House Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Draft with Bioenergy, Biofuel Provisions

The draft legislation aims to expand the use of biochar and encourage growth in the bioenergy and biofuel sectors.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The House Committee on Agriculture has released a draft of the 2026 Farm Bill that includes provisions focused on expanding the use of biochar and encouraging growth in the bioenergy and biofuel sectors. The draft legislation is part of the committee's efforts to support carbon-negative and carbon-smart technologies across the agricultural industry.

Why it matters

The proposed Farm Bill provisions reflect the growing importance of bioenergy, biofuels, and biochar in addressing climate change and transitioning to a more sustainable agricultural system. By incentivizing the adoption of these technologies, the legislation could help drive innovation, create new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities, and contribute to broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.

The details

The draft Farm Bill includes measures that would provide funding and support for research, development, and deployment of biochar technologies. It also contains provisions aimed at expanding the use of biofuels and encouraging the growth of the bioenergy sector, which could include incentives for the production and use of renewable fuels derived from agricultural feedstocks.

  • The House Committee on Agriculture released the draft Farm Bill on February 13, 2026.
  • The North American Biocarbon Conference, co-located with the International Biomass Conference & Expo, is scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 2, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The players

House Committee on Agriculture

The committee responsible for drafting and overseeing the Farm Bill, which is the primary legislation governing U.S. agricultural and food policy.

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What’s next

The draft Farm Bill will now go through the legislative process, with the House and Senate expected to negotiate and pass their own versions of the bill before reconciling the differences and sending a final version to the President for signature.

The takeaway

The proposed Farm Bill provisions demonstrate the growing recognition of the role that bioenergy, biofuels, and biochar can play in supporting a more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural sector. If enacted, these measures could help accelerate the deployment of these carbon-negative and carbon-smart technologies, creating new economic opportunities and contributing to broader efforts to address climate change.