110 HR 2144 IH: Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007 U.S. House of Representatives 2007-05-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2144 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 3, 2007 Ms. DeLauro (for herself, Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Rothman, Mr. Gerlach, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Shays, Mr. Allen, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Courtney, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Hodes, Mr. Castle, Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Farr, Mr. Welch of Vermont, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Shea-Porter, and Mr. Olver) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To extend and enhance farm, nutrition, and community development programs of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title and table of contents
(a)
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007. (b)
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents. Title I—Market and Economic Development Subtitle A—Farm and ranch profitability grant program Sec. 101. Availability and purpose of grants. Sec. 102. Allocations to States. Sec. 103. Grant expenditures and allowable uses. Sec. 104. State eligibility and accountability. Sec. 105. Funding. Sec. 106. Definitions. Subtitle B—Miscellaneous provisions Sec. 111. Eligibility of certain agricultural producers for certain rural development programs. Sec. 112. Technical assistance for specialty crops. Sec. 113. Market access program. Title II—Conservation Subtitle A—Changes to Existing Conservation Programs Sec. 201. Environmental quality incentives program. Sec. 202. Delivery of technical assistance. Sec. 203. Cooperative conservation partnership initiative. Sec. 204. Conservation loan guarantee program. Sec. 205. Pilot program for comprehensive conservation planning. Sec. 206. Conservation application process. Sec. 207. Minimum base allocation to States in funding of certain Department of Agriculture conservation programs. Sec. 208. Conservation security program. Sec. 209. Reauthorization of and increased funding for farmland protection program. Sec. 210. Farmland Protection Policy Act. Sec. 211. Debt for agricultural easements. Sec. 212. Planning for agriculture grants. Sec. 213. Exclusion of payments under Department of Agriculture conservation programs from adjusted gross income limitation. Sec. 214. Reauthorization of and increased funding for wildlife habitat incentive program. Sec. 215. Conservation reserve program. Sec. 216. Wetlands reserve program. Sec. 217. Pilot program for conservation risk management. Subtitle B—Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program Sec. 221. Conservation corridor demonstration program. Sec. 222. Implementation of conservation corridor plan. Sec. 223. Funding requirements. Sec. 224. Relation to existing program. Title III—Energy Sec. 301. Definition of biomass. Sec. 302. Research on biobased products. Sec. 303. Development of biorefineries. Sec. 304. Energy audit and renewable energy development program. Sec. 305. Renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program. Sec. 306. Biomass research and development. Sec. 307. Cooperative research and extension projects for carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States. Sec. 308. Industrial site redevelopment through cellulosic program. Sec. 309. Farm and ranch energy efficiency rebate program. Sec. 310. Alternative uses for biofuel byproducts. Sec. 311. National net metering for farm energy. Title IV—Healthy Diets Sec. 401. Expansion of fresh fruit and vegetable program. Sec. 402. Section 32 specialty crop purchases. Sec. 403. School preference study. Sec. 404. Independent evaluation of Department of Agriculture commodity purchase process. Sec. 405. Allow geographic preferences in food purchasing programs. Sec. 406. Authorization level for farm-to-cafeteria activities. Sec. 407. Extension of WIC farmer’s market nutrition program. Sec. 408. Senior farmers’ market nutrition program. Sec. 409. Disabled farmers market nutrition pilot program. Sec. 410. Farmers’ market promotion program. Sec. 411. Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture procurement of locally produced fruits and vegetables. Title V—Forestry Sec. 501. National and State forest prioritization and planning. Sec. 502. Healthy forests reserve program. Sec. 503. Community forest and open space conservation program. Title VI—Nutrition Subtitle A—Food stamp program Sec. 601. Preventing reductions in benefits. Sec. 602. Strengthening the food purchasing power of low-income americans. Sec. 603. Child care deduction. Sec. 604. Exclusion of combat-related military pay from countable income. Sec. 605. Exclusion of retirement accounts from countable financial resources. Sec. 606. Allowable countable resources. Sec. 607. Facilitating simplified reporting. Sec. 608. Simplifying work requirement. Sec. 609. Minimum benefit. Sec. 610. Reauthorization of food stamp program and food distribution program on Indian reservations. Sec. 611. Accountability for paperwork requirements. Sec. 612. Performance standards for biometric technology. Sec. 613. Preventing conflicts of interest. Sec. 614. Limitation on contracting. Sec. 615. Fairness for legal immigrants. Sec. 616. Clarifying eligibility. Sec. 617. Ensuring proper screening. Sec. 618. Clarification of simplified administrative reporting requirement. Subtitle B—Other nutrition programs Sec. 631. Commodities for the emergency food assistance program. Sec. 632. Reauthorize the commodity supplemental food program (CSFP). Sec. 633. Reauthorization of and increased funding for community food project competitive grants. Title VII—Crop Insurance Sec. 701. Reauthorization of and additional funding for agricultural management assistance program. Sec. 702. Reauthorization, expansion, and improvement of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) insurance pilot program. Sec. 703. Crop insurance incentives for beginning farmers. Sec. 704. Crop insurance appeals. Sec. 705. Expanded coverage based on historical data. Sec. 706. Coverage area flexibility. Sec. 707. Provision of organic insurance programs. Sec. 708. Education and risk management assistance. Title VIII—Dairy Sec. 801. Continuation of the milk income loss contract program. Sec. 802. Minimum price for Class I milk under Federal milk marketing orders. Sec. 803. Dairy export incentive and dairy indemnity programs. Sec. 804. Funding of dairy promotion and research program. Sec. 805. Federal milk marketing orders. Sec. 806. Dairy processing equipment loan guarantee fund. Sec. 807. Federal loan forgiveness program. Sec. 808. Mandatory reporting of dairy commodities. Title IX—Miscellaneous Provisions Sec. 901. National organic transition and stewardship incentive program. Sec. 902. National organic technical committee. Sec. 903. National organic certification cost share program. Sec. 904. Exclusion of 100 percent of gain on sales of development rights or conservation easments on agricultural land to eligible entities for conservation purposes. Sec. 905. Establishment of research grants program for producers to improve survivability of speciality crops and livestock. Sec. 906. National clean plant network. Sec. 907. Early pest detection and surveillance improvement program.
<enum>I</enum><header>Market and Economic Development</header> <subtitle id="HBC0FD953B282429A8D0011AC004DA684"><enum>A</enum><header>Farm and ranch profitability grant program</header> <section id="H8E5EA7ED4B2E47FCBE8DD921F64D804E"><enum>101.</enum><header>Availability and purpose of grants</header> <subsection id="H1DD6439BC2844802A33C90BAB72193EB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the Secretary shall make a grant under this section to each State, through its State Department of Agriculture, that has an approved 3-year strategic plan and has submitted an annual work plan and annual report in accordance with the terms and conditions established under section (4).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HD1EBF76733804BA19682EDC0E4AF9041"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose of grants</header><text>The objective of these grants is to improve the profitability of America’s farms and ranches, increase self-employment opportunities for farmers and ranchers, revitalize local and regional food systems, increase wealth and asset-building in rural communities; and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in farming and ranching by funding State, local and farm-level programs and projects that address—</text> <paragraph id="H702B6A1A46E846C4A000B2644BC8B01"><enum>(1)</enum><text>farm viability and diversification;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H19B3928F715044B2BEA9C460E29EF012"><enum>(2)</enum><text>market development and promotion;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H73E36D7E03E24551807990928835F300"><enum>(3)</enum><text>product development/differentiation and promotion;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBA700F7B35AD4E178EF467BE4074304C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>consumer education;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7937CA3BDDE5476DACE18B00C09236A7"><enum>(5)</enum><text>business planning;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBF481CC0E9094B6B8E1CAB44ECFE7EFE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>alternate ownership models and structures;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H57D63C503BDF4EC5A609AA1C86EAA5A4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>local and regional infrastructure needs; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H15908C82299B4EC2862DDDBBA3419CF8"><enum>(8)</enum><text>local and regional food security needs.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC6169E7AACE2469BA1085757ABFFB100"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Maintenance of effort</header><text>The State shall provide assurances to the Secretary, as part of its annual accounting required under section 104, that funds provided to the State under this section have been used only to supplement, not to supplant, the amount of State funds otherwise expended in support of the permitted grant uses.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H6FC924F0AB124453981FB700BFF8CBDA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Administrative and planning expenses</header><text>Not more than 5 percent of funds provided annually under this section may be used by the State for administrative and planning expenses.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H8134CEC7927A488B9585BA9E8E05003E"><enum>102.</enum><header>Allocations to States</header> <subsection id="HCEF0B04F32414547BC88E4254B8578A8"><enum>(a)</enum><text>Fifteen percent of any funding allocated annually under this subtitle shall be allocated equally among States as a minimum base grant amount. Subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds, each eligible State shall receive at least $3,000,000 each fiscal year as a minimum grant amount under this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H29005B2C84D248B5857F31E267004C45"><enum>(b)</enum><text>Beginning in fiscal year 2009, and for each fiscal year thereafter, 15 percent of the amount of the funds allocated under this subtitle shall be distributed to States as bonus payments. Bonus payments shall be awarded equally among those States that match at least 30 percent of the prior year’s Federal allocation under this subtitle with an equivalent amount of State, local or private funds, or combination thereof.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H548B5E5B5F134F15B994E291856CAB9D"><enum>(c)</enum><text>All remaining funds allocated to States under this subtitle shall bear the same ration to the total amount made available under this section for that fiscal year as a composite index, weighted equally, of the market value of agricultural sales and the number of farms in the State during the preceding calendar year bears to the composite, weighted equally, of the market value of agricultural sales and the number of farms in all States receiving grants under this section in the fiscal year.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H919C79237AFA4D1B859888EC75506EB"><enum>103.</enum><header>Grant expenditures and allowable uses</header> <subsection id="H4B99F326C1254C129FDD482E70ADE9D9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Eligible grant recipients</header><text>To achieve the objectives of these grants, a State department of agriculture may use grant funds provided under this title to supplement funding for State programs, projects and initiatives, and/or to provide grants to any of the following:</text> <paragraph id="H13C5838FCC0D4C9400E19D783E4CD711"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Producers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBE89791F758B4DA5B990D068D100CE04"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Local and regional government entities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H42AE0679FB0E42C2BD836642AE850019"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Agricultural cooperatives.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3FB567B5F6F3481B88997967EAD6D1CA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Agricultural processors.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAD496B2EDEDA49B3B2481BB19FA509E7"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Non-profit organizations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB306DDA2155E4842B566F6ED94D77089"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Research institutions.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H7F33814106C346E59C1DE412D29BC169"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Permitted use of grant funds</header><text>A State may use grant funds received under this section for any of the following purposes:</text> <paragraph id="H5375D84893CF40C3AA2EC63CE6594F25"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To provide marketing or business development assistance to producers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HCF27E5AE489B4E0E9DE5D7BF679D28D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To promote product development or differentiation.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAFACACF3C46C40B28839B5B1ED5493ED"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To encourage direct-to-consumer market opportunities such as—</text> <subparagraph id="HCF8DDAADDD6E45F19567A56D2EF5E160"><enum>(A)</enum><text>farmers markets;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H13F11DAC6EB64C998328AE1563827162"><enum>(B)</enum><text>buy-local campaigns;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA885DFEB93E14F3482CB52B8F7475607"><enum>(C)</enum><text>agri-tourism; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC6E1F7965AB34BAF9C8CF446902962C5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>on-farm retail market opportunities.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H306F321BB8594574896EC19E7CDE32EC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To rebuild local and regional food systems through planning or development of agricultural processing facilities or other infrastructure that enhances or adds value to agricultural products grown within the State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H6837B65999E44949AA2E24B055E8F624"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To match State funding for—</text> <subparagraph id="H340D750ACEC1449300ACEDAFDC3444E0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>farm viability programs;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H172ADB9625FC4E4B9E3F4FDD77F6D41F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>agriculture innovation centers; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE7B35D64AC6140AE824F01122F056F6C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>recreational walk-in or access programs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1A23E5881AD041ED9BEC973D76D8285E"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To encourage profitable business models and develop alternative ownership structures and new business succession models.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2EC130BBAA744810A4D2716424663176"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To increase consumer awareness of agricultural products and services grown and provided within the State, including advertising and promotional campaigns.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7D1BF2573D1B4BDFB8D63758C0996CE7"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To provide direct grants to producers for farm infrastructure or equipment needs that—</text> <subparagraph id="HEEB240EEF41D489498A99212E8BDAD2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>add value to a commodity produced; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC323958D733544B889B6B51FD0F5D6E7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>will allow for the transition to a new agricultural enterprise.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2111F092FED94A35BE5CF948C0D244A0"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To provide technical, legal and other support to beginning and/or socially disadvantaged farmers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8392C6B5F84B4F458E4DF6B9122B0418"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To assist county and local governments in planning for agriculture, including the land use and infrastructure needs of local producers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB332DF2AEC7B4CFDAE28976E81476FDB"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To address food safety issues, including training.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H9C62C73E391B4DF39800306F25E4C4F2"><enum>(12)</enum><text>To enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, including applied research.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE8AFA8D7FE004DE4909F111450C5B240"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibited use of grants funds</header><text>A State may not use grant funds received under this section to directly subsidize the price of an agricultural commodity in the market.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H117504C65B3448C0A3DD534FEADAC207"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Maximum grant amount</header><text>A State may not award more than 33 percent of the funds it receives under this section in any fiscal year to any single project, proposal or program.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H8407ABB33DAA4F838DEFA619455DCFF3"><enum>104.</enum><header>State eligibility and accountability</header> <subsection id="HEE366E8908F7439FAEF380D52E76E3D7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant a State must have a 3-year strategic plan reviewed by that State’s Federal Food and Agricultural Council and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. Strategic plans shall be prepared and submitted in the first and fourth fiscal years in which funds are available under this section. A strategic plan shall include the information required in subsection (b) as well as any other information the Secretary may require by regulation. Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year in which a State is allocated grant funds under this subtitle, a State shall submit a report of the previous fiscal year’s activities. The report shall include the information required in subsection (c) as well as any other information the Secretary may require by regulation.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H29F5999206C646458674910796B49649"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Strategic plan</header><text>A strategic plan shall reflect the diversity of the State’s agricultural sector, including the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of its food and agricultural products, and must include the following:</text> <paragraph id="H18D4F2D02DBA40C199335EF1DDEC3511"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The State’s vision for meeting the purposes of the title.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3566E444C50F44E282C0D0425570BF2F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The State’s 3-year plan for achieving that vision, including goals, objectives, measurable outcomes and yearly milestones toward completion.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4D41F22F5ACE40EB8D2BE17E733DD39F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An explanation of how the plan reflects the diversity of the State’s agricultural sector, and the method by which the State has and will continue to solicit the input of the agricultural sector in developing the plan, setting grant priorities and selecting projects.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA5B7F478575A4BAD88E133A527036B46"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A year-by-year work plan, including—</text> <subparagraph id="H5A0B9039E16549D1911E68F319DCA141"><enum>(A)</enum><text>general project areas that will be funded;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF9A4D69F690F4E8AA8891F23F5EE7E41"><enum>(B)</enum><text>percent of funding anticipated for each project area; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD71E7B95892941E8AC1EC2120099F42B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the expected project selection process for each fiscal year.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H68B45C9A2B4E444F8D69017822F74043"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>Within 90 days after the end of every fiscal year, a State shall submit a report of the previous fiscal year’s activities, including an accounting of projects funded, non-Federal funds leveraged, mileposts completed, outcomes achieved, and unobligated funds remaining. The annual report shall also include an updated work plan for the current fiscal year.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HECCCC4D8B75848ACB102CB7D02397504"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Review of strategic plans and annual reports</header><text>In reviewing the strategic plan submitted under subsection (b), the State’s Federal Food and Agricultural Council shall ensure that the plan reflects the diversity of the State’s agricultural sector and will carry out the purposes of the grant program. The Council shall submit the plan and its recommendation to the Secretary regarding the plan within 45 days of receipt of the plan. The Secretary may request that a State make changes to its strategic plan or may reject a State’s strategic plan, but must give a State an opportunity to resubmit a revised plan. The State’s Food and Agricultural Council shall also review the annual report required under subsection (c), and shall forward the report and the Council’s recommendations, if any, regarding the State’s annual work plan to the Secretary within 45 days of receipt of the report. The Secretary may request that a State make changes to its annual work plan in order to more fully reflect the priorities of the State’s strategic plan or the goals of the program.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF6E4800A001D4BFFB1BFCCC17046569B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Unobligated funds</header><text>Any funds not obligated by a State within 2 fiscal years shall be remitted back to the Secretary for redistribution in the next fiscal year.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H74DE946618E246C78EBDAAF97D47AF51"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Effect of noncompliance</header><text>If the Secretary, after reasonable notice to a State, finds that there has been a failure by the State to comply with the requirements under section 101(c) or section 104(b) or (c), is not substantially meeting the outcomes and milestones described in its strategic and yearly work plans, is not meeting the purposes of the grant program or is not funding projects reflective of the diversity of the State’s agricultural sector, the Secretary may disqualify, for 1 or more years, the State from receipt of future grants under this title.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HA5F3DCAFB8F84A4C85D99E9DAE3F3300"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Audit requirements</header><text>The State shall submit an annual audit to the Secretary, through the Agricultural Marketing Service. A State may use no more than 2 percent of the total funds awarded to it under this section to perform this audit.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HFD76391C2AE44ACC947274198D851D34"><enum>105.</enum><header>Funding</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall use $1,000,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation during each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section id="H2680ED500FE345EFB937FDA40053E014"><enum>106.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text> <paragraph id="HC1FDD8A38F6146C7BF7D1BC799AA1B42"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>State</term> means the 50 States.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF0BB12D016FC45E9AE5124C4219D6EE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>State department of agriculture</term> means the agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture within the State;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8FC1C65C03444144B70000781D002600"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>producer</term> has the meaning given such term by the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of the Census of Agriculture.</text> </paragraph></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="HD30EFADACCC94C3700E7C17142AD00"><enum>B</enum><header>Miscellaneous provisions</header> <section id="HEA1F21D86A5D4D408E8080D38F26F7FA"><enum>111.</enum><header>Eligibility of certain agricultural producers for certain rural development programs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">An agricultural producer or entity that is substantially owned and operated by agricultural producers shall not be required to be located in, or pursuing a project in a rural area for purposes of eligibility for programs administered under the following provisions of law:</text> <paragraph id="ID979DC3D0F6DF436D97D96F4888372CCE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Section 313 and title V of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c and 950aa et seq.).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="ID05B72243A15A4633B00095E77901EB57"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Subtitle G of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/5901">7 U.S.C. 5901 et seq.</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="IDC9FFCEB283314A6497F95C43626A5736"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Sections 306(a)(1) and 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1926">7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1)</external-xref> and 1932).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="ID47587996AF4446B4A005BB06E15E1C79"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/99/198">Public Law 99–198</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1932">7 U.S.C. 1932</external-xref> note).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="ID1453EDB20D194BA880E2FB55FB6BAFF5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Act of July 2, 1926 (44 Stat. 802, chapter 725; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/451">7 U.S.C. 451 et seq.</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H57E515090BE740D480955E84921054FD"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Any other provision of law under which a program is administered by the Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service.</text> </paragraph></section> <section id="HD799A1571412418E8E7F162F8EC4FEBE"><enum>112.</enum><header>Technical assistance for specialty crops</header> <subsection id="H41F838AB9E7F46EDBA316182151FCA3B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Funding and carryover of funding</header><text>Subsection (d) of section 3205 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/5680">7 U.S.C. 5680</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H5D9EBC2559734DAEB835854498F16923" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H386B9586BFCF41D6BFDA82608D52B783"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Funding and carryover of funding</header> <paragraph id="H33B2F0B528154073ABBC67F970006677"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>To carry out the program, the Secretary shall make available funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, or an equal value of commodities owned by the Commodity credit Corporation, in the amount of—</text> <subparagraph id="HC21E985DCD1D4AA1A1733E5C9F645873"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1E44142FEA374915A29800105248A469"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HBC12559DC430450F94F86850BA51D52"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB4BDC82D69DE4F379B6BFC88B3BB50DE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6379AEA145F2420CA295A9FD5E58034"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Carryover of funding</header><text>Funds made available for the program under paragraph (1) or under section 201 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/108/465">Public Law 108–465</external-xref>; 118 Stat. 3884) shall remain available until expended.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HFD77DC1731EF450FAD1171B83E42326B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Flexibility</header><text>Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block id="H6E1267062AA543F59639235FD326FACD" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H6FEE633A7C9448EF9D9D1960D683A666"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Flexibility</header><text>In providing technical assistance under the program, the Secretary shall provide for case-by-case extensions, upon the approval of the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, of time frames provided by regulations in connection with that assistance.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="H212074F1C32D4EE9879E5261FD9996E5"><enum>113.</enum><header>Market access program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 211(c)(1)(A) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/5641">7 U.S.C. 5641(c)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HD9F27A29FB784F1784576B90F98A701"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> before <quote>$200,000,000</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA65A758837234010008FF37B961CF700"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>and $350,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013,</quote> after <quote>2007,</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section></subtitle> <enum>II</enum><header>Conservation</header> <subtitle id="HEB852926D04A4A9781DC24ACEAB3B4D"><enum>A</enum><header>Changes to Existing Conservation Programs</header> <section id="H14BD48B02E574516A6D5561489718F78"><enum>201.</enum><header>Environmental quality incentives program</header> <subsection id="H028A3FF228A34365A15D3B4C60554F18"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension</header> <paragraph id="HF7D54744DA5B406C83A9E9172B10AC5D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Funding extension and increase</header><text>Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HCECB57F84DF1499A9529503456226EE9" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HFF6FAE4BA0104A9EADB800082E76A521"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The environmental quality incentives program under Chapter 4, using, to the maximum extent practicable, $2,000,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD621CB0533004603B0EDCF0325C86131"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text>Section 1240B of such Act is amended (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839aa-2">16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2</external-xref>)—</text> <subparagraph id="H852639B69BC14E578391023C5F829DB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by striking <quote>2010</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H800AC27B1E0646B3A3A90759E0A8712C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (g), by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6756F9C560F64DE2973C219E04F9A128"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>Section 1240 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839aa">16 U.S.C. 3839aa</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HC6AFD9A783AD4AA18E7363A42C1561B0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by inserting <quote>, conserving energy,</quote> after <quote>resources</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5D110A23BC7E4A53B5B1D5875B1E8CF5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by inserting <quote>and conserve energy,</quote> after <quote>wildlife</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HECC9446A4BE346CD9277B1455FF984"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Bidding down</header><text>Subsection (c) of section 1240B of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839aa-2">16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="HB609F3A74E8B40468439CD5850C11F8" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H26C5C85904414EA5B9508C3643175F55"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Bidding down</header><text>The Secretary shall not assign a higher priority to any application because the applicant is willing to accept a lower cost-share or incentive payment than the applicant would otherwise be entitled to receive. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to relieve the Secretary of the obligation, when evaluating applications for cost-share payments and incentive payments, to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed conservation practices, systems, and approaches described in the applications and to prioritize the most cost-effective applications, as required by section 1240C(1).</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HE4A89BE62C564B5EB71BD3AB59634F75"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Evaluation of applications for cost share payments and incentive payments</header><text>Section 1240C of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839aa-3">16 U.S.C. 3839aa–3</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H6C88D191033D4B53B7DA906D7132121" style="OLC"> <section id="HE3E3C79DCD214FEBA8CA52A79B53D2A4"><enum>1240C.</enum><header>Evaluation of applications for costshare payments and incentive payments</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In evaluating applications for cost-share payments and incentive payments, the Secretary shall—</text> <paragraph id="H6C28BF9485DC460DB5AB6FCDAB00E407"><enum>(1)</enum><text>prioritize applications based on their overall level of cost-effectiveness to ensure that the conservation practices, systems, and approaches proposed are the most efficient means of achieving the anticipated and desired environmental benefits of the project;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HED38838DB6ED4C50A7DDFB00EA89DE9E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>prioritize applications based on how effectively and comprehensively the project addresses the designated resource concern or resource concerns;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4659D23D0952493CB496062100DAFD4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>reward higher levels of environmental performance, such as advanced levels of management within land management practices;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H1C31D73024F24B4B89003F4F16EF100"><enum>(4)</enum><text>develop criteria for evaluating applications that will ensure that national, State, and local conservation priorities are effectively addressed; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7EE6A4D69A13400EB6B7A4F9D701AB4E"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">prioritize applications that will improve environmental performance or resource conservation on existing agricultural operations.</text> </paragraph></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H74B2AB8E99644AAA8BAACED53DAE55C8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Cost share payment exception</header><text>Subsection (d)(2)(A) of section 1240B of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839aa-2">16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H6EA5F7FC7295441292AA1846AF7B3566" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H23D77CCE8A22415280C052FA933C7951"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Limited resource and beginning farmers</header><text>The Secretary may increase the amount provided to a producer under paragraph (1) to not more than 90 percent if the producer is a limited resource or beginning farmer or rancher, as determined by the Secretary, but in no event shall the cost share payment under this paragraph be less than 15 percent more than the payment that the Secretary may determine under paragraph (1).</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H8DAF8298CB974D8F99EC3629BBB96800"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Conservation innovation grants</header><text>Section 1240H of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839aa-8">16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H4DC95A5DE6C64A59ADC32FEC226F8416"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking <quote>may</quote> and inserting <quote>shall</quote>;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H62F61AD20D4D40B586EB1EC4E17443F2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text> <subparagraph id="H8C7E59DBCE7240E794AF9E3BBDEFDC46"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>may</quote> and inserting <quote>shall</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9DE4592D3AE145298E6642936DFACA53"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking the <quote>; and</quote> at the end of paragraph (2)(B) and inserting the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8E2087B2D0664D51B5792FB5B3E40022" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HA4DD6E0047254E4E9F041D85EB3D687C"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">methane digester research; and</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2E11A61059A14737B595F2FB4EDDD36"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph (2);</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H69CF33E0C8FF40CB8FC4C9CC9C1FE942"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H43855AACB5CE4AD1837D09764131C99C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HB83F7AB6A36E4495A63152B142DD2184" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H9D075006D3DD4076AB4598EEF7B3FE1C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>include a plan for technology transfer.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H293FFC86628941DA00E1FF87A85D791"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsections:</text> <quoted-block id="H4B0562231A05429B0048004CD20587FF" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H9F443906AD4B442B81A8FDA05B7167CD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Technology transfer</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure efficient, effective transfer of innovative technologies and approaches demonstrated through projects that receive funding under this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF07ED65BFF20480F8C70A529B5023F8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>In addition to amounts made available under section 1241(a)(6) to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in the following amounts:</text> <paragraph id="H68824D84C76C4799A1D3E6839E6CA316"><enum>(1)</enum><text>40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H437A3E76AFFA4A2EA9451DCAD2C3566"><enum>(2)</enum><text>50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H22ACFF41B7A14D5083364B922CC93114"><enum>(3)</enum><text>60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB5A8EB13EC8D44ABB1EC2F002DB364FC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2013.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8714BB48DD6C43ACBE56EFB4A68EEAF3"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Performance incentives for states</header><text>Chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="H18347B2A826B4791BC1EF8865CCA9E8" style="OLC"> <section id="HD50C2FA420544214882842A2A2B5B1A"><enum>1240J.</enum><header>Performance incentives for states</header> <subsection id="HDE42529B86A441B3A3626D19E9C8F47"><enum>(a)</enum><header>High level of performance bonus</header><text>For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, 10 percent of the funds made available under this chapter shall be reserved by the Secretary for bonus allocations to States that demonstrate a high level of performance in implementing the environmental quality incentives program.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H4BC4B3467C19486F995E087107D8B423"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Special considerations</header><text>In evaluating State performance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reward States that—</text> <paragraph id="H32D01F0F799746A0B14F9F733B3772CF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consistently meet the requirements of section 1240C in evaluating offers and payments;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC7FE37880B6B48E5BD61253FA0BA119F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>dedicate a portion of their annual environmental quality incentives program allocation to multi-producer cooperative efforts to address specific resource concerns;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HEC4D6371CBE249A4ABB032EDAAFA2200"><enum>(3)</enum><text>collaborate with other Federal and State agencies, local governments, educational institutions, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations to monitor and evaluate the environmental outcomes associated with implementation of the environmental quality incentives program;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4701B236753D4D0686F17FBB6C48B42D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>demonstrate effective and efficient program delivery, including the provision of adequate technical assistance to all program participants through appropriate staffing and through cooperation with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and individuals with demonstrated expertise in the planning and implementation of conservation practices, systems, and approaches;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAD1931A1122A4459B860F08CE4A798F7"><enum>(5)</enum><text>support and encourage innovative approaches to addressing resource concerns;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF579DBDD28D54070AF19C6CD6EFA1B7C"><enum>(6)</enum><text>effectively leverage Federal funding with local and State matching funds; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3E3008C466B94907B430D216A9D5DEEA"><enum>(7)</enum><text>demonstrate effective outreach and innovative approaches to reaching and serving beginning farmers and ranchers, limited-resource producers, and operators with lower rates of historical participation in Federal farm and conservation programs.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="H4E5ECBD1B8CF41C0B46DB47DA84EE2B3"><enum>202.</enum><header>Delivery of technical assistance</header> <subsection id="HF91BBF31784A4FD499901C00950833C"><enum>(a)</enum><text>Subsection (a)(2) of section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3842">16 U.S.C. 3842</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H5956A1E496D049408B89B25003C1569" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H1961F8DDF9D04FB1AF03D6D335E7C612"><enum>(2)</enum><text>at the option of the producer, through a payment, as determined by the Secretary, to an approved third party or technical service provider, if available.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H5D4B2A96A74D4D54ADC9F0C53C94263D"><enum>(b)</enum><text>Subsection (b)(1)(B) of section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3842">16 U.S.C. 3842</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H0BB2C4917B984498AB615073035B902F" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H596F88B3CF524AABAF2D77563CC2907E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>establishing the amounts and methods for payments for that assistance, provided that payment rates reflect reasonable market conditions for the region in which the assistance would be provided.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H5C21C32C970449AEA2B5D2D1D4C3D69"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Subsection (b)(3) of section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3842">16 U.S.C. 3842</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H0BB868ED596A483B88BDC3D10856B47D" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HB4D07ECC74F8415796B8DB9326B0AA95"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Competitive bidding</header><text>The Secretary may accept bids from and enter into annual or multi-year contracts and agreements with approved third parties to provide technical assistance to producers eligible for assistance under this title.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HBB4C5275E753451EB5808E43831EC97C"><enum>(d)</enum><text>Subsection (b)(4) of section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3842">16 U.S.C. 3842</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>Secretary may request</quote> and inserting <quote>Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, request</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HC0E86160515646128C3E00D5F500D580"><enum>(e)</enum><text>Subsection (b)(1) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="HD221979B013F4BFA9CBFA37432E3D84F" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H0148A029CF4E4D5EA1D8335ECC095673"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall be available for the provision of technical assistance for the programs for which funds are made available beginning with the time that the producer submits a bona fide application for assistance under that program; and</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="HAEB48D696FE847E1858C7274E2470005"><enum>203.</enum><header>Cooperative conservation partnership initiative</header> <subsection id="H9717D7601F504163AA1E8C8200F55E1B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of grant program</header><text>Subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFA520563D2424FC800BB05C007B3585" style="OLC"> <chapter id="H0C7D336386964436835C521D7DCDF21"><enum>6</enum><header>Cooperative conservation partnership initiative </header> <section id="H8023BC4D07924D2CB1733DF4E69DE574"><enum>1240W.