Bills · S 1209
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1209Agriculture and Food
American Prairie Conservation Act
INTRO MAR 31· LAST ACTION MAR 31
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it affects how we protect natural landscapes and how federal farm aid is distributed. Native grasslands are important for many reasons: they prevent soil erosion, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, provide crucial habitats for wildlife, and help manage water runoff. When these areas are converted to cropland, these environmental benefits can be lost.
By requiring nationwide reporting and linking it to federal crop insurance and disaster aid, the bill creates a clearer picture of how much native sod is being converted. This information could influence future agricultural policies and conservation efforts. If this bill becomes law, farmers will have an additional step if they choose to convert native sod. If it doesn't pass, the current regional rules would remain, and the nationwide tracking of native sod conversion linked to federal benefits would not happen, meaning less comprehensive data on this environmental change.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands native sod provisions to apply nationwide, rather than just in specific regions.
This ensures consistent rules for native grassland conservation across all states.
PROVISION 02
Requires farmers to certify any native sod acreage they convert for crop production to the USDA as a condition for receiving federal crop insurance or disaster assistance.
This creates an official record of native sod conversion, linking it to federal agricultural support.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that farmers submit corrections to their certifications if there are any changes in their tilled native sod acreage.
This ensures that the USDA's records of native sod conversion remain accurate and up-to-date.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit annual reports to Congress detailing certified tilled native sod acreage by county and state, from 2026 through 2030.
This provides policymakers with comprehensive data to understand and potentially address native sod conversion trends.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· South Dakota
YRS IN OFFICE
29
BILLS LED
57
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 31
Introduced in Senate
MAR 31
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S1926)
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1209
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 31, 2025
Last actionMar 31, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 31, 2025
Senate BillS 1209Agriculture and Food
American Prairie Conservation Act
INTRODUCED MAR 31, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 31, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
