A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements relating to drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and for other purposes.

S 2706 amends the National Agricultural Research Act to require the USDA Secretary to fund multiyear cooperative agreements (up to 5 years) with eligible research centers for drought-focused policy research. It directs these centers - such as state agricultural experiment stations, universities, or public institutions - to study how policies affect agriculture, rural economies, and drought response, with priority given to centers with drought mitigation expertise. Key activities include supporting the U.S. Drought Monitor, developing drought resilience tools for western U.S. and Tribal lands, and creating communications products to improve drought preparedness. The bill authorizes $19 million for fiscal years 2024-2028 to support this research, aiming to inform federal drought programs without direct beneficiary assistance.