</enum><header>Cooperative conservation partnership initiative</header> <subsection id="HDFDC1660C5AB4218BA1100E05B94B9A0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants and agreements</header><text>The Secretary shall make grants and enter into agreements for not shorter than 2-year or longer than 5-year terms with eligible entities specified in subsection (c) to preferentially enroll producers in 1 or more of the programs specified in subsection (b) to carry out special projects and initiatives through which multiple producers and other interested persons cooperate to address specific resources of concern related to agricultural production on a local, State, or regional scale.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H1DF725D0B1F14578AE2F5EB1D80719E6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered programs</header><text>The conservation programs referred to in subsection (a) are the following:</text> <paragraph id="HE9BEFC8CF5D241A689D38DDE734EB5BF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Conservation reserve program, but only the continuous signup portion of the program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBE6F306165EF4F50A26F238849132D65"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Conservation reserve enhancement program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H52C5EAAB5D8B47AE8EE2183682407F87"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Environmental quality incentives program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3091233BF6F24E00B84514CF2FC8789B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Farmland protection program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD5FEE504D81D47C38C15D0A826363149"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Grassland reserve program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7F190A22B94842E892BBA56B4D6D538"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Ground and surface water conservation program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7D3826E7B1A148B7859222BCE8B4C6B4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Wetland reserve program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H721AC10337E64848B867052448BD00C5"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Wildlife habitat incentive program.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8E8BFACAA65343F3A857E6461B518DD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligible partners</header><text>Grants may be made or agreements may be entered into under this section with any of the following (or a combination thereof):</text> <paragraph id="HFA6423BDD55C4541AB9937806DA1189C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>States and agencies of States.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8418A06C4CA942D4B19460741083BE91"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Political subdivisions of States, including State-sponsored conservation districts.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H334D07CA7FC641779578B598B36D0159"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Indian tribes.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H761201A97B8B4CC280E4B8A74557CE4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Nongovernmental organizations and associations, including producer associations, farmer cooperatives, extension associations, and conservation organizations with a history of working cooperatively with producers to effectively address resource concerns related to agricultural production, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H7B606C70F73346EDA301E4EF90E4DA3E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Applications</header> <paragraph id="HE3F77154C6384D80A2BAF691F7EA6DA6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Competitive process</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a competitive process for considering applications for grants or agreements under this section consistent with the evaluation criteria listed in subsection (e).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H117475A587CF4B5AB6F5AE38D9B321C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Program allocation</header><text>Applications shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="HF36FD6EC370D4E52A40791C49B2E2C5E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>specification of the amount of funding or acres, or both, of 1 or more covered programs specified in subsection (b) proposed to be allocated to carry out the special project or initiative; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2D77C0C3B05E4CBEBB48329F64E5DD6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a schedule for utilization of funding or acres over the life of the proposed project or initiative.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC7B4F01C170C4757004EE36157FCB8E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Evaluation criteria</header><text>In evaluating applications for grants or agreements under this section the Secretary shall consider the extent to which—</text> <paragraph id="H44451F841B294120BEA11B60D352387C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>preferential enrollment in the covered programs specified in the application will effectively address the environmental objectives established for the special project or initiative; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HFC0F980FBB7D4ADC91EC5083CF49DC1C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the special project or initiative covered by the application—</text> <subparagraph id="HAE7E5083A1A14F81BBE852EC00AD7CFA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>enjoys local and regional support from producers and other interested persons, including governmental and nongovernmental organizations with appropriate expertise on the issues the project or initiative seeks to address;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDE0B7A44759B477CBF797C4ECCC85015"><enum>(B)</enum><text>includes clear environmental objectives and a high likelihood of success;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD54E4E8E7F18436D83E8288E459D9390"><enum>(C)</enum><text>includes a well defined project or initiative plan that identifies sensitive areas requiring treatment and prioritizes conservation systems, practices, and activities needed to achieve environmental objectives;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H63923938388F4CD28E095716AE9EF18C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>promises adequate and coordinated participation to achieve the objectives of the project or initiative;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAC7931E52D844AD4AD00317FCB8EFAA7"><enum>(E)</enum><text>coordinates integration of local, State, and Federal efforts to make the best use of available resources and maximize cost-effective investments;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H57EBB369F2BE41AF9CAA83009E80D592"><enum>(F)</enum><text>leverages financial and technical resources from sources other than the programs authorized by this subtitle, including financial and technical resources provided by Federal and State agencies, local governments, nongovernmental organizations and associations, and other private sector entities;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H42842679F3B1420FACF72D3CED811393"><enum>(G)</enum><text>describes how all necessary technical assistance will be provided to each producer participating in the project or initiative, including cost estimates for technical assistance and whether such assistance will be provided by technical service providers;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H566140F479B44FB0916FA300E9021D05"><enum>(H)</enum><text>describes how the administrative costs of the project or initiative will be minimized;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE5C4776B296540AFA068CF33ED28E6A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>addresses a local, State, regional, or national environmental priority or priorities, with particular emphasis on any priority for which there is an existing State or federally approved plan in place for addressing that priority;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCA5B6CDB21684F16B330BDE28C59455"><enum>(J)</enum><text>includes a plan to evaluate progress and measure results; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H94BB0BBBA5694322B643C593595E60EE"><enum>(K)</enum><text>clearly demonstrates that enrollment of producers in covered programs will be consistent with the purposes and policies of each individual program, as established in statute, rules and regulations, and program guidance promulgated by implementing agencies.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB73DF94346DC433B99C0135693529570"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Priorities</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the requirements of subsection (d), the Secretary shall ensure that, each fiscal year, grants are awarded and agreements are entered into under this section to support projects and initiatives that collectively address the resource concerns facing producers, ranchers, and small private forest landowners, including specifically projects and initiatives that are designed—</text> <paragraph id="H38711F7C21A14544B6DD98D8268DA769"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to achieve improvements in water quality in watersheds impacted by agriculture, particularly by increasing the participation of producers in implementing best management practices in a watershed or developing environmentally and economically viable alternative uses for manure and litter;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H75D7C60A3860415EBE06F93EFD0769CE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to achieve improvements in air quality in a geographical area where agricultural operations impact air quality, especially an area that, as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, is a non-attainment area with respect to any of the national ambient air quality standards promulgated by the Administrator under section 109 of the Clean Air Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/7409">42 U.S.C. 7409</external-xref>);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5EE6B16918E6406FAA08426D8F9F7B84"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to conserve water for environmental purposes, such as enhanced in stream flows or aquifer recharge in regions, States, or local areas where water quantity is a concern;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H703FB7DB0FB4410700FCA2DB7B6015D6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to assist in the recovery of Federal or State-listed endangered species or species of special concern or to further the goals and objectives of a State’s comprehensive wildlife conservation plan through the cooperative efforts of multiple producers;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBFA3E1C1228E4D88B3CCB0AFA256FDA6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to control invasive species on rangeland or other agricultural land through the cooperative efforts of multiple producers in a geographical area;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H16EF13A0EA3A4FBFB361A42387AADA82"><enum>(6)</enum><text>to address a specific resource of concern or set of concerns on private, non-industrial forest land;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HABC053F460A14F048DC59F3FFE978EAF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>to reduce losses of pesticides to the environment by engaging multiple producers in a geographic area in adoption of integrated pest management practices and approaches; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF3847D2448304A3498D78E4579FFE8A6"><enum>(8)</enum><text>to keep working farms and ranches facing development pressures in agricultural use.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H616760A068FC47A2BF28D95BC001E542"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Cost share</header> <paragraph id="HB65B4BCFD48340BBBFAFAD6F28B53565"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Maximum; exceptions</header><text>The Secretary shall not require more than 25 percent of the cost of a project or initiative supported under a grant or agreement entered into under this section to come from non-Federal sources. However, the Secretary may award more points to projects or initiatives offering to cover a higher percentage of the cost of the project or initiative from non-Federal sources.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB2754B1B3A4249668EA359E4161CD10"><enum>(2)</enum><header>In-kind contributions</header><text>If the Secretary establishes a cost-share requirement for a project or initiative, the Secretary shall allow the use of in-kind contributions to meet that requirement.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H3AC52F206BF54AF2B9BFE639793608E5"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Funding</header> <paragraph id="H98A446A86A3B444E8760D0F3CB89A6F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Set-aside</header><text>Of the funds provided each fiscal year to implement the programs specified in subsection (b), the Secretary shall reserve the following percentages to ensure an adequate source of funds for grants and agreements entered into under this section:</text> <subparagraph id="H6D705D6ECD274C27B5C58B86DE742F00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>5 percent for fiscal year 2008;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H470CBA23A36F49BEBD9B7E534025EE51"><enum>(B)</enum><text>10 percent for fiscal year 2009;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H64E51FF608CE4AEE821D4D081BC6E21B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>15 percent for fiscal year 2010; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9C12FE03E9C54D9A947C2382E90300F9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>20 percent for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2013.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC091E14383CA40ED989294E689E6CBC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Allocation to states</header><text>The Secretary shall allocate to States 75 percent of the funds reserved under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year to allow State Conservationists, with the advice of State technical committees, to select projects and initiatives for funding under this section at the State level. The allocation shall be made on a similar basis as what would have been the case under the covered programs identified in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HA45113B29E8143E2AECD9E2375AB9317"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming repeal</header><text>Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3843">16 U.S.C. 3843</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (f).</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H80E88C4440DF4AA9B2E6E44AEC9C434"><enum>204.</enum><header>Conservation loan guarantee program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1921">7 U.S.C. 1921–1936a</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after section 304 the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H2B00723D9898484ABE03861B89DD9BF2" style="OLC"> <section id="H656F0A5959DD414FB7A5A651008359A9"><enum>304A.</enum><header>Conservation loan guarantee program</header> <subsection id="H1162E86CF5994150B43504299ECFAD24"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may provide a loan guarantee, an interest subsidy, or both, to enable an eligible borrower to obtain a qualified conservation loan.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HAC23132BA2974D35910027A6C0E06970"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H77F798C310284EC58800812B32099066"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible borrower</header><text>The term <term>eligible borrower</term> means a farmer, rancher, farm cooperative, private domestic corporation, partnership, joint operation, trust, or limited liability company, that is engaged primarily and directly in agricultural production in the United States.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H349E1D4CC5F74438A1602218EB19B6F0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualified conservation loan</header><text>The term <term>qualified conservation loan</term> means a loan that meets the following requirements:</text> <subparagraph id="H5C00FE0958D24B8496EA4548428939F6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The loan proceeds are required to be used to cover the costs to the borrower of carrying out a qualified conservation project.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2DCAF29751454DDDB260FB44B2F7369"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Principal amount</header><text>The principal amount of the loan is not more than $1,000,000.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB8969209B18445650050FDE87F8C6C42"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Repayment period</header><text>The loan repayment period shall not exceed 10 years.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7F178C89FEEE41549999C759F1A6A153"><enum>(D)</enum><header>No repayment required in first year</header><text>The lender is prohibited from requiring any part of the loan to be repaid in the 1-year period that begins with the date of the closing of the loan.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1038838ECB6646CEB241E1CEDB2B1319"><enum>(E)</enum><header>No loan forgiveness</header><text>The lender is prohibited from forgiving any part of the loan.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDCE81D9064154DE581CAA43B0E46CCF"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Limited processing fee</header><text>The total of all processing fees charged with respect to the loan does not exceed such amount as shall be prescribed by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF0D495893BCD41FCA571075092B12E41"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualified conservation project</header><text>The term <term>qualified conservation project</term> means, with respect to an eligible borrower, conservation measures included in a conservation plan for a farming or ranching operation of the borrower, including—</text> <subparagraph id="HEF1261A1A6C2471784A362D0CDAF88AE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the installation of conservation structures, including terraces, sod waterways, permanently vegetated stream borders and filter strips, windbreaks (tree or grass), shelter belts, and living snow fences, if all plantings consist of vegetation appropriate to the locale;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB86E9D862CFB47D083E14BF6366C729E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the establishment of forest cover for sustained yield timber management, erosion control, or shelter belt purposes, if the forest cover is appropriate to the locale;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H749DA31C6393486DB1BA00E77C1145AA"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the installation of water conservation measures;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA269605B0F3D4952BA74821000E7EC28"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the installation of waste management systems;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF4C879D37D974FBF83104C0831B5133C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the establishment or improvement of permanent pasture;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9EE4240F7D2E4292ABAD48002877804B"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the payment of costs of complying with section 1212 of the Food Security Act of 1985;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H32DBE786E48A480500388647003E4B45"><enum>(G)</enum><text>other purposes consistent with the conservation plan;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3ADF3873FC1B4326A173DEA74B7C084D"><enum>(H)</enum><text>any conservation project or practice, as described by technical guides and handbooks issues by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H231B9AD5181844F083FCBCCDFDF9C863"><enum>(I)</enum><text>emerging conservation practices, techniques, or technologies, as approved by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HFF9F4053B36A43EEB54300A83EBCAF14"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Limitations applicable to loan guarantees</header> <paragraph id="H88E223479FBB4DB989B9986718177CDF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Limitation on amount of guarantee</header><text>The portion of a loan that the Secretary may guarantee under this section shall be not less than 80 percent and not more than 90 percent of the principal amount of the loan.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H67601E2954E54FD689E4B84E74E95598"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation on total amount outstanding</header><text>The aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans guaranteed by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed $1,000,000,000.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H80767C8BC9DD4ECA86B785CC536FD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Limitation on amount of interest subsidy</header><text>The interest subsidy which the Secretary may provide under this section with respect to a loan shall result in a reduction of the interest rate agreed upon by the borrower and the lender (but to not less than zero) by—</text> <paragraph id="H0C1A22A16F5F403FA2809B8C7795AF35"><enum>(1)</enum><text>500 basis points, if the principal amount of the loan is less than $100,000;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7E3A43AE6CFE4A8BABDE4807DE70B363"><enum>(2)</enum><text>400 basis points, if the principal amount of the loan is not less than $100,000 and is less than $500,000; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0D33A964D3E248B4B7D7AEC242076411"><enum>(3)</enum><text>300 basis points, in any other case.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0EE506D72EB3482394D142958531D1DF"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Administrative provisions</header> <paragraph id="HC05F63BAB1A940579EC99FDB909617E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority to collect processing fee</header><text>The Secretary may assess a fee to cover the cost of processing an application under this section equal to not more than 1 percent of the principal amount of the loan sought by the applicant, as described in the application.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3C66BAE7692343AD8E125CDFE7774B3D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Provision of financial information</header><text>An applicant for a loan guarantee or interest subsidy under this section shall provide the Secretary with such financial information as may be required by the Secretary, in the manner generally required by commercial agricultural lenders in the geographical area where the farming or ranching operation of the applicant is located.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HECC881878C274262B2292072955E6E2E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Appraisal</header><text>The Secretary may require that an appraisal made in connection with an application for a loan guarantee or interest subsidy under this section be conducted by a specialized appraiser that uses standards similar to the standards used for similar purposes in the private sector, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H21D4DC80194E4190A1716696F06C27C6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Approval of application</header><text>The Secretary shall not approve an application submitted pursuant to this section, unless the Natural Resources Conservation Service has determined that—</text> <subparagraph id="HA4C3EC93F8854AD59105B344417F3B5F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the loan sought by the applicant, as described in the application, would be a qualified conservation loan; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H002F9E8D1C274800BDAC21D33D93536"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the project for which the loan is sought is likely to result in a net benefit to the environment.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD65E8FA6E24C4354A55C3EE4E4BBC894"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Deadline for decision on application</header><text>Within 45 business days after the receipt of an application for assistance under this section, the Secretary shall transmit to the applicant the decision of the Secretary to approve or disapprove the application, to the extent practicable.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA1A2FDE3A1814C3FAC10AFB09E12AE6B"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Equitable distribution of loan guarantees and interest subsidies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure that loan guarantees and interest subsidies under this section are equitably distributed among agricultural producers according to the scale of the operations of the producers that submit applications in any year.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDCAA5C043A854F6CA33EEF36B8D51241"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Relationship with other conservation programs</header><text>Neither the application for, nor the receipt of, a loan guarantee or an interest subsidy under this section shall affect the eligibility of the recipient for assistance under title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 or the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF49A1F44C98B4A93B8F649629FD3C494"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Appropriations</header><text>For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the Secretary shall use such funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation as are necessary to carry out this section.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HB4DF12C60E61470FBEB2778B78FB659B"><enum>205.</enum><header>Pilot program for comprehensive conservation planning</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end of chapter 5 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="H51E875AF129941D8A672407C70C80CF" style="OLC"> <section id="H00470C445875472FA67CE5D7A768E473"><enum>1240Q.</enum><header>Pilot program for comprehensive conservation planning</header> <subsection id="H2A6BC8450AED485BBA0122DAFB8996CD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to undertake comprehensive conservation planning to assist producers prior to making application for assistance under any of the conservation programs authorized by this subtitle.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HB6A3FB398F7A45B6988386192BC00024"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conservation planning assistance</header><text>The Secretary shall undertake 4 pilot projects in the locations specified in paragraph (c) to assist producers by making a comprehensive assessment of the resource concerns, needs, and alternative solutions for the producer’s entire operation, as determined by the Secretary, following the procedures in the Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation planning manual. The assistance to producers shall be provided by the Secretary directly or through third party providers certified by the Secretary, and shall not be at the expense of the producer. The result of the comprehensive planning assistance shall be provided to the producer to enable informed choices on the type of financial assistance available through subtitle D conservation programs administered by the Secretary that would most effectively address the resource needs of the operation consistent with the environmental goals for the area in which the operation is located.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H509505F5331C4A0FA51F6CDFA9B236B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header><text>Pilot projects in comprehensive conservation planning shall be undertaken in the following locations:</text> <paragraph id="H7BFB52FFC397480FBEA1F82BF876D8E0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Chesapeake Bay watershed.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H841C742D7D984551942EB7168ED65174"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Great Lakes Basin.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3BDDBCDC7FF644A68FA58B74781200F6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Connecticut River Valley Watershed.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H653A3A63BA9C42D9954C9062C26FEAE2"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/108/421">Public Law 108–421</external-xref>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H47BD854E5F00466496074BD999081017"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall provide $40 million each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to carry out the pilot comprehensive conservation planning program authorized by this section. The funds shall be equitably divided, between each of the 4 pilot projects.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HD1047235ADB34F0D8D94963DEBD25712"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the comprehensive conservation planning pilot and publish a report, available to the public, of the results of the assessment. Such assessments shall be undertaken in the second year and the fifth year of the pilot program.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HB298DA5DD3CA4DFC840504E1178C19E1"><enum>206.</enum><header>Conservation application process</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end of section 1244 the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HC859B66985CF4475B108CA2EFD32908C" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H6AC0BCBC19EF4CB1A1FA47328EAF1972"><enum>(c)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In carrying out any of the conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Secretary shall establish a single, simplified application for eligible entities to use in initially requesting assistance. The Secretary shall insure that conservation program participant need not be required to provide information duplicate to the information and resources already available to the Secretary, for that applicant and for that specific operation, and that the application process imposed on conservation program participants be streamlined to minimize complexity and redundancy.</text> <paragraph id="HD025220429D24DADBD9D89795D480096"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review of application process</header><text>The Secretary shall review the conservation application process and the forms and related mechanisms used to receive assistance requests from eligible program participants. This review shall be to determine what information the participant is actually required to be submitted during the application process, including—</text> <subparagraph id="HAA367AE56F1843AFB8F3D6F1001E114C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identification information for the applicant;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H419ACF289140463197B9CA21B46056F1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identification and location information for the land parcel or tract of concern;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H227640A5636E44DA87CB8350D6EC202E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a general statement of the applicant’s need for or resource concern on the land parcel or tract; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7805BC936DE0453D98AAEF00C1DDD2CE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the minimum amount of other information the Secretary deems essential for the applicant himself or herself to provide.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H44AC10999E994B619EA8942043C27467"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Revision and streamline</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out a revision of the application forms and processes for conservation programs covered in this subsection to enable utilization of information technology as an avenue to incorporate appropriate data and information concerning the conservation needs and solutions appropriate for the land area identified by the applicant. The revision shall seek to streamline the application process to minimize the burden placed on the applicant.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2A40598EC6DE418ABA39B10080EB009B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Conservation program application</header><text>At the time that the applicant’s needs are adequately assessed by the Secretary, or through a third party provider under section 1242, in order to determine the programs covered under title XII that best matches the need of the applicant, with the approval of the applicant, the Secretary may convert the initial application into the specific application for assistance for the program of choice. To the maximum extent practical, the specific application for conservation program assistance shall be carried out by the Secretary by requesting only that specific further information from the applicant that is not already available to the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0289ECE17FF04CEA93C07BA6AD27D02F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Implementation and notification</header><text>Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this act, the Secretary shall complete the requirements of this subsection and shall provide a written notification of such completion to the Committees on Agriculture of the House and Senate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HAE45D27283B24F329D85B8C43CEBB81"><enum>207.</enum><header>Minimum base allocation to States in funding of certain Department of Agriculture conservation programs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subsection (d) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="HA660D6EAC86C43C4956EB94377D85B69" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H978EE0D2A3FF4DA5A53C963902FCFBC8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Minimum base allocation to states for certain conservation programs</header><text>In allocating funds to States to implement the conservation programs under subtitle D (excluding the conservation reserve program under subchapter B of chapter 1, the wetlands reserve program under subchapter C of chapter 1, the conservation security program under subchapter A of chapter 2, and the grassland reserve program under subchapter C of chapter 2), the Secretary shall ensure that each State receives, at a minimum, $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2013. Any award from the national level under chapter 6 to a project in or adjacent to a State shall not be counted as part of the minimum base allocation to such State under this subsection</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HFB10182B72944B91B607243FE4FD509B"><enum>208.</enum><header>Conservation security program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of Congress that the conservation security program established under subchapter A of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3838">16 U.S.C. 3838 et seq.</external-xref>) should—</text> <paragraph id="H819F188091DB4846AA05D6C6787791BE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be fully funded and implemented on a nationwide basis;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC9336AA4DB734DF099144C07F916004D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>simplify and streamline payments and eligibility requirements to increase transparency, clarity, and ease of use by producers;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H961C4F0996774524887765840964AA86"><enum>(3)</enum><text>create a better balance between rewards for current stewardship and incentives for new conservation;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0ECFFDD4F1954EBCB91D50DF89A6A4FC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>emphasize payments based on management intensity, that is, the level of treatment, as well as the breadth of resource concerns addressed;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H01837B110691444ABBB98FC5245B8572"><enum>(5)</enum><text>reward producers for addressing the most important resources of concern as determined by States;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF1A44079B52D4EB4A7E8493852B6B630"><enum>(6)</enum><text>provide greater flexibility to States (State technical committees) to determine and rank priority resource concerns;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H9D6F2CEC57FD4E499723F0B4B1A01676"><enum>(7)</enum><text>provide adequate technical assistance to ensure that there is the capacity to enroll participants, provide on-site assessment and planning, and to facilitate timely contract renewals and modifications;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDA15F5A63BE74BB7AC7FDF1EEC42BCAB"><enum>(8)</enum><text>provide a predictable and reliable stream of revenue based on environmental measures;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD49276F271534A08B71B5E57D1DEA57"><enum>(9)</enum><text>be universally available and adaptable to all types of farm operations in all regions of the country;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H46FCAA6577C4479B91FAFE5072A1CF03"><enum>(10)</enum><text>expand eligibility to include nonindustrial private forested land, even if not incidental to an agricultural operation;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDB290A677EB7467EACD6088420849DAB"><enum>(11)</enum><text>provide a minimum annual base payment;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H91A3C3E878FB486693DF13B30029B894"><enum>(12)</enum><text>ensure program complements and is run in coordination with other NARCS working lands conservation programs;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HE6BFC5C7DC69411FA9EADBDFC6500097"><enum>(13)</enum><text>encourage payments based on carbon sequestration;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H9F57161D88D24D1ABEF0EA00D030D41C"><enum>(14)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">encourage environmentally-sound methods and practices for the production of sustainable cellulosic bioenergy feedstocks; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H9E8FF723D4E14D558C117E00CC9C2616"><enum>(15)</enum><text>ensure <quote>dual eligibility</quote> for certified organic farms.</text> </paragraph></section> <section id="H1D600FFF0C904801A96BCD27BCE5A255"><enum>209.</enum><header>Reauthorization of and increased funding for farmland protection program</header> <subsection id="H787F2ABB068749B3A045745FE0DFEAB7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H5CA1B15E73E24B99914BD1214006496" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H013A611961A64BB49D1C0020476E23DA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The farmland protection program under subchapter B of chapter 2, using, to the maximum extent practicable, $300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H228465A9D16F485D002FC7AD6DE3D6AE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Program revisions</header><text>Subchapter B of Chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3838h">16 U.S.C. 3838h et seq.</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H606E6560114B4796A27717124638D989" style="OLC"> <subchapter id="H4A6B965D7EBB48ADB308CB6ECB4EA6A9"><enum>B</enum><header>Farmland protection program</header> <section id="H8C8AB032D540478790F02DAAB43800C4"><enum>1238H.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subchapter:</text> <paragraph id="HA078A67845F140D2BA13F882219278D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> means—</text> <subparagraph id="HCA6409FE13274D998881E6E44FC997D2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any agency of any State or local government or an Indian tribe (including a farmland protection board or land resource council established under State law); or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCEF2F92D76AF488DBA091473733400E8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any organization that—</text> <clause id="H0CD79E0DA8BC4F189695213FA8EEDCF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is organized for, and at all times since the formation of the organization has been operated principally for, one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/170">section 170(h)(4)(A)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;</text> </clause> <clause id="H6C62BA0E6D3C40D80000261FE020F1E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of that Code that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code;</text> </clause> <clause id="H23B69FE694F54D0383C853D87B89236E"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>is described in section 509(a)(2) of that Code; or</text> </clause> <clause id="HCD4E5AEFADB94F2FA73819B2EF3BC7C5"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>is described in section 509(a)(3), and is controlled by an organization described in section 509(a)(2), of that Code.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE90B00613CA548389EE4DFD9CD2EC6F5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligible land</header><text>The term <term>eligible land</term> means land on a farm or ranch that is—</text> <subparagraph id="H2128D68202EF4E3E8FC7D162E09492CA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>cropland;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0740E1D8C93A4025AA9C67F7381205B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>rangeland;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFD36B6C57A214CC5B6A6057B1B76CF90"><enum>(C)</enum><text>grassland;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD2F56100F8D84BDBB6FD245158985965"><enum>(D)</enum><text>pasture land; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFDC4B52D1F73489BB9FD5478C510FB2E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>forest land that is an incidental part of an agricultural operation, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H550DF39AA533477EAB963C1CABF0276D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Indian tribe</header><text>The term <term>Indian tribe</term> has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/450b">25 U.S.C. 450b</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF6778B39C00D49BDB1B394961C40B4CF"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Qualified state or local entity</header><text>A qualified State or local entity is an eligible entity, public or private, that operates a farm and ranchland protection program that has—</text> <subparagraph id="HE222E85526A744F8A8A2148244FE5EC"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for at least 3 calendar or fiscal years used or provided public or private funds to purchase perpetual conservation easements or other interests in land on a cumulative total of at least 10 properties that have protected the agricultural production capacity and related conservation values of farm and ranch land;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H009B1D669D6F4BE780AE52A759149270"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the necessary authority under State law, as well as the technical and financial capacity, to monitor and enforce the terms of such conservation easements or other interests in land so that their purpose is carried out in perpetuity, or in the case of a governmental entity, to legally require other public or private holders of such easements or interests in land acquired with public funding to hold, monitor and enforce them in perpetuity; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H52132BDD19EA485283F08CE7B52E83DB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>financial control policies in place to assure that on average the purchase price of conservation easements and other interests in land does not exceed their appraised fair market value.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0E852D1367DE43CF85F6792B005E29C8"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Program</header><text>The term <term>program</term> means the farmland protection program established under section 1238I(a).</text> </paragraph></section> <section id="H7683EA501D2F4B5600CABA42C49CA088"><enum>1238I.</enum><header>Farmland protection</header> <subsection id="H918CA9C3599242D085C3B1D6DED8EC90"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shall establish and carry out a farm and ranchland protection program under which the Secretary shall facilitate and provide funding for the purchase of conservation easements or other interests in eligible land for the purpose of protecting the agricultural production capacity and related conservation values of the land by limiting incompatible nonagricultural uses of the land. The program shall give the highest priority to protecting farm and ranchland with prime, unique or other productive soils that are at risk of non-farm development.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HBEB1A3ECE7104CE79C91D9B003251529"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grants</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shall, as the preferred method of administering this program, make grants to qualified State and local entities. Such grants shall be distributed among States based on demonstrated need for farm and ranch land protection and on the relative contribution of funds dedicated by State and local entities for this purpose. Grants may be made for multiple transactions without regard for whether pending purchase offers are outstanding, provided that all funds provided under this program are used to purchase conservation easements or other interests in land. Qualified State and local entities may use up to ten percent of a grant for reasonable costs of purchasing and enforcing conservation easements. Any funds not granted to qualified State or local entities under this section shall be available to other eligible entities as matching funds for individual purchases of conservation easements and other interests in land.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H9F9B405AEA6A41DA8C00B6A24B20826C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grant agreements</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, may enter into agreements with qualified State and local entities, under which such State and local entities may purchase conservation easements using a combination of their own funds and grant funds distributed by the Secretary under this program. Such agreements shall stipulate the terms and conditions under which qualified State and local entities shall use funds provided by the Secretary under this program, provided that under such agreements:</text> <paragraph id="H1476A075BC7D4B2A8151778831B9C002"><enum>(1)</enum><text>State and local entities shall be authorized to determine their own criteria and priorities for purchasing conservation easements and other interests in land.