Bill · H.R. 5610· House(119-HR-5610)
Improving Drought Monitoring Act
- Introduced
- 9/26/2025
- Last activity
- 9/26/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Sponsored by
- David Taylor
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Improving Drought Monitoring Act aims to amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to extend the program for improving the United States Drought Monitor through 2030. The bill mandates the creation of an interagency working group to improve the availability of consistent, accurate, and reliable drought data. This group is tasked with developing ways to include more in-situ data and addressing barriers to using existing Federal datasets. Additionally, the bill requires a report of recommendations to be submitted to various government officials and committees. Finally, the act seeks to align the drought response activities of the Farm Service Agency and the Forest Service through a formal memorandum of understanding.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would farmers be better off under this?+3
The bill provides more accurate and consistent drought monitoring essential for agricultural planning.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill enhances the accuracy and reliability of drought data used to manage environmental resources.
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
Agricultural and forestry business owners receive more consistent information regarding drought determinations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Extended Drought Monitoring: The bill extends the program providing for improvements to the United States Drought Monitor from 2023 to 2030 (Section 2).
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Improved Data Reliability: The establishment of an interagency working group aims to improve the availability of consistent, accurate, and reliable data for the United States Drought Monitor (Section 3(a)).
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Better Data Inclusion: The working group is tasked with developing a means for the inclusion of additional in-situ data and creating an open and transparent methodology for vetting data products (Section 3(c)).
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Consistent Agency Responses: The bill requires the Farm Service Agency and the Forest Service to enter into a memorandum of understanding to better align their drought response activities (Section 4(a)).
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Consistent Information for Stakeholders: The new memorandum of understanding between agencies includes an agreement to provide consistent information to grazing permittees, operators, and other stakeholders affected by drought determinations (Section 4(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Low Income Households+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 9/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House