110-246 - Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
Public Law 110–234, as amended
122 Stat. 936, as amended
110-246 - Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
234
119–37
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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.
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Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
Agricultural Act of 2014
Agricultural Security Improvement Act of 2008
10237
110
2008-06-18
110-246 - Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
[Pub. L. 110–234; Approved May 22, 2008; 122 Stat. 936]
[As Amended Through P.L. 119–37, Enacted November 12, 2025]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 110-234. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

TABLE OF CONTENTS1
^1
This table of contents is not part of the Act but is included for user convenience. The original enactment of this law does contain a table of contents. See section 1(b) of Public Law 110–234 (122 Stat. 923).
Sec. 1.
Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2.
Definition of Secretary.
TITLE I—
COMMODITY PROGRAMS
Sec. 1001.
Definitions.
Subtitle A—
Direct Payments and Counter-Cyclical Payments
Sec. 1101.
Base acres.
Sec. 1102.
Payment yields.
Sec. 1106.
Producer agreement required as condition of provision of payments.
Sec. 1107.
Planting flexibility.
Sec. 1108.
Special rule for long grain and medium grain rice.
Sec. 1109.
Period of effectiveness.
Subtitle B—
Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments
Sec. 1201.
Availability of nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for loan commodities.
Sec. 1202.
Loan rates for nonrecourse marketing assistance loans.
Sec. 1203.
Term of loans.
Sec. 1204.
Repayment of loans.
Sec. 1205.
Loan deficiency payments.
Sec. 1206.
Payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments for grazed acreage.
Sec. 1207.
Special marketing loan provisions for upland cotton.
Sec. 1208.
Special competitive provisions for extra long staple cotton.
Sec. 1209.
Availability of recourse loans for high moisture feed grains and seed cotton.
Sec. 1210.
Adjustments of loans.
Subtitle C—
Peanuts
Sec. 1301.
Definitions.
Sec. 1302.
Base acres for peanuts for a farm.
Sec. 1303.
Availability of direct payments for peanuts.
Sec. 1304.
Availability of counter-cyclical payments for peanuts.
Sec. 1305.
Producer agreement required as condition on provision of payments.
Sec. 1306.
Planting flexibility.
Sec. 1307.
Marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments for peanuts.
Sec. 1308.
Adjustments of loans.
Subtitle D—
Sugar
Sec. 1401.
Sugar program.
Sec. 1402.
United States membership in the International Sugar Organization.
Sec. 1403.
Flexible marketing allotments for sugar.
Sec. 1404.
Storage facility loans.
Sec. 1405.
Commodity Credit Corporation storage payments.
Subtitle E—
Dairy
Sec. 1502.
Dairy forward pricing program.
Sec. 1503.
Dairy export incentive program.
Sec. 1504.
Revision of Federal marketing order amendment procedures.
Sec. 1505.
Dairy indemnity program.
Sec. 1506.
Milk income loss contract program.
Sec. 1507.
Dairy promotion and research program.
Sec. 1508.
Report on Department of Agriculture reporting procedures for nonfat dry milk.
Sec. 1510.
Mandatory reporting of dairy commodities.
Subtitle F—
Administration
Sec. 1601.
Administration generally.
Sec. 1602.
Suspension of permanent price support authority.
Sec. 1603.
Payment limitations.
Sec. 1604.
Adjusted gross income limitation.
Sec. 1605.
Availability of quality incentive payments for covered oilseed producers.
Sec. 1606.
Personal liability of producers for deficiencies.
Sec. 1607.
Extension of existing administrative authority regarding loans.
Sec. 1608.
Assignment of payments.
Sec. 1609.
Tracking of benefits.
Sec. 1610.
Government publication of cotton price forecasts.
Sec. 1611.
Prevention of deceased individuals receiving payments under farm commodity programs.
Sec. 1612.
Hard white wheat development program.
Sec. 1613.
Durum wheat quality program.
Sec. 1614.
Storage facility loans.
Sec. 1615.
State, county, and area committees.
Sec. 1616.
Prohibition on charging certain fees.
Sec. 1617.
Signature authority.
Sec. 1618.
Modernization of Farm Service Agency.
Sec. 1619.
Information gathering.
Sec. 1620.
Leasing of office space.
Sec. 1621.
Geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Sec. 1622.
Implementation.
Sec. 1623.
Repeals.
TITLE III—
TRADE
Subtitle C—
Miscellaneous
Sec. 3202.
Global Crop Diversity Trust.
Sec. 3205.
Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products.
Sec. 3206.
Local and regional food aid procurement projects.
TITLE IV—
NUTRITION
Subtitle C—
Child Nutrition and Related Programs
Sec. 4301.
State performance on enrolling children receiving program benefits for free school meals.
Sec. 4305.
Whole grain products.
Sec. 4306.
Buy American requirements.
Subtitle D—
Miscellaneous
Sec. 4403.
Joint nutrition monitoring and related research activities.
Sec. 4404.
Section 32 funds for purchase of fruits, vegetables, and nuts to support domestic nutrition assistance programs.
Sec. 4405.
The Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program.
Sec. 4407.
Effective and implementation dates.
TITLE VII—
RESEARCH AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle E—
Miscellaneous
PART I—
General Provisions
Sec. 7501.
Definitions.
Sec. 7502.
Grazinglands research laboratory.
Sec. 7503.
Fort Reno Science Park Research Facility.
Sec. 7504.
Roadmap.
Sec. 7505.
Review of plan of work requirements.
Sec. 7506.
Budget submission and funding.
PART III—
New Grant and Research Programs
Sec. 7521.
Research and education grants for the study of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Sec. 7522.
Farm and ranch stress assistance network.
Sec. 7524.
Live virus foot and mouth disease research.
Sec. 7525.
Natural products research program.
Sec. 7526.
Sun grant program.
Sec. 7528.
Demonstration project authority for temporary positions.
TITLE X—
HORTICULTURE AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Sec. 10001.
Definitions.
Subtitle A—
Horticulture Marketing and Information
Sec. 10101.
Independent evaluation of department of agriculture commodity purchase process.
Sec. 10105.
Food safety education initiatives.
Sec. 10107.
Specialty crops market news allocation.
Sec. 10108.
Expedited marketing order for hass avocados for grades and standards and other purposes.
Subtitle B—
Pest and Disease Management
Sec. 10204.
Regulations to improve management and oversight of certain regulated articles.
Sec. 10205.
Pest and Disease Revolving Loan Fund.
Subtitle C—
Organic Agriculture
Subtitle D—
Miscellaneous
Sec. 10404.
Market loss assistance for asparagus producers.
TITLE XI—
LIVESTOCK
Sec. 11001.
Livestock mandatory reporting.
Sec. 11006.
Regulations.
Sec. 11007.
Sense of Congress regarding pseudorabies eradication program.
Sec. 11008.
Sense of Congress regarding the cattle fever tick eradication program.
Sec. 11010.
Trichinae certification program.
Sec. 11013.
National aquatic animal health plan.
Sec. 11014.
Study on bioenergy operations.
TITLE XIV—
MISCELLANEOUS
Subtitle A—
Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Limited Resource Producers
Sec. 14007.
Oversight and compliance.
Sec. 14008.
Minority Farmer Advisory Committee.
Sec. 14010.
Report of civil rights complaints, resolutions, and actions.
Sec. 14011.
Sense of Congress relating to claims brought by socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
Sec. 14012.
Determination on merits of pigford claims.
Subtitle B—
Agricultural Security
Sec. 14101.
Short title.
Sec. 14102.
Definitions.
Chapter 1—
Agricultural Security
[Sec. 14111.
Repealed]
Sec. 14112.
Agricultural biosecurity communication center.
Sec. 14113.
Assistance to build local capacity in agricultural biosecurity planning, preparedness, and response.
Chapter 2—
Other Provisions
Sec. 14121.
Research and development of agricultural countermeasures.
Sec. 14122.
Agricultural biosecurity grant program.
Subtitle C—
Other Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 14203.
Grants to reduce production of methamphetamines from anhydrous ammonia.
Sec. 14204.
Grants to improve supply, stability, safety, and training of agricultural labor force.
Sec. 14206.
Report on stored quantities of propane.
Sec. 14208.
Department of Agriculture conference transparency.
Sec. 14211.
Permanent debarment from participation in Department of Agriculture programs for fraud.
Sec. 14212.
Prohibition on closure or relocation of county offices for the Farm Service Agency.
Sec. 14213.
USDA Graduate School.
Sec. 14216.
Consideration of proposed recommendations of study on use of cats and dogs in Federal research.
Sec. 14218.
Coordinator for Chronically Underserved Rural Areas.
Sec. 14220.
Availability of excess and surplus computers in rural areas.
Sec. 14222.
Domestic food assistance programs.
SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a)
[7 U.S.C. 8701 note]

Short Title.—
This Act may be cited as the “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008”.
(b)

Table of Contents.—
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2.
[7 U.S.C. 8701]

DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.
In this Act, the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
* * * * * * *
TITLE I—

COMMODITY PROGRAMS
SEC. 1001.
[7 U.S.C. 8702]

DEFINITIONS.
In this title (other than subtitle C):
(1)

Average crop revenue election payment.—
The term “average crop revenue election payment” means a payment made to producers on a farm under section 1105.
(2)

Base acres.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “base acres”, with respect to a covered commodity on a farm, means the number of acres established under section 1101 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911) as in effect on September 30, 2007, subject to any adjustment under section 1101 of this Act.
(B)

Peanuts.—
The term “base acres for peanuts” has the meaning given the term in section 1301.
(3)

Counter-cyclical payment.—
The term “counter-cyclical payment” means a payment made to producers on a farm under section 1104.
(4)

Covered commodity.—
The term “covered commodity” means wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, long grain rice, medium grain rice, pulse crops, soybeans, and other oilseeds.
(5)

Direct payment.—
The term “direct payment” means a payment made to producers on a farm under section 1103.
(6)

Effective price.—
The term “effective price”, with respect to a covered commodity for a crop year, means the price calculated by the Secretary under section 1104 to determine whether counter-cyclical payments are required to be made for that crop year.
(7)

Extra long staple cotton.—
The term “extra long staple cotton” means cotton that—
(A)
is produced from pure strain varieties of the Barbadense species or any hybrid of the species, or other similar types of extra long staple cotton, designated by the Secretary, having characteristics needed for various end uses for which United States upland cotton is not suitable and grown in irrigated cotton-growing regions of the United States designated by the Secretary or other areas designated by the Secretary as suitable for the production of the varieties or types; and
(B)
is ginned on a roller-type gin or, if authorized by the Secretary, ginned on another type gin for experimental purposes.
(8)

Loan commodity.—
The term “loan commodity” means wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, long grain rice, medium grain rice, soybeans, other oilseeds, graded wool, nongraded wool, mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas.
(9)

Medium grain rice.—
The term “medium grain rice” includes short grain rice.
(10)

Other oilseed.—
The term “other oilseed” means a crop of sunflower seed, rapeseed, canola, safflower, flaxseed, mustard seed, crambe, sesame seed, or any oilseed designated by the Secretary.
(11)

Payment acres.—
The term “payment acres” means, in the case of direct payments and counter-cyclical payments—
(A)
except as provided in subparagraph (B), 85 percent of the base acres of a covered commodity on a farm on which direct payments or counter-cyclical payments are made; and
(B)
in the case of direct payments for each of the 2009 through 2011 crop years, 83.3 percent of the base acres for the covered commodity on a farm on which direct payments are made.
(12)

Payment yield.—
The term “payment yield” means the yield established for direct payments and the yield established for counter-cyclical payments under section 1102 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7912) as in effect on September 30, 2007, or under section 1102 of this Act, for a farm for a covered commodity.
(13)

Producer.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “producer” means an owner, operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper that shares in the risk of producing a crop and is entitled to share in the crop available for marketing from the farm, or would have shared had the crop been produced.
(B)

Hybrid seed.—
In determining whether a grower of hybrid seed is a producer, the Secretary shall—
(i)
not take into consideration the existence of a hybrid seed contract; and
(ii)
ensure that program requirements do not adversely affect the ability of the grower to receive a payment under this title.
(14)

Pulse crop.—
The term “pulse crop” means dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas.
(15)

State.—
The term “State” means—
(A)
a State;
(B)
the District of Columbia;
(C)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D)
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(16)

Target price.—
The term “target price” means the price per bushel, pound, or hundredweight (or other appropriate unit) of a covered commodity used to determine the payment rate for counter-cyclical payments.
(17)

United states.—
The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, means all of the States.
(18)

United states premium factor.—
The term “United States Premium Factor” means the percentage by which the difference in the United States loan schedule premiums for Strict Middling (SM) 1⅛-inch upland cotton and for Middling (M) 13⁄32-inch upland cotton exceeds the difference in the applicable premiums for comparable international qualities.
Subtitle A—

Direct Payments and Counter-Cyclical Payments
SEC. 1101.
[7 U.S.C. 8711]

BASE ACRES.
(a)

Adjustment of Base Acres.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall provide for an adjustment, as appropriate, in the base acres for covered commodities for a farm whenever any of the following circumstances occurs:
(A)
A conservation reserve contract entered into under section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) with respect to the farm expires or is voluntarily terminated, or was terminated or expired during the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
(B)
Cropland is released from coverage under a conservation reserve contract by the Secretary, or was released during the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
(C)
The producer has eligible pulse crop acreage, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(D)
The producer has eligible oilseed acreage as the result of the Secretary designating additional oilseeds, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(2)

Special conservation reserve acreage payment rules.—
For the crop year in which a base acres adjustment under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) is first made, the owner of the farm shall elect to receive either direct payments and counter-cyclical payments with respect to the acreage added to the farm under this subsection or a prorated payment under the conservation reserve contract, but not both.
(b)

Prevention of Excess Base Acres.—
(1)

Required reduction.—
If the sum of the base acres for a farm, together with the acreage described in paragraph (2) exceeds the actual cropland acreage of the farm, the Secretary shall reduce the base acres for 1 or more covered commodities for the farm or the base acres for peanuts for the farm so that the sum of the base acres and acreage described in paragraph (2) does not exceed the actual cropland acreage of the farm.
(2)

Other acreage.—
For purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include the following:
(A)
Any base acres for peanuts for the farm.
(B)
Any acreage on the farm enrolled in the conservation reserve program or wetlands reserve program under chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.).
(C)
Any other acreage on the farm enrolled in a Federal conservation program for which payments are made in exchange for not producing an agricultural commodity on the acreage.
(D)
Any eligible pulse crop acreage, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(E)
If the Secretary designates additional oilseeds, any eligible oilseed acreage, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(3)

Selection of acres.—
The Secretary shall give the owner of the farm the opportunity to select the base acres for a covered commodity or the base acres for peanuts for the farm against which the reduction required by paragraph (1) will be made.
(4)

Exception for double-cropped acreage.—
In applying paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make an exception in the case of double cropping, as determined by the Secretary.
(5)

Coordinated application of requirements.—
The Secretary shall take into account section 1302(b) when applying the requirements of this subsection.
(c)

Reduction in Base Acres.—
(1)

Reduction at option of owner.—
(A)

In general.—
The owner of a farm may reduce, at any time, the base acres for any covered commodity for the farm.
(B)

Effect of reduction.—
A reduction under subparagraph (A) shall be permanent and made in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.
(2)

Required action by secretary.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall proportionately reduce base acres on a farm for covered commodities for land that has been subdivided and developed for multiple residential units or other nonfarming uses if the size of the tracts and the density of the subdivision is such that the land is unlikely to return to the previous agricultural use, unless the producers on the farm demonstrate that the land—
(i)
remains devoted to commercial agricultural production; or
(ii)
is likely to be returned to the previous agricultural use.
(B)

Requirement.—
The Secretary shall establish procedures to identify land described in subparagraph (A).
(3)

Review and report.—
Each year, to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that payments are received only by producers, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the actions taken under paragraph (2).
(d)

Treatment of Farms With Limited Base Acres.—
(1)

Prohibition on payments.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2) and notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a producer on a farm may not receive direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments if the sum of the base acres of the farm is 10 acres or less, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Exceptions.—
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a farm owned by—
(A)
a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e));2 or
^2
So in original. Probably should be “)));”.
(B)
a limited resource farmer or rancher, as defined by the Secretary.
(3)

Data collection and publication.—
The Secretary shall—
(A)
collect and publish segregated data and survey information about the farm profiles, utilization of land, and crop production; and
(B)
perform an evaluation on the supply and price of fruits and vegetables based on the effects of suspension of base acres under this section.
(4)

Suspension of prohibition.—
Paragraphs (1) through (3) shall not apply during the 2008 crop year.
SEC. 1102.
[7 U.S.C. 8712]

PAYMENT YIELDS.
(a)

Establishment and Purpose.—
For the purpose of making direct payments and counter-cyclical payments under this subtitle, the Secretary shall provide for the establishment of a yield for each farm for any designated oilseed or eligible pulse crop for which a payment yield was not established under section 1102 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7912) in accordance with this section.
(b)

Payment Yields for Designated Oilseeds and Eligible Pulse Crops.—
(1)

Determination of average yield.—
In the case of designated oilseeds and eligible pulse crops, the Secretary shall determine the average yield per planted acre for the designated oilseed or pulse crop on a farm for the 1998 through 2001 crop years, excluding any crop year in which the acreage planted to the designated oilseed or pulse crop was zero.
(2)

Adjustment for payment yield.—
(A)

In general.—
The payment yield for a farm for a designated oilseed or eligible pulse crop shall be equal to the product of the following:
(i)
The average yield for the designated oilseed or pulse crop determined under paragraph (1).
(ii)
The ratio resulting from dividing the national average yield for the designated oilseed or pulse crop for the 1981 through 1985 crops by the national average yield for the designated oilseed or pulse crop for the 1998 through 2001 crops.
(B)

No national average yield information available.—
To the extent that national average yield information for a designated oilseed or pulse crop is not available, the Secretary shall use such information as the Secretary determines to be fair and equitable to establish a national average yield under this section.
(3)

Use of partial county average yield.—
If the yield per planted acre for a crop of a designated oilseed or pulse crop for a farm for any of the 1998 through 2001 crop years was less than 75 percent of the county yield for that designated oilseed or pulse crop, the Secretary shall assign a yield for that crop year equal to 75 percent of the county yield for the purpose of determining the average under paragraph (1).
(4)

No historic yield data available.—
In the case of establishing yields for designated oilseeds and eligible pulse crops, if historic yield data is not available, the Secretary shall use the ratio for dry peas calculated under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) in determining the yields for designated oilseeds and eligible pulse crops, as determined to be fair and equitable by the Secretary.
SEC. 1106.
[7 U.S.C. 8716]

PRODUCER AGREEMENT REQUIRED AS CONDITION OF PROVISION OF PAYMENTS.
(a)

Compliance With Certain Requirements.—
(1)

Requirements.—
Before the producers on a farm may receive direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments with respect to the farm, the producers shall agree, during the crop year for which the payments are made and in exchange for the payments—
(A)
to comply with applicable conservation requirements under subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.);
(B)
to comply with applicable wetland protection requirements under subtitle C of title XII of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.);
(C)
to comply with the planting flexibility requirements of section 1107;
(D)
to use the land on the farm, in a quantity equal to the attributable base acres for the farm and any base acres for peanuts for the farm under subtitle C, for an agricultural or conserving use, and not for a nonagricultural commercial, industrial, or residential use, as determined by the Secretary; and
(E)
to effectively control noxious weeds and otherwise maintain the land in accordance with sound agricultural practices, as determined by the Secretary, if the agricultural or conserving use involves the noncultivation of any portion of the land referred to in subparagraph (D).
(2)

Compliance.—
The Secretary may issue such rules as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure producer compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1).
(3)

Modification.—
At the request of the transferee or owner, the Secretary may modify the requirements of this subsection if the modifications are consistent with the objectives of this subsection, as determined by the Secretary.
(b)

Transfer or Change of Interest in Farm.—
(1)

Termination.—
(A)

In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a transfer of (or change in) the interest of the producers on a farm in base acres for which direct payments or counter-cyclical payments are made, or on which average crop revenue election payments are based, shall result in the termination of the direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments to the extent the payments are made or based on the base acres, unless the transferee or owner of the acreage agrees to assume all obligations under subsection (a).
(B)

Effective date.—
The termination shall take effect on the date determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Exception.—
If a producer entitled to a direct payment, counter-cyclical payment, or average crop revenue election payment dies, becomes incompetent, or is otherwise unable to receive the payment, the Secretary shall make the payment, in accordance with rules issued by the Secretary.
(c)

Reports.—
(1)

Acreage reports.—
As a condition on the receipt of any benefits under this subtitle or subtitle B, the Secretary shall require producers on a farm to submit to the Secretary annual acreage reports with respect to all cropland on the farm.
(2)

Production reports.—
As a condition on the receipt of any benefits under this subtitle or subtitle B, the Secretary shall require producers on a farm that receive payments under section 1105 to submit to the Secretary annual production reports with respect to all covered commodities and peanuts produced on the farm.
(3)

Penalties.—
No penalty with respect to benefits under this subtitle or subtitle B shall be assessed against the producers on a farm for an inaccurate acreage or production report unless the producers on the farm knowingly and willfully falsified the acreage or production report.
(d)

Tenants and Sharecroppers.—
In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary shall provide adequate safeguards to protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers.
(e)

Sharing of Payments.—
The Secretary shall provide for the sharing of direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments among the producers on a farm on a fair and equitable basis.
(f)

Extension of 2008 Signup.—
(1)

In general.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall extend the 2008 crop year deadline for the signup for benefits under this subtitle by producers on a farm with base acres of 10 acres or less until the later of—
(A)
November 14, 2008; or
(B)
the end of the 45-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(2)

Penalties.—
The Secretary shall ensure that no penalty with respect to benefits under this subtitle or subtitle B is assessed against producers on a farm described in paragraph (1) for failure to submit reports under this section or timely comply with other program requirements as a result of compliance with the extended signup deadline under that paragraph.
SEC. 1107.
[7 U.S.C. 8717]

