Congress funds research on PFAS and microplastics in farmland soils.
H.R. 3991 — Research for Healthy Soils Act · Filed by Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) · 3 cosponsors · Introduced Jun 12, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill adds microplastics and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) research to the USDA's high-priority agricultural research program, authorizing grants for studies on how these contaminants in biosolids and compost affect farmland, crops, and soil health. It also extends the authorization of the underlying research program from 2023 to 2031.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is to designate a new research topic (microplastics and PFAS in farmland) as eligible for USDA grants under an existing program and to extend that program's funding authority. It is a straightforward research authorization with no deregulation, liability shield, or private carve-out.
What the text implies
- Research findings on PFAS and microplastic uptake by crops may eventually inform EPA or FDA regulatory action on food safety or biosolids application standards, creating downstream compliance costs for wastewater treatment and agricultural operations.
- The bill does not mandate remediation or restrict biosolids application; it only funds research. Actual policy changes would require separate legislation or regulatory action.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
USDA research institutions and land-grant universities (grant recipients); Agricultural research contractors and consultants