Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a program to reduce barriers to entry for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in certain voluntary markets.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a voluntary Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification Program to help reduce entry barriers into voluntary environmental credit markets for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners (Sec. 2).

• Defines “voluntary environmental credit market” as a market through which agriculture and forestry credits may be bought or sold (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the following entities shall be eligible to participate in the aforementioned program, including (Sec. 2):

• Providers of technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, or private forest landowners in carrying out sustainable land use management practices that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, or sequester carbon; or

• Third-party verifiers that conduct the verification of the processes described in the protocols for voluntary environmental credit markets.

• Requires the USDA publish the following information, including (Sec. 2):

• A list of protocols and qualifications for eligible entities;

• Information describing how entities may self-certify under the program;

• Information describing how entities may obtain the expertise to meet the protocols and qualifications; and

• Instructions and suggestions to assist farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in facilitating the development of agriculture or forestry credits and accessing voluntary environmental credit markets.

• Requires the USDA to establish an advisory council to make recommendations regarding the list of protocols and qualifications, best practices, and voluntary environmental credit markets (Sec. 2).

• Rescinds certain funds provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and makes funds available for the certification program (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text