[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2534 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2534

To reform, extend, and repeal certain agricultural research, extension, 
            and education programs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 1997

   Mr. Combest (for himself, Mr. Dooley of California, Mr. Smith of 
  Oregon, and Mr. Stenholm) introduced the following bill; which was 
                referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To reform, extend, and repeal certain agricultural research, extension, 
            and education programs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION

Sec. 101. Priorities and management principles for federally supported 
                            and conducted agricultural research, 
                            education, and extension.
Sec. 102. Principal definitions regarding agricultural research, 
                            education, and extension.
Sec. 103. Consultation with National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
                            Education, and Economics Advisory Board.
Sec. 104. Relevance and merit of federally funded agricultural 
                            research, extension, and education.
Sec. 105. Expansion of authority to enter into cost-reimbursable 
                            agreements.
    TITLE II--REFORM OF EXISTING RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              AUTHORITIES

           Subtitle A--Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887

Sec. 201. Adoption of short titles for Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 
                            1887.
Sec. 202. Expanded eligibility of colleges and universities for 
                            extension funding.
Sec. 203. Consistent matching funds requirements under Hatch Act of 
                            1887 and Smith-Lever Act.
Sec. 204. Use of funds for multi-state and multi-institutional 
                            activities under Smith-Lever Act.
Sec. 205. Transfer of Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887 funds 
                            between research and extension activities.
Sec. 206. Plans of work to address critical research and extension 
                            issues and use of protocols to measure 
                            success of plans.
  Subtitle B--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
                           Policy Act of 1977

Sec. 211. Plans of work for 1890 Institutions to address critical 
                            research and extension issues and use of 
                            protocols to measure success of plans.
Sec. 212. Matching funds requirement for research and extension 
                            activities at 1890 land-grant colleges, 
                            including Tuskegee Institute.
Sec. 213. International research, extension, and teaching.
Sec. 214. Task force on 10-year strategic plan for agricultural 
                            research facilities.
   Subtitle C--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990

Sec. 231. National agricultural weather information system.
Sec. 232. Agricultural genome initiative.
                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

Sec. 241. Waiver of matching requirement for certain small colleges and 
                            universities.
                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

Sec. 251. Findings, authorities, and competitive research grants under 
                            Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
                            Research Act of 1978.
 TITLE III--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              INITIATIVES

                         Subtitle A--Extensions

Sec. 301. National Research Initiative under Competitive, Special, and 
                            Facilities Research Grant Act.
Sec. 302. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Sec. 303  Education grants programs for Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sec. 304. General authorization for agricultural research programs.
Sec. 305. General authorization for extension education.
                   TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 401. Role of Secretary of Agriculture regarding food and 
                            agricultural sciences research, education, 
                            and extension.
Sec. 402. Office of Pest Management Policy.
Sec. 403. Sense of Congress regarding importance of school-based 
                            agricultural education.

TITLE I--COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION

SEC. 101. PRIORITIES AND MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES FOR FEDERALLY SUPPORTED 
              AND CONDUCTED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 
              EXTENSION.

    (a) Priority Setting Process.--Section 1402 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
            (2) by inserting ``(a) Purposes.--'' before ``The 
        purposes''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Priority Setting Process.--Consistent with subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall establish priorities for agricultural research, 
extension, and education activities conducted or funded by the 
Department. In establishing such priorities, the Secretary shall 
solicit and consider input and recommendations from the Advisory Board 
and persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or 
education.''.
    (b) Management Principles.--Such section is further amended by 
adding after subsection (b), as added by subsection (a)(2), the 
following new subsection:
    ``(c) Management Principles.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
the Secretary shall ensure that federally supported and conducted 
agricultural research, education, and extension activities are 
accomplished in a manner that--
            ``(1) integrates agricultural research, education, and 
        extension functions to better link research to technology 
        transfer and information dissemination activities;
            ``(2) encourages multi-State and multi-institutional 
        programs to address relevant issues of common concern and to 
        better leverage scarce resources; and
            ``(3) achieves agricultural research, education, and 
        extension objectives through multi-institutional and 
        multifunctional approaches and by conducting research at 
        facilities and institutions best equipped to achieve those 
        objectives.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The heading of such section is amended by 
inserting ``, priorities, and management principles'' after 
``purposes'';

SEC. 102. PRINCIPAL DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
              EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION.

    (a) Food and Agricultural Sciences.--Paragraph (8) of section 1404 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(8) Food and agricultural sciences.--The term `food and 
        agricultural sciences' means basic, applied, and developmental 
        research, extension, and teaching activities in food and fiber, 
        agricultural, renewable natural resources, forestry, and 
        physical and social sciences, including (but not limited to) 
        activities relating to the following:
                    ``(A) Animal health, production, and well-being.
                    ``(B) Plant health and production.
                    ``(C) Animal and plant germ plasm collection and 
                preservation.
                    ``(D) Aquaculture.
                    ``(E) Food safety.
                    ``(F) Soil and water conservation and improvement.
                    ``(G) Forestry, horticulture, and range management.
                    ``(H) Nutritional sciences and promotion.
                    ``(I) Farm enhancement, including financial 
                management, input efficiency, and profitability.
                    ``(J) Home economics.
                    ``(K) Rural human ecology.
                    ``(L) Youth development and agricultural education, 
                including 4-H.
                    ``(M) Expansion of domestic and international 
                markets for agricultural commodities and products, 
                including agricultural trade barrier identification and 
                comprehension.
                    ``(N) Information management and technology 
                transfer related to agriculture.
                    ``(O) Biotechnology related to agriculture.''.
    (b) References to Teaching or Education.--Paragraph (14) of such 
section is amended by striking ``the term `teaching' means'' and 
inserting ``Teaching and education.--The terms `teaching' and 
`education' mean''.
    (c) Application of Definitions to Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education.--Such section is further amended by striking the section 
heading and all that follows through the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
and inserting the following:

``SEC. 1404. PRINCIPAL DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
              EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION.