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H410C40C2F5D545A4887965562238A287"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">States and local entities shall be authorized to use their own terms and conditions for conservation easements and other purchases of interests in land, provided that—</text> <subparagraph id="H4D7136B816A34F01BAA944C4BB971B2B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such terms and conditions are adequate under State law to achieve and permit effective enforcement of the conservation purposes of such easements or other interests, and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDCAB31B43CAE4AABBCCE8BB4420BECE"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the entity has in place a requirement consistent with the purposes of the program regarding the impervious surfaces to be allowed for any conservation easement or other interest in land purchased using grant funds provided through this section.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HFAE1801A7F0A4E1DB110CFABDD3777B"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Up to ten percent of grant funds may be used for reasonable costs of purchasing and enforcing conservation easements.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H69D87E715508451A86E9ADDDC5073DA4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>No Federal contingent right of enforcement or reversionary interest in a conservation easement or other purchase of an interest in land shall be required.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H76DCC09D113A4121BD815DE5A517C28E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Individual purchases</header><text>The Secretary may enter into agreements with eligible entities under which the Secretary shall provide matching funds for the purpose of purchasing conservation easements or other interests of land on individual farm and ranch properties. The Secretary may agree to such terms as he deems appropriate to assure that the purpose of this program is carried out; provided, however, that subsection (c)(4) of this section shall apply to any easement held by a State or local agency, or in which a qualified State or local entity will hold a contingent right of enforcement.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H0E0B28F2FD3C4277A4199E62514C3EFA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Conservation plan</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (c)(2), any highly erodible cropland for which a conservation easement or other interest is purchased under this subchapter shall be subject to the requirements of a conservation plan; provided, however, that for easements and other interests in land that are perpetual in duration, the Secretary may not require the conversion of the cropland to less intensive uses if, under such plan, soil erosion can be reduced to <quote>T</quote> or below.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H8ED2DDE1939446638311797DAC005D41"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Cost sharing</header> <paragraph id="H293B426E5C31414B9B3181C343E135DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Farmland protection</header><text>The share of the cost provided under this section for purchasing a conservation easement or other interest in eligible land described in subsection (a) provided under section 1241(d) shall not exceed—</text> <subparagraph id="HF7FFEB840C8943E4ADC11262A055DEB9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement or other interest in eligible land; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H541F764C2F7A4D37BFCA8CDF3F339084"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if a qualified conservation contribution, as defined by section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, of at least 25 percent of the market value is made by the landowner in connection with the purchase of a conservation easement or other interest in land, two-thirds of the actual cost of purchasing such conservation easement or other interest in land.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H321B48ED44A6417BA977B090CB1F3C58"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bidding down</header><text>If the Secretary determines that 2 or more applications for the purchase of a conservation easement or other interest in eligible land described in subsection (a) are comparable in achieving the purposes of this section, the Secretary shall not assign a higher priority to any one of those applications solely on the basis of lesser cost to the farmland protection program established under subsection (a).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section></subchapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="HFF17ECAA5F2849D8809F15A4DFF36C2B"><enum>210.</enum><header>Farmland Protection Policy Act</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subtitle I of title XV of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1981 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/4201">7 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE763AA0053E1499FB706D2E07002BCCE" style="OLC"> <subtitle id="HC08D936962924852B1A04B21F9ED3D84"><enum>I</enum><header>Farmland Protection Policy Act</header> <section id="H000E560711F24AD790DE6F207C465257"><enum>1539.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This subtitle may be cited as the <quote>Farmland Protection Policy Act</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H673ADCDD5BF64DC78D62B48DA8796F2E"><enum>1540.</enum><header>Findings, purposes, and definitions</header> <subsection id="H9D4340EC141A4250992CA7EFD1F75270"><enum>(a)</enum><text>Congress finds that—</text> <paragraph id="H41F02A56DD1844C2A4A891DAE673A633"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Nation’s farmland is a unique and irreplaceable natural resource critical to the country’s national security, by providing food, fiber and renewable energy necessary for the continued welfare of the people of the United States;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H493B46178AF146FE956576E4659918EF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>each year, a large amount of the Nation’s farmland is unnecessarily and irrevocably converted from actual or potential agricultural use to nonagricultural use;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF0FB5B4E4160480998A4386F7527EEA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>continued conversion of the Nation’s farmland base to nonagricultural uses may threaten the ability of the United States to produce food, fiber and renewable energy in sufficient quantities to meet domestic needs and the demands of our export markets;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H088BD3CF037D46FBAA352CB311814CB2"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the extensive use of farmland for nonagricultural purposes undermines the economic base of many rural areas;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAE1B6C3524A74F9EA42EF13371E5E779"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Federal actions, in many cases, result in the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses where alternative actions are feasible;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H03B0C6E5F0C849C7BDFD932BA371EC7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the Department of Agriculture is the agency primarily responsible for the implementation of Federal policy with respect to United States farmland, assuring the maintenance of the agricultural production capacity of the United States, and has the personnel and other resources needed to implement national farmland protection policy; </text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD59EC0383E6C432E93F176077829B90"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies should take steps to assure that the actions of the Federal Government do not unnecessarily cause United States farmland to be irreversibly converted to nonagricultural uses in cases in which other national interests do not override the importance of the protection of farmland nor otherwise outweigh the benefits of maintaining farmland resources; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC599B67DA3A54BFB8905E5A583B91EAE"><enum>(8)</enum><text>the Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies should be required to ensure that the actions of the Federal Government do not cause permanently protected United States farmland to be irreversibly converted to nonagricultural uses where there are other feasible alternatives, and to mitigate the loss of any such farmland if no feasible alternative exists.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H510BDEFBB76F40AD87767CF375630716"><enum>(b)</enum><text>The purpose of this subtitle is to minimize the extent to which Federal programs contribute to the irreversible conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses, and to assure to the greatest degree possible that Federal programs are administered in a manner that is compatible with State, unit of local government, and private programs and policies to protect farmland.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H85CF240C41CB468492FABF0346133FDA"><enum>(c)</enum><text>In this subtitle:</text> <paragraph id="H69EF7906E6DA411E80953627808E423E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>farmland</term> includes all land defined as follows:</text> <subparagraph id="H33BCD84A2CB143069BAA79CEECF000A8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, oilseed, and other agricultural crops with minimum inputs of fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor, and without intolerable soil erosion, as determined by the Secretary. Prime farmland includes land that possesses the above characteristics but is being used currently to produce livestock and timber. It does not include land already in or committed to urban development or water storage.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA0A861445FE7470F8DDCCCA8002B64C8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Unique farmland is land other than prime farmland that is used for production of specific high-value food and fiber crops, as determined by the Secretary. It has the special combination of soil quality, location, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high quality or high yields of specific crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. Examples of such crops include citrus, tree nuts, olives, cranberries, fruits, and vegetables.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H01E813F89553465ABD2363F63B59FE34"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Farmland, other than prime or unique farmland, that is of statewide or local importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, oilseed or energy crops, as determined by the appropriate State or unit of local government agency or agencies, and that the Secretary determines should be considered as farmland for the purposes of this subtitle.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H59B70EFDBCF44D1EABF8676FDFA98E6F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>State</term> means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the United States.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB5209453D29F436C0052AAEC41FEE22B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>unit of local government</term> means the government of a county, municipality, town, township, village, or other unit of general government below the State level, or a combination of units of local government acting through an area wide agency under State law or an agreement for the formulation of regional development policies and plans.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H41F9D2D68EC9433B94B8D3002B74C0C4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The term <term>Federal program</term> means those activities or responsibilities of a department, agency, independent commission, or other unit of the Federal Government that involve—</text> <subparagraph id="H66B215E80ACB4850B226ABB06254BE71"><enum>(A)</enum><text>undertaking, financing, or assisting construction or improvement projects; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5F9A60EC4A934F269989529D133122F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>acquiring, managing, or disposing of Federal lands and facilities. The term <term>Federal program</term> does not include construction or improvement projects that on the effective date of this subtitle are beyond the planning stage and are in either the active design or construction state.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H31279DB6EBC84483BCFEC5B6A65C4708"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The term <term>permanently protected farmland</term> means farmland subject to a permanent conservation easement in accordance with the provisions of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/170">section 170(h)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or held by the Federal Government or any State or local unit of government.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H702EB792AACA445A947D6DE34CC1F55C"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Agriculture.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HF40351CD992A4BBCB8A8942300C8FB66"><enum>1541.</enum><header>Farmland protection policy</header> <subsection id="H0853638D19C04D7000BD38D03C5838C5"><enum>(a)</enum><text>The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with other departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the Federal Government, shall develop criteria for identifying the effects of Federal programs on the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H9A2072A0FE08430EAB34B6A900A1A534"><enum>(b)</enum><text>Departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the Federal Government shall, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, use the criteria established under subsection (a) of this section to—</text> <paragraph id="H8866E60A3D8E4D67A224BAE2955FD2D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify the quantity of farmland that will be directly or indirectly converted through proposed Federal program activities and actions under their jurisdiction; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H93C4A9C0ED5045CBBB85263C7E27365C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop and implement, to the maximum extent feasible, alternative actions to minimize the impact of the Federal program action or activity on the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses and ensure its compatibility with State, unit of local government, and private programs and policies to protect farmland.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H553BCAE45D544FC3A1A853B95D014B49"><enum>(c)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Permanently protected farmland shall not be subject to conversion to nonagricultural uses by Federal programs unless the Secretary in cooperation with Federal, State, and local agencies determines that there is no other feasible alternative to the proposed Federal program activity. Where a Federal action results in the conversion of permanently protected farmland to nonagricultural use, the loss of such land shall be mitigated by the responsible Federal entity on a one-for-one basis in quantity and equal or greater quality.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H95E6DA1BC7BE477491739604CA62F78B"><enum>(d)</enum><text>Departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the Federal Government shall provide annually to the Department of Agriculture the information required under subsection (b) of this section, which the Department of Agriculture shall make available to the public on an annual basis.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HB7FE76C6A31F4661BA0096D55F4CF9A9"><enum>(e)</enum><text>Any State, unit of local government, individual, organization or unit of the Federal Government aggrieved by a violation of any of the provisions of this subtitle shall have a civil cause of action against the Federal Department, agency, independent commission or other unit of the Federal Government committing the violation.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H536A3068D71D4917B3959C493FDCB0B8"><enum>(f)</enum><text>The Department of Agriculture may make available to States, units of local government, individuals, organizations, and other units of the Federal Government information useful in restoring, maintaining, and improving the quantity and quality of farmland.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HB572F65976C0414DB194E70059464FDD"><enum>1542.</enum><header>Existing policies and procedures</header> <subsection id="HC75656CC248F4559B161DAD69C91F011"><enum>(a)</enum><text>Each department, agency, independent commission, or other unit of the Federal Government, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, shall review current provisions of law, administrative rules and regulations, and policies and procedures applicable to it to determine whether any provision thereof will prevent such unit of the Federal Government from taking appropriate action to comply fully with the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H48EC9C17573E446CA608FA61EA26BB0"><enum>(b)</enum><text>Each department, agency, independent commission, or other unit of the Federal Government, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, shall, as appropriate, bring its programs, authorities, and administrative activities into conformity with the purpose and policy of this subtitle.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H675A78519CA24ECE97A410CC9ECCEED0"><enum>1543.</enum><header>Technical assistance</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States, units of local government, nonprofit organizations and the general public to assist in the development of programs or policies to limit the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses.</text> </section> <section id="HD150C4307AEE45A8AF01276029F457D2"><enum>1544.</enum><header>Farmland resource information</header> <subsection id="H8CCB96072F65441700CDA856872937EA"><enum>(a)</enum><text>The Secretary, through existing agencies or interagency groups, and in cooperation with nonprofit organizations or the cooperative extension services of the States, shall design and implement educational programs and materials emphasizing the importance of productive farmland to the Nation’s well-being and distribute educational materials through communications media, schools, groups, and other Federal agencies.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HDC1E83E35E39443BB4750929A66D3C41"><enum>(b)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall designate one or more farmland information centers to provide technical assistance and serve as central depositories and distribution points for information on farmland issues. Information provided by the center(s) shall include, but not be limited to, on-line access to data on land cover and use changes and trends, and to literature, laws, historical archives, policies, programs, and innovative actions or proposals by local and State governments or nonprofit organizations related to farmland protection and may include test plots, evaluation plots, and mobile learning centers.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H7A0E0FDA44A341C48D5E64DE7BA5C7BA"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Funding for subsection (b) of this section shall be provided through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. Such funding shall not exceed one-half of 1 percent of annual appropriations, but no less than $400,000 annually. Federal funding for the farmland information center or centers shall be matched with non-Federal funds, through cash or in-kind contributions.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HC7410E88F96A4795A89E9E5D7D26009B"><enum>1545.</enum><header>Grants, contracts</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">With the exception of sections 1544 and 1548, the Secretary shall carry out the purposes of this subtitle with existing facilities and funds otherwise available, through the use of grants, contracts, or such other means as the Secretary deems appropriate.</text> </section> <section id="H055E5361590D460A9B7700A10036A47D"><enum>1546.</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">On January 1, 1987, and at the beginning of each subsequent calendar year, the Secretary of Agriculture shall report to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives on the progress made in implementing the provisions of this subtitle. Such report shall include—</text> <paragraph id="H0E450367051847D8AEB0E45500236823"><enum>(1)</enum><text>data on the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses at the national, State, and, as available, local level;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7B89012FC8B94A788B19E359008D7F2D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>information on the effects of Federal programs, authorities, and administrative activities with respect to the protection of United States farmland; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H02D6219D9E1B4FC9874670438979EB6F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the results of the data collected and reviews and actions taken as required under sections 1541 and 1542.</text> </paragraph></section> <section id="H9F9D40125F6049038DBEB4003F302E47"><enum>1547.</enum><header>Statement of limitation</header> <subsection id="HFF5F23B0AFC241578B39D04FE0259F4"><enum>(a)</enum><text>This subtitle does not authorize the Federal Government in any way to regulate the use of private or non-Federal land, or in any way affect the property rights of owners of such land.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF62D5172EED44CC9896C52C2015B1139"><enum>(b)</enum><text>None of the provisions or other requirements of this subtitle shall apply to the acquisition or use of farmland for national defense purposes during a national emergency.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H2C669EA655B7440DB7F2CD34F900C190"><enum>1548.</enum><header>National agricultural lands commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"></text> <subsection id="H435CBD62493345AF82F7D8CA216320BB"><enum>(a)</enum><text>A national commission shall be established to undertake a comprehensive study of the importance of protecting an adequate agricultural land base to the Nation’s homeland security, food security, energy security, environmental quality and quality of life, and to develop recommendations by which the Federal Government can encourage the retention of agricultural land at the national, State and local level.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H04F2DB41197242F9AAB32C9E56196EBE"><enum>(b)</enum><text>In undertaking the study, the commission shall—</text> <paragraph id="H0A1BEA65A7BA4C5CB8F966252C1E9B27"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify the quality, quantity and location of the Nation’s agricultural lands;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF5C48F9C47444C0B8FF705286F53FBCE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify and define the effects of urbanization, industrial and commercial development and other nonagricultural activities on the Nation’s agricultural land base;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H388BED8BD476467F83B35407DFCBCFE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>identify and define the implications for the Nation’s agricultural land base of the following:</text> <subparagraph id="H278A5F9DF90042C5940055F98BA63472"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Global and national population trends and the projected international and domestic demand for food and energy production from United States agricultural lands.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H65934380BFA24708B3295B2726024561"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">National land use trends and competing demands on United States agricultural lands as a source for housing, industrial and commercial development, for food, fiber and energy production, and for recreational and environmental amenities.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF0457A71442B492EB379DAF329FF492B"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">National environmental trends and the capacity of United States agricultural lands to contribute to improvements in water quality and quantity, air quality and carbon sequestration.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H923A368241BD469AAD77F28F33F6531B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Agricultural land loss by region and its projected impact on the region’s food and energy security, natural resources and economy.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0044949B3F5845D8B9C12002D5149CC"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Land ownership patterns and their impact on the security of the Nation’s agricultural land base.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H689AA6CDA651402292BE77E3A2EF768E"><enum>(F)</enum><text>State and local programs, policies and actions affecting or supporting agricultural land availability.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H8A727D1F4F8C4AFB90FEB030A532A3F2"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Federal programs, policies and actions affecting or supporting agricultural land availability; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H9ECDF52DB7D041D5886EC4561500FEAB"><enum>(4)</enum><text>explore ways by which the Federal Government can encourage retention of the Nation’s agricultural land base at the Federal, State, and local level.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H172E3A07A15A456E99F62E314FAD50B8"><enum>(c)</enum><text>The Commission shall be composed of the following:</text> <paragraph id="H250701098CD04142BFC302609D978645"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Six members from the House Committee on Agriculture or their designee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H48E2C643FFE0427EB0BD9BD66528954"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Six members from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry or their designee.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H16EFB10D723D443EA028169FA67FCEE2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Eleven members appointed by the President, including the Secretary of Agriculture, who shall act as Chair. These members shall be representative of local and State governments, academia, nonprofit conservation organizations, and farm, forest and ranch interests.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H58BFC8535B1D491DB95B251459CCE327"><enum>(d)</enum><text>No later than 18 months from the date of enactment, the Commission shall submit an interim report to the President and to Congress containing its analysis of existing data and the need for any additional information.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H8EDEB278A5244720A16E6829A75AE8B"><enum>(e)</enum><text>No later than 36 months from the date of enactment, the Commission shall submit a final report to the President and to Congress with its findings and recommendations.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H8025586C5F1540559FDA26F3A148D2A5"><enum>(f)</enum><text>There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of funding the Commission $1,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF24F779C11024DAB9139AB2D5BD4CE13"><enum>(g)</enum><text>The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2011.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HDC4433C1690B4A04B81921AE37086F52"><enum>211.</enum><header>Debt for agricultural easements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by renumbering section 1238J to be 1238K and adding after section 1238I the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="HE54FACB5840C4E41AA17BFAAC6600000" style="OLC"> <section id="H562114FADCF8466696F9C4EF1FCE0035"><enum>1238J.</enum><header>Debt for agricultural easements program</header> <subsection id="H685984468E0048D6B5841D7C00C577AC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For purposes of this section:</text> <paragraph id="HBA25C075A150437ABD2768CBA5AEE810"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>governmental entity</term> means any agency of the United States, a State, or a unit of local government of a State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H77E5CE9DAA0742AC9D80AD68789ED56D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The terms <term>highly erodible land</term> and <term>wetland</term> have the meanings, respectively, that such terms are given in section 1201 of the Food Security Act of 1985.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF80BD8CAA3F4433388CD858066B6B45E"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>wildlife</term> means fish or wildlife as defined in section 2(a) of the Lace Act Amendments of 1981 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3371">16 U.S.C. 3371(a)</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA703A4C19D664455BC48F8DDB2F3EEDD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The term <term>recreational purposes</term> includes hunting.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF1B6B5807BC844D58000B8CB21EF693B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The term <term>conservation purposes</term> shall mean the permanent protection of agricultural land for continued agricultural use.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0D46391D8E8740E8BB378FE46887269D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contracts on loan security properties</header><text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section—</text> <paragraph id="H79657D556C7D45A2ABD4C7DBE545398C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Secretary may enter into a contract related to real property for conservation, recreation, or wildlife purposes;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H587EF2B91759463F949D5BF2AD6FDEBD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract related to real property for conservation purposes if—</text> <subparagraph id="H92DF4B03024E401BBED5739B377C6D34"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such property secures any delinquent loan made under any law administered by the Secretary and held by the Secretary;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCBFF828F33674F5F9BC0FA6BADF81165"><enum>(B)</enum><text>such property includes 50 percent or greater prime or unique farmland or farmland of statewide importance, as determined by the Secretary; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H712B5D712C9C4B91B872A95EB33EC012"><enum>(C)</enum><text>such property is reasonably likely to be developed for non-agricultural purposes in the absence of such a contract, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDBE92C206C264C5680AAE6FF917090DA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>The Secretary may enter into a contract under subsection (b) of this section if—</text> <paragraph id="HFA81F3F5C5444402A3533D6CACF716A1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>such property is prime or unique farmland, farmland of statewide importance, wetland, upland, or highly erodible land;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H700B3F178861433B8FF132519CF0717B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such property is determined by the Secretary to be suitable for the purposes involved; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0FB43C1545E44F5A881CA1E176CD78E"><enum>(3)</enum> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H23446F38B6134812A43BAD58FDBDF1D2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such property secures any loan made under any law administered by the Secretary and held by the Secretary; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H115FD30FA6074D27BEB6EE7789C3A834" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>such contract better enables a qualified borrower to repay the loan in a timely manner, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H589F1F0F1418423CB9D0C7BC82AF1762"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Terms and conditions</header><text>The terms and conditions specified in each such contract shall—</text> <paragraph id="H434C92770DFA41B5974525E880E5009E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>specify the purposes for which such real property may be used;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H65A18331ABA74AB09BC26CEF43D0A103"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify the conservation measures to be taken, and the agricultural, recreational and/or wildlife uses to be allowed, with respect to such real property; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H525B7A522ADD42D6B07FD8F226DCF057"><enum>(3)</enum><text>require such owner to permit the Secretary, and any person or governmental entity designated by the Secretary, to have access to such real property for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing compliance with such contract.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H398C96A5900741E5B1CBE004E1F63BD2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Purchase; limitation upon cancellation or prepayment</header> <paragraph id="H5FC0D7CBB6504FE9BB26BF6604062472"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may reduce or forgive the outstanding debt of a borrower—</text> <subparagraph id="H063560E64B544F4C85524D5EEDC1FA9C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of a borrower to whom the Secretary has made one or more outstanding loans under laws administered by the Secretary, by canceling that part of the aggregate amount of such outstanding loans that bears the same ratio to such aggregate amount as the number of acres of the real property of the borrower that are subject to the contract bears to the aggregate number of acres securing such loans; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDCD7D152940A472588D05400DEB886A8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in any other case, by treating as prepaid that part of the principal amount of a new loan to the borrower issued and held by the Secretary under a law administered by the Secretary that bears the same ratio to such principal amount as the number of acres of the real property of the borrower that are subject to the contract bears to the aggregate number of acres securing the new loan.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE80EFBF3558F4CE8B634DD100FB9500"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The amount so canceled or treated as prepaid pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not exceed—</text> <subparagraph id="HCC33FAED0E9B4CEDBBFC52706E595B1F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of a delinquent loan, the value of the land on which the contract is entered into or the difference between the amount of the outstanding loan secured by the land and the value of the land, whichever is greater; </text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5C019A8DBE9142E88EE8274DA2275868"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a nondelinquent loan, 33 percent of the amount of the loan secured by the land; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCCC61D92FB374723914F6E47ABE469E6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>for any loan, the difference between the fair market value of the land on which the contract is entered into as reduced by the terms of the contract and the fair market value of such land unrestricted by the contract.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H92E69C337C204173B56241DD40BE92D"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Consultations with fish and wildlife service</header><text>If the Secretary elects to use the authority provided by this section to enter into contracts for recreation or wildlife purposes, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior for purposes of—</text> <paragraph id="HE523C9EE727C403E898BC72EEEEBB3B6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>selecting real property in which the Secretary may enter into contracts for recreation or wildlife purposes under this section;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H55722E91FAA2462DAC878E00CC290AA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>formulating the terms and conditions of such contracts; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H940F5E9CD1D840AF8407B0DA1111A5A7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>enforcing such contracts.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDB8FCCAD875D454A9280E68D096EB512"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Enforcement</header><text>The Secretary, and any person or governmental entity designated by the Secretary, may enforce a contract entered into by the Secretary under this section.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HA045EC3C2A3645C50071AEB970AF72C3"><enum>212.</enum><header>Planning for agriculture grants</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subtitle F of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding after section 1256 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="HB17D24B85D324F8CB16256FE5B4EB845" style="OLC"> <section id="H45480841465A440C8BD768005139EF63"><enum>1257.</enum><header>Grants to promote planning for agriculture</header> <subsection id="H8B2BD9567305409BAFE31585001BAA72"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To encourage State and local efforts to retain farmland and promote food security, the Secretary shall provide competitive grants to State and local units of government to carry out planning projects for the purposes described in subsection (b).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H83F9D77489E5473EB79D8CD2C003CF53"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Project requirements</header> <paragraph id="H67B33964AA8248E2B4498692BC64C3E1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Projects eligible to receive planning assistance under this subsection shall be projects designed to support—</text> <subparagraph id="H9D6F99AD679E46F9908C5316334E8419"><enum>(A)</enum><text>farm and ranchland protection and transition;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H101E02DC1B214C9381250983ADBCF0A3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>agricultural economic development; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2B8CFDD9B0E54D31B5514125F2DF5BC7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>local and regional food processing and other agricultural infrastructure.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H19D948BC04004CDFB9A812F41C51F2C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A project will receive priority for funding if the project—</text> <subparagraph id="H47AB605310AB4E8882E6BE5D311CF8C1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>addresses more than one of the elements in subsection (b)(1)); or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE3EDCD90F94C464BA897436D3135D12E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>coordinates activities pursuant to one or more of the elements in subsection (b)(1) among different levels of government.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H51B01797BE804664B6436709D6C2C190"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grants</header> <paragraph id="HE872EE4D6F304A89AD43344DBF9EB3A4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>From amounts made available to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall make grants to State and local units of government to assist them in developing plans that assess needs and identify implementation strategies for furthering any of the purposes described in paragraph (2)(a).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2FD40E24EC794CD5B76B840091F27C74"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Maximum amount</header><text>The maximum amount of a grant provided under this subsection shall be $100,000.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA9285419B9804166B5A5D00000661D48"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Matching funds requirements</header><text>The Federal share of any project that receives funding under this subsection may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC50F388732304DEEB828AB225C5CA883"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Term</header><text>The term of a grant made under this subsection may not exceed 2 years.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC881F9327B98442394AFAE0B5888656"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to carry out this subsection, to remain available until expended.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H2EFE12F87B5C456280515E4B8EA6AC64"><enum>213.</enum><header>Exclusion of payments under Department of Agriculture conservation programs from adjusted gross income limitation</header> <subsection id="H9A0466F8090F4BDCB8108D854DB62801"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Exclusion</header><text>Subsection (b)(2) of section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1308-3a">7 U.S.C. 1308–3a</external-xref>) is amended by striking subparagraph (C).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HCC6B293CE61E4CFD96D698361F1889AA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duration of adjusted gross income limitation</header><text>Such section is further amended by striking subsection (e).</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H500A409097F94E79AAEEE3CBD24B9D78"><enum>214.</enum><header>Reauthorization of and increased funding for wildlife habitat incentive program</header> <subsection id="H2A44AFF33679471A958F37F96BEB64B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension and funding</header><text>Section 1241(a)(7) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(7)</external-xref>) is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (D) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:</text> <quoted-block id="HCF81585044E343C4BB66EC9C1FCC9D07" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H25D7478FCC664A99A5F4D001EACCB5B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$100,000,000 in fiscal year 2008;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2E6C2D9624AD4BEFB4E78F586C6C98F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$140,000,000 in fiscal year 2009;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD32559E7A1634C21B243733FBF62D3E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$200,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE482657403624053B8EE8C83BFE800A9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>$300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H30EEA77C0A564D22B52EA9379C5DF395"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Incentive payments for agreements benefitting listed species</header><text>Section 1240N of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839bb-1">16 U.S.C. 3839bb–1</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block id="H442A0E067F194154007ED300E03E2788" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H674D3780F4ED481580DDD02616D4FE0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Incentive payments for certain agreements and applications</header><text>In a case in which the Secretary enters into an agreement or contract to protect or restore habitat for a federally or State-listed endangered, threatened, or candidate species or for applications that further the goals and objectives of a State’s comprehensive wildlife conservation plan, the Secretary may provide incentive payments to landowners to protect or restore the habitat, including the cost of management activities needed during the term of the agreement or contract.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="H9BE9D46317E84FFB9EA27173A7147FF2"><enum>215.</enum><header>Conservation reserve program</header> <subsection id="HCCDBD618CA8D482390121141EB982590"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension</header> <paragraph id="HC21DB32BC64E48BDB7459B9218A0E8F9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Funding extension</header><text>Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="H03B12AFAD17A4F92A0FAC548862A47B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB4DFA99F1D684A66BE8973CEC5B0ABFE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>The</quote> and inserting <quote>For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H60F8430AD0C24104A0E0F0786815883E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text>Section 1231 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3831">16 U.S.C. 3831</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="H291C5C284583477EB8A24D72EA47D647"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDD8E6E99FE1A49A4A07F389510B60919"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (d), by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H05D37A3A88524EA9AC7BEFAA26485662"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (e)(3), by striking <quote>2002</quote> and inserting <quote>2008</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF077C65732F845C7B792F130B7728D27"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in subsection (h)(1), by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA7E25F9028924010934E00CF592BF658"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible land</header><text>Section 1231(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3831">16 U.S.C. 3831(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H8CFFB8DB7FBA4C80BDF88FE1C47F458"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (1) and inserting a semicolon;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H85A33D0F8E64442FA0DA856629A9837D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (4), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end of subparagraph (C);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8B4BA3211F6D4890B7C796AD8E30AE00"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting a semicolon; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3B77C205F6194063BE0546B0A3A71568"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HBDD9DDA89D704879B8C4905C931ED874" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H0F30D51B7985407F8D40F5B1C650F6EC"><enum>(6)</enum><text>marginal pasture land or hay land that is otherwise ineligible, if the land is to be primarily devoted to native vegetation appropriate to the locale and—</text> <subparagraph id="H5AF2F88EA14941359D7832C98CD2ED28"><enum>(A)</enum><text>will provide suitable habitat for a State or federally listed threatened or endangered species or a species determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be species of concern; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF617BFA13773495281A8F515F8D0FB23"><enum>(B)</enum><text>will contribute to the restoration of a critically endangered ecosystem or endangered ecosystem as defined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H68335AC8B63A4CF5B9CE759C316565C3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Enrollment goals</header><text>Section 1231(d) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3831">16 U.S.C. 3831(d)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H996ADFFDB2A9413CA891AC7015EE169"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The Secretary</quote> and inserting:</text> <quoted-block id="H55A94018EC544FFEAF463C52B4248ED4" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H83D38F9EADEB4AC69D6BCEA9BC332B38"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Acreage authorized</header><text>The Secretary</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H77EC8892482B4265A9308BE09D2B8492"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:</text> <quoted-block id="HE0F02142ABD044508EB6E164A031153C" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H8E1A210A0DE547BDA5C5B479F141769C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Enrollment goals</header><text>For the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph and ending on December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall establish a goal to enroll not less than 7,000,000 acres of eligible land through the continuous enrollment program and the conservation reserve enhancement program; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA48DD0D5351847D6AAF6973EA721FD7D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>General signup</header> <subparagraph id="HCE2D991FB2894CECB205E4AEE70658F3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that not more than 80 percent of the acres maintained in the conservation reserve at any one time during the 2008 through 2013 calendar years are acres that were enrolled through a general signup under section 1234(c)(2)(A).