S 4853

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 22, 2026

Mr. Hoeven (for himself and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL

To amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to modify the BARD Fund, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act”.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that—

(1) the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (referred to in this section as the “BARD Fund”)—

(A) was established in 1977; and

(B) is a competitive funding program that supports collaborative agricultural research in areas of mutual interest to the United States and Israel;

(2) the primary mission of the BARD Fund is to bring together United States and Israeli scientists to jointly address key agricultural and food production challenges that concern both countries;

(3) since its establishment, the BARD Fund has approved more than 1,300 research projects, with a total investment of $315,000,000 that has gained $16 for every $1 spent; and

(4) research funded by the BARD Fund has led to new agricultural practices, commercial engagements, patents, and breeding rights licenses, which serve as a growth engine to the United States and Israeli economies.

SEC. 3. BARD FUND.

Section 1458(e) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking “entered into” and inserting “as entered into in 1977”;

(2) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking “and” at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(C) support mid-stage research to advance cooperative agricultural research projects of mutual interest to the United States and Israel.”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(3) Bard fund accelerator.—The BARD Fund shall establish an accelerator program that supports mid-stage research, as determined by the technology readiness level, in priority areas established by the BARD Fund, and—

“(A) fast-tracks cooperative research between scientists participating in BARD Fund activities;

“(B) accelerates the successful development of agricultural research through resources and services developed or orchestrated by the BARD Fund;

“(C) provides management guidance, technical assistance, and consulting to scientists participating in activities described in paragraph (2); or

“(D) advances cooperative agricultural research projects of mutual interest to the United States and Israel.

“(4) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the BARD Fund to carry out activities under this subsection $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.”. <all>