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Fair Seeds for Farmers Act

USA119th CongressS-5104| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (2)
Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the "Fair Seeds for Farmers Act," aims to significantly limit intellectual property protections for plants by amending the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Its primary goal is to restrict the types of federal intellectual property rights available for plants, plant varieties, and plant germplasm. Specifically, it prohibits protection under any federal law other than the existing Plant Variety Protection Act and the Plant Patent Act of 1930, effectively disallowing utility patents for plants. A key provision of the bill is the invalidation of contractual obligations or agreements that restrict certain activities related to plants. These unenforceable agreements include those that limit the use of plants, plant varieties, germplasm, or other biological material for research, breeding, experimentation, seed saving, or propagation . This change applies to new patent applications and contracts entered into after the bill's enactment, while not affecting previously issued patents.
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Timeline
Jul 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9681
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • July 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9681
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Fair Seeds for Farmers Act

USA119th CongressS-5104| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
This bill, known as the "Fair Seeds for Farmers Act," aims to significantly limit intellectual property protections for plants by amending the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Its primary goal is to restrict the types of federal intellectual property rights available for plants, plant varieties, and plant germplasm. Specifically, it prohibits protection under any federal law other than the existing Plant Variety Protection Act and the Plant Patent Act of 1930, effectively disallowing utility patents for plants. A key provision of the bill is the invalidation of contractual obligations or agreements that restrict certain activities related to plants. These unenforceable agreements include those that limit the use of plants, plant varieties, germplasm, or other biological material for research, breeding, experimentation, seed saving, or propagation . This change applies to new patent applications and contracts entered into after the bill's enactment, while not affecting previously issued patents.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9681
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • July 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9681
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (2)
Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted