[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1150 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]
Calendar No. 154
105th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1150
[Report No. 105-73]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure that federally funded agricultural research, extension, and
education address high-priority concerns with national or multistate
significance, to reform, extend, and eliminate certain agricultural
research programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 5, 1997
Read twice and placed on the calendar
Calendar No. 154
105th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1150
[Report No. 105-73]
To ensure that federally funded agricultural research, extension, and
education address high-priority concerns with national or multistate
significance, to reform, extend, and eliminate certain agricultural
research programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 5, 1997
Mr. Lugar, from the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry,
reported the following original bill; which was read twice and
placed on the calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure that federally funded agricultural research, extension, and
education address high-priority concerns with national or multistate
significance, to reform, extend, and eliminate certain agricultural
research 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 Reform Act of 1997''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--PRIORITIES, SCOPE, AND REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION
Sec. 101. Standards for Federal funding of agricultural research,
extension, and education.
Sec. 102. Priority setting process.
Sec. 103. Relevance and merit of federally funded agricultural
research, extension, and education.
Sec. 104. Research formula funds for 1862 Institutions.
Sec. 105. Extension formula funds for 1862 Institutions.
Sec. 106. Research facilities.
TITLE II--OTHER REFORMS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Amendments to National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977
Sec. 201. Advisory Board.
Sec. 202. Grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences
education.
Sec. 203. Policy research centers.
Sec. 204. International agricultural research, extension, and teaching.
Sec. 205. General administrative costs.
Sec. 206. Expansion of authority to enter into cost-reimbursable
agreements.
Subtitle B--Amendments to Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990
Sec. 211. National Agricultural Weather Information System.
Sec. 212. National Food Genome Strategy.
Sec. 213. Imported fire ant control, management, and eradication.
Sec. 214. Agricultural telecommunications program.
Sec. 215. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Subtitle C--Amendments to Other Laws
Sec. 221. 1994 Institutions.
Sec. 222. Cooperative agricultural extension work by 1862, 1890, and
1994 Institutions.
Sec. 223. Eligibility of certain colleges and universities for
extension funding.
Sec. 224. Integration of research and extension.
Sec. 225. Competitive, special, and facilities research grants.
Sec. 226. Fund for Rural America.
Sec. 227. Honey research, promotion, and consumer information.
Sec. 228. Office of Energy Policy and New Uses.
Subtitle D--New Programs
Sec. 231. Biobased products.
Sec. 232. Precision agriculture.
Sec. 233. Formosan termite eradication program.
Sec. 234. Nutrient composition data.
Sec. 235. Consolidated administrative and laboratory facility.
Sec. 236. National Swine Research Center.
Subtitle E--Studies and Miscellaneous
Sec. 241. Evaluation and assessment of agricultural research,
extension, and education programs.
Sec. 242. Study of federally funded agricultural research, extension,
and education.
Sec. 243. Sense of Congress on State match for 1890 Institutions.
TITLE III--INITIATIVE FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
Sec. 301. Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems.
TITLE IV--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES; TECHNICAL
AMENDMENTS
Sec. 401. Extensions of authorities.
Sec. 402. Repeal of authorities.
Sec. 403. Short titles for Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887.
Sec. 404. Technical corrections to research provisions of Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of
1996.
TITLE V--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SAVINGS
Sec. 501. Nutrition programs.
Sec. 502. Information technology funding.
Sec. 503. Haying and grazing on conservation reserve land.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 1862 institution.--The term ``1862 Institution'' means
a college or university eligible to receive funds under the Act
of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et
seq.).
(2) 1890 institution.--The term ``1890 Institution'' means
a college or university eligible to receive funds under the Act
of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 419, chapter 841; 7 U.S.C. 321 et
seq.), including Tuskegee University.
(3) 1994 institution.--The term ``1994 Institution'' means
a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382;
7 U.S.C. 301 note)).
(4) 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).
(5) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Agriculture.
(6) Hatch act of 1887.--The term ``Hatch Act of 1887''
means the Hatch Act of 1887 (as designated by section 403(b)).
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(8) Smith-lever act.--The term ``Smith-Lever Act'' means
the Smith-Lever Act (as designated by section 403(a)).
(9) Stakeholder.--The term ``stakeholder'' means a person
who conducts or uses agricultural research, extension, or
education.
TITLE I--PRIORITIES, SCOPE, AND REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION
SEC. 101. STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall ensure that agricultural
research, extension, or education activities described in subsection
(b) address a concern that--
(1) is a priority, as determined under section 102(a); and
(2) has national or multistate significance.
(b) Application.--Subsection (a) applies to--
(1) research activities conducted by the Agricultural
Research Service; and
(2) research, extension, or education activities
administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service.
SEC. 102. PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS.
(a) In General.--Consistent with section 1402 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3101), the Secretary shall establish priorities for agricultural
research, extension, and education activities conducted or funded by
the Department.
(b) Input From Stakeholders.--
(1) In general.--In establishing priorities for
agricultural research, extension, and education activities
conducted or funded by the Department, the Secretary shall
solicit and consider input and recommendations from
stakeholders.
(2) 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions.--
(A) In general.--Effective beginning October 1,
1998, to obtain agricultural research, extension, or
education formula funds from the Secretary, each 1862
Institution, 1890 Institution, and 1994 Institution
shall establish and implement a process for obtaining
stakeholder input concerning the use of the funds.
(B) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate
regulations that prescribe--
(i) the requirements for an Institution to
comply with subparagraph (A); and
(ii) the consequences for an Institution of
not complying with subparagraph (A), which may
include the withholding and redistribution of
funds to which the Institution may be entitled
until the Institution complies with
subparagraph (A).
(c) Management Principles.--Section 1402 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and management
principles'' after ``purposes'';
(2) by inserting ``(a) Purposes.--'' before ``The
purposes''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Management Principles.--To the maximum extent practicable,
the Secretary shall ensure that federally supported and conducted
agricultural research, education, and extension activities are
accomplished in a manner that--
``(1) integrates agricultural research, education, and
extension functions to better link research to technology
transfer and information dissemination activities;
``(2) encourages regional and multistate programs to
address relevant issues of common concern and to better
leverage scarce resources;
``(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;
and
``(4) requires accountability to be measured against shared
national goals of the research, education, and economics
mission area agencies of the Department and their partners that
receive Federal research, extension, and higher education
funds, consistent with the Government Performance and Results
Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62) and amendments made by that
Act.''.
(d) Notification of Advisory Board and Congress.--Section 1408 of
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (e) through (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Notification of Advisory Board and Congress.--
``(1) Advisory board.--The Secretary shall provide a
written response to the Advisory Board regarding the
implementation of any written recommendations made by the
Advisory Board to the Secretary under subsection (c).
``(2) Congress.--The Secretary shall provide to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a copy of the response of the Secretary to an Advisory
Board recommendation concerning the priority mission areas of
the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems
established under section 301(c)(2)(B) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''.
SEC. 103. RELEVANCE AND MERIT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.
(a) Review of CSREES Research.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures that ensure--
(1) scientific peer review of each agricultural research
grant administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service; and
(2) merit review of each agricultural extension or
education grant administered, on a competitive basis, by the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
(b) Advisory Board Review.--The Advisory Board shall review, on an
annual basis, the relevance to the Secretary's priorities established
under section 102(a), and adequacy, of the funding of all agricultural
research, extension, or education activities of the Department.
(c) Requests for Proposals.--
(1) Review results.--As soon as practicable after the
initial review is conducted under subsection (b) for a fiscal
year, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall
consider the results of the annual review when formulating each
request for proposals, and evaluating proposals, involving an
agricultural research, extension, or education activity funded,
on a competitive basis, by the Department.
(2) Stakeholder input.--In formulating a request for
proposals described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
solicit and consider input from stakeholders on the prior
year's request for proposals.
(d) Scientific Peer Review of ARS Research.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish procedures
that ensure scientific peer review of research activities of
the Agricultural Research Service.
