Congress funds research to fight invasive spotted lanternfly pest
H.R. 4708 — Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act · Filed by Joseph Morelle (D-NY) · 40 cosponsors · Introduced Jul 23, 2025 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill adds spotted lanternfly control to the list of high-priority agricultural research topics eligible for federal grants under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, and extends the authorization for all such high-priority research initiatives from 2023 to 2030. Farmers, agricultural researchers, and states affected by spotted lanternfly infestations benefit by gaining access to federally funded research and tools to combat the pest.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is to designate spotted lanternfly control as an eligible research category and extend the authorization period for high-priority agricultural research initiatives. It is a straightforward expansion of existing grant eligibility and a routine reauthorization.
What the text implies
- The bill does not appropriate funds—it only authorizes research eligibility. Actual funding depends on separate appropriations decisions, so the practical impact depends on whether Congress funds these initiatives in future budget cycles.
- Spotted lanternfly is an invasive species with significant economic impact on agriculture, forestry, and horticulture; research authorization may indirectly benefit multiple sectors beyond direct farming (timber, nurseries, vineyards).
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
agricultural research institutions; land-grant universities; state agricultural extension services