This bill makes it easier for private businesses, nonprofits, and other outside organizations to become approved Technical Service Providers (TSPs) who help farmers and landowners with conservation work. Right now, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a certification process that can be slow and complicated. This bill tells USDA to streamline that process, especially for providers who already have relevant specialty certifications like being a certified crop advisor—they should be able to get approved faster without jumping through as many hoops.

The bill also creates a new system where outside organizations can become official certifiers themselves, so they can certify TSPs on behalf of USDA, as long as those organizations have the right experience and expertise. USDA has to review these outside certifiers' applications and the TSPs they certify within set timeframes to make sure everything meets standards. Once approved, TSPs get added to an official USDA registry so customers know who's legitimate.

Another important part is that private TSPs must be paid the same rates as USDA's own technical staff, so there's fair compensation for the work. Finally, USDA has to make information publicly available about TSPs—including how to find them, what funding is available, and how often they're actually being used. Overall, this bill aims to expand the pool of qualified conservation service providers available to farmers and landowners while making the approval process faster and more transparent.

Increased TSP Access Act of 2025

Marshall, Roger

Increased TSP Access Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the&nbsp;certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications.As background, TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, that work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs.USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors).In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify&nbsp;TSPs&nbsp;within a specified time period. &nbsp;USDA must also review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity within a specified time period. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the&nbsp;TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs.The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA.Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, certification results, and utilization rates.