private forest land; and ``(F) other land in agricultural areas (including wetlands, marshes, and agricultural land used or capable of being used for the production of livestock), as determined by the Secretary. ``(2) Eligible indian tribe.--The term `eligible Indian Tribe' means an Indian Tribe that is-- ``(A) implementing a soil health and wildlife habitat program for the area over which the Indian Tribe has jurisdiction; and ``(B) meeting or exceeding performance measures established by the Indian Tribe for the soil health and wildlife habitat program. ``(3) Eligible state.--The term `eligible State' means a State that is-- ``(A) implementing a new or existing soil health and wildlife habitat program for the State; and ``(B) meeting or exceeding performance measures established by the State for the soil health and wildlife habitat program. ``(4) Soil health and wildlife habitat program.--The term `soil health and wildlife habitat program' means a program to improve soil health and wildlife habitat on agricultural land that-- ``(A) is broadly consistent with the soil health principles of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as determined by the Secretary, including the use of perennial grasses; and ``(B) may include-- ``(i) technical assistance; ``(ii) financial assistance; ``(iii) on-farm research and demonstration; ``(iv) education, outreach, and training; ``(v) monitoring and evaluation; or ``(vi) such other components as the Secretary determines appropriate. ``(b) Availability and Purpose of Grants.--For fiscal years 2027 through 2031, the Secretary shall make grants to eligible States and eligible Indian Tribes for the purpose of improving soil health and wildlife habitat on agricultural lands through the implementation of State and Tribal soil health and wildlife habitat programs. ``(c) Applications.-- ``(1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, an eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe shall submit to the Secretary an application that shall contain-- ``(A) a description of performance measures to be used to evaluate the State or Tribal soil health and wildlife habitat program and the expected results of any activities carried out using grant funds received under this section; and ``(B) an assurance that grant funds received under this section will supplement the expenditure of State or Tribal funds in support of soil health and wildlife habitat, rather than replace such funds. ``(2) Tribal option.--An Indian Tribe shall have the option, at the sole discretion of the…

Indian Tribe, to be incorporated into the application of an eligible State. ``(d) Grants.-- ``(1) Amount.--The amount of a grant to an eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe under this section for a fiscal year may not exceed $10,000,000. ``(2) Term.--A grant under this section shall be for 5 years, and may be renewed. ``(3) Matching funds.-- ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall provide matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to the amount of Federal funds provided. ``(B) Exception.--If a State is unable to provide matching funds under subparagraph (A) sufficient to receive the full amount for which the State is otherwise eligible, the Secretary shall provide the State a proportional amount of Federal funds equal to the amount of matching funds the State commits to provide. ``(e) Audits and Reviews.--An eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary, for each year for which the State or Indian Tribe receives such a grant, the results of an audit of the expenditures of the grant funds. ``(f) Effect of Noncompliance.--If the Secretary, after reasonable notice to an eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe receiving a grant under this section, finds that the State or Indian Tribe has failed to comply with the terms of the grant, the Secretary may disqualify, for 1 or more years, the State or Indian Tribe from receipt of future grants under this section. ``(g) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. ``(h) Administration.-- ``(1) Department.--The Secretary may not use more than 3 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year for administrative expenses. ``(2) States or indian tribes.--An eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe receiving a grant under this section may not use more than 7 percent of the granted funds for a fiscal year for administrative expenses. ``(3) Deadline.--The Secretary shall award the grants under this section not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section. ``(4) No conditions.--A grant awarded under this section shall not-- ``(A) be conditioned on any requirement, guideline, technical standard, or administrative directive of the Department of Agriculture; or ``(B) direct or require modification of any soil health and wildlife habitat program established, funded, or administered by a State or local government.''. <all>

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