PLANTING FLEXIBILITY.
(a)

Permitted Crops.—
Subject to subsection (b), any commodity or crop may be planted on base acres on a farm.
(b)

Limitations Regarding Certain Commodities.—
(1)

General limitation.—
The planting of an agricultural commodity specified in paragraph (3) shall be prohibited on base acres unless the commodity, if planted, is destroyed before harvest.
(2)

Treatment of trees and other perennials.—
The planting of an agricultural commodity specified in paragraph (3) that is produced on a tree or other perennial plant shall be prohibited on base acres.
(3)

Covered agricultural commodities.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply to the following agricultural commodities:
(A)
Fruits.
(B)
Vegetables (other than mung beans and pulse crops).
(C)
Wild rice.
(c)

Exceptions.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) shall not limit the planting of an agricultural commodity specified in paragraph (3) of that subsection—
(1)
in any region in which there is a history of double-cropping of covered commodities with agricultural commodities specified in subsection (b)(3), as determined by the Secretary, in which case the double-cropping shall be permitted;
(2)
on a farm that the Secretary determines has a history of planting agricultural commodities specified in subsection (b)(3) on base acres, except that direct payments and counter-cyclical payments shall be reduced by an acre for each acre planted to such an agricultural commodity; or
(3)
by the producers on a farm that the Secretary determines has an established planting history of a specific agricultural commodity specified in subsection (b)(3), except that—
(A)
the quantity planted may not exceed the average annual planting history of such agricultural commodity by the producers on the farm in the 1991 through 1995 or 1998 through 2001 crop years (excluding any crop year in which no plantings were made), as determined by the Secretary; and
(B)
direct payments and counter-cyclical payments shall be reduced by an acre for each acre planted to such agricultural commodity.
(d)

Planting Transferability Pilot Project.—
(1)

Pilot project authorized.—
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) and in addition to the exceptions provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall carry out a pilot project to permit the planting of cucumbers, green peas, lima beans, pumpkins, snap beans, sweet corn, and tomatoes grown for processing on base acres during each of the 2009 through 2012 crop years.
(2)

Pilot project states and acres.—
The number of base acres eligible during each crop year for the pilot project under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A)
9,000 acres in the State of Illinois;
(B)
9,000 acres in the State of Indiana;
(C)
1,000 acres in the State of Iowa;
(D)
9,000 acres in the State of Michigan;
(E)
34,000 acres in the State of Minnesota;
(F)
4,000 acres in the State of Ohio; and
(G)
9,000 acres in the State of Wisconsin.
(3)

Contract and management requirements.—
To be eligible for selection to participate in the pilot project, the producers on a farm shall—
(A)
demonstrate to the Secretary that the producers on the farm have entered into a contract to produce a crop of a commodity specified in paragraph (1) for processing;
(B)
agree to produce the crop as part of a program of crop rotation on the farm to achieve agronomic and pest and disease management benefits; and
(C)
provide evidence of the disposition of the crop.
(4)

Temporary reduction in base acres.—
The base acres on a farm for a crop year shall be reduced by an acre for each acre planted under the pilot program.
(5)

Duration of reductions.—
The reduction in the base acres of a farm for a crop year under paragraph (4) shall expire at the end of the crop year.
(6)

Recalculation of base acres.—
(A)

In general.—
If the Secretary recalculates base acres for a farm while the farm is included in the pilot project, the planting and production of a crop of a commodity specified in paragraph (1) on base acres for which a temporary reduction was made under this section shall be considered to be the same as the planting and production of a covered commodity.
(B)

Prohibition.—
Nothing in this paragraph provides authority for the Secretary to recalculate base acres for a farm.
(7)

Pilot impact evaluation.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall periodically evaluate the pilot project conducted under this subsection to determine the effects of the pilot project on the supply and price of—
(i)
fresh fruits and vegetables; and
(ii)
fruits and vegetables for processing.
(B)

Determination.—
An evaluation under subparagraph (A) shall include a determination as to whether—
(i)
producers of fresh fruits and vegetables are being negatively impacted; and
(ii)
existing production capacities are being supplanted.
(C)

Report.—
As soon as practicable after conducting an evaluation under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results of the evaluation.
SEC. 1108.
[7 U.S.C. 8718]

SPECIAL RULE FOR LONG GRAIN AND MEDIUM GRAIN RICE.
(a)

Calculation Method.—
Subject to subsections (b) and (c), for the purposes of determining the amount of the counter-cyclical payments to be paid to the producers on a farm for long grain rice and medium grain rice under section 1104, the base acres of rice on the farm shall be apportioned using the 4-year average of the percentages of acreage planted in the applicable State to long grain rice and medium grain rice during the 2003 through 2006 crop years, as determined by the Secretary.
(b)

Producer Election.—
As an alternative to the calculation method described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide producers on a farm the opportunity to elect to apportion rice base acres on the farm using the 4-year average of—
(1)
the percentages of acreage planted on the farm to long grain rice and medium grain rice during the 2003 through 2006 crop years;
(2)
the percentages of any acreage on the farm that the producers were prevented from planting to long grain rice and medium grain rice during the 2003 through 2006 crop years because of drought, flood, other natural disaster, or other condition beyond the control of the producers, as determined by the Secretary; and
(3)
in the case of a crop year for which a producer on a farm elected not to plant to long grain and medium grain rice during the 2003 through 2006 crop years, the percentages of acreage planted in the applicable State to long grain rice and medium grain rice, as determined by the Secretary.
(c)

Limitation.—
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the same total base acres, payment acres, and payment yields established with respect to rice under sections 1101 and 1102 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911, 7912), as in effect on September 30, 2007, subject to any adjustment under section 1101 of this Act.
SEC. 1109.
[7 U.S.C. 8719]

PERIOD OF EFFECTIVENESS.
This subtitle shall be effective beginning with the 2008 crop year of each covered commodity through the 2012 crop year.
Subtitle B—

Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments
SEC. 1201.
[7 U.S.C. 8731]

AVAILABILITY OF NONRECOURSE MARKETING ASSISTANCE LOANS FOR LOAN COMMODITIES.
(a)

Nonrecourse Loans Available.—
(1)

Availability.—
For each of the 2008 through 2012 crops of each loan commodity, the Secretary shall make available to producers on a farm nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for loan commodities produced on the farm.
(2)

Terms and conditions.—
The marketing assistance loans shall be made under terms and conditions that are prescribed by the Secretary and at the loan rate established under section 1202 for the loan commodity.
(b)

Eligible Production.—
The producers on a farm shall be eligible for a marketing assistance loan under subsection (a) for any quantity of a loan commodity produced on the farm.
(c)

Compliance With Conservation and Wetlands Requirements.—
As a condition of the receipt of a marketing assistance loan under subsection (a), the producer shall comply with applicable conservation requirements under subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.) and applicable wetland protection requirements under subtitle C of title XII of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.) during the term of the loan.
SEC. 1202.
[7 U.S.C. 8732]

LOAN RATES FOR NONRECOURSE MARKETING ASSISTANCE LOANS.
(a)

2008 Crop Year.—
For purposes of the 2008 crop year, the loan rate for a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for a loan commodity shall be equal to the following:
(1)
In the case of wheat, $2.75 per bushel.
(2)
In the case of corn, $1.95 per bushel.
(3)
In the case of grain sorghum, $1.95 per bushel.
(4)
In the case of barley, $1.85 per bushel.
(5)
In the case of oats, $1.33 per bushel.
(6)
In the case of base quality of upland cotton, $0.52 per pound.
(7)
In the case of extra long staple cotton, $0.7977 per pound.
(8)
In the case of long grain rice, $6.50 per hundredweight.
(9)
In the case of medium grain rice, $6.50 per hundredweight.
(10)
In the case of soybeans, $5.00 per bushel.
(11)
In the case of other oilseeds, $9.30 per hundredweight for each of the following kinds of oilseeds:
(A)
Sunflower seed.
(B)
Rapeseed.
(C)
Canola.
(D)
Safflower.
(E)
Flaxseed.
(F)
Mustard seed.
(G)
Crambe.
(H)
Sesame seed.
(I)
Other oilseeds designated by the Secretary.
(12)
In the case of dry peas, $6.22 per hundredweight.
(13)
In the case of lentils, $11.72 per hundredweight.
(14)
In the case of small chickpeas, $7.43 per hundredweight.
(15)
In the case of graded wool, $1.00 per pound.
(16)
In the case of nongraded wool, $0.40 per pound.
(17)
In the case of mohair, $4.20 per pound.
(18)
In the case of honey, $0.60 per pound.
(b)

2009 Crop Year.—
Except as provided in section 1105, for purposes of the 2009 crop year, the loan rate for a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for a loan commodity shall be equal to the following:
(1)
In the case of wheat, $2.75 per bushel.
(2)
In the case of corn, $1.95 per bushel.
(3)
In the case of grain sorghum, $1.95 per bushel.
(4)
In the case of barley, $1.85 per bushel.
(5)
In the case of oats, $1.33 per bushel.
(6)
In the case of base quality of upland cotton, $0.52 per pound.
(7)
In the case of extra long staple cotton, $0.7977 per pound.
(8)
In the case of long grain rice, $6.50 per hundredweight.
(9)
In the case of medium grain rice, $6.50 per hundredweight.
(10)
In the case of soybeans, $5.00 per bushel.
(11)
In the case of other oilseeds, $9.30 per hundredweight for each of the following kinds of oilseeds:
(A)
Sunflower seed.
(B)
Rapeseed.
(C)
Canola.
(D)
Safflower.
(E)
Flaxseed.
(F)
Mustard seed.
(G)
Crambe.
(H)
Sesame seed.
(I)
Other oilseeds designated by the Secretary.
(12)
In the case of dry peas, $5.40 per hundredweight.
(13)
In the case of lentils, $11.28 per hundredweight.
(14)
In the case of small chickpeas, $7.43 per hundredweight.
(15)
In the case of large chickpeas, $11.28 per hundredweight.
(16)
In the case of graded wool, $1.00 per pound.
(17)
In the case of nongraded wool, $0.40 per pound.
(18)
In the case of mohair, $4.20 per pound.
(19)
In the case of honey, $0.60 per pound.
(c)

2010 Through 2012 Crop Years.—
Except as provided in section 1105, for purposes of each of the 2010 through 2012 crop years, the loan rate for a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for a loan commodity shall be equal to the following:
(1)
In the case of wheat, $2.94 per bushel.
(2)
In the case of corn, $1.95 per bushel.
(3)
In the case of grain sorghum, $1.95 per bushel.
(4)
In the case of barley, $1.95 per bushel.
(5)
In the case of oats, $1.39 per bushel.
(6)
In the case of base quality of upland cotton, $0.52 per pound.
(7)
In the case of extra long staple cotton, $0.7977 per pound.
(8)
In the case of long grain rice, $6.50 per hundredweight.
(9)
In the case of medium grain rice, $6.50 per hundredweight.
(10)
In the case of soybeans, $5.00 per bushel.
(11)
In the case of other oilseeds, $10.09 per hundredweight for each of the following kinds of oilseeds:
(A)
Sunflower seed.
(B)
Rapeseed.
(C)
Canola.
(D)
Safflower.
(E)
Flaxseed.
(F)
Mustard seed.
(G)
Crambe.
(H)
Sesame seed.
(I)
Other oilseeds designated by the Secretary.
(12)
In the case of dry peas, $5.40 per hundredweight.
(13)
In the case of lentils, $11.28 per hundredweight.
(14)
In the case of small chickpeas, $7.43 per hundredweight.
(15)
In the case of large chickpeas, $11.28 per hundredweight.
(16)
In the case of graded wool, $1.15 per pound.
(17)
In the case of nongraded wool, $0.40 per pound.
(18)
In the case of mohair, $4.20 per pound.
(19)
In the case of honey, $0.69 per pound.
(d)

Single County Loan Rate for Other Oilseeds.—
The Secretary shall establish a single loan rate in each county for each kind of other oilseeds described in subsections (a)(11), (b)(11), and (c)(11).
SEC. 1203.
[7 U.S.C. 8733]

TERM OF LOANS.
(a)

Term of Loan.—
In the case of each loan commodity, a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 shall have a term of 9 months beginning on the first day of the first month after the month in which the loan is made.
(b)

Extensions Prohibited.—
The Secretary may not extend the term of a marketing assistance loan for any loan commodity.
SEC. 1204.
[7 U.S.C. 8734]

REPAYMENT OF LOANS.
(a)

General Rule.—
The Secretary shall permit the producers on a farm to repay a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for a loan commodity (other than upland cotton, long grain rice, medium grain rice, extra long staple cotton, and confectionery and each other kind of sunflower seed (other than oil sunflower seed)) at a rate that is the lesser of—
(1)
the loan rate established for the commodity under section 1202, plus interest (determined in accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283));
(2)
a rate (as determined by the Secretary) that—
(A)
is calculated based on average market prices for the loan commodity during the preceding 30-day period; and
(B)
will minimize discrepancies in marketing loan benefits across State boundaries and across county boundaries; or
(3)
a rate that the Secretary may develop using alternative methods for calculating a repayment rate for a loan commodity that the Secretary determines will—
(A)
minimize potential loan forfeitures;
(B)
minimize the accumulation of stocks of the commodity by the Federal Government;
(C)
minimize the cost incurred by the Federal Government in storing the commodity;
(D)
allow the commodity produced in the United States to be marketed freely and competitively, both domestically and internationally; and
(E)
minimize discrepancies in marketing loan benefits across State boundaries and across county boundaries.
(b)

Repayment Rates for Upland Cotton, Long Grain Rice, and Medium Grain Rice.—
The Secretary shall permit producers to repay a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for upland cotton, long grain rice, and medium grain rice at a rate that is the lesser of—
(1)
the loan rate established for the commodity under section 1202, plus interest (determined in accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)); or
(2)
the prevailing world market price for the commodity, as determined and adjusted by the Secretary in accordance with this section.
(c)

Repayment Rates for Extra Long Staple Cotton.—
Repayment of a marketing assistance loan for extra long staple cotton shall be at the loan rate established for the commodity under section 1202, plus interest (determined in accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)).
(d)

Prevailing World Market Price.—
For purposes of this section and section 1207, the Secretary shall prescribe by regulation—
(1)
a formula to determine the prevailing world market price for each of upland cotton, long grain rice, and medium grain rice; and
(2)
a mechanism by which the Secretary shall announce periodically those prevailing world market prices.
(e)

Adjustment of Prevailing World Market Price for Upland Cotton, Long Grain Rice, and Medium Grain Rice.—
(1)

Rice.—
The prevailing world market price for long grain rice and medium grain rice determined under subsection (d) shall be adjusted to United States quality and location.
(2)

Cotton.—
The prevailing world market price for upland cotton determined under subsection (d)—
(A)
shall be adjusted to United States quality and location, with the adjustment to include—
(i)
a reduction equal to any United States Premium Factor for upland cotton of a quality higher than Middling (M) 13⁄32-inch; and
(ii)
the average costs to market the commodity, including average transportation costs, as determined by the Secretary; and
(B)
may be further adjusted, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on July 31, 2013, if the Secretary determines the adjustment is necessary to—
(i)
minimize potential loan forfeitures;
(ii)
minimize the accumulation of stocks of upland cotton by the Federal Government;
(iii)
ensure that upland cotton produced in the United States can be marketed freely and competitively, both domestically and internationally; and
(iv)
ensure an appropriate transition between current-crop and forward-crop price quotations, except that the Secretary may use forward-crop price quotations prior to July 31 of a marketing year only if—
(I)
there are insufficient current-crop price quotations; and
(II)
the forward-crop price quotation is the lowest such quotation available.
(3)

Guidelines for additional adjustments.—
In making adjustments under this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a mechanism for determining and announcing the adjustments in order to avoid undue disruption in the United States market.
(f)

Repayment Rates for Confectionery and Other Kinds of Sunflower Seeds.—
The Secretary shall permit the producers on a farm to repay a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for confectionery and each other kind of sunflower seed (other than oil sunflower seed) at a rate that is the lesser of—
(1)
the loan rate established for the commodity under section 1202, plus interest (determined in accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)); or
(2)
the repayment rate established for oil sunflower seed.
(g)

Payment of Cotton Storage Costs.—
(1)

2008 through 2011 crop years.—
Effective for each of the 2008 through 2011 crop years, the Secretary shall provide cotton storage payments in the same manner, and at the same rates as the Secretary provided storage payments for the 2006 crop of cotton, except that the rates shall be reduced by 10 percent.
(2)

Subsequent crop years.—
Beginning with the 2012 crop year, the Secretary shall provide cotton storage payments in the same manner, and at the same rates as the Secretary provided storage payments for the 2006 crop of cotton, except that the rates shall be reduced by 20 percent.
(h)

Authority to Temporarily Adjust Repayment Rates.—
(1)

Adjustment authority.—
In the event of a severe disruption to marketing, transportation, or related infrastructure, the Secretary may modify the repayment rate otherwise applicable under this section for marketing assistance loans under section 1201 for a loan commodity.
(2)

Duration.—
Any adjustment made under paragraph (1) in the repayment rate for marketing assistance loans for a loan commodity shall be in effect on a short-term and temporary basis, as determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 1205.
[7 U.S.C. 8735]

LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS.
(a)

Availability of Loan Deficiency Payments.—
(1)

In general.—
Except as provided in subsection (d), the Secretary may make loan deficiency payments available to producers on a farm that, although eligible to obtain a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 with respect to a loan commodity, agree to forgo obtaining the loan for the commodity in return for loan deficiency payments under this section.
(2)

Unshorn pelts, hay, and silage.—
(A)

Marketing assistance loans.—
Subject to subparagraph (B), nongraded wool in the form of unshorn pelts and hay and silage derived from a loan commodity are not eligible for a marketing assistance loan under section 1201.
(B)

Loan deficiency payment.—
Effective for the 2008 through 2012 crop years, the Secretary may make loan deficiency payments available under this section to producers on a farm that produce unshorn pelts or hay and silage derived from a loan commodity.
(b)

Computation.—
A loan deficiency payment for a loan commodity or commodity referred to in subsection (a)(2) shall be computed by multiplying—
(1)
the payment rate determined under subsection (c) for the commodity; by
(2)
the quantity of the commodity produced by the eligible producers, excluding any quantity for which the producers obtain a marketing assistance loan under section 1201.
(c)

Payment Rate.—
(1)

In general.—
In the case of a loan commodity, the payment rate shall be the amount by which—
(A)
the loan rate established under section 1202 for the loan commodity; exceeds
(B)
the rate at which a marketing assistance loan for the loan commodity may be repaid under section 1204.
(2)

Unshorn pelts.—
In the case of unshorn pelts, the payment rate shall be the amount by which—
(A)
the loan rate established under section 1202 for ungraded wool; exceeds
(B)
the rate at which a marketing assistance loan for ungraded wool may be repaid under section 1204.
(3)

Hay and silage.—
In the case of hay or silage derived from a loan commodity, the payment rate shall be the amount by which—
(A)
the loan rate established under section 1202 for the loan commodity from which the hay or silage is derived; exceeds
(B)
the rate at which a marketing assistance loan for the loan commodity may be repaid under section 1204.
(d)

Exception for Extra Long Staple Cotton.—
This section shall not apply with respect to extra long staple cotton.
(e)

Effective Date for Payment Rate Determination.—
The Secretary shall determine the amount of the loan deficiency payment to be made under this section to the producers on a farm with respect to a quantity of a loan commodity or commodity referred to in subsection (a)(2) using the payment rate in effect under subsection (c) as of the date the producers request the payment.
SEC. 1206.
[7 U.S.C. 8736]

PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS FOR GRAZED ACREAGE.
(a)

Eligible Producers.—
(1)

In general.—
Effective for the 2008 through 2012 crop years, in the case of a producer that would be eligible for a loan deficiency payment under section 1205 for wheat, barley, or oats, but that elects to use acreage planted to the wheat, barley, or oats for the grazing of livestock, the Secretary shall make a payment to the producer under this section if the producer enters into an agreement with the Secretary to forgo any other harvesting of the wheat, barley, or oats on that acreage.
(2)

Grazing of triticale acreage.—
Effective for the 2008 through 2012 crop years, with respect to a producer on a farm that uses acreage planted to triticale for the grazing of livestock, the Secretary shall make a payment to the producer under this section if the producer enters into an agreement with the Secretary to forgo any other harvesting of triticale on that acreage.
(b)

Payment Amount.—
(1)

In general.—
The amount of a payment made under this section to a producer on a farm described in subsection (a)(1) shall be equal to the amount determined by multiplying—
(A)
the loan deficiency payment rate determined under section 1205(c) in effect, as of the date of the agreement, for the county in which the farm is located; by
(B)
the payment quantity determined by multiplying—
(i)
the quantity of the grazed acreage on the farm with respect to which the producer elects to forgo harvesting of wheat, barley, or oats; and
(ii)
the payment yield in effect for the calculation of direct payments under subtitle A with respect to that loan commodity on the farm or, in the case of a farm without a payment yield for that loan commodity, an appropriate yield established by the Secretary in a manner consistent with section 1102 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7912).
(2)

Grazing of triticale acreage.—
The amount of a payment made under this section to a producer on a farm described in subsection (a)(2) shall be equal to the amount determined by multiplying—
(A)
the loan deficiency payment rate determined under section 1205(c) in effect for wheat, as of the date of the agreement, for the county in which the farm is located; by
(B)
the payment quantity determined by multiplying—
(i)
the quantity of the grazed acreage on the farm with respect to which the producer elects to forgo harvesting of triticale; and
(ii)
the payment yield in effect for the calculation of direct payments under subtitle A with respect to wheat on the farm or, in the case of a farm without a payment yield for wheat, an appropriate yield established by the Secretary in a manner consistent with section 1102 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7912).
(c)

Time, Manner, and Availability of Payment.—
(1)

Time and manner.—
A payment under this section shall be made at the same time and in the same manner as loan deficiency payments are made under section 1205.
(2)

Availability.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall establish an availability period for the payments authorized by this section.
(B)

Certain commodities.—
In the case of wheat, barley, and oats, the availability period shall be consistent with the availability period for the commodity established by the Secretary for marketing assistance loans authorized by this subtitle.
(d)

Prohibition on Crop Insurance Indemnity or Noninsured Crop Assistance.—
A 2008 through 2012 crop of wheat, barley, oats, or triticale planted on acreage that a producer elects, in the agreement required by subsection (a), to use for the grazing of livestock in lieu of any other harvesting of the crop shall not be eligible for an indemnity under a policy or plan of insurance authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) or noninsured crop assistance under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333).
SEC. 1207.
[7 U.S.C. 8737]

SPECIAL MARKETING LOAN PROVISIONS FOR UPLAND COTTON.
(a)

Special Import Quota.—
(1)

Definition of special import quota.—
In this subsection, the term “special import quota” means a quantity of imports that is not subject to the over-quota tariff rate of a tariff-rate quota.
(2)

Establishment.—
(A)

In general.—
The President shall carry out an import quota program during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act through July 31, 2013, as provided in this subsection.
(B)

Program requirements.—
Whenever the Secretary determines and announces that for any consecutive 4-week period, the Friday through Thursday average price quotation for the lowest-priced United States growth, as quoted for Middling (M) 13⁄32-inch cotton, delivered to a definable and significant international market, as determined by the Secretary, exceeds the prevailing world market price, there shall immediately be in effect a special import quota.
(3)

Quantity.—
The quota shall be equal to 1 week's consumption of cotton by domestic mills at the seasonally adjusted average rate of the most recent 3 months for which data are available.
(4)

Application.—
The quota shall apply to upland cotton purchased not later than 90 days after the date of the Secretary's announcement under paragraph (2) and entered into the United States not later than 180 days after that date.
(5)

Overlap.—
A special quota period may be established that overlaps any existing quota period if required by paragraph (2), except that a special quota period may not be established under this subsection if a quota period has been established under subsection (b).
(6)

Preferential tariff treatment.—
The quantity under a special import quota shall be considered to be an in-quota quantity for purposes of—
(A)
section 213(d) of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2703(d));
(B)
section 204 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (19 U.S.C. 3203);
(C)
section 503(d) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2463(d)); and
(D)
General Note 3(a)(iv) to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
(7)

Limitation.—
The quantity of cotton entered into the United States during any marketing year under the special import quota established under this subsection may not exceed the equivalent of 10 week's consumption of upland cotton by domestic mills at the seasonally adjusted average rate of the 3 months immediately preceding the first special import quota established in any marketing year.
(b)

Limited Global Import Quota for Upland Cotton.—
(1)

Definitions.—
In this subsection:
(A)

Supply.—
The term “supply” means, using the latest official data of the Bureau of the Census, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Treasury—
(i)
the carry-over of upland cotton at the beginning of the marketing year (adjusted to 480-pound bales) in which the quota is established;
(ii)
production of the current crop; and
(iii)
imports to the latest date available during the marketing year.
(B)

Demand.—
The term “demand” means—
(i)
the average seasonally adjusted annual rate of domestic mill consumption of cotton during the most recent 3 months for which data are available; and
(ii)
the larger of—
(I)
average exports of upland cotton during the preceding 6 marketing years; or
(II)
cumulative exports of upland cotton plus outstanding export sales for the marketing year in which the quota is established.
(C)

Limited global import quota.—
The term “limited global import quota” means a quantity of imports that is not subject to the over-quota tariff rate of a tariff-rate quota.
(2)

Program.—
The President shall carry out an import quota program that provides that whenever the Secretary determines and announces that the average price of the base quality of upland cotton, as determined by the Secretary, in the designated spot markets for a month exceeded 130 percent of the average price of the quality of cotton in the markets for the preceding 36 months, notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall immediately be in effect a limited global import quota subject to the following conditions:
(A)

Quantity.—
The quantity of the quota shall be equal to 21 days of domestic mill consumption of upland cotton at the seasonally adjusted average rate of the most recent 3 months for which data are available or as estimated by the Secretary.
(B)

Quantity if prior quota.—
If a quota has been established under this subsection during the preceding 12 months, the quantity of the quota next established under this subsection shall be the smaller of 21 days of domestic mill consumption calculated under subparagraph (A) or the quantity required to increase the supply to 130 percent of the demand.
(C)

Preferential tariff treatment.—
The quantity under a limited global import quota shall be considered to be an in-quota quantity for purposes of—
(i)
section 213(d) of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2703(d));
(ii)
section 204 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (19 U.S.C. 3203);
(iii)
section 503(d) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2463(d)); and
(iv)
General Note 3(a)(iv) to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
(D)

Quota entry period.—
When a quota is established under this subsection, cotton may be entered under the quota during the 90-day period beginning on the date the quota is established by the Secretary.
(3)

No overlap.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a quota period may not be established that overlaps an existing quota period or a special quota period established under subsection (a).
SEC. 1208.
[7 U.S.C. 8738]

SPECIAL COMPETITIVE PROVISIONS FOR EXTRA LONG STAPLE COTTON.
(a)

Competitiveness Program.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act through July 31, 2013, the Secretary shall carry out a program—
(1)
to maintain and expand the domestic use of extra long staple cotton produced in the United States;
(2)
to increase exports of extra long staple cotton produced in the United States; and
(3)
to ensure that extra long staple cotton produced in the United States remains competitive in world markets.
(b)

Payments Under Program; Trigger.—
Under the program, the Secretary shall make payments available under this section whenever—
(1)
for a consecutive 4-week period, the world market price for the lowest priced competing growth of extra long staple cotton (adjusted to United States quality and location and for other factors affecting the competitiveness of such cotton), as determined by the Secretary, is below the prevailing United States price for a competing growth of extra long staple cotton; and
(2)
the lowest priced competing growth of extra long staple cotton (adjusted to United States quality and location and for other factors affecting the competitiveness of such cotton), as determined by the Secretary, is less than 134 percent of the loan rate for extra long staple cotton.
(c)

Eligible Recipients.—
The Secretary shall make payments available under this section to domestic users of extra long staple cotton produced in the United States and exporters of extra long staple cotton produced in the United States that enter into an agreement with the Commodity Credit Corporation to participate in the program under this section.
(d)

Payment Amount.—
Payments under this section shall be based on the amount of the difference in the prices referred to in subsection (b)(1) during the fourth week of the consecutive 4-week period multiplied by the amount of documented purchases by domestic users and sales for export by exporters made in the week following such a consecutive 4-week period.
SEC. 1209.
[7 U.S.C. 8739]

AVAILABILITY OF RECOURSE LOANS FOR HIGH MOISTURE FEED GRAINS AND SEED COTTON.
(a)

High Moisture Feed Grains.—
(1)

Definition of high moisture state.—
In this subsection, the term “high moisture state” means corn or grain sorghum having a moisture content in excess of Commodity Credit Corporation standards for marketing assistance loans made by the Secretary under section 1201.
(2)

Recourse loans available.—
For each of the 2008 through 2012 crops of corn and grain sorghum, the Secretary shall make available recourse loans, as determined by the Secretary, to producers on a farm that—
(A)
normally harvest all or a portion of their crop of corn or grain sorghum in a high moisture state;
(B)
present—
(i)
certified scale tickets from an inspected, certified commercial scale, including a licensed warehouse, feedlot, feed mill, distillery, or other similar entity approved by the Secretary, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary; or
(ii)
field or other physical measurements of the standing or stored crop in regions of the United States, as determined by the Secretary, that do not have certified commercial scales from which certified scale tickets may be obtained within reasonable proximity of harvest operation;
(C)
certify that they were the owners of the feed grain at the time of delivery to, and that the quantity to be placed under loan under this subsection was in fact harvested on the farm and delivered to, a feedlot, feed mill, or commercial or on-farm high-moisture storage facility, or to a facility maintained by the users of corn and grain sorghum in a high moisture state; and
(D)
comply with deadlines established by the Secretary for harvesting the corn or grain sorghum and submit applications for loans under this subsection within deadlines established by the Secretary.
(3)

Eligibility of acquired feed grains.—
A loan under this subsection shall be made on a quantity of corn or grain sorghum of the same crop acquired by the producer equivalent to a quantity determined by multiplying—
(A)
the acreage of the corn or grain sorghum in a high moisture state harvested on the producer's farm; by
(B)
the lower of the farm program payment yield used to make counter-cyclical payments under subtitle A or the actual yield on a field, as determined by the Secretary, that is similar to the field from which the corn or grain sorghum was obtained.
(b)

Recourse Loans Available for Seed Cotton.—
For each of the 2008 through 2012 crops of upland cotton and extra long staple cotton, the Secretary shall make available recourse seed cotton loans, as determined by the Secretary, on any production.
(c)

Repayment Rates.—
Repayment of a recourse loan made under this section shall be at the loan rate established for the commodity by the Secretary, plus interest (determined in accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)).
SEC. 1210.
[7 U.S.C. 8740]

ADJUSTMENTS OF LOANS.
(a)

Adjustment Authority.—
Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary may make appropriate adjustments in the loan rates for any loan commodity (other than cotton) for differences in grade, type, quality, location, and other factors.
(b)

Manner of Adjustment.—
The adjustments under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be made in such a manner that the average loan level for the commodity will, on the basis of the anticipated incidence of the factors, be equal to the level of support determined in accordance with this subtitle and subtitles B through E.3
^3
So in original. Probably should be “subtitles C through E” since section is in subtitle B.
(c)

Adjustment on County Basis.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may establish loan rates for a crop for producers in individual counties in a manner that results in the lowest loan rate being 95 percent of the national average loan rate, if those loan rates do not result in an increase in outlays.
(2)

Prohibition.—
Adjustments under this subsection shall not result in an increase in the national average loan rate for any year.
(d)

Adjustment in Loan Rate for Cotton.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may make appropriate adjustments in the loan rate for cotton for differences in quality factors.
(2)

Revisions to quality adjustments for upland cotton.—
(A)

In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall implement revisions in the administration of the marketing assistance loan program for upland cotton to more accurately and efficiently reflect market values for upland cotton.
(B)

Mandatory revisions.—
Revisions under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i)
the elimination of warehouse location differentials;
(ii)
the establishment of differentials for the various quality factors and staple lengths of cotton based on a 3-year, weighted moving average of the weighted designated spot market regions, as determined by regional production;
(iii)
the elimination of any artificial split in the premium or discount between upland cotton with a 32 or 33 staple length due to micronaire; and
(iv)
a mechanism to ensure that no premium or discount is established that exceeds the premium or discount associated with a leaf grade that is 1 better than the applicable color grade.
(C)

Discretionary revisions.—
Revisions under subparagraph (A) may include—
(i)
the use of non-spot market price data, in addition to spot market price data, that would enhance the accuracy of the price information used in determining quality adjustments under this subsection;
(ii)
adjustments in the premiums or discounts associated with upland cotton with a staple length of 33 or above due to micronaire with the goal of eliminating any unnecessary artificial splits in the calculations of the premiums or discounts; and
(iii)
such other adjustments as the Secretary determines appropriate, after consultations conducted in accordance with paragraph (3).
(3)

Consultation with private sector.—
(A)

Prior to revision.—
In making adjustments to the loan rate for cotton (including any review of the adjustments) as provided in this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with representatives of the United States cotton industry.
(B)

Inapplicability of federal advisory committee act.—
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to consultations under this subsection.
(4)

Review of adjustments.—
The Secretary may review the operation of the upland cotton quality adjustments implemented pursuant to this subsection and may make further revisions to the administration of the loan program for upland cotton, by—
(A)
revoking or revising any actions taken under paragraph (2)(B); or
(B)
revoking or revising any actions taken or authorized to be taken under paragraph (2)(C).
(e)

Rice.—
The Secretary shall not make adjustments in the loan rates for long grain rice and medium grain rice, except for differences in grade and quality (including milling yields).
Subtitle C—

Peanuts
SEC. 1301.
[7 U.S.C. 8751]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Base acres for peanuts.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “base acres for peanuts” means the number of acres assigned to a farm pursuant to section 1302 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7952), as in effect on September 30, 2007, subject to any adjustment under section 1302 of this Act.
(B)

Covered commodities.—
The term “base acres”, with respect to a covered commodity, has the meaning given the term in section 1101.
(2)

Counter-cyclical payment.—
The term “counter-cyclical payment” means a payment made to producers on a farm under section 1304.
(3)

Direct payment.—
The term “direct payment” means a direct payment made to producers on a farm under section 1303.
(4)

Effective price.—
The term “effective price” means the price calculated by the Secretary under section 1304 for peanuts to determine whether counter-cyclical payments are required to be made under that section for a crop year.
(5)

Payment acres.—
The term “payment acres” means, in the case of direct payments and counter-cyclical payments—
(A)
except as provided in subparagraph (B), 85 percent of the base acres of peanuts on a farm on which direct payments or counter-cyclical payments are made; and
(B)
in the case of direct payments for each of the 2009 through 2011 crop years, 83.3 percent of the base acres for peanuts on a farm on which direct payments are made.
(6)

Payment yield.—
The term “payment yield” means the yield established for direct payments and the yield established for counter-cyclical payments under section 1302 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7952), as in effect on September 30, 2007, for a farm for peanuts.
(7)

Producer.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “producer” means an owner, operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper that shares in the risk of producing a crop on a farm and is entitled to share in the crop available for marketing from the farm, or would have shared had the crop been produced.
(B)

Hybrid seed.—
In determining whether a grower of hybrid seed is a producer, the Secretary shall—
(i)
not take into consideration the existence of a hybrid seed contract; and
(ii)
ensure that program requirements do not adversely affect the ability of the grower to receive a payment under this subtitle.
(8)

State.—
The term “State” means—
(A)
a State;
(B)
the District of Columbia;
(C)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D)
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(9)

Target price.—
The term “target price” means the price per ton of peanuts used to determine the payment rate for counter-cyclical payments.
(10)

United states.—
The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, means all of the States.
SEC. 1302.
[7 U.S.C. 8752]

BASE ACRES FOR PEANUTS FOR A FARM.
(a)

Adjustment of Base Acreage for Peanuts.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall provide for an adjustment, as appropriate, in the base acres for peanuts for a farm whenever any of the following circumstances occur:
(A)
A conservation reserve contract entered into under section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) with respect to the farm expires or is voluntarily terminated, or was terminated or expired during the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
(B)
Cropland is released from coverage under a conservation reserve contract by the Secretary, or was released during the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
(C)
The producer has eligible pulse crop acreage, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(D)
The producer has eligible oilseed acreage as the result of the Secretary designating additional oilseeds, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(2)

Special conservation reserve acreage payment rules.—
For the crop year in which a base acres for peanuts adjustment under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) is first made, the owner of the farm shall elect to receive either direct payments and counter-cyclical payments with respect to the acreage added to the farm under this subsection or a prorated payment under the conservation reserve contract, but not both.
(b)

Prevention of Excess Base Acres for Peanuts.—
(1)

Required reduction.—
If the sum of the base acres for peanuts for a farm, together with the acreage described in paragraph (2), exceeds the actual cropland acreage of the farm, the Secretary shall reduce the base acres for peanuts for the farm or the base acres for 1 or more covered commodities for the farm so that the sum of the base acres for peanuts and acreage described in paragraph (2) does not exceed the actual cropland acreage of the farm.
(2)

Other acreage.—
For purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include the following:
(A)
Any base acres for the farm for a covered commodity.
(B)
Any acreage on the farm enrolled in the conservation reserve program or wetlands reserve program under chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.).
(C)
Any other acreage on the farm enrolled in a Federal conservation program for which payments are made in exchange for not producing an agricultural commodity on the acreage.
(D)
Any eligible pulse crop acreage, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(E)
If the Secretary designates additional oilseeds, any eligible oilseed acreage, which shall be determined in the same manner as eligible oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911(a)(2)).
(3)

Selection of acres.—
The Secretary shall give the owner of the farm the opportunity to select the base acres for peanuts or the base acres for covered commodities against which the reduction required by paragraph (1) will be made.
(4)

Exception for double-cropped acreage.—
In applying paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make an exception in the case of double cropping, as determined by the Secretary.
(5)

Coordinated application of requirements.—
The Secretary shall take into account section 1101(b) when applying the requirements of this subsection.
(c)

Reduction in Base Acres.—
(1)

Reduction at option of owner.—
(A)

In general.—
The owner of a farm may reduce, at any time, the base acres for peanuts for the farm.
(B)

Effect of reduction.—
A reduction under subparagraph (A) shall be permanent and made in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.
(2)

Required action by secretary.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall proportionately reduce base acres on a farm for peanuts for land that has been subdivided and developed for multiple residential units or other nonfarming uses if the size of the tracts and the density of the subdivision is such that the land is unlikely to return to the previous agricultural use, unless the producers on the farm demonstrate that the land—
(i)
remains devoted to commercial agricultural production; or
(ii)
is likely to be returned to the previous agricultural use.
(B)

Requirement.—
The Secretary shall establish procedures to identify land described in subparagraph (A).
(3)

Review and report.—
Each year, to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that payments are received only by producers, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the actions taken under paragraph (2).
(d)

Treatment of Farms With Limited Base Acres.—
(1)

Prohibition on payments.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2) and notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a producer on a farm may not receive direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments if the sum of the base acres of the farm is 10 acres or less, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Exceptions.—
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a farm owned by—
(A)
a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)); or4
^4
So in original. Probably should be “))); or”.
(B)
a limited resource farmer or rancher, as defined by the Secretary.
(3)

Suspension of prohibition.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply during the 2008 crop year.
SEC. 1305.
[7 U.S.C. 8755]

PRODUCER AGREEMENT REQUIRED AS CONDITION ON PROVISION OF PAYMENTS.
(a)

Compliance With Certain Requirements.—
(1)

Requirements.—
Before the producers on a farm may receive direct payments or counter-cyclical payments under this subtitle, or average crop revenue election payments under section 1105, with respect to the farm, the producers shall agree, during the crop year for which the payments are made and in exchange for the payments—
(A)
to comply with applicable conservation requirements under subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.);
(B)
to comply with applicable wetland protection requirements under subtitle C of title XII of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.);
(C)
to comply with the planting flexibility requirements of section 1306;
(D)
to use the land on the farm, in a quantity equal to the attributable base acres for peanuts and any base acres for the farm under subtitle A, for an agricultural or conserving use, and not for a nonagricultural commercial, industrial, or residential use, as determined by the Secretary; and
(E)
to effectively control noxious weeds and otherwise maintain the land in accordance with sound agricultural practices, as determined by the Secretary, if the agricultural or conserving use involves the noncultivation of any portion of the land referred to in subparagraph (D).
(2)

Compliance.—
The Secretary may issue such rules as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure producer compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1).
(3)

Modification.—
At the request of the transferee or owner, the Secretary may modify the requirements of this subsection if the modifications are consistent with the objectives of this subsection, as determined by the Secretary.
(b)

Transfer or Change of Interest in Farm.—
(1)

Termination.—
(A)

In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a transfer of (or change in) the interest of the producers on a farm in the base acres for peanuts for which direct payments or counter-cyclical payments are made, or on which average crop revenue election payments are based, shall result in the termination of the direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments to the extent the payments are made or based on the base acres, unless the transferee or owner of the acreage agrees to assume all obligations under subsection (a).
(B)

Effective date.—
The termination shall take effect on the date determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Exception.—
If a producer entitled to a direct payment, counter-cyclical payment, or average crop revenue election payment dies, becomes incompetent, or is otherwise unable to receive the payment, the Secretary shall make the payment, in accordance with rules issued by the Secretary.
(c)

Acreage Reports.—
(1)

In general.—
As a condition on the receipt of any benefits under this subtitle, the Secretary shall require producers on a farm to submit to the Secretary annual acreage reports with respect to all cropland on the farm.
(2)

Penalties.—
No penalty with respect to benefits under this subtitle shall be assessed against the producers on a farm for an inaccurate acreage report unless the producers on the farm knowingly and willfully falsified the acreage report.
(d)

Tenants and Sharecroppers.—
In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary shall provide adequate safeguards to protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers.
(e)

Sharing of Payments.—
The Secretary shall provide for the sharing of direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments under section 1105 among the producers on a farm on a fair and equitable basis.
(f)

Extension of 2008 Signup.—
(1)

In general.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall extend the 2008 crop year deadline for the signup for benefits under this subtitle by producers on a farm with base acres of 10 acres or less until the later of—
(A)
November 14, 2008; or
(B)
the end of the 45-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(2)

Penalties.—
The Secretary shall ensure that no penalty with respect to benefits under this subtitle is assessed against producers on a farm described in paragraph (1) for failure to submit reports under this section or timely comply with other program requirements as a result of compliance with the extended signup deadline under that paragraph.
SEC. 1306.
[7 U.S.C. 8756]

PLANTING FLEXIBILITY.
(a)

Permitted Crops.—
Subject to subsection (b), any commodity or crop may be planted on the base acres for peanuts on a farm.
(b)

Limitations Regarding Certain Commodities.—
(1)

General limitation.—
The planting of an agricultural commodity specified in paragraph (3) shall be prohibited on base acres for peanuts unless the commodity, if planted, is destroyed before harvest.
(2)

Treatment of trees and other perennials.—
The planting of an agricultural commodity specified in paragraph (3) that is produced on a tree or other perennial plant shall be prohibited on base acres for peanuts.
(3)

Covered agricultural commodities.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply to the following agricultural commodities:
(A)
Fruits.
(B)
Vegetables (other than mung beans and pulse crops).
(C)
Wild rice.
(c)

