DOD and USDA Interagency Research Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (20 May 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
What this bill does
This bill, S. 4607, would direct the Secretaries of Defense and Agriculture to collaborate on research and development projects. These joint activities would focus on areas that advance the missions of both departments, particularly concerning agriculture and food defense. This includes research into agricultural resilience, bioindustrial manufacturing feedstocks, and natural resource management, as well as national security implications.
The Secretaries would be required to establish an agreement to coordinate these research efforts. This agreement would outline how projects are selected through a competitive process, allow for public-private partnerships with matching funds, and consider collaborations with allies. The research would aim to develop technologies that have high potential impact, address current or future threats, and incentivize private development. The bill also emphasizes a risk management approach to protect research and national security.
S. 4607 was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Armed Services. The bill does not include specific funding amounts but authorizes the use of unobligated funds from existing programs within both departments. If enacted, the Secretaries would be required to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress and expenditures of these joint research activities.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
20 May 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Common questions
- What does S. 4607 do?
- This bill, S. 4607, would direct the Secretaries of Defense and Agriculture to collaborate on research and development projects. These joint activities would focus on areas that advance the missions of both departments, particularly concerning agriculture and food defense. This includes research into agricultural resilience, bioindustrial manufacturing feedstocks, and natural resource management, as well as national security implications. The Secretaries would be required to establish an agreement to coordinate these research efforts. This agreement would outline how projects are selected through a competitive process, allow for public-private partnerships with matching funds, and consider collaborations with allies. The research would aim to develop technologies that have high potential impact, address current or future threats, and incentivize private development. The bill also emphasizes a risk management approach to protect research and national security. S. 4607 was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Armed Services. The bill does not include specific funding amounts but authorizes the use of unobligated funds from existing programs within both departments. If enacted, the Secretaries would be required to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress and expenditures of these joint research activities.
- Has S. 4607 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4607. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 4607?
- S. 4607 was sponsored by Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] (R-IN), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4607?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (20 May 2026).
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