Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 6/24/2021
Actions
- 2021-06-24Held at the desk.
- 2021-06-24Received in the House.
- 2021-06-24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2021-06-24Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 8. Record Vote Number: 251. (text: CR S4740-4743)
- 2021-06-24Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 8. Record Vote Number: 251.(text: CR S4740-4743)
- 2021-06-24Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4736-4740)
- 2021-06-14Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 74.
- 2021-06-14Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Stabenow without amendment. Without written report.
- 2021-06-14Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Stabenow without amendment. Without written report.
- 2021-04-22Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2021-04-20Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2021-04-20Introduced in Senate
CRS Summary
As of 2021-06-24 (55)
Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021
This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a voluntary Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification Program to help reduce entry barriers into voluntary environmental credit markets for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners. A voluntary environmental credit market is a market through which agriculture and forestry credits may be bought or sold.
Entities eligible to participate in the program are (1) providers of technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, or private forest landowners in carrying out sustainable land use management practices that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, or sequester carbon; or (2) third-party verifiers that conduct the verification of the processes described in the protocols for voluntary environmental credit markets.
Among other requirements, USDA must publish (1) a list of protocols and qualifications for eligible entities; (2) information describing how entities may self-certify under the program; (3) information describing how entities may obtain the expertise to meet the protocols and qualifications; and (4) instructions and suggestions to assist farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in facilitating the development of agriculture or forestry credits and accessing voluntary environmental credit markets.
USDA must also establish an advisory council to make recommendations regarding the list of protocols and qualifications, best practices, and voluntary environmental credit markets.
The bill also rescinds certain funds provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and makes the funds available for the certification program.
Cosponsors (20)
- Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
- Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
- John Boozman (R-AR)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Deb Fischer (R-NE)
- Michael Bennet (D-CO)
- Charles Grassley (R-IA)
- Tina Smith (D-MN)
- Joni Ernst (R-IA)
- Christopher Coons (D-DE)
- John Thune (R-SD)
- Angus King (I-ME)
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Jacklyn Rosen (D-NV)
- Todd Young (R-IN)
- Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
- John Hoeven (R-ND)
- Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
- Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Subjects
- Advisory bodies
- Agricultural conservation and pollution
- Agricultural practices and innovations
- Air quality
- Civil actions and liability
- Climate change and greenhouse gases
- Congressional oversight
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
- Farmland
- Forests, forestry, trees
- Fraud offenses and financial crimes
- Government information and archives
- Land use and conservation
- Livestock
- Solid waste and recycling
- Wetlands
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.