This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, ranchers and their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Agri-Food? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Agri-Food - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on Fertilizer Industry Supply: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will conduct a hearing on May 12 at 7 p.m. in Dirksen 106 to examine 'Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a Stable and Affordable Supply for American Producers.'

Federal Government News

USDA Finalizes SNAP Retailer Staple Food Stocking Standards

The Food and Nutrition Service published the final rule updating staple food stocking standards for SNAP-authorized retailers, effective July 7, 2026, with full implementation by November 4, 2026. Retailers must now stock at least seven distinct varieties in each of four staple food categories and provide one perishable variety in three categories. The rule introduces clarified definitions for staple food varieties, adds new grain and dairy categories, and formalizes the accessory foods list. The Department estimates compliance will impact mainly small-format stores, with an average cost of $407 in the first year for affected stores. Regulatory Impact Analysis, paperwork burden changes, and procedures for technical assistance and stakeholder communications are included. The rule is designated as a major regulatory action and aligns with updated Congressional mandates from the 2014 Farm Bill.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

National Farmworker Jobs Program State Allotments Announced for 2026

The Employment and Training Administration released state allotments for the National Farmworker Jobs Program Career Services and Training grants for program year 2026, with $89.4 million available for formula grants and $6.5 million allocated to housing grants. Grant amounts are prorated based on previous year formula shares, and program eligibility now includes farmworker families below 150% of the poverty line. States will receive adjusted funding compared to 2025; California's allotment drops from $24.45 million to $24.27 million, Texas from $4.89 million to $4.86 million, and all other states receive similar proportional changes. The allotment reflects revised formula methodology and updated appropriations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Receives Application for Mosquito Biopesticide Experimental Use Permit

EPA announced receipt of an application from Google LLC for an experimental use permit for Wolbachia pipientis wAlbB in live adult Culex quinquefasciatus male mosquitoes (DQB Strain). Proposed releases are up to 16 million mosquitoes annually in both California and Florida over two years, with a total of 14.08 mg active ingredient. EPA considers this application of regional and national significance and is seeking public comments by June 5, 2026. The experiment aims to generate data for a potential Section 3 product registration under FIFRA. After review of comments and data, EPA will determine permit issuance and conditions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Announces Funding Opportunity for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program

The Rural Utilities Service has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026. Applications for competitive grants are now open, with guidance and forms available at grants.gov and the USDA telecommunications website. Starting after this year, future notices will be published solely online. The program assists rural communities in accessing telemedicine and distance learning resources. Details are available under Funding Opportunity Number RUS-26-01-DLT, Assistance Listing Number 10.855.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Revised Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products Now Available

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service released an updated guideline to assist plants producing pasteurized, heat-treated, cooled, frozen, or enzyme-modified egg products in complying with HACCP and sanitation standards. The revised guideline includes additional scientific information, expanded sanitation procedure guidance, and new hazard examples such as Bacillus cereus. FSIS invites public comments until July 6, 2026, and makes the guideline available for download on its website. The update does not impose new legal requirements beyond existing regulations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 8700: Expanding CFIUS Jurisdiction Over Land Purchases Near Sensitive Sites

Bill 8700 proposes to enhance U.S. food security by granting the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States broader authority over land purchases, especially those near sensitive sites. The measure imposes special restrictions on foreign adversary acquisitions and expands the definition of sensitive sites. It was referred to the Committee on Financial Services and additionally to committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and Commerce for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8682: Categorical Exclusion for Salvage Harvesting Under NEPA Procedures

Bill 8682 aims to codify the categorical exclusion proposed in the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures for the Bureau of Land Management regarding salvage harvesting, as published April 6, 2026. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Indiana Enacts Foreign Land Ownership Ban and Agent Registration Requirements

Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 256, banning companies from adversarial nations—including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia—from owning land in Indiana and requiring foreign agents to register and disclose funding, expenditures, and political agendas.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana Bans Foreign Adversaries From Land Ownership With Expanded Secure Measures

Senate Enrolled Act 256, co-authored by Sen. Randy Maxwell, now prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing land in Indiana, mandates agent registration, restricts access to critical education programs, and blocks tech contracts with adversarial entities.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana Toughens Requirements on Foreign Adversaries With New Land Ownership Law

Sen. Eric Koch's bill signed into law strengthens Indiana’s security by banning hostile nations from owning any state land and requiring foreign agents to register and disclose their activities and funding.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Pennsylvania Requests USDA Disaster Designation Following April Freeze

Governor Josh Shapiro sent a request to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for a Secretarial Disaster Designation to expedite disaster assistance for Pennsylvania farmers affected by April freeze events.

Sources: pacast.com

Montana Applauds Cancellation of Bison Grazing Permits by BLM

Governor Greg Gianforte welcomed the BLM's final decision to cancel grazing permits authorizing bison grazing for the American Prairie Reserve, citing compliance with the Taylor Grazing Act and concerns from local agricultural producers.

Sources: news.mt.gov

Texas Governor Renews Fire Weather Disaster Proclamation

Governor Greg Abbott renewed and amended fire weather disaster proclamations for several Texas counties, authorizing use of emergency resources and regulatory suspensions to address ongoing fire risks.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Texas Approves SBA Disaster Declaration for North Texas Storm-Affected Counties

Governor Abbott announced SBA approval for disaster assistance programs targeting North Texas counties impacted by severe storms, offering low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• SNAP and the farm bill’s fate: Politico reviews SNAP's central role in farm bill negotiations and legislative outlook.
• Zimbabwe returning 67 European-owned farms covered by investment treaties: Reuters reports Zimbabwe is returning 67 farms to European owners under investment treaty settlements.
• DOJ plans to settle Agri Stats case, White House official says: Reuters covers DOJ intentions to settle the Agri Stats antitrust case targeting food price practices.
• The Last Days of Butter Ridge: New York Times explores the closure of Pennsylvania's Butter Ridge dairy farm amid industry pressures.
• A GOP lawmaker supported an immigration crackdown. Her husband paid a price.: Washington Post details impacts of immigration enforcement on dairy farm labor in Idaho.
• Grain trader ADM raises profit forecast on biofuel demand outlook: Reuters reports ADM has increased its profit forecast, citing strong biofuel market demand.

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