</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD591A3109040435FA819A400A2ED501"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For an offer to be accepted into the conservation reserve under the general signup, the Secretary shall require an offer to have an environmental benefit index score at or above a threshold that is 15 percent higher than the average of the thresholds used in general signups during fiscal years 1996 through 2006, adjusted for changes in the index over these fiscal years.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H749584EC11D641E98782E4B653B18E42"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Balance of natural resource purposes</header><text>Section 1231(j) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3831">16 U.S.C. 3831(j)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H82F9C319DCCF4C49AE7BEEDB2CEC441"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>In determining</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HD18F78769A874C479FDCC92EA3A48380" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HAAC11BC0D836425BBB3DEFD6FF4B9F44"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Equitable balance of conservation purposes</header><text>In determining</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0EB17E2492C64AEBB68905FC49EF775C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>, but need not balance all conservation purposes with respect to each particular contract offer.</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB3CC9B1E351A45268CC919E47660A15D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HDEC2CA07AFA5459B847277B7C5923BD1" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H28BE42A3AEF14A0CB7FE131D250565E7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Wildlife</header><text>In considering the extent to which a contract offer will achieve the conservation purposes of the program related to wildlife habitat, the Secretary shall consider the extent to which the contract offer will contribute to increased populations of wildlife, including waterfowl, nongame grassland birds and neotropical migrants, and assist in the recovery of at-risk species.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HBB5E770F0A2A442F9918F82838106981"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Duties of participants</header><text>Section 1232(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3832">16 U.S.C. 3832(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H6CC48C62C2D349F7BCF854EBC2EB985D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (4)—</text> <subparagraph id="H97020F3AC1644CFBB976002B32591412"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H183BDCA2B57F4D07BBE99655D7E90053"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HBFCBFCFE489D4B3593E9C8F898B4B095" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H9E7D9FD46A7C4BC9B405911BF3F71C8C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>approved vegetative cover shall not include vegetative cover inappropriate to the locale;</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB9D19029F4934619BC798D41869B40C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (10) as paragraphs (6) through (11); respectively;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC5BBE04C7A7B48BBABBFC36321D3F589"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H0A676BAD0DA84FF38947B5780A8007B" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H6624DAB44C034B259BCA4DFDB262C244"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to undertake appropriate management activities on the land as needed throughout the term of the contract to achieve the purposes of the conservation reserve program;</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H558A042448E14EE9ADFA0954CA007F5B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)(i)(II) of paragraph (8), as so redesignated, by striking <quote>may be conducted;</quote> and inserting <quote>, taking into account grassland types and species, location, weather conditions, and other factors that determine to what extent harvesting and grazing activities will advance the conservation purposes of the program;</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HEE104816EED24CEDAB1CBFE1F8D4A7EC"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Conservation plan</header><text>Section 1232(b)(1) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3832">16 U.S.C. 3832(b)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H4156EC48F3F7429CA722CA83358B397"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting <quote>, including appropriate management activities required by subsection (a)(5);</quote> and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H70E3065CAA8D466DA776BDCAE9A3FBE2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HEFB79625AA1840A0AFF1C6470965C3F7" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H9451639977244FA9A9F5A89B10A2AE46"><enum>(C)</enum><text>criteria for conducting any commercial use to be permitted, including criteria for managed harvesting and grazing specifying frequency, timing, number of animal units, percentage of field, and other criteria to ensure that managed harvesting and grazing advances the conservation purposes of the program; and</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE7BDAD9BE71C4DDBB70711F40608E5FC"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Cost-share and management assistance</header><text>Section 1234(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3834">16 U.S.C. 3834(b)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H6E7DED0995284D65B0DCDDCE007CFBF2" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H0B794856D02D47B4A7E839F0F800F6C0"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Management costs</header><text>The Secretary shall pay 75 percent of the cost of management activities, including control of invasive species, required under a contract entered into under this subchapter, subject to such limits as the Secretary may establish.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H2CDD90C0C2994FDBB2E65B7440182F39"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Acceptance of contract offers</header><text>Section 1234(c)(3) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3834">16 U.S.C. 3834(c)(3)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H2AF1C650FB304CBDAC4BF1F53D1140D3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>In determining</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HB5844B637D964221946B84D1FF8B70FA" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H6D097B8C8E5E4BE6924981D9003DD054"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Maximizing environmental benefits</header><text>In determining</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H9F233F04ECC7490F9E779CE2A6E1FF8C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>may</quote> and all that follows through <quote>take into consideration</quote> and inserting <quote>shall take into consideration</quote>;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8A6EEEB960234B309869B9DD1B5754C0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking <quote>benefits; and</quote> and inserting <quote>benefits. The Secretary shall establish criteria for the acceptance of contract offers that will maximize environmental benefits, including criteria related to the characteristics of the land that is the subject of the contract offer, its location, proposed cover and proposed management practices.</quote>;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H80FBF2895FEC4B0AA274AAA755D6EEA4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by striking <quote>(B) establish</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H5691E813B5D04AB4B500A87EE0347444" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H9A25A756B2264BB1A223A100464CBDE6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Flexibility</header><text>The Secretary may establish</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2AB26A01CF554875AF6365353360286F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>by striking <quote>abated.</quote> and inserting <quote>abated, in order to more effectively address specific State or regional resource concerns and conservation priorities.</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2CDB13E7D4B54243ACDD2916EBB7AFAB"><enum>(6)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HF54199F19849421CA900C376017DEA3C" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HAC86189D86C04EAF9078CCD8FDB0BD23"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Relationship to other conservation programs</header><text>In the enrollment of land in the conservation reserve established under this subchapter, the Secretary shall give a priority to land that cannot produce comparable environmental benefits if maintained in agricultural production and enrolled in the environmental quality incentives program or other program designed to assist producers in improving the environmental performance of working agricultural land.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6548CB536F7F46CC9E170195701D0549"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Conservation reserve enhancement program</header><text>Section 1234(f)(1) of such Act is (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3834">16 U.S.C. 3834(f)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>The Secretary may waive this payment limitation for persons participating in a conservation reserve enhancement program if the Secretary determines such a waiver is necessary to achieve the objectives of the conservation reserve enhancement program.</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H0CBAFA9DD52F484BB159241CDBFF808C"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Early termination clause for bioenergy production</header><text>At the end of section 1231(e), add the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HD8EAFFD54F5249E68C693BCBF341514" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H3C34C1CBEC2F4EFDAC12DCF9E02F63"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Early termination option for bioenergy production</header> <subparagraph id="H3B32741CF98E499BB78B527CDA723B9F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall offer to producers applying for entry into the Conservation Reserve through the general signup under section 1234(c)(2)(A), the option of including a contract provision to allow the affected acreage to exit from the reserve at any time after an initial period of 3 years but prior to competing a full contract term in order to produce a sustainable cellulosic bioenergy crop on the affected acres.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H860425AE106A4BF3AC70AAB32019ECB"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Eligible lands</header><text>Lands eligible to be covered by an early termination from the reserve are those acres having an erodibility index value less than 15 and are otherwise eligible for enrollment in the conservation reserve except land that is to be enrolled under the continuous signup or the conservation reserve enhancement program under section 1234(c)(2)(B).</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9F5E6BEBB99C4AF080A9F150B50270A7"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Restrictions</header><text>In the event that a producer with an early termination clause in the conservation reserve contract chooses to exercise this option, the Secretary shall require the producer to restrict any agricultural production during the remaining term that the affected acres would have had under the contract to the production of a sustainable cellulosic bioenergy crop on the lands.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0C3A75644E5340CF005842A300AE4C40"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Payment reduction</header><text>If a producer chooses to have the option clause included in the conservation reserve contract, the Secretary shall reduce the annual rental payment otherwise payable for the contract to be paid on those acres during the time of enrollment.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2EF4C24933CB459100FB791739873CF5"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Contract termination</header><text>If a producer exercises the option to have the affected acreage leave the reserve in order to produce a sustainable cellulosic bioenergy crop, the Secretary shall terminate the CRP contract and cease making any payment to the producer for these acres.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="HF41311B4390749EC97D1E13BCD991CE"><enum>216.</enum><header>Wetlands reserve program</header> <subsection id="H3364A3E6AEE84AFE995D13D6D2A986F5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension</header> <paragraph id="H0B7A6069F7124F9194C885005721632E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Funding extension</header><text>Section 1241(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3841">16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>The</quote> and inserting <quote>For each of fiscal years 2002 through 2013, the</quote>.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2670F95A356A4843B0003125D4FCB484"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 1237(c) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3837">16 U.S.C. 3837(c)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HCBA9CD3D047A460EB90071AB29291013"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Maximum enrollment</header><text>Section 1237(b)(1) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3837">16 U.S.C. 3837(b)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2,275,000 acres</quote> and inserting <quote>5,000,000 acres</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HFBABEC9063EB48CE9F115190C0F41E67"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Wetland easement conservation plan</header><text>Section 1237A(b)(3) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3837a">16 U.S.C. 3837a(b)(3)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: <quote>and activities necessary to maintain hydrologic, habitat, and other functional values of the wetlands</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HE0A29CD958564359989E86598C9356F5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cost-share and management assistance</header><text>Section 1237C of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3837c">16 U.S.C. 3837c</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H65E914627555415200135554F9C12040"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by inserting <quote>including necessary hydrologic and habitat maintenance activities,</quote> after <quote>values,</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2F9DFD6FEB2549BFB30000FFA5C6ADC6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HC57F0BEE5CFF4615B3BABBB2DEB96F30" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HC46B7675593144D88D65C7692C2D00FC"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Management costs</header><text>The Secretary may make payments to owners to cover up to the full actual cost of undertaking any ongoing or periodic management activities necessary to maintain the functional values of wetland enrolled in the wetlands reserve program.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H026C9B71205C416CB9BCDBE92C683325"><enum>217.</enum><header>Pilot program for conservation risk management</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3839bb">16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6AD7259321E4416DAB62A0F1CA50E0D4" style="OLC"> <section id="H59CC39402631456BACB7276EFDF031DB"><enum>1240R.</enum><header>PILOT PROGRAM FOR CONSERVATION RISK MANAGEMENT</header> <subsection id="H43F55B6ABC77471FA5ACBA6900BADFFC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress finds the following:</text> <paragraph id="HB2843C4C55C142EB852D21CD4462C257"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Numerous studies have identified risk as a major barrier to the adoption of well established conservation measures such as Best Management Practices (BMPs).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HE1205C4648DE4432BAC002BEEBFF65"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Studies have determined that conservation risk management guarantees are among the most cost effective means of inducing conservation adoption.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H67EA83E576A0440998355B522E000015"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has successfully operated an experimental conservation risk management program in conjunction with the Agricultural Conservation Innovation Center of the American Farmland Trust.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H89B10DDDC60E4BA2A1924BA3E6046682"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Pilot program required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to support innovative conservation risk management tools to encourage the implementation of conservation and best management practices on working lands.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF44D452424F54F3387381982E72FC4CB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conservation risk management</header><text>The Secretary shall undertake a pilot project in the locations specified in paragraph (c) to encourage the adoption of conservation practices and best management practices on working lands by offering producers innovative tools to manage the business and production risk of implementing conservation and/or best management practices on some portion of their operations. Such risk management tools shall include price and yield guarantees that are contingent on conversion to conservation and/or best management practices, such as reduced application rates of nutrients.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HF78E26D7E7FD43220009E05F58348B51"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header><text>Pilot projects in conservation risk management shall be undertaken in the following locations:</text> <paragraph id="HDF3EBBF370AF41E1960869A3FFD41D9C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Chesapeake Bay watershed.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5BF9124111144A10A78CB9197648488F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Great Lakes Basin.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB3E6B290085D4C8E9D475B3624320044"><enum>(3)</enum><text>New York’s Finger Lakes Region.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA1BC4A8104FE43B7AD44A2E2E141A62E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Ohio River Watershed.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0601D57CAE1941AA8B2D38210000E900"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall provide $20 million each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to carry out the pilot conservation risk management program authorized by this section. The funds shall be allocated in the following manner:</text> <paragraph id="HBD72B8B865AA4812B1D6FB511735DB6C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$10 million to establish and maintain a guarantee pool, from which, payments can be made to producers participating in the pilot conservation risk management program that suffered losses when implementing conservation and/or best management practices.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3BC15D4298384CE8BD35DEE39FA050DE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$5 million to administer and deliver the pilot conservation risk management program to producers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0D4C6EDD1C194C80AB52D164022B49A8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$5 million for research to improve and maintain the integrity of the pilot conservation risk management program. The research shall focus on the following priority areas:</text> <subparagraph id="H17217E561B844559A252BAF54B80E07F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Impact of short-term and long-term weather changes on the performance of conservation and best management practices.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2884B62217E1493A00AAE14D7D005064"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Genomic markers indicating nutrient insufficiency.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD57E1F69C2684F66A85790838316BE45"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Improving actuarial analysis and performance.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE45C6C86E8134FDE96E0756D84601B65"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Impact of new fertility recommendations on yield and net returns.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFDDAA492BEC1483898418E1F02B09050"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Impact of reduced tillage practices for continuous corn on yield and net returns.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H09229CAE554F445D9520533F2FDA3225"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Research on other risk management tools to improve the adoption of conservation and best management practices.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE84ECFEBFA5A48AEBAEA44A792D21021"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Impact of emerging technologies and enhanced nutrient management techniques, such as variable rate applications, in-season nutrient testing, precision farming practices, on yield and net returns.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6918FE5A581748BE920094C8DE8E775E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the conservation risk management pilot and publish reports, available to the public, with results of the assessment. Such assessments shall be undertaken at least midway during and at the end of the pilot program.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H5D4C040039DB4F028F62FDC00FC277"><enum>B</enum><header>Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program</header> <section id="H590F1FB236044E9AA4D428F98488737E"><enum>221.</enum><header>Conservation corridor demonstration program</header> <subsection id="H765609C5F176407097534C00656B873D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress finds the following:</text> <paragraph id="HB7BC9A1E6B0D4803B10035CF68877DB4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Chesapeake Bay restoration will not achieve its goals as expected under the Chesapeake 2000 agreement by the 2010 deadline.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA41C881082C245A9BEA8EC008BC2B7A4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Delmarva Peninsula, comprised of the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia and the State of Delaware contributes a large percentage of nutrients and sediment loadings to the Chesapeake Bay each year.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HFD6F4B4D4E3740B6841F988753517501"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Agricultural lands, forests and open space provide the greatest contribution per dollar of investment to water quality improvements and are critical to the restoration of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HEDD74E7DC74A400CBE0866E70500AA3F"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective, efficient and targeted use of funding for conservation programs on farms on the Delmarva Peninsula is the best way to ensure meaningful contributions of the very willing agricultural production industries to be better environmental stewards and contribute more to the Chesapeake Bay restoration.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC34C0F52BDFF4950BD9E56FAA4E8EB4D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Delmarva Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program</header><text>The Secretary shall establish the program, known as the <quote>Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program</quote>, under which the States of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia or any one of those States shall submit a plan to integrate agriculture and forestry conservation programs, coordinated across the landscape, of the Department of Agriculture and State and local efforts toward conservation on agricultural lands and sustainability of farming on the Peninsula.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H12E9581CE1D24FBD8B003BECE928A441"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Submission of conservation corridor plan</header> <paragraph id="H8CBC9EDB9E40425794FDE5456E25AF7D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Submission and proposal</header><text>To be eligible to participate in the demonstration program, a State, or combination of States referred to in subsection (b) shall—</text> <subparagraph id="HD5ABD0BF2AAB40E982EAEBA8005FFA11"><enum>(A)</enum><text>submit to the Secretary a plan that—</text> <clause id="H2B7ED23095EA4E0CB62F7283FCEFCF1E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>proposes specific criteria and commitment of resources in the geographic region designated in the plan; and</text> </clause> <clause id="H40C4B351EAE74D46B5FDEDDB38AC9B8B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>describes how the linkage of Federal, State, and local resources will improve—</text> <subclause id="HC8203288F989474791145F8182FE6F2B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the economic viability of agriculture; and</text> </subclause> <subclause id="HB3422792D7314B49AF77B083B9EC436F"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the environmental integrity of the watersheds in the Delmarva Peninsula;</text> </subclause></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE07C5BC9FDA144BA861E5719C4007D48"><enum>(B)</enum><text>demonstrate to the Secretary, in developing the plan, the State, or combination of States has solicited and taken into account the views of local residents.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC033D6525252471D9B01183964818D95"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Draft of memorandum of agreement</header><text>If the conservation corridor plan is submitted by more than one State, the plan shall provide a draft memorandum of agreement among entities in each submitting State.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0674B336C77240E4A7649956D36397C5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Review of plan</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of a conservation corridor plan, the Secretary—</text> <paragraph id="HE7A35C9EA96E4F048B3CF02F00B65989"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall review the plan; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4AE0A9CF6FA846FFB16B81E6451EF267"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may approve the plan for implementation under this subtitle if the Secretary determines that the plan meets the requirements specified in subsection (e).</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H2AD9D423C6BC46698EC6106B617DB98"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Criteria for approval</header><text>The Secretary may approve a plan only if, as determined by the Secretary, the plan provides for each of the following:</text> <paragraph id="HB52D645838C943D59308BE8195CAB11"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Voluntary actions</header><text>Actions taken under the plan—</text> <subparagraph id="H2E85918E146646B59B8C393FE4FE652B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are voluntary;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAC8A2EBC49CF4F648917808877387187"><enum>(B)</enum><text>require the consent of willing landowners; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H485FFC166F0240AABF6DC7F8F5031051"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide a mechanism by which the landowner may withdraw such consent without adverse consequences other than the loss of any payments to the landowner conditioned on continued enrollment of the land.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA164F6C03F984D2B9718A7175D22DFEF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No effect on unenrolled land</header><text>The enrollment of land in a conservation program incorporated through the plan will neither—</text> <subparagraph id="H910A338E72184626A54D2BF4432B4B63"><enum>(A)</enum><text>adversely affect any adjacent land not so enrolled; nor</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC615FA7B8A5E493C84006CC7DD3DBB52"><enum>(B)</enum><text>create any buffer zone on such unenrolled land.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8F738437C4674A75A45B7FCFE40817E3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Sufficient staffing</header><text>Staffing, considering both Federal and non-Federal resources, is sufficient to ensure success of the plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HA8F75C6949224FA29BB84B2B16A0F74"><enum>222.</enum><header>Implementation of conservation corridor plan</header> <subsection id="HE2242665AC944078A1AE6C5FD51CFC3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Memorandum of agreement</header><text>On approval of a conservation corridor plan, the Secretary may enter into a memorandum of agreement with the State, local government, or combination of States that submitted the plan to—</text> <paragraph id="H38388925852644A8844F18B268A7A298"><enum>(1)</enum><text>guarantee specific program resources for implementation of the plan;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H63A4A86763E24A71B6E6AA8128F7DBCC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>establish various compensation rates to the extent that the parties to the agreement consider justified; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H329EC21BBB064CB4AC001D89F1EE2BF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide streamlined and integrated paperwork requirements.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAF1CE404CC0C4F798EA4A6F2BE71EB00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Continued Compliance With Plan Approval Criteria</header><text>The Secretary shall terminate the memorandum of agreement entered into under subsection (a) with respect to an approved conservation corridor plan and cease the provision of resources for implementation of the plan if the Secretary determines that, in the implementation of the plan—</text> <paragraph id="H7F063E3CD16C427E006749CBD0A74948"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the State or combination of States that submitted the plan has deviated from—</text> <subparagraph id="HAF943C815FD74AE9AC3971E020B22588"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the plan;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4FD8037F5FF54E8AB428B586E3254DC2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the criteria on which approval of the plan was conditioned; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H148A733E04444630B86732AB572B921E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the cost-sharing requirements or any other condition of the plan; or</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H68A88A426D1C456F9FE38B6687F00D4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the economic viability of agriculture in the geographic region designated in the plan is being hindered.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H462E09AB08FF429895A784001CA3003D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Progress Report</header><text>At the end of the 3-year period that begins on the date on which funds are first provided with respect to a conservation corridor plan under the demonstration program, the State, local government, or combination of States that submitted the plan shall submit to the Secretary—</text> <paragraph id="HBE020C7A54984C8BB3651025D0AA1FB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a report on the effectiveness of the activities carried out under the plan; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H63D260F083B64B5CA1F7D7D3B4022D24"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an evaluation of the economic viability of agriculture in the geographic region designated in the plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC800250F18B14F1FBE7EA9ECCF84EDE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The demonstration program shall be carried out for not less than 3 nor more than 5 years beginning on the date on which funds are first provided under the demonstration program.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HCB7028C0F9A14A4A8529498E88A2EAC8"><enum>223.</enum><header>Funding requirements</header> <subsection id="H07C4FBC6747844E4B5A99C00FF6E3D3F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Cost sharing</header> <paragraph id="H793CCF0DAF1A4D0FAE1ED7DEA3CC19C1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Required non-Federal share</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), as a condition on the approval of a conservation corridor plan, the Secretary shall require the State and local participants to contribute financial resources sufficient to cover at least 50 percent of the total cost of the activities carried out under the plan.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H632F1C02176B4C7284E47DF7A43441A4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The Secretary may reduce the cost-sharing requirement in the case of a specific project or activity under the demonstration program on good cause and on demonstration that the project or activity is likely to achieve extraordinary natural resource benefits.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC9C9BF9D94DB4E94BE7CC315D4D2087B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reservation of funds</header><text>The Secretary shall direct funds (under programs amended by subtitle A of this title) on a priority basis to implement the plan by prioritizing to projects in areas identified by the plan.</text> </subsection></section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD169A608DA0144D6959CAF007C63327E" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>224.</enum><header>Relation to existing program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This subtitle supercedes subtitle G of title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/107/171">Public Law 107–171</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/3801">16 U.S.C. 3801</external-xref> note).</text> </section></subtitle> <enum>III</enum><header>Energy</header> <section id="HFE4A850239C44F72AD0021797CEB1E55"><enum>301.</enum><header>Definition of biomass</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9001(3)(B)(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8101">7 U.S.C. 8101(3)(B)(i)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>and crop waste</quote> after <quote>agricultural crops</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="HE6639828B53044789167B7996739BA43"><enum>302.</enum><header>Research on biobased products</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9002(k)(2)(A) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8102">7 U.S.C. 8102(k)(2)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H36516454049043E3BC8E035436ECC9B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$1,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$10,000,000</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H944BB70BF0384605A88C2C2B2F57E5DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>2002 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2008 through 2013</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section> <section id="H98642B3A9359428089EE2131CF992EBB"><enum>303.</enum><header>Development of biorefineries</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9003(h) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8103">7 U.S.C. 8103(h)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H2E3BA316ABB0462CB5E66A89673D74E" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HDF9D9FE4FCA34383AD60FB1C005986D2"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H4DB034664D7A4EDFAC193CF4A7B2DF67"><enum>304.</enum><header>Energy audit and renewable energy development program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9005(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8105">7 U.S.C. 8105(i)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBA13905896FC4573B968E195BD951EEE" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H263B015EAA224FAB9E804881DA96A1F0"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HE2D550F98113471EBFFEF345198D9B0"><enum>305.</enum><header>Renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8106">7 U.S.C. 8106</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H44C5A90202D54CA0ACB6A65160693CA4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H3616FD52FDB34015BFA65C0034C7EC06" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H8D8E26FE4E094B440084EC57A80079B6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Preference for community projects</header><text>In awarding grants or providing loans under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference for activities that—</text> <subparagraph id="H6951447A9F314BB2BA4CD9C14351973D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are undertaken jointly by more than one eligible entity in a local community, as determined by the Secretary;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9A3ED93FA5AF44A797B85C4300054E2C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>involve direct cooperation between two or more eligible entities, as determined by the Secretary; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7BFF58D62CC6454BAAAEB3313342E4DE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>foster community or cooperative approaches to renewable energy and energy efficiency development, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H616F474EC70D438D8260CB7700AFF6E2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subsection (f);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0645C3512A5C49028450AED035915ECB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H6581DD82B38740C2BF89D7C97D3D5DD1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block id="HB84835CA9508428C81C06225A8636C03" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HAE28ECA4270D42E3B62081003EC009D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Production-based incentive in lieu of grant</header> <paragraph id="H2D98A215B1E34070AFB69F2693D497F3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In addition to the authority under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, on the request of an applicant eligible to receive payments under this section, make production-based payments to the applicant in lieu of a grant.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H58C40ABB391F45CB89703B0011D082CD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contingency</header><text>The Secretary may not make a production-based payment under paragraph (1) unless the applicant demonstrates documented energy production and sales from a renewable energy system to a third party.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H86154342DA654B9A8FF9EC18174003D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The value of a production-based payment under this subsection may not exceed the lesser of—</text> <subparagraph id="HF75683C916164C21B25E63DF6C17A87"><enum>(A)</enum><text>25 percent of the eligible project costs; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCBE8804D202C452BBA20490974E0EB10"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any other limit that the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5A2B2DA779514E179694D9D9069DB01F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block id="HC48D91A06AAB406FB685F4FF7EDCEE2C" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H9AB785594D6E455CB222A2AF3F7B60C6"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section—</text> <paragraph id="H29663777096B4AD18655F0E6749601CE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$60,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, to remain available until expended;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H48D451344E0943C6B2B77536A0F53C16"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$90,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until expended;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3844F32A3FD2453896E1CDAE188BA3F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$130,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, to remain available until expended;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2C2E76504C0041EB9E60642D6B11CD57"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$180,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, to remain available until expended; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB6D71801E2FF4A5ABC6201CBA08CEA"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, to remain available until expended.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HC7B3850C3D944DA4AEC7E2A8B1E8F09"><enum>306.</enum><header>Biomass research and development</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 310 of the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/7624">7 U.S.C. 7624</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/106/224">Public Law 106–224</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H5FCC9DC40E314A3BA1F57817C347A440" style="OLC"> <section id="H2CB97570167B42679B0905B5C8FAF51"><enum>310.</enum><header>Funding</header> <subsection id="H77BF9760CE05440089EB3310399F4C00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this title $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H1DD82AEC107640A78F021940D08115DE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>In addition to amounts transferred under subsection (a), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HB6DB8BECD0A7427389207985B2D99613"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Availability of funds</header><text>Amounts made available under subsection (a) or appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (b) shall remain available until expended.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H25BC6687A7F642E3A72FA17562BED7E6"><enum>307.</enum><header>Cooperative research and extension projects for carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/106/224">Public Law 106–224</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after section 227 the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H0BD9909E9821407C82E0C1B9B4E60056" style="OLC"> <section id="HA21F0CC569794E3898480761F0C2AFBC"><enum>228.</enum><header>Cooperative research and extension projects for carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States</header> <subsection id="HEB73DB7A60F64FF0BA3E395CE2DED1D1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible universities described in subsection (b) in order to conduct research on carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H04D06C6F86C34976923D540027168631"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible northeast and mid-atlantic universities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The eligible universities or consortiums containing one or more eligible universities described in this subsection are—</text> <paragraph id="H0997551D55C5491D85A33E95A58F37ED"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Cornell University;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2EDCF17001E64919B2C3D17676CF1024"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the University of the District of Columbia; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5E9C1AB70BC445CCACF327B1B3B9FCB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>public universities in the following States:</text> <subparagraph id="H9848A7DABF5043E4A27615E2CB224FD4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Maine.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0E223EF70AAA4C8F00D97E00A05FDD11"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Delaware.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H40FCA1C972B2446DBED16C31DBEDD8EE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Connecticut.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H723E20A545C24D66A0E048643269458C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Maryland.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD7CAC2120CB4479395392FA63876D3F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Massachusetts.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9926C6D253154020ADEA03E475EE9665"><enum>(F)</enum><text>New Hampshire.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7A337FD1518845E1838EE005A3B5053E"><enum>(G)</enum><text>New Jersey.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1E2244FFBEDE43CBBEE84D1252A8167B"><enum>(H)</enum><text>New York.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF4979EA72A23414D91CAD1437D631455"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Pennsylvania.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC0E5F62AB22747E08CDD8D59C1857D49"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Rhode Island.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6E64BFFB9CC24320AA6017D3B0F300D6"><enum>(K)</enum><text>Vermont.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE2E0BC28A1E041E1811FE74E2F6BB32D"><enum>(L)</enum><text>Virginia.