Increased TSP Access Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 156

119th Congress

Increased TSP Access Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 21, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Chuck Grassley

Senator

Republican

IA

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Summary

This bill streamlines certification for Technical Service Providers who help farmers with USDA conservation programs. It allows nonfederal entities to certify TSPs, creates faster approval for those with specialty credentials, requires equal pay rates to USDA technical assistance, and improves public information on provider utilization.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

SponsorChuck Grassley (R-IA)

Introduced1/21/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

ChamberSenate

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Vote Prediction

Increased TSP Access Act of 2025

This bill streamlines certification for Technical Service Providers who help farmers with USDA conservation programs. It allows nonfederal entities to certify TSPs, creates faster approval for those with specialty credentials, requires equal pay rates to USDA

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This bill streamlines certification for Technical Service Providers who help farmers with USDA conservation programs. It allows nonfederal entities to certify TSPs, creates faster approval for those with specialty credentials, requires equal pay rates to USDA technical assistance, and improves public information on provider utilization.

Bill Number: 156
Sponsor: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Introduced: 1/21/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Policy Area: Agriculture and Food

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Increased TSP Access Act of 2025
Bill Number: 156
Sponsor: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced: 1/21/2025
Summary: This bill streamlines certification for Technical Service Providers who help farmers with USDA conservation programs. It allows nonfederal entities to certify TSPs, creates faster approval for those with specialty credentials, requires equal pay rates to USDA technical assistance, and improves publi

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill streamlines certification for Technical Service Providers who help farmers with USDA conservation programs. It allows nonfederal entities to certify TSPs, creates faster approval for those with specialty credentials, requires equal pay rates to USDA technical assistance, and improves public information on provider utilization.

Last updated: 1/6/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Increased TSP Access Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications.As background, TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, that work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs.USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors).In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs within a specified time period.  USDA must also review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity within a specified time period. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs.The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA.Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, certification results, and utilization rates.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Streamlines TSP certification for conservation technical services
Allows nonfederal organizations to certify providers
Creates fast-track for specialty credential holders
Requires payment rates equal to USDA assistance
Improves public information on TSP utilization rates

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Farmers would have access to more certified technical service providers for conservation projects. Providers with relevant certifications could be approved faster. Pay rates would match what USDA charges for similar services.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

156, 119th Congress (2025). "Increased TSP Access Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-156

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