H.R.3293 - Support Water-Efficient Strategies and Technologies Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3293, the Support Water-Efficient Strategies and Technologies Act of 2025, aims to amend the Food Security Act of 1985. The bill focuses on increasing payments for drought-resilient and water-saving practices in agriculture, as well as providing additional support for perennial production systems. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 8, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased adoption of water-efficient agricultural practices by providing financial incentives to farmers. This could result in reduced water consumption in agriculture and greater resilience to drought conditions. The bill also broadens the scope of conservation stewardship programs to include perennial production systems.
Potential Benefits
- Increased adoption of drought-resilient and water-saving agricultural practices.
- Enhanced support for farmers transitioning to sustainable farming methods.
- Improved soil health and carbon sequestration through conservation activities.
- Greater resilience of agricultural operations to drought conditions.
- Potential for increased long-term agricultural productivity.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased government spending on agricultural subsidies.
- Potential for unintended consequences from altering existing agricultural practices.
- Complexity in determining eligibility for increased payments.
- Possible administrative burden in implementing the new provisions.
- Risk that larger farms benefit disproportionately from the increased payments.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the General Welfare Clause of the US Constitution, which allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the nation. Specifically, Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. This bill falls under the purview of promoting general welfare by supporting sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring food security.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).