Exceptions.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) shall not limit the planting of an agricultural commodity specified in paragraph (3) of that subsection—
(1)
in any region in which there is a history of double-cropping of peanuts with agricultural commodities specified in subsection (b)(3), as determined by the Secretary, in which case the double-cropping shall be permitted;
(2)
on a farm that the Secretary determines has a history of planting agricultural commodities specified in subsection (b)(3) on the base acres for peanuts, except that direct payments and counter-cyclical payments shall be reduced by an acre for each acre planted to such an agricultural commodity; or
(3)
by the producers on a farm that the Secretary determines has an established planting history of a specific agricultural commodity specified in subsection (b)(3), except that—
(A)
the quantity planted may not exceed the average annual planting history of such agricultural commodity by the producers on the farm in the 1991 through 1995 or 1998 through 2001 crop years (excluding any crop year in which no plantings were made), as determined by the Secretary; and
(B)
direct payments and counter-cyclical payments shall be reduced by an acre for each acre planted to such agricultural commodity.
SEC. 1307.
[7 U.S.C. 8757]

MARKETING ASSISTANCE LOANS AND LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS FOR PEANUTS.
(a)

Nonrecourse Loans Available.—
(1)

Availability.—
For each of the 2008 through 2012 crops of peanuts, the Secretary shall make available to producers on a farm nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for peanuts produced on the farm.
(2)

Terms and conditions.—
The loans shall be made under terms and conditions that are prescribed by the Secretary and at the loan rate established under subsection (b).
(3)

Eligible production.—
The producers on a farm shall be eligible for a marketing assistance loan under this subsection for any quantity of peanuts produced on the farm.
(4)

Options for obtaining loan.—
A marketing assistance loan under this subsection, and loan deficiency payments under subsection (e), may be obtained at the option of the producers on a farm through—
(A)
a designated marketing association or marketing cooperative of producers that is approved by the Secretary; or
(B)
the Farm Service Agency.
(5)

Storage of loan peanuts.—
As a condition on the Secretary's approval of an individual or entity to provide storage for peanuts for which a marketing assistance loan is made under this section, the individual or entity shall agree—
(A)
to provide such storage on a nondiscriminatory basis; and
(B)
to comply with such additional requirements as the Secretary considers appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this section and promote fairness in the administration of the benefits of this section.
(6)

Storage, handling, and associated costs.—
(A)

In general.—
Beginning with the 2008 crop of peanuts, to ensure proper storage of peanuts for which a loan is made under this section, the Secretary shall pay handling and other associated costs (other than storage costs) incurred at the time at which the peanuts are placed under loan, as determined by the Secretary.
(B)

Redemption and forfeiture.—
The Secretary shall—
(i)
require the repayment of handling and other associated costs paid under subparagraph (A) for all peanuts pledged as collateral for a loan that is redeemed under this section; and
(ii)
pay storage, handling, and other associated costs for all peanuts pledged as collateral that are forfeited under this section.
(7)

Marketing.—
A marketing association or cooperative may market peanuts for which a loan is made under this section in any manner that conforms to consumer needs, including the separation of peanuts by type and quality.
(b)

Loan Rate.—
Except as provided in section 1105, the loan rate for a marketing assistance loan for peanuts under subsection (a) shall be equal to $355 per ton.
(c)

Term of Loan.—
(1)

In general.—
A marketing assistance loan for peanuts under subsection (a) shall have a term of 9 months beginning on the first day of the first month after the month in which the loan is made.
(2)

Extensions prohibited.—
The Secretary may not extend the term of a marketing assistance loan for peanuts under subsection (a).
(d)

Repayment Rate.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall permit producers on a farm to repay a marketing assistance loan for peanuts under subsection (a) at a rate that is the lesser of—
(A)
the loan rate established for peanuts under subsection (b), plus interest (determined in accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)); or
(B)
a rate that the Secretary determines will—
(i)
minimize potential loan forfeitures;
(ii)
minimize the accumulation of stocks of peanuts by the Federal Government;
(iii)
minimize the cost incurred by the Federal Government in storing peanuts; and
(iv)
allow peanuts produced in the United States to be marketed freely and competitively, both domestically and internationally.
(2)

Authority to temporarily adjust repayment rates.—
(A)

Adjustment authority.—
In the event of a severe disruption to marketing, transportation, or related infrastructure, the Secretary may modify the repayment rate otherwise applicable under this subsection for marketing assistance loans for peanuts under subsection (a).
(B)

Duration.—
An adjustment made under subparagraph (A) in the repayment rate for marketing assistance loans for peanuts shall be in effect on a short-term and temporary basis, as determined by the Secretary.
(e)

Loan Deficiency Payments.—
(1)

Availability.—
The Secretary may make loan deficiency payments available to producers on a farm that, although eligible to obtain a marketing assistance loan for peanuts under subsection (a), agree to forgo obtaining the loan for the peanuts in return for loan deficiency payments under this subsection.
(2)

Computation.—
A loan deficiency payment under this subsection shall be computed by multiplying—
(A)
the payment rate determined under paragraph (3) for peanuts; by
(B)
the quantity of the peanuts produced by the producers, excluding any quantity for which the producers obtain a marketing assistance loan under subsection (a).
(3)

Payment rate.—
For purposes of this subsection, the payment rate shall be the amount by which—
(A)
the loan rate established under subsection (b); exceeds
(B)
the rate at which a loan may be repaid under subsection (d).
(4)

Effective date for payment rate determination.—
The Secretary shall determine the amount of the loan deficiency payment to be made under this subsection to the producers on a farm with respect to a quantity of peanuts using the payment rate in effect under paragraph (3) as of the date the producers request the payment.
(f)

Compliance With Conservation and Wetlands Requirements.—
As a condition of the receipt of a marketing assistance loan under subsection (a), the producer shall comply with applicable conservation requirements under subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.) and applicable wetland protection requirements under subtitle C of title XII of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.) during the term of the loan.
(g)

Reimbursable Agreements and Payment of Administrative Expenses.—
The Secretary may implement any reimbursable agreements or provide for the payment of administrative expenses under this subtitle only in a manner that is consistent with such activities in regard to other commodities.
SEC. 1308.
[7 U.S.C. 8758]

ADJUSTMENTS OF LOANS.
(a)

Adjustment Authority.—
The Secretary may make appropriate adjustments in the loan rates for peanuts for differences in grade, type, quality, location, and other factors.
(b)

Manner of Adjustment.—
The adjustments under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be made in such a manner that the average loan level for peanuts will, on the basis of the anticipated incidence of the factors, be equal to the level of support determined in accordance with this subtitle and subtitles B, D, and E.
(c)

Adjustment on County Basis.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may establish loan rates for a crop of peanuts for producers in individual counties in a manner that results in the lowest loan rate being 95 percent of the national average loan rate, if those loan rates do not result in an increase in outlays.
(2)

Prohibition.—
Adjustments under this subsection shall not result in an increase in the national average loan rate for any year.
Subtitle D—

Sugar
SEC. 1401.

SUGAR PROGRAM.
(a)

In General.—5
^5
Sec. 1401(a) amended sec. 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272) in its entirety.
(b)

Transition.—
The Secretary shall make loans for raw cane sugar and refined beet sugar available for the 2007 crop year on the terms and conditions provided in section 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1402.
[7 U.S.C. 3602 note]

UNITED STATES MEMBERSHIP IN THE INTERNATIONAL SUGAR ORGANIZATION.
The Secretary shall work with the Secretary of State to restore United States membership in the International Sugar Organization not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1403.

FLEXIBLE MARKETING ALLOTMENTS FOR SUGAR.
(a)

Definitions.—6
^6
Sec. 1403(a) amended sec. 359a of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359aa).
(b)

Flexible Marketing Allotments for Sugar.—7
^7
Sec. 1403(b) amended sec. 359b of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359bb) in its entirety.
(c)

Establishment of Flexible Marketing Allotments.—8
^8
Sec. 1403(c) amended sec. 359c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359cc).
(d)

Allocation of Marketing Allotments.—9
^9
Sec. 1403(d) amended 359d(b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359dd(b)).
(e)

Reassignment of Deficits.—10
^{10}
Sec. 1403(e) amended sec. 359e(b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ee(b)).
(f)

Provisions Applicable to Producers.—11
^{11}
Sec. 1403(f) amended sec. 359f(c) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ff(c)).
(g)

Special Rules.—12
^{12}
Sec. 1403(g) amended sec. 359g of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359gg).
(h)

Appeals.—13
^{13}
Sec. 1403(h) amended sec. 359i of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ii).
(i)

Reallocating Sugar Quota Import Shortfalls.—14
^{14}
Sec. 1403(i) repealed former sec. 359k of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359kk).
(j)

Administration of Tariff Rate Quotas.—15
^{15}
Sec. 1403(j) added new sec. 359k of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359kk).
(k)

Period of Effectiveness.—16
^{16}
Sec. 1403(k) added new sec. 359l of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ll).
SEC. 1404.

STORAGE FACILITY LOANS.17
^{17}
Sec. 1404 amended sec. 1402(c) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7971(c)).
SEC. 1405.

COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION STORAGE PAYMENTS.18
^{18}
Sec. 1405 added sec. 167 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7287).
Subtitle E—

Dairy
SEC. 1502.
[7 U.S.C. 8772]

DAIRY FORWARD PRICING PROGRAM.
(a)

Program Required.—
The Secretary shall establish a program under which milk producers and cooperative associations of producers are authorized to voluntarily enter into forward price contracts with milk handlers.
(b)

Minimum Milk Price Requirements.—
Payments made by milk handlers to milk producers and cooperative associations of producers, and prices received by milk producers and cooperative associations, in accordance with the terms of a forward price contract authorized by subsection (a), shall be treated as satisfying—
(1)
all uniform and minimum milk price requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (F) of paragraph (5) of section 8c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937; and
(2)
the total payment requirement of subparagraph (C) of that paragraph.
(c)

Milk Covered by Program.—
(1)

Covered milk.—
The program shall apply only with respect to the marketing of federally regulated milk that—
(A)
is not classified as Class I milk or otherwise intended for fluid use; and
(B)
is in the current of interstate or foreign commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or affects interstate or foreign commerce in federally regulated milk.
(2)

Relation to class i milk.—
To assist milk handlers in complying with paragraph (1)(A) without having to segregate or otherwise individually track the source and disposition of milk, a milk handler may allocate milk receipts from producers, cooperatives, and other sources that are not subject to a forward contract to satisfy the obligations of the handler with regard to Class I milk usage.
(d)

Voluntary Program.—
(1)

In general.—
A milk handler may not require participation in a forward pricing contract as a condition of the handler receiving milk from a producer or cooperative association of producers.
(2)

Pricing.—
A producer or cooperative association described in paragraph (1) may continue to have their milk priced in accordance with the minimum payment provisions of the Federal milk marketing order.
(3)

Complaints.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall investigate complaints made by producers or cooperative associations of coercion by handlers to enter into forward contracts.
(B)

Action.—
If the Secretary finds evidence of coercion, the Secretary shall take appropriate action.
(e)

Duration.—
(1)

New contracts.—
No forward price contract may be entered into under the program established under this section after September 30, 2023.
(2)

Application.—
No forward contract entered into under the program may extend beyond September 30, 2029.
SEC. 1503.

DAIRY EXPORT INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a)

Extension.—19
^{19}
Sec. 1503(a) amended sec. 153(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C. 713a–14(a)).
(b)

Compliance With Trade Agreements.—20
^{20}
Sec. 1503(b) amended subsecs. (c) and (f) of sec. 156 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C. 713a–14).
SEC. 1504.

REVISION OF FEDERAL MARKETING ORDER AMENDMENT PROCEDURES.21
^{21}
Sec. 1504 amended sec. 8c(17) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, in its entirety.
SEC. 1505.

DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM.22
^{22}
Sec. 1505 amended sec. 3 of Public Law 90–484 (7 U.S.C. 450l)
SEC. 1506.
[7 U.S.C. 8773]

MILK INCOME LOSS CONTRACT PROGRAM.23
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Class i milk.—
The term “Class I milk” means milk (including milk components) classified as Class I milk under a Federal milk marketing order.
^{23}
Section 1422(b) of Public Law 113–79 provides as follows:
(b)

Repeal of milk income loss contract program.—
(1)

Repeal.—
Effective on the termination date, section 1506 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8773) is repealed.
(2)

Termination date defined.—
In paragraph (1), the term “termination date” means the earlier of the following:
(A) The date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that the margin protection program required by section 1403 is operational.
(B) September 1, 2014.
(2)

Eligible production.—
The term “eligible production” means milk produced by a producer in a participating State.
(3)

Federal milk marketing order.—
The term “Federal milk marketing order” means an order issued under section 8c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
(4)

Participating state.—
The term “participating State” means each State.
(5)

Producer.—
The term “producer” means an individual or entity that directly or indirectly (as determined by the Secretary)—
(A)
shares in the risk of producing milk; and
(B)
makes contributions (including land, labor, management, equipment, or capital) to the dairy farming operation of the individual or entity that are at least commensurate with the share of the individual or entity of the proceeds of the operation.
(6)

Termination date.—
The term “termination date” means the earlier of the following:
(A)
The date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that the margin protection program required by section 1403 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 is operational.
(B)
September 1, 2014.
(b)

Payments.—
The Secretary shall offer to enter into contracts with producers on a dairy farm located in a participating State under which the producers receive payments on eligible production.
(c)

Amount.—
Payments to a producer under this section shall be calculated by multiplying (as determined by the Secretary)—
(1)
the payment quantity for the producer during the applicable month established under subsection (e);
(2)
the amount equal to—
(A)
$16.94 per hundredweight, as adjusted under subsection (d); less
(B)
the Class I milk price per hundredweight in Boston under the applicable Federal milk marketing order; by
(3)
(A)
for the period beginning October 1, 2007, and ending September 30, 2008, 34 percent;
(B)
for the period beginning October 1, 2008, and ending August 31, 2013, and for the period beginning February 1, 2014, and ending on the termination date, 45 percent; and
(C)
for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending January 31, 2014, 34 percent.
(d)

Payment Rate Adjustment for Feed Prices.—
(1)

Initial adjustment authority.—
During the period beginning on January 1, 2008, and ending on August 31, 2013, if the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost for a month during that period is greater than $7.35 per hundredweight, the amount specified in subsection (c)(2)(A) used to determine the payment rate for that month shall be increased by 45 percent of the percentage by which the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost exceeds $7.35 per hundredweight.
(2)

Subsequent adjustment authority.—
During the period beginning on September 1, 2013, and ending on January 31, 2014, if the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost for the month is greater than $9.50 per hundredweight, the amount specified in subsection (c)(2)(A) used to determine the payment rate for that month shall be increased by 45 percent of the percentage by which the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost exceeds $9.50 per hundredweight.
(3)

Final adjustment authority.—
During the period beginning on February 1, 2014, and ending on the termination date, if the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost for a month during that period is greater than $7.35 per hundredweight, the amount specified in subsection (c)(2)(A) used to determine the payment rate for that month shall be increased by 45 percent of the percentage by which the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost exceeds $7.35 per hundredweight.
(4)

National average dairy feed ration cost.—
For each month, the Secretary shall calculate a National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost per hundredweight using the same procedures (adjusted to a hundredweight basis) used to calculate the feed components of the estimated price of 16% Mixed Dairy Feed per pound noted on page 33 of the USDA March 2008 Agricultural Prices publication (including the data and factors noted in footnote 4).
(e)

Payment Quantity.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), the payment quantity for a producer during the applicable month under this section shall be equal to the quantity of eligible production marketed by the producer during the month.
(2)

Limitation.—
(A)

In general.—
The payment quantity for all producers on a single dairy operation for which the producers receive payments under subsection (b) shall not exceed—
(i)
for the period beginning October 1, 2007, and ending September 30, 2008, 2,400,000 pounds;
(ii)
for the period beginning October 1, 2008, and ending August 31, 2013, and for the period beginning February 1, 2014, and ending on the termination date, 2,985,000 pounds for each fiscal year; and
(iii)
for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending January 31, 2014, 2,400,000 pounds per fiscal year.
(B)

Standards.—
For purposes of determining whether producers are producers on separate dairy operations or a single dairy operation, the Secretary shall apply the same standards as were applied in implementing the dairy program under section 805 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (as enacted into law by Public Law 106–387; 114 Stat. 1549A–50).
(3)

Reconstitution.—
The Secretary shall ensure that a producer does not reconstitute a dairy operation for the sole purpose of receiving additional payments under this section.
(f)

Payments.—
A payment under a contract under this section shall be made on a monthly basis not later than 60 days after the last day of the month for which the payment is made.
(g)

Signup.—
The Secretary shall offer to enter into contracts under this section until the termination date.
(h)

Duration of Contract.—
(1)

In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), any contract entered into by producers on a dairy farm under this section shall cover eligible production marketed by the producers on the dairy farm during the period starting with the first day of month the producers on the dairy farm enter into the contract and ending on the termination date.
(2)

Violations.—
If a producer violates the contract, the Secretary may—
(A)
terminate the contract and allow the producer to retain any payments received under the contract; or
(B)
allow the contract to remain in effect and require the producer to repay a portion of the payments received under the contract based on the severity of the violation.
SEC. 1507.

DAIRY PROMOTION AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a)

Extension of Dairy Promotion and Research Authority.—24
^{24}
Sec. 1507(a) amended sec. 113(e)(2) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(e)(2))
(b)

Definition of United States for Promotion Program.—25
^{25}
Sec. 1507(b) amended sec. 111 of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4502).
(c)

Definition of United States for Research Program.—26
^{26}
Sec. 1507(c) amended sec. 130(12) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4531)) in its entirety.
(d)

Assessment Rate for Imported Dairy Products.—27
^{27}
Sec. 1507(d) amended sec. 113(g)(3) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(g)) is amended by striking paragraph (3)156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272) in its entirety.
(e)

Time and Method of Importer Payments.—28
^{28}
Sec. 1507(e) amended sec. 113(g)(6) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(g)(6)).
(f)

Refund of Assessments on Certain Imported Dairy Products.—29
^{29}
Sec. 1507(f) added sec. 113(g)(7) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(g)(7)).
SEC. 1508.

REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REPORTING PROCEDURES FOR NONFAT DRY MILK.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report regarding Department of Agriculture reporting procedures for nonfat dry milk and the impact of the procedures on Federal milk marketing order minimum prices during the period beginning on July 1, 2006, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1510.

MANDATORY REPORTING OF DAIRY COMMODITIES.
(a)

Electronic Reporting.—30
^{30}
Sec. 1510(a) added new sec. 273(d) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1637b(d)).
(b)

Quarterly Audits.—31
^{31}
Sec. 1510(b) amended sec. 273(c)(3) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1637b(c)(3)) in its entirety.
Subtitle F—

Administration
SEC. 1601.
[7 U.S.C. 8781]

ADMINISTRATION GENERALLY.
(a)

Use of Commodity Credit Corporation.—
Except as otherwise provided in this title, the Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this title.
(b)

Determinations by Secretary.—
A determination made by the Secretary under this title shall be final and conclusive.
(c)

Regulations.—
(1)

In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Commodity Credit Corporation, as appropriate, shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this title and the amendments made by this title.
(2)

Procedure.—
The promulgation of the regulations and administration of this title and the amendments made by this title shall be made without regard to—
(A)
chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the “Paperwork Reduction Act”);
(B)
the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking; and
(C)
the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
(3)

Congressional review of agency rulemaking.—
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 808 of title 5, United States Code.
(4)

Interim regulations.—
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall implement the amendments made by sections 1603 and 1604 for the 2009 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, through the promulgation of an interim rule.
(d)

Adjustment Authority Related to Trade Agreements Compliance.—
(1)

Required determination; adjustment.—
If the Secretary determines that expenditures under this title that are subject to the total allowable domestic support levels under the Uruguay Round Agreements (as defined in section 2 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3501)) will exceed such allowable levels for any applicable reporting period, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, make adjustments in the amount of such expenditures during that period to ensure that such expenditures do not exceed such allowable levels.
(2)

Congressional notification.—
Before making any adjustment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the determination made under that paragraph and the extent of the adjustment to be made.
(e)

Treatment of Advance Payment Option.—32
^{32}
Sec. 1601(e) added sec. 1601(d)(3) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7991(d)(3)).
SEC. 1602.
[7 U.S.C. 8782]

SUSPENSION OF PERMANENT PRICE SUPPORT AUTHORITY.
(a)

Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938.—
The following provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 shall not be applicable to the 2008 through 2012 crops of covered commodities, peanuts, and sugar and shall not be applicable to milk during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act through December 31, 2012:
(1)
Parts II through V of subtitle B of title III (7 U.S.C. 1326 et seq.).
(2)
In the case of upland cotton, section 377 (7 U.S.C. 1377).
(3)
Subtitle D of title III (7 U.S.C. 1379a et seq.).
(4)
Title IV (7 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.).
(b)

Agricultural Act of 1949.—
The following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1949 shall not be applicable to the 2008 through 2012 crops of covered commodities, peanuts, and sugar and shall not be applicable to milk during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and through December 31, 2012:
(1)
Section 101 (7 U.S.C. 1441).
(2)
Section 103(a) (7 U.S.C. 1444(a)).
(3)
Section 105 (7 U.S.C. 1444b).
(4)
Section 107 (7 U.S.C. 1445a).
(5)
Section 110 (7 U.S.C. 1445e).
(6)
Section 112 (7 U.S.C. 1445g).
(7)
Section 115 (7 U.S.C. 1445k).
(8)
Section 201 (7 U.S.C. 1446).
(9)
Title III (7 U.S.C. 1447 et seq.).
(10)
Title IV (7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), other than sections 404, 412, and 416 (7 U.S.C. 1424, 1429, and 1431).
(11)
Title V (7 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.).
(12)
Title VI (7 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.).
(c)

Suspension of Certain Quota Provisions.—
The joint resolution entitled “A joint resolution relating to corn and wheat marketing quotas under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended”, approved May 26, 1941 (7 U.S.C. 1330 and 1340), shall not be applicable to the crops of wheat planted for harvest in the calendar years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 1603.