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8D2FC55B9F454E81A8FEA7E11CE1B0E8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use</header><text>The universities described in subsection (b) shall use funds provided pursuant to a grant under this section to—</text> <paragraph id="HA62941FDF2494A628B31860700EEB189"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct research to improve the scientific basis of using land management practices to increase soil carbon sequestration, including research on the use of new technologies to increase carbon cycle effectiveness, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4C6D34C252264A209739275D87004C09"><enum>(2)</enum><text>enter into partnerships to identify, develop, and evaluate agricultural best practices, including partnerships between—</text> <subparagraph id="HB48DF1AFCD3F4D3E0089CED394B71FBE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Federal, State, or private entities; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H193301F709DF4D6EBB287503B08CCDA9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Department of Agriculture;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3C220A5A55EE45D2B4501275844F7433"><enum>(3)</enum><text>develop computer models to predict and assess the carbon cycle;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8613D30F1BE54651A025DE0826A5FC19"><enum>(4)</enum><text>estimate and develop mechanisms to measure carbon levels made available as a result of—</text> <subparagraph id="HFF83C6E6DF1844ADB2F3B44020285D00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>voluntary Federal conservation programs;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4A705A668805429A89A3684014453E8F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>private and Federal forests; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HBEA0AAB915624F8DA46029E5AF80D06D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>other land uses;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD9A1EB328CAD4A3BB21034E432EF2489"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">develop outreach programs, in coordination with the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture, to share information on carbon cycle and agricultural best practices that is useful to agricultural producers;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H21DF9011395948048CD9D3C2B82DE4BE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>conduct research on the effects of increased greenhouse gases and global warming upon agriculture in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF38383641DAB4FA8A80071B9E422FF85"><enum>(7)</enum><text>conduct studies of the potential for production of—</text> <subparagraph id="H758B48929FB64F889488481585E4D12F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>ethanol and other biofuels from cellulosic materials produced in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H514CC41E776644ED8D6DABBCC5E1C5F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>electricity produced from cellulosic materials produced in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H67DECF441C3344698EFA83DA00FFCB6F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>natural gas produced from agricultural waste and animal waste produced in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H902008A93FBE4FF9B51E137735FFB59"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Administrative costs</header><text>Not more than three percent of the funds made available pursuant to subsection (e) may be used for administrative costs incurred in carrying out this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H70D55655F3D54113AAAB00E230005B4B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H371E94667AF742EC9BC62DC4F904E6E7"><enum>308.</enum><header>Industrial site redevelopment through cellulosic program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9010 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8108">7 U.S.C. 8108</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H61D291EEF865423786D1D454FE06D0B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="HC0ACC839583947E2AF19B5C856F0FBE" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HDC939A6BC5B743D5B5D400651C40EDAE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Biofuel</header><text>The term <term>biofuel</term> means liquid transportation fuel, including biodiesel, fuel grade ethanol, and woody biomass.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAE491204159644A5917FF3F35C6013CC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(3)(A), to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H6B04BB67C5044E7284A96CC5758FA38" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H061A8D955FFB4EAB99AE251B6C90031"><enum>(A)</enum><text>residue and waste material from the production of agricultural crops (including wheat and rice straw, corn stover, sugar bagasse, and trimmings from fruits and tree nuts);</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC3183D80B01E4524B6797043CE05001D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking subsection (a)(4) and inserting the following new paragraphs:</text> <quoted-block id="H13A77C3A925F4F01A76336C9A900B5A8" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H24A466F3B81A43898299ACBD5F034BAA"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Eligible site</header><text>The term <term>eligible site</term> means either an active industrial or processing facility (including a distillery, ethanol plant, or paper mill), a site that once held such a facility that is no longer in active use, or land contiguous with and immediately surrounding an active industrial or processing facility or a site that once held such a facility that is no longer in active use.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H283CBF8149774B94A7C019296B6F00C7"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Eligible project</header><text>The term <term>eligible project</term> means any project that utilizes an eligible site for the industrial production of biofuel directly from an eligible commodity.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H62A154305511403E8EF2C41669DF24D7"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Eligible producer</header><text>The term <term>eligible producer</term> means a producer operating an eligible project.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H54590B8651214E288DB2B9F34FAA82D4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the following new subsections:</text> <quoted-block id="HEF4DC4204C754223A3752700CF157183" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H778F7E1B5BD747F8A1327B831F008645"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Industrial site redevelopment through cellulosic program</header> <paragraph id="H702C43518D474510BFE6909779E77CBE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Grants, loans, and loan guarantees</header><text>The Secretary shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to an eligible producer for the following activities:</text> <subparagraph id="H9EFDCE38085D44CC8FE9003E3BB24B19"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Purchase of equipment for an eligible project.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1C3567B7A5A8435F9EF2658D2CA320C4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Purchase of construction or related services for an eligible project.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD67C38536E284F8497E1BA87EEE0FA3E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Construction of infrastructure for an eligible project.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC3DFAA5B826649B29509E6E33C75D5B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Production based payments</header> <subparagraph id="H9CCAB4E03AF74A24AF76001C7EAE2600"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In lieu of providing a grant under paragraph (a), the Secretary may provide annual payments to an eligible producer based on demonstrated production of biofuel from eligible commodities.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H8D88F60248D34F36BE0030C89BCEB6BD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Maximum payment per gallon</header><text>The Secretary may provide payments to an eligible producer of not more than two dollars for every gallon of biofuel produced by the eligible producer in a fiscal year.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H81049366A2774667ACABE425E06F7F98"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitations</header> <subparagraph id="H520CB0E581874BF8876D1C74411F5696"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Grants</header> <clause id="H9B1C6C31C16A404986A194E5992067AF"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Grants provided under paragraph (1) may not exceed $25,000,000 per eligible project.</text> </clause> <clause id="HA9799CE93AF9445DAB44E0F92888D6D2"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Grants, loans, and loan guarantees</header><text>The total combined amount of grants, loans, and loan guarantees provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible producer or for an eligible project may not exceed $50,000,000.</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H47ED56FC65464C5180338EEA58D7D4C2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Production based payments</header> <clause id="HB8C4678BA4C44BACBF512C049BD5715E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Production based payments provided under paragraph (2) may not exceed $25,000,000.</text> </clause> <clause id="HC1D77AE4D422424FAE17A0566385ED41"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Production based payments, loans, and loan guarantees</header><text>The total combined amount of production based payments provided under paragraph (2) and loans and loan guarantees provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible producer or for an eligible project may not exceed $50,000,000.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H783BCB7D632846ACAFA4079B29BC37C7"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Matching requirement for grants, loans, and loan guarantees</header><text>A recipient of funds under this paragraph (1) shall provide matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of Federal funds received.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HD362DD8E1A344FF5B2D5BEA39C2F2F00"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section not more than $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="H84D46FF7FF12443480C76DBE24D250F"><enum>309.</enum><header>Farm and ranch energy efficiency rebate program</header> <subsection id="H887FBABD04D1422E8D7743A40286EC69"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall provide competitive grants to eligible entities described in subsection (b) to provide rebates for farmers, ranchers, rural school districts, and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H82DAA919BB9F438F93E9685CBE3F6191"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible entities</header><text>An eligible entity described in this subsection is—</text> <paragraph id="HA8C118785363417D9C1B688467489E76"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a State energy or agriculture office;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0DFC451146334D4682F649009834986B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a nonprofit energy efficiency or renewable energy organization that uses public funds provided directly or under contract with a State agency;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDF52A2496D1F4AEB9FDB6F426464FBCA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated ability to administer a State-wide energy efficiency or renewable energy rebate program; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAD952B3D0E0B48178598B1D11E33DBB7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a consortium of entities described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H39E16159C6C6421992001BD56FDD7DDE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Merit review</header> <paragraph id="H8338EDA0493E49928913D86C00D4CD25"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a merit review process to review applications for grants under subsection (a) that uses the expertise of the Department of Agriculture, other Federal and State agencies, and non-governmental organizations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H02CF975F76ED4093A2C8ABBA38409089"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>In reviewing the application of an eligible entity to receive a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—</text> <subparagraph id="HAE3F02F1FEEB4811B2FA35AD4B76327"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the experience and expertise of the entity in establishing and administering a State-wide clean energy rebate program;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE5EA14BC632D4C0CBCB8459B01593CDA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the annual projected energy savings or production increases resulting from the proposed program;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9165EE638BC343E5A3856BF500B8D621"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the environmental benefits resulting from the proposed program; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H41A387A5EF8541E6AC6524C786481EE1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>other appropriate factors, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA233AA95AE93493C00CFDC79AA108000"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Maintenance of effort</header><text>An eligible entity that is awarded a grant pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide assurances to the Secretary that funds provided to the entity under this subsection will be used in addition to, and not in place of, the amount of Federal, State, and local funds otherwise expended for rebate programs.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H69BF17E70CA842B8B4226CEA2E5BB5E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Rebate amount</header><text>The amount of a rebate provided from a grant under this subsection shall not exceed the lesser of—</text> <paragraph id="H4881BD58B6C5485A8DCB02B20B197EA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$10,000; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H1B9A19DD1E644C7C9CB7583C5EE7268"><enum>(2)</enum><text>50 percent of the cost incurred to purchase a renewable energy system or an energy efficiency improvement.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE6407500A09B4D66866DE895E11B0094"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H468C2AEE8DA1407C8FCB35B3C3C1C31E"><enum>310.</enum><header>Alternative uses for biofuel byproducts</header> <subsection id="H1B234628403D470CA3567CDCEF96243B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible universities or consortiums containing one or more eligible universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States described in subsection (b) to conduct research on alternative uses for by-products produced as a result of the production of biofuel and bio-energy.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HC53ABF789DFE4047870115DFA422E44D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible northeast and mid-atlantic universities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The eligible universities referred to in subsection (a) are the following or consortium containing one of more of the following:</text> <paragraph id="H07BDB42EE34E4C0BAEDF076D03B8E6BA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Cornell University.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H22D4AF2D9C3049149E11F763719FAE6C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The University of the District of Columbia.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD0485E93A25D45D9839870455B98FCC9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Public universities in the following States:</text> <subparagraph id="H17C598B21CA5498EAED33792F4D8507C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Maine.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H8A80731EE5454EEB8030F19F8C5680AB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Delaware.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2987345E89924F018388DA4E0234D45"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Connecticut.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2E07F54B553E4BC5ACD393233983C54B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Maryland.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAB4A146D4FB44FB398A1604B0417D33F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Massachusetts.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7F1D03E09E4C4D75922C4C9562A612E5"><enum>(F)</enum><text>New Hampshire.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE1AE6912E07747E8B212637E8B36DFF8"><enum>(G)</enum><text>New Jersey.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4A8E8F94C0B24A7087DD3DBEBB914BA"><enum>(H)</enum><text>New York.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H51C1B486F8764A30BED2753C7E7FB81C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Pennsylvania.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1A735FCC49B149D984B9C8D4EB923445"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Rhode Island.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H176D5E60F8E8448FB537365D40707B74"><enum>(K)</enum><text>Vermont.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H987876B511A7458A91D878A2259F00F0"><enum>(L)</enum><text>Virginia.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H1DF51A7DBBBB408A8EA39D75DFBFEB97"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grant limitation</header><text>The amount of a grant provided to an eligible university under this section shall not exceed the lesser of—</text> <paragraph id="H2818D4FE67914C4D92DD48B7E19E4874"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$1,000,000 in any fiscal year; or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H98B3F294C75B4EA980F7BEFB9602E89D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>10 percent of the available funds in any fiscal year.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA02547B9B0D14E51820900F359EB9DDB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H76020455302F4DC698C0EB7D44C54600"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Biofuel</header><text>The term <term>biofuel</term> means liquid transportation fuel, including biodiesel and fuel grade ethanol.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7837F464A3354D61A31FD4CA00002751"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bio-energy</header><text>The term <term>bio-energy</term> means heat or electricity produced from any of the following sources:</text> <subparagraph id="H1D1A24650D0F4397AE68C8005B5F2D24"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Solar panels or concentrators.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H66D096B3E48A4ABE80FA99624D73E7A5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Wind capturing devices.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H38B2EDFF51254F96BF29A1A438D78F16"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Small-scale hydro-electric devices.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE52E993155E54ADFB307AE756EC2A8D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Methane and other bio-digesters.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC5E21443CBC84260A7648EFD3905519C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Landfill digesters.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2CB04BD23D29464D8FEC53D56DC285A"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Biomass.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3A39587D894B471E8B4FC29523F93071"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Waste materials from cropping or livestock production.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H33A454F40EC64547967731F6848979EB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>By-products</header><text>The term <term>by-products</term> means the following materials:</text> <subparagraph id="H1D8E3765469F49BC9FEAAE2E18079375"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Solid and liquid matter produced in the process of producing biofuel or bio-energy that may be converted to food, feed, fiber, or energy.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H280772630E4D4968B6F6F01FFE81E0F9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Unused electricity, energy or heat produced from the biofuel or bio-energy production process.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFAEFB555F2FD43FC858C9D965FE13993"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Unused solid or liquid materials not consumed during the biofuel or bio-energy production process.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE769CE425838426EA3859047212880F2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HF721634C6F0A4A3EBD3CAFB4B787BA6B"><enum>311.</enum><header>National net metering for farm energy</header> <subsection id="H6DDA1CB8EB614249AE01F36100FE10C8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Adoption of standard</header><text>Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/2621">16 U.S.C. 2621(d)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HDBDDC471E73246E9BD4173723812BFBE" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H95B930249CCE44BEA9FA7D5CE42026E1"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Net metering</header> <subparagraph id="HAA97675AD6514E64B493437C006C42FA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each electric utility shall make available upon request net metering service to any electric consumer that the electric utility serves.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFA2CD2EDCB63464EA6A44FC5A2D63F27"><enum>(B)</enum><header>References</header><text>For purposes of implementing this paragraph, any reference contained in this section to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of this paragraph.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H661B1031497244E3A7187224E7EACDD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Special rules for net metering</header><text>Section 115 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/2625">16 U.S.C. 2625</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H0C7216DC6B294978A625647FCE6D05C8" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HE6D9CB18B02748B99D586DFB5B5943F0"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Net metering</header> <paragraph id="HA1D5A1837D574746B3E06C292F327D51"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In this subsection:</text> <subparagraph id="H15C1159ACAD84BE6906F990103AD4871"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The term <term>eligible onsite generating facility</term> means—</text> <clause id="HFE6AECBBA7534E75B1ADC625735CC7C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a facility on the site of a residential electric consumer with a maximum generating capacity of 25 kilowatts or less; or</text> </clause> <clause id="H1F983E8F16844DC19E0093E98EEF0085"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a facility on the site of a commercial electric consumer with a maximum generating capacity of 1,000 kilowatts or less, that is fueled solely by a renewable energy resource.</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFD39EA75BF144B919C58A5923073C332"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The term <term>net metering service</term> means service to an electric consumer under which electric energy generated by that electric consumer from an eligible onsite generating facility and delivered to the local distribution facilities may be used to offset electric energy provided by the electric utility to the electric consumer during the applicable billing period.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF9935D5DFD6E4B2BB5FD9DF8DEF7F632"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The term <term>renewable energy resource</term> means—</text> <clause id="H6F1347D49A674C4D94AAECA78600C398"><enum>(i)</enum><text>solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, or wave energy;</text> </clause> <clause id="H48CAB317DED14569A1DEF2EDE002EB4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>landfill gas;</text> </clause> <clause id="HA2197447CB53407F87AD3EE8F01BFE61"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>energy produced from livestock waste;</text> </clause> <clause id="HE97B080F98964C4692EADF354220EC69"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>energy produced from a bio-digester;</text> </clause> <clause id="H6D2B961E2BE947BABCD24260FC2F289D"><enum>(v)</enum><text>fuel cells; and</text> </clause> <clause id="HCCE0C148F2DC4E00B9C178E1A24EADC2"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>a combined heat and power system.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2A248D4D7BCC495A91F478DA598370FA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In undertaking the consideration and making the determination concerning net metering established by section 111(d)(11), the following shall apply:</text> <subparagraph id="HD8379ABC8038456A80E08ECE8B62F029"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An electric utility—</text> <clause id="H3792C2E165CC4B018EE2B6EAE7A665D3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall charge the owner or operator of an onsite generating facility rates and charges that are identical to those that would be charged other electric consumers of the electric utility in the same rate class; and</text> </clause> <clause id="HE42FC76A41EC444F852E50346E68D276"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall not charge the owner or operator of an onsite generating facility any additional standby, capacity, interconnection, or other rate or charge.</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9D7A26AD34BC4E30B197BC4B4D56B5CD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An electric utility that sells electric energy to the owner or operator of an onsite generating facility shall measure the quantity of electric energy produced by the onsite facility and the quantity of electricity consumed by the owner or operator of an onsite generating facility during a billing period in accordance with normal metering practices.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA94BBFA2AD7F45579B636DBB79F549D3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>If the quantity of electric energy sold by the electric utility to an on-site generating facility exceeds the quantity of electric energy supplied by the onsite generating facility to the electric utility during the billing period, the electric utility may bill the owner or operator for the net quantity of electric energy sold, in accordance with normal metering practices.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB6275427A6DA419E82CD63D5A0435EAA"><enum>(D)</enum><text>If the quantity of electric energy supplied by the onsite generating facility to the electric utility exceeds the quantity of electric energy sold by the electric utility to the onsite generating facility during the billing period—</text> <clause id="H542CA8ACD7D74DA1B350881F20E0D700"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the electric utility may bill the owner or operator of the onsite generating facility for the appropriate charges for the billing period in accordance with subparagraph (B); and</text> </clause> <clause id="HB03AC887DAA045B6954D22D4CF9BE650"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the owner or operator of the onsite generating facility shall be credited for the excess kilowatt-hours generated during the billing period, with the kilowatt-hour credit appearing on the bill for the following billing period.</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HEC13AE970CEA498C9B342500BF94824C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>An eligible onsite generating facility and net metering system used by an electric consumer shall meet all applicable safety, performance, reliability, and interconnection standards established by the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF3D260C0A65F4AAF9D3D0062641682EC"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Commission, after consultation with State regulatory authorities and nonregulated electric utilities and after notice and opportunity for comment, may adopt, by rule, additional control and testing requirements for onsite generating facilities and net metering systems that the Commission determines are necessary to protect public safety and system reliability.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3D12D92DC9724108A5E3423ED42785F1"><enum>(G)</enum><text>An electric utility must provide net metering services to electric consumers until the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals 10.0 percent of the utility’s peak demand during the most recent calendar year.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC4F35E28EFEA4592A6C27F8FFF3D3E56"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Nothing in this subsection precludes a State from imposing additional requirements regarding the amount of net metering available within a State consistent with the requirements of this section.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <enum>IV</enum><header>Healthy Diets</header> <section id="H2864B01051AB4C85A64C7BF115A5A909"><enum>401.</enum><header>Expansion of fresh fruit and vegetable program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1769">42 U.S.C. 1769</external-xref>) is amended in subsection (g)—</text> <paragraph id="H95580EFA65444AEAA9B93F32E627F727"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text> <subparagraph id="H8953BB55B20B4ABB8440A44E60739081"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>July 2004</quote> and inserting <quote>July 2007</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5F2B05CE5B4540CEA6A440562ED3027B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by amending subparagraphs (A) and (B) to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="HB1E4A63F9C9147F38B008B8E323EC654" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HD19CEBCC692E4D378735D600009D092"><enum>(A)</enum><text>100 elementary or secondary schools in each State;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA75DC9D30A584CD081EED259998301BC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>additional elementary or secondary schools in each State in proportion to the student population of the State; and</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HEC8F014234D0441C9459257BD2A0DC59"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)(A), by striking <quote>paragraph (1)(B)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraph (1)</quote>;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H504A638CCC094CD600B504F22E2D1BC3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking <quote>2008</quote> and inserting <quote>2011</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDAE58F5B3B2F4E84A0C55297153515FC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in paragraph (6)(B)—</text> <subparagraph id="H2863004BAD304E89BD08E7C69EED4102"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in clause (i)—</text> <clause id="HD964AB0DE05E4A21B523C2FE5301D4DF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>October 1, 2004, and on each October 1 thereafter,</quote> and inserting <quote>October 1, 2007, and on each October 1 thereafter,</quote>; and</text> </clause> <clause id="HAB89FF0E05C0404D805E3EE65CC07453"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$9,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$300,000,000</quote>; and</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1EF72FE922B34FABA4F0000754FDB8E3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H4B6D4BCF492E470D829B5932D817C94" style="OLC"> <clause id="H31B6274F411C49D097DA005970CA12CC"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Administrative expenses</header><text>For fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, of the amount available to carry out this subsection, the Secretary may reserve not more than 1 percent of that amount for administrative expenses in carrying out this subsection.</text> </clause> <clause id="H5A0D799708244DB285A7063ED95F785B"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>State administrative costs</header><text>For fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, of the amount received by a State to carry out this subsection, the State may use not more than 5 percent of that amount for administrative expenses in carrying out this subsection. To be eligible to use such funds for such expenses, the State must submit to the Secretary a plan indicating how the State intends to use such funds.</text> </clause> <clause id="H94C1E996B42945ED80BFCD5BD39CC2"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Federal requirements</header><text>The Secretary shall establish requirements to be followed by States in administering this subsection. The initial set of requirements shall be established not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this clause.</text> </clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph></section> <section id="H9801688F39DE487C801F657100476087"><enum>402.</enum><header>Section 32 specialty crop purchases</header> <subsection id="HC2B1924279254A8C88BD78A959DEE095"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Minimum level of purchases</header><text>Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/612c">7 U.S.C. 612c</external-xref>) is amended in the sixth sentence by inserting after <quote>and their products</quote> the following: <quote>, and, for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the Secretary of Agriculture shall devote not less than $400,000,000 of sums appropriated under this section to purchases of non-basic agricultural commodities, such as fruits, vegetables, and other specialty food crops</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HBFB1FD2CD99E4254BB39A54815A15635"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Expansion of DoD fresh program</header><text>Such section is further amended by inserting after the sixth sentence, as amended by subsection (a), the following new sentence: <quote>Of the funds specified in the preceding sentence, the Secretary of Agriculture shall expend not less than $50,000,000 fiscal year 2008, $75,000,000 for both fiscal years 2009 and 2010, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $125,000,000 for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions in accordance with section 6(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1755">42 U.S.C. 1755(a)</external-xref>).</quote>.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HEB856BBC38F9494E872728622186BD00"><enum>403.</enum><header>School preference study</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out a study on the preferences of elementary and secondary schools for commodity distribution, including the extent to which such schools prefer commodity distribution to include fresh fruits and vegetables, and submit to Congress a report on the results of the study. The report shall include an analysis of the logistical issues that would impede efforts to increase the extent to which commodity distribution to schools includes fresh fruits and vegetables, and shall include recommendations for improving the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to schools.</text> </section> <section id="H68A04DCF2C5B42F0BCF0008906A46FC9"><enum>404.</enum><header>Independent evaluation of Department of Agriculture commodity purchase process</header> <subsection id="HBAD222B881BD4FE79C7C965D1FF7B427"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Evaluation required</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall arrange to have performed an independent evaluation of the commodity purchasing processes (and the statutory and regulatory authority underlying such processes) used by the Department of Agriculture to remove surplus commodities from the market and support commodity prices and producer incomes, especially with regard to activities under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/612c">7 U.S.C. 612c</external-xref>) and the importance of increasing purchases of perishable specialty crops.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H2A73B4792F5A48DAABC4D7D6A489C88C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Submission of results</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the evaluation.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H043ADC74CD394E67A39C063B22D70599"><enum>405.</enum><header>Allow geographic preferences in food purchasing programs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9(j)(1)(A) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1758">42 U.S.C. 1758(j)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>encourage</quote> and inserting <quote>allow</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H6B188795F7D946CDBEB73E110030496E"><enum>406.</enum><header>Authorization level for farm-to-cafeteria activities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1769">42 U.S.C. 1769</external-xref>) is amended in subsection (i)(2) by striking <quote>such sums as are necessary</quote> and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting <quote>to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="HE4035D1523F44ECAB800C20603B13015"><enum>407.</enum><header>Extension of wic farmer’s market nutrition program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 17(m)(9)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1786">42 U.S.C. 1786(m)(9)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HED93BC8AFE6B4078840456E8EFB23198"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (i), by striking <quote>2009</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDDD4F8D4B4F34788B3C0FAF96005B27"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H306A2ADE662942FD8CE8631FD5E105EC" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HCD0CAC0DCAFB4734B561C4BF2B2F46E3"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Mandatory funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and not less than $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter. Such funds shall remain available until expended.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HC7B0BCC9A88E48D9B39DD919CF081E6"><enum>408.</enum><header>Senior farmers’ market nutrition program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/3007">7 U.S.C. 3007</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HE1E447C4915243378ECEB62CDAD3B9B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a) by striking <quote>$5,000,000</quote> and all that follows through <quote>2007</quote>, and inserting <quote>$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and not less than $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter</quote>; </text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H80AF8193552F4EC29FF2F58D93B4A11D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text> <subparagraph id="HB9BD18C94D934302841EC7F01BFA242E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (2) by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4F2DFAA349214926818E1F944533C7F4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF252BABE377B4249A648464D36BCC3BC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H988A1FC1269C45F88694E856875FFB50" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H7D338556803F43FD81850331B1B70163"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to promote the transition to organic and other environmentally beneficial food production systems.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H87A9B1AD9676433EBC9364D2B0D4D3B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block id="H9213FDF130864C53BD85AAFD253926AC" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H2A4A968F29E04E04887DF750AED5BB8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Eligible participants; benefits levels</header><text>The regulations required by subsection (c)—</text> <paragraph id="H73985EE29C434F16AE0858D0AA83206"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall allow for participation by farmers markets, and roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDCA61A7713D04F6FB5B3B322F39FF71"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall not limit the ability of State or regional programs to set benefit levels per individual senior.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HC285A231B1D449FBAF0007781FFB7C8B"><enum>409.</enum><header>Disabled Farmers Market Nutrition Pilot Program</header> <subsection id="H28CC2E7A6C6A454AA62BCFD9007775E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress finds that low-income disabled individuals suffer from similar forms of malnutrition as low-income seniors, and that the disabled population would reap nutritional benefits from such a farmers market voucher program where they are able to purchase fresh, healthy food from local farmers.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H866A7C69AD434C1700A2EAE9AEDD15A"><enum>(b)</enum> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H94867855D0084F2A944100D50008E800"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Pilot program establishment</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out a pilot program with respect to the States specified in paragraph (d) under which the Secretary creates a farmers’ market nutrition program for disabled individuals.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0F0BBA76627A487EB72380DF910011D2" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall use $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 to carry out this section, and such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2009 through 2013.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HFFD3D4E2560048D7AD29D4ED8050D700"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program purposes</header><text>The purposes of the farmers’ market nutrition pilot program are—</text> <paragraph id="H6E8281E70FBC450F873DF0BB3778BA34"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs to low-income disabled individuals;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0280D67A70CE4091BCBE13C700567C08"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBAE3F4B0C15447559B923650B9ACB9F1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDC81EED22CB4451AB1456500008566BE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>States</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall use funds referred to in subsection (b)(2) for pilot programs on the West Coast in California, in the North East, in the South East, and in the Mid-West.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HB65B63B66F0D4A84B5AD8D58C33CF64C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The Secretary may issue such regulations as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the farmers’ market nutrition program.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HD85D7A8432D24317B4001B70FAFB200"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <quote>disabled individual</quote> means an individual who has a disability as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/12102">42 U.S.C. 12102</external-xref>).</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H8BF53C6C608046EBAE02795D93EF0014"><enum>410.</enum><header>Farmers’ market promotion program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/3005">7 U.S.C. 3005</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HC921AE4AB162482AB3D4AA29E345118D" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HFFF7ADC9A34A4706A5BC00BEBE945960"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Criteria and guidelines</header> <paragraph id="H57ADFFC53100417FA7BC2623A4FD6324"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under the Program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H1E8E3FDCD65B4AC581B460C3BCEBC65"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>The Secretary shall prioritize the funding of projects that will support, encourage, or promote the transition to organic and other environmentally beneficial forms of agricultural production.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H4F6A76E9D34746CDA3936F49DE390021"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to carry out this section, of which $5,000,000 shall be used to support the use of electronic benefit transfers at farmers’ markets.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H6DDC51E9D97D4C85B4B75CFE004739BF"><enum>411.</enum><header>Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture procurement of locally produced fruits and vegetables</header> <subsection id="H56F4685CCA084BE081F76D0123009087"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress finds the following:</text> <paragraph id="HFEB70ABBC19C4F8C81B18336D9F9F14"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Locally procured agricultural products, as compared to products transported from distant sources—</text> <subparagraph id="H88C1016CD1264F75A2CC93EB881E2A2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are often harvested closer to full ripeness and can have higher nutritional quality;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9902BA6366094A62B805022EB800D300"><enum>(B)</enum><text>can have improved ripeness, taste, or selection, which can increase rates of consumption of agricultural products; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9048D06DADA14A7D91EA0708DCAD2EEC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>are more efficient to store, distribute, and package.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6E8783AB635F404F005439CF6C17F526"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Use of local produce—</text> <subparagraph id="H00AA03C43BA247DDB36001BFD0AAEBF9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reduces dependence upon foreign oil by reducing fuel consumption rates associated with the production or transportation of agricultural products;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF1E32DB929BE48DEA24BFC1F54D8DEF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>can help to improve the ability of those using the procurement system to provide education on nutrition, farming, sustainability, energy efficiency, and the importance of local purchases to the local economy;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB2FC8EF3CFF1462A92BEC8E94DED025B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>helps to maintain a robust logistics network for agricultural product procurement; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2E0606530D014975004F4659AC67B892"><enum>(D)</enum><text>promotes farm, business, and economic development by accessing local markets.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3CCD4B6F4D82452B8ED8529500E65C23"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Section 9(j) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1758">42 U.S.C. 1758(j)</external-xref>) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage institutions participating in the school lunch program established under that Act and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1773">42 U.S.C. 1773</external-xref>) to purchase, in addition to other food purchases, locally produced foods, to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDFE45310FCD4418887006E5D79081E34"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Department of defense geographic procurement preference</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Defense may use a geographic preference to purchase locally produced agricultural products for—</text> <paragraph id="H4C43C580283342C693A13BD208E8A000"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA526571C9A0A48FEAACB6E10CF8D2E6E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Department of Defense Farm to School Program;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBFF178A9D9A44AC280AC8E7FA374A3C4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3FA5F08F80B74D2C81E978AE703DC6EE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the service academies;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HE7818E212E04467DB17C9EF39EF29544"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Department of Defense domestic dependent schools;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H881A68B2D5234AB5B736A23C5FC5F933"><enum>(6)</enum><text>other Department of Defense schools under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/10/108">chapter 108</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H37614ED95E9F415EB37779B37682F554"><enum>(7)</enum><text>commissary and exchange stores; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H107367A6C2E144509F332E5E21983608"><enum>(8)</enum><text>morale, welfare, and recreation facilities operated by the Department of Defense.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE8B22EEA282E4B0096C593ADD200843E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Department of agriculture and related entities geographic procurement preference</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Agriculture, schools, local educational agencies, and other entities may use a geographic preference to purchase locally produced agricultural products for—</text> <paragraph id="HC15F2C9C8B6E4EFCBF8254C9A97919FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1773">42 U.S.C. 1773</external-xref>);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H6BD172F3B6FA451C9E007E316101F5FD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1751">42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.</external-xref>);</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HE9437716D4BD492997C979E08D54D0DB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the summer food service program for children established under section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1761">42 U.S.C. 1761</external-xref>); and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H77AC5F6BEE8D4D9B811BBFA34105AECA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the child and adult care food program established under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1766">42 U.S.C. 1766</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HAD56F072C35A4837AE2E29F0A2812C60"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Addition of geographic preference</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of the purchase of agricultural products, specifically fresh, dried or frozen fruits and vegetables and other specialty crops reflecting local preferences and support of local agriculture to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate, will be acquired from pre-approved local and regional vendors and distributors authorized by the Secretary who have agreed to supply eligible products to the above referenced schools and service institutions. The pre-approved vendors and distributors must demonstrate an ability to supply products from local growers and processors and comply with food safety standards developed by the Secretary and consistently provide products that meet standards of grade, size, freshness and quality as required by the Secretary or local procurement officer. This should not preclude the above referenced schools and service institutions from purchasing from potential local farmers in compliance with applicable state procurement laws and statutes.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H59971D40EC5E49BCB0426DFC558B9595"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A school, local educational agency, or other entity participating in one or more of the programs described in subsection (c) shall report to the Secretary of Agriculture if the school, local educational agency, or other entity pays more than 10 percent more than the lowest bid to purchase locally produced agricultural products in accordance with this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H99F60E825410482491F33F2843498D7D"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Agriculture shall periodically review the use of the geographic preference provided by this section to prevent fraud or abuse.</text> </subsection></section> <enum>V</enum><header>Forestry</header> <section id="H893828EB34514A95B7CCADB74D8062E4"><enum>501.</enum><header>National and State forest prioritization and planning</header> <subsection id="H55F87E8255FC476A86AF38A868AB8485"><enum>(a)</enum><header>National priorities</header><text>Within 12 months of passage of this legislation, the Secretary, in coordination with other Federal agencies, shall develop national priorities for the Nation’s privately-owned forest lands that include an explanation of the most pressing threats to the sustainability, management and conservation of private forests and expected roles for Federal agencies and USDA conservation and forest programs in partnering with States and private landowners to address identified threats.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H27B298CD493F4DA8A4A15E7E07C791DE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>State forest plans</header><text>Within 36 months of passage of this legislation, each State forester, or equivalent State official as designated by the Governor of that State, in consultation with State conservationists, State wildlife agencies, and other appropriate agencies and stakeholders, shall develop a State forest plan that includes—</text> <paragraph id="HE2D1CA24480D472E8BBE06F3116BE38"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an outline of threats to the sustainability, management, and conservation of privately-owned forests in that State, with particular reference to those threats outlined in the Secretary’s national priorities that are relevant to the respective State;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5F3B199FCD4546219DBA72C9718108FA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>goals and strategies for addressing identified threats and maintaining the productivity and capacity of forest resources in that State, including how coordinated application of USDA conservation and forest programs can address relevant threats and support private landowners; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAE6A958174F9491785546494C2ED8778"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a program to monitor and measure progress towards reaching goals and implementing strategies in the plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB17C94AA64F346FA95A487CFAB562D69"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Appropriations</header><text>$10 million shall be provided to USDA and the States annually in fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 to carry out this section, with such sums as necessary provided in future fiscal years for updating of plans as the Secretary shall deem appropriate.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H15F437533E1D45AF91DAB18CC0341287"><enum>502.</enum><header>Healthy forests reserve program</header> <subsection id="H8A63F90AEBB74373ABAC13B6AF9DAD61"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Methods of enrollment</header><text>Section 502(f)(1) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6572">16 U.S.C. 6572(f)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block id="HEF55B81CAF0E4EB19E31B9D53401DDE" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HF3473EC5292648929906A01389B14120"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a permanent easement,</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HA0751AB3217A418B85B464369F1311B2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Section 508 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6578">16 U.S.C. 6578</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H9AE7D10DC7174045B4C628529EC241FE" style="OLC"> <section id="H27AD30D84C844AC68DCE72044941DE23"><enum>508.</enum><header>Funding for healthy forests reserve program</header> <subsection id="H1998CF327D6B403F9599D578542F00F1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Funding source</header><text>For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the Secretary shall allocate $50 million from the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the healthy forests reserve program, including the provision of technical assistance under the program.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H00DAC0D01AF140FCBB26C2F85F8801F9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Section 11 cap</header><text>The use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds under subsection (a) to provide technical assistance under the healthy forests reserve program shall not be considered an allotment or fund transfer from the Commodity Credit Corporation for purposes of the limitation on expenditures for technical assistance imposed by section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/714i">15 U.S.C. 714i</external-xref>).</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="HF60305E2F2724A508EB700BAC670691F"><enum>503.</enum><header>Community forest and open space conservation program</header> <subsection id="H2A44F5E0D90D401297FA1BFFB0F36CE0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress finds that—</text> <paragraph id="H2B5D925EAEC64E678169A9D5A324A98"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the United States Forest Service recently projected that 44 million acres of private forest will be developed across the Nation through 2030, including many of the most important remaining parcels within and adjacent to communities, creating an urgent need for local governments to have the financial resources to purchase the most publicly important parcels as they come up for sale;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB21FBF53A7A94553BA8C243112E70076"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the rapidly expanding base of private forestland owners created by forest parcelization includes many individuals with no experience in forest stewardship, creating an urgent need for demonstration sites for proper forest management, for which many communities are using municipal or county forestland;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4B406E9ECE884D2598F2125224A5BA74"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in fast growing communities of all sizes across the Nation, remaining parcels of forestland play an essential role in protecting public water supplies, leading many local governments to purchase these lands for municipal or county ownership;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H89EF416A63F64E7AABAACD957EEA4D2B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>rising rates of obesity and other public health problems related to inactivity have been shown to be ameliorated by improving public access to safe and pleasing areas for outdoor recreation, leading many local governments to purchase recreation lands for municipal or county ownership;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4C94F95A0E8049CDB5E203B6C574B9C1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>across the Nation, many communities of diverse types and sizes are deriving significant financial benefit from owning and managing municipal or county forestland as a source of local revenue that also contributes significantly to the health of the forest products economy at the local and national levels;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H13F1C342FD82499880371B154B632095"><enum>(6)</enum><text>public hunting, fishing, and trapping access and subsequently participation have declined as forests and watersheds nationwide are parcelized among a growing base of private owners who often post their land against public use, leading many municipalities and counties to purchase forestland to guarantee access for sportsmen and women; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3F9CA2FEC93E432891ECBA9DF657D186"><enum>(7)</enum><text>there is a national interest in financially assisting communities in the purchase of important forest parcels that will maintain the diverse public benefits of forestland close to or within all manner of communities nationwide, from close-knit rural communities to fast growing suburban and exurban areas.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H915E845F6A32476881AFD72F0A942E2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment and purpose</header> <paragraph id="H34CA927289E841CB989745592C003536"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program within the United States Forest Service, to be known as the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, in cooperation with appropriate State and local units of government for the purpose of enabling municipalities and counties to acquire forest areas that are economically, culturally, and environmentally important to that locality and that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HEAF3CA048B3C4BCCA19644F3262848DC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>Areas purchased under this program are intended to conserve community access to and benefit from forests for a wide variety of public purposes that may include but are not limited to model forest stewardship, sustainable timber production, forest-based educational and cultural activities, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and public access for outdoor recreation including hunting and fishing.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8DC5E50A82C54078B1BC28E341E7BD5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Interests in land</header> <paragraph id="HAEF20668A75D4CB581D1ADF378864429"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Municipal or county ownership</header><text>All properties acquired using funds under this program shall be owned in fee by a municipality or county.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H38058C7A75A0481F9CD623BF9C20E42C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Nonprofit ownership</header><text>Upon request of a participating State, designated nonprofit organizations operating within that State may also own lands using funds under this program, providing that the land is open for public access consistent with the purposes and criteria of this program.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HD59A88B758534590A44C20D694A778AE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Implementation</header> <paragraph id="H2107361F153F4B08B06C5CB4CFB22EE9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial programs</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish at least 1 State program in each of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South, West, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States, upon application from a willing State in that region. No State or region shall be compelled to participate in the program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H718763321AE0469D9DDCFBEF424F81BB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>Authority for implementation of the Community Forest Conservation and Open Space Program in each participating State shall lie with the State forester, equivalent State official, or other appropriate State natural resource management agency as designated by the Governor of that State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3C9528D447944D03AC9E4F75A2147EB6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Assessment of need</header><text>Each participating State shall prepare an Assessment of Need identifying geographic program focus areas within that State and priority objectives for conservation based on conditions and public needs in that State. This requirement may be satisfied by inclusion as part of an integrated statewide forest planning process for application of Federal programs in that State.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H92174F43991C48A3B73C006C82A40200"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Eligibility and criteria</header> <paragraph id="HFDE6D9654EF444F59D07BCDE8483F409"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Within 1 year from the date of enactment of this section and in consultation with State Forest Stewardship Advisory Committees, State Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Committees, and similar organizations, the Secretary shall establish eligibility and ranking criteria for projects to receive funding through this program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0E32DEDCD77F4A01B35110E82488072F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Criteria</header><text>Of land proposed to be included in the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, the Secretary shall develop criteria that give priority to lands which meet identified local open space and natural resource needs as captured in town plans, regional plans, or other relevant local, regional, or State planning documents, can be effectively managed to model good forest stewardship for private landowners, support forest-based educational programs including vocational education in forestry, provide significant protection of public water supplies or other waterways, can offer long-term economic benefit to communities through forestry, contain important wildlife habitat, provide convenient public access for outdoor recreation including hunting and fishing, and are threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. Special consideration shall be given to proposals reflecting coordination and joint planning at regional scale among 2 or more municipalities and/or counties.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8AA5B23B51074384B41907B3A2392F00"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Application and ranking</header><text>Any municipality or county that wishes to participate may prepare and submit a project application to acquire forest lands within a State’s geographic program focus area to the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program in that State at such time in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe. This application must include certification from the appropriate unit(s) of local government that the project is consistent with any comprehensive plans for development adopted by such unit(s). States will rank all project submissions and submit to the Secretary. The Secretary shall create a national list ranking all submitted projects subject to the criteria described in section 5(b).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H490AF1AE3560406B9BC797B6AC9539CF"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Duties of owners</header> <paragraph id="HAE271FA39B7F4CF3BED8BE00DA80E199"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For lands acquired through this program, the municipality or county shall be required to manage the property in a manner that is consistent with the purposes for which the land was purchased through the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program and shall not convert such property to other non-forest uses. Public access for compatible recreational uses, as determined by the municipality or county, shall be required.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA69FB96E1DB14E49810071DC018983C5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Forest management plan</header><text>Within 2 years of closing on any purchase using funds under this program, a municipality or county must complete a forest management plan for the purchased property subject to the approval of the responsible State agency. Management plans shall be created through a public process that allows for community participation and input.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC0E4A509C32C4001B0BD10B5BB002D6D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Reimbursement and penalty</header><text>Should a municipality or county sell land acquired with funds obtained through this program, the municipality or county must reimburse the Federal Government the full amount of original funding plus a penalty equal to 50 percent of the current sale price or appraised value, whichever is higher. Any municipality or county that sells lands acquired using funds through this program shall no longer be eligible for future grants from this program.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HF7E0BB495F8A4F97AC8B841E117D4941"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Cost sharing</header> <paragraph id="H6566DAD8D8A64681B81FEEDDFD66D184"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In accordance with terms and conditions that the Secretary shall prescribe, costs for the acquisition of lands or project costs shall be shared among participating entities including State, county, municipal, and other governmental units, landowners, corporations, or private organizations. Such costs may include, but are not limited to, those associated with planning, administration, property acquisition, and property management.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7FC6AB911F674ECCBD72B46FC3B38CA1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Matching requirement</header><text>The Federal share of total project costs shall not exceed 50 percent for any project, including any in-kind contribution. Payments under this section shall be in accordance with Federal appraisal and acquisition standards and procedures.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8032C4FFD1434C4FA197CE4BDB1DD65E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>State administration and technical assistance</header><text>In order to assist municipalities and counties in model stewardship of lands acquired under this program, 10 percent of all funds appropriated each year for the Community Forest Conservation Program shall be allocated to the responsible State agencies in participating States to administer the program and to provide technical assistance to municipalities and counties for forest stewardship, including development and implementation of an approved forest management plan.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HC6D9E49528544162B53E06004362FF3F"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Appropriation</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H3D04A19BB2A84F0EB36192A942898135"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Private property protection and lack of regulatory effect</header> <paragraph id="HDF2127645BFC4B78B0B29072DAE55B00"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Recognition of authority to control land use</header><text>Nothing in this Act modifies any authority of Federal, State, or local governments to regulate land use.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HC3A03079DA264605AA241DD4424F3B6E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Participation of private property owners</header><text>Nothing in this Act requires the owner of any private property to participate in private forest conservation, financial, or technical assistance or any other programs established under this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section> <enum>VI</enum><header>Nutrition</header> <subtitle id="H088BF6FB5380420C996E4DBB4DDCFE30"><enum>A</enum><header>Food stamp program</header> <section id="H697FE8B929E04F588CD1E495E4BC2C19"><enum>601.</enum><header>Preventing reductions in benefits</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3(o) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2012">7 U.S.C. 2012(o)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H957B0C5629604122A795207B491DF1FF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>on October 1, 1996,</quote> the second place it appears; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBEE729BE5114443296583853E38BCDB9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>on September</quote> and all that follows through <quote>2002</quote>, and inserting <quote>during the immediately preceding fiscal year</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6714AECCC75A4E8788DA008D3E2220BB" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>602.</enum><header>Strengthening the food purchasing power of low-income americans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5(e)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2014">7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H8CFB28B461204AF38DB769CF87C37E93"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In subparagraph (a)(ii) by striking <quote>not less than $134</quote> and all that follows to the end of the clause and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H95575623204546AA0060B1D49430796E" style="OLC"> <quoted-block-continuation-text quoted-block-continuation-text-level="clause">not less than $156, $267, $220, and $137, respectively. For October 1, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, an amount that is equal to the amount from the previous fiscal year adjusted to the nearest lower dollar increment to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for items other than food, for the twelve months ending the preceding June 30.</quoted-block-continuation-text><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H59188C749CD34835B612337B31CB2401"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (B)(ii) by striking “not less than $269.” and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC813E5DAA1E64FE58B96D3774531DA7D" style="OLC"> <quoted-block-continuation-text quoted-block-continuation-text-level="clause">not less than $313. For October 1, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, an amount that is equal to the amount from the previous fiscal year adjusted to the nearest lower dollar increment to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for items other than food, for the twelve months ending the preceding June 30.</quoted-block-continuation-text><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HBD35B106151F4425BCBEBB69F106B426"><enum>603.</enum><header>Child care deduction</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5(e)(3)(A) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2014">7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(3)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>, the maximum allowable level of which shall be $200 per month for each dependent child under 2 years of age and $175 per month for each other dependent,</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="HB9131528EADC4DAD9900E79F1628CBC"><enum>604.</enum><header>Exclusion of combat-related military pay from countable income</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 2007 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2014">7 U.S.C. 2014(d)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H84E635F1957C42F2B8132C8D66445724"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and (18)</quote> and inserting <quote>(18)</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H100DD2AC4C1A4D3CA22B035B42C557CE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting before the period at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H98377B2202FA4BCFB900ECA2F43B5FD9" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H0F26F9ADFA3344EB8548D7F24E253371" indent="up1"><enum>(19)</enum><text>any additional payment received under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/37/5">chapter 5</external-xref> of title 37, United States Code, by a member of the United States Armed Forces deployed to a designated combat zone for the duration of the member’s deployment if the additional pay is the result of deployment to or while serving in a combat zone, and it was not received immediately prior to serving in the combat zone</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="H6FE0925ED0184E2BAF57A2ECC4949F29"><enum>605.</enum><header>Exclusion of retirement accounts from countable financial resources</header> <subsection id="H73CCD075BE8443FCB656DBD1C1C1FA67"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Retirement accounts</header><text>Section 5(g)(2)(B)(v) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2014">7 U.S.C. 2014(g)(2)(B)(v)</external-xref>), as amended by section 604, is amended by striking <quote>or retirement account (including an individual account)</quote> and inserting <quote>account</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H4DDAFEC21A8F46AD89EA7F92DCF47E38"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mandatory and Discretionary Exclusions</header><text>Section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2014">7 U.S.C. 2014(g)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H7BBFE10495864F9893DA29AB03FD1BC" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HA33422B98D9C430E8037B35478C17709"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Exclusion of retirement accounts from countable financial resources</header> <subparagraph id="H1A698902F9F349FD8262AED362007070"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Mandatory exclusions</header><text>The Secretary shall exclude from financial resources under this subsection the value of any funds in a plan, contract, or account, described in section 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, 457(b), or 501(c)(18) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the value of funds in a Federal Thrift Savings Plan account as provided in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8439">section 8439</external-xref> of title 5 of the United States Code.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC175022848D54DBE8829D1FDC8903286"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Discretionary exclusions</header><text>The Secretary may exclude from financial resources under this subsection the value of any other retirement plans, contracts, or accounts (as determined by the Secretary by regulation).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="HCB16C97CF8CA4B73A4CC5FA35FB4B15"><enum>606.</enum><header>Allowable countable resources</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2014">7 U.S.C. 2014(g)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H85C0126947D7460FB525A8F7C9903E09"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>(g)(1) The Secretary</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HFE3E385838E34E299260C8813D022474" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H160111E34FAD4EC4950063BAEBC648D7"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Allowable Financial Resources</header> <paragraph id="HC1DA6ACEF59A494FA85DDD416BB9DC20"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Total amount</header> <subparagraph id="H9319DBA51AF64759BF58EBB168F2F3E1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H235EFC073FC54BA4B43FC1006B41EEA9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A) (as so designated by paragraph (1))—</text> <subparagraph id="HF5D772E1925F4E5B8E2700D5185D6900"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>(as adjusted in accordance with subparagraph (B))</quote> after <quote>$2,000</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H86C53F20A8CB49709DEC79FD5FDE5807"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>(as adjusted in accordance with subparagraph (B))</quote> after <quote>$3,000</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6532BCDDF9E8468AA2FE2BFC3E46D31F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HC00DDD028EEC4B899564B163C9064CFD" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H4A9E50599346451D8139E8397CA4DD00"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Adjustment for inflation</header> <clause id="H92BBFAFB725C438195E584C1AB00DEDC"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Beginning on October 1, 2007, and each October 1 thereafter, the amounts in subparagraph (A) shall be adjusted to the nearest $100 increment to reflect changes for the 12-month period ending the preceding June in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.</text> </clause> <clause id="H12EFEBF59C6D49AAA548AA5D1206B6E0"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each adjustment under clause (i) shall be based on the unrounded amount for the prior 12-month period.</text> </clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="H20D8778E0D564456BA8D83A9FEEB3117"><enum>607.</enum><header>Facilitating simplified reporting</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 6(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2015">7 U.S.C. 2015(c)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HEBAE87C1830D49F8003B705187A482D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1)(a) by—</text> <subparagraph id="H8AC6287E1A674583B5A8B95CCDE68DA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>striking <quote>reporting by</quote> and inserting <quote>reporting</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD9F845705E714479B72C441633E2DCD3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>inserting <quote>for periods shorter than four months by</quote> after the clause designations in clauses (I) and (ii); and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCA1761BF96AF43BCBDE19F99E2DFD771"><enum>(C)</enum><text>inserting <quote>by</quote> after the clause designation in clause (iii); and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2797C622E1394355B66F191DD1143165"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (3) by—</text> <subparagraph id="H1DBD7CBC07C6459199A4C9C6B3F6BD14"><enum>(A)</enum><text>striking <quote>Reports required to be filed monthly under paragraph (1)</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as provided in paragraph (1)(D)(ii), periodic reports filed under paragraph (1)</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H844D5B1F12E6445B00FEE7DD827D3C0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>striking <quote>required to be filed monthly</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H040A7D3CEBC243F6823E3F6E00160690"><enum>(C)</enum><text>striking <quote>subject matter included in such reports</quote> and inserting <quote>such households</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDF1D73F36F7C41CCA1005771018B00CC"><enum>(D)</enum><text>inserting after the third sentence the following: <quote>The State agency shall not be required to act on information about such household received from any source between such periodic reports unless the information clearly indicates that the household is not eligible, subject to standards established by the Secretary, or the household requests an increase in benefits.</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></section> <section id="H05737B5F949844DAB5F14C7CDBAC9BBF"><enum>608.</enum><header>Simplifying work requirement</header> <subsection id="H8EEA728833344E16A7F04EF289BECD4C"><enum>(a)</enum><text>Section 6 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2015">7 U.S.C. 2015</external-xref>) is amending by striking subsection (o).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H3853752F1EB14B9992FEF946208B1600"><enum>(b)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 16(h)(1) of the food stamp act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2025">7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H97DBD9BEF695422AB593BD32CF1086DE"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A)—</text> <subparagraph id="H899598477FB64DC4A9B561A3599011BB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in clause (vi)(II) by striking <quote>and</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC0863367442F4D46974D06597C3BAEF8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in clause (vii) by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCDA712ECA16647D7B9829696F9C0E87B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following</text> <quoted-block id="H6EC46AD45E1148AFAE2DA7EE6400D1F5" style="OLC"> <clause id="H8198EBCCD85A4878B499DF25F41D6D39"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, $110,000,000.</text> </clause><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD2365DA40D4A443DA6D3C15FBB1DD49B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subparagraph (E).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H6931A059648B49D7ADFF960B87D2AC"><enum>609.</enum><header>Minimum benefit</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2017">7 U.S.C. 2017(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>$10 per month.</quote> and inserting <quote>20 percent of the thrifty food plan for a household containing one member, as determined by the Secretary under section 3(o).</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H6BDD8231DA8745339C76F32C65236729"><enum>610.</enum><header>Reauthorization of food stamp program and food distribution program on Indian reservations</header> <subsection id="HAF5860C783384C4B8832F6BCE5B7C84"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants for simple application and eligibility determination systems and improved access to benefits</header><text>Section 11(t)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2020">7 U.S.C. 2020(t)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HDF0DE5803967407BA49DCB5CDEB11442"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Food stamp employment and training</header><text>Section 16(h)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2025">7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H92F17AB8A7574D50BF0057C8A100BF48"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)(vii) by striking <quote>2002 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2008 through 2012</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5BFF02EB011F4F7B96774222B190D160"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (E)(i) by striking <quote>2002 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2008 through 2012</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H2AC7FCE3C4404B3AAA895101004CD600"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reductions in payments for administrative costs</header><text>Section 16(k)(3) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2025">7 U.S.C. 2025(k)(3)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HA758ADEC6B64464A9B2772E624A2DA24"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the first sentence of subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0539FC9D63DB43289CF800F1D965EA68"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)(ii) by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6263F8152A354464ABED003DA04FC943"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cash payment pilot projects</header><text>Section 17(b)(1)(B)(vi) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(1)(B(vi)) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HAA7E43DF075E4B548D8BBE04E6EDBD90"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>Section 18(a)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2027">7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)</external-xref>) is amended in the 1st sentence by striking <quote>2003 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2008 through 2012</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H3A0DB76ED6BB49F0B2CCF0C29E203583"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Consolidated block grants for puerto rico and american samoa</header><text>Section 19(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2028">7 U.S.C. 2028(a)(2)(A)(ii)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H85C7D1698BED4A5FBF132400AD118B59"><enum>611.</enum><header>Accountability for paperwork requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 11(e)(3) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2020">7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(3)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>, <italic>Provided,</italic> That no application shall be denied for lack of verification unless the State agency determines that the household refused to comply with a request for verification made by an individual designated under paragraph (6)(B)</quote> after <quote>of an application,</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H7CCD3E0276EF40009DC200917B66E73"><enum>612.</enum><header>Performance standards for biometric technology</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2016">7 U.S.C. 2016</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HF96A39E0FCE54C4FB8AC39AEA2FDA59E" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H6AD386E8933F4CCA987B00BAC70389ED"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No State agency shall establish any additional requirements or conditions on households to receive benefits, other than those specified in this section.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="HAAFA0EF128154034903D390723960482"><enum>613.</enum><header>Preventing conflicts of interest</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 16(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2025">7 U.S.C. 2025(a)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>directly or indirectly</quote> before <quote>receive or benefit</quote> in the final sentence.</text> </section> <section id="H0AC8B135C175487AA2DD1E13F042E8CF"><enum>614.</enum><header>Limitation on contracting</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 16(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2025">7 U.S.C. 2025(a)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting at the end: <quote>The Secretary shall not make any payments for administrative costs under this or any other section of law relating to a contract that a State agency concluded in violation of this Act or the Secretary’s regulations, whether or not the Secretary may approve the contract subsequent to its letting, or for any personnel costs to carry out functions specified under section 11(e)(3) except by persons described under section 11(e)(6)(B).</quote>.</text> </section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H21335FD2088D4115B1ECC6888DD0004D"><enum>615.</enum><header>Fairness for legal immigrants</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Notwithstanding sections 401(a), 402(a), and 403(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1611">8 U.S.C. 1611(a)</external-xref>, 1612(a), 1613(a)) and section 6(f) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2015">7 U.S.C. 2015(f)</external-xref>), persons who are lawfully residing in the United States shall be not be ineligible for food stamps on the basis of their immigration status or date of entry into the United States.</text> </section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2CABEE10B84E461D93CC5F66D1FFECAA"><enum>616.</enum><header>Clarifying eligibility</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 421 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1631">8 U.S.C. 1631(d)(3)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H17E34E98FA1A400D934C77E90057AEB3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>to the extent that a qualified alien is eligible under section 1612(a)(2)(J) of this title</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H06C6FDB70A394C3787E47763EE1B1874"><enum>(2)</enum><text>inserting <quote>to the extent that a child is a member of the food stamp household</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section> <section id="H643FE109D4A948CF9FFBDFE5AACC2621"><enum>617.</enum><header>Ensuring proper screening</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 11(e)(2)(B) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2020">7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(2)(B)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H245419CB6AD542FCBA2EF8D9F572ECB0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating clauses (vi) and (viii) as clauses (vii) and (viii); and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0415745C382249959DD2D9009CE0C40"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting the following after clause (v):</text> <quoted-block id="H18EAC0C27DC5489F90A1E40004E3F36" style="OLC"> <clause id="HA1DD5BA05DB345BFA6BE88B79BBACBC1"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>shall provide a method for implementing 8 U.S.C. 1631 that does not require any unnecessary information from persons who may be exempt from that provision;</text> </clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HA0210A5435CF433491FC735CFD038B87"><enum>618.</enum><header>Clarification of simplified administrative reporting requirement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 11(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2020">7 U.S.C. 2020(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding the following at the end—</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H988574C456AB402980C631B82580F67D" style="OLC"> <quoted-block-continuation-text quoted-block-continuation-text-level="subsection">The administrative reporting requirement under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1631">8 U.S.C. 1631(e)(2)</external-xref> shall be satisfied by the submission of an aggregate report on the numbers of such exceptions granted each year.</quoted-block-continuation-text><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section></subtitle> <subtitle id="HC9A19DCAADB3495298B6C0C157403819"><enum>B</enum><header>Other nutrition programs</header> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5D6FF763D10245798190C661E4D00E4" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>631.