S.1616 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2025; PRECISE Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1616, the PRECISE Act of 2025, aims to promote the adoption of precision agriculture practices and technology by amending the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and the Food Security Act of 1985. The bill introduces definitions for 'precision agriculture' and 'precision agriculture technology' and provides financial assistance and incentives for rural entities to adopt these practices. It also amends the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program to include and prioritize precision agriculture.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely increase the use of precision agriculture techniques by providing farmers with financial assistance and technical support. This could lead to more efficient resource use, reduced environmental impact, and potentially increased agricultural productivity. The changes to existing programs like EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program will integrate precision agriculture into established conservation efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Increased efficiency in resource utilization (water, fertilizer, etc.) in agriculture.
- Reduced environmental impact through optimized input management.
- Potential for increased crop yields and improved farm profitability.
- Enhanced soil health planning and technical assistance for farmers.
- Promotion of innovation and technological advancement in the agricultural sector.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs for farmers adopting new technologies, even with financial assistance.
- Risk of creating a dependency on technology and data, potentially disadvantaging smaller farms without the resources or expertise.
- Possible unintended environmental consequences from the widespread adoption of certain precision agriculture technologies.
- The bill may disproportionately benefit larger agricultural operations that are better positioned to adopt and utilize these technologies.
- Potential for data privacy concerns related to the collection and use of agricultural data.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) of the Constitution, as it aims to promote agricultural viability and environmental sustainability, which can be argued to contribute to the overall well-being of the nation. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The delegation of authority to the Secretary of Agriculture to determine specific technologies also aligns with established practices of administrative law.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).