118 HR 8833 IH: American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2023 U.S. House of Representatives 2024-06-25 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.
I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8833IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 25, 2024Ms. Spanberger (for herself and Mr. Flood) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo mend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2023.
2.
Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:H
Food Supply Chain Resiliency
298.
Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers
(a)
In general
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall enter into competitively awarded cooperative agreements with eligible entities to establish or continue the operations of not fewer than 12 Regional Food and Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers to support small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products and small-sized and medium-sized agricultural businesses through activities, which may include—(1)offering coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building support to small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products and agricultural businesses; (2)supporting supply chain and value chain coordination—(A)in the region in which such producers or businesses are located; and(B)with the Department of Agriculture, other Federal, State, and Tribal agencies with relevant resources, regional commissions, and other Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers;(3)providing technical assistance to such producers and businesses; (4)providing grants or other financial assistance to such producers and businesses looking to expand production or a business or start production or a business in such region; and(5)carrying out such other activities as may be specified by the Secretary. (b)
Focus on Tribal supply chain issues
At least one Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Center established pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide coordination, assistance, and capacity building support to address supply chain issues faced by Indian tribes and Tribal organizations (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).(c)
Application
(1)
In general
An eligible entity (including an entity representing a partnership) seeking to enter into a cooperative agreement under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including how the Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers established by such entity will address food and agricultural supply chain issues faced by underserved communities.(2)
Regional diversity
In selecting eligible entities to enter into a cooperative agreement under this section, the Secretary shall ensure the regional diversity of such entities.(d)
Term
The term of a cooperative agreement entered into under this section shall be not less than 4 years.(e)
Coordination
A Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Center shall, as a condition on entering into a cooperative agreement under this section, agree to coordinate with other Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers, when appropriate.(f)
Report to Congress
Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2023, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on—(1)with respect to the activities carried out by the Secretary under this section—(A)a description of such activities; and(B)the impact of such activities on supply chain issues faced by small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products; and(2)with respect to the activities carried out by the Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers under this section—(A)a description of such activities;(B)the impact of such activities on supply chain issues faced by small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products and agricultural businesses; and(C)any grants awarded by Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers to such producers and businesses.(g)
Definitions
In this section:(1)
Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—(A)a producer network or association;(B)a food council;(C)a federally recognized Indian Tribe (as determined pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131)); (D)a State government or regional authority;(E)an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); (F)a nonprofit organization; (G)an economic development corporation; and(H)such other entities the Secretary determines appropriate. (2)
State
The term State has the meaning given such term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
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3.
Agriculture Innovation Centers Program
Section 6402(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(a)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end;(2)in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(3)by adding at the end the following: (4)research, technical assistance, support services, outreach, and other services to strengthen, maintain, and secure supply chains related to agricultural inputs and agricultural products produced in the United States. .