(2) Requirements.--The procedures shall require that--
(A) at least once every 5 years, a review panel
verify that a research activity referred to in
paragraph (1) and research conducted by each scientist
employed by the Agricultural Research Service--
(i) has scientific merit and relevance to
the priorities established under section
102(a); and
(ii) has national or multistate
significance, as required under section
101(a)(2);
(B) a review panel comprised of individuals with
scientific expertise, a majority of whom are not
employees of the Agricultural Research Service; and
(C) the results of the panel reviews are
transmitted to--
(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives;
(ii) the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and
(iii) the Advisory Board.
(e) Merit Review.--
(1) 1862 and 1890 institutions.--Effective beginning
October 1, 1998, to obtain agricultural research or extension
funds from the Secretary for an activity, each 1862 Institution
and 1890 Institution 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 shall--
(A) establish a process for merit review of the
activity; and
(B) review the activity in accordance with the
process.
(f) 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.--Section 1468 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3314) is repealed.
SEC. 104. RESEARCH FORMULA FUNDS FOR 1862 INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (3) and
inserting the following:
``(3) Not less than 25 percent shall be allotted to the
States for cooperative research employing multidisciplinary
approaches in which a State agricultural experiment station,
working with another State agricultural experiment station, the
Agricultural Research Service, a college, or a university,
cooperates to solve problems that concern more than 1 State.
The funds available under this paragraph, together with the
funds available under subsection (b) for a similar purpose,
shall be designated as the `Multistate Research Fund, State
Agricultural Experiment Stations'.
``(4) Research carried out under paragraph (3) shall be
subject to scientific peer review. A project review under this
paragraph shall be considered to satisfy the merit review
requirements of section 103(e) of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``regional research
fund, State agricultural experiment stations,'' and inserting
``Multistate Research Fund, State Agricultural Experiment
Stations,''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 5 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7
U.S.C. 361e) is amended in the first sentence by striking ``regional
research fund'' and inserting ``Multistate Research Fund, State
Agricultural Experiment Stations''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION FORMULA FUNDS FOR 1862 INSTITUTIONS.
Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(h) Multistate Cooperative Extension Activities.--
``(1) In general.--Not less than the applicable percentage
specified under paragraph (2) of the amounts that are made
available to carry out subsections (b) and (c) during a fiscal
year shall be allotted to States for cooperative extension
activities in which 2 or more States cooperate to solve
problems that concern more than 1 State (referred to in this
subsection as `multistate activities').
``(2) Applicable percentages.--
``(A) Current expenditures on multistate
activities.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
determine the percentage of Federal formula funds
described in paragraph (1) that each State expended for
fiscal year 1997 for multistate activities.
``(B) Planned expenditures on multistate
activities.--For fiscal year 2000 and each subsequent
fiscal year, a State shall expend for multistate
activities a percentage of the Federal formula funds
described in paragraph (1) for a fiscal year that is at
least equal to the lesser of--
``(i) 25 percent; or
``(ii) twice the percentage for the State
determined under subparagraph (A).
``(C) Reduction by secretary.--The Secretary may
reduce the minimum percentage required to be allotted
for multistate activities under subparagraph (B) in a
case of hardship, infeasibility, or other similar
circumstance beyond the control of the State, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(D) Plan of work.--The State shall include in the
plan of work of the State a description of the manner
in which the State will meet the requirements of this
paragraph.
``(3) Applicability.--This subsection does not apply to
funds provided--
``(A) by a State or local government pursuant to a
matching requirement;
``(B) to a 1994 Institution (as defined in section
532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act
of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); or
``(C) to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, or Guam.
``(i) Merit Review.--
``(1) In general.--Effective beginning October 1, 1998,
extension activity carried out under subsection (h) shall be
subject to merit review.
``(2) Other requirements.--An extension activity that is
merit reviewed under paragraph (1) shall be considered to have
been reviewed under section 103(e) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''.
SEC. 106. RESEARCH FACILITIES.
(a) Criteria for Approval.--Section 3(c)(2)(C)(ii) of the Research
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking
``regional needs'' and inserting ``national or multistate needs''.
(b) National or Multistate Needs Served by ARS Facilities.--Section
3 of the Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390a) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(e) National or Multistate Needs Served by ARS Facilities.--The
Secretary shall ensure that each research activity conducted by a
facility of the Agricultural Research Service serves a national or
multistate need.''.
(c) 10-Year Strategic Plan.--Section 4(d) of the Research
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390b(d)) is amended by striking ``regional''
and inserting ``multistate''.
(d) Comprehensive Research Capacity.--Section 4 of the Research
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390b) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(g) Comprehensive Research Capacity.--After submission of the 10-
year strategic plan required under subsection (d), the Secretary shall
continue to review periodically each operating agricultural research
facility constructed in whole or in part with Federal funds, and each
planned agricultural research facility proposed to be constructed in
whole or in part with Federal funds, pursuant to criteria established
by the Secretary, to ensure that a comprehensive research capacity is
maintained.''.
(e) Priority Research.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended in subsection (b)(2) by
striking ``regional'' and inserting ``multistate''.
TITLE II--OTHER REFORMS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Amendments to National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977
SEC. 201. ADVISORY BOARD.
Section 1408(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123(b)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(7) Equal representation of public and private sector
members.--In appointing members to serve on the Advisory Board,
the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable,
equal representation of public and private sector members.''.
SEC. 202. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
EDUCATION.
Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g),
(h), (i), and (j) as subsections (d), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j),
(k), and (l), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Priorities.--In awarding grants under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall give priority to--
``(1) applications for teaching enhancement projects that
demonstrate enhanced coordination among all types of
institutions eligible for funding under this section; and
``(2) applications for teaching enhancement projects that
focus on innovative, multidisciplinary education programs,
material, and curricula.''; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (d) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(e) Food and Agricultural Education Information System.--From
amounts made available for grants authorized under this section, the
Secretary may maintain a national food and agricultural education
information system that contains information on enrollment, degrees
awarded, faculty, and employment placement in the food and agricultural
sciences and such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.''.
SEC. 203. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.
Section 1419A(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(a)) is amended by
inserting ``and trade agreements'' after ``public policies''.
SEC. 204. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.
(a) Teaching.--
(1) In general.--Section 1458 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3291) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``research
and extension'' and inserting ``research, extension,
and teaching'';
(B) in subsection (a)--
(i) 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 initiatives addressing'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking
``education'' and inserting ``teaching'';
(iii) in paragraph (4), by striking
``scientists and experts'' and inserting
``science and education experts'';
(iv) in paragraph (5), by inserting
``teaching,'' after ``development,'';
(v) in paragraph (6), by striking
``education'' and inserting ``teaching'';
(vi) in paragraph (7), by striking
``research and extension'' and inserting
``research, extension, and teaching''; and
(vii) in paragraph (8), by striking
``research capabilities'' and inserting
``research, extension, and teaching
capabilities''; and
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ``counterpart
agencies'' and inserting ``counterpart research,
extension, and teaching agencies''.
(2) 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 by striking ``Research and Extension'' and
inserting ``Research, Extension, and Teaching''.
(b) Grants for Collaborative Projects.--Section 1458(a) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) make competitive grants for collaborative projects
that--
``(A) involve Federal scientists or scientists from
land-grant colleges and universities or other colleges
and universities with scientists at international
agricultural research centers in other nations,
including the international agricultural research
centers of the Consultative Group on International
Agriculture Research;
``(B) focus on developing and using new
technologies and programs for--
``(i) increasing the production of food and
fiber, while safeguarding the environment
worldwide and enhancing the global
competitiveness of United States agriculture;
or
``(ii) training scientists;
``(C) are mutually beneficial to the United States
and other countries; and
``(D) encourage private sector involvement and the
leveraging of private sector funds.''.
(c) Reports.--Section 1458 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Reports.--The Secretary shall provide biennial reports to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate on
efforts of the Federal Government to--
``(1) coordinate international agricultural research within
the Federal Government; and
``(2) more effectively link the activities of domestic and
international agricultural researchers, particularly
researchers of the Agricultural Research Service.''.
SEC. 205. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
(a) In General.--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:
``SEC. 1461. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
``(a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in law, indirect
costs charged against a grant described in subsection (b) shall not
exceed 25 percent of the total Federal funds provided under the grant
award, as determined by the Secretary.
``(b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply to--
``(1) a competitive research grant made under subsection
(b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)); and
``(2) except as otherwise provided in law, a competitive
research, extension, or education grant made under--
``(A) section 793 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f); or
``(B) section 301 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Section 1469 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3315) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and all that follows
through ``Except as'' and inserting the following:
``SEC. 1469. AUDITING, REPORTING, BOOKKEEPING, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
REQUIREMENTS.
``(a) In General.--Except as'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) the Secretary may retain up to 4 percent of amounts
appropriated for agricultural research, extension, and teaching
assistance programs for the administration of those programs
authorized under this or any other Act; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Community Food Projects.--The Secretary may retain, for the
administration of community food projects under section 25 of the Food
Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034), 4 percent of amounts available for
the projects, notwithstanding the availability of any appropriation for
administrative expenses of the projects.''.
SEC. 206. 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''.
Subtitle B--Amendments to Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990
SEC. 211. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.
Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of
1990 is amended by striking subtitle D (7 U.S.C. 5851 et seq.) and
inserting the following:
``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 agriculturalists
for decisionmaking; and
``(E) sponsor joint programs to train private
sector meteorologists and agriculturalists about the
optimum use of agricultural weather and climate data;
``(2) obtain standardized weather observation data
collected in near real time through regional and State
agricultural weather information systems;
``(3) coordinate the activities of the Chief Meteorologist
of the Department of Agriculture and weather and climate
research activities of the Department of Agriculture with other
Federal agencies and the private sector;
``(4) make grants to plan and administer State and regional
agricultural weather information systems, including research in
atmospheric sciences and climatology;
``(5) encourage private sector participation in the System
through cooperation with the private sector, including
cooperation in the generation of weather and climate data
useful for site-specific agricultural weather forecasting; and
``(6) make competitive grants to carry out research in all
aspects of atmospheric sciences and climatology regarding the
collection, retention, and dissemination of agricultural
weather and climate observations and information with priority
given to proposals that emphasize--
``(A) techniques and processes that relate to--
``(i) weather- or climate-induced
agricultural losses; and
``(ii) improvement of information on
weather and climate extremes (such as drought,
floods, freeze, and storms) well in advance of
their occurrence;
``(B) the improvement of site-specific weather data
collection and forecasting;
``(C) the impact of weather on economic and
environmental costs in agricultural production; or
``(D) the preservation and management of the
ecosystem.
``SEC. 1639. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) Use of Funds.--
``(1) National oceanic and atmospheric administration
work.--Not more than \2/3\ of the funds made available for a
fiscal year to carry out this subtitle shall be used for work
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
``(2) Administrative costs.--The Secretary of Agriculture
may retain for administration of the System up to 4 percent of
the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle,
notwithstanding the availability of any appropriation for
administrative expenses to carry out this subtitle.
``(3) Limitations.--
``(A) Buildings or facilities.--Funds made
available to carry out this subtitle shall not be used
for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition,
or construction of a building or facility.
``(B) Equipment purchases.--Of funds made available
under a grant award under this subtitle, a grantee may
use for equipment purchases not more than the lesser
of--
``(i) $15,000; or
``(ii) \1/3\ of the amount of the grant
award.
``(b) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board
created for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals
submitted for grants under section 1638.
``SEC. 1640. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.''.
SEC. 212. NATIONAL FOOD GENOME STRATEGY.
Section 1671 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1671. NATIONAL FOOD GENOME STRATEGY.
``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
``(1) to expand the knowledge of public and private sector
entities and persons concerning genomes for species of
importance to the food and agriculture sectors in order to
maximize the return on the investment in plant, animal, and
microbial genomics;
``(2) to focus on the species that will yield early,
scientifically important results that will enhance the
usefulness of many plant, animal, and microbial species;
``(3) to build on genomic research, such as the Human
Genome Initiative and the Arabidopsis Genome Project, to
understand gene structure and function that is expected to have
considerable payoffs in crop species ranging from corn to
soybean to cotton and animal species ranging from cattle to
swine to poultry;
``(4) to develop improved bioinformatics to enhance both
sequence or structure determination and analysis of the
biological function of genes and gene products;
``(5) to develop, within the National Food Genome Strategy
required under subsection (b) for agriculturally important
plants, animals, and microbes, a Plant Genome Initiative under
which--
``(A) the Plant Genome Initiative will be an
interagency activity conducted with--
``(i) the Department of Agriculture as the
lead Federal agency; and
``(ii) the National Science Foundation and
the Department of Energy as participants; and
``(B) the National Institutes of Health will
continue to invest in the underlying critical
technologies through its Human Genome Initiative and
other genetics research;
``(6) to establish, within the National Food Genome
Strategy, an Animal Genome Initiative--
``(A) to address the obstacles limiting the
development and implementation of gene-based approaches
for animal improvement, such as high-resolution genomic
maps; and
``(B) to take advantage of complementary work of
the Human Genome Initiative, the Agricultural Research
Service, and State agricultural experiment stations;
``(7) to encourage Federal Government participants to
maximize the utility of public and private partnerships for
food genome research;
``(8) to allow resources developed under this section,
including data, software, germplasm, and other biological
materials, to be openly accessible to all persons, subject to
any confidentiality requirements imposed by law; and
``(9) to encourage international partnerships with each
partner country responsible for financing its own strategy for
food genome research.
``(b) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred
to in this section as the `Secretary') shall develop and carry out a
National Food Genome Strategy to--
``(1) study and map agriculturally significant genes to
achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production;
``(2) ensure that current gaps in existing agricultural
genetics knowledge are filled;
``(3) identify and develop a functional understanding of
genes responsible for economically important traits in plants,
animals, and microbes of importance to agriculture;
``(4) ensure future genetic improvement of agriculturally
important species;
``(5) support preservation of diverse germplasm;
``(6) ensure preservation of biodiversity to maintain
access to genes that may be of importance in the future; and
``(7) otherwise carry out the purposes of this section.
``(c) Contracts, Grants, and Cooperative Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into or make
contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with individuals
and organizations in accordance with section 1472 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318).
``(2) Competitive basis.--A grant under this subsection
shall be made on a competitive basis.
``(d) Administration.--
``(1) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such
regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
``(2) Consultation with the national academy of sciences.--
The Secretary may use funds made available under this section
to consult with the National Academy of Sciences regarding the
administration of the National Food Genome Strategy without
regard to the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) or title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.).
``(3) Indirect costs.--Indirect costs under this section
shall be allowable at the rate indirect costs are allowable for
contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements entered into or
made by the National Science Foundation for genomic
research.''.
SEC. 213. IMPORTED FIRE ANT CONTROL, MANAGEMENT, AND ERADICATION.
Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a), (d), (e), and (f);
(2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (g) as
subsections (a), (b), and (c), respectively; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Imported Fire Ant Control, Management, and Eradication.--
``(1) National advisory and implementation board on
imported fire ant control, management, and eradication.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture
may establish a National Advisory and Implementation
Board on Imported Fire Ant Control, Management, and
Eradication (referred to in this subsection as the
`Board').
``(B) Membership.--The Board shall consist of 12
members who are experts in entomology, ant ecology,
wildlife biology, electrical engineering, economics, or
agribusiness and who are appointed by the Secretary
from academia, research institutes, and the private
sector.
``(C) Compensation.--
``(i) In general.--A member of the Board
shall not receive any compensation by reason of
service on the Board.
``(ii) Expenses.--A member of the Board
shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence,
and other necessary expenses incurred by the
member in the performance of a duty of the
member.
``(D) Termination.--The Board shall terminate 60
days after the date on which the national plan is
submitted to the Board under paragraph (4)(B).
``(2) Initial grants.--
``(A) Request for proposals.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
publish a request for proposals for grants for
research or demonstration projects related to
the control, management, and possible
eradication of imported fire ants.
``(ii) Input from board.--In developing a
request for proposals under clause (i), the
Secretary shall solicit and consider input from
the Board.
``(B) Selection.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of publication of the request for proposals, the
Secretary shall evaluate and select meritorious
research or demonstration projects related to the
control, management, and possible eradication of
imported fire ants.
``(C) Grants.--The Secretary may award a total of
$6,000,000 for each fiscal year in grants to colleges,
universities, research institutes, Federal
laboratories, or private entities selected under
subparagraph (B), for a term of not to exceed 5 years,
for the purpose of conducting research or demonstration
projects related to the control, management, and
possible eradication of imported fire ants. Each
project shall be completed not later than the end of
the term of the grant.
``(3) Subsequent grants.--
``(A) Evaluation; selection.--If the Secretary
awards grants under paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary
shall--
``(i) evaluate all of the research or
demonstration projects conducted under
paragraph (2)(C) for their use as the basis of
a national plan for the control, management,
and possible eradication of imported fire ants
by the Federal Government, State and local
governments, and owners and operators of land;
and
``(ii) on the basis of the evaluation,
select the projects the Secretary considers
most promising for additional research or
demonstration related to the control,
management, and possible eradication of
imported fire ants and notify the Board of the
selection.
``(B) Grants.--The Secretary may award a grant of
up to $4,000,000 for each fiscal year to each of the
colleges, universities, research institutes, Federal
laboratories, or private entities selected under
subparagraph (A)(ii) for the purpose of conducting
research or demonstration projects for the preparation
of a national plan for the control, management, and
possible eradication of imported fire ants. Each
project shall be completed not later than 2 years after
the grant is made.
``(4) National plan.--
``(A) Evaluation; selection.--If the Secretary
awards grants under paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary
shall--
``(i) evaluate all of the research or
demonstration projects conducted under
paragraph (3)(B) for their use as the basis of
a national plan for the control, management,
and possible eradication of imported fire ants
by the Federal Government, State and local
governments, and owners and operators of land;
and
``(ii) on the basis of the evaluation,
select 1 project funded under paragraph (3)(B),
or a combination of grant projects, as the
basis for the plan and notify the Board of the
selection.
``(B) Grant.--The Secretary may award a grant of up
to $5,000,000 to the sponsor or sponsors of the grant
project selected under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the
purpose of the final preparation of the national plan
for the control, management, and possible eradication
of imported fire ants that is based on the project. If
the Secretary awards a grant under this subparagraph,
the national plan shall be completed, and submitted to
the Board, not later than 1 year after the grant is
made.
``(C) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days
after the plan is submitted to the Board under
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall submit to
Congress the national plan for the control, management,
and possible eradication of imported fire ants.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 1998 through
2002.''.
SEC. 214. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as
paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(1) A*DEC.--The term `A*DEC' means the distance education
consortium known as A*DEC.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through A*DEC.'';
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``The Secretary shall
establish a program, to be administered by the Assistant
Secretary for Science and Education,'' and inserting ``The
Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program, to be
administered through a grant provided to A*DEC under terms and
conditions established by the Secretary of Agriculture,''; and
(3) in the first sentence of subsection (f)(2), by striking
``the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education'' and
inserting ``A*DEC''.
SEC. 215. 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), by striking paragraph (6);
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in striking ``Dissemination.--'' and all that
follows through ``general.--The'' and inserting
``Dissemination.--The''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
``(2) National grant.--Not more than 15 percent of the
amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year
shall be used to carry out subsection (b).''.
Subtitle C--Amendments to Other Laws
SEC. 221. 1994 INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Definition.--Section 532 of 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:
``(30) Little Priest Tribal College.''.
(b) Accreditation.--Section 533(a) of 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:
``(3) Accreditation.--To receive funding under sections 534
and 535, a 1994 Institution shall certify to the Secretary that
the Institution is--
``(A) accredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency or association determined by the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
Education, to be a reliable authority as to the quality
of training offered; or
``(B) as determined by the agency or association,
making progress toward the accreditation.''.
SEC. 222. COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORK BY 1862, 1890, AND
1994 INSTITUTIONS.
Section 3(b)(3) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)) is
amended in the last sentence by striking ``State institutions'' and all
that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``1994
Institutions (in accordance with regulations that the Secretary may
promulgate) and may be administered by the Institutions through
cooperative agreements with colleges and universities eligible to
receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130;
7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), or the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 419,
chapter 841; 7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University,
located in any State.''.
SEC. 223. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR
EXTENSION FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is
amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Funding of Extension Activities.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall receive such amounts
as Congress shall determine for administrative, technical, and
other services and for coordinating the extension work of the
Department and the several States, territories, and possessions
of the United States.
``(2) Eligibility of certain colleges and universities for
extension funding.--
``(A) Competitive awards.--Colleges and
universities (as defined in section 1404 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), including a
foundation established by the colleges or universities,
shall be eligible for extension funding awarded under
paragraph (1) on a competitive basis.
``(B) Noncompetitive awards.--
``(i) In general.--An entity described in
clause (ii) shall be eligible for extension
funding awarded under paragraph (1) on a
noncompetitive basis.
``(ii) Applicability.--Clause (i) shall
apply to--
``(I) a college or university
eligible to receive funds under the Act
of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter
130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
``(II) a college or university
eligible to receive funds under the Act
of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 419,
chapter 841; 7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.),
including Tuskegee University;
``(III) a 1994 Institution (as
defined in section 532 of the Equity in
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301
note)); and
``(IV) a foundation established by
a college, university, or Institution
described in this clause.
``(3) Memoranda of understanding, cooperative agreements,
and reimbursable agreements.--To maximize the use of Federal
resources, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, enter into memoranda of understanding,
cooperative agreements, or reimbursable agreements with other
Federal agencies under which the agencies provide funds,
facilities, and other resources of the agencies to the
Department of Agriculture to assist the Department in carrying
out extension work.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7
U.S.C. 343) is amended--
(1) in subsections (b)(1) and (c), by striking ``Federal
Extension Service'' each place it appears and inserting
``Secretary of Agriculture''; and
(2) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``through the Federal
Extension Service''.
SEC. 224. INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Integration of Research and Extension.--
``(1) In general.--Not less than the applicable percentage
specified under paragraph (2) of the Federal formula funds that
are made available to carry out this Act and subsections (b)
and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343), to colleges
and universities eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2,
1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), during a fiscal
year shall be allotted to activities that integrate cooperative
research and extension (referred to in this subsection as `integrated
activities').
``(2) Applicable percentages.--
``(A) Current expenditures on integrated
activities.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
determine the percentage of the Federal formula funds
described in paragraph (1) that each State expended for
fiscal year 1997 for integrated activities.
``(B) Planned expenditures on integrated
activities.--For fiscal year 2000 and each subsequent
fiscal year, a State shall expend for integrated
activities a percentage of the Federal formula funds
described in paragraph (1) for a fiscal year that is at
least equal to the lesser of--
``(i) 25 percent; or
``(ii) twice the percentage for the State
determined under subparagraph (A).
``(C) Reduction by secretary.--The Secretary may
reduce the minimum percentage required to be allotted
for integrated activities under subparagraph (B) in a
case of hardship, infeasibility, or other similar
circumstance beyond the control of the State, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(D) Compliance.--The State shall provide to the
Secretary a description of the manner in which the
State will meet the requirements of this paragraph.
``(3) Applicability.--This subsection does not apply to
funds provided--
``(A) by a State or local government pursuant to a
matching requirement;
``(B) to a 1994 Institution (as defined in section
532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act
of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); or
``(C) to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, or Guam.
``(4) Other requirements.--Funds that are used in
accordance with paragraph (2)(B) may also be used to satisfy
the requirements of subsection (c)(3) and the requirements of
section 3(h) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(h)).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7
U.S.C. 343) (as amended by section 105(2)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(j) Reference to Other Law.--Section 3(h) of the Hatch Act of
1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(h)) shall apply to amounts made available to carry
out this Act.''.
SEC. 225. COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Competitive Grants.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended in subsection (b)--
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by inserting
``national laboratories,'' after ``Federal agencies,''; and
(2) in the second sentence of paragraph (3)(E), by striking
``an individual shall have less than'' and all that follows
through ``research experience'' and inserting ``an individual
shall be within 5 years of the individual's initial career
track position''.
(b) Special Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended by striking
subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Special Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make
grants, for periods not to exceed 3 years, to colleges,
universities, other research institutions and organizations,
Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and
individuals for the purpose of conducting research to address--
``(A) agricultural research needs of immediate
importance, by themselves or in conjunction with
extension or education; or
``(B) new or emerging areas of agricultural
research, by themselves or in conjunction with
extension or education.
``(2) Limitations.--The Secretary may not make a grant
under this subsection--
``(A) for any purpose for which a grant may be made
under subsection (d); or
``(B) for the planning, repair, rehabilitation,
acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
``(3) Review requirements.--
``(A) Research activities.--The Secretary shall
make a grant under this subsection for a research
activity only if--
``(i) the activity has undergone scientific
peer review arranged by the grantee in
accordance with regulations promulgated by the
Secretary; and
``(ii) except in the case of a grant
awarded competitively under this subsection,
the grantee provides to the Secretary a
proposed plan for graduation from
noncompetitive Federal funding for grants under
this subsection.
``(B) Extension and education activities.--The
Secretary shall make a grant under this subsection for
an extension or education activity only if--
``(i) the activity has undergone merit
review arranged by the grantee in accordance
with regulations promulgated by the Secretary;
and
``(ii) except in the case of a grant
awarded competitively under this subsection,
the grantee provides to the Secretary a
proposed plan for graduation from
noncompetitive Federal funding for grants under
this subsection.
``(4) Partnerships.--
``(A) Immediate needs.--Except in the case of a
grant awarded competitively under this subsection, to
receive a grant under paragraph (1)(A), a recipient of
a grant shall enter into a partnership to carry out the
grant with another entity referred to in paragraph (1).
``(B) New and emerging areas.--Except in the case
of a grant awarded competitively under this subsection,
after a recipient has received a grant under paragraph
(1)(B) for 3 consecutive years, to receive such a grant
for an additional year, the recipient shall enter into
a partnership to carry out the grant with 2 or more
entities referred to in paragraph (1).
``(5) Reports.--
``(A) In general.--A recipient of a grant under
this subsection shall--
``(i) prepare on an annual basis a report
describing the results of the research,
extension, or education activity and the merit
of the results; and
``(ii) submit the report to the Secretary.
``(B) Public availability.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), on request, the Secretary shall
make the report available to the public.
``(ii) Exceptions.--Clause (i) shall not
apply to the extent that making the report, or
a part of the report, available to the public
is not authorized or permitted by section 552
of title 5, United States Code, or section 1905
of title 18, United States Code.
``(6) Set aside for administrative costs.--Of the amounts
made available for a fiscal year to carry out this subsection,
not more than 4 percent of the amounts may be retained by the
Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred by the Secretary
to carry out this subsection.''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
takes effect on October 1, 1998.
SEC. 226. FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA.
Section 793(b) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``January 1, 1997,
October 1, 1998, and October 1, 1999'' and inserting ``October
1, 1997, and each October 1 thereafter through October 1,
2001''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Purposes.--Subject to subsection (d), of the amounts
transferred to the Account for a fiscal year, the Secretary
shall make available--
``(A) for activities described in subsection
(c)(1), not less than 50 percent, and not more than 67
percent, of the funds in the Account; and
``(B) for activities described in subsection
(c)(2), all funds in the Account not made available
under subparagraph (A).''.
SEC. 227. HONEY RESEARCH, PROMOTION, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION.
(a) Findings and Purposes.--Section 2 of the Honey Research,
Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 4601) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 2. The
Congress'' and inserting the following:
``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Findings.--Congress''; and
(2) in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1)), by
adding at the end the following:
``(8) Research directed at improving the cost-effectiveness
and efficiency of beekeeping and developing better means of
dealing with pest and disease problems is essential to keeping
honey and honey product prices competitive, facilitating market
growth, and maintaining the financial well-being of the honey
industry.
``(9) Research involving the quality, safety, and image of
honey and honey products, and how that quality, safety, and
image may be affected during the extraction, processing,
packaging, marketing, and other stages of the honey and honey
product production and distribution process, is highly
important to building and maintaining markets for honey and
honey products.''.
(b) Research Projects.--Section 7(f) of the Honey Research,
Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 4606(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(f) Funds'' and inserting the following:
``(f) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Funds'';
(2) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as designated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(2) Research projects.--
``(A) In general.--The Honey Board shall reserve at
least 8 percent of all assessments collected during a
year for expenditure on approved research projects
designed to advance the cost-effectiveness,
competitiveness, efficiency, pest and disease control,
and other management aspects of beekeeping and honey
production.
``(B) Subsequent availability.--If all funds
reserved under subparagraph (A) are not allocated to
approved research projects in a year, any unallocated
reserved funds shall be carried forward for allocation
and expenditure under subparagraph (A) in subsequent
years.''.
SEC. 228. OFFICE OF ENERGY POLICY AND NEW USES.
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 220. OFFICE OF ENERGY POLICY AND NEW USES.
``An Office of Energy Policy and New Uses of the Department shall
be established in the Office of the Secretary.''.
Subtitle D--New Programs
SEC. 231. BIOBASED PRODUCTS.
(a) Definition of Biobased Product.--In this section, the term
``biobased product'' means a product that is produced from a renewable
agricultural or forestry product.
(b) Coordination of Biobased Product Activities.--The Secretary
shall--
(1) coordinate the research, technical expertise, economic
information, and market information resources and activities of
the Department to develop, commercialize, and promote the use
of biobased products;
(2) solicit input from private sector persons who produce,
or are interested in producing, biobased products;
(3) provide a centralized contact point for advice and
technical assistance for promising and innovative biobased
products; and
(4) submit an annual report to Congress describing the
coordinated research, marketing, and commercialization
activities of the Department relating to biobased products.
(c) Research and Cooperative Agreements for Biobased Products.--
(1) Definition of eligible contractor.--In this subsection,
the term ``eligible contractor'' means--
(A) a party that has entered into a cooperative
research and development agreement with the Department
under section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a);
(B) 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);
(C) a recipient of funding from the Biotechnology
Research and Development Center; or
(D) a recipient of funding from the Department
under a Small Business Innovation Research Program
established under section 9 of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 638).
(2) Research.--The Secretary may use the funds, facilities,
and technical expertise of the Agricultural Research Service,
cooperative research and development agreement funds, or other
funds--
(A) to enter into cooperative agreements with
eligible contractors to operate pilot plants and other
large-scale preparation facilities to promote the
practical application of biobased technologies; and
(B) to conduct--
(i) research on environmental impacts of
the technologies;
(ii) research on lowering the cost of
manufacturing biobased products; or
(iii) other appropriate research.
(3) Sale of biobased products.--For the purpose of
determining the market potential for biobased products, an
eligible contractor who enters into a cooperative agreement may
sell biobased products produced at a pilot plant or other
large-scale preparation facility under paragraph (2).
(d) Pilot Project.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Agricultural Research Service, shall establish and carry out a
pilot project under which grants are provided, on a competitive
basis, to scientists of the Agricultural Research Service to--
(A) encourage innovative and collaborative science;
and
(B) during each of fiscal years 1999 through 2001,
develop biobased products with promising commercial
potential.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002.
SEC. 232. PRECISION AGRICULTURE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) 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, livestock waste,
crop protection chemicals, agronomic data and information,
application and management services, seed, and other inputs
used in agricultural production.
(2) 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 agency;
(E) a national laboratory;
(F) a private organization or corporation; or
(G) an individual.
(3) 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 systems;
(B) gathering on-farm information pertaining to the
variation and interaction of site-specific spatial and
temporal factors affecting crop production;
(C) integrating the information with appropriate
data derived from remote sensing and other precision
agriculture technologies in a timely manner in order to
facilitate on-farm decisionmaking; or
(D) using the information to prescribe and deliver
site-specific application of agricultural inputs and
management practices in agricultural production
systems.
(4) 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
decisionmaking;
(C) open systems technologies for data networking
and processing that produce valued systems for farm
management decisionmaking, including high bandwidth
networks, distributed processing, spatial databasing, object
technology, global positioning systems, data modeling, high performance
image processing, high resolution satellite imagery, digital
orthophotogrammetry simulation, geographic information systems,
computer aided design, and digital cartography; or
(D) machines that deliver information based
management practices, including global positioning
satellites, digital field mapping, on-the-go yield
monitoring, automated pest scouting, and site-specific
agricultural input application to accomplish the
objectives of precision agriculture.
(5) Systems research.--The term ``systems research'' means
an integrated, coordinated, and iterative investigative process
that 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 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.
(b) Grants.--After consultation with the Advisory Board, the
Secretary may make competitive grants, for periods not to exceed 5
years, to eligible entities to carry out research, education, and
information dissemination projects for the development and promotion of
precision agriculture. The projects shall address 1 or more of the
following:
(1) The study and promotion of components of precision
agriculture technologies using a systems research approach
designed to increase long-term site-specific and whole-farm
production efficiencies, productivity, and profitability.
(2) The improvement in the understanding of agronomic
systems, including soil, water, land cover, and meteorological
variability.
(3) The development, demonstration, and dissemination of
information regarding precision agriculture technologies and
systems into an integrated program.
(4) The promotion of systems research and education
projects focusing on the integration of the multiple aspects of
precision agriculture, including development, production-scale
implementation, and farm production efficiencies, productivity,
and profitability.
(5) The education of agricultural producers and consumers
regarding the benefits of precision agriculture as it relates
to increased long-term farm production efficiencies,
productivity, and profitability, as well as the maintenance of
the environment and improvements in international trade.
(6) The provision of training and educational programs for
State cooperative extension services agents, agricultural
producers, agricultural input machinery, product, and service
providers, and certified crop advisers and other professionals
involved in agricultural production and the transfer of
integrated precision agriculture technology.
(c) Education and Information Dissemination.--Of the funds
allocated for grants under this section, the Secretary shall reserve a
portion of the funds for education and information dissemination grants
regarding precision agriculture.
(d) Precision Agriculture Partnerships.--
(1) Establishment.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, shall
encourage the establishment of appropriate multistate and
national partnerships or consortia among--
(A) land-grant colleges and universities;
(B) State agricultural experiment stations;
(C) State cooperative extension services;
(D) other colleges and universities with
demonstrable expertise regarding precision agriculture;
(E) agencies of the Department;
(F) national laboratories;
(G) agribusinesses;
(H) agricultural equipment and input manufacturers
and retailers;
(I) certified crop advisers;
(J) commodity organizations;
(K) other Federal or State government entities and
agencies;
(L) nonagricultural industries and nonprofit
organizations with demonstrable expertise regarding
precision agriculture; and
(M) agricultural producers and other land managers.
(2) Agreement between secretary of energy and secretary of
agriculture.--The partnerships established pursuant to this
subsection may include the agreement entered into (before the
date of enactment of this Act) by the Secretary of Energy (on behalf of
the national laboratories of the Department of Energy) and the
Secretary of Agriculture (on behalf of agencies of the Department) to
promote cooperation and coordination between the national laboratories
of the Department of Energy and agencies of the Department of
Agriculture in the areas of systems research, technology research and
development, and the transfer, utilization, and private-sector
commercialization of technology.
(3) Role of partnerships.--Partnerships described in
paragraph (1) shall be eligible grantees for conducting systems
research (including on-farm research) regarding precision
agriculture and precision agriculture technologies.
(e) Limitation.--A grant made under this section may not be used
for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction
of a building or facility.
(f) Matching Funds.--The Secretary may not take the offer or
availability of matching funds into consideration in making a grant
under this section.
(g) Annual Report.--Not later than January 1 of each year, the
Secretary shall transmit to Congress an annual report describing the
policies, priorities, and operations of the grant program authorized by
this section during the preceding fiscal year.
(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such regulations
as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section.
(i) 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 under this section.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each
of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, of which, for each fiscal
year--
(A) not less than 30 percent shall be available to
make grants for research to be conducted by
multidisciplinary teams;
(B) not less than 40 percent shall be available to
make grants for research to be conducted by eligible
entities conducting mission-linked systems research;
and
(C) not more than 4 percent may be retained by the
Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred by the
Secretary in carrying out this section.
(2) Availability of funds.--Funds made available under
paragraph (1) shall be available for obligation for a 2-year
period beginning on October 1 of the fiscal year for which the
funds are made available.
SEC. 233. FORMOSAN TERMITE ERADICATION PROGRAM.
(a) Research Program.--The Secretary may make competitive research
grants for terms of not to exceed 5 years to regional and
multijurisdictional entities, local government planning organizations,
and local governments for the purpose of conducting research for the
control, management, and possible eradication of Formosan termites in
the United States.
(b) Eradication Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements with regional and multijurisdictional entities,
local government planning organizations, and local governments
for the purposes of--
(A) conducting projects for the control,
management, and possible eradication of Formosan
termites in the United States; and
(B) collecting data on the effectiveness of the
projects.
(2) Funding priority.--In allocating funds made available
to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall provide a
higher priority for regions or locations with the highest
historical rates of infestation of Formosan termites.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 1998 through 2002.
SEC. 234. NUTRIENT COMPOSITION DATA.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall update, on a periodic basis,
nutrient composition data.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 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. 235. CONSOLIDATED ADMINISTRATIVE AND LABORATORY FACILITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.), the Public
Buildings Act of 1959 (40 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), or section 5 of the
Public Buildings Amendments of 1972 (40 U.S.C. 602a), the Secretary, in
consultation with the Administrator of General Services, may enter into
contracts for the design, construction, and operation of a consolidated
administrative and laboratory facility of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service to be located in or near Ames, Iowa.
(b) Awarding of Contract.--
(1) Solicitation.--The Secretary may solicit contract
proposals from interested parties to carry out subsection (a).
(2) Priority.--In awarding contracts under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall--
(A) review the proposals; and
(B) provide a higher priority to proposals that--
(i) are--
(I) the most cost effective for the
Federal Government; or
(II) safer, based on the relative
safety of the proposed facility in
comparison to facilities of the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service
located in Ames, Iowa, in existence on
the date of enactment of this Act; and
(ii) allow for the use of donated land,
federally owned property, or lease-purchase
arrangements.
(c) Donations.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary may, in
connection with real property, buildings, and facilities, accept on
behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service such gifts or
donations of services or property, real or personal, as the Secretary
determines necessary.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for
each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, to remain available until
expended.
SEC. 236. NATIONAL SWINE RESEARCH CENTER.
Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out this
section, or through a reprogramming of funds provided for swine
research to carry out this section pursuant to established procedures,
during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and
ending December 31, 1998, the Secretary, acting through the
Agricultural Research Service, may accept as a gift, and administer,
the National Swine Research Center located in Ames, Iowa.
Subtitle E--Studies and Miscellaneous
SEC. 241. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a performance
evaluation to determine whether federally funded agricultural research,
extension, and education programs result in public goods that have
national or multistate significance.
(b) Contract.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract
with an expert in research assessment and performance
evaluation to provide input and recommendations to the
Secretary with respect to federally funded agricultural
research, extension, and education programs.
(2) Guidelines for performance measurement.--
(A) In general.--The contractor under paragraph (1)
shall develop and propose to the Secretary practical
guidelines for measuring performance of federally
funded agricultural research, extension, and education
programs.
(B) Consistency with gpra.--The guidelines shall be
consistent with the Government Performance and Results
Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62) and amendments made by
that Act.
SEC. 242. STUDY OF FEDERALLY FUNDED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION,
AND EDUCATION.
(a) Study.--Not later than January 1, 1999, the Secretary shall
request the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the role
and mission of federally funded agricultural research, extension, and
education.
(b) Requirements.--The study shall--
(1) evaluate the strength of science conducted by the
Agricultural Research Service and the relevance of the science
to national priorities;
(2) examine how the work of the Agricultural Research
Service relates to the capacity of the agricultural research,
extension, and education system of the United States;
(3) examine the formulas for funding agricultural research
and extension; and
(4) examine the system of competitive grants for
agricultural research, extension, and education.
(c) Reports.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry of the Senate--
(1) not later than 18 months after the commencement of the
study, a report that describes the results of the study as it
relates to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), including
any appropriate recommendations; and
(2) not later than 3 years after the commencement of the
study, a report that describes the results of the study as it
relates to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (b), including
any appropriate recommendations.
SEC. 243. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON STATE MATCH FOR 1890 INSTITUTIONS.
It is the sense of Congress that States should provide matching
funds for agricultural research and extension formula funds provided by
the Federal Government to 1890 Institutions.
TITLE III--INITIATIVE FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
SEC. 301. INITIATIVE FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--There is established in the Treasury of the United
States an account to be known as the Initiative for Future Agriculture
and Food Systems (referred to in this section as the ``Account'') to
provide funds for activities authorized under this section.
(b) Funding.--
(1) In general.--Out of any funds in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
transfer to the Account--
(A) on October 1, 1997, $100,000,000; and
(B) on October 1, 1998, and each October 1
thereafter through October 1, 2001, $170,000,000.
(2) Entitlement.--The Secretary--
(A) shall be entitled to receive the funds
transferred to the Account under paragraph (1);
(B) shall accept the funds; and
(C) shall use the funds to carry out this section.
(c) Purposes.--
(1) Critical emerging issues.--The Secretary shall use the
funds in the Account--
(A) subject to paragraph (2), for research,
extension, and education grants (referred to in this
section as ``grants'') to address critical emerging
agricultural issues related to--
(i) future food production;
(ii) environmental protection; or
(iii) farm income; and
(B) for activities carried out under the
Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5901 et seq.).
(2) Priority mission areas.--
(A) Fiscal year 1998.--In making grants under this
section for fiscal year 1998, the Secretary shall
address priority mission areas related to--
(i) food genome;
(ii) food safety, food technology, and
human nutrition;
(iii) new and alternative uses and
production of agricultural commodities and
products;
(iv) agricultural biotechnology; and
(v) natural resource management, including
precision agriculture.
(B) Fiscal years 1999 through 2002.--In making
grants under this section for each of fiscal years 1999
through 2002, the Secretary shall address--
(i) priority mission areas described in
subparagraph (A); or
(ii) after consultation with the Advisory
Board, new or different priority mission areas.
(d) Eligible Grantees.--The Secretary may make a grant under this
section to--
(1) a Federal research agency;
(2) a national laboratory;
(3) a college or university or a research foundation
maintained by a college or university; or
(4) a private research organization with an established and
demonstrated capacity to perform research or technology
transfer.
(e) Use of Grants.--
(1) Smaller institutions.--The Secretary may award grants
under this section to ensure that the faculty of small and mid-
sized institutions who have not previously been successful in
obtaining competitive grants awarded by the Secretary under
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) receive a portion of the
grants.
(2) Priorities.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall provide a higher priority to--
(A) a project that is multistate, multi-
institutional, or multidisciplinary; or
(B) a project that integrates agricultural
research, extension, and education.
(f) Administration.--
(1) In general.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall--
(A) seek and accept proposals for grants;
(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals
through a system of peer review in accordance with
section 103;
(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality,
and relevance to advancing the purposes and priority
mission areas established under subsection (c); and
(D) solicit and consider input from stakeholders in
accordance with section 102(b)(1).
(2) Competitive basis.--A grant under this section shall be
awarded on a competitive basis.
(3) Term.--A grant under this section shall have a term
that does not exceed 5 years.
(4) Matching funds.--As a condition of making a grant under
this section, the Secretary shall require the funding of the
grant be matched with equal matching funds from a non-Federal
source if the grant is--
(A) for applied research that is commodity-
specific; and
(B) not of national scope.
(5) Delegation.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall administer
this section through the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service of the Department.
(B) Institutes.--The Secretary may establish 1 or
more institutes to carry out all or part of the
activities authorized under this section.
(6) Availability of funds.--Funds for grants under this
section shall be available for obligation for a 2-year period.
(7) Administrative costs.--The Secretary may use not more
than 4 percent of the funds made available for grants under
this section for administrative costs incurred by the Secretary
in carrying out this section.
(8) Buildings and facilities.--Funds made available for
grants under this section shall not be used for the
construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition,
expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or
facility (including site grading and improvement and architect
fees).
TITLE IV--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES; TECHNICAL
AMENDMENTS
SEC. 401. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITIES.
(a) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977.--The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended--
(1) in subsection (l) of section 1417 (7 U.S.C. 3152) (as
redesignated by section 202(1)), by striking ``1997'' and
inserting ``2002'';
(2) in section 1419(d) (7 U.S.C. 3154(d)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(3) in section 1419A(d) (7 U.S.C. 3155(d)), by striking
``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 1996 through 2002'';
(4) in section 1424(d) (7 U.S.C. 3174(d)), by striking
``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 1996 through 2002'';
(5) in section 1425(c)(3) (7 U.S.C. 3175(c)(3)), by
striking ``and 1997'' and inserting ``through 2002'';
(6) in the first sentence of section 1433(a) (7 U.S.C.
3195(a)), by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(7) in section 1434(a) (7 U.S.C. 3196(a)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(8) in section 1447(b) (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)), by striking
``and 1997'' and inserting ``through 2002'';
(9) in section 1448 (7 U.S.C. 3222c)--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and 1997''
and inserting ``through 2002''; and
(B) in subsection (f), by striking ``1997'' and
inserting ``2002'';
(10) in section 1455(c) (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)), by striking
``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 1997
through 2002'';
(11) in section 1463 (7 U.S.C. 3311), by striking ``1997''
each place it appears in subsections (a) and (b) and inserting
``2002'';
(12) in section 1464 (7 U.S.C. 3312), by striking ``1997''
and inserting ``2002'';
(13) in section 1473D(a) (7 U.S.C. 3319d(a)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(14) in the first sentence of section 1477 (7 U.S.C. 3324),
by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''; and
(15) in section 1483(a) (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(b) Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.--The
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 is amended--
(1) in section 1635(b) (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(2) in section 1673(h) (7 U.S.C. 5926(h)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(3) in section 2381(e) (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''; and
(4) in section 2412 (7 U.S.C. 6710), by striking ``1997''
and inserting ``2002''.
(c) 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''.
(d) Research Facilities Act.--Section 6(a) of the Research
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d(a)) is amended by striking ``fiscal years
1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 1996 through
2002''.
(e) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act Amendments of 1985.--Section 1431 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (99
Stat. 1566) is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(f) 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''.
(g) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act Amendments of 1981.--Section 1432(b)(5) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of
1981 (Public Law 97-98; 7 U.S.C. 3222 note) is amended by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(h) 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''.
(i) Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978.--Section 6 of the
Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1675) is amended
in the first sentence by striking ``the fiscal year ending September
30, 1988,'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``each of fiscal years 1987 through 2002.''.
(j) National Aquaculture Act of 1980.--Section 10 of the National
Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2809) is amended in the first
sentence by striking ``the fiscal years 1991, 1992, and 1993'' each
place it appears and inserting ``fiscal years 1991 through 2002''.
SEC. 402. REPEAL OF AUTHORITIES.
(a) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977.--Sections 1424A and 1476 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174a,
3323) are repealed.
(b) Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.--
Subtitle G of title XIV and sections 1670, 1675, and 1676 of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5501 et
seq., 5923, 5928, 5929) are repealed.
(c) Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.--
Subtitle E of title VIII of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 1184) is repealed.
SEC. 403. 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'') (38 Stat. 372, chapter 79; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.),
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``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'') (24 Stat. 440, chapter 314; 7 U.S.C. 361a et
seq.), is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 10. SHORT TITLE.
``This Act may be cited as the `Hatch Act of 1887'.''.
SEC. 404. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO RESEARCH PROVISIONS OF FEDERAL
AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT OF 1996.
(a) Supplemental and Alternative Crops Research.--Section 819(b)(5)
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 1167) is amended by striking ``paragraph (3)''
and inserting ``subsection (c)(3)''.
(b) Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences.--Section
1413(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3128(b)) is amended by striking ``Joint
Council, the Advisory Board,'' and inserting ``Advisory Board''.
(c) Advisory Board.--
(1) Support for advisory board.--Section 1412 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3127) is amended--
(A) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``their
duties'' each place it appears and inserting ``its
duties''; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``their
recommendations'' and inserting ``its
recommendations''.
(2) General provisions.--Section 1413(a) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3128(a)) is amended by striking ``their powers''
and inserting ``its duties''.
(d) Plant and Animal Pest and Disease Control Program.--Section
1629(g) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
(7 U.S.C. 5832(g)) is amended by striking ``section 1650,''.
(e) Grants To Upgrade 1890 Land-Grant College Extension
Facilities.--Section 873 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 1175) is amended by
striking ``1981'' and inserting ``1985''.
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take
effect on April 4, 1996.
TITLE V--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SAVINGS
SEC. 501. NUTRITION PROGRAMS.
