H.R. 6341 — Partnerships for Agricultural Climate Action Act

This section amends the conservation partnership authorities in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)—which provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural and forestry producers for conservation practices—by (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), inserting ", Tribal," after "provided by State"; (2) in subsection (a)(2)(C), replacing "for pollution reduction" with "for pollution and emissions reductions"; (3) redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (4) inserting new subsection (d) to establish a grant program for covered entities (i.e., state departments of agriculture, Tribal governments, producer associations or cooperatives, institutions of higher education, conservation districts, or other organizations working with producers on climate-related priorities) to develop or implement eligible proposals for climate mitigation (i.e., management changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon) and climate adaptation (i.e., management changes to reduce vulnerability to climate disturbances and build resilience, such as through improved nutrient management and soil health). Eligible proposals must be broadly consistent with specified USDA adaptation plans, Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation practices, scientific research, and traditional ecological knowledge (including indigenous agricultural knowledge); identify strategies to increase adoption of regionally appropriate practices on private agricultural land; and achieve at least two outcomes, including increased carbon sequestration, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, or increased resilience to extreme weather. The Secretary of Agriculture must solicit grant applications within 180 days of enactment and on a recurring basis until appropriated funds are expended, with applications including performance measures and assurances that funds supplement (not supplant) entity expenditures; Tribal governments may opt to join other entities' applications; and selections must occur not later than two years after enactment.