Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, on Feb. 27 reintroduced the Farm to Fly Act, a bill that aims to accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Companion legislation was reintroduced in the Senate during January. 

Previous versions of the Farm to Fly Act were also introduced in the U.S. Senate in early 2024 and in the U.S. House of Representatives in late 2023. In addition, provisions of the legislation were included in a stalled version of the 2024 Farm Bill. 

The Farm to Fly Act aims to clarify SAF eligibility in the USDA’s bioenergy programs to expand markets for American agriculture crops in aviation bioenergy. It would also encourage greater collaboration on aviation biofuels throughout USDA agency mission areas to drive private sector partnerships and require USDA to adopt a common definition of SAF to ensure American crops effectively contribute to aviation renewable fuels. 

Following its introduction, the bill, H.R. 1719, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. To date, Reps. Mike Flood, R-Neb.; Brad Finstad, R-Minn.; Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill.; Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y.; Tracey Mann, R-Kan.; Mike Bost, R-Ill.; Don Bacon, R-Neb.; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.; Mark Alford, R-Mo.; Eric Sorensen, D-Ill.; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; and Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., have signed on to cosponsor the bill. 

Numerous biofuel and ag groups have spoken out in support of the legislation, including the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition and the Renewable Fuels Association. 

“Sustainable aviation fuel is rooted in America’s agricultural sector,” said Alison Graab, executive director of the SAF Coalition. “The Farm to Fly Act expands opportunities for U.S. farmers and strengthens USDA’s role in SAF development—enhancing our energy dominance, driving rural economic growth, and reinforcing American innovation in fuel production. We commend Representatives Miller, Flood, Finstad, Budzinski, Tenney, Mann, Bost, Bacon, Feenstra, D. Johnson, Alford, Sorensen, Miller-Meeks, and Fischbach for their commitment to advancing policies that support SAF and the agricultural communities that make it possible.” 

“The Renewable Fuels Association thanks Rep. Miller, as well as cosponsors Reps. Flood, Finstad, Budzinski, Tenney, Mann, Bost, Bacon, Feenstra, D. Johnson, Alford, Sorensen, Miller-Meeks and Fischbach for the reintroduction of the Farm to Fly Act,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the RFA. “RFA supports this important legislation, which would bring clarity and stability to the future of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops. By affirming SAF’s inclusion in USDA programs and ensuring the best science is used, this bill empowers domestic agriculture to participate in the emerging SAF market.”