Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026
Latest action (26 Feb 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 7734, the Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026, would amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to add four new categories to the list of research and extension priorities eligible for federal grants administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. These new categories cover: development of advanced mechanized harvester technologies, with possible emphasis on mechanizing specialty crop harvesting; agricultural applications of artificial intelligence, with possible emphasis on AI uses that improve specialty crop production; research on managing and eradicating invasive plant and animal species, including through biocontrol methods; and aquaculture research, including propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species.
The bill primarily affects land-grant colleges and universities and other institutions that compete for USDA research and extension grants, as well as the Secretary of Agriculture, who would have discretion to fund projects in these newly designated areas and to decide how much emphasis to place on specialty crops. It does not create new mandatory funding, set specific dollar amounts, or require any particular grant to be made; it simply expands the list of purposes for which existing grant authority may be used.
The bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, by Rep. Scott Franklin of Florida, with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then by the full House and Senate, and signed by the President before becoming law. No further action has yet occurred.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026
This bill includes additional priorities as Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension areas.
Under the bill, USDA may award grants for developing and evaluating (1) technologies to mechanize agricultural processes (and may emphasize processes for harvesting specialty crops), and (2) agricultural uses of artificial intelligence (and may emphasize uses for improving specialty crop production).
Further, USDA may award grants to support research projects at land-grant colleges and universities to develop and apply
• methods to manage and eradicate invasive species of plants and animals, including through methods of biocontrol; and
• aquaculture methods, including through the propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 7734 do?
- H.R. 7734, the Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026, would amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to add four new categories to the list of research and extension priorities eligible for federal grants administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. These new categories cover: development of advanced mechanized harvester technologies, with possible emphasis on mechanizing specialty crop harvesting; agricultural applications of artificial intelligence, with possible emphasis on AI uses that improve specialty crop production; research on managing and eradicating invasive plant and animal species, including through biocontrol methods; and aquaculture research, including propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species. The bill primarily affects land-grant colleges and universities and other institutions that compete for USDA research and extension grants, as well as the Secretary of Agriculture, who would have discretion to fund projects in these newly designated areas and to decide how much emphasis to place on specialty crops. It does not create new mandatory funding, set specific dollar amounts, or require any particular grant to be made; it simply expands the list of purposes for which existing grant authority may be used. The bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, by Rep. Scott Franklin of Florida, with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then by the full House and Senate, and signed by the President before becoming law. No further action has yet occurred.
- Has H.R. 7734 become law?
- Not yet. As of 26 Feb 2026, H.R. 7734 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 7734?
- H.R. 7734 was sponsored by Rep. Scott Franklin [R-FL18] (Republican-FL), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 7734?
- Introduced (26 Feb 2026).
Related bills in Agriculture and Food
Recognizing September 17, 2026, as National Teach Ag Day.
Food for Thought Act of 2026
American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026
ROMA Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.