H.R. 575 — Increased TSP Access Act of 2025

This section revises provisions governing technical assistance delivery for USDA conservation programs (i.e., programs under chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program) by (1) adding a definition of "non-Federal certifying entity" (i.e., certain approved non-Federal entities or State agencies); (2) expanding the purpose of such assistance to include "timely" delivery and "practice design and implementation assistance"; (3) clarifying that non-Federal entities eligible for cooperative agreements include private sector entities; (4) expanding required expertise for third-party providers (i.e., Technical Service Providers or TSPs) to encompass conservation practice design, implementation, evaluation, and other skills determined by the Secretary; (5) replacing the prior certification process with a new one allowing certification by the Secretary (through the Natural Resources Conservation Service), approved non-Federal entities, or approved State agencies with relevant statutory authority; (6) requiring the Secretary to review certifications by non-Federal certifying entities and add satisfactory providers to the TSP registry within 10 business days; (7) directing the Secretary to establish, within 180 days of enactment, a process for non-Federal certifying entities to certify TSPs (with approvals within 40 business days based on specified criteria such as scale, experience, and expertise) and outlining their duties (including training, notices to the Secretary, and withdrawal notifications); (8) requiring a streamlined certification process, within 180 days of enactment, for TSPs holding specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisor by the American Society of Agronomy, professional engineer); and (9) requiring an initial review of TSP certification requirements within 1 year of enactment (and periodically thereafter) to improve participation, quality, and effectiveness. (Thus, these changes expand TSP capacity, including for agricultural retailers, cooperatives, and professional societies, to increase timely conservation technical assistance for producers and landowners.)