PAYMENT LIMITATIONS.
(a)

Extension of Limitations.—33
^{33}
Sec. 1603(a) amended secs. 1001 and 1001C(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308, 1308–3(a)).
(b)

Revision of Limitations.—
(1)

Definitions.—34
^{34}
Sec. 1603(b)(1) amended sec. 1001(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(a)).
(2)

Limitation on direct payments and counter-cyclical payments.—35
^{35}
Sec. 1603(b)2) amended subsecs. (b), (c), and (d) of sec. 1001 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308) in their entirety.
(3)

Direct attribution.—36
^{36}
Sec. 1603(b)(3) added new subsecs. (e) through (g) of sec. 1001 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308).
(c)

Repeal of 3-Entity Rule.—37
^{37}
Sec. 1603(c) amended sec. 1001A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–1).
(d)

Amendment for Consistency.—38
^{38}
Sec. 1603(d) amended sec. 1001A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–1).
(e)

Denial of Program Benefits.—39
^{39}
Sec. 1603(e) amended sec. 1001B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–2) in its entirety.
(f)

Conforming Amendment to Apply Direct Attribution to NAP.—
(1)

In general.—40
^{40}
Sec. 1401(a) amended sec. 196(i) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333(i)).
(2)

Transition.—
Section 196(i) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333(i)), as in effect on September 30, 2007, shall apply with respect to the 2007 and 2008 crops of any eligible crop.
(g)

Conforming Amendments.—
(1)41
^{41}
Sec. 1603(g)(1) amended sec. 1009(e) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308a(e)).
(2)42
^{42}
Sec. 1603(g)(2) amended sec. 609(b)(1) of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471g(b)(1)).
(3)43
.
^{43}
Sec. 1603(g)(3) amended sec. 524(b)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)(3)).
(4)44
^{44}
Sec. 1603(g)(4) amended sec. 10204(c)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8204(c)(1)).
(5)45
^{45}
Sec. 1603(g)(5) amended sec. 1271(c)(3)(A) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 2106a(c)(3)(A)).
(6)46
.
^{46}
Sec. 1603(g)(6) amended sec. 291(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2401(2)).
(h)

Transition.—
Section 1001, 1001A, and 1001B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308, 1308–1, 1308–2), as in effect on September 30, 2007, shall continue to apply with respect to the 2007 and 2008 crops of any covered commodity or peanuts.
SEC. 1604.

ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATION.
(a)

In General.—47
^{47}
Sec. 1604(a) amended sec. 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a) in its entirety.
(b)

Transition.—
Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a), as in effect on September 30, 2007, shall apply with respect to the 2007 and 2008 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for each program described in paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (b) of that section (as amended by subsection (a)).
SEC. 1605.
[7 U.S.C. 8783]

AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR COVERED OILSEED PRODUCERS.
(a)

Incentive Payments Required.—
Subject to subsection (b) and the availability of appropriations under subsection (h), the Secretary shall use funds made available under subsection (h) to provide quality incentive payments for the production of oilseeds with specialized traits that enhance human health, as determined by the Secretary.
(b)

Covered Oilseeds.—
The Secretary shall make payments under this section only for the production of an oilseed variety that has, as determined by the Secretary—
(1)
been demonstrated to improve the health profile of the oilseed for use in human consumption by—
(A)
reducing or eliminating the need to partially hydrogenate the oil derived from the oilseed for use in human consumption; or
(B)
adopting new technology traits; and
(2)
1 or more impediments to commercialization.
(c)

Request for Proposals.—
(1)

Issuance.—
If funds are made available to carry out this section for a crop year, the Secretary shall issue a request for proposals for payments under this section.
(2)

Multiyear proposals.—
A proponent may submit a multiyear proposal for payments under this section.
(3)

Content of proposals.—
A proposal for payments under this section shall include a description of—
(A)
how use of the oilseed enhances human health;
(B)
the impediments to commercial use of the oilseed;
(C)
each oilseed variety described in subsection (b) and the value of the oilseed variety as a matter of public policy;
(D)
a range for the base price and premiums per bushel or hundredweight to be paid to producers;
(E)
a per bushel or hundredweight amount of incentive payments requested for each year under this section that does not exceed ⅓ of the total premium offered for any year;
(F)
the period of time, not to exceed 4 years, during which incentive payments are to be provided to producers; and
(G)
the targeted total quantity of production and estimated acres needed to produce the targeted quantity for each year under this section.
(d)

Contracts for Production.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall approve successful proposals submitted under subsection (c) on a timely basis.
(2)

Timing of payments.—
The Secretary shall make payments to producers under this section after the Secretary receives documentation that the premium required under a contract has been paid to covered producers.
(e)

Administration.—
(1)

In general.—
If funding provided for a crop year is not fully allocated under the initial request for proposals under subsection (c), the Secretary shall issue additional requests for proposals for subsequent crop years under this section.
(2)

Prorated payments.—
If funding provided for a crop year is less than the amount otherwise approved by the Secretary or for which approval is sought, the Secretary shall prorate the payments or approvals in a manner determined by the Secretary so that the total payments do not exceed the funding level.
(f)

Proprietary Information.—
The Secretary shall protect proprietary information provided to the Secretary for the purpose of administering this section.
(g)

Program Compliance and Penalties.—
(1)

Guarantee.—
The proponent, if approved, shall be required to guarantee that the oilseed on which a payment is made by the Secretary under this section is used for human consumption as described in the proposal, as approved by the Secretary.
(2)

Noncompliance.—
If oilseeds on which a payment is made by the Secretary under this section are not actually used for the purpose the payment is made, the proponent shall be required to pay to the Secretary an amount equal to, as determined by the Secretary—
(A)
in the case of an inadvertent failure, twice the amount of the payment made by the Secretary under this section to the producer of the oilseeds; and
(B)
in any other case, up to twice the full value of the oilseeds involved.
(3)

Documentation.—
The Secretary may require such assurances and documentation as may be needed to enforce the guarantee.
(4)

Additional penalties.—
(A)

In general.—
In addition to payments required under paragraph (2), the Secretary may impose penalties on additional persons that use oilseeds the use of which is restricted under this section for a purpose other than the intended use.
(B)

Amount.—
The amount of a penalty under this paragraph shall—
(i)
be in an amount determined appropriated by the Secretary; but
(ii)
not to exceed twice the full value of the oilseeds.
(h)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
SEC. 1606.

PERSONAL LIABILITY OF PRODUCERS FOR DEFICIENCIES.48
^{48}
Sec. 1606 amended sec. 164 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7284).
SEC. 1607.

EXTENSION OF EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY REGARDING LOANS.49
^{49}
Sec. 1607 amended sec. 166 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7286).
SEC. 1608.
[7 U.S.C. 8784]

ASSIGNMENT OF PAYMENTS.
(a)

In General.—
The provisions of section 8(g) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(g)), relating to assignment of payments, shall apply to payments made under this title.
(b)

Notice.—
The producer making the assignment, or the assignee, shall provide the Secretary with notice, in such manner as the Secretary may require, of any assignment made under this section.
SEC. 1609.
[7 U.S.C. 8785]

TRACKING OF BENEFITS.
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may track the benefits provided, directly or indirectly, to individuals and entities under titles I and II and the amendments made by those titles.
SEC. 1610.

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION OF COTTON PRICE FORECASTS.50
^{50}
Sec. 1610 amended sec. 15 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j).
SEC. 1611.
[7 U.S.C. 8786]

PREVENTION OF DECEASED INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING PAYMENTS UNDER FARM COMMODITY PROGRAMS.
(a)

Regulations.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations that—
(1)
describe the circumstances under which, in order to allow for the settlement of estates and for related purposes, payments may be issued in the name of a deceased individual; and
(2)
preclude the issuance of payments to, and on behalf of, deceased individuals that were not eligible for the payments.
(b)

Coordination.—
At least twice each year, the Secretary shall reconcile the social security numbers of all individuals who receive payments under this title, whether directly or indirectly, with the Social Security Administration to determine if the individuals are alive.
SEC. 1612.
[7 U.S.C. 8787]

HARD WHITE WHEAT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Eligible hard white wheat seed.—
The term “eligible hard white wheat seed” means hard white wheat seed that, as determined by the Secretary, is—
(A)
certified;
(B)
of a variety that is suitable for the State in which the seed will be planted;
(C)
rated at least superior with respect to quality; and
(D)
specifically approved under a seed establishment program established by the State Department of Agriculture and the State Wheat Commission of the 1 or more States in which the seed will be planted.
(2)

Program.—
The term “program” means the hard white wheat development program established under subsection (b)(1).
(3)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Departments of Agriculture and the State Wheat Commissions of the States in regions in which hard white wheat is produced, as determined by the Secretary.
(b)

Establishment.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a hard white wheat development program in accordance with paragraph (2) to promote the establishment of hard white wheat as a viable market class of wheat in the United States by encouraging production of at least 240,000,000 bushels of hard white wheat by 2012.
(2)

Payments.—
(A)

In general.—
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C) and subsection (c), if funds are made available for any of the 2009 through 2012 crops of hard white wheat, the Secretary shall make available incentive payments to producers of those crops.
(B)

Acreage limitation.—
The Secretary shall carry out subparagraph (A) subject to a regional limitation determined by the Secretary on the number of acres for which payments may be received that takes into account planting history and potential planting, but does not exceed a total of 2,900,000 acres or the equivalent volume of production based on a yield of 50 bushels per acre.
(C)

Payment limitations.—
Payments to producers on a farm described in subparagraph (A) shall be—
(i)
in an amount that is not less than $0.20 per bushel; and
(ii)
in an amount that is not less than $2.00 per acre for planting eligible hard white wheat seed.
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $35,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
SEC. 1613.
[7 U.S.C. 8788]

DURUM WHEAT QUALITY PROGRAM.
(a)

In General.—
Subject to the availability of funds under subsection (c), the Secretary shall provide compensation to producers of durum wheat in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the actual cost of fungicides applied to a crop of durum wheat of the producers to control Fusarium head blight (wheat scab) on acres certified to have been planted to Durum wheat in a crop year.
(b)

Insufficient Funds.—
If the total amount of funds appropriated for a fiscal year under subsection (c) are insufficient to fulfill all eligible requests for compensation under this section, the Secretary shall prorate the compensation payments in a manner determined by the Secretary to be equitable.
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
SEC. 1614.
[7 U.S.C. 8789]

STORAGE FACILITY LOANS.
(a)

In General.—
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a storage facility loan program to provide funds for producers of grains, oilseeds, pulse crops, hay, renewable biomass, and other storable commodities (other than sugar), as determined by the Secretary, to construct or upgrade storage and handling facilities for the commodities.
(b)

Eligible Producers.—
A storage facility loan under this section shall be made available to any producer described in subsection (a) that, as determined by the Secretary—
(1)
has a satisfactory credit history;
(2)
has a need for increased storage capacity; and
(3)
demonstrates an ability to repay the loan.
(c)

Term of Loans.—
A storage facility loan under this section shall have a maximum term of 12 years.
(d)

Loan Amount.—
The maximum principal amount of a storage facility loan under this section shall be $500,000.
(e)

Loan Disbursements.—
The Secretary shall provide for 1 partial disbursement of loan principal and 1 final disbursement of loan principal, as determined to be appropriate and subject to acceptable documentation, to facilitate the purchase and construction of eligible facilities.
(f)

Loan Security.—
Approval of a storage facility loan under this section shall—
(1)
require the borrower to provide loan security to the Secretary, in the form of—
(A)
a lien on the real estate parcel on which the storage facility is located; or
(B)
such other security as is acceptable to the Secretary;
(2)
under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, not require a severance agreement from the holder of any prior lien on the real estate parcel on which the storage facility is located, if the borrower—
(A)
agrees to increase the down payment on the storage facility by an amount determined appropriate by the Secretary; or
(B)
provides other security acceptable to the Secretary; and
(3)
allow a borrower, upon the approval of the Secretary, to define a subparcel of real estate as security for the storage facility loan if the subparcel is—
(A)
of adequate size and value to adequately secure the loan; and
(B)
not subject to any other liens or mortgages that are superior to the lien interest of the Commodity Credit Corporation.
SEC. 1615.

STATE, COUNTY, AND AREA COMMITTEES.51
^{51}
Sec. 1615 amended sec. 8(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)).
SEC. 1616.

PROHIBITION ON CHARGING CERTAIN FEES.52
^{52}
Sec. 1616 amended Public Law 108–470 (7 U.S.C. 7416a).
SEC. 1617.
[7 U.S.C. 8790]

SIGNATURE AUTHORITY.
(a)

In General.—
In carrying out this title and title II and amendments made by those titles, if the Secretary approves a document, the Secretary shall not subsequently determine the document is inadequate or invalid because of the lack of authority of any person signing the document on behalf of the applicant or any other individual, entity, general partnership, or joint venture, or the documents relied upon were determined inadequate or invalid, unless the person signing the program document knowingly and willfully falsified the evidence of signature authority or a signature.
(b)

Affirmation.—
(1)

In general.—
Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary from asking a proper party to affirm any document that otherwise would be considered approved under subsection (a).
(2)

No retroactive effect.—
A denial of benefits based on a lack of affirmation under paragraph (1) shall not be retroactive with respect to third-party producers who were not the subject of the erroneous representation of authority, if the third-party producers—
(A)
relied on the prior approval by the Secretary of the documents in good faith; and
(B)
substantively complied with all program requirements 53
^{53}
So in original. Probably should be a period.
SEC. 1618.

MODERNIZATION OF FARM SERVICE AGENCY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report prepared by a third party that describes—
(1)
the data processing and information technology challenges experienced in local offices of the Farm Service Agency;
(2)
the impact of those challenges on service to producers, on efficiency of personnel, and on implementation of this Act;
(3)
the need for information technology system upgrades of the Farm Service Agency relative to other agencies of the Department of Agriculture;
(4)
the detailed plan needed to fulfill the needs of the Department that are identified in paragraph (3), including hardware, software, and infrastructure requirements;
(5)
the estimated cost and timeframe for long-term modernization and stabilization of Farm Service Agency information technology systems;
(6)
the benefits associated with such modernization and stabilization; and
(7)
an evaluation of the existence of appropriate oversight within the Department to ensure that funds needed for systems upgrades can be appropriately managed.
SEC. 1619.
[7 U.S.C. 8791]

INFORMATION GATHERING.
(a)

Geospatial Systems.—
The Secretary shall ensure that all the geospatial data of the agencies of the Department of Agriculture are portable and standardized.
(b)

Limitation on Disclosures.—
(1)

Definition of agricultural operation.—
In this subsection, the term “agricultural operation” includes the production and marketing of agricultural commodities and livestock.
(2)

Prohibition.—
Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), the Secretary, any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture, or any contractor or cooperator of the Department, shall not disclose—
(A)
information provided by an agricultural producer or owner of agricultural land concerning the agricultural operation, farming or conservation practices, or the land itself, in order to participate in programs of the Department; or
(B)
geospatial information otherwise maintained by the Secretary about agricultural land or operations for which information described in subparagraph (A) is provided.
(3)

Authorized disclosures.—
(A)

Limited release of information.—
If the Secretary determines that the information described in paragraph (2) will not be subsequently disclosed except in accordance with paragraph (4), the Secretary may release or disclose the information to a person or Federal, State, local, or tribal agency working in cooperation with the Secretary in any Department program—
(i)
when providing technical or financial assistance with respect to the agricultural operation, agricultural land, or farming or conservation practices; or
(ii)
when responding to a disease or pest threat to agricultural operations, if the Secretary determines that a threat to agricultural operations exists and the disclosure of information to a person or cooperating government entity is necessary to assist the Secretary in responding to the disease or pest threat as authorized by law.
(4)

Exceptions.—
Nothing in this subsection affects—
(A)
the disclosure of payment information (including payment information and the names and addresses of recipients of payments) under any Department program that is otherwise authorized by law;
(B)
the disclosure of information described in paragraph (2) if the information has been transformed into a statistical or aggregate form without naming any—
(i)
individual owner, operator, or producer; or
(ii)
specific data gathering site; or
(C)
the disclosure of information described in paragraph (2) pursuant to the consent of the agricultural producer or owner of agricultural land.
(5)

Condition of other programs.—
The participation of the agricultural producer or owner of agricultural land in, or receipt of any benefit under, any program administered by the Secretary may not be conditioned on the consent of the agricultural producer or owner of agricultural land under paragraph (4)(C).
(6)

Waiver of privilege or protection.—
The disclosure of information under paragraph (2) shall not constitute a waiver of any applicable privilege or protection under Federal law, including trade secret protection.
SEC. 1620.

LEASING OF OFFICE SPACE.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that describes—
(1)
the costs and time associated with complying with leasing procedures of the General Services Administration relative to the previous independent leasing procedures of the Department of Agriculture;
(2)
the additional staffing needs associated with complying with those procedures; and
(3)
the value added to the leasing process and the ability of the Department to secure best-value leases by complying with the General Services Administration leasing procedures.
SEC. 1621.
[7 U.S.C. 8792]

GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Agricultural commodity.—
The term “agricultural commodity” has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(2)

Geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher.—
The term “geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 10906(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2204 note; Public Law 107–171).
(b)

Authorization.—
Subject to the availability of funds under subsection (d), the Secretary may provide geographically disadvantaged farmers or ranchers direct reimbursement payments for activities described in subsection (c).
(c)

Transportation.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary may provide direct reimbursement payments to a geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher to transport an agricultural commodity, or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity, during a fiscal year.
(2)

Proof of eligibility.—
To be eligible to receive assistance under paragraph (1), a geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher shall demonstrate to the Secretary that transportation of the agricultural commodity or inputs occurred over a distance of more than 30 miles, as determined by the Secretary.
(3)

Amount.—
(A)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of direct reimbursement payments made to a geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher under this section for a fiscal year shall equal the product obtained by multiplying—
(i)
the amount of costs incurred by the geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher for transportation of the agricultural commodity or inputs during the fiscal year; and
(ii)
(I)
the percentage of the allowance for that fiscal year under section 5941 of title 5, United States Code, for Federal employees stationed in Alaska and Hawaii; or
(II)
in the case of an insular area (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), a comparable percentage of the allowance for the fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary.
(B)

Limitation.—
The total amount of direct reimbursement payments provided by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed $15,000,000 for a fiscal year.
(d)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year 2009 and each succeeding fiscal year.
SEC. 1622.
[7 U.S.C. 8793]

IMPLEMENTATION.
The Secretary shall make available to the Farm Service Agency to carry out this title $50,000,000.
SEC. 1623.

REPEALS.
(a)

Commission on Application of Payment Limitations.—54
^{54}
Sec. 1623(a) repealed sec. 1605 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7993).
(b)

Renewed Availability of Market Loss Assistance and Certain Emergency Assistance to Persons That Failed To Receive Assistance Under Earlier Authorities.—55
^{55}
Sec. 1623(b) repealed sec. 1617 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8000).
* * * * * * *
TITLE III—

TRADE
* * * * * * *
Subtitle C—

Miscellaneous
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3202.
[22 U.S.C. 2220a note; Public Law 110–246]

GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST.
(a)

Contribution.—
The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall contribute funds to endow the Global Crop Diversity Trust (referred to in this section as the “Trust”) to assist in the conservation of genetic diversity in food crops through the collection and storage of the germplasm of food crops in a manner that provides for—
(1)
the maintenance and storage of seed collections;
(2)
the documentation and cataloguing of the genetics and characteristics of conserved seeds to ensure efficient reference for researchers, plant breeders, and the public;
(3)
building the capacity of seed collection in developing countries;
(4)
making information regarding crop genetic data publicly available for researchers, plant breeders, and the public (including through the provision of an accessible Internet website);
(5)
the operation and maintenance of a back-up facility in which are stored duplicate samples of seeds, in the case of natural or man-made disasters; and
(6)
oversight designed to ensure international coordination of those actions and efficient, public accessibility to that diversity through a cost-effective system.
(b)

United States Contribution Limit.—
(1)

In general.—
The aggregate contributions of funds of the Federal Government provided to the Trust shall not exceed—
(A)
for the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, 25 percent of the total amount of funds contributed to the Trust from all sources; and
(B)
subject to paragraph (2), effective beginning with fiscal year 2019, 33 percent of the total amount of funds contributed to the Trust from all sources.
(2)

Annual limitation.—
The contributions of funds of the Federal Government provided to the Trust shall not exceed $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $60,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3205.
[22 U.S.C. 7112 note; Public Law 110–246]

CONSULTATIVE GROUP TO ELIMINATE THE USE OF CHILD LABOR AND FORCED LABOR IN IMPORTED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Child labor.—
The term “child labor” means the worst forms of child labor as defined in International Labor Convention 182, the Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor, done at Geneva on June 17, 1999.
(2)

Consultative group.—
The term “Consultative Group” means the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products established under subsection (b).
(3)

Forced labor.—
The term “forced labor” means all work or service—
(A)
that is exacted from any individual under menace of any penalty for nonperformance of the work or service, and for which—
(i)
the work or service is not offered voluntarily; or
(ii)
the work or service is performed as a result of coercion, debt bondage, or involuntary servitude (as those terms are defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102)); and
(B)
by 1 or more individuals who, at the time of performing the work or service, were being subjected to a severe form of trafficking in persons (as that term is defined in that section).
(b)

Establishment.—
There is established a group to be known as the “Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products” to develop recommendations relating to guidelines to reduce the likelihood that agricultural products or commodities imported into the United States are produced with the use of forced labor and child labor.
(c)

Duties.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act and in accordance with section 105(d) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)), as applicable to the importation of agricultural products made with the use of child labor or forced labor, the Consultative Group shall develop, and submit to the Secretary, recommendations relating to a standard set of practices for independent, third-party monitoring and verification for the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products or commodities to reduce the likelihood that agricultural products or commodities imported into the United States are produced with the use of forced labor or child labor.
(2)

Guidelines.—
(A)

In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary receives recommendations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall release guidelines for a voluntary initiative to enable entities to address issues raised by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).
(B)

Requirements.—
Guidelines released under subparagraph (A) shall be published in the Federal Register and made available for public comment for a period of 90 days.
(d)

