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Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-4327| House 
| Updated: 8/21/2023
Jim Costa

Jim Costa

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (14)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)John S. Duarte (Republican)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 This bill establishes an alternative manure management program for eligible dairy and livestock producers and provides specified funds to the program for FY2024 through FY2028. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an alternative manure management program to award producers contracts to support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Producers must implement management measures that include adopting pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage practices; a solid separation system (or installing a new, higher efficiency solid separation system); or scrape technologies, including vacuum technologies. The federal cost share may not exceed 90%. Further, the bill caps the maximum payment to a person or legal entity in any five-year period at $825,000. USDA must prioritize contracts to entities that address public health concerns (e.g., air quality and water quality) associated with dairy and livestock operations located near low-income or underserved communities. Further, USDA must ensure geographical diversity when awarding contracts. USDA must also reserve a majority of the program's funds for beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as farmers and ranchers that continue to transition towards enhanced methods of sequestering carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions. The bill also includes composting practices as eligible projects under USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Finally, USDA must review practice standards for composting facilities and soil carbon amendments (e.g., compost) and develop and implement a new conservation practice standard for the on-farm production of compost.
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Timeline
Jun 23, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 23, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jul 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-2479
Introduced in Senate
Aug 21, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Aug 21, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
  • June 23, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • June 23, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • July 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-2479
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 21, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.


  • August 21, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • S 118-2479: Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023
Agricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural practices and innovationsClimate change and greenhouse gasesFarmlandLivestockMammals

Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-4327| House 
| Updated: 8/21/2023
Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 This bill establishes an alternative manure management program for eligible dairy and livestock producers and provides specified funds to the program for FY2024 through FY2028. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an alternative manure management program to award producers contracts to support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Producers must implement management measures that include adopting pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage practices; a solid separation system (or installing a new, higher efficiency solid separation system); or scrape technologies, including vacuum technologies. The federal cost share may not exceed 90%. Further, the bill caps the maximum payment to a person or legal entity in any five-year period at $825,000. USDA must prioritize contracts to entities that address public health concerns (e.g., air quality and water quality) associated with dairy and livestock operations located near low-income or underserved communities. Further, USDA must ensure geographical diversity when awarding contracts. USDA must also reserve a majority of the program's funds for beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as farmers and ranchers that continue to transition towards enhanced methods of sequestering carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions. The bill also includes composting practices as eligible projects under USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Finally, USDA must review practice standards for composting facilities and soil carbon amendments (e.g., compost) and develop and implement a new conservation practice standard for the on-farm production of compost.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 23, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 23, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jul 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-2479
Introduced in Senate
Aug 21, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Aug 21, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
  • June 23, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • June 23, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • July 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-2479
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 21, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.


  • August 21, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Jim Costa

Jim Costa

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (14)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)John S. Duarte (Republican)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • S 118-2479: Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Agricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural practices and innovationsClimate change and greenhouse gasesFarmlandLivestockMammals