Bill · S. 1042· Senate(119-S-1042)
Smoke Exposure Research Act
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1745)
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Smoke Exposure Research Act directs the Agricultural Research Service to study the impact of wildfire smoke on wine grapes. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with identifying smoke taint compounds and establishing testing methodologies. This includes creating a database for natural background levels and developing tools to mitigate or reduce smoke taint. The research should also study potential barrier compounds to protect grapes. The Secretary will coordinate this work with specific land-grant colleges and universities in California, Oregon, and Washington. Finally, the bill authorizes $6,500,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill provides critical scientific support to protect wine grape farmers from smoke-related crop loss.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+5
The bill allocates $32.5 million over five years specifically for agricultural scientific research.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill directly benefits agricultural business owners by providing research to protect their crops.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Scientific Advancement and Identification: The bill directs the development of research to identify compounds responsible for smoke taint and establish testing methodologies, including fast and inexpensive screening methods (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). This could provide clarity and easier ways to test products.
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Risk Management Tools: The research aims to develop risk assessment tools or mitigation methods to reduce or eliminate smoke taint (Section 2(a)(1)(C)). This could help protect the quality of wine production.
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Protective Barriers: The bill calls for studying compounds that can act as a barrier between wine grapes and smoke compounds (Section 2(a)(1)(D)). This could offer a way to prevent smoke exposure from affecting crops.
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Establishing Standards: By establishing a reliable database of background levels of smoke taint compounds (Section 2(a)(1)(B)), the research could provide a baseline for understanding natural occurrences versus smoke-induced issues.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text of the bill.
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+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Students+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1745)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon