United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025
The United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes the U.S. Grain Standards Act and makes several modernization and financing changes. Key themes include extending the authorization window through 2030, prioritizing the adoption of improved grain grading technology, and expanding who can perform weighing and inspection duties (including official agencies). The bill shifts funding terminology from “fund” to “trust fund” across multiple provisions, broadens authorities to cover domestic non-export grain at export ports, and strengthens reporting and advisory committee provisions. These changes aim to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in grain grading while allowing for greater involvement of official agencies and updated technology. In addition to extending and updating authority, the bill requires annual reporting on technology deficiencies and efficiency improvements, and it broadens the scope of activities eligible for funding to include equipment and technology development. It also clarifies that certain services for funding purposes exclude grading services under another federal act, and it tightens continuity rules for advisory committee appointments. Overall, the bill seeks to modernize grain standards operations and provide a more stable, technology-forward financing and governance framework.
Key Points
- 1Reauthorization and funding modernization
- 2- Extends the authorization period and shifts numerous references from “fund” to “trust fund,” signaling a dedicated financing mechanism for the program through 2030.
- 3Emphasis on technology and modernization
- 4- Adds a policy directive to prioritize adoption of improved grain grading technology to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
- 5- Expands the scope to include equipment and technology development in cost considerations.
- 6Expanded inspection and weighing authority
- 7- Allows the Secretary to inspect domestic non-export grain at export port locations under the act’s provisions, broadening where and how inspections can occur.
- 8- Broadens weighing authority to include state or official agencies (not just state agencies).
- 9Reporting and oversight enhancements
- 10- Requires annual reporting on December 1, including an analysis of deficiencies in the technology evaluation process and recommendations to improve grading efficiency and reduce government and industry costs.
- 11Advisory Committee improvements and governance
- 12- Provides a continuity provision that allows existing advisory committee members to serve until new appointments are made if vacancies aren’t immediately filled.
- 13- Extends the term-related modification of appointment timing to 2030.