Bill Supports Inspection Service and Modern Grain Grading Tools
The House Agriculture Committee has passed an important bill to reauthorize the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA), which is the main law supporting the nation’s grain inspection and weighing system. Without action, these services were set to expire on September 30.
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) praised the committee’s move, as the new legislation includes many updates they recommended. The bill will ensure that grain inspection and weighing services continue without disruption, helping maintain confidence in U.S. grain exports.
The updated bill includes provisions backed by NGFA to improve the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). These changes aim to make grain inspections more efficient and transparent, with a focus on using new technologies to modernize the process.
One of the key improvements involves changes to the way annual user fees are handled. The bill modifies which activities apply to the fee cap, allowing more funding to go toward official inspection and grading services. This will help expand available resources without raising overall costs to users.
The NGFA had previously testified before the House Agriculture Committee in June, outlining its priorities for the USGSA reauthorization. These priorities were included in the final version of the bill approved by the committee.
This bill is a major step toward maintaining a trusted, science-based inspection system that ensures the quality and reliability of U.S. grain in global markets. It supports both domestic grain handlers and international buyers who depend on clear grading and measurement.
The legislation will now move forward in the legislative process as supporters push for full reauthorization before the current law expires at the end of September.