Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract to evaluate the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program.Under the program, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service works in coordination with the Texas Animal Health Commission to combat the spread of cattle fever ticks, which can spread a serious cattle disease called bovine babesiosis or cattle fever.Specifically, USDA must enter into a contract to review and report on the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program with a (1) land-grant college or university, or (2) non-land-grant college of agriculture.The review must include an evaluation of the program's (1) effectiveness with respect to preventing and reducing the spread of cattle fever ticks; and (2) benefits, and the burdens of compliance, to cattle producers.The review must also evaluate the treatment protocols developed and implemented under the program.Further, the review must evaluate the federal and state funds allocated to support the program for the most recent fiscal year.
Impact
The bill seeks to enhance federal and state efforts in addressing cattle fever tick infestations, which could affect livestock health and agricultural economics. By calling for a comprehensive review, the legislation aims to streamline practices and improve efficacy in managing cattle fever ticks. This initiative is significant for cattle producers who may face various challenges and costs associated with compliance under the current program.
Summary
Senate Bill 319, titled the 'Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act of 2025', aims to improve the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the existing program by contracting with covered institutions, such as land-grant universities, to evaluate its effectiveness and compliance burdens on cattle producers. The review is mandated to be conducted within a year of the bill's enactment, focusing on aspects like prevention of cattle fever tick spread and the benefits versus compliance burdens faced by producers.
Contention
While the text does not specify opposition, typical points of contention around agricultural programs like this may revolve around the financial implications for producers, especially regarding any potential increase in regulatory burdens. Stakeholders might also debate the adequacy of current measures against cattle fever ticks and whether additional regulations could impact farmers' operations. By promising to assess compliance hurdles, the bill attempts to address these concerns proactively and seeks to mitigate any adverse effects on cattle producers.
Congratulate the Pribbeno family for earning the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's 2025 National Environmental Stewardship Award and for their exceptional stewardship of the land
No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities ActThis bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments above specified thresholds. (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.)Specifically, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must annually collect information regarding the endowments of each IHE that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education.With this collected information, NCES must identify and make lists of (1) each IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, and (2) each IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion). NCES must submit these lists to the Office of Management and Budget, which must then distribute the lists to federal agencies, Congress, and the public.The bill establishes the following limits on the indirect costs allowable under federal research awards:for an IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, the IHE is prohibited from using these awards for indirect costs;for an IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion), the IHE is limited to an indirect cost rate of 8%; andfor all other IHEs, an indirect cost rate of 15%.The Government Accountability Office must annually report to Congress on indirect cost reimbursement on federal research awards for IHEs.
Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003, which allows the Department of the Interior to provide financial assistance to states for (1) eradicating or controlling nutria, and (2) restoring marshland damaged by nutria. Nutria are invasive, semi-aquatic rodents.