Membership.—
The Consultative Group shall be composed of not more than 13 individuals, of whom—
(1)
2 members shall represent the Department of Agriculture, as determined by the Secretary;
(2)
1 member shall be the Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs of the Department of Labor;
(3)
1 member shall represent the Department of State, as determined by the Secretary of State;
(4)
3 members shall represent private agriculture-related enterprises, which may include retailers, food processors, importers, and producers, of whom at least 1 member shall be an importer, food processor, or retailer who utilizes independent, third-party supply chain monitoring for forced labor or child labor;
(5)
2 members shall represent institutions of higher education and research institutions, as determined appropriate by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the Department of Labor;
(6)
1 member shall represent an organization that provides independent, third-party certification services for labor standards for producers or importers of agricultural commodities or products; and
(7)
3 members shall represent organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that have expertise on the issues of international child labor and do not possess a conflict of interest associated with establishment of the guidelines issued under subsection (c)(2), as determined by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the Department of Labor, including representatives from consumer organizations and trade unions, if appropriate.
(e)

Chairperson.—
A representative of the Department of Agriculture appointed under subsection (d)(1), as determined by the Secretary, shall serve as the chairperson of the Consultative Group.
(f)

Requirements.—
Not less than 4 times per year, the Consultative Group shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, after reasonable notice to all members, to develop recommendations described in subsection (c)(1).
(g)

Nonapplicability of FACA.—
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Consultative Group.
(h)

Annual Reports.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through December 31, 2012, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Agriculture and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the activities and recommendations of the Consultative Group.
(i)

Termination of Authority.—
The Consultative Group shall terminate on December 31, 2012.
SEC. 3206.
[7 U.S.C. 1726c]

LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD AID PROCUREMENT PROJECTS.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Administrator.—
The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Agency for International Development.
(2)

Appropriate committee of congress.—
The term “appropriate committee of Congress” means—
(A)
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
(B)
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
(C)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(3)

Eligible commodity.—
The term “eligible commodity” means an agricultural commodity (or the product of an agricultural commodity) that—
(A)
is produced in, and procured from, a developing country; and
(B)
at a minimum, meets each nutritional, quality, and labeling standard of the country that receives the agricultural commodity, as determined by the Secretary.
(4)

Eligible organization.—
The term “eligible organization” means an organization that is—
(A)
described in section 202(d) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(d)); and
(B)
with respect to nongovernmental organizations, subject to regulations promulgated or guidelines issued to carry out this section, including United States audit requirements that are applicable to nongovernmental organizations.
(b)

Field-Based Projects.—
(1)

In general.—
In accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible organizations to carry out field-based projects that consist of local or regional procurements of eligible commodities to respond to food crises and disasters in accordance with this section.
(2)

Consultation with administrator.—
In carrying out the development and implementation of field-based projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator.
(c)

Procurement.—
(1)

In general.—
Any eligible commodity that is procured for a field-based project carried out under subsection (b) shall be procured through any approach or methodology that the Secretary considers to be an effective approach or methodology to provide adequate information regarding the manner by which to expedite, to the maximum extent practicable, the provision of food aid to affected populations without significantly increasing commodity costs for low-income consumers who procure commodities sourced from the same markets at which the eligible commodity is procured.
(2)

Requirements.—
(A)

Impact on local farmers and countries.—
The Secretary shall ensure that the local or regional procurement of any eligible commodity under this section will not have a disruptive impact on farmers located in, or the economy of—
(i)
the recipient country of the eligible commodity; or
(ii)
any country in the region in which the eligible commodity may be procured.
(B)

Transshipment.—
The Secretary shall, in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate, require from each eligible organization commitments designed to prevent or restrict—
(i)
the resale or transshipment of any eligible commodity procured under this section to any country other than the recipient country; and
(ii)
the use of the eligible commodity for any purpose other than food aid.
(C)

World prices.—
(i)

In general.—
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall take any precaution that the Secretary considers to be reasonable to ensure that the procurement of eligible commodities will not unduly disrupt—
(I)
world prices for agricultural commodities; or
(II)
normal patterns of commercial trade with foreign countries.
(ii)

Procurement price.—
The procurement of any eligible commodity shall be made at a reasonable market price with respect to the economy of the country in which the eligible commodity is procured, as determined by the Secretary.
(d)

Field-Based Project Grants or Cooperative Agreements.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible organizations to carry out field-based projects.
(2)

Requirements of eligible organizations.—
(B)

Other applicable requirements.—
Any other applicable requirement relating to the submission of proposals for consideration shall apply to the submission of an application required under subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary.
(A)

In general.—
To be eligible to receive a grant from, or enter into a cooperative agreement with, the Secretary under this subsection, an eligible organization shall submit to the Secretary an application by such date, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(B)

Other applicable requirements.—
Any other applicable requirement relating to the submission of proposals for consideration shall apply to the submission of an application required under subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary.
(3)

Requirements of secretary.—
(A)

Project diversity.—
(i)

In general.—
Subject to clause (ii) and subparagraph (B), in selecting proposals for field-based projects to fund under this section, the Secretary shall select a diversity of projects, including projects located in—
(I)
food surplus regions;
(II)
food deficit regions (that are carried out using regional procurement methods); and
(III)
multiple geographical regions.
(ii)

Priority.—
In selecting proposals for field-based projects under clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that the majority of selected proposals are for field-based projects that—
(I)
are located in Africa; and
(II)
procure eligible commodities that are produced in Africa.
(B)

Development assistance.—
A portion of the funds provided under this subsection shall be made available for field-based projects that provide development assistance for a period of not less than 1 year.
(e)

Funding.—
(1)

Authorization of appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
(2)

Preference.—
In carrying out this section, the Secretary may give a preference to eligible organizations that have, or are working toward, projects under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program established under section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o–1).
(3)

Reporting.—
Each year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the use of funds under this section, including—
(A)
the impact of procurements and projects on—
(i)
local and regional agricultural producers; and
(ii)
markets and consumers, including low-income consumers; and
(B)
implementation time frames and costs.
TITLE IV—

NUTRITION
* * * * * * *
Subtitle C—

Child Nutrition and Related Programs
SEC. 4301.
[42 U.S.C. 1758a]

STATE PERFORMANCE ON ENROLLING CHILDREN RECEIVING PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS.
(a)

In General.—
Not later than December 31, 2008 and June 30 of each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that assesses the effectiveness of each State in enrolling school-aged children in households receiving program benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) (referred to in this section as “program benefits”) for free school meals using direct certification.
(b)

Specific Measures.—
The assessment of the Secretary of the performance of each State shall include—
(1)
an estimate of the number of school-aged children, by State, who were members of a household receiving program benefits at any time in July, August, or September of the prior year;
(2)
an estimate of the number of school-aged children, by State, who were directly certified as eligible for free lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), based on receipt of program benefits, as of October 1 of the prior year; and
(3)
an estimate of the number of school-aged children, by State, who were members of a household receiving program benefits at any time in July, August, or September of the prior year who were not candidates for direct certification because on October 1 of the prior year the children attended a school operating under the special assistance provisions of section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1)) that is not operating in a base year.
(c)

Performance Innovations.—
The report of the Secretary shall describe best practices from States with the best performance or the most improved performance from the previous year.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 4305.
[42 U.S.C. 1755a]

WHOLE GRAIN PRODUCTS.
(a)

Purpose.—
The purpose of this section is to encourage greater awareness and interest in the number and variety of whole grain products available to schoolchildren, as recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
(b)

Definition of Eligible Whole Grains and Whole Grain Products.—
In this section, the terms “whole grains” and “whole grain products” have the meaning given the terms by the Food and Nutrition Service in the HealthierUS School Challenge.
(c)

Purchase of Whole Grains and Whole Grain Products.—
In addition to the commodities delivered under section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755), the Secretary shall purchase whole grains and whole grain products for use in—
(1)
the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); and
(2)
the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
(d)

Evaluation.—
Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the activities conducted under subsection (c) that includes—
(1)
an evaluation of whether children participating in the school lunch and breakfast programs increased their consumption of whole grains;
(2)
an evaluation of which whole grains and whole grain products are most acceptable for use in the school lunch and breakfast programs;
(3)
any recommendations of the Secretary regarding the integration of whole grain products in the school lunch and breakfast programs; and
(4)
an evaluation of any other outcomes determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(e)

Report.—
As soon as practicable after the completion of the evaluation under subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representative a report describing the results of the evaluation.
SEC. 4306.
[7 U.S.C. 2208 note]

BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS.
(a)

Findings.—
The Congress finds the following:
(1)
Federal law requires that commodities and products purchased with Federal funds be, to the extent practicable, of domestic origin.
(2)
Federal Buy American statutory requirements seek to ensure that purchases made with Federal funds benefit domestic producers.
(3)
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) requires the use of domestic food products for all meals served under the program, including food products purchased with local funds.
(b)

Buy American Statutory Requirements.—
The Department of Agriculture should undertake training, guidance, and enforcement of the various current Buy American statutory requirements and regulations, including those of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
* * * * * * *
Subtitle D—

Miscellaneous
* * * * * * *
SEC. 4403.
[7 U.S.C. 5311a]

JOINT NUTRITION MONITORING AND RELATED RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.
The Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall continue to provide jointly for national nutrition monitoring and related research activities carried out as of the date of enactment of this Act—
(1)
to collect continuous dietary, health, physical activity, and diet and health knowledge data on a nationally representative sample;
(2)
to periodically collect data on special at-risk populations, as identified by the Secretaries;
(3)
to distribute information on health, nutrition, the environment, and physical activity to the public in a timely fashion;
(4)
to analyze new data that becomes available;
(5)
to continuously update food composition tables; and
(6)
to research and develop data collection methods and standards.
SEC. 4404.
[7 U.S.C. 612c–5]

SECTION 32 FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND NUTS TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a)

Funding for Additional Purchases of Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts.—
In addition to the purchases of fruits, vegetables, and nuts required by section 10603 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c–4), the Secretary of Agriculture shall purchase fruits, vegetables, and nuts for the purpose of providing nutritious foods for use in domestic nutrition assistance programs, using, of the funds made available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), the following amounts:
(1)
$190,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(2)
$193,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(3)
$199,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(4)
$203,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(5)
$206,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(b)

Form of Purchases.—
Fruits, vegetables, and nuts may be purchased under this section in the form of frozen, canned, dried, or fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
(c)

Purchase of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Distribution to Schools and Service Institutions.—
Section 10603 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c–4) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
“(b)

Purchase of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Distribution to Schools and Service Institutions.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall purchase 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 (42 U.S.C. 1755(a)) using, of the amount specified in subsection (a), not less than $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.”
.
SEC. 4405.
[7 U.S.C. 7517]

THE GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a)

In General.—
In this section:
(1)

Eligible entity.—
The term “eligible entity” means a governmental agency or nonprofit organization.
(2)

Emergency feeding organization.—
The term “emergency feeding organization” has the meaning given the term in section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501).
(3)

Supplemental nutrition assistance program.—
The term “supplemental nutrition assistance program”means—
(A)
the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); and
(B)
the programs for nutrition assistance under section 19 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2028).
(4)

Healthcare partner.—
The term “healthcare partner” means a healthcare provider, including—
(A)
a hospital;
(B)
a Federally-qualified health center (as defined in section 1905(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)));
(C)
a hospital or clinic operated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
(D)
a healthcare provider group.
(5)

Member.—
The term “member” means, as determined by the applicable eligible entity or healthcare partner carrying out a project under subsection (c) in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary—
(A)
an individual eligible for—
(i)
benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or
(ii)
medical assistance under a State plan or a waiver of such a plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and enrolled under such plan or waiver; and
(B)
a member of a low-income household that suffers from, or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health condition.
(b)

Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grants.—
(1)

Authorization.—
(A)

In general.—
In each of the years specified in subsection (c), the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities in accordance with paragraph (2).
(B)

Partners and collaborators.—
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection may partner with, or make subgrants to, public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities, including—
(i)
an emergency feeding organization;
(ii)
an agricultural cooperative;
(iii)
a producer network or association;
(iv)
a community health organization;
(v)
a public benefit corporation;
(vi)
an economic development corporation;
(vii)
a farmers’ market;
(viii)
a community-supported agriculture program;
(ix)
a buying club;
(x)
a retail food store participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
(xi)
a State, local, or tribal agency;
(xii)
another eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection; and
(xiii)
any other entity the Secretary designates.
(C)

Federal share.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (D)(iii), the Federal share of the cost of carrying out an activity under this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the activity.
(D)

Non-Federal share.—
(i)

In general.—
The non-Federal share of the cost of an activity under this subsection may be provided—
(I)
in cash or in-kind contributions as determined by the Secretary, including facilities, equipment, or services; and
(II)
by a State or local government or a private source.
(ii)

Limitation.—
In the case of a for-profit entity, the non-Federal share described in clause (i) shall not include services of an employee, including salaries paid or expenses covered by the employer.
(iii)

Tribal agencies.—
The Secretary may allow a Tribal agency to use funds provided to the Indian Tribe of the Tribal agency through a Federal agency (including the Indian Health Service) or other Federal benefit to satisfy all or part of the non-Federal share described in clause (i) if such use is otherwise consistent with the purpose of such funds.
(2)

Criteria.—
(A)

In general.—
To receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall—
(i)
meet the application criteria set forth by the Secretary; and
(ii)
propose a project that, at a minimum—
(I)
has the support of the State agency administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
(II)
would increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program by providing an incentive for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at the point of purchase to a household purchasing food with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits;
(III)
except in the case of projects receiving $100,000 or less over 1 year, would measure the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
(IV)
ensures that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by individuals with benefits issued under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and incentives provided for in this subsection as apply to purchases made by individuals who are not members of households receiving benefits, such as provided for in section 278.2(b) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation);
(V)
has adequate plans to collect data for reporting and agrees to provide that information for the report described in subsection (e)(2)(B)(iii); and
(VI)
would share information with the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers established under subsection (e).
(B)

Priority.—
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that—
(i)
maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;
(ii)
use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;
(iii)
demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;
(iv)
provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables;
(v)
include a project design—
(I)
that provides incentives when fruits or vegetables are purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and
(II)
in which the incentives earned may be used only to purchase fruits or vegetables;
(vi)
have demonstrated the ability to provide services to underserved communities;
(vii)
include coordination with multiple stakeholders, such as farm organizations, nutrition education programs, cooperative extension services, public health departments, health providers, private and public health insurance agencies, cooperative grocers, grocery associations, and community-based and nongovernmental organizations;
(viii)
offer supplemental services in high-need communities, including online ordering, transportation between home and store, and delivery services;
(ix)
include food retailers that are open—
(I)
for extended hours; and
(II)
most or all days of the year; or
(x)
address other criteria as established by the Secretary.
(c)

Produce Prescription Program.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall establish a grant program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to conduct projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of the projects on—
(A)
the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables;
(B)
the reduction of individual and household food insecurity; and
(C)
the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs.
(2)

Healthcare partners.—
In carrying out a project using a grant received under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall partner with 1 or more healthcare partners.
(3)

Grant applications.—
(A)

In general.—
To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity—
(i)
shall—
(I)
prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to members;
(II)
submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the information described in subparagraph (B); and
(ii)
may—
(I)
provide financial or non-financial incentives for members to purchase or procure fresh fruits and vegetables;
(II)
provide educational resources on nutrition to members; and
(III)
establish additional accessible locations for members to procure fresh fruits and vegetables.
(B)

Application.—
An application shall—
(i)
identify the 1 or more healthcare partners with which the eligible entity is partnering under paragraph (2); and
(ii)
include—
(I)
a description of the methods by which an eligible entity shall—
- (aa)
screen and verify eligibility for members for participation in a produce prescription project, in accordance with procedures established under subsection (a)(5);
- (bb)
implement an effective produce prescription project, including the role of each healthcare partner in implementing the produce prescription project;
- (cc)
evaluate members participating in a produce prescription project with respect to the matters described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1);
- (dd)
provide educational opportunities relating to nutrition to members participating in a produce prescription project; and
- (ee)
inform members of the availability of the produce prescription project, including locations at which produce prescriptions may be redeemed;
(II)
a description of any additional nonprofit or emergency feeding organizations that shall be involved in the project and the role of each additional nonprofit or emergency feeding organization in implementing and evaluating an effective produce prescription project;
(III)
documentation of a partnership agreement with a relevant State Medicaid agency or other appropriate entity, as determined by the Secretary, to evaluate the effectiveness of the produce prescription project in reducing healthcare use and associated costs;
(IV)
adequate plans to collect data for reporting and agreement to provide that information for the report described in subsection (e)(2)(B)(iii); and
(V)
agreement to share information with the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers established under subsection (e).
(4)

Coordination.—
In carrying out the grant program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies that carry out activities relating to healthcare partners.
(5)

Partnerships.—
(A)

In general.—
In carrying out the grant program under paragraph (1), the Secretary may enter into 1 or more memoranda of understanding with a Federal agency, a State, or a private entity to ensure the effective implementation and evaluation of each project.
(B)

Memorandum of understanding.—
A memorandum of understanding entered into under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i)
a description of a plan to provide educational opportunities relating to nutrition to members participating in produce prescription projects;
(ii)
a description of the role of the Federal agency, State, or private entity, as applicable, in implementing and evaluating an effective produce prescription project; and
(iii)
documentation of a partnership agreement with a relevant State Medicaid agency or other appropriate entity, as determined by the Secretary.
(d)

Applicability.—
(1)

In general.—
The value of any benefit provided to a participant in any activity funded under subsections (b) or (c) shall be treated as supplemental nutrition benefits under section 8(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2017(b)).
(2)

Prohibition on collection of sales taxes.—
Each State shall ensure that no State or local tax is collected on a purchase of food with assistance provided under subsections (b) and (c).
(3)

No limitation on benefits.—
Grants made available under subsections (b) and (c) shall not be used to carry out any project that limits the use of benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) or any other Federal nutrition law.
(4)

Household allotment.—
Assistance provided under subsections (b) and (c) to households receiving benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program shall not—
(A)
be considered part of the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits of the household; or
(B)
be used in the collection or disposition of claims under section 13 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2022).
(e)

Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall—
(A)
establish 1 or more Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and
(B)
to the extent practicable, consult on the design and scope of such Centers with grocers, farmers, health professionals, researchers, incentive program managers, and employees of the Department of Agriculture with direct experience with implementation of existing incentive programs or projects.
(2)

Establishment.—
The Centers shall be capable of providing services related to grants under subsections (b) and (c), including—
(A)
offering incentive program training and technical assistance to applicants and grantees to the extent practicable, including—
(i)
collecting and providing information on best practices that may include communications, signage, record-keeping, incentive instruments, development and integration of point of sale systems, and reporting;
(ii)
disseminating information and assisting with collaboration among grantee projects, applicable State agencies, and nutrition education programs;
(iii)
facilitating communication between grantees and the Department of Agriculture and applicable State agencies; and
(iv)
providing support for the development of best practices for produce prescription projects and the sharing of information among eligible entities and healthcare providers that participate in a produce prescription project under subsection (c); and
(v)
other services identified by the Secretary; and
(B)
creating a system to collect and compile core data sets from eligible entities that—
(i)
uses standard metrics with consideration of outcome measures for existing projects;
(ii)
includes to the extent practicable grocers, farmers, health professionals, researchers, incentive program managers, and employees of the Department of Agriculture with direct experience with implementation of existing incentive programs in the design of the instrument through which data will be collected and the mechanism for reporting;
(iii)
compiles project data from grantees, and beginning in fiscal year 2020 generates an annual report to Congress on grant outcomes, including—
(I)
the results of the project; and
(II)
the amount of grant funds used for the project; and
(iv)
creates and maintains a publicly accessible online site that makes annual reports and incentive program information available in an anonymized format that protects confidential, personal, or other sensitive data.
(3)

Cooperative agreement.—
(A)

In general.—
To carry out paragraph (1), the Secretary may, on a competitive basis, enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements with 1 or more organizations with expertise in developing outcome-based reporting, at least 1 of which has expertise in the food insecurity nutrition incentive program and at least 1 of which has expertise in produce prescription projects.
(B)

Inclusion.—
The organizations referred to in subparagraph (A) may include—
(i)
nongovernmental organizations;
(ii)
State cooperative extension services;
(iii)
regional food system centers;
(iv)
Federal, State, or Tribal agencies;
(v)
institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))); or
(vi)
other appropriate entities as determined by the Secretary.
(f)

Funding.—
(1)

Authorization of appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
(2)

Mandatory funding.—
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section—
(A)
$35,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2014 and 2015;
(B)
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017;
(C)56
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
^{56}
Paragraph (2) has two subparagraph (C)s’ so in law. The second one was added by section 4205(a)(4)(B)(iv) of Public Law 115–334.
(C)56
$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
(D)
$48,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
(E)
$48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(F)
$53,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
(G)
$56,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(3)

Use of funds.—
With respect to funds made available under this section for fiscal years 2019 through 2023—
(A)
for each fiscal year the Secretary shall use not more than 10 percent of such funds available for such fiscal year for the produce prescription program described in subsection (c);
(B)
for each fiscal year not more than 8 percent of such funds available for such fiscal year shall be used by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Service for administration; and
(C)
the Secretary shall use for the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers established under subsection (e) not more than—
(i)
$17,000,000 in the aggregate for fiscal years 2019 and 2020; and
(ii)
$7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2023.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 4407.
[2 U.S.C. 1161 note]

EFFECTIVE AND IMPLEMENTATION DATES.
Except as otherwise provided in this title, this title and the amendments made by this title take effect on October 1, 2008.
* * * * * * *
TITLE VII—

RESEARCH AND RELATED MATTERS
* * * * * * *
Subtitle E—

Miscellaneous
PART I—

GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 7501.
[7 U.S.C. 7614]

DEFINITIONS.
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, in this subtitle:
(1)

Capacity and infrastructure program.—
The term “capacity and infrastructure program” has the meaning given the term in subsection (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as added by section 7511(a)(4)).
(2)

Capacity and infrastructure program critical base funding.—
The term “capacity and infrastructure program critical base funding” means the aggregate amount of Federal funds made available for capacity and infrastructure programs for fiscal year 2006, as appropriate.
(3)

Competitive program.—
The term “competitive program” has the meaning given the term in subsection (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as added by section 7511(a)(4)).
(4)

Competitive program critical base funding.—
The term “competitive program critical base funding” means the aggregate amount of Federal funds made available for competitive programs for fiscal year 2006, as appropriate.
(5)

Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.—
The term “Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities” has the meaning given the term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
(6)

NLGCA institution.—
The term “NLGCA Institution” has the meaning given the term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
(7)

1862 institution; 1890 institution; 1994 institution.—
The terms “1862 Institution”, “1890 Institution”, and “1994 Institution” have the meanings given the terms in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601).
SEC. 7502.

GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY.
Except as otherwise specifically authorized by law and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal land and facilities at El Reno, Oklahoma, administered by the Secretary (as of the date of enactment of this Act) as the Grazinglands Research Laboratory, shall not at any time, in whole or in part, be declared to be excess or surplus Federal property under chapter 5 of subtitle I of title 40, United States Code, or otherwise be conveyed or transferred in whole or in part, for the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2026.
SEC. 7503.

FORT RENO SCIENCE PARK RESEARCH FACILITY.
The Secretary may lease land to the University of Oklahoma at the Grazinglands Research Laboratory at El Reno, Oklahoma, on such terms and conditions as the University and the Secretary may agree in furtherance of cooperative research and existing easement arrangements.
SEC. 7504.
[7 U.S.C. 7614a]

ROADMAP.
(a)

In General.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of Research, Education, and Economics (referred to in this section as the “Under Secretary”), shall commence preparation of a roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension that—
(1)
identifies current trends and constraints;
(2)
identifies major opportunities and gaps that no single entity within the Department of Agriculture would be able to address individually;
(3)
involves—
(A)
interested parties from the Federal Government and nongovernmental entities; and
(B)
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123);
(4)
incorporates roadmaps for agricultural research, education, and extension made publicly available by other Federal entities, agencies, or offices; and
(5)
describes recommended funding levels for areas of agricultural research, education, and extension, including—
(A)
competitive programs;
(B)
capacity and infrastructure programs, with attention to the future growth needs of—
(i)
small 1862 Institutions, 1890 Institutions, and 1994 Institutions;
(ii)
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities;
(iii)
NLGCA Institutions; and
(iv)
colleges of veterinary medicine; and
(C)
intramural programs at agencies within the research, education, and economics mission area; and
(6)
describes how organizational changes enacted by this Act have impacted agricultural research, extension, and education across the Department of Agriculture, including minimization of unnecessary programmatic and administrative duplication.
(b)

Reviewability.—
The roadmap described in this section shall not be subject to review by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary).
(c)

Roadmap Implementation and Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary commences preparation of the roadmap under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
implement and use the roadmap to set the research, education, and extension agenda of the Department of Agriculture; and
(2)
make the roadmap available to the public.
SEC. 7505.
[7 U.S.C. 7614b]

REVIEW OF PLAN OF WORK REQUIREMENTS.
(a)

Review.—
The Secretary shall work with university partners in extension and research to review and identify measures to streamline the submission, reporting under, and implementation of plan of work requirements, including those requirements under—
(1)
sections 1444(d) and 1445(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(d) and 3222(c), respectively);
(2)
section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361g); and
(3)
section 4 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 344).
(b)

Consultation.—
In carrying out the review and formulating and compiling the recommendations, the Secretary shall consult with the land-grant institutions.
SEC. 7506.
[7 U.S.C. 7614c]

BUDGET SUBMISSION AND FUNDING.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Covered program.—
The term “covered program” means—
(A)
each research program carried out by the Agricultural Research Service or the Economic Research Service for which annual appropriations are requested in the annual budget submission of the President; and
(B)
each competitive program carried out by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for which annual appropriations are requested in the annual budget submission of the President.
(2)

Request for applications.—
The term “request for applications” means a funding announcement published by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture that provides detailed information on funding opportunities at the Institute, including the purpose, eligibility, restriction, focus areas, evaluation criteria, regulatory information, and instructions on how to apply for such opportunities.
(b)

Budget Request.—
The President shall submit to Congress, together with the annual budget submission of the President, a single budget line item reflecting the total amount requested by the President for funding for research, education, and extension activities of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area of the Department for that fiscal year and for the preceding 5 fiscal years.
(c)

Capacity and Infrastructure Program Request.—
Of the funds requested for capacity and infrastructure programs in excess of the capacity and infrastructure program critical base funding level, budgetary emphasis should be placed on enhancing funding for—
(1)
1890 Institutions;
(2)
1994 Institutions;
(3)
NLGCA Institutions;
(4)
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; and
(5)
small 1862 Institutions.
(d)

Competitive Program Request.—
Of the funds requested for competitive programs in excess of the competitive program critical base funding level, budgetary emphasis should be placed on—
(1)
enhancing funding for emerging problems; and
(2)
finding solutions for those problems.
(e)

Additional Presidential Budget Submission Requirement.—
(1)

In general.—
Each year, the President shall submit to Congress for each funding request for a covered program—
(A)
in the case of the information described in paragraph (2), such information together with the annual budget submission of the President; and
(B)
in the case of any additional information described in paragraph (3), such additional information within a reasonable period that begins after the date of the annual budget submission of the President.
(2)

Information described.—
The information described in this paragraph includes—
(A)
baseline information, including with respect to each covered program—
(i)
the funding level for the program for the fiscal year preceding the year for which the annual budget submission of the President is submitted;
(ii)
the funding level requested in the annual budget submission of the President, including any increase or decrease in the funding level; and
(iii)
an explanation justifying any change from the funding level specified in clause (i) to the level specified in clause (ii);
(B)
with respect to each covered program that is carried out by the Economic Research Service or the Agricultural Research Service, the location and staff years of the program;
(C)
the proposed funding levels to be allocated to, and the expected publication date, scope, and allocation level for, each request for applications to be published under or associated with—
(i)
each grant and cooperative agreement awarded under subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);
(ii)
each priority area specified in subsection (b)(2) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2));
(iii)
each research and extension project carried out under section 1621(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811(a));
(iv)
each grant awarded under section 1672B(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b(a)); and
(v)
each grant awarded under section 412(d) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(d)); and
(D)
any other information the Secretary determines will increase congressional oversight with respect to covered programs.
(3)

Additional information described.—
The additional information described in this paragraph is information that the Secretary, after consulting with the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, determines is a necessary revision or clarification to the information described in paragraph (2).
(4)

Prohibition.—
Unless the President submits the information described in paragraph (2)(C) for a fiscal year, the President may not carry out any program during that fiscal year that is authorized under—
(A)
subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);
(B)
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b));
(C)
section 1621 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811);
(D)
section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b); or
(E)
section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632).
(f)

Report of the Secretary of Agriculture.—
Each year on a date that is not later than the date on which the President submits the annual budget, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing a description of the agricultural research, extension, and education activities carried out by the Federal Government during the fiscal year that immediately precedes the year for which the report is submitted, including—
(1)
a review of the extent to which those activities—
(A)
are duplicative or overlap within the Department of Agriculture; or
(B)
are similar to activities carried out by—
(i)
other Federal agencies;
(ii)
the States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and other territories or possessions of the United States);
(iii)
institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); or
(iv)
the private sector; and
(2)
for each report submitted under this section on or after January 1, 2014, a 5-year projection of national priorities with respect to agricultural research, extension, and education, taking into account domestic needs.
(g)

Interchangeability of Funds.—
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to limit the authority of the Secretary under section 702(b) of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2257(b)), with respect to the reprogramming or transfer of funds.
* * * * * * *
PART III—

NEW GRANT AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEC. 7521.
[7 U.S.C. 3202]

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS FOR THE STUDY OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary shall provide research and education grants, on a competitive basis—
(1)
to study the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including—
(A)
movement of antibiotic-resistant bacteria into groundwater and surface water; and
(B)
the effect on antibiotic resistance from various drug use regimens; and
(2)
to study and ensure the judicious use of antibiotics in veterinary and human medicine, including—
(A)
methods and practices of animal husbandry;
(B)
safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics;
(C)
the development of better veterinary diagnostics to improve decisionmaking; and
(D)
the identification of conditions or factors that affect antibiotic use on farms.
(b)

Administration.—
Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section.
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 7522.
[7 U.S.C. 5936]

FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall make competitive grants to eligible entities described in subsection (c) to establish a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network that provides stress assistance programs to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations.
(b)

Eligible Programs.—
Grants awarded under subsection (a) may be used—
(1)
to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through—
(A)
farm telephone helplines and websites;
(B)
training, including training programs and workshops, for—
(i)
advocates for individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; and
(ii)
other individuals and entities that may assist individuals who—
(I)
are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; and
(II)
are in crisis;
(C)
support groups; and
(D)
outreach services and activities, including the dissemination of information and materials; or
(2)
to enter into contracts, on a multiyear basis, with community-based, direct-service organizations to initiate, expand, or sustain programs described in paragraph (1) and subsection (a).
(c)

Eligible Recipients.—
The Secretary may award a grant under this section to—
(1)
an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
(2)
a State department of agriculture;
(3)
a State cooperative extension service;
(4)
a qualified nonprofit organization, as determined by the Secretary;
(5)
an entity providing appropriate services, as determined by the Secretary, in 1 or more States; or
(6)
a partnership carried out by 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
(d)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
(e)

Report to Congress.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit to Congress and any other relevant Federal department or agency, and make publicly available, a report describing the state of behavioral and mental health of individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture.
(2)

Contents.—
The report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
an inventory and assessment of efforts to support the behavioral and mental health of individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture by—
(i)
the Federal Government, States, and units of local government;
(ii)
communities comprised of those individuals;
(iii)
health care providers;
(iv)
State cooperative extension services; and
(v)
other appropriate entities, as determined by the Secretary;
(B)
a description of the challenges faced by individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture that may impact the behavioral and mental health of farmers and ranchers;
(C)
a description of how the Department of Agriculture can improve coordination and cooperation with Federal health departments and agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health, to best address the behavioral and mental health of individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture;
(D)
a long-term strategy for responding to the challenges described under subparagraph (B) and recommendations based on best practices for further action to be carried out by appropriate Federal departments or agencies to improve Federal Government response and seek to prevent suicide among individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; and
(E)
an evaluation of the impact that behavioral and mental health challenges and outcomes (including suicide) among individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture related occupations have on—
(i)
the agricultural workforce;
(ii)
agricultural production;
(iii)
rural families and communities; and
(iv)
succession planning.
(f)

State Defined.—
For purposes of this section, 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).
SEC. 7524.
[21 U.S.C. 113a note; Public Law 110–246]

LIVE VIRUS FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE RESEARCH.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary shall issue a permit required under section 12 of the Act of May 29, 1884 (21 U.S.C. 113a) to the Secretary of Homeland Security for work on the live virus of foot and mouth disease at any facility that is a successor to the Plum Island Animal Disease Center and charged with researching high-consequence biological threats involving zoonotic and foreign animal diseases (referred to in this section as the “successor facility”).
(b)

Limitation to Single Facility.—
Not more than 1 facility shall be issued a permit under subsection (a).
(c)

Limitation on Validity.—
The permit issued under this section shall be valid unless the Secretary determines that the study of live foot and mouth disease virus at the successor facility is not being carried out in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Secretary pursuant to the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401 et seq.).
(d)

Authority.—
The suspension, revocation, or other impairment of the permit issued under this section—
(1)
shall be made by the Secretary; and
(2)
is a nondelegable function.
SEC. 7525.
[7 U.S.C. 5937]

NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary shall establish within the Department a natural products research program.
(b)

Duties.—
In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate research relating to natural products, including—
(1)
research to improve human health and agricultural productivity through the discovery, development, and commercialization of products and agrichemicals from bioactive natural products, including products from plant, marine, and microbial sources;
(2)
research to characterize the botanical sources, production, chemistry, and biological properties of plant-derived natural products; and
(3)
other research priorities identified by the Secretary.
(c)

Peer and Merit Review.—
The Secretary shall—
(1)
determine the relevance and merit of research under this section through a system of peer review established by the Secretary pursuant to section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613); and
(2)
approve funding for research on the basis of merit, quality, and relevance to advancing the purposes of this section.
(d)

Buildings and Facilities.—
Funds made available under this section shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement and architect fees).
(e)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
SEC. 7526.
[7 U.S.C. 8114]

SUN GRANT PROGRAM.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary shall establish and carry out a program to provide grants to the sun grant centers and subcenter specified in subsection (b)—
(1)
to enhance national energy security through the development, distribution, and implementation of biobased energy technologies;
(2)
to promote diversification in, and the environmental sustainability of, agricultural production in the United States through biobased energy and product technologies;
(3)
to promote economic diversification in rural areas of the United States through biobased energy and product technologies; and
(4)
to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and biomass research and development programs through improved coordination and collaboration among—
(A)
the Department of Agriculture;
(B)
other appropriate Federal agencies (as determined by the Secretary); and
(C)
land-grant colleges and universities.
(b)

Grants.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall use amounts made available under subsection (g) to provide grants to each of the following:
(A)

North-central center.—
A north-central sun grant center for the region composed of the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
(B)

Southeastern center.—
A southeastern sun grant center for the region composed of—
(i)
the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia;
(ii)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(iii)
the United States Virgin Islands.
(C)

South-central center.—
A south-central sun grant center for the region composed of the States of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
(D)

Western center.—
A western sun grant center for the region composed of—
(i)
the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington; and
(ii)
insular areas (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103 (other than the insular areas referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (B))).
(E)

Northeastern center.—
A northeastern sun grant center for the region composed of the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
(F)

Western insular pacific subcenter.—
A western insular Pacific sun grant subcenter for the region of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
(2)

Manner of distribution.—
(A)

Centers.—
In providing any funds made available under subsection (g), the Secretary shall distribute the grants in equal amounts to the sun grant centers described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1).
(B)

Subcenter.—
The sun grant center described in paragraph (1)(D) shall allocate a portion of the funds received under paragraph (1) to the subcenter described in paragraph (1)(F) pursuant to guidance issued by the Secretary.
(3)

Failure to comply with requirements.—
If the Secretary finds on the basis of a review of the annual report required under subsection (f) or on the basis of an audit of a sun grant center or subcenter conducted by the Secretary that the center or subcenter has not complied with the requirements of this section, the sun grant center or subcenter shall be ineligible to receive further grants under this section for such period of time as may be prescribed by the Secretary.
(c)

Use of Funds.—
(1)

Competitive grants.—
(A)

In general.—
A sun grant center or subcenter shall use 75 percent of the funds described in subsection (b) to provide competitive grants to entities that are—
(i)
eligible to receive grants under subsection (b)(7) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(7)); and
(ii)
located in the region covered by the sun grant center or subcenter.
(B)

Activities.—
Grants described in subparagraph (A) shall be used by the grant recipient to conduct, in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a), multi-institutional and integrated, multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology development and technology implementation.
(C)

Administration.—
(i)

Peer and merit review.—
In making grants under this paragraph, a sun grant center or subcenter shall—
(I)
seek and accept proposals for grants;
(II)
determine the relevance and merit of proposals through a system of peer review similar to that established by the Secretary pursuant to section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613); and
(III)
award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and relevance to advancing the purposes of this section.
(ii)

Priority.—
A sun grant center or subcenter shall give a higher priority to programs that are consistent with the plan approved by the Secretary under subsection (d).
(iii)

Term.—
A grant awarded by a sun grant center or subcenter shall have a term that does not exceed 5 years.
(iv)

Matching funds required.—
(I)

In general.—
Except as provided in subclauses (II) and (III), as a condition of receiving a grant under this paragraph, the sun grant center or subcenter shall require that not less than 20 percent of the cost of an activity described in subparagraph (B) be matched with funds, including in-kind contributions, from a non-Federal source.
(II)

Exclusion.—
Subclause (I) shall not apply to fundamental research (as defined in subsection (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as added by section 7511(a)(4)).
(III)

Reduction.—
The sun grant center or subcenter may reduce or eliminate the requirement for non-Federal funds under subclause (I) for applied research (as defined in subsection (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as added by section 7511(a)(4)) if the sun grant center or subcenter determines that the reduction is necessary and appropriate pursuant to guidance issued by the Secretary.
(v)

Buildings and facilities.—
Funds made available for grants shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement and architect fees).
(vi)

Limitation on indirect costs.—
A sun grant center or subcenter may not recover the indirect costs of making grants under subparagraph (A).
(2)

Administrative expenses.—
A sun grant center or subcenter may use up to 4 percent of the funds described in subsection (b) to pay administrative expenses incurred in carrying out paragraph (1).
(3)

Research, extension and educational activities.—
The sun grant centers and subcenter shall use the remainder of the funds described in subsection (b) to conduct, in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a), multi-institutional and multistate—
(A)
research, extension, and educational programs on technology development; and
(B)
integrated research, extension, and educational programs on technology implementation.
(d)

Plan for Research Activities to Be Funded.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to the availability of funds under subsection (g), and in cooperation with land-grant colleges and universities and private industry , the sun grant centers and subcenter shall jointly develop and submit to the Secretary for approval a plan for addressing the bioenergy, biomass, and bioproducts research priorities of the Department of Agriculture and other appropriate Federal agencies at the State and regional levels.
(2)

Funding.—
Funds described in subsection (c)(2) shall be available to carry out planning coordination under paragraph (1).
(3)

Use of plan.—
The sun grant centers and subcenter shall use the plan described in paragraph (1) in making grants under subsection (c)(1).
(e)

Grant Information Analysis Center.—
The sun grant centers and subcenter shall maintain a Sun Grant Information Analysis Center at the sun grant center specified in subsection (b)(1)(A) to provide the sun grant centers and subcenter with analysis and data management support.
(f)

Annual Reports.—
Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a sun grant center or subcenter receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the policies, priorities, and operations of the program carried out by the center or subcenter during the fiscal year, including—
(1)
the results of all peer and merit review procedures conducted pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(C)(i); and
(2)
a description of progress made in facilitating the priorities described in subsection (d)(1).
(g)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023, of which not more than $4,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be made available to carry out subsection (e).
SEC. 7528.

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS.
Notwithstanding section 4703(d)(1) of title 5, United States Code, the amendment to the personnel management demonstration project established in the Department of Agriculture (67 Fed. Reg. 70776 (2002)), shall become effective upon the date of enactment of this Act and shall remain in effect unless modified by law.
TITLE X—

HORTICULTURE AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
SEC. 10001.
[7 U.S.C. 1622b note; Public Law 110–246]

DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1)

Specialty crop.—
The term “specialty crop” has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108–465).
(2)

State department of agriculture.—
The term “State department of agriculture” means the agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for protecting and promoting agriculture in the State.
Subtitle A—

Horticulture Marketing and Information
SEC. 10101.