</enum><header>Commodities for the emergency food assistance program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 27(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2036">7 U.S.C. 2036(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HA31A534680344310AA76FFF2CEDA8C00"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(a) purchase of commodities</quote> and all that follows through <quote>through 2007</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H60F7EEF963F84A40A649B3C99C74E42" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HC3949DFEFB4C4D7EBDB56481E5F00CC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Purchase of commodities</header> <paragraph id="H2083B86200894CEB97BC79278838E33"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As provided in paragraph (2), for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012</text> </paragraph> </subsection><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H70B947D66F8348EDA61259CB71DF7095"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$140,000,000 of</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H22F02AC636FF484D97FD9C3038001294"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting at the end:</text> <quoted-block id="HE9DDE9BB6D8A478AB497AE1C31693188" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HFB51A6DCD9404D7F9980E3D2129D28ED"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amounts</header><text>The following amounts are made available to carry out this subsection:</text> <subparagraph id="HA83BAF907B8D4D26BC24000041209628"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for fiscal year 2008, $250,000,000;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0E9CC74650CF4E7CBCBEF543EA7500B7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, the dollar amount of commodities available in the immediately preceding fiscal year adjusted by the percentage by which the thrifty food plan has been adjusted under section 3(o)(4) between June 30, 2007 and June 30 of the immediately preceding fiscal year.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HBB6301A0AF1D4CE694B6DA47E50096F6"><enum>632.</enum><header>Reauthorize the commodity supplemental food program (csfp)</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/612c">7 U.S.C. 612c</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/93/86">Public Law 93–86</external-xref>) is amended in the first sentence by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H757A61C9300449C2BC57D655D432FDDD"><enum>633.</enum><header>Reauthorization of and increased funding for community food project competitive grants</header> <subsection id="H700739BB3CC7450F92096B04EAEC27D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority To provide assistance</header><text>Section 25(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2034">7 U.S.C. 2034(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HBAB3D33803054C1E9715E421B464452C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1) by striking <quote>From amounts made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary may</quote> and inserting <quote>The Secretary shall</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H464AE49B107C4F82829C56C0A696EF55"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block id="H31E63D6085DA45DB00BCBE2480EDF9EC" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H991D6399D0E842948DC28846E0D983D1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Funding amounts</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">From amounts made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall use for fiscal year 2008 $30,000,000 and for each fiscal year thereafter the amount available in the preceding year adjusted to reflect changes in the in Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the twelve months ending the preceding June 30.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H24C1141CCE49425E95F4E49F6EAFC07C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Preference for certain projects</header><text>Section 25(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2034">7 U.S.C. 2034(d)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H6099A9BB826E4927A8F6E79F95AF18C6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (3) by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H6EB846B08C8747C9BAD2B321D41E5CFF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (4) by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H907199D5CF1E47AFB2263DA259AF2C03"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HB38C57483AFA4BD6A716A13B1F27E1BF" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HDD20B811FD0E46F2AF7636BF7F5C8DD6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>serve special project needs in areas of—</text> <subparagraph id="HEB5CF2472E9D4FA089EA2B6C93E370C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>transportation and processing for expanding institutional and emergency food service demand for local food;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB46C2C81C9824B15ADBCDB9306B040C9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>retail access to healthy foods in underserved markets;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H14F1FD98B5584869831DC9FB68E83465"><enum>(C)</enum><text>integration of urban and metro-area food production in food projects; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA94D3F33B1DA405DBDD9AED9AAC3BC83"><enum>(D)</enum><text>technical assistance for youth, socially disadvantaged individuals, and limited resource groups.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HD66EE59979CE425D99E6CC2FF25744CB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Matching funds requirements</header><text>Section 25(e)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2034">7 U.S.C. 2034(e)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>50</quote> and inserting <quote>75</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HA23F6E19E24147CD9E00BE4969F2309"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Term of grant</header><text>Section 25(f)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2034">7 U.S.C. 2034(f)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>3</quote> and inserting <quote>5</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H66001D650001445600264B2E3471435F"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Section 25(h)(4) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2034">7 U.S.C. 2034(h)(4)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HE4B9AC61213B454B9D257EDA124260EE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>fiscal years 2003 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>fiscal years 2008 through 2013</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3CCEB940581041F0BCF2AEF9D9F308E7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$200,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$500,000</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle> <enum>VII</enum><header>Crop Insurance</header> <section id="H3762A9FB67E742EF9BD17E7090069C0"><enum>701.</enum><header>Reauthorization of and additional funding for agricultural management assistance program</header> <subsection id="H2C3AA88064F344B700D4CCAF00703EC2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reauthorization</header><text>Subsection (b)(4)(B) of section 524 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H5DBB5CFD96554BBE9532907D00EE9E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by striking <quote>fiscal years 2003 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>fiscal years 2008 through 2013</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HEE79A581107D43BAA000B66D3D0045DE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in clause (iii), by striking <quote>fiscal years 2004 through 2007</quote> and inserting <quote>fiscal years 2008 through 2013</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H20CE2346EA7148AF9F00A6074DFC9C58"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Funding levels</header><text>Such subsection is further amended—</text> <paragraph id="HC60A2CA9E44A4192B7A2E7BFA6E83539"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by striking <quote>$20,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$40,000,000</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF6502FC9690948879B27B9C136A4C3E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (iii)—</text> <subparagraph id="H6BFF92BA750D461D8F8000E900D9A5C3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subclause (I), by striking <quote>$14,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$19,000,000</quote>;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H90E7217D1E0548218DED24C0767D8559"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subclause (II), by striking <quote>$1,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$2,000,000</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCF1543BD2C1F4FA08C6EA3D14BD9D34F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subclause (III), by striking <quote>$5,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$19,000,000</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H6EB4CDEA9F56481FA4006BA2C413949D"><enum>702.</enum><header>Reauthorization, expansion, and improvement of adjusted gross revenue (agr) insurance pilot program</header> <subsection id="HCD2BA978DB0F4D2995E9E5AEA8896935"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reauthorization</header><text>Subsection (e)(1) of section 523 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2004 reinsurance year</quote> and inserting <quote>2013 reinsurance year</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HC3F2EF4AB5454326B6BEAD8088D8DC01"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Expansion</header><text>Subsection (e)(2)(a) of section 523 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>the Corporation shall include in the pilot program for the 2003 reinsurance year at least 8 counties in the State of California and at least 8 counties in the State of Pennsylvania</quote> and inserting <quote>the Corporation shall include in the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot programs (AGR and AGR–Lite) for the 2008 through 2013 reinsurance years all counties and States which meet the criteria for selection, pending required rating.</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H1A2FD96D4CF141B59C17C22C439C5399"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Specific policy improvements</header><text>Subsection (e) of section 523 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:</text> <quoted-block id="H14E1443504134F19874606B8184B1ED8" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HDCA0C61F61B9413E88C329D8D15B8857"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Coverage levels</header><text>The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, provide higher coverage levels for the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program including an 85 percent coverage level with a 100 percent payment rate.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H477DABE10E6E48938EAD8B05DBE38389"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Accurate reflection of risk</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, provide coverage levels for AGR and AGR–Lite that accurately reflect a producers’ risk under conditions of increasing intended revenue.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8A85F81678404239AB6DC0E91C00C8AF"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Income floor</header><text>In order to maintain adequate coverage levels during low income years, the Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, provide a 10 percent floor to declines in a producers’ 5-year income history, which is used in determining coverage levels.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H7198E351DF094E569D713654EC88D8A2"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Inclusion of payments</header><text>The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, include crop insurance payments and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance as allowable income in producers’ 5-year income history, which is used to determine premium rates.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H01493F3C04974DF481ED9BE88C60585E"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Livestock risk analysis</header><text>The Corporation shall conduct additional analysis to more accurately reflect dairy and livestock commodities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H847D40B753DD470E8CC0CC120900445D"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Carryover commodities</header><text>The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, provide clarity and direction regarding the coverage and inventory rules for commodities with carryover inventory, including but not limited to, Christmas trees, shellfish, nursery, and livestock.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H789161B25249477498DBE899265F2F6"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Quarantine and bio-terrorism</header><text>The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, include the peril of quarantine and bio-terrorism as insurable causes of loss.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD5171835227547D987B18594BDBDF1D1"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Local market value</header> <subparagraph id="HA593A2062B614DD2B5EE584C565582E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, establish local market value for direct marketers by using the best available estimate from direct marketers rather than commercial buyers.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9D6AC2CDA3D948C0A9AAA718F8003E52"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, require that the value for estimating the revenue for the producer’s intention report for the current year be determined at the time the intentions report is filed.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HABC0515E77364B0D91B4E129CB254425"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Exclusion from income requirement</header><text>The Corporation shall remove the single crop income requirement, currently at 83.35 percent, that excludes potatoes from the Adjusted Gross Revenue insurance program.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD91030CE84E94B00B61C8C3D71D01900"><enum>(12)</enum><header>Definition of animals</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation shall revise the definition of <quote>animals</quote> eligible for coverage under the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program to ensure that it is inclusive of production agriculture, specifically adding fryers and shellfish which are licensed commercial producers under the local approving authority in a certified growing area. For purposes of this section, a producer who can document an insurable interest in livestock shall be eligible for inclusion in AGR and AGR–Lite policies.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HE9104F1CEEE04CA8AAE6C9F745B4B92"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Beginning farmers</header><text>The Corporation shall develop a pilot program that provides opportunities for beginning farmers to utilize the adjusted gross revenue insurance program, such as, providing special consideration for premium rates to be established based on similar farms historical information.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5ECFF983EAF64C5E954388001859D130"><enum>(14)</enum><header>Small farmers</header><text>The Corporation shall develop a pilot program that provides opportunities for small farmers to utilize the adjusted gross revenue insurance program, such as, providing streamlined, reasonably priced coverage.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H10D8CD95CF1F4788AF8C66A0FCEC2B00"><enum>(15)</enum><header>Late fiscal year income tax filers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, revise program requirements to ensure that producers that file income taxes in a fiscal year that does not match the calendar year are treated equitably to calendar year tax filers, such as, payment of premiums during or after the insurance year and requirements for multiple years of a producer’s intention report.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA371C21E09F54BFC9613DF49C2C052F8"><enum>(16)</enum><header>Commodities produced for feed</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent possible, revise program requirements to include commodities produced for on-farm feed as an intended commodity.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="H98D0539F04FF4223B7D97D97BE91B8C3"><enum>703.</enum><header>Crop insurance incentives for beginning farmers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subsection (e)(2) of section 508 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H138818EECEDE4001A86CD180CA5C200"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (G) the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H7CD14CC4D9F04DEE9265F7A3974180F3" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H2DACB9C5AFA74768ACE88441432F578C"><enum>(H)</enum><text>The portion of the premium paid by the Corporation, in subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) shall be increased by 50 percent for beginning farmers, as defined by USDA, in their first year of farming and decreasing by 10 percentage points each year for 5 years thereafter.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="HE314B88EC5964A7C00E4B00DCE70932"><enum>704.</enum><header>Crop insurance appeals</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subsection (j)(2) of section 508 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HF75032A533B341068BD5E3AF56EB96BF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A) by striking <quote>only</quote>; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H46EE693A79F84D88AEFD01D0772B04"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H4791A6CB0C474CFFA98400FFCB662956" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H11FE1E199FBF4DAFBDD4474C87D5BE1E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Secretary shall establish alternative claims procedures under which the Corporation, or an approved provider, can settle appeals for denied claims which utilizes the State committee of the Farm Service Agency as a third-party arbiter.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section> <section id="H1DCEDACA59F74FBE8005A000EF9CF879"><enum>705.</enum><header>Expanded coverage based on historical data</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subsection (d)(3) of section 522 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after paragraph (G) the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H3B282059085E458D8016005786006BDC" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HE9ED30B8BBA545A680B7CDBA008E6518"><enum>(H)</enum><text>to develop policies or other risk management tools that provide protection for all crops and/or commodities produced commercially within each county, utilizing the producers historical production as the basis for protection.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H3246D60A07434C81A335142F033CAAE7"><enum>706.</enum><header>Coverage area flexibility</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subsection (a) of section 508 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block id="H1E925FAC0A90472600B316F178DA289" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H7C15C1F174E74E4D89697B3F45E6EDE"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Coverage area flexibility</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the Corporation shall provide flexibility to producers to separate insurance units for each FSA tract or to use section equivalents where mile-square section surveys are not in effect.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H06E094FB19414B909EA3AF8221663562"><enum>707.</enum><header>Provision of organic insurance programs</header> <subsection id="H8C9F9E5A3EB24630AA2590299578FF3D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 508(d) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1508">7 U.S.C. 1508</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after paragraph (c) the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2FB2E3C4891A4F829E56B6D19E45807" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HECFDEFBAFF65442CAA77D5900CA2517"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Surcharge Prohibition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Corporation may not require producers to pay a premium surcharge for using scientifically sound sustainable and organic farming practices and systems.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HE9663F7CBCEC4B8FA35D793EA400A3E8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Organic commodities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 508(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1508">7 U.S.C. 1508</external-xref>) is amended by adding a new (5)(C)(v) as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H365FB29906524215802CF5015D987D8D" style="OLC"> <clause id="HCD19BC979DBF4C06BFE9F4B9361B9DF"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of organic commodities, shall be, no later than October 1, 2009, the expected or the actual organic market price of the agricultural commodity, as determined by the Corporation.</text> </clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="H957BC060FD204065A317892563CB24FD"><enum>708.</enum><header>Education and risk management assistance</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 524(a)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1524">7 U.S.C. 1524</external-xref>) is amended in subparagraph (C) by striking “2” and inserting <quote>3</quote>.</text> </section> <enum>VIII</enum><header>Dairy</header> <section id="H84643B644FE54AB3B9A7F5FB9ECA314"><enum>801.</enum><header>Continuation of the milk income loss contract program</header> <subsection id="H20CE1CF1FD2A43519F9E651F1F92E150"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Continuation of program; payment percentage rate</header><text>Section 1502(c)(3)(C) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/7982">7 U.S.C. 7982(c)(3)(C)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>0 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>and ending on September 30, 2013, 45 percent</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H91D5B38C7470468B913517026B4E94BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Maximum payment quantity</header><text>Section 1502(d)(2)) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/7982">7 U.S.C. 7982(d)(2)</external-xref>) is amended in the first sentence by striking <quote>2,400,000 pounds</quote> and inserting <quote>4,800,000 pounds</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H4073E847496240FEB820F5487045006C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contract signup and duration</header><text>Section 1502 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/7982">7 U.S.C. 7982</external-xref>) is amended in subsections (f) and (g)(1) by striking <quote>September 30, 2007</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>September 30, 2013</quote>.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H1EAE186EFBF94CBABC70617F9309F47D"><enum>802.</enum><header>Minimum price for Class I milk under Federal milk marketing orders</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8c(5) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/608c">7 U.S.C. 608c(5)</external-xref>), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H27310E9C3CCF48A4A7978C33D4095ED1" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H02805A07C27847B49104508D63B278B6"><enum>(P)</enum><header>Class I milk pricing</header> <clause id="HC4C142527D204EDAB2ABA3FB177B7E8E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Minimum price</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on October 1, 2007, the minimum price for Class I milk under each Federal milk marketing order issued under this subsection shall be $15.58 per hundredweight.</text> </clause> <clause id="HC4600FB719684EC19CC00FCD277E17C"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Adjustment for inflation</header> <subclause id="H45B78910ACCD41038125D8FF275E4143"><enum>(I)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Beginning on October 1, 2008, and each October 1 thereafter, the amount in clause (i) shall be adjusted by the percent that equals the total percentage change for the 12-month period ending the preceding June 30 in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.</text> </subclause> <subclause id="HE38851B793F645D3A3697DE024647EE0"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each adjustment under subclause (I) shall be based on the unrounded amount for the prior 12-month period.</text> </subclause></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>. </after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H88AA9FF345D443DEBA8DB000D9F92847"><enum>803.</enum><header>Dairy export incentive and dairy indemnity programs</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0FA4B73540084D56B5D5E2EEEEEA86E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Dairy export incentive program</header><text>Section 153(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/713a-14">15 U.S.C. 713a–14(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE7EDF31CA19B4A0E9453D96488A9DEE9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Dairy indemnity program</header><text>Section 3 of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/90/484">Public Law 90–484</external-xref> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/450l">7 U.S.C. 450l</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>.</text> </subsection></section> <section commented="no" id="H47050C6840FE4C52BECA31C2F008909E"><enum>804.</enum><header>Funding of dairy promotion and research program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 113(e)(2) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/4504">7 U.S.C. 4504(e)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2007</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H41B14A57C69D49CCAF7EC85326508C75"><enum>805.</enum><header>Federal milk marketing orders</header> <subsection id="HE0B7AE92B4AF4C0AB07B4E3374DE2404"><enum>(a)</enum><header>2-class system for classifying milk</header> <paragraph id="H9E228C444D55434E89BD1B93E4DBFF2D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than September 30, 2008, the Secretary shall conduct a study of the economic benefits to milk producers of establishing a 2-class system for classifying milk under Federal milk marketing orders issued under section 8c(5) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/608c">7 U.S.C. 608c(5)</external-xref>), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, consisting of a fluid milk class and a manufacturing grade milk class (with the price for both classes determined using the component prices of butterfat, protein, and other solids).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBB06E09627244836AD26E7B827B10066"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amendment to orders</header> <subparagraph id="H76FE1C6C8F22456D8B05130025A72394"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Secretary determines (on the basis of the study conducted under paragraph (1)) that a 2-class system for classifying milk under Federal milk marketing orders would have a positive impact on milk producers, the Secretary submit a report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate that includes the text of proposed amendments to the Federal milk marketing orders to implement the 2-class system for classifying milk.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HBE552D85D5644513A351D72E6837D421"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The proposed amendments described in subparagraph (A) shall take effect not earlier than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the report is submitted under that subparagraph.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H1679768BF5AF42589059E4A27488F3BC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deadline for issuance of orders</header><text>Section 8c(4) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/608c">7 U.S.C. 608c(4)</external-xref>), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by striking <quote>After</quote> and inserting <quote>Not later than 30 days after</quote>.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H4EEE70174A334E3996009D7061CD4E2C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Advanced pricing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8c(5) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/608c">7 U.S.C. 608c(5)</external-xref>), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H38FDFEA99B9A43159B76654D8F1B1EBD" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H60C82145F40748D2B4006FF466ED2462"><enum>(P)</enum><header>Advanced pricing</header><text>Not later than September 30, 2007, in calculating the advanced price of Class I butterfat milk and Class I and II skim milk under Federal milk marketing orders, the Secretary shall use the 4-week component prices that are used to calculate prices for Class III and Class IV milk, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H50E34DE321DA4ECDA655F37660482F42"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Economic impact assessment</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text> <paragraph id="HDA496EC152CD4473AB61747BFCCF96"><enum>(1)</enum><text>carry out a review of the milk–feed ratio during the 1-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H79CCA1F591974F5383EB085E14091C92"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not later than September 30, 2008, and each time a proposed change in the Federal milk marketing order formulas is considered by the Secretary—</text> <subparagraph id="H153C7CEBE50141AD88DBC037FB3811B2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>assess the economic impact, over a 1- and 2-year period, of proposed changes in Federal milk marketing order formulas on—</text> <clause id="H974483A9DCE04A11AD6843B694C1BAF7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>milk supply;</text> </clause> <clause id="HAB009270A86844B3A5A457021E60B8BC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>farm profitability;</text> </clause> <clause id="HC777843DD6D14367BB2DA70025DC56F4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>consumer demand; and</text> </clause> <clause id="HF8FB8E4D814B4F93B75500BA2EDF649"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>market prices;</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1D23E2D6C4A64282A011C176224804F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry a report that describes the results of the assessment; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8998AD7F7BC541AAB1F6F1826D10948D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>consider, and include in the record, the results of the assessment before making a decision on any proposed change to the Federal milk marketing order formulas.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H1ADCF42F6BFC42D789536DC1831340B6" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>806.</enum><header>Dairy processing equipment loan guarantee fund</header> <subsection id="H3465F703CDBB4EC5BFA570D5E9FBC858"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Loans</header> <paragraph id="H6F415B559091419C97EB0000BD0062FD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 310B(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1932">7 U.S.C. 1932(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="HB323E352A3F84D83875D6557EA16BC1D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by designating the first through fifth sentences as paragraphs (1) through (5), respectively;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3AF46672F71D43CBB2ED33D2007B16A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="traditional">Sec.</header-in-text> 310B. (a) The Secretary</quote> and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD4A82E812C6D4B84A12C5C2600889EB" style="OLC"> <section id="H5FB5138AA17E46C6855303EEA9B4005B"><enum>310B.</enum><header>Rural industrialization assistance</header> <subsection id="HE6F0C1D3BA534E169BC600D781437095"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Loans</header> <paragraph id="H34783B7A217D44988097F65304B77E34"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA1B24CF9454546BF91338FC0C38EC254"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking <quote>for the purposes of (1) improving</quote> and inserting “for the purposes of—</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF37B1DB953AC4FF5AB43A7F8EEF3F8AF" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H0349DED3DA0B4A38A7F270EFA1FDEEC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>improving</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF0A27666F2D5438F9425A47F7CB2242D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by striking <quote>abatement and control, (2) the conservation</quote> and inserting “abatement and control;</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H08B01638197C434CA765D430C1C66125" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HAD5F074C7CF0440AB8F41FB683DF78C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the conservation</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC10260ADCB3D40AE87CA406E0029D139"><enum>(E)</enum><text>by striking <quote>rural areas, (3) reducing</quote> and inserting “rural areas;</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA315CD3198074367A4ADC81E8CD7B2CC" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H53D3CFAD60B541458C5BBDC76991CE4B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>reducing</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1A8D1383C8D44BE4A4C5F05EE8EACDB"><enum>(F)</enum><text>by striking <quote>rural areas, and (4) to facilitate economic</quote> and inserting “rural areas;</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8E8A19C649A948F3B71F31393483DB47" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="HFC2FC8E7A2894BFD9695D442B3D3045"><enum>(D)</enum><text>facilitating economic</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3977FD3498F24185BF2C668E664DFB4F"><enum>(G)</enum><text>by striking <quote>foreign trade.</quote> and inserting “foreign trade; and</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H700649580AF141C78C9C00CA94B52ECD" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H50D066A6D4A74013A3054EC908F2E602"><enum>(E)</enum><text>providing processors of dairy products with incentives for investing in new equipment and technologies by using not more than $15,000,000 each fiscal year to—</text> <clause id="HF7FF620304A5477BB450EE98594EC720"><enum>(i)</enum><text>make loans to dairy processors and cooperatives to cover not more than 50 percent of the cost of acquisition and adoption of new equipment, equipment upgrades, and new technologies—</text> <subclause id="H19D26FCCA8EC48748066628D2E810271"><enum>(I)</enum><text>at a fixed rate of interest not to exceed the prime lending rate plus 1 percent; and</text> </subclause> <subclause id="H807C7968F43847399DC12B43C46E6080"><enum>(II)</enum><text>with a term of not to exceed 15 years; and</text> </subclause></clause> <clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4E224A4A148145D6BDB7A2FB824DC4E3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>guarantee loans made to dairy processors and cooperatives for the acquisition and adoption of new dairy equipment, equipment upgrades, and new technologies, at a guarantee rate of 90 percent.</text> </clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HEC262E1BDD2244BD937C008FF3404DBC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header> <subparagraph id="H314C4C5D58CB4132A664DC9EEFC0B155"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Section 307(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1927">7 U.S.C. 1927(a)(6)(B)(ii)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>clause (1) of section 310B(a)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 310B(a)(1)(A)</quote>.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAB8B6E5847E24D70BF6E5B0082CFDC18"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Section 333A(g)(1)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1983a">7 U.S.C. 1983a(g)(1)(B)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>310B(a)(1)</quote> and inserting <quote>310(a)(1)(A)</quote>.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCE45054A46F344FE81B47249003CA9E0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Section 381E(d)(3)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2009d">7 U.S.C. 2009d(d)(3)(B)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>310B(a)(1)</quote> and inserting <quote>310B(a)(1)(A)</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H642D0B7A35E446E599E8B30780E37CB4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Lending power for dairy processing cooperatives</header><text>Section 3.7 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/12/2128">12 U.S.C. 2128</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H22041E7C063C4D04B744C3E1F2583487" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H3D291CAFCF6C494DB0260015F545A8A5"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Dairy processing cooperatives</header> <paragraph id="H948C5C21702A41FAAE02C5768D885762"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The banks for cooperatives may use not more than $15,000,000 each fiscal year to provide dairy processing cooperatives with working capital lines of credit and accounts receivable financing for the purpose of accessing export marketing opportunities for milk and milk products.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAF052EDD67774495983F3E15006D803B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>Financing provided by the banks for cooperatives for a project under paragraph (1) may not exceed the lesser of—</text> <subparagraph id="H8FF1BF9ADE0D41C8A9DA6DF40EBBA68"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$1,000,000; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA248AB7B0DD34636AEB6F686D9F80122"><enum>(B)</enum><text>75 percent of the costs of carrying out the project.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2AC42E8D66EB40E1813CF27F48A32BF4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Term</header> <subparagraph id="HA8895375ADBC40ADBDC1B541FCC91CCA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term of a line of credit described in paragraph (1) shall not exceed 24 months.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7D062C85CC104E819B8E6B9C717BFF2B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Revolving lines of credit</header><text>A revolving line of credit may be used for multiple transactions.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H9667D99850C14C0F84BBCEA224D58518"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Due date</header><text>An accounts receivable financing loan under this subsection shall be due on the earlier of—</text> <subparagraph id="H38484D13FCF04EFDB1CC618BBEAD1712"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the date on which the receivable is paid; or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB3C0936D88914CEB882E778470CDABA0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>180 days after the date of disbursement.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCB0E3892C84E48A984CFCDD5884517C"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Use of financing</header> <subparagraph id="H59F38B3CA0BF4F48832031A43D901678"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Working capital line of credit financing</header><text>Working capital line of credit financing under this subsection may be used—</text> <clause id="HA9C4D57184A945F7A9AE1BCE9682DE32"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to acquire inventory for the production of milk;</text> </clause> <clause id="H7E197AC022354C3B9951F96B2178E5A7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to pay direct and indirect costs (such as design, engineering, labor, and overhead costs) used for—</text> <subclause id="H6578CE1EB98A496AA283DEE3DFD1857D"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the manufacture or purchase of goods, including work-in-process, for the production of milk; or</text> </subclause> <subclause id="HE2DE15620BC44E41B8BAFBE958DD8E41"><enum>(II)</enum><text>for the provision of services for the production of milk; or</text> </subclause></clause> <clause id="H2AE8EFD3D1244488899F55E8FEDD6DA"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to support standby letters of credit used as bid bonds, performance bonds, or payment guarantees.</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H98CCDCFE64494FCF986450C645A984A1"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Accounts receivable financing</header><text>Accounts receivable financing under this subsection may be used to finance export accounts receivables for milk and milk products sold on payment terms of not more than 180 days after the date of arrival at the port of importation, if the finance export accounts receivable have been insured by the Commodity Credit Corporation or other guarantor approved by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> <section id="H36DE90634652454194B8E0787CE1BDE0" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>807.</enum><header>Federal loan forgiveness program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/3101">7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA1A30DBD3B0B44FEA6288BC94C348FF6" style="OLC"> <subtitle id="HC203CC420D7D4043A91BB3E3E3ECB7C2"><enum>P</enum><header>Federal dairy education loan forgiveness</header> <section id="H57EC5D8F8A5C428700D2E9012D5BCB36"><enum>1495.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This subtitle may be cited as the <quote>Federal Dairy Education Loan Forgiveness Act</quote>.</text> </section> <section id="H086E4E12C71A4636AB5CFE7B6B7781DD"><enum>1496.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle:</text> <paragraph id="H79F6968D4E5145059DC45678001FC042"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Family dairy farm</header><text>The term <term>family dairy farm</term> means the real property of a dairy farm—</text> <subparagraph id="H1BE2804FC6A44E3B95689E5E5861D2DF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>owned by—</text> <clause id="H22CD39F31B1D46B09D5D56880085D9E7"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">one or more immediate family members; or</text> </clause> <clause id="H3F4D8AFB754842A3A0D8E9A325302830"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a family dairy farm corporation; and</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3327C3DC5BE94BFD99AEA3820006DE11"><enum>(B)</enum><text>used for the production, for commercial purposes, of milk or milk products.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H650B57112F0C42B295836717472D35B4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Family dairy farm corporation</header><text>The term <term>family dairy farm corporation</term> means a corporation—</text> <subparagraph id="H7F09495DEB9541179B175542880619DC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>at least 75 percent of the assets of which are devoted to active involvement in farming; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2D04485C6222406EA678DE85B46747DD"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">at least 75 percent of each class of stock of which is continuously owned by one or more immediate family members.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA96CEDF143864B659F12F6C7B68B77CB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Immediate family member</header><text>The term <term>immediate family member</term> means a spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, stepbrother, sister, stepsister, or similar relative-in-law of an owner of real property, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA86BE7CEA529400EAC7917A2A58FA7E4"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Institution of higher education</header><text>The term <term>institution of higher education</term> has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the <act-name parsable-cite="HEA65">Higher Education Act of 1965</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1001">20 U.S.C. 1001(a)</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H34D450DFC04844B7B9F997AAD087233"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Program</header><text>The term <term>program</term> means the Federal dairy education loan forgiveness program established under section 1497(a).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HE6CA39C0F9424F9C006537007436188D"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Qualified applicant</header><text>The term <term>qualified applicant</term> means a resident of the United States who, as determined by the Secretary—</text> <subparagraph id="H8E3D0F429F1C407F885CF73F46BD14CB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>holds a 2- or 4-year degree in a field related to the production of agricultural products from an institution of higher education;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCFC945AEC07F49A4AC57E18F37240031"><enum>(B)</enum><text>on or after January 1, 2008, has commenced the first year of full-time ownership or operation of a family dairy farm; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA80BBD44D7A248DBBD3C0951DDDDE154"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is the borrower of an outstanding qualified loan as a result of pursuing a degree described in subparagraph (A).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD99A2DD87E3144FD8C5D80EB39021600"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Qualified loan</header><text>The term <term>qualified loan</term> means—</text> <subparagraph id="H568D2B30FED1430F8E5BAE9FE40CD0"><enum>(A)</enum> <clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HB90BC6A54DFF44A6ADEB1100B3515DB9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under section 428 or 428H of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1078">20 U.S.C. 1078</external-xref>, 1078–8);</text> </clause> <clause id="H9D21ABA1AE53425FB712FAAC5DCA97B" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan made under section 455 of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1087e">20 U.S.C. 1087e</external-xref>); or</text> </clause> <clause id="H0F7CCB2763BA4C0B83A7AF8BAF63D1D1" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a consolidation loan under section 428C of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1078-3">20 U.S.C. 1078–3</external-xref>), or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan under section 455 of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1087e">20 U.S.C. 1087e</external-xref>), to the extent that the amount of the loan was used to repay a loan described in clause (i) or (ii); and</text> </clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H57932092B7D64A9EA3313FD5D832631F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a loan under part B or D of title IV of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1070">20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.</external-xref>); or</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6F7F254377A343FEA356952BADD0CA47"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a loan under a guaranteed student loan program of the Department.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></section> <section id="H438A5DB36B624108A5F4665CEC6F21F6"><enum>1497.</enum><header>Federal dairy education loan forgiveness program</header> <subsection id="H824284D5D02243839418B6B49BE75416"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall carry out a Federal dairy education loan forgiveness program under which the Secretary shall assume the obligation to repay an amount calculated in accordance with subsection (c) for one or more qualified loans made to eligible qualified applicants in accordance with this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H7ECA79B097364D2F8F60738BADB7E97E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>A qualified applicant shall submit to the Secretary an application and such documentation of continued eligibility as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H94B7481A565347F785BE6E4E1D65424D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Maximum amount</header><text>The maximum amount that the Secretary may repay under the program for each qualified applicant shall be equal to the average annual cost of tuition at land-grant colleges and universities (as determined by the Secretary annually), for each year that the qualified applicant—</text> <paragraph id="H5691FEE72914475882EFC4312C1FB1B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is an owner or operator of a family dairy farm; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H3E97A2B0C9134EB18FCD69EA0052FBE0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>has not otherwise received loan repayment on behalf of the qualified applicant under this section or any other Federal or State program.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HCBB07E30DC84448EB65168ACBEC1BF06"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section authorizes the refunding of any repayment of a qualified loan.</text> </subsection> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1AB3D9FE7D5D4CCDB8F4803920EE2B62"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exclusion from income</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any payment to, or on behalf of, a qualified applicant under this subtitle shall not be included in the gross income of the qualified applicant for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H121231B15CD14F39A9C89E00B300ADFD"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header> <paragraph id="H83FCBA955A6A4F3C8874FFD74783C0AD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subtitle.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H28FF0A72895849B5B44B5712361B7C77"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Insufficient funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the total amount of funds appropriated to carry out this subtitle is insufficient to provide loan repayment under the program for all eligible qualified applicants, the Secretary shall provide loan repayment to eligible qualified applicants on a pro rata basis.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section id="H29616CE5935540A6A8ECA70331DCC18"><enum>808.</enum><header>Mandatory reporting of dairy commodities</header> <subsection id="HD3723C37A7FF425184A66E6C80CA7972"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 272 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1637a">7 U.S.C. 1637a</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFFF00D8E5BA947AA9CDDE54E063FC5AF" style="OLC"> <section id="H57D03D2F338942F48FDE394662D8C710"><enum>272.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle:</text> <paragraph id="HC9E8A2F493D449228152018EAA4D7055"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Dairy commodity</header> <subparagraph id="HAEF3F2D68B304EE095B87D36453F6743"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>dairy commodity</term> means a product manufactured from milk or a milk-derived ingredient.</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD14C2CCCCD0C450F8E3CE9006E094F20"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The term <term>dairy commodity</term> includes—</text> <clause id="H5F8D5CF34EDA436290C1BAD65288EFB"><enum>(i)</enum><text>fluid milk;</text> </clause> <clause id="H16E7705850BB40A4BF19C0D98BC7F000"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>cheese;</text> </clause> <clause id="H7DCA7420BE1F499EB061062200186D8B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>butter;</text> </clause> <clause id="H48F6314B689F4B2EA40051F34CB55B17"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>nonfat dry milk;</text> </clause> <clause id="HD2474C11DE414A78869DE96995595C9B"><enum>(v)</enum><text>skim milk;</text> </clause> <clause id="H65BAF37AFAF548A1A21FDC7FEBC61E23"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>whey products;</text> </clause> <clause id="HD23CA35CA1744711BE109BC3BAAEE603"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>dry proteins (such as a milk protein concentrate, casein, and a caseinate);</text> </clause> <clause id="H71DD62E1F0C34705AF0991A7C24D5D03"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>a lactose product; and</text> </clause> <clause id="H6C14674E6914444690E4504100C09400"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>a fresh dairy product (such as yogurt and ice cream).</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HEC510B623FE14736A4F0864BE8F52BF8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Dairy processor</header><text>The term <term>dairy processor</term> means a person or legal entity that commercially processes milk into cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk, or other dairy solids.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HB721C2D4DE3B48998E39EF524202F00"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Agriculture.</text> </paragraph></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="HE0832B1F635745B48DAE9D02C8DCB99F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mandatory reporting</header><text>Section 273 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/1637b">7 U.S.C. 1637b</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H0134B05490F247BDBD4401DB5289B1DE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDE2A41047A524955B2E342BBB351A8DD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H309D72EBC0CA43EDB6DD980077279EA" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HC2FF274D17BA4FCCA0F93754D986A386"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Daily Reporting</header> <paragraph id="HC3F860D4B27B4B57BFB64B158FFFF2C8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The corporate officers or officially-designated representatives of each dairy processor shall report to the Secretary at least once each reporting day, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time, for each sales transaction involving a dairy commodity, information concerning—</text> <subparagraph id="H3244525E2C4640F3BB5F06A6D18628F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the sales price;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDE02E4FB5BFD484D8B6E92C9BC13FFAC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the quantity sold;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H23F25C1F363348F3B3212513BF993C3E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the location of the sales transaction; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB9A508472DE74E13A2B3277B1FF98FA"><enum>(D)</enum><text>product characteristics, including—</text> <clause id="HA3F68172B44341FA9566A07D8F62DC2D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>moisture level;</text> </clause> <clause id="HFD5B7B791A294489B5A048AFE9E89D03"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>packaging size;</text> </clause> <clause id="HC969D582D97844A9AD875D58DFC00701"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>grade;</text> </clause> <clause id="HB0BCA685268F4678B691F564FDE391AB"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>if appropriate, fat or protein level;</text> </clause> <clause id="H3C77CDCC33EC42648E35B5659E2E29AD"><enum>(v)</enum><text>heat level for dried products; and</text> </clause> <clause id="H5D381A221DD0437AABCA00A842C942B5"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>other defining product characteristics.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H73805AF311F342D38787F394FB24D288"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The Secretary shall make the information reported under paragraph (1) available to the public not less frequently than once each reporting day, categorized by location and product characteristics.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HCA4EE046050D4C5F814B1CE8056D4166"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Weekly reporting</header> <paragraph id="H2BCB8009D8364638818B8679C491D7A5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The corporate officers or officially-designated representatives of each dairy processor shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, for the prior week information concerning—</text> <subparagraph id="HCDDD6F678BEC4251991307CD77003237"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the sales prices for sales transactions involving dairy commodities, categorized by product characteristics; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H933A8AAA4D554AA3A200BFEDD62D9E2F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the quantities of dairy commodities sold.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H88E699AF5B5F4B0782F5C5C19E6C21BB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The Secretary shall make the information reported under paragraph (1) available to the public on the first reporting day of the each week, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time, categorized by location and product characteristics.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H190EC5DD906644259B50F007C68518E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Federal order prices</header><text>The Secretary shall use weekly prices published under paragraph (2) to calculate Federal milk marketing order prices.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H7AF17FBF71864768BECFCAAE58546D41"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Monthly reporting</header> <paragraph id="HA87E02C801FA4F429DDBF989744D0463"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The corporate officers or officially-designated representatives of each dairy processor shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each month, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the quantity of all dairy commodities processed by the dairy processor during the prior month.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA758D02DED1C47AF8C1F1D003E18BC4E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The Secretary shall make the information reported under paragraph (1) available to the public on the first reporting day of the each month, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time, categorized by location and product characteristics.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection></section> <enum>IX</enum><header>Miscellaneous Provisions</header> <section id="H7F25D2B8E8124259BA3C3001E1D94FC3"><enum>901.</enum><header>National organic transition and stewardship incentive program</header> <subsection id="H4DA96A3CB00444F182DCAB40BF007CD4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Program required</header> <paragraph id="H49781470A92C43D1AC0086721D955300"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service) shall use $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013, to remain available until expended, to establish a national organic agriculture conversion and stewardship incentives program to assist producers developing and implementing organic infrastructure and practices for conversion of land and animals to certified organic production and for the adoption of advanced organic farming conservation systems.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H46077EF4940143DFA34813F58F4F6CE6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to reimburse producers for the costs of conversion and technical assistance to organic food production as defined at the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/6501">7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.</external-xref>)</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF5BE0D466579446E928722A151966434"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Program</header><text>Under the program established under paragraph (2), the Secretary (acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service) shall use $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to assist producers developing and implement infrastructure, practices and activities necessary to conversion land and animals to meet the requirements of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/6501">7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.</external-xref>)</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H730C3F4A2ECB4395BC8F22F46DA04700"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Incentive payments</header><text>During each of the 2008 through 2013 fiscal years, the Secretary shall provide incentive payments to producers who enter into contracts with the Secretary under the program.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H71C45E5CC62C436DA326C81061EE4D8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligible practices and activities</header><text>The Secretary shall provide payments for:</text> <paragraph id="H449BDB3C5096452088A42984B6951538"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Organic practices and activities during conversion to certified organic production consistent with an approved Organic System Plan to conversion to certified organic crops and livestock production and handling under the national organic production program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/6501">7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H5F4CE6CE94394884A001DDB5CAB4EDBB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Advanced organic practices consistent with an approved Organic System Plan.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA36D7B353CA54459B05F91A955A891C4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Organic animal welfare measures, so long as such practices and activities are necessary to implement an organic practice standard and are consistent with an approved plan to transition to certified organic production.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H1F40A148ABC64C799EA1ACEDD031CEA4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Technical assistance, including the costs of developing an approved Organic System Plan under this section.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HAD77CAD257784DA6839BCBE0F5F217BC"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Farm infrastructure necessary to implement organic practice standards, including livestock watering facilities and fencing, so long as such infrastructure is consistent with an approved Organic System Plan.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H0F2F879CBA5C4F1E89EC00FAE374CEED"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Other measures the Secretary, after consulting with the National Organic Technical Committee, determines are appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HAED3BE913A3D421080414E553D007122"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Eligible producers</header> <paragraph id="HBEF65A7BCBEA4942BA791719F7C1EC89"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Plan submission</header><text>To be eligible for payments under this section, the producer shall develop, submit and implement an Organic System Plan that describes the conservation and environmental purposes to be achieved through conservation practices and activities and that demonstrates an existing market or reasonable expectation of a future market for the organic production and contains expected costs for infrastructure and practices included in conversion.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H190C8B3CF234460E8FE04DBBC2DBA88"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>Compliance with organic certification requirements must be verified by a USDA-Accredited Certifying Agent (ACA) in order for producers to qualify for payments.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2575CCEC8E0C48CA00FBD7584F909B5F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Conversion payments for certified organic producers</header><text>A certified organic producer under the program shall be eligible for payments to make the conversion to organic production for land and livestock not previously certified organic.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H12AB24D31E634B9EA8805CEAFF29A0FB"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Limitations on payments</header> <paragraph id="HB93390F743B3454CBA002CA8942BCE34"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in (2) and (3), an individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments under this section that, in the aggregate, exceed $10,000 per year, for a period not to exceed four years.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H18B45B16637F4F939E5515A3129FA7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specialty crops</header><text>In the case of an individual or entity who annually produces three or more types of specialty crops, the individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments under this section that, in the aggregate, exceed $20,000 per year, for a period not to exceed four years.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HBBABB605691D4C28A418B34D5F1344E6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Dairy</header><text>In the case of an individual or entity whose principal farming enterprise is dairy, the individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments under this section that, in the aggregate, exceed $20,000 per year, for a period not to exceed four years.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H66B490A6F59B4284A9C1AE055400203F"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Suspension authority</header><text>To ensure orderly and continued growth in organic farming, the following requirements apply:</text> <paragraph id="H7A5CB71E2F674147B39C21D8BC9E4A1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Prior to each fiscal year and no later than October 1st of each year, the Secretary shall publish organic commodity specific assessments analyzing the domestic production and consumption, import and export organic market demand and growth potential for each organic commodity and the anticipated number and total amount of new reimbursements for the following year affecting each commodity.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H86AEF4E4710D43CCADE4C8D700D176A5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary shall not enroll new producers under this subsection if, for any particular agricultural commodity, any new producers would produce an increased amount of that agricultural commodity that the Secretary finds is reasonably anticipated to affect the continuing economic viability of farmers currently certified under the national organic production program or would create unreasonable geographic disparities in the distribution of reimbursements provided under this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H87BE4A5A7CB84DF0AA35C09463533115"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Technical and educational assistance</header><text>The Secretary shall provide not less than 50 percent of the total program funds from the funds provided by this section for technical and educational assistance, of which not less than 50 percent shall be used for cooperative agreements with qualified non-profit and non-governmental organizations and consultants.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H2F8B945239484BF38FE62043D632761"><enum>(h)</enum><header>National Program Review</header><text>In conjunction with the National Organic Technical Committee, the Secretary shall conduct a National Program Review, including public hearings. This review and shall be initiated within four years from the start of this program and shall evaluate and make recommendations; to resolve any program deficiencies, redress any under served states, commodities, regions and to ensure that the program is contributing positively to the profitability of small and intermediate producers and existing organic producers.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H587C051041B44C798FFDA8C2FD809D3C"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Appeals</header><text>An applicant seeking conversion assistance under this section has the right to appeal an adverse decision by the Secretary with regard to an application for assistance, as provide in Section 275 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/6991">7 U.S.C. 6991–7002</external-xref>).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HFD7ADD60857E4D46A92BB4B9981E9FD1"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and the National Organic Technical Committee a report detailing State-by-State expenditures on conversion assistance, including the number of producers served by the program, the practices implemented, an assessment of the impacts of the program on organic food production, and recommended reforms, if any.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="HE83E854C75B645BBA59B3C4D7EE2EDFA"><enum>902.</enum><header>National organic technical committee</header> <subsection id="H690C0D87F0B7475CBAA445AB4CA74D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a National Organic Technical Committee to oversee development and implementation of the National Organic Conversion and Stewardship Incentive Program required by section 901 and to improve the organic agriculture interface with all other conservation programs and activities administered by the NRCS, including development of criteria for the approval of qualified organic technical advisors. The committee must take into account the regional and industry competitiveness and economic growth potential for industry sectors.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H0B98E32A042B4073B1D24F19C6C3ECB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The membership of the National Organic Technical Committee shall be comprised of:</text> <paragraph id="HFC604CF48AB5412B9EE512ADCD1751E4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Three organic farmers.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H32666B79DACE427BA9F25BCAE1E503C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Two organic certifying agents.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2FE6FA09D982414B87DF96D01C28DD83"><enum>(3)</enum><text>One organic inspector.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8B74EAB69D0A443AB77BBA192100E11F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>One representative of an environmental organization knowledgeable about organic agriculture.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HA660172A269E47F8836F543920CE394B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>One scientist with expertise in conservation planning.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H2A037B6070B64B6A82CFF900F19F35DE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>One industry representative from organic retailer/wholesaler.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HF11BD90A276D4E23824E13B0BC924EE0"><enum>903.</enum><header>National organic certification cost share program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/6523">7 U.S.C. 6523</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H6701AE3199314C35004BC3CD69D363C0" style="OLC"> <section id="HA311CB1EF220466DBCEC9D3379BA2DE"><enum>10606.</enum><header>National organic certification cost share program</header> <subsection id="H7974E556267D42529CB0586FB46069B3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Agricultural Marketing Service) shall use $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, to remain available until expended, to establish a national organic certification cost-share program to assist producers and handlers of agricultural products in obtaining certification under the national organic production program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/6501">7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.</external-xref>).</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H7600E3FD0BDF4A069B11B2F2CB35FF4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Federal share</header> <paragraph id="HBBDA50CB274C4BC4004367D4A3C9E18F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall pay under this section not more than 75 percent of the costs incurred by a producer or handler in obtaining certification under the national organic production program, as certified to and approved by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF17B866C25AD46F3A889FD49DAFD6F7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Maximum amount</header><text>The maximum amount of a payment made to a producer or handler under this section shall be $750.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA7960D062E84423C9F654723FA48606C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>The Secretary shall provide an annual report to Congress by March of each year, detailing the state-by-state expenditures under this program, including the number of producers and handlers served by the program in the previous fiscal year.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HB3EB72A3CA6844DF8920400026E232F6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Recordkeeping Requirements</header> <paragraph id="H0A80B2C96B494BD2BF8510D83E000029"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Agricultural Marketing Service shall keep accurate, up-to-date records of requests and disbursements from the program, as well as to require accurate and consistent record-keeping from the States (or other entities) receiving program payments.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4994A142167C4ADCBF3718DDC7B5CC61"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal Requirements</header><text>Within 30 days of the closing date for States to request funding, the Agricultural Marketing Service shall—</text> <subparagraph id="H0CAC1CD9FB4041639D42670036A37E66"><enum>(A)</enum><text>enumerate the States requesting funding, along with the amount of their requests; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFA897B5E3B684E5C8333DC3C1FC2CFED"><enum>(B)</enum><text>distribute the funding to the States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE2BEA46FB8474C3D81A69D98C248688"><enum>(3)</enum><header>State Requirements</header><text>Annual funding requests from each State should include data from the previous year’s program, including—</text> <subparagraph id="HAC73242EC5B947C500A1AD604D341E18"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a detailing of which entities requested reimbursement, and how much those reimbursements were for, as well as any discrepancies between requests and fulfillments;</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H65977E9D13704D5A90BEA757125B6756"><enum>(B)</enum><text>data to back up increases in requests expected in the coming year, including information from certifiers, or other data showing growth projections; and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD683AD9370BA460581B9AB12C1721D01"><enum>(C)</enum><text>justifications as to why an annual request is below the previous year’s request.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H99187A17C64B48E0AA00B033C09C367"><enum>904.</enum><header>Exclusion of 100 percent of gain on sales of development rights or conservation easments on agricultural land to eligible entities for conservation purposes</header> <subsection id="H37F2C5D56A8E47ECAE0677501EFC5600"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Part I of subchapter P of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/26/1">chapter 1</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to treatment of capital gains) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="HCDCC91700BB04BF392CB78DAC665D098" style="OLC"> <section id="H71AAC60FD17245B9B7F94EED0115B00"><enum>1203.</enum><header>100-percent exclusion of gain on sales of development rights or conservation easements on agricultural land to eligible entities for conservation purposes</header> <subsection id="HE44EE23C724A4CC3A606401D4B3B7244"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Exclusion</header><text>Gross income shall not include 100 percent of any gain from the sale of development rights or a conservation easement that is a permanent deed restriction and requires that the land subject to the deed restriction be made available for agricultural purposes if—</text> <paragraph id="HEBDF4DE0229B4D53AD59713723CFC3DD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>such land or interest in land was owned by the taxpayer or a member of the taxpayer’s family (as defined in section 2032A(e)(2)) at all times during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale, and</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H319B41EB7E3A45BD99464CCB92C755D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such land or interest in land is being acquired by an eligible entity which provides the taxpayer, at the time of acquisition, a written letter of intent which shall include the following statement: <quote>The purchaser’s intent is that this acquisition will serve the conservation purpose specified in clause (iii) (II) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/170">section 170(h)(4)(A)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the land will remain available for agricultural production.</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8C7F8092242347CC87B87D3994927662"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>eligible entity</term> means—</text> <paragraph id="H90E53D57663E421587F945D965FDA1C3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>any agency of the United States or of any State or local government, or</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HD121D10BF197472AA90800D58525CC2E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any other organization that—</text> <subparagraph id="HF16F3E254C6A45D0B6004B5D4C3E7696"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is organized and at all times operated principally for one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 170(h)(4)(A),</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF394C901470A4645A3264DC9954FF6DA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from tax under section 501(a), and</text> </subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H015BB0D1477F44588862ED51C55F35E3"><enum>(C)</enum> <clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HECF318EE36304818AA038E1C2ECA7917"><enum>(i)</enum><text>meets the requirements of section 509(a)(2), or</text> </clause> <clause id="H25460607B3DD490194255CD63117B484" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>meets the requirements of section 509(a)(3) and is controlled by an organization described in section 509(a)(2).</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HFA3D636B1D104E7AA3FCBF2C10A25D62"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For purposes of this section—</text> <paragraph id="H14B4251970274ECB8246B0303D4F176"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Farmland</header><text>The term <term>farmland</term> includes all land capable of being used for agricultural production and is comprised of at least 50 percent of any combination of prime, unique, or statewide important farmland.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDEB94A80E9A84157BB8B2B1914B16126"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prime farmland</header><text>The term <term>prime farmland</term> means land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, oilseed, and other agricultural crops with minimum inputs of fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor, and without intolerable soil erosion, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Prime farmland includes land that possesses such characteristics but is being used currently to produce livestock and timber. It does not include land already in or committed to urban development or water storage.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF59DE0D50AFE4387971E54FA344DFE76"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Unique farmland</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>unique farmland</term> means land other than prime farmland that is used for production of specific high-value food and fiber crops, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. It has the special combination of soil quality, location, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high quality or high yields of specific crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. Examples of such crops include citrus, tree nuts, olives, cranberries, fruits, and vegetables.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HCE23CA1529904FB4A1BC358CBC99A99D"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Statewide important farmland</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Statewide important farmland</term> means farmland, other than prime or unique farmland, that is of Statewide or local importance for the production of food feed, fiber, forage, or oilseed crops, as determined by the appropriate State or unit of local government agency or agencies, and that the Secretary of Agriculture determines should be considered as farmland for the purposes of this section.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H143CC87B99F244ED008030C0D24FA170"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Stock in holding corporations</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>farmland or an interest in farmland</term> shall include stock in any corporation, if the fair market value of the corporation’s farmland or interests in farmland equals or exceeds 90 percent of the fair market value of all of such corporation’s assets at all times during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H69583F324881405D971D14B9A65C74F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>The table of sections for part I of subchapter P of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/26/1">chapter 1</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAB0BE0B234D8491CBCFC825B4D9D5587" style="OLC"> <toc container-level="quoted-block-container" idref="HCDCC91700BB04BF392CB78DAC665D098" lowest-bolded-level="division-lowest-bolded" lowest-level="section" quoted-block="no-quoted-block" regeneration="yes-regeneration"> <toc-entry idref="H71AAC60FD17245B9B7F94EED0115B00" level="section">Sec. 1203. 100-percent exclusion of gain on sales of development rights or conservation easements on agricultural land to eligible entities for conservation purposes.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H577E462AC7C945C7ADD9DF2BF7521FF9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to sales occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H85E30BF9006045D5A5FB90AB7811736E"><enum>905.</enum><header>Establishment of research grants program for producers to improve survivability of speciality crops and livestock</header> <subsection id="HD0A8376D4E074AC397E8615126718BB9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program to award grants to eligible entities to improve the survivability of United States specialty crops, forests, and domestic livestock against invasive species and emerging pathogenic organisms that have entered or are likely to enter the United States.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H5DFFFA66C84E4F8E9DF2A885D9C7ACB1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible entities</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall determine eligible entities for grants under this section. Such entities shall include the following:</text> <paragraph id="HA202658BBC09487D85ADDCF300CF89BF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Nonprofit United States trade organizations and foundations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H1E83A1D40F26477DBBC6AA8ECBA77C4D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Nonprofit State and regional organizations.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H1D77688F7D2946A3A75700623B89BA49"><enum>(3)</enum><text>United States agricultural cooperatives, commodity boards and commissions, university research and extension programs.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HADD9CBBB59BC40089E3E751F37F71032"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Small United States businesses in the specialty crop, forest, and livestock industries with requisite expertise.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H76CBDD632C5047FA9C4877F1D4F5222"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><text>Funds from grants under this program shall be used for one or more of the following:</text> <paragraph id="H6E166C8CEF5A42F6B4F735B5E45CE5FB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Research that addresses plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve specialty crop characteristics, such as environmental responses and tolerances and pest and disease management.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8DA196A81E784A8E87B235B34F35B344"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Research and efforts to identify threats from invasive species and emerging pathogenic organisms that are detrimental to United States specialty crops, United States forest species, or domestic livestock, including early pest detection and migration surveillance programs.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H358F001C07B248C68CBA129C2615A362"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Development and implementation of regional, industry-specific strategic plans to prevent, eradicate, or contain invasive species or emerging pathogenic organisms threats after such threats have been identified.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H4CA9CEE8E2C147BBAA21E88500D1B04D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Research regarding methods of prevention, eradication, containment, and detection of invasive species or emerging pathogenic organisms.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6BBCE50CC91949AFB741E93920CC495B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Funding</header> <paragraph id="H80FCCEF4F92A47EFAFC3374B50F9A1EA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Amounts available</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall make available $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to carry out this section.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H570190B550734306A9002B00E6B32823"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal costs</header><text>Federal costs shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of a research project funded under this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HE8CB0223696244AEB15645513F013CE9"><enum>906.</enum><header>National clean plant network</header> <subsection id="H96EE098E7D824EA1B0C3882439BB1C77"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established in the Department of Agriculture, as part of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, a program to be known as the <quote>National Clean Plant Network</quote>. The Secretary of Agriculture shall use the network to develop a sustainable national funding source for clean planting stock programs for horticultural crops determined by the Secretary to be of priority for the United States. Such funding shall be used to award grants to entities that have the expertise, facilities, and climate necessary to efficiently produce, maintain, and distribute healthy planting stock for specialty crops.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HFC1ED4D3054D4E05A7C8E6CCFD6F500"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Priorities</header><text>Section 1408A(c) of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/3123a">7 U.S.C. 3123a(c)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HC586BA25E5BA4B8BBBD5AB36C062B97B" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H2807C1C6D2FA45D28E3ECD85B57E38F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Priorities for Federal research activities related to United States specialty crops.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection> <subsection id="H08343E087C114388AD821586449D388C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall make available $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this section.</text> </subsection></section> <section id="H284ED303F3374DADAEDCAF1E871B1FB"><enum>907.</enum><header>Early pest detection and surveillance improvement program</header> <subsection id="HDC4DB8E2A0F1478FA31BFCA02EEC906D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Cooperative agreements authorized</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into a cooperative agreement with each State department of agriculture that agrees to conduct early pest detection surveillance activities in accordance with guidelines established under the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program of the Department of Agriculture. These activities of the Department of Agriculture of a state may include inspection and surveillance of domestic plant shipments between that State and other States, provided that such inspections do not mpede the reasonable flow of interstate commerce and any such activities resulting in quarantine of a shipment is solely based on sound science.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HBCA09EADE87E446D96EB00865D180064"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The Secretary shall consult with the National Plant Board and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture in carrying out this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H1A21777F16B34A24A82D5DCF8252B0DD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Base funds under agreements</header><text>The Secretary shall provide each State department of agriculture with which the Secretary enters into a cooperative agreement under this section not less than $250,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="HE296B93A51EC4E7493B864BC752CC9DE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional funds; special considerations</header><text>In addition to funds provided under subsection (c), the Secretary shall provide funds to a State department of agriculture that the Secretary determines is in a State that has a high risk of being affected by one or more pest, based on the following factors:</text> <paragraph id="HE2FAB346CF6546DE98DB5B4E6156A9F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of international airports and maritime facilities in that State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H92A3CD7415054B5F9D738516BDFC59DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The volume of international passenger and cargo entry into that State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H40EC087CF4FA40C6A8C4C7E12674C28D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The geographic location of that State and if such location is conducive to agricultural pest and disease establishment due to the climate or crop diversity of that State.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF870ABDF4D8B4EF0AC20C1F02B00C253"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Whether the Secretary has declared an emergency in that State pursuant to section 442 of the Plant Protection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/7772">7 U.S.C. 7772</external-xref>) due to an agricultural pest or disease of Federal concern.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H8BC707520EDE46E6B7234FDFF57BBC2"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H4BBA0A561A0048F2AC33228978E2659F"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of funds</header> <paragraph id="HE98EFEB424F24F2386DE75B4F2DBAB36"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Pest detection and surveillance activities</header><text>A State department of agriculture that receives funds under this section shall use the funds to carry out early pest detection and surveillance activities to prevent the introduction of a pest or facilitate the eradication of a pest.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H85DB18834E4142C7906FA66088BB1E68"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Subagreements</header><text>Notwithstanding this section, a State department of agriculture may use funds received under subsection (c) or (d) to enter into subagreements with political subdivisions in such State that have legal responsibilities relating to agricultural pest and disease surveillance.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HDD219FDA99964CD5AC4637FAB5A94942"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Treatment of funds</header><text>Not more than 5 percent of the funds provided under subsection (c) or (d) may be used for administrative costs to carry out a cooperative agreement under this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HEBF769620D534466B6409DBA2E007771"><enum>(f)</enum><header>No effect on pilt payments</header><text>The receipt of funds by the Department of Agriculture under this section shall have no effect on the amount of any payment received by the State of such State Department of Agriculture under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/31/69">chapter 69</external-xref> of title 31, United States Code.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H60A35288CD3446B2B6BF59CD42EC3BBE"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>The Secretary shall use $50,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this section.</text> </subsection> <subsection id="H8AD30702FBE144228EF0AC38DA8C2300"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H82C3B3E3FBEC4591AACF08008E6B7702"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State department of agriculture</header><text>The term <quote>State department of agriculture</quote> means an agency of a State that has a legal responsibility to perform early pest detection and surveillance activities.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="H19F1CEE2739A419C83365C62AABC7D32"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Early pest detection and surveillance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <quote>early pest detection and surveillance</quote> means the full range of activities undertaken to find newly introduced pests, whether new to the United States or new to certain areas of the United States, before the pests become etablished, or before pest infestations become too large and costly to eradicate or control.</text> </paragraph> <paragraph id="HF4E7FC7CCD554EFEBAF47FD789938E12"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Pest</header><text>The term <quote>pest</quote> has the meaning given the term <quote>plant pest</quote> in section 403(14) of the Plant Protection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/7702">7 U.S.C. 7702(14)</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>