    ``When used in this title or any other law relating to any 
research, extension, or education activities of the Department of 
Agriculture regarding the food and agricultural sciences (unless the 
context requires otherwise):''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) by striking ``the term'' in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), 
        (5), (6), (7), (10) through (13), and (15), (16), and (17) and 
        inserting ``The term'',
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the terms'' and 
        inserting ``The terms'';
            (3) in paragraph (9), by striking ``the term'' the first 
        place it appears and inserting ``The term'';
            (4) by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraphs (1) 
        through (7) and (9) through (15) and inserting a period; and
            (5) in paragraph (16)(F), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a period.

SEC. 103. CONSULTATION WITH NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, 
              EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

    Subsection (d) of section 1408 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Consultation.--
            ``(1) As affecting advisory board.--In carrying out this 
        section, the Advisory Board shall solicit opinions and 
        recommendations from persons who will benefit from and use 
        federally funded agricultural research, extension, education, 
        and economics.
            ``(2) As affecting secretary.--To comply with a provision 
        of this title or any other law that requires the Secretary to 
        consult or cooperate with the Advisory Board or that authorizes 
        the Advisory Board to submit recommendations to the Secretary, 
        the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) solicit the written opinions and 
                recommendations of the Advisory Board; and
                    ``(B) provide a written response to the Advisory 
                Board regarding the manner and extent to which the 
                Secretary will implement recommendations submitted by 
                the Advisory Board.''.

SEC. 104. RELEVANCE AND MERIT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED AGRICULTURAL 
              RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

    (a) Review of Relevance and Merit.--Subtitle K of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is 
amended by inserting before section 1463 (7 U.S.C. 3311) the following 
new section:

``SEC. 1461. RELEVANCE AND MERIT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED AGRICULTURAL 
              RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

    ``(a) Review of Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service.--
            ``(1) Peer review of research grants.--The Secretary shall 
        establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review of 
        each agricultural research grant administered, on a competitive 
        basis, by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
        Extension Service.
            ``(2) Merit review of extension and education.--The 
        Secretary shall establish procedures that provide for merit 
        review of each agricultural extension or education grant 
        administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative State 
        Research, Education, and Extension Service. The Secretary shall 
        consult with the Advisory Board in establishing such merit 
        review procedures.
    ``(b) Requests for Proposals; Evaluation.--
            ``(1) Consultation with advisory board.--When formulating a 
        request for proposals involving an agricultural research, 
        extension, or education activity funded, on a competitive 
        basis, by the Secretary, and when evaluating proposals 
        submitted in response to such a request, the Secretary shall 
        consult with the Advisory Board
            ``(2) User input.--In formulating a request for proposals 
        described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall solicit and 
        consider input from users of agricultural research, extension, 
        and education concerning the prior year's request for 
        proposals.
    ``(c) Scientific Peer Review of Agricultural Research Service 
Research.--
            ``(1) Peer review procedures.--The Secretary shall 
        establish procedures that ensure scientific peer review of 
        research activities of the Agricultural Research Service.
            ``(2) Review panel required.--As part of the procedures, a 
        review panel shall verify, at least once every three years, 
        that each research activity of the Agricultural Research 
        Service and research conducted under each research program of 
        the Agricultural Research Service--
                    ``(A) has scientific merit and relevance to the 
                priorities established pursuant to section 1402(b); and
                    ``(B) has national or multistate significance;
            ``(3) Composition of review panel.--A review panel shall be 
        comprised of individuals with scientific expertise, a majority 
        of whom are not employees of the Agricultural Research Service.
            ``(4) Submission of results.--The results of the panel 
        reviews shall be submitted to the Advisory Board.
            ``(5) Applicability of other laws.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of this Act (7 
        U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a review panel.
    ``(d) Merit Review of College and University Research and Extension 
Activities.--
            ``(1) Land-grant institutions.--Effective beginning October 
        1, 1998, to be eligible to obtain agricultural research or 
        extension funds from the Secretary for an activity, a land-
        grant college or university shall--
                    ``(A) establish a process for merit review of the 
                activity; and
                    ``(B) review the activity in accordance with the 
                process.
            ``(2) 1994 institutions.--Effective beginning October 1, 
        1998, to obtain agricultural extension funds from the Secretary 
        for an activity, each 1994 Institution (as defined in section 
        532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 
        (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)) shall--
                    ``(A) establish a process for merit review of the 
                activity; and
                    ``(B) review the activity in accordance with the 
                process.''.
    (b) Repeal of Provisions for Withholding Funds.--
            (1) Smith-lever act.--Section 6 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
        U.S.C. 346) is repealed.
            (2) Hatch act of 1887.--Section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 
        (7 U.S.C. 361g) is amended by striking the last paragraph.
            (3) National agricultural research, extension, and teaching 
        policy act of 1977.--The National Agricultural Research, 
        Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended--
                    (A) in section 1444 (7 U.S.C. 3221)--
                            (i) by striking subsection (f); and
                            (ii) by redesignating subsection (g) as 
                        subsection (f);
                    (B) in section 1445(g) (7 U.S.C. 3222(g)), by 
                striking paragraph (3); and
                    (C) by striking section 1468 (7 U.S.C. 3314).

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO COST-REIMBURSABLE 
              AGREEMENTS.

    Section 1473A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319a) is amended in the first 
sentence by inserting ``or other colleges and universities'' after 
``institutions''.

    TITLE II--REFORM OF EXISTING RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              AUTHORITIES

           Subtitle A--Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887

SEC. 201. ADOPTION OF SHORT TITLES FOR SMITH-LEVER ACT AND HATCH ACT OF 
              1887.

    (a) Smith-Lever Act.--The Act of May 8, 1914 (commonly known as the 
Smith-Lever Act; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE.

    ``This Act may be cited as the `Smith-Lever Act'.''.
    (b) Hatch Act of 1887.--The Act of March 2, 1887 (commonly known as 
the Hatch Act of 1887; 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.), is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:

``SEC. 10. SHORT TITLE.

    ``This Act may be cited as the `Hatch Act of 1887'.''.
    (c) Coordination With Other Amendments.--For purposes of executing 
amendments made by provisions of this Act other than this section, this 
section shall be treated as having been enacted immediately before the 
other provisions of this Act.

SEC. 202. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR 
              EXTENSION FUNDING.

    Subsection (d) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Funds for Coordinating Extension Activities and 
Administrative, Technical, and Other Services.--
            ``(1) Availability of funds.--The Secretary shall receive 
        such amounts as Congress shall determine for administrative, 
        technical, and other services and for coordinating the 
        extension work of the Department and the States.
            ``(2) Eligibility of colleges and universities for 
        extension funding.--A college or university (as such terms are 
        defined in section 1404(4) of the National Agricultural 
        Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
        3103(4))), including a foundation established by a college or 
        university, shall be eligible for extension funds provided to 
        the Secretary under paragraph (1). The Secretary shall award 
        such funds to colleges and universities on a competitive basis 
        unless the funds are required to be provided under a statutory 
        formula.''.

SEC. 203. CONSISTENT MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENTS UNDER HATCH ACT OF 
              1887 AND SMITH-LEVER ACT.

    (a) Hatch Act of 1887.--Subsection (d) of section 3 of the Hatch 
Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Matching Funds.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--Except as provided in paragraph (4), no 
        allotment shall be made to a State under subsections (b) and 
        (c), and no payments of such allotment shall be made to a 
        State, in excess of the amount which the State makes available 
        out of non-Federal funds for agricultural research and for the 
        establishment and maintenance of facilities for the performance 
        of such research.
            ``(2) Failure to provide matching funds.--If a State fails 
        to comply with the requirement to provide matching funds for a 
        fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall withhold from payment to the State for that fiscal year 
        an amount equal to the difference between--
                    ``(A) the amount that would be allotted and paid to 
                the State under subsections (b) and (c) (if the full 
                amount of matching funds were provided by the State); 
                and
                    ``(B) the amount of matching funds actually 
                provided by the State.
            ``(3) Reapportionment.--The Secretary shall reapportion 
        amounts withheld under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year among 
        the States satisfying the matching requirement for that fiscal 
        year.
            ``(4) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds 
        provided to a State from the Regional research fund, State 
        agricultural experiment stations, under subsection (c)3.''.
    (b) Smith-Lever Act.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
343) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)2, by striking ``That payments'' and 
        all that follows through ``Provided further,''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following 
        new subsection:
    ``(e) Matching Funds.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--No allotment shall be made to a State 
        under subsections (b) and (c), and no payments of such 
        allotment shall be made to a State, in excess of the amount 
        which the State makes available out of non-Federal funds for 
        cooperative extension work.
            ``(2) Failure to provide matching funds.--If a State fails 
        to comply with the requirement to provide matching funds for a 
        fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall withhold from payment to the State for that fiscal year 
        an amount equal to the difference between--
                    ``(A) the amount that would be allotted and paid to 
                the State under subsections (b) and (c) (if the full 
                amount of matching funds were provided by the State); 
                and
                    ``(B) the amount of matching funds actually 
                provided by the State.
            ``(3) Reapportionment.--The Secretary shall reapportion 
        amounts withheld under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year among 
        the States satisfying the matching requirement for that fiscal 
        year.
            ``(4) Special rule for 1994 institutions.--There shall be 
        no matching requirement for funds made available to 1994 
        Institutions pursuant to subsection (b)(3).''.
    (c) Technical Corrections.--
            (1) Recognition of statehood of alaska and hawaii.--Section 
        1 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a) is amended by 
        striking ``Alaska, Hawaii,''.
            (2) Role of secretary of agriculture.--Section 3 of the 
        Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``Federal Extension 
        Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of Agriculture'';
            (2) in subsection (c)1, by striking ``Federal Extension 
        Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of Agriculture''; and
            (3) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``through the Federal 
        Extension Service''.

SEC. 204. USE OF FUNDS FOR MULTI-STATE AND MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL 
              ACTIVITIES UNDER SMITH-LEVER ACT.

    (a) Multi-State and Multi-Institutional Use Required.--Section 3 of 
the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is amended by striking subsection 
(f) and inserting the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Multi-State and Multi-Institutional Cooperative Extension 
Activities.--
            ``(1) Determination of past practices.--The Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall determine for each State the percentage of 
        Federal funds provided under subsections (b) and (c) for fiscal 
        years 1997 and 1998, that the State expended for cooperative 
        extension activities in which--
                    ``(A) two or more States cooperated to solve 
                problems that concerned more than one State; or
                    ``(B) more than one educational institution in the 
                State cooperated to solve problems that concerned the 
                State.
            ``(2) Required expenditures.--For fiscal year 1999 and each 
        fiscal year thereafter, a State shall expend for multi-state or 
        multi-institutional activities described in paragraph (1) not 
        less than 25 percent of the Federal funds provided to the State 
        under subsections (b) and (c) for that fiscal year.
            ``(3) Reduction in percentage.--The Secretary, by rule, may 
        reduce the percentage specified in paragraph (2) for all States 
        if the Secretary determines, based on the examination of past 
        practices under paragraph (1), that a majority of States will 
        be unable to satisfy the multi-state and multi-institutional 
        activities requirement. The Secretary may not reduce the 
        percentage on a State-by-State basis.
            ``(4) Applicability.--This subsection does not apply to 
        funds provided--
                    ``(A) by a State or local government pursuant to a 
                matching requirement;
                    ``(B) to a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 
                532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act 
                of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); or
                    ``(C) to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
                Virgin Islands, or Guam.''.

SEC. 205. TRANSFER OF SMITH-LEVER ACT AND HATCH ACT OF 1887 FUNDS 
              BETWEEN RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Smith-Lever Act.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
343) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Transfer to Research Activities.--
            ``(1) Transfer authorized.--Of the funds provided to a 
        State under subsections (b) and (c) (other than funds expended 
        by a State under subsection (k)) for a fiscal year for 
        cooperative agricultural extension work, the State may use an 
        amount not to exceed the percentage specified in paragraph (2) 
        for that fiscal year for agricultural research activities 
        authorized under the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.).
            ``(2) Limitation.--The amount that a State may transfer to 
        research and education activities under paragraph (1) may not 
        exceed--
                    ``(A) for fiscal year 1998, 10 percent;
                    ``(B) for fiscal year 1999, 15 percent;
                    ``(C) for fiscal year 2000, 20 percent; and
                    ``(D) for fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 
                thereafter, 25 percent.''.
    (b) Hatch Act of 1887.--Section 3 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
U.S.C. 361c) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(h) Transfer to Extension Activities.--
            ``(1) Transfer authorized.--Of the funds provided to a 
        State under this section (other than funds allotted for the 
        Regional research fund, State agricultural experiment stations) 
        for a fiscal year for State agricultural experiment station 
        work, the State may use an amount not to exceed the percentage 
        specified in paragraph (2) for that fiscal year for cooperative 
        agricultural extension work authorized under the Smith-Lever 
        Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.).
            ``(2) Limitation.--The amount that a State may transfer to 
        cooperative agricultural extension work under paragraph (1) may 
        not exceed--
                    ``(A) for fiscal year 1998, 10 percent;
                    ``(B) for fiscal year 1999, 15 percent;
                    ``(C) for fiscal year 2000, 20 percent; and
                    ``(D) for fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 
                thereafter, 25 percent.''.

SEC. 206. PLANS OF WORK TO ADDRESS CRITICAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
              ISSUES AND USE OF PROTOCOLS TO MEASURE SUCCESS OF PLANS.

    (a) Smith-Lever Act.--Section 4 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
344) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Sec. 4.'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 4. ASCERTAINMENT OF ENTITLEMENT OF STATE TO FUNDS, TIME AND 
              MANNER OF PAYMENT, STATE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND 
              PLANS FOR WORK.

    ``(a) Ascertainment of Entitlement.--'';
            (2) in the last sentence, by striking ``Such sums'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(b) Time and Manner of Payment; Related Reports.--The amount to 
which a State is entitled''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(c) Requirements Related to Plan of Work.--Each extension plan of 
work for a State required under subsection (a) shall contain 
descriptions of the following:
            ``(1) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-term 
        agricultural issues in the State and the current and planned 
        extension programs and projects targeted to address such 
        issues.
            ``(2) The process established to consult with extension 
        users regarding the identification of critical agricultural 
        issues in the State and the development of extension programs 
        and projects targeted to address such issues.
            ``(3) Other colleges and universities in the State and 
        other States that have unique capacity to address the 
        identified agricultural issues in the State.
            ``(4) The current and emerging efforts to work with these 
        other institutions and States to build on each other's 
        experience and take advantage of each institution's unique 
        capacities, including the manner in which the State will meet 
        the multi-State and multi-institutional activities requirement 
        of section 3(f).
            ``(5) The manner in which research and extension, including 
        research and extension activities funded other than through 
        formula funds, will cooperate to address the critical issues in 
        the State, including the activities to be carried out 
        separately, the activities to be carried out sequentially, and 
        activities to be carried out jointly.
            ``(6) The education and outreach programs already underway 
        to convey currently available research results that are 
        pertinent to a critical agricultural issue, including efforts 
        to encourage multi-county cooperation in the dissemination of 
        research results.
    ``(d) Extension Protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of multi-State, 
multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary extension activities and 
joint research and extension activities in addressing critical 
agricultural issues identified in the plans of work submitted under 
subsection (a). The Secretary shall develop the protocols in 
consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and 
universities.''.
    (b) Hatch Act of 1887.--Section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
U.S.C. 361g), as amended by section 105(b), is further amended--
            (1) by striking ``Sec. 7.'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 7. DUTIES OF SECRETARY, ASCERTAINMENT OF ENTITLEMENT OF STATE TO 
              FUNDS, AND PLANS FOR WORK.

    ``(a) Duties of Secretary.--'';
            (2) by striking ``On or before'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(b) Ascertainment of Entitlement.--On or before'';
            (3) by striking ``Whenever it shall appear'' and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(c) Effect of Failure to Expend Full Allotment.--Whenever it 
shall appear''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(d) Plan of Work Required.--Before funds may be provided to a 
State under this Act for any fiscal year, plans for the work to be 
carried on under this Act shall be submitted by the proper officials of 
the State and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
    ``(e) Requirements Related to Plan of Work.--Each research plan of 
work for a State required under subsection (d) shall contain 
descriptions of the following:
            ``(1) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-term 
        agricultural issues in the State and the current and planned 
        research programs and projects targeted to address such issues.
            ``(2) The process established to consult with users of 
        agricultural research regarding the identification of critical 
        agricultural issues in the State and the development of 
        research programs and projects targeted to address such issues.
            ``(3) Other colleges and universities in the State and 
        other States that have unique capacity to address the 
        identified agricultural issues in the State.
            ``(4) The current and emerging efforts to work with these 
        other institutions and States to build on each other's 
        experience and take advantage of each institution's unique 
        capacities, including the manner in which the State will 
        conduct cooperative research funded out of the Regional 
        research fund, State agricultural experiment stations 
        established under section 3(c)3.
            ``(5) The manner in which research and extension, including 
        research and extension activities funded other than through 
        formula funds, will cooperate to address the critical issues in 
        the State, including the activities to be carried out 
        separately, the activities to be carried out sequentially, and 
        activities to be carried out jointly.
    ``(f) Research Protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of multi-State, 
multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary research activities and 
joint research and extension activities in addressing critical 
agricultural issues identified in the plans of work submitted under 
subsection (d). The Secretary shall develop the protocols in 
consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and 
universities.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
        take effect on October 1, 1998.
            (2) Delayed applicability.--With respect to a particular 
        State, the Secretary of Agriculture may delay the applicability 
        of the requirements imposed by the amendments made by this 
        section until not later than October 1, 1999, if the Secretary 
        finds that the State will be unable to meet such requirements 
        by October 1, 1998, despite the good faith efforts of the 
        State.

  Subtitle B--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
                           Policy Act of 1977

SEC. 211. PLANS OF WORK FOR 1890 INSTITUTIONS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL 
              RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ISSUES AND USE OF PROTOCOLS TO 
              MEASURE SUCCESS OF PLANS.

    (a) Extension At 1890 Institutions.--Section 1444(d) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(d)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(d)'' and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Ascertainment of Entitlement to Funds, Time and Manner of 
Payment, State Reporting Requirements, and Plans for Work.--
            ``(1) Ascertainment of entitlement.--'';
            (2) in the last sentence, by striking ``Such sums'' and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Time and manner of payment; related reports.--The 
        amount to which an eligible institution is entitled''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each extension 
        plan of work for an eligible institution required under 
        subsection (a) shall contain descriptions of the following:
                    ``(A) The critical short-term, intermediate, and 
                long-term agricultural issues in the State in which the 
                eligible institution is located and the current and 
                planned extension programs and projects targeted to 
                address such issues.
                    ``(B) The process established to consult with 
                extension users regarding the identification of 
                critical agricultural issues in the State and the 
                development of extension programs and projects targeted 
                to address such issues.
                    ``(C) Other colleges and universities in the State 
                and other States that have unique capacity to address 
                the identified agricultural issues in the State.
                    ``(D) The current and emerging efforts to work with 
                these other institutions and States to build on each 
                other's experience and take advantage of each 
                institution's unique capacities.
                    ``(E) The manner in which research and extension, 
                including research and extension activities funded 
                other than through formula funds, will cooperate to 
                address the critical issues in the State, including the 
                activities to be carried out separately, the activities 
                to be carried out sequentially, and activities to be 
                carried out jointly.
                    ``(F) The education and outreach programs already 
                underway to convey currently available research results 
                that are pertinent to a critical agricultural issue, 
                including efforts to encourage multi-county cooperation 
                in the dissemination of research results.
            ``(4) Extension protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
        multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
        extension activities and joint research and extension 
        activities in addressing critical agricultural issues 
        identified in the plans of work submitted under paragraph (1). 
        The Secretary shall develop the protocols in consultation with 
        the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and universities.''.
    (b) Agricultural Research At 1890 Institutions.--Section 1445(c) of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 3222(c)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(c)'' and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Program and Plans for Work.--
            ``(1) Initial comprehensive program of agricultural 
        research.--''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(2) Plan of work required.--Before funds may be provided 
        to an eligible institution under this section for any fiscal 
        year, plans for the work to be carried on under this section 
        shall be submitted by the research director specified in 
        subsection (d) and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
            ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each research 
        plan of work required under paragraph (2) shall contain 
        descriptions of the following:
                    ``(A) The critical short-term, intermediate, and 
                long-term agricultural issues in the State in which the 
                eligible institution is located and the current and 
                planned research programs and projects targeted to 
                address such issues.
                    ``(B) The process established to consult with users 
                of agricultural research regarding the identification 
                of critical agricultural issues in the State and the 
                development of research programs and projects targeted 
                to address such issues.
                    ``(C) Other colleges and universities in the State 
                and other States that have unique capacity to address 
                the identified agricultural issues in the State.
                    ``(D) The current and emerging efforts to work with 
                these other institutions and States to build on each 
                other's experience and take advantage of each 
                institution's unique capacities.
                    ``(E) The manner in which research and extension, 
                including research and extension activities funded 
                other than through formula funds, will cooperate to 
                address the critical issues in the State, including the 
                activities to be carried out separately, the activities 
                to be carried out sequentially, and activities to be 
                carried out jointly.
            ``(4) Research protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
        multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
        research activities and joint research and extension activities 
        in addressing critical agricultural issues identified in the 
        plans of work submitted under paragraph (3). The Secretary 
shall develop the protocols in consultation with the Advisory Board and 
land-grant colleges and universities.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
        take effect on October 1, 1998.
            (2) Delayed applicability.--With respect to a particular 
        eligible institution (as described in sections 1444(a) and 
        1445(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
        Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a), 3222(a)), the 
        Secretary of Agriculture may delay the applicability of the 
        requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section 
        until not later than October 1, 1999, if the Secretary finds 
        that the eligible institution will be unable to meet such 
        requirements by October 1, 1998, despite the good faith efforts 
        of the eligible institution.