(a) Food Stamps.--
(1) In general.--Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977
(7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended--
(A) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by
striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``Subject to
subsection (k), the Secretary'';
(B) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by inserting
``notwithstanding subsection (k),'' after ``(A)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Administrative Cost Containment.--
``(1) Fiscal year 1998.--For fiscal year 1998, the amount
paid by the Secretary to a State under subsection (a) (except
for subsections (a)(6) and (c)(1)(A)) shall not exceed 110
percent of the amount the Secretary paid to the State under
subsection (a) (minus any amount paid under subsections (a)(6)
and (c)(1)(A)) for fiscal year 1996.
``(2) After fiscal year 1998.--For fiscal year 1999 and
each fiscal year thereafter, the amount paid by the Secretary
to a State under subsection (a) (except subsections (a)(6) and
(c)(1)(A)) shall not exceed 115 percent of--
``(A)(i) the amount the Secretary paid to the State
under subsection (a) (minus any amount paid under
subsections (a)(6) and (c)(1)(A)) for fiscal year 1996,
adjusted to reflect any change in the Consumer Price
Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for
all urban consumers for the period beginning July 1,
1997, and ending the June 30 preceding the fiscal year
for which the amount is being determined; divided by
``(ii) the average monthly number of food stamp
households in the State during fiscal year 1996;
multiplied by
``(B) the average monthly number of food stamp
households in the State during the applicable fiscal
year.''.
(2) GAO report.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit a study to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate on the effect of section
16(k) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (as amended by paragraph
(1)) on the ability of State agencies to administer the food
stamp program.
(b) Meals for Children of Working Families.--
(1) Grants for low-income areas.--Section 4 of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(f) Low-Income Area Grant Program.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Eligible school.--The term `eligible school'
means a school--
``(i) attended by children, a significant
percentage of whom are members of low-income
families, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(ii)(I) as used with respect to a school
breakfast program, that agrees to operate the
school breakfast program established or
expanded with the assistance provided under
this subsection for a period of not less than 3
years; and
``(II) as used with respect to a summer
food service program for children, that agrees
to operate the summer food service program for
children established or expanded with the
assistance provided under this subsection for a
period of not less than 3 years.
``(B) Service institution.--The term `service
institution' means an institution or organization
described in paragraph (1)(B) or (7) of section 13(a)
of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(a)).
``(C) Summer food service program for children.--
The term `summer food service program for children'
means a program authorized by section 13 of the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761).
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
program under this subsection to be known as the `Low-Income
Area Grant Program' (referred to in this subsection as the
`Program') to assist eligible schools and service institutions
through grants to initiate or expand programs under the school
breakfast program and the summer food service program for
children.
``(3) Payments.--
``(A) Appropriation.--Out of any moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of
the Treasury shall provide to the Secretary $5,000,000
for fiscal year 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter.
``(B) Entitlement to funds.--The Secretary shall be
entitled to receive the funds made available under
subparagraph (A) and shall accept the funds.
``(C) Use of funds.--The Secretary shall use the
funds made available under subparagraph (A) to make
payments under the Program--
``(i) in the case of the school breakfast
program, to school food authorities for
eligible schools; and
``(ii) in the case of the summer food
service program for children, to service
institutions.
``(D) Insufficient number of applicants.--The
Secretary may expend less than the amount described in
subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year to the extent that
there is an insufficient number of suitable applicants
to initiate or expand programs under this subsection
for the fiscal year.
``(4) Priority.--The Secretary shall make payments under
the Program on a competitive basis and in the following order
of priority (subject to the other provisions of this
subsection) to:
``(A) School food authorities for eligible schools
to assist the schools with nonrecurring expenses
incurred in--
``(i) initiating a school breakfast program
under this section; or
``(ii) expanding a school breakfast
program.
``(B) Service institutions to assist the
institutions with nonrecurring expenses incurred in--
``(i) initiating a summer food service
program for children; or
``(ii) expanding a summer food service
program for children.
``(5) Payments additional.--Payments under the Program
shall be in addition to payments under subsection (b) of this
section and section 13 of the National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1761).
``(6) Preferences.--Consistent with paragraph (4), in
making payments under the Program for any fiscal year to
initiate or expand school breakfast programs or summer food
service programs for children, the Secretary shall provide a
preference to a school food authority for an eligible school or
service institution that--
``(A) in the case of a summer food service program
for children, is a public or private nonprofit school
food authority;
``(B) has significant public or private resources
that will be used to carry out the initiation or
expansion of the programs during the year;
``(C) serves an unmet need among low-income
children, as determined by the Secretary; or
``(D) is not operating a school breakfast program
or summer food service program for children, as
appropriate.
``(7) Recovery and reallocation.--The Secretary shall act
in a timely manner to recover and reallocate to other school
food authorities for eligible schools or service institutions
any amounts under the Program that are not expended within a
reasonable period (as determined by the Secretary).
``(8) Maintenance of effort.--Expenditures of funds from
State, local, and private sources for the maintenance of the
school breakfast program and the summer food service program
for children shall not be diminished as a result of payments
received under the Program.''.
(2) Meals and supplements.--Section 13(b)(2) of the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(b)(2)) is amended--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as
clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
(B) by striking ``(2) Any service'' and inserting
the following:
``(2) Meals and supplements.--
``(A) In general.--Any service'';
(C) by striking ``3 meals, or 2 meals and 1
supplement,'' and inserting ``4 meals''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Camps and migrant programs.--A camp or
migrant program may serve a breakfast, a lunch, a
supper, and meal supplements.''.
(3) Number of meals and supplements.--Section 17(f)(2) of
the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(f)(2)) is amended
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
``(B) Number of meals and supplements.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), no reimbursement may be made to
any institution under this paragraph, or to a
family or group day care home sponsoring
organization under paragraph (3), for more than
2 meals and 1 supplement per day per child.
``(ii) Child care.--A reimbursement may be
made to an institution under this paragraph
(but not a family or group day care home
sponsoring organization) for 2 meals and 2
supplements, or 3 meals and 1 supplement, per
day per child for children that are maintained
in a child care setting for 8 or more hours per
day.''.
(4) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraphs (2)
and (3) take effect on September 1, 1998.
(c) Information Clearinghouse.--Section 26(d) of the National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769g(d)) is amended in the first sentence
by striking ``$150,000'' and all that follows through ``1998'' and
inserting ``$150,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $185,000 for each of
fiscal years 1998 through 2002''.
SEC. 502. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 4(g) of the Commodity Credit Corporation
Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714b(g)) is amended in the first sentence by
striking ``$275,000,000'' and inserting ``$193,000,000''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) takes
effect on October 1, 1997.
SEC. 503. HAYING AND GRAZING ON CONSERVATION RESERVE LAND.
(a) In General.--Section 1232(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3832(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (7) and inserting
the following:
``(7) not to conduct any harvesting or grazing, nor
otherwise make commercial use of the forage, on land that is
subject to the contract, nor adopt any similar practice
specified in the contract by the Secretary as a practice that
would tend to defeat the purposes of the contract, except
that--
``(A) on application by an owner or operator who
has entered into the contract with the Secretary, the
Secretary shall permit harvesting and grazing on land
that the Secretary determines has a sufficiently
established cover to permit harvesting or grazing
without undue harm to the purposes of the contract if--
``(i) not more than \1/3\ of the land under
the contract is harvested or grazed in any
calendar year;
``(ii) no land under the contract will be
harvested or grazed more than once in a 3-year
period;
``(iii) the owner or operator agrees to a
payment reduction under this subchapter in an
amount that the Secretary determines is
commensurate with the value of the cover crop
that is harvested or grazed; and
``(iv) the owner or operator agrees to such
other terms and conditions as the Secretary may
establish to ensure that the harvesting or
grazing is consistent with the purposes of the
program established under this subchapter; and
``(B) the Secretary may permit grazing on land
under the contract if--
``(i) the grazing is incidental to the
gleaning of crop residues;
``(ii) the owner or operator agrees to a
payment reduction in annual rental payments
that would otherwise be payable under this
subchapter in an amount that the Secretary
determines is commensurate with the economic
value of the forage that is subject to the
incidental grazing; and
``(iii) the owner or operator agrees to
such other terms and conditions as the
Secretary may establish to ensure that the
grazing is consistent with the purposes of the
program established under this subchapter;''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) takes
effect on October 1, 1997.