WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) at the U.S. Small Business Administration thanked House of Representatives and House Agriculture Committee leadership for the recent bipartisan passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
Of specific interest to Advocacy and the small businesses represented, was Rep. Victoria Spartz’s (IN-05) amendment, H.Amdt.207 (full amendment below), which allows for potential regulatory relief for American agriculture from impending diesel emissions mandates.
In the letter, Advocacy highlighted that by agreeing to the Spartz amendment, the House of Representatives offers American agriculture and American consumers greatly needed respite from increased farm equipment operating costs.
The letter states, in part: “As it relates to this amendment, farmers have shared their concerns with our Regional Advocates that these diesel regulations cause their equipment to frequently break down, incur excessive maintenance burdens, and decrease the useful life of their engines, thereby significantly increasing the cost of providing food to Americans.”
The full letter can be read here.
“We have heard about this issue for over a year from not only the American agriculture sector, but other industries in the small business community, including mining, construction, and transportation,” said Acting Chief Counsel Everett Woodel. “This issue is hurting our farmers and negatively affecting our food supply, which impacts our national security.”
An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Spartz of Indiana
or Her Designee
Add at the end of subtitle D of title XII the following:
SEC. 12___. EXEMPTION OF FARM EQUIPMENT FROM CLEAN AIR ACT EMISSION
STANDARDS.
Section 213 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7547) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Exemption for Farm Equipment.--The standards under this
section shall not apply to new or in-use--
``(1) agricultural tractors, as such term is defined
in section 1928.51 of title 29, Code of Federal
Regulations; or
``(2) self-propelled agricultural equipment used to
spray, fertilize, or harvest covered commodities, as
such term is defined in section 1111(6) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011(6)).''.
PRESS RELEASE
SBA No. 26-14 ADV
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, CONTACT:
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is an independent voice for small business within the executive branch. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.