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMODITY PURCHASE PROCESS.
(a)

Evaluation Required.—
The Secretary shall arrange to have performed an independent evaluation of the purchasing processes (including the budgetary, statutory, and regulatory authority underlying the processes) used by the Department of Agriculture to implement the requirement that funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be principally devoted to perishable agricultural commodities.
(b)

Submission of Results.—
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the results of the evaluation.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 10105.
[7 U.S.C. 7655a]

FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION INITIATIVES.
(a)

Initiative Authorized.—
The Secretary may carry out a food safety education program to educate the public and persons in the fresh produce industry about—
(1)
scientifically proven practices for reducing microbial pathogens on fresh produce; and
(2)
methods of reducing the threat of cross-contamination of fresh produce through sanitary handling practices.
(b)

Cooperation.—
The Secretary may carry out the education program in cooperation with public and private partners.
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 10107.
[7 U.S.C. 1622b]

SPECIALTY CROPS MARKET NEWS ALLOCATION.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary shall—
(1)
carry out market news activities to provide timely price and shipment information of specialty crops in the United States; and
(2)
use funds made available under subsection (b) to increase the reporting levels for specialty crops in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
In addition to any other funds made available through annual appropriations for market news services, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 10108.
[7 U.S.C. 608c note; Public Law 110–246]

EXPEDITED MARKETING ORDER FOR HASS AVOCADOS FOR GRADES AND STANDARDS AND OTHER PURPOSES.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary shall initiate procedures under the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to determine whether it would be appropriate to establish a Federal marketing order for Hass avocados relating to grades and standards and for other purposes under that Act.
(b)

Expedited Procedures.—
(1)

Proposal for an order.—
An organization of domestic avocado producers in existence on the date of enactment of this Act may request the issuance of, and submit to the Secretary a proposal for, an order described in subsection (a).
(2)

Publication of proposal.—
Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a proposed order under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall initiate procedures described in subsection (a) to determine whether the proposed order should proceed.
(c)

Effective Date.—
Any order issued under this section shall become effective not later than 15 months after the date on which the Secretary initiates procedures under the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
* * * * * * *
Subtitle B—

Pest and Disease Management
* * * * * * *
SEC. 10204.
[7 U.S.C. 7701 note; Public Law 110–246]

REGULATIONS TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF CERTAIN REGULATED ARTICLES.
(a)

In General.—
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1)
take action on each issue identified in the document entitled “Lessons Learned and Revisions under Consideration for APHIS' Biotechnology Framework”, dated October 4, 2007; and
(2)
as the Secretary considers appropriate, promulgate regulations to improve the management and oversight of articles regulated under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).
(b)

Inclusions.—
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall take actions that are designed to enhance—
(1)
the quality and completeness of records;
(2)
the availability of representative samples;
(3)
the maintenance of identity and control in the event of an unauthorized release;
(4)
corrective actions in the event of an unauthorized release;
(5)
protocols for conducting molecular forensics;
(6)
clarity in contractual agreements;
(7)
the use of the latest scientific techniques for isolation and confinement distances;
(8)
standards for quality management systems and effective research; and
(9)
the design of electronic permits to store documents and other information relating to the permit and notification processes.
(c)

Consideration.—
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—
(1)
establishing—
(A)
a system of risk-based categories to classify each regulated article;
(B)
a means to identify regulated articles (including the retention of seed samples); and
(C)
standards for isolation and containment distances; and
(2)
requiring permit holders—
(A)
to maintain a positive chain of custody;
(B)
to provide for the maintenance of records;
(C)
to provide for the accounting of material;
(D)
to conduct periodic audits;
(E)
to establish an appropriate training program;
(F)
to provide contingency and corrective action plans; and
(G)
to submit reports as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.
SEC. 10205.
[16 U.S.C. 2104a]

PEST AND DISEASE REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Authorized equipment.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “authorized equipment” means any equipment necessary for the management of forest land.
(B)

Inclusions.—
The term “authorized equipment” includes—
(i)
cherry pickers;
(ii)
equipment necessary for—
(I)
the construction of staging and marshalling areas;
(II)
the planting of trees; and
(III)
the surveying of forest land;
(iii)
vehicles capable of transporting harvested trees;
(iv)
wood chippers; and
(v)
any other appropriate equipment, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Fund.—
The term “Fund” means the Pest and Disease Revolving Loan Fund established by subsection (b).
(3)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Deputy Chief of the State and Private Forestry organization.
(b)

Establishment of Fund.—
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a revolving fund, to be known as the “Pest and Disease Revolving Loan Fund”, consisting of such amounts as are appropriated to the Fund under subsection (f).
(c)

Expenditures From Fund.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), on request by the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the Fund to the Secretary such amounts as the Secretary determines are necessary to provide loans under subsection (e).
(2)

Administrative expenses.—
An amount not exceeding 10 percent of the amounts in the Fund shall be available for each fiscal year to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this section.
(d)

Transfers of Amounts.—
(1)

In general.—
The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this section shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(2)

Adjustments.—
Proper adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred.
(e)

Uses of Fund.—
(1)

Loans.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall use amounts in the Fund to provide loans to eligible units of local government to finance purchases of authorized equipment to monitor, remove, dispose of, and replace infested trees that are located—
(i)
on land under the jurisdiction of the eligible units of local government; and
(ii)
within the borders of quarantine areas infested by plant pests.
(B)

Maximum amount.—
The maximum amount of a loan that may be provided by the Secretary to an eligible unit of local government under this subsection shall be the lesser of—
(i)
the amount that the eligible unit of local government has appropriated to finance purchases of authorized equipment in accordance with subparagraph (A); or
(ii)
$5,000,000.
(C)

Interest rate.—
The interest rate on any loan made by the Secretary under this paragraph shall be a rate equal to 2 percent.
(D)

Report.—
Not later than 180 days after the date on which an eligible unit of local government receives a loan provided by the Secretary under subparagraph (A), the eligible unit of local government shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes each purchase made by the eligible unit of local government using assistance provided through the loan.
(2)

Loan repayment schedule.—
(A)

In general.—
To be eligible to receive a loan from the Secretary under paragraph (1), in accordance with each requirement described in subparagraph (B), an eligible unit of local government shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary to establish a loan repayment schedule relating to the repayment of the loan.
(B)

Requirements relating to loan repayment schedule.—
A loan repayment schedule established under subparagraph (A) shall require the eligible unit of local government—
(i)
to repay to the Secretary of the Treasury, not later than 1 year after the date on which the eligible unit of local government receives a loan under paragraph (1), and semiannually thereafter, an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing—
(I)
the principal amount of the loan (including interest); by
(II)
the total quantity of payments that the eligible unit of local government is required to make during the repayment period of the loan; and
(ii)
not later than 20 years after the date on which the eligible unit of local government receives a loan under paragraph (1), to complete repayment to the Secretary of the Treasury of the loan made under this section (including interest).
(f)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
* * * * * * *

Subtitle C—

Organic Agriculture
* * * * * * *
Subtitle D—

Miscellaneous
* * * * * * *
SEC. 10404.

MARKET LOSS ASSISTANCE FOR ASPARAGUS PRODUCERS.
(a)

In General.—
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make payments to producers of the 2007 crop of asparagus for market loss resulting from imports during the 2004 through 2007 crop years.
(b)

Payment Rate.—
The payment rate for a payment under this section shall be based on the reduction in revenue received by asparagus producers associated with imports during the 2004 through 2007 crop years.
(c)

Payment Quantity.—
The payment quantity for asparagus for which the producers on a farm are eligible for payments under this section shall be equal to the average quantity of the 2003 crop of asparagus produced by producers on the farm.
(d)

Funding.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make available $15,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out a program to provide market loss payments to producers of asparagus under this section.
(2)

Allocation.—
Of the amount made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use—
(A)
$7,500,000 to make payments to producers of asparagus for the fresh market; and
(B)
$7,500,000 to make payments to producers of asparagus for the processed or frozen market.
TITLE XI—

LIVESTOCK
* * * * * * *
SEC. 11001.

LIVESTOCK MANDATORY REPORTING.
* * * * * * *
(b)

Study and Report.—
(1)

Study.—
The Secretary shall conduct a study on the effects of requiring packer processing plants to report to the Secretary information on wholesale pork cuts (including price and volume information), including—
(A)
the positive or negative economic effects on producers and consumers; and
(B)
the effects of a confidentiality requirement on mandatory reporting.
(2)

Information.—
During the period preceding the submission of the report under paragraph (3), the Secretary may collect, and each packer processing plant shall provide, such information as is necessary to enable the Secretary to conduct the study required under paragraph (1).
(3)

Report.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 11006.
[7 U.S.C. 228 note; Public Law 110–246]

REGULATIONS.
As soon as practicable, but not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate regulations with respect to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) to establish criteria that the Secretary will consider in determining—
(1)
whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of such Act;
(2)
whether a live poultry dealer has provided reasonable notice to poultry growers of any suspension of the delivery of birds under a poultry growing arrangement;
(3)
when a requirement of additional capital investments over the life of a poultry growing arrangement or swine production contract constitutes a violation of such Act; and
(4)
if a live poultry dealer or swine contractor has provided a reasonable period of time for a poultry grower or a swine production contract grower to remedy a breach of contract that could lead to termination of the poultry growing arrangement or swine production contract.
SEC. 11007.

SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING PSEUDORABIES ERADICATION PROGRAM.
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the Secretary of Agriculture should recognize the threat feral swine pose to the domestic swine population and the entire livestock industry;
(2)
keeping the United States commercial swine herd free of pseudorabies is essential to maintaining and growing pork export markets;
(3)
the establishment and continued support of a swine surveillance system will assist the swine industry in the monitoring, surveillance, and eradication of pseudorabies; and
(4)
pseudorabies eradication is a high priority that the Secretary should carry out under the authorities of the Animal Health Protection Act.
SEC. 11008.

SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE CATTLE FEVER TICK ERADICATION PROGRAM.
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the cattle fever tick and the southern cattle tick are vectors of the causal agent of babesiosis, a severe and often fatal disease of cattle; and
(2)
implementing a national strategic plan for the cattle fever tick eradication program is a high priority that the Secretary of Agriculture should carry out in order to—
(A)
prevent the entry of cattle fever ticks into the United States;
(B)
enhance and maintain an effective surveillance program to rapidly detect any cattle fever tick incursions; and
(C)
research, identify, and procure the tools and knowledge necessary to prevent and eradicate cattle fever ticks in the United States.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 11010.
[7 U.S.C. 8304]

TRICHINAE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
(a)

Voluntary Trichinae Certification.—
(1)

Establishment.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a voluntary trichinae certification program. Such program shall include the facilitation of the export of pork products and certification services related to such products.
(2)

Regulations.—
The Secretary shall issue final regulations to implement the program under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3)

Report.—
If final regulations are not published in accordance with paragraph (2) within 90 days of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing—
(A)
an explanation of why the final regulations have not been issued in accordance with paragraph (2); and
(B)
the date on which the Secretary expects to issue such final regulations.
(b)

Funding.—
Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (d)(1)(A) of section 10405 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8304), as added by subsection (c), the Secretary shall use not less than $6,200,000 of the funds made available under such subsection to carry out subsection (a).
* * * * * * *
SEC. 11013.
[7 U.S.C. 8322]

NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH PLAN.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary of Agriculture may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to carry out a project under a national aquatic animal health plan under the authority of the Secretary under section 10411 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8310) for the purpose of detecting, controlling, or eradicating diseases of aquaculture species and promoting species-specific best management practices.
(b)

Cooperative Agreements Between Eligible Entities and the Secretary.—
(1)

Duties.—
As a condition of entering into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary under this section, an eligible entity shall agree to—
(A)
assume responsibility for the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out the project under the national aquatic health plan, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (2); and
(B)
act in accordance with applicable disease and species specific best management practices relating to activities to be carried out under such project.
(2)

Non-federal share.—
The Secretary shall determine the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out a project under the national aquatic health plan on a case-by-case basis for each such project. Such non-Federal share may be provided in cash or in-kind.
(c)

Applicability of Other Laws.—
In carrying out this section, the Secretary may make use of the authorities under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), including the authority to carry out operations and measures to detect, control, and eradicate pests and diseases and the authority to pay claims arising out of the destruction of any animal, article, or means of conveyance.
(d)

Eligible Entity Defined.—
In this section, the term “eligible entity” means a State, a political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, or other appropriate entity, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 11014.

STUDY ON BIOENERGY OPERATIONS.
(a)

Study.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study to evaluate the role of animal manure as a source of fertilizer and its potential additional uses. Such study shall include—
(1)
a determination of the extent to which animal manure is utilized as fertilizer in agricultural operations by type (including species and agronomic practices employed) and size;
(2)
an evaluation of the potential impact on consumers and on agricultural operations (by size) resulting from limitations being placed on the utilization of animal manure as fertilizer; and
(3)
an evaluation of the effects on agriculture production contributable to the increased competition for animal manure use due to bioenergy production, including as a feedstock or a replacement for fossil fuels.
(b)

Report.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
* * * * * * *
TITLE XIV—

MISCELLANEOUS
Subtitle A—

Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Limited Resource Producers
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14007.
[7 U.S.C. 2279–1 note; Public Law 110–246]

OVERSIGHT AND COMPLIANCE.
The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Agriculture, shall use the reports described in subsection (c) of section 2501A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279–1), as amended by section 14006, in the conduct of oversight and evaluation of civil rights compliance.
SEC. 14008.
[7 U.S.C. 2279 note; Public Law 110–246]

MINORITY FARMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a)

Establishment.—
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an advisory committee, to be known as the “Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers” (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).
(b)

Duties.—
The Committee shall provide advice to the Secretary on—
(1)
the implementation of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);
(2)
methods of maximizing the participation of minority farmers and ranchers in Department of Agriculture programs; and
(3)
civil rights activities within the Department as such activities relate to participants in such programs.
(c)

Membership.—
(1)

In general.—
The Committee shall be composed of not more than 15 members, who shall be appointed by the Secretary, and shall include—
(A)
not less than four socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(e)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)(2)));
(B)
not less than two representatives of nonprofit organizations with a history of working with minority farmers and ranchers;
(C)
not less than two civil rights professionals;
(D)
not less than two representatives of institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience working with minority farmers and ranchers; and
(E)
such other persons as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(2)

Ex-officio members.—
The Secretary may appoint such employees of the Department of Agriculture as the Secretary considers appropriate to serve as ex-officio members of the Committee.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14010.
[7 U.S.C. 2279–2]

REPORT OF CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ACTIONS.
Each year, the Secretary shall—
(1)
prepare a report that describes, for each agency of the Department of Agriculture—
(A)
the number of civil rights complaints filed that relate to the agency, including whether a complaint is a program complaint or an employment complaint;
(B)
the length of time the agency took to process each civil rights complaint;
(C)
the number of proceedings brought against the agency, including the number of complaints described in paragraph (1) that were resolved with a finding of discrimination; and
(D)
the number and type of personnel actions taken by the agency following resolution of civil rights complaints;
(2)
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a copy of the report; and
(3)
make the report available to the public by posting the report on the website of the Department.
SEC. 14011.

SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO CLAIMS BROUGHT BY SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS OR RANCHERS.
It is the sense of Congress that all pending claims and class actions brought against the Department of Agriculture by socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)), including Native American, Hispanic, and female farmers or ranchers, based on racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in farm program participation should be resolved in an expeditious and just manner.
SEC. 14012.

DETERMINATION ON MERITS OF PIGFORD CLAIMS.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Consent decree.—
The term “consent decree” means the consent decree in the case of Pigford v. Glickman, approved by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on April 14, 1999.
(2)

Department.—
The term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.
(3)

Pigford claim.—
The term “Pigford claim” means a discrimination complaint, as defined by section 1(h) of the consent decree and documented under section 5(b) of the consent decree.
(4)

Pigford claimant.—
The term “Pigford claimant” means an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under section 5(g) of the consent decree.
(b)

Determination on Merits.—
Any Pigford claimant who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, obtain that determination.
(c)

Limitation.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), all payments or debt relief (including any limitation on foreclosure under subsection (h)) shall be made exclusively from funds made available under subsection (i).
(2)

Maximum amount.—
The total amount of payments and debt relief pursuant to actions commenced under subsection (b) shall not exceed $100,000,000.
(d)

Intent of Congress as to Remedial Nature of Section.—
It is the intent of Congress that this section be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each Pigford claim previously denied that determination.
(e)

Loan Data.—
(1)

Report to person submitting petition.—
(A)

In general.—
Not later than 120 days after the Secretary receives notice of a complaint filed by a claimant under subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide to the claimant a report on farm credit loans and noncredit benefits, as appropriate, made within the claimant's county (or if no documents are found, within an adjacent county as determined by the claimant), by the Department during the period beginning on January 1 of the year preceding the period covered by the complaint and ending on December 31 of the year following the period.
(B)

Requirements.—
A report under subparagraph (A) shall contain information on all persons whose application for a loan or benefit was accepted, including—
(i)
the race of the applicant;
(ii)
the date of application;
(iii)
the date of the loan or benefit decision, as appropriate;
(iv)
the location of the office making the loan or benefit decision, as appropriate;
(v)
all data relevant to the decisionmaking process for the loan or benefit, as appropriate; and
(vi)
all data relevant to the servicing of the loan or benefit, as appropriate.
(2)

No personally identifiable information.—
The reports provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not contain any information that would identify any person who applied for a loan from the Department.
(3)

Reporting deadline.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall—
(i)
provide to claimants the reports required under paragraph (1) as quickly as practicable after the Secretary receives notice of a complaint filed by a claimant under subsection (b); and
(ii)
devote such resources of the Department as are necessary to make providing the reports expeditiously a high priority of the Department.
(B)

Extension.—
A court may extend the deadline for providing the report required in a particular case under paragraph (1) if the Secretary establishes that meeting the deadline is not feasible and demonstrates a continuing effort and commitment to provide the required report expeditiously.
(f)

Expedited Resolutions Authorized.—
(1)

In general.—
Any person filing a complaint under this section for discrimination in the application for, or making or servicing of, a farm loan, at the discretion of the person, may seek liquidated damages of $50,000, discharge of the debt that was incurred under, or affected by, the 1 or more programs that were the subject of the 1 or more discrimination claims that are the subject of the person's complaint, and a tax payment in the amount equal to 25 percent of the liquidated damages and loan principal discharged, in which case—
(A)
if only such damages, debt discharge, and tax payment are sought, the complainant shall be able to prove the case of the complainant by substantial evidence (as defined in section 1(l) of the consent decree); and
(B)
the court shall decide the case based on a review of documents submitted by the complainant and defendant relevant to the issues of liability and damages.
(2)

Noncredit claims.—
(A)

Standard.—
In any case in which a claimant asserts a noncredit claim under a benefit program of the Department, the court shall determine the merits of the claim in accordance with section 9(b)(i) of the consent decree.
(B)

Relief.—
A claimant who prevails on a claim of discrimination involving a noncredit benefit program of the Department shall be entitled to a payment by the Department in a total amount of $3,000, without regard to the number of such claims on which the claimant prevails.
(g)

Actual Damages.—
A claimant who files a claim under this section for discrimination under subsection (b) but not under subsection (f) and who prevails on the claim shall be entitled to actual damages sustained by the claimant.
(h)

Limitation on Foreclosures.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the pendency of a Pigford claim, the Secretary may not begin acceleration on or foreclosure of a loan if—
(1)
the borrower is a Pigford claimant; and
(2)
makes a prima facie case in an appropriate administrative proceeding that the acceleration or foreclosure is related to a Pigford claim.
(i)

Funding.—
(1)

In general.—
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available for payments and debt relief in satisfaction of claims against the United States under subsection (b) and for any actions under subsection (g) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, to remain available until expended.
(2)

Authorization of appropriations.—
In addition to funds made available under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
(j)

Reporting Requirements.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter until the funds made available under subsection (i) are depleted, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report that describes the status of available funds under subsection (i) and the number of pending claims under subsection (f).
(2)

Depletion of funds report.—
In addition to the reports required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report that notifies the Committees when 75 percent of the funds made available under subsection (i)(1) have been depleted.
(k)

Termination of Authority.—
The authority to file a claim under this section terminates 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
* * * * * * *
Subtitle B—

Agricultural Security
SEC. 14101.
[7 U.S.C. 8901 note; Public Law 110–246]

SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the “Agricultural Security Improvement Act of 2008”.
SEC. 14102.
[7 U.S.C. 8901]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Agent.—
The term “agent” means a nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological substance that causes agricultural disease or the adulteration of products regulated by the Secretary of Agriculture under any provision of law.
(2)

Agricultural biosecurity.—
The term “agricultural biosecurity” means protection from an agent that poses a threat to—
(A)
plant or animal health;
(B)
public health as it relates to the adulteration of products regulated by the Secretary of Agriculture under any provision of law that is caused by exposure to an agent; or
(C)
the environment as it relates to agriculture facilities, farmland, and air and water within the immediate vicinity of an area associated with an agricultural disease or outbreak.
(3)

Agricultural countermeasure.—
The term “agricultural countermeasure”—
(A)
means a product, practice, or technology that is intended to enhance or maintain the agricultural biosecurity of the United States; and
(B)
does not include a product, practice, or technology used solely in response to a human medical incident or public health emergency not related to agriculture.
(4)

Agricultural disease.—
The term “agricultural disease” has the meaning given the term by the Secretary.
(5)

Agricultural disease emergency.—
The term “agricultural disease emergency” means an incident of agricultural disease that requires prompt action to prevent significant damage to people, plants, or animals.
(6)

Agroterrorist act.—
The term “agroterrorist act” means an act that—
(A)
causes or attempts to cause—
(i)
damage to agriculture; or
(ii)
injury to a person associated with agriculture; and
(B)
is committed or appears to be committed with the intent to—
(i)
intimidate or coerce a civilian population; or
(ii)
disrupt the agricultural industry in order to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion.
(7)

Animal.—
The term “animal” has the meaning given the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8302).
(8)

Department.—
The term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.
(9)

Development.—
The term “development” means—
(A)
research leading to the identification of products or technologies intended for use as agricultural countermeasures to protect animal health;
(B)
the formulation, production, and subsequent modification of those products or technologies;
(C)
the conduct of in vitro and in vivo studies;
(D)
the conduct of field, efficacy, and safety studies;
(E)
the preparation of an application for marketing approval for submission to an applicable agency; or
(F)
other actions taken by an applicable agency in a case in which an agricultural countermeasure is procured or used prior to issuance of a license or other form of Federal Government approval.
(10)

Plant.—
The term “plant” has the meaning given the term in section 411 of the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7702).
(11)

Qualified agricultural countermeasure.—
The term “qualified agricultural countermeasure” means an agricultural countermeasure that the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, determines to be a priority in order to address an agricultural biosecurity threat.
CHAPTER 1—

AGRICULTURAL SECURITY
[Section 14111 was repealed by section 122201 of Public Law 115–334.]
SEC. 14112.
[7 U.S.C. 8912]

AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY COMMUNICATION CENTER.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary shall establish a communication center within the Department to—
(1)
collect and disseminate information and prepare for an agricultural disease emergency, agroterrorist act, or other threat to agricultural biosecurity; and
(2)
coordinate activities described in paragraph (1) among agencies and offices within the Department.
(b)

Relation to Existing DHS Communication Systems.—
(1)

Consistency and coordination.—
The communication center established under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, share and coordinate the dissemination of timely information with the Department of Homeland Security and other communication systems of appropriate Federal departments and agencies.
(2)

Avoiding redundancies.—
Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to impede, conflict with, or duplicate the communications activities performed by the Secretary of Homeland Security under any provision of law.
(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1)
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and
(2)
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
SEC. 14113.
[7 U.S.C. 8913]

ASSISTANCE TO BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY IN AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND RESPONSE.
(a)

Advanced Training Programs.—
(1)

Grant assistance.—
The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to support the development and expansion of advanced training programs in agricultural biosecurity planning and response for food science professionals and veterinarians.
(2)

Authorization of appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection—
(A)
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and
(B)
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
(b)

Assessment of Response Capability.—
(1)

Grant and loan assistance.—
The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant and low-interest loan assistance program to assist States in assessing agricultural disease response capability.
(2)

Authorization of appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection—
(A)
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and
(B)
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
CHAPTER 2—

OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 14121.
[7 U.S.C. 8921]

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COUNTERMEASURES.
(a)

Grant Program.—
(1)

Competitive grant program.—
The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to encourage basic and applied research and the development of qualified agricultural countermeasures.
(2)

Waiver in emergencies.—
The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) that a grant be provided on a competitive basis if—
(A)
the Secretary has declared a plant or animal disease emergency under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) or the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.); and
(B)
waiving the requirement would lead to the rapid development of a qualified agