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





                                                 Union Calendar No. 221

105th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2534

                          [Report No. 105-376]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                            November 4, 1997

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed





                                                 Union Calendar No. 221
105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2534

                          [Report No. 105-376]

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

                            November 4, 1997

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]
    [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on 
                          September 24, 1997]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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.
Sec. 106. Evaluation and assessment of agricultural research, 
                            extension, and education programs.

    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. Consistent matching funds requirements under Hatch Act of 
                            1887 and Smith-Lever Act.
Sec. 203. 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 land-grant colleges 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 University.
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.
Sec. 306. Grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences 
                            education.
Sec. 307. Grants for research on the production and marketing of 
                            alcohols and industrial hydrocarbons from 
                            agricultural commodities and forest 
                            products.
Sec. 308. Policy research centers.
Sec. 309. Human nutrition intervention and health promotion research 
                            program.
Sec. 310. Pilot research program to combine medical and agricultural 
                            research.
Sec. 311. Food and nutrition education program.
Sec. 312. Animal health and disease continuing research.
Sec. 313. Animal health and disease national or regional research.
Sec. 314. Grant program to upgrade agricultural and food sciences 
                            facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges.
Sec. 315. National research and training centennial centers.
Sec. 316. Supplemental and alternative crops research.
Sec. 317. Aquaculture research and extension.
Sec. 318. Rangeland research.
Sec. 319. Federal agricultural research facilities.
Sec. 320. Water quality research, education, and coordination.
Sec. 321. National genetics resources program.
Sec. 322. Agricultural telecommunications program.
Sec. 323. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Sec. 324. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse.
Sec. 325. Critical Agricultural Materials Act.

                          Subtitle B--Repeals

Sec. 341. Aquaculture research facilities.
Sec. 342. Agricultural research program under National Agricultural 
                            Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
                            Act Amendments of 1981.
Sec. 343. Livestock product safety and inspection program.
Sec. 344. Generic authorization of appropriations.

      TITLE IV--NEW RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES

 Subtitle A--Partnerships for High-Value Agricultural Product Quality 
                               Research.

Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Establishment and characteristics of partnerships.
Sec. 403. Elements of grant making process.
Sec. 404. Authorization of appropriations and related provisions.

                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

Sec. 411. Definitions.
Sec. 412. Competitive grants to promote precision agriculture.
Sec. 413. Reservation of funds for education and information 
                            dissemination projects.
Sec. 414. Precision agriculture partnerships.
Sec. 415. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations.

                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

Sec. 421. High-priority research and extension initiatives.
Sec. 422. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 423. United States-Mexico joint agricultural research.
Sec. 424. Competitive grants for international agricultural science and 
                            education programs.
Sec. 425. Food animal residue avoidance database program.
Sec. 426. Development and commercialization of new biobased products.
Sec. 427. Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification.
Sec. 428. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
                            grants program.
Sec. 429. Research grants under Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status 
                            Act of 1994.

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Role of Secretary of Agriculture regarding food and 
                            agricultural sciences research, education, 
                            and extension.
Sec. 502. Office of Pest Management Policy.
Sec. 503. Food Safety Research Information Office and national 
                            conference.
Sec. 504. Nutrient composition data.
Sec. 505. Availability of funds received or collected on behalf of 
                            National Arboretum.
Sec. 506. Retention and use of Agricultural Research Service patent 
                            culture collection fees.
Sec. 507. Reimbursement of expenses incurred under Sheep Promotion, 
                            Research, and Information Act of 1994.
Sec. 508. Sense of Congress regarding Agricultural Research Service 
                            emphasis on in field research regarding 
                            methyl bromide alternatives.
Sec. 509. Sense of Congress regarding importance of school-based 
                            agricultural education.
Sec. 510. Sense of Congress regarding designation of Department Crisis 
                            Management Team.

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--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) Purposes.--'' before ``The 
        purposes''; and
            (2) 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 agricultural research, education, and 
extension activities conducted or funded by the Department 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) In-Kind Support.--Such section is further amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(18) In-kind support.--The term `in-kind support', with 
        regard to a requirement that the recipient of funds provided by 
        the Secretary match all or some portion of the amount of the 
        funds, means contributions such as office space, equipment, and 
        staff support.''.
    (e) 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 of the Department.
            ``(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: Request and Consideration of Input.--
When formulating a request for proposals involving an agricultural 
research, extension, or education activity to be funded by the 
Secretary on a competitive basis, the Secretary shall solicit and 
consider input from the Advisory Board and users of agricultural 
research, extension, and education regarding the request for proposals 
for the preceding year. If an agricultural research, extension, or 
education activity has not been the subject of a previous request for 
proposals, the Secretary shall solicit and consider input from the 
Advisory Board and users of agricultural research, extension, and 
education before publication of the first request for proposals 
regarding the activity.
    ``(c) Scientific Peer Review of Agricultural Research.--
            ``(1) Peer review procedures.--The Secretary shall 
        establish procedures that ensure scientific peer review of all 
        research activities conducted by the Department of Agriculture.
            ``(2) Review panel required.--As part of the procedures 
        established under paragraph (1), a review panel shall verify, 
        at least once every three years, that each research activity of 
        the Department and research conducted under each research 
        program of the Department have scientific merit and relevance. 
        If the research activity or program to be reviewed is included 
        in the research, educational, and economics mission area of the 
        Department, the review panel shall consider--
                    ``(A) the scientific merit and relevance of the 
                activity or research in light of the priorities 
                established pursuant to section 1402(b) ; and
                    ``(B) the national or multi-State significance of 
                the activity or research.
            ``(3) Composition of review panel.--A review panel shall be 
        composed of individuals with scientific expertise, a majority 
        of whom are not employees of the agency whose research is being 
        reviewed. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall use 
        scientists from colleges and universities to serve on the 
        review panels.
            ``(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''.

SEC. 106. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
              EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a performance 
evaluation to determine whether agricultural research, extension, and 
education programs conducted or funded by the Department of Agriculture 
result in public benefits that have national or multi-State 
significance.
    (b) Guidelines for Performance Measurement.--The Secretary shall 
develop practical guidelines for measuring the performance of 
agricultural research, extension and education programs evaluated under 
subsection (a).

    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. 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. Any reapportionment of funds under this paragraph shall 
        be subject to the matching requirement specified in paragraph 
        (1).
            ``(4) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds 
        provided to a State from the Regional research fund, State 
        agricultural experiment stations.''.
    (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 subsections (e) and (f) and inserting the 
        following new subsections:
    ``(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. Any reapportionment of funds under this paragraph shall 
        be subject to the matching requirement specified in paragraph 
        (1).
    ``(f) Matching Funds Exception 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--
                    (A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``Federal 
                Extension Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of 
                Agriculture'';
                    (B) in subsection (c)1, by striking ``Federal 
                Extension Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of 
                Agriculture'';
                    (C) in subsection (d), by striking ``Federal 
                Extension Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of 
                Agriculture''; and
                    (D) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``through the 
                Federal Extension Service''.
            (3) References to regional research fund.--The Hatch Act of 
        1887 is amended--
                    (A) in section 3 (7 U.S.C. 361c)--
                            (i) in subsection (b)(1), by striking 
                        ``subsection 3(c)(3)'' and inserting 
                        ``subsection (c)3''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (e), by striking 
                        ``subsection 3(c)3'' and inserting ``subsection 
                        (c)3''; and
                    (B) in section 5 (7 U.S.C. 361e), by striking 
                ``regional research fund authorized by subsection 
                3(c)(3)'' and inserting ``Regional research fund, State 
                agricultural experiment stations''.

SEC. 203. 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) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
        other colleges and universities within the State and other 
        States that have unique capacity to address the identified 
        agricultural issues in the State and current and emerging 
        efforts to work with these other institutions and States.
            ``(4) 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 
        the activities to be carried out jointly.
            ``(5) 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.
    ``(e) Treatment of Plans of Work for Other Purposes.--To the extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of work submitted under 
subsection (a) to satisfy other appropriate Federal reporting 
requirements.''.
    (b) Hatch Act of 1887.--Section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
U.S.C. 361g), as amended by section 104(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) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
        other colleges and universities within the State and other 
        States that have unique capacity to address the identified 
        agricultural issues in the State and current and emerging 
        efforts (including regional efforts) to work with these other 
        institutions and States.
            ``(4) 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 
        the 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.
    ``(g) Treatment of Plans of Work for Other Purposes.--To the extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of work submitted under 
subsection (d) to satisfy other appropriate Federal reporting 
requirements.''.
    (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 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES 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 paragraphs:
            ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each extension 
        plan of work for an eligible institution required under this 
        section 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) The efforts made to identify and collaborate 
                with other colleges and universities within the State 
                and other States that have unique capacity to address 
                the identified agricultural issues in the State and 
                current and emerging efforts (including regional 
                research efforts) to work with these other institutions 
                and States.
                    ``(D) 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 the activities to 
                be carried out jointly.
                    ``(E) 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 this section. 
        The Secretary shall develop the protocols in consultation with 
        the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and universities.
            ``(5) Treatment of plans of work for other purposes.--To 
        the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of 
        work submitted under this section to satisfy other appropriate 
        Federal reporting requirements.''.
    (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:
    ``(c) 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 the 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 (2). 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 1448 (7 U.S.C. 3222c) the following 
new section:

``SEC. 1449. 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) Determination of Non-Federal Sources of Funds.--Not later 
than September 30, 1999, each eligible institution shall submit to the 
Secretary a report describing for fiscal year 1999 the sources of non-
Federal funds available to the eligible institution and the amount of 
funds generally available from each such source.
    ``(c) 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 2000, the institution shall provide 
        matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
        not less than 30 percent of the formula funds to be distributed 
        to the eligible institution.
            ``(2) In fiscal year 2001, the institution shall provide 
        matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
        not less than 45 percent of the formula funds to be distributed 
        to the eligible institution.
            ``(3) In fiscal year 2002, and each fiscal year thereafter, 
        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.
    ``(d) Limited Waiver Authority.--Notwithstanding subsection (f), 
the Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement under subsection 
(c)(1) for fiscal year 2000 if the Secretary determines with regard to 
a particular eligible institution, based on the report received under 
subsection (b), that the eligible institution will be unlikely to 
satisfy the matching requirement. The waiver of the matching 
requirements for subsequent fiscal years is not permitted.
    ``(e) Use of Matching Funds.--Under terms and conditions 
established by the Secretary, matching funds provided as required by 
subsection (c) may be used by an eligible institution for research, 
education, and extension activities.
    ``(f) Redistribution of Funds.--Federal funds that are not matched 
by an eligible institution in accordance with subsection (c) for a 
fiscal year shall be redistributed by the Secretary to eligible 
institutions satisfying the matching funds requirement for that fiscal 
year. Any redistribution of funds under this subsection shall be 
subject to the applicable matching requirement specified in subsection 
(c) and shall be made 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), 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
            (3) in subsection (b), by striking ``counterpart agencies'' 
        and inserting ``counterpart research, extension, and teaching 
        agencies''.
    (b) Full Payment of Funds Made Available for Certain Binational 
Project.--Such section is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(d) Full Payment of Funds Made Available for Certain Binational 
Projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the full amount 
of any funds appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out 
cooperative projects under the arrangement entered into between the 
Secretary and the Government of Israel to support the Israel-United 
States Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund shall be 
paid directly to the Fund.''.
    (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 four 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 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, including emerging plant and 
        animal diseases causing economic hardship;
            ``(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 to match the amount 
        of funds provided by the Secretary in the grant.
            ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
        requirement specified in paragraph (1) 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 rangelands, and the resources of forests 
        and rangelands, 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 and rangelands.
            ``(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 research regarding forests and rangelands, 
        which is critically needed by the private sector for the 
        sustained management of remaining available timber and forage 
        resources for the benefit of all species.
            ``(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 
        turns 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.
            ``(7) Better and more frequent forest inventorying and 
        analysis is necessary to identify productivity-related forestry 
        research needs and to provide forest managers with the current 
        data necessary to make timely and effective management 
        decisions.''.
    (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 and Rangelands Research and 
Education.--The Secretary may conduct, support, and cooperate in 
forestry and rangelands research and education that is of the highest 
priority to the United States and to users of public and private forest 
lands and rangelands in the United States. Such research and education 
priorities include the following:
            ``(1) The biology of forest organisms and rangeland 
        organisms.
            ``(2) Functional characteristics and cost-effective 
        management of forest and rangeland ecosystems.
            ``(3) Interactions between humans and forests and 
        rangelands.
            ``(4) Wood and forage as a raw material.
            ``(5) International trade, competition, and cooperation.''.
    (c) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--Section 3 of the Forest and 
Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--
            ``(1) Program required.--In compliance with existing 
        statutory authority, the Secretary shall establish a program to 
        inventory and analyze, in a timely manner, public and private 
        forests and their resources in the United States.
            ``(2) Annual state inventory.--Not later than the end of 
        each full fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment 
        of this subsection, the Secretary shall prepare for each State, 
        in cooperation with the State forester for the State, an 
        inventory of forests and their resources in the State. For 
        purposes of preparing the inventory for a State, the Secretary 
        shall measure annually 20 percent of all sample plots that are 
        included in the inventory program for that State. Upon 
        completion of the inventory for a year, the Secretary shall 
        make available to the public a compilation of all data 
        collected for that year from measurements of sample plots as 
        well as any analysis made of such samples.
            ``(3) Five-year reports.--At intervals not greater than 
        every five full fiscal years after the date of the enactment of 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall prepare, publish, and make 
        available to the public a report, prepared in cooperation with 
        State foresters, that--
                    ``(A) contains a description of each State 
                inventory of forests and their resources, incorporating 
                all sample plot measurements conducted during the five 
                years covered by the report;
                    ``(B) displays and analyzes on a nationwide basis 
                the results of the annual reports required by paragraph 
                (2); and
                    ``(C) contains an analysis of forest health 
                conditions and trends over the previous two decades, 
                with an emphasis on such conditions and trends during 
                the period subsequent to the immediately preceding 
                report under this paragraph.
            ``(4) National standards and definitions.--To ensure 
        uniform and consistent data collection for all public and 
        private forest ownerships and each State, the Secretary shall 
        develop, in consultation with State foresters and Federal land 
        management agencies not under the jurisdiction of the 
        Secretary, and publish national standards and definitions to be 
        applied in inventorying and analyzing forests and their 
        resources under this subsection. The standards shall include a 
        core set of variables to be measured on all sample plots under 
        paragraph (2) and a standard set of tables to be included in 
        the reports under paragraph (3).
            ``(5) Protection for private property rights.--The 
        Secretary shall obtain written authorization from property 
        owners prior to collecting data from sample plots located on 
        private property pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).
            ``(6) Strategic plan.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        prepare and submit to Congress a strategic plan to implement 
        and carry out this subsection, including the annual updates 
        required by paragraph (2) and the reports required by paragraph 
        (3), that shall describe in detail--
                    ``(A) the financial resources required to implement 
                and carry out this subsection, including the 
                identification of any resources required in excess of 
                the amounts provided for forest inventorying and 
                analysis in recent appropriations Acts;
                    ``(B) the personnel necessary to implement and 
                carry out this subsection, including any personnel in 
                addition to personnel currently performing inventorying 
                and analysis functions;
                    ``(C) the organization and procedures necessary to 
                implement and carry out this subsection, including 
                proposed coordination with Federal land management 
                agencies and State foresters;
                    ``(D) the schedules for annual sample plot 
                measurements in each State inventory required by 
                paragraph (2) within the first five-year interval after 
                the date of the enactment of this subsection;
                    ``(E) the core set of variables to be measured in 
                each sample plot under paragraph (2) and the standard 
                set of tables to be used in each State and national 
                report under paragraph (3); and
                    ``(F) the process for employing, in coordination 
                with the Department of Energy and the National 
                Aeronautics and Space Administration, remote sensing, 
                global positioning systems, and other advanced 
                technologies to carry out this subsection, and the 
                subsequent use of such technologies.''.
    (d) Forestry and Rangelands 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 AND RANGELANDS COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS.

    ``(a) Competitive Grant Authority.--''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(b) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Forestry Research.--The 
Secretary may use up to five percent of the amounts made available for 
research under section 3 to make competitive grants regarding forestry 
research in the high priority research areas identified in section 
3(d).
    ``(c) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Rangelands Research.--The 
Secretary may use up to five percent of the amounts made available for 
research under section 3 to make competitive grants regarding 
rangelands research in the high priority research areas identified in 
section 3(d).
    ``(d) Priorities.--In making grants under subsections (b) and (c), 
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 or in-kind 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

                         Subtitle A--Extensions

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 in subsections 
(a) and (b) by striking ``1997'' each place it appears 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''.

SEC. 306. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 
              EDUCATION.

    Section 1417(j) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)) is amended by 
striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 307. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF 
              ALCOHOLS AND INDUSTRIAL HYDROCARBONS FROM AGRICULTURAL 
              COMMODITIES AND FOREST PRODUCTS.

    Section 1419(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3154(d)) is amended by 
striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 308. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

    Section 1419A(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(d)) is amended by 
striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal 
years 1996 through 2002''.

SEC. 309. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 1424(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174(d)) is amended by 
striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal 
years 1996 through 2002''.

SEC. 310. PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND AGRICULTURAL 
              RESEARCH.

    Section 1424A(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174a(d)) is amended by 
striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 1997 
through 2002''.

SEC. 311. FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    Section 1425(c)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175(c)(3)) is 
amended by striking ``and 1997'' and inserting ``through 2002''.

SEC. 312. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTINUING RESEARCH.

    Section 1433(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3195(a)) is amended in the 
first sentence by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 313. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE NATIONAL OR REGIONAL RESEARCH.

    Section 1434(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3196(a)) is amended by 
striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 314. GRANT PROGRAM TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES 
              FACILITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES.

    Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)) is amended by 
striking ``and 1997'' and inserting ``through 2002''.

SEC. 315. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTENNIAL CENTERS.

    Section 1448 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222c) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and 1997'' and 
        inserting ``through 2002''; and
            (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``1997'' and inserting 
        ``2002''.

SEC. 316. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS RESEARCH.

    Section 1473D(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d(a)) is amended by 
striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 317. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

    Section 1477 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324) is amended by striking 
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 318. RANGELAND RESEARCH.

    Section 1483(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)) is amended by 
striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 319. FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

    Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 
1566) is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 320. WATER QUALITY RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND COORDINATION.

    Section 1481(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5501(d)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and 
inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 321. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

    Section 1635(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and 
inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 322. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.

    Section 1673(h) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926(h)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and 
inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 323. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

    Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(6)(B), by striking ``1997'' and 
        inserting ``2002''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``1997'' and 
        inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 324. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

    Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and 
inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 325. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT.

    Section 16(a) of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 
178n(a)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

                          Subtitle B--Repeals

SEC. 341. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES.

    Section 1476 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3323) is repealed.

SEC. 342. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM UNDER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
              RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING POLICY ACT AMENDMENTS 
              OF 1981.

    Subsection (b) of section 1432 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 (Public 
Law 97-98; 7 U.S.C. 3222 note) is repealed.

SEC. 343. LIVESTOCK PRODUCT SAFETY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.

    Section 1670 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5923) is repealed.

SEC. 344. GENERIC AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Sections 897 and 898 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 1184) are repealed.

      TITLE IV--NEW RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES

 Subtitle A--Partnerships for High-Value Agricultural Product Quality 
                                Research

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this subtitle:
            (1) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible 
        partnership'' means a partnership consisting of a land-grant 
        college or university and other entities specified in paragraph 
        (1) of subsection (b) of section 402 that satisfies the 
        eligibility criteria contained in such subsection.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.

SEC. 402. ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Establishment by Grant.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to an 
        eligible partnership to coordinate and manage research and 
        extension activities to enhance the quality of high-value 
        agricultural products.
            (2) Awarding of grants.--Grants under paragraph (1) shall 
        be awarded on a competitive basis.
    (b) Criteria for an Eligible Partnership.--
            (1) Primary institutions in partnership.--The primary 
        institution involved in an eligible partnership shall be a 
        land-grant college or university, acting in partnership with 
        other colleges or universities, nonprofit research and 
        development entities, and Federal laboratories.
            (2) Prioritization of research activities.--An eligible 
        partnership shall prioritize research and extension activities 
        in order to--
                    (A) enhance the competitiveness of United States 
                agricultural products;
                    (B) increase exports of such products; and
                    (C) substitute such products for imported products.
            (3) Coordination.--An eligible partnership shall coordinate 
        among the entities comprising the partnership the activities 
        supported by the eligible partnership, including the provision 
        of mechanisms for sharing resources between institutions and 
        laboratories and the coordination of public and private sector 
        partners to maximize cost-effectiveness.
    (c) Types of Research and Extension Activities.--Research or 
extension supported by an eligible partnership may address the full 
spectrum of production, processing, packaging, transportation, and 
marketing issues related to a high-value agricultural product. Such 
issues include--
            (1) environmentally responsible--
                    (A) pest management alternatives and biotechnology;
                    (B) sustainable farming methods; and
                    (C) soil conservation and enhanced resource 
                management;
            (2) genetic research to develop improved agricultural-based 
        products;
            (3) refinement of field production practices and technology 
        to improve quality, yield, and production efficiencies;
            (4) processing and package technology to improve product 
        quality, stability, or flavor intensity;
            (5) marketing research regarding consumer perceptions and 
        preferences;
            (6) economic research, including industry characteristics, 
        growth, competitive analysis; and
            (7) research to facilitate diversified, value-added 
        enterprises in rural areas.

SEC. 403. ELEMENTS OF GRANT MAKING PROCESS.

    (a) Period of Grant.--The Secretary may award a grant under this 
subtitle for a period not to exceed five years.
    (b) Preferences.--In making grants under this subtitle, the 
Secretary shall give preference to proposals that--
            (1) demonstrate linkages with--
                    (A) agencies of the Department of Agriculture;
                    (B) other related Federal research laboratories and 
                agencies;
                    (C) colleges and universities; and
                    (D) private industry; and
            (2) guarantee matching funds in excess of the amounts 
        required by subsection (c).
    (c) Matching Funds.--An eligible partnership shall contribute an 
amount of non-Federal funds for the operation of the partnership that 
is at least equal to the amount of grant funds received under this 
subtitle.
    (d) Limitation on Use of Grant Funds.--Funds provided under this 
subtitle may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, 
acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.

SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND RELATED PROVISIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out this subtitle 
for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
    (b) Limitation on Administrative Costs.--Not more than four percent 
of the funds appropriated to carry out this subtitle may be retained by 
the Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred by the Secretary to 
carry out this subtitle.

                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

SEC. 411. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this subtitle:
            (1) Precision agriculture.--The term ``precision 
        agriculture'' means an integrated information- and production-
        based farming system that is designed to increase long-term, 
        site specific and whole farm production efficiencies, 
        productivity, and profitability while minimizing unintended 
        impacts on wildlife and the environment by--
                    (A) combining agricultural sciences, agricultural 
                inputs and practices, agronomic production databases, 
                and precision agriculture technologies to efficiently 
                manage agronomic and livestock production systems;
                    (B) gathering on-farm information pertaining to the 
                variation and interaction of site-specific spatial and 
                temporal factors affecting crop and livestock 
                production;
                    (C) integrating such information with appropriate 
                data derived from field scouting, remote sensing, and 
                other precision agriculture technologies in a timely 
                manner in order to facilitate on-farm decisionmaking; 
                or
                    (D) using such information to prescribe and deliver 
                site-specific application of agricultural inputs and 
                management practices in agricultural production 
                systems.
            (2) Precision agriculture technologies.--The term 
        ``precision agriculture technologies'' includes--
                    (A) instrumentation and techniques ranging from 
                sophisticated sensors and software systems to manual 
                sampling and data collection tools that measure, 
                record, and manage spatial and temporal data;
                    (B) technologies for searching out and assembling 
                information necessary for sound agricultural production 
                decision making;
                    (C) open systems technologies for data networking 
                and processing that produce valued systems for farm 
                management decisionmaking; or
                    (D) machines that deliver information based 
                management practices.
            (3) Advisory board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
        Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
        Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123).
            (4) Agricultural inputs.--The term ``agricultural inputs'' 
        includes all farm management, agronomic, and field applied 
        agricultural production inputs, such as machinery, labor, time, 
        fuel, irrigation water, commercial nutrients, feed stuffs, 
        veterinary drugs and vaccines, livestock waste, crop protection 
        chemicals, agronomic data and information, application and 
        management services, seed, and other inputs used in agriculture 
        production.
            (5) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a State agricultural experiment station;
                    (B) a college or university;
                    (C) a research institution or organization;
                    (D) a Federal or State government entity or agency;
                    (E) a national laboratory;
                    (F) a private organization or corporation;
                    (G) an agricultural producer or other land manager; 
                or
                    (H) a precision agriculture partnership referred to 
                in section 414.
            (6) Systems research.--The term ``systems research'' means 
        an integrated, coordinated, and iterative investigative 
        process, which considers the multiple interacting components 
        and aspects of precision agriculture systems, including 
        synthesis of new knowledge regarding the physical-chemical-
        biological processes and complex interactions with cropping, 
        livestock production practices, and natural resource systems, 
        precision agriculture technologies development and 
        implementation, data and information collection and 
        interpretation, production scale planning, production-scale 
        implementation, and farm production efficiencies, productivity, 
        and profitability.

SEC. 412. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO PROMOTE PRECISION AGRICULTURE.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make 
competitive grants, for periods not to exceed five years, to eligible 
entities to conduct research, education, or information dissemination 
projects for the development and advancement of precision agriculture. 
Such grants shall be limited to those projects that the Secretary 
determines are unlikely to be financed by the private sector in the 
absence of a grant under this section. The Secretary shall make such 
grants in consultation with the Advisory Board.
    (b) Purpose of Projects.--Research, education, or information 
dissemination projects supported by a grant under subsection (a) shall 
address one or more of the following:
            (1) The study and promotion of components of precision 
        agriculture technologies using a systems research approach that 
        would increase long-term, site-specified and whole farm 
        production efficiencies, productivity, profitability.
            (2) The improvement in the understanding of agronomic 
        systems, including, soil, water, land cover (including grazing 
        lands), pest management systems, and meteorological 
        variability.
            (3) The provision of training and educational programs for 
        State cooperative extension services agents, and other 
        professionals involved in the agricultural production and 
        transfer of integrated precision agriculture technology.
            (4) The development, demonstration, and dissemination of 
        information regarding precision agriculture technologies and 
        systems and the potential benefits of precision agriculture as 
        it relates to increased long-term farm production efficiencies, 
        productivity, profitability, and the maintenance of the 
        environment, and improvements in international trade into an 
        integrated program to educate agricultural producers and 
        consumers, including family owned and operated farms.
    (c) Grant Priorities.--In making grants to eligible entities under 
subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, 
shall give priority to research, education, or information 
dissemination projects designed to accomplish the following:
            (1) Evaluate the use of precision agriculture technologies 
        using a systems research approach to increase long-term site-
        specific and whole farm production efficiencies, productivity, 
        profitability.
            (2) Integrate research, education, and information 
        dissemination components in a practical and readily available 
        manner so that the findings of the project will be made readily 
        usable by farmers.
            (3) Demonstrate the efficient use of agricultural inputs, 
        rather than the uniform reduction in the use of agricultural 
        inputs.
            (4) Maximize the involvement and cooperation of precision 
        agriculture producers, certified crop advisers, State 
        cooperative extension services agents, agricultural input 
        machinery, product and service providers, nonprofit 
        organizations, agribusiness, veterinarians, land-grant colleges 
        and universities, and Federal agencies in precision agriculture 
        systems research projects involving on-farm research, 
        education, and information dissemination of precision 
        agriculture.
            (5) Maximize collaboration with multiple agencies and other 
        partners that include leveraging of funds and resources.
    (d) Matching Funds.--The amount of a grant under this section to an 
eligible entity (other than a Federal agency) may not exceed the amount 
which the eligible entity makes available out of non-Federal funds for 
precision agriculture research and for the establishment and 
maintenance of facilities necessary for conducting precision 
agriculture research.

SEC. 413. RESERVATION OF FUNDS FOR EDUCATION AND INFORMATION 
              DISSEMINATION PROJECTS.

    Of the funds made available for grants under section 412, the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall reserve a portion of such funds for 
grants for projects regarding precision agriculture related to 
education or information dissemination.

SEC. 414. PRECISION AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIPS.

    In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
consultation with the Advisory Board, shall encourage the establishment 
of appropriate multi-state and national partnerships or consortia 
between--
            (1) land-grant colleges and universities, State 
        agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension 
        services, other colleges and universities with demonstrable 
        expertise regarding precision agriculture, agencies of the 
        Department of Agriculture, national laboratories, 
        agribusinesses, agricultural equipment and input manufacturers 
        and retailers, certified crop advisers, commodity 
        organizations, veterinaries, other Federal or State government 
        entities and agencies, or nonagricultural industries and 
        nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise regarding 
        precision agriculture; and
            (2) agricultural producers or other land managers.

SEC. 415. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

    (a) Prohibition on Use of Funds for Certain Purposes.--The 
Secretary of Agriculture may not make a grant under section 412 for the 
planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a 
building or facility.
    (b) Application 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 under this 
subtitle.

SEC. 416. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are hereby authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle $40,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
    (b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 3 percent of the amount 
appropriated under this subtitle may be retained by the Secretary to 
pay the administrative costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out 
this subtitle.
    (c) Availability of Funds.--Funds made available under paragraph 
(a) shall be available for obligation for a two-year period beginning 
on October 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds are made available.

                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

SEC. 421. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES.

    Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 1672. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES.

    ``(a) Competitive Specialized Research and Extension Grants 
Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
Advisory Board, may make competitive grants to support research and 
extension activities in the high-priority research and extension areas 
specified in subsection (e).
    ``(b) 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.
    ``(c) Matching Funds Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require the 
        recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-
        kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount at least 
        equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
            ``(2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
        matching funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) 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.
    ``(d) Partnerships Encouraged.--Following the completion of a peer 
review process for grant proposals received under this section, the 
Secretary may give priority to those grant proposals found to be 
scientifically meritorious that involve the cooperation of multiple 
institutions.
    ``(e) High-Priority Research and Extension Areas.--
            ``(1) Brown citrus aphid and citrus tristeza virus research 
        and extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of--
                    ``(A) developing methods to control or eradicate 
                the brown citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza virus 
                from citrus crops grown in the United States; or
                    ``(B) adapting citrus crops grown in the United 
                States to the brown citrus aphid and the citrus 
                tristeza virus.
            ``(2) Ethanol research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of carrying on or enhancing research on ethanol derived from 
        agricultural crops as an alternative fuel source.
            ``(3) Aflatoxin research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of identifying and controlling aflatoxin in the food and feed 
        chains.
            ``(4) Mesquite research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing enhanced production methods and commercial uses 
        of mesquite.
            ``(5) Prickly pear research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of investigating enhanced genetic selection and processing 
        techniques of prickly pears.
            ``(6) Deer tick ecology research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of studying the population ecology of deer ticks and 
        other insects and pests which transmit Lyme disease.
            ``(7) Red meat safety research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing--
                    ``(A) intervention strategies that reduce microbial 
                contamination on carcass surfaces;
                    ``(B) microbiological mapping of carcass surfaces; 
                and
                    ``(C) model hazard analysis and critical control 
                point plans.
            ``(8) Grain sorghum ergot research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of developing techniques for the eradication of sorghum 
        ergot.
            ``(9) Animal waste and odor management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of--
                    ``(A) identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating 
                innovative technologies for animal waste management and 
                odor control; and
                    ``(B) conducting information workshops to 
                disseminate the results of such research.
            ``(10) Fire ant research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of control, management, and eradication of fire ants.
            ``(11) Wheat scab research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to a consortium 
        of land-grant colleges and universities for the purpose of 
        understanding and combating diseases of wheat and barley caused 
        by Fusarium graminearum and related fungi (commonly known as 
        wheat scab).
            ``(12) Peanut market enhancement research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of evaluating the economics of applying 
        innovative technologies for peanut processing in a commercial 
        environment.
            ``(13) Dairy financial risk management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of providing research, 
        development, or education materials, information, and outreach 
        programs regarding risk management strategies for dairy 
        producers and for dairy cooperatives and other processors and 
        marketers of milk.
            ``(14) Cotton research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of improving pest management, fiber quality enhancement, 
        economic assessment, textile production, and optimized 
        production systems for short staple cotton.
            ``(15) Methyl bromide research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of--
                    ``(A) developing and evaluating chemical and 
                nonchemical alternatives, and use and emission 
                reduction strategies, for pre-planting and post-harvest 
                uses of methyl bromide; and
                    ``(B) transferring the results of such research for 
                agricultural producer use.
            ``(16) Water quality and aquatic ecosystem research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of investigating the impact on 
        aquatic food webs, especially commercially important aquatic 
        species and their habitats, of microorganisms of the genus 
        Pfiesteria and other microorganisms that are a threat to human 
        or animal health.
            ``(17) Potato research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing and evaluating new strains of potatoes which are 
        resistant to blight and other diseases, as well as insects. 
        Emphasis may be placed on developing potato varieties that lend 
        themselves to innovative marketing approaches.
            ``(18) Wood utilization research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of developing new uses for wood from underutilized tree 
        species as well as investigating methods of modifying wood and 
        wood fibers to produce better building materials.
            ``(19) Low-bush blueberry research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of evaluating methods of propagating and developing 
        low-bush blueberry as a marketable crop.
            ``(20) Formosan termite eradication research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of--
                    ``(A) conducting research for the control, 
                management, and possible eradication of Formosan 
                termites in the United States; and
                    ``(B) collecting data on the effectiveness of 
                research projects conducted under this paragraph.
            ``(21) Swine waste management and odor control research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of investigating the microbiology 
        of swine waste and developing improved methods to effectively 
        manage air and water quality in animal husbandry.
            ``(22) Wetlands utilization research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of better utilizing wetlands in diverse ways to 
        provide various economic, agricultural, and environmental 
        benefits.
            ``(23) Wild pampas grass control and eradication research 
        and extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of control, management, and 
        eradication of wild pampas grass.
            ``(24) Pathogen detection and limitation research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of identifying advanced detection 
        and processing methods to limit the presence of pathogens, 
        including hepatitis A and E. coli 0157:H7, in domestic and 
        imported foods.
            ``(25) Financial risk management research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of providing research, development, or 
        education materials, information, and outreach programs 
        regarding financial risk management strategies for agricultural 
        producers and for cooperatives and other processors and 
        marketers of any agricultural commodity.
            ``(26) Ornamental tropical fish research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of meeting the needs of commercial producers of 
ornamental tropical fish and aquatic plants for improvements in the 
areas of fish reproduction, health, nutrition, predator control, water 
use, water quality control, and farming technology.
            ``(27) Sheep scrapie research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of investigating the genetic aspects of scrapie in sheep.
            ``(28) Animal waste management at rural/urban interfaces.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating 
        innovative technologies to be used for animal waste management 
        (including odor control) in rural areas adjacent to urban or 
        suburban areas in connection with waste management activities 
        undertaken in urban or suburban areas.
            ``(29) Gypsy moth research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing biological control, management, and eradication 
        methods against nonnative insects, including Lymantria dispar 
        (commonly known as the Gypsy Moth), that contribute to 
        significant agricultural, economical, or environmental harm.
            ``(30) Dairy efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness 
        research and extension.--Research and extension grants may be 
        made under this section for the purpose of improving the 
        efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of dairy 
        production on farms that are heavily dependent on manufacturing 
        uses of milk.
            ``(31) Animal feed research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of maximizing nutrition management for livestock, while 
        limiting risks, such as mineral bypass, associated with 
        livestock feeding practices.
            ``(32) Forestry research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to develop and 
        distribute new, high-quality, science-based information for the 
        purpose of improving the long-term productivity of forest 
        resources and contributing to forest-based economic development 
        by addressing such issues as forest land use policies, 
        multiple-use forest management, including wildlife habitat 
        development, improved forest regeneration systems, and timber 
        supply, and improved development, manufacturing, and marketing 
        of forest products.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002 such sums 
as may be necessary to make grants under this section in each of the 
high-priority research and extension areas specified in subsection (e).
    ``(g) Use of Task Forces.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--To facilitate the making of research 
        and extension grants under this section in a high-priority 
        research and extension area specified in subsection (e), the 
        Secretary may appoint a task force to make recommendations to 
        the Secretary.
            ``(2) Limitation on costs.--The Secretary may not incur 
        costs in excess of $1,000 in any fiscal year in connection with 
        each task force established under this subsection.
            ``(3) Application 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 task force established under this subsection.''.

SEC. 422. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

    The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 is 
amended by inserting after section 1672 (7 U.S.C. 5925) the following 
new section:

``SEC. 1672A. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) Competitive Specialized Research and Extension Grants 
Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
Advisory Board, may make competitive grants to support research and 
extension activities regarding organically grown and processed 
agricultural commodities for the purpose of--
            ``(1) facilitating the development of organic agriculture 
        production and processing methods;
            ``(2) evaluating the potential economic benefits to 
        producers and processors who use organic methods; and
            ``(3) exploring international trade opportunities for 
        organically grown and processed agricultural commodities.
    ``(b) 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.
    ``(c) Matching Funds Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require the 
        recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-
        kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount at least 
        equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
            ``(2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
        matching funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) with 
        respect to a research project if the Secretary determines 
        that--
                    ``(A) the results of the project, while of 
                particular benefit to a specified 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 grant 
                recipient would be unable to satisfy the matching funds 
                requirement.
    ``(d) Partnerships Encouraged.--Following the completion of a peer 
review process for grant proposals received under this section, the 
Secretary may give priority to those grant proposals found to be 
scientifically meritorious that involved the cooperation of multiple 
institutions.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002 such sums 
as may be necessary to make grants under this section.''.

SEC. 423. UNITED STATES-MEXICO JOINT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

    Subtitle I of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1458 
(7 U.S.C. 3291) the following new section:

``SEC. 1459. UNITED STATES-MEXICO JOINT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

    ``(a) Research and Development Program.--The Secretary may provide 
for an agricultural research and development program with the United 
States/Mexico Foundation for Science, which will focus on binational 
problems facing agricultural producers and consumers in the two 
countries, in particular pressing problems in the areas of food safety, 
plant and animal pest control, and the natural resources base on which 
agriculture depends.
    ``(b) Administration.--Grants under the research and development 
program shall be awarded competitively through the Foundation.
    ``(c) Matching Requirements.--The provision of funds to the 
Foundation by the United States Government shall be subject to the 
condition that the Government of Mexico match, on at least an equal 
ratio, any funds provided by the United States Government.
    ``(d) Limitation on Use of Funds.--Funds provided under this 
section may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, 
acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.''.

SEC. 424. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND 
              EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Subtitle I of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291 et seq.) is amended by 
inserting after section 1459, as added by section 423, the following 
new section:

``SEC. 1459A. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 
              AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Competitive Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may make 
competitive grants to colleges and universities in order to strengthen 
United States economic competitiveness and to promote international 
market development.
    ``(b) Purpose of Grants.--Grants under this section shall be 
directed to agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities 
that will--
            ``(1) enhance the international content of the curricula in 
        colleges and universities so as to ensure that United States 
        students acquire an understanding of the international 
        dimensions and trade implications of their studies;
            ``(2) ensure that United States scientists, extension 
        agents, and educators involved in agricultural research and 
        development activities outside of the United States have the 
        opportunity to convey the implications of their activities and 
        findings to their peers and students in the United States and 
        to the users of agricultural research, extension, and teaching;
            ``(3) enhance the capabilities of colleges and universities 
        to do collaborative research with other countries, in 
        cooperation with other Federal agencies, on issues relevant to 
        United States agricultural competitiveness;
            ``(4) enhance the capabilities of colleges and universities 
        to provide cooperative extension education to promote the 
        application of new technology developed in foreign countries to 
        United States agriculture; and
            ``(5) enhance the capability of United States colleges and 
        universities, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, to 
        provide leadership and educational programs that will assist 
        United States natural resources and food production, 
        processing, and distribution businesses and industries to 
        compete internationally, including product market 
        identification, international policies limiting or enhancing 
        market production, development of new or enhancement of 
        existing markets, and production efficiencies.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
section.''.

SEC. 425. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.

    (a) Continuation of Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
continue operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database 
program (referred to in this section as the ``FARAD program'') through 
appropriate colleges or universities.
    (b) Activities.--In carrying out the FARAD program, the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall--
            (1) provide livestock producers, extension specialists, 
        scientists, and veterinarians with information to prevent drug, 
        pesticide, and environmental contaminant residues in food 
        animal products;
            (2) maintain up-to-date information concerning--
                    (A) withdrawal times on FDA-approved food animal 
                drugs and appropriate withdrawal intervals for drugs 
                used in food animals in the United States, as 
                established under section 512(a) of the Federal Food, 
                Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(a));
                    (B) official tolerances for drugs and pesticides in 
                tissues, eggs, and milk;
                    (C) descriptions and sensitivities of rapid 
                screening tests for detecting residues in tissues, 
                eggs, and milk; and
                    (D) data on the distribution and fate of chemicals 
                in food animals;
            (3) publish periodically a compilation of food animal drugs 
        approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
            (4) make information on food animal drugs available to the 
        public through handbooks and other literature, computer 
        software, a telephone hotline, and the Internet;
            (5) furnish producer quality-assurance programs with up-to-
        date data on approved drugs;
            (6) maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date, residue 
        avoidance database;
            (7) provide professional advice for determining the 
        withdrawal times necessary for food safety in the use of drugs 
        in food animals; and
            (8) engage in other activities designed to promote food 
        safety.
    (c) Grants.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
Advisory Board, may make grants to colleges and universities to operate 
the FARAD program. The term of a grant shall be three years, with 
options to extend the term of the grant triennially.

SEC. 426. DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF NEW BIOBASED PRODUCTS.

    (a) Biobased Product Defined.--For purposes of this section, the 
term ``biobased product'' means a product suitable for food or nonfood 
use that is derived in whole or in part from renewable agricultural and 
forestry materials.
    (b) Cooperative Agreements for Biobased Products.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture may enter into cooperative agreements with private entities 
described in subsection (c), under which the facilities and technical 
expertise of the Agricultural Research Service may be made available to 
operate pilot plants and other large-scale preparative facilities for 
the purpose of bringing technologies necessary for the development and 
commercialization of new biobased products to the point of practical 
application. Cooperative activities may include research on potential 
environmental impacts of a biobased product, methods to reduce the cost 
of manufacturing a biobased product, and other appropriate research.
    (c) Eligible Partners.--The following entities shall be eligible to 
enter into a cooperative agreement under this section:
            (1) A party that has entered into a cooperative research 
        and development agreement with the Secretary under section 12 
        of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
        U.S.C. 3710a).
            (2) A recipient of funding from the Alternative 
        Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation 
        established under section 1658 of the Food, Agriculture, 
        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5902).
            (3) A recipient of funding from the Biotechnology Research 
        and Development Corporation.
            (4) A recipient of funding from the Secretary under a Small 
        Business Innovation Research Program established under section 
        9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
    (d) Source of Funds.--To carry out this section, the Secretary may 
use--
            (1) funds appropriated to carry out this section; and
            (2) funds available for cooperative research and 
        development agreements (as described in subsection (b)).
    (e) Sale of Developed Products.--The Secretary shall authorize the 
private partner or partners in a cooperative agreement consistent with 
this section to sell new biobased products produced at a pilot plant 
under the agreement for the purpose of determining the market potential 
for the products.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 427. THOMAS JEFFERSON INITIATIVE FOR CROP DIVERSIFICATION.

    (a) Initiative Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
provide for a research initiative (to be known as the ``Thomas 
Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification'') for the purpose of 
conducting research and development, in cooperation with other public 
and private entities, on the production and marketing of new and 
nontraditional crops needed to strengthen and diversify the 
agricultural production base of the United States. The initiative shall 
include research and education efforts regarding new and nontraditional 
crops designed--
            (1) to identify and overcome agronomic barriers to 
        profitable production;
            (2) to identify and overcome other production and marketing 
        barriers; and
            (3) to develop processing and utilization technologies for 
        new and nontraditional crops.
    (b) Purposes.--The initiative is established--
            (1) to develop a focused program of research and 
        development at the regional and national level to overcome 
        barriers to development of new crop opportunities for farmers 
        and related value-added enterprise development in rural 
        communities; and
            (2) to ensure a broad-based effort encompassing research, 
        education, market development, and support of entrepreneurial 
        activity leading to increased agricultural diversification.
    (c) Establishment of Initiative.--The Secretary shall coordinate 
the initiative through a nonprofit center or institute that will 
coordinate research and education programs in cooperation with other 
public and private entities. The Secretary shall administer research 
and education grants made under this section.
    (d) Regional Emphasis.--The Secretary shall support development of 
multi-State regional efforts in crop diversification. Of funding made 
available to carry out the initiative, 50 percent shall be used for 
regional efforts centered at land-grant colleges and universities in 
order to facilitate site-specific crop development efforts.
    (e) Eligible Grantee.--The Secretary may award funds under this 
section to colleges or universities, nonprofit organizations, or public 
agencies.
    (f) Administration.--
            (1) Grants and contracts.--Grants awarded through the 
        initiative shall be selected on a competitive basis. The 
        recipient of a grant may use a portion of the grant funds for 
        standard contracts with private businesses, such as for test 
        processing of a new or nontraditional crop.
            (2) Terms.--The term of a grant awarded through the 
        initiative may not exceed five years.
            (3) Matching funds.--The Secretary shall require the 
        recipient of a grant awarded through the initiative to 
        contribute an amount of funds from non-Federal sources at least 
        equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 428. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION COMPETITIVE 
              GRANTS PROGRAM.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize the 
Secretary of Agriculture to establish an integrated research, 
education, and extension competitive grant program to provide funding 
for integrated, multi-functional research, education, and extension 
activities.
    (b) Competitive Grants Authorized.--Subject to the appropriation of 
funds to carry out this section, the Secretary may award grants to 
colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404(4) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(4))) on a competitive basis for integrated 
research, education, and extension projects in accordance with the 
provisions of this section.
    (c) Criteria for Grants.--Grants under this section shall be 
awarded to address priorities in United States agriculture, determined 
by the Secretary in consultation with the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, which 
involve integrated research, education, and extension activities.
    (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 to match the amount of funds 
        provided by the Secretary in the grant.
            (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
        requirement specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a grant 
        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.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
1998 through 2002 to carry out this section.

SEC. 429. RESEARCH GRANTS UNDER EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS 
              ACT OF 1994.

    The Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 
103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section--

``SEC. 536. RESEARCH GRANTS.

    ``(a) Research Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
make grants under this section on the basis of a competitive 
application process (and in accordance with such regulations that the 
Secretary may promulgate) to a 1994 Institution to assist the 1995 
Institution to conduct agricultural research that addresses high 
priority concerns of tribal, national, or multi-state significance.
    ``(b) Requirements.--Grant applications submitted under this 
section shall certify that the research to be conducted will be 
performed under a cooperative agreement with at least one other land-
grant college or university (exclusive of another 1994 Institution).
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section 
for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002. Amounts appropriated 
shall remain available until expended.''.

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 501. 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. 502. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.

    (a) Objective.--The establishment of an Office of Pest Management 
Policy pursuant to this section is intended to provide for the 
effective coordination of agricultural policies and activities within 
the Department of Agriculture related to pesticides and of the 
development and use of pest management tools, while taking into account 
the effects of regulatory actions of other government agencies.
    (b) 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 and services 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 related to pest management or pesticides under 
        the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-170; 
        110 Stat. 1489), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
        Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.), the Federal Food, Drug, 
        and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), or other law; and
            (4) performing such other functions as may be required by 
        law or prescribed by the Secretary.
    (c) Interagency Coordination.--In support of its responsibilities 
under subsection (a), the Office of Pest Management Policy shall 
provide leadership to ensure coordination of interagency activities 
with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug 
Administration, and other Federal and State agencies.
    (d) Outreach.--The Office of Pest Management Policy shall consult 
with agricultural producers that may be affected by pest management or 
pesticide-related activities or actions of the Department or other 
agencies as necessary in carrying out the Office's responsibilities 
under this section.
    (e) 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.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 503. FOOD SAFETY RESEARCH INFORMATION OFFICE AND NATIONAL 
              CONFERENCE.

    (a) Food Safety Research Information Office.--
            (1) Establishment and purpose.--The Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall establish a Food Safety Research Information 
        Office at the National Agricultural Library. The Office shall 
        provide to the research community and the general public 
        information on publicly funded, and to the extent possible, 
        privately funded food safety research initiatives for the 
        purpose of--
                    (A) preventing unintended duplication of food 
                safety research; and
                    (B) assisting the executive and legislative 
                branches of the Government and private 
research entities to assess food safety research needs and priorities.
            (2) Cooperation.--The Office shall carry out paragraph (1) 
        in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health, the Food 
        and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention, public institutions, and on a voluntary basis, 
        private research interests.
    (b) National Conference.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sponsor a conference to 
be known as the ``National Conference on Food Safety Research'', for 
the purpose of beginning the task of food safety research 
prioritization. The Secretary shall sponsor annual workshops in each of 
the subsequent four years after the conference so that priorities can 
be updated or adjusted to reflect changing food safety concerns.
    (c) Food Safety Report.--With regard to the study and report to be 
prepared by the National Academy of Sciences on the scientific and 
organizational needs for an effective food safety system, the study 
shall include recommendations to ensure that the food safety inspection 
system, within the resources traditionally available to existing food 
safety agencies, protects the public health.

SEC. 504. NUTRIENT COMPOSITION DATA.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall update, on a 
periodic basis, nutrient composition data.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
that describes--
            (1) the method the Secretary will use to update nutrient 
        composition data, including the quality assurance criteria that 
        will be used and the method for generating the data; and
            (2) the timing for updating the data.

SEC. 505. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS RECEIVED OR COLLECTED ON BEHALF OF 
              NATIONAL ARBORETUM.

    Section 6(b) of the Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 196(b)), is 
amended by striking ``Treasury'' and inserting ``Treasury. Amounts in 
the special fund shall be available to the Secretary of Agriculture, 
without further appropriation,''.

SEC. 506. RETENTION AND USE OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE PATENT 
              CULTURE COLLECTION FEES.

    All funds collected by the Agricultural Research Service of the 
Department of Agriculture in connection with the acceptance of 
microorganisms for deposit in, or the distribution of microorganisms 
from, the Patent Culture Collection maintained and operated by the 
Agricultural Research Service shall be credited to the appropriation 
supporting the maintenance and operation of the Patent Culture 
Collection. The collected funds shall be available to the Agricultural 
Research Service, without further appropriation or fiscal-year 
limitation, to carry out its responsibilities under law (including 
international treaty) with respect to the Patent Culture Collection.

SEC. 507. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED UNDER SHEEP PROMOTION, 
              RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION ACT OF 1994.

    Using funds available to the Agricultural Marketing Service, the 
Service may reimburse the American Sheep Industry Association for 
expenses incurred by American Sheep Industry Association between 
February 6, 1996, and May 17, 1996, in preparation for the 
implementation of a sheep and wool promotion, research, education, and 
information order under the Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).

SEC. 508. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE 
              EMPHASIS ON IN FIELD RESEARCH REGARDING METHYL BROMIDE 
              ALTERNATIVES.

    It is the sense of Congress that, of the Agricultural Research 
Service funds made available for a fiscal year for research regarding 
the development for agricultural use of alternatives to methyl bromide, 
the Secretary of Agriculture should use a substantial portion of such 
funds for research to be conducted in real field conditions, in 
particular pre-planting and post-harvest conditions, so as to expedite 
the development and commercial use of methyl bromide alternatives.

SEC. 509. 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.

SEC. 510. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT CRISIS 
              MANAGEMENT TEAM.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Department of Agriculture plays a crucial role in 
        ensuring that the United States is a world leader in 
        maintaining the most affordable, abundant, wholesome, and safe 
        food supply for its citizens.
            (2) It is in the best interest of consumers, producers, 
        processors, retailers, government officials, and other 
        interested parties to ensure that any crisis that may affect 
the operation of the Department or the production of a safe and 
wholesome food supply is addressed in an effective manner.
            (3) Unforeseen circumstances, including natural disaster, 
        personnel management problems, threats to public health, and 
        trade disruptions, have the potential to undermine the 
        operation of the Department and the Nation's ability to 
        efficiently provide a safe, affordable, abundant, and wholesome 
        food supply.
            (4) Department of Agriculture employees, consumer 
        confidence, and the food production sector have been adversely 
        impacted as a result of the challenges associated with Federal 
        agencies' ability to respond to incidents in a coordinated and 
        timely fashion.
            (5) An effective response to crises, emergencies, and 
        similar situations depends upon the timely and efficient 
        coordination of Federal, State, and local government agencies.
            (6) It is in the best interests of the Nation to ensure 
        that whenever a crisis occurs the appropriate Federal agencies 
        coordinate their activities.
            (7) The Department of Agriculture should take the lead in 
        ensuring a safe and wholesome supply of food for the Nation 
        because of its broad and diverse relationship with consumers 
        and the food production sector.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Secretary of Agriculture should--
            (1) designate a Crisis Management Team within the 
        Department of Agriculture, which would be composed of senior 
        departmental personnel with strong subject matter expertise 
        selected from each relevant agency of the Department and would 
        be headed by a team leader with strong management and 
        communications skills;
            (2) upon establishment of such a Crisis Management Team, 
        direct that the Crisis Management Team--
                    (A) develop a department-wide crisis management 
                plan, taking into account similar plans developed by 
                other government agencies and other large 
                organizations;
                    (B) develop detailed written procedures for 
                implementing the crisis management plan;
                    (C) conduct periodic reviews and revisions of the 
                crisis management plan and procedures;
                    (D) ensure compliance with crisis management 
                procedures by departmental personnel;
                    (E) coordinate the Department's information 
                gathering and dissemination activities concerning 
                issues managed by the Crisis Management Team;
                    (F) ensure that all employees of the Department are 
                familiar with the crisis management plan and procedures 
                and are encouraged to bring information regarding 
                crises or potential crises to the attention of team 
                members;
                    (G) ensure that departmental spokespersons convey 
                accurate, timely, and scientifically sound information 
                that is easily understood by the target audience; and
                    (H) cooperate and coordinate with other Federal 
                agencies, States, local governments, industry, and 
                public interest groups; and
            (3) seek to enter into cooperative agreements with other 
        Federal departments and agencies that have related programs or 
        activities to help ensure consistent, accurate, and coordinated 
        dissemination of information throughout the executive branch in 
        the event of a crisis.