James R. Baird

To amend the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2026, to delay the implementation of amendments made by such Act to the hemp production provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.

This bill extends by two years the implementation of changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products. Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill extends the effective date to November 12, 2028. As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp . As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances and registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation. The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, include changing the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC, explicitly including industrial hemp, excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, and excluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.

BIO-SCALE Act

The government would create special facilities to help bioindustry companies develop and test new technologies, moving innovations from the lab stage to real-world production. These facilities would support businesses working with biological materials and processes to create products like biofuels, chemicals, and medicines, helping them grow and compete more effectively. The proposal is currently being reviewed by congressional committees that handle transportation, infrastructure, and financial matters.

Hemp Planting Predictability Act

Hemp Planting Predictability Act This bill extends by two years the implementation of changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products. Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill extends the effective date to November 12, 2028. As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp . As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances and registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation. The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, include changing the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC, explicitly including industrial hemp, excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, and excluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.

FORGE Act

The proposal would create a new State Department program to help other countries develop and safely use small modular reactors, which are smaller nuclear power plants that can be built in remote areas or used for industrial purposes. The program would provide technical assistance, training, and support to international partners interested in this nuclear technology, aiming to promote responsible energy development while preventing misuse. This affects countries seeking nuclear energy alternatives, U.S. companies in the nuclear industry, and global energy and security policy.

Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act of 2026

This bill would improve how different federal agencies work together when deciding what products and technologies the U.S. can sell to other countries, particularly items that could affect national security. It likely aims to streamline the approval process and reduce delays that companies face when seeking permission to export goods, while ensuring that sensitive military or technology-related items still get proper oversight. The changes would affect exporters, government agencies like the State Department and Commerce Department, and potentially American businesses trying to compete internationally.

Tech Diplomacy Training Act

This bill would establish training programs to prepare U.S. diplomats and foreign service officers to better understand and negotiate technology policy issues with other countries. The training would help American diplomats handle discussions about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data privacy, and other tech topics that increasingly affect international relations and trade. This affects how the U.S. government represents American interests in global technology discussions and agreements.

Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act

Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery (formerly known as Kareem N. Dockery), for his acts of valor on October 2, 2012, as a member of the Army while serving in Afghanistan, for which he was previously awarded the Silver Star.

Bioindustrial Scale-Up for Supply Chains and Energy Resiliency Act of 2026

This bill would help expand and strengthen the production of biofuels and other bio-based products made from renewable materials like plants and agricultural waste, with the goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and making energy supplies more reliable. It likely provides funding or support for companies and facilities that want to scale up these biological manufacturing processes from small research projects to full commercial production. The changes would affect energy companies, agricultural producers, and manufacturers looking to shift toward renewable alternatives.

PART Act

The PART Act likely addresses transportation infrastructure or public works projects, though the specific details depend on the bill's full text. Based on its current status moving through committee review, it probably aims to modify how transportation funding, construction, or maintenance is managed at the federal level. The bill would affect transportation agencies, construction companies, and potentially communities that depend on public infrastructure improvements.

NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act

The National Science Foundation and Department of Agriculture would work together on research projects that combine their expertise in science and agriculture. This collaboration would allow scientists and farmers to tackle problems that benefit from both organizations' knowledge, potentially leading to innovations in areas like crop technology, environmental sustainability, or food production. The bill is currently being reviewed by two congressional committees to determine which parts fall under their respective responsibilities.