SEC. 212. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT FOR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
              ACTIVITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING 
              TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

    (a) Imposition of Requirement.--Subtitle G of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is 
amended by inserting after section 1445 (7 U.S.C. 3222) the following:

``SEC. 1446. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT FOR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
              ACTIVITIES AT ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
        institution' means a college eligible to receive funds under 
        the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.)(commonly 
        known as the Second Morrill Act), including Tuskegee 
        University.
            ``(2) Formula funds.--The term `formula funds' means the 
        formula allocation funds distributed to eligible institutions 
        under sections 1444 and 1445.
    ``(b) Matching Formula.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this subtitle, the distribution of formula funds to an eligible 
institution shall be subject to the following matching requirements:
            ``(1) In fiscal year 1999, the institution shall provide 
        matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
        not less than 25 percent of the formula funds to be distributed 
        to the eligible institution.
            ``(2) In fiscal year 2000, the institution shall provide 
        matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
        not less than 50 percent of the formula funds to be distributed 
        to the eligible institution.
            ``(3) In fiscal year 2001, the institution shall provide 
        matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
        not less than 75 percent of the formula funds to be distributed 
        to the eligible institution.
            ``(4) In fiscal year 2002, and each fiscal year thereafter, 
        the institution shall provide matching funds from non-Federal 
        sources in an amount equal to the entire amount of the formula 
        funds to be distributed to the eligible institution.
    ``(c) Use of Matching Funds.--Under terms and conditions 
established by the Secretary, matching funds provided as required by 
subsection (b) may be used by an eligible institution for research, 
education, and extension activities.
    ``(d) Redistribution of Funds.--Federal funds that are not matched 
by an eligible institution in accordance with subsection (b) shall be 
redistributed by the Secretary to other eligible institutions in a 
manner consistent with sections 1444 and 1445, as determined by the 
Secretary.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1445(g) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
3222(g)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).
    (c) References to Tuskegee University.--Such Act is further 
amended--
            (1) in section 1404 (7 U.S.C. 3103(10)), by striking 
        ``Tuskegee Institute'' in paragraphs (10) and (16)(B) and 
        inserting ``Tuskegee University'';
            (2) in section 1444 (7 U.S.C. 3221)--
                    (A) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 
                1444.'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 1444. EXTENSION AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE 
              UNIVERSITY.''; AND

                    (B) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking 
                ``Tuskegee Institute'' both places it appears and 
                inserting ``Tuskegee University''; and
            (3) in section 1445 (7 U.S.C. 3222)--
                    (A) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 
                1445.'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 1445. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, 
              INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.'';

                and
                    (B) in subsections (a) and (b)(2)(B), by striking 
                ``Tuskegee Institute'' both places it appears and 
                inserting ``Tuskegee University''.

SEC. 213. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

    (a) Inclusion of Teaching.--Section 1458 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3291) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``research and 
        extension'' and inserting ``research, extension, and 
        teaching'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``related research and 
                        extension'' and inserting ``related research, 
                        extension, and teaching''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``research and extension on'' and inserting 
                        ``research, extension, and teaching activities 
                        addressing'';
                    (B) in paragraphs (2) and (6), by striking 
                ``education'' and inserting ``teaching'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``scientists and 
                experts'' and inserting ``science and education 
                experts'';
                    (D) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``teaching,'' 
                after ``development,'';
                    (E) in paragraph (7), by striking ``research and 
                extension that is'' and inserting ``research, 
                extension, and teaching programs''; and
                    (F) in paragraph (8), by striking ``research 
                capabilities'' and inserting ``research, extension, and 
                teaching capabilities''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``counterpart agencies'' 
        and inserting ``counterpart research, extension, and teaching 
        agencies''.
    (b) Full Transfer of Funds Made Available for Certain Binational 
Project.--Such section is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(d) Full Transfer of Funds Made Available for Certain Binational 
Project.--In the case of the cooperative arrangement entered into under 
subsection (a)(2) between the Secretary and Israel, the full amount of 
any funds appropriated to carry out cooperative projects under the 
arrangement shall be transferred directly to the Israel-United States 
Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund to be expended in 
accordance with the bylaws and under the direction of the Board of 
Directors of the Fund. The Secretary may not retain any portion of such 
appropriated amounts as an overhead or other administrative 
withholding.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--The subtitle heading of subtitle I of 
title XIV of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291 et seq.) is amended to read 
as follows:

    ``Subtitle I--International Research, Extension, and Teaching''.

SEC. 214. TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL 
              RESEARCH FACILITIES.

    (a) Transfer of Existing Provision.--Section 4 of the Research 
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390b)--
            (1) is transferred to the National Agricultural Research, 
        Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et 
        seq.);
            (2) is redesignated as section 1473B;
            (3) is inserted after section 1473A of the National 
        Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
        1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319a); and
            (4) is amended in subsection (f), by striking 
        ``Notwithstanding section 2(1), in'' and inserting ``In''.
    (b) Conforming Repeal.--The Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390 
et seq.) is repealed.

   Subtitle C--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990

SEC. 231. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.

    Subtitle D of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5851-5855) is amended to read as follows:

     ``Subtitle D--National Agricultural Weather Information System

``SEC. 1637. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSES.

    ``(a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the `National 
Agricultural Weather Information System Act of 1997'.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subtitle are--
            ``(1) to facilitate the management and coordination of a 
        national agricultural weather and climate station network for 
        Federal and State agencies, colleges and universities, and the 
        private sector;
            ``(2) to ensure that timely and accurate information is 
        obtained and disseminated; and
            ``(3) to aid research and education that requires a 
        comprehensive agricultural weather and climate database.

``SEC. 1638. AGRICULTURAL WEATHER SYSTEM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture may establish 
the National Agricultural Weather Information System (referred to in 
this subtitle as the `System'). The System shall be comprised of the 
operational and research activities of the Federal, State, and regional 
agricultural weather information systems.
    ``(b) Authority.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United 
States Code, to carry out this subtitle, the Secretary may--
            ``(1) enter into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements 
        and interagency agreements without regard to competitive 
        requirements, except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, 
        with other Federal and State agencies to--
                    ``(A) support operational weather and climate data 
                observations, analysis, and derived products;
                    ``(B) preserve historical data records for research 
                studies useful in agriculture;
                    ``(C) jointly develop improved computer models and 
                computing capacity for storage, retrieval, 
                dissemination and analysis of agricultural weather and 
                climate information;
                    ``(D) enhance the quality and availability of 
                weather and climate information needed by the private 
                sector for value-added products and agriculturists for 
                decisionmaking; and
                    ``(E) sponsor joint programs to train private 
                sector meteorologists and agriculturists about the 
                optimum use of agricultural weather and climate data;
            ``(2) obtain standardized weather observation data 
        collected in near real time through regional and State 
        agricultural weather information systems;
            ``(3) coordinate the activities of the Chief Meteorologist 
        of the Department of Agriculture and weather and climate 
        research activities of the Department of Agriculture with other 
        Federal agencies and the private sector;
            ``(4) make grants to plan and administer State and regional 
        agricultural weather information systems, including research in 
        atmospheric sciences and climatology;
            ``(5) encourage private sector participation in the System 
        through cooperation with the private sector, including 
        cooperation in the generation of weather and climate data 
        useful for site-specific agricultural weather forecasting; and
            ``(6) make competitive grants to carry out research in all 
        aspects of atmospheric sciences and climatology regarding the 
        collection, retention, and dissemination of agricultural 
        weather and climate observations and information with priority 
        given to proposals that emphasize--
                    ``(A) techniques and processes that relate to--
                            ``(i) weather- or climate-induced 
                        agricultural losses; and
                            ``(ii) improvement of information on 
                        weather and climate extremes (such as drought, 
                        floods, freeze, and storms) well in advance of 
                        their occurrence;
                    ``(B) the improvement of site-specific weather data 
                collection and forecasting;
                    ``(C) the impact of weather on economic and 
                environmental costs in agricultural production; or
                    ``(D) the preservation and management of the 
                ecosystem.

``SEC. 1639. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.

    ``(a) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) National oceanic and atmospheric administration 
        work.--Not more than \2/3\ of the funds made available for a 
        fiscal year to carry out this subtitle shall be used for work 
        with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            ``(2) Administrative costs.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        may retain for administration of the System up to 4 percent of 
        the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle, 
        notwithstanding the availability of any appropriation for 
        administrative expenses to carry out this subtitle.
            ``(3) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) Buildings or facilities.--Funds made 
                available to carry out this subtitle shall not be used 
                for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, 
                or construction of a building or facility.
                    ``(B) Equipment purchases.--Of funds made available 
                under a grant award under this subtitle, a grantee may 
                use for equipment purchases not more than the lesser 
                of--
                            ``(i) $15,000; or
                            ``(ii) \1/3\ of the amount of the grant 
                        award.
    ``(b) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board 
created for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals 
submitted for grants under section 1638.

``SEC. 1640. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
$15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002.''.

SEC. 232. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

    (a) Establishment and Purpose of Initiative.--Section 1671 of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) 
is amended by striking the section heading and subsection (a) and 
inserting the following:

``SEC. 1671. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct 
a research initiative for the purpose of--
            ``(1) supporting basic and applied research and technology 
        development in the area of genome structure and function in 
        support of agriculturally important species, with a particular 
        focus on research projects that will yield early, 
        scientifically important results that will enhance the 
        usefulness of many agriculturally important species;
            ``(2) studying and mapping agriculturally significant genes 
        to achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production;
            ``(3) ensuring that current gaps in existing agricultural 
        genetics knowledge are filled;
            ``(4) identifying and developing a functional understanding 
        of genes responsible for economically important traits in 
        agriculturally important species;
            ``(5) ensuring the future genetic improvement of 
        agriculturally important species;
            ``(6) supporting the preservation of diverse germplasm; and
            ``(7) ensuring the preservation of biodiversity to maintain 
        access to genes that may be of importance in the future.''.
    (b) Competitive Grants.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended 
by striking ``subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''.
    (c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
Subsection (c) of such section is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply 
with respect to the making of grants under this section.''.
    (d) Matching Funds.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(d) Matching of Funds.--
            ``(1) General requirement.--If a grant under this section 
        is to the particular benefit of a specific agricultural 
        commodity, the Secretary shall require the recipient of the 
        grant to provide funds or in-kind support (including office 
        space, equipment and staff support) to match the amount of 
        funds provided by the Secretary in the grant.
            ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
        requirement with respect to a research project if the Secretary 
        determines that--
                    ``(A) the results of the project, while of 
                particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
                commodity, are likely to be applicable to agricultural 
                commodities generally; or
                    ``(B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals 
                with scientifically important research, and the grant 
                recipient would be unable to satisfy the matching funds 
                requirement.''.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (g) of such 
section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and 
inserting ``fiscal years 1998 through 2002''.

                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

SEC. 241. WAIVER OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN SMALL COLLEGES AND 
              UNIVERSITIES.

    Subsection (b)(8)(B) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the cost'' and inserting ``the cost of''; 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The 
        Secretary may waive all or a portion of the matching 
        requirement under this subparagraph in the case of a smaller 
        college or university (as described in subsection (c)(2)(C)(ii) 
        of section 793 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
        Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f)) if the equipment to be 
        acquired costs not more than $25,000 and has multiple uses 
        within a single research project or is usable in more than one 
        research project.''.

                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

SEC. 251. FINDINGS, AUTHORITIES, AND COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS UNDER 
              FOREST AND RANGELAND RENEWABLE RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 
              1978.

    (a) Findings.--Section 2 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1641) is amended by striking 
``Sec. 2.'' and subsection (a) and inserting the following:

``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            ``(1) Forests and forest resources are of strategic 
        economic and ecological importance to the United States, and 
        the Federal Government has an important and substantial role in 
        ensuring the continued health, productivity, and sustainability 
        of the Nation's forests.
            ``(2) Over 75 percent of the productive commercial forest 
        land in the United States is in private ownership, with some 60 
        percent owned by small nonindustrial private owners. These 
        10,000,000 nonindustrial private owners are critical to 
        providing both commodity and noncommodity values to the 
        citizens of the United States.
            ``(3) The National Forest System manages only 17 percent of 
        the Nation's commercial timberlands, with over half of the 
        standing softwoods inventory located on those lands. Dramatic 
        changes in Federal agency policy during the early 1990's have 
        significantly curtailed the management of this vast timber 
        resource, causing abrupt shifts in the supply of timber from 
        public to private ownership. As a result of these shifts in 
        supply, some 60 percent of total wood production in the United 
        States is now coming from private forest lands in the southern 
        United States.
            ``(4) At the same time that pressures are building for the 
        removal of even more land from commercial production, the 
        Federal Government is significantly reducing its commitment to 
        productivity-related forestry research, which is critically 
        needed by the private sector to sustainably manage remaining 
        available timber resources.
            ``(5) Uncertainty over the availability of the United 
        States timber supply, increasing regulatory burdens, and the 
        lack of Federal Government support for research is causing 
        domestic wood and paper producers to move outside the United 
        States to find reliable sources of wood supplies, which in turn 
        results in a worsening of the United States trade balance, the 
        loss of employment and infrastructure investments, and an 
        increased risk of infestations of exotic pests and diseases 
        from imported wood products.
            ``(6) Wood and paper producers in the United States are 
        being challenged not only by shifts in Government policy, but 
        also by international competition from tropical countries where 
        growth rates of trees far exceed those in the United States. 
        Wood production per acre will need to quadruple from 1996 
        levels for the United States forestry sector to remain 
        internationally competitive on an ever decreasing forest land 
        base.''.
    (b) High Priority Forestry Research and Education.--Subsection (d) 
of section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) High Priority Forestry Research and Education.--The Secretary 
may conduct, support, and cooperate in forestry research and education 
that is of the highest priority to the United States and users of 
public and private forest lands in the United States. Such research and 
education priorities were comprehensively addressed in the report of 
the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences 
entitled `Forestry Research: A Mandate for Change', dated ____, and 
include the following:
            ``(1) The biology of forest organisms.
            ``(2) Ecosystem function and management.
            ``(3) Human-forest interactions.
            ``(4) Wood as a raw material.
            ``(5) International trade, competition, and cooperation.''.
    (c) Forestry Competitive Research Grants.--Section 5 of the Forest 
and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
16442) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 5.'' and 
        inserting the following:

``SEC. 5. FORESTRY COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS.

    ``(a) Competitive Grant Authority.--''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Forestry Research.--The 
Secretary may use up to five percent of the amounts made available for 
research grants under subsection (a) to make competitive grants in the 
five high priority forestry research areas identified in section 3(d). 
In making such grants, the Secretary shall give priority to research 
proposals in which--
            ``(1) the proposed research will be collaborative research 
        organized through a center of scientific excellence;
            ``(2) the applicant agrees to provide matching funds (in 
        the form of direct funding, in-kind support, or other support) 
        in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the grant 
        amount; and
            ``(3) the proposed research will be conducted as part of an 
        existing private and public partnership or cooperative research 
        effort and involves several interested research partners.''.

 TITLE III--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              INITIATIVES

SEC. 301. NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE UNDER COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND 
              FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANT ACT.

    Subsection (b)(10) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(10)) is amended by striking 
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 302. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 1994.

    Sections 533(b) and 535 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note) are amended 
by striking ``2000'' each place it appears and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 303. EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)) is amended by 
striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``each of the fiscal years 
1997 through 2002''.

SEC. 304. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

    Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is amended by striking 
``1997'' each place it appears in subsections (a) and (b) and inserting 
``2002''.

SEC. 305. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR EXTENSION EDUCATION.

    Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is amended by striking 
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

                   TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 401. ROLE OF SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE REGARDING FOOD AND 
              AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION.

    The Secretary of Agriculture shall be the principal official in the 
executive branch responsible for coordinating all Federal research and 
extension activities related to food and agricultural sciences.

SEC. 402. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.

    (a) Establishment of Office; Principal Responsibilities.--The 
Secretary of Agriculture shall establish in the Department of 
Agriculture an Office of Pest Management Policy, which shall be 
responsible for--
            (1) the development and coordination of Department of 
        Agriculture policy on pest management and pesticides;
            (2) the coordination of activities of the Department, 
        including research, extension, and education activities, 
        regarding the development, availability, and use of 
        economically and environmentally sound pest management tools 
        and practices;
            (3) assisting the Department in fulfilling its 
        responsibilities under the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 
        (Public Law 104-170; 110 Stat. 1489) and the amendments made by 
        that Act; and
            (4) performing such other functions as may be required by 
        law or prescribed by the Secretary.
    (b) Interagency Coordination.--In support of its responsibilities 
under subsection (a), the Office of Pest Management Policy shall 
coordinate interagency activities with the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and other Federal and State 
agencies in activities, including research, extension, and education, 
related to pest management.
    (c) Outreach.--The Office of Pest Management Policy shall consult 
with, and provide appropriate services to, producer groups and other 
interested parties as necessary in carrying out its responsibilities 
under this section.
    (d) Director.--The Office of Pest Management Policy shall be under 
the direction of a Director appointed by the Secretary who shall report 
directly to the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary.

SEC. 403. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED 
              AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture and 
the Secretary of Education should collaborate and cooperate in 
providing both instructional and technical support for school-based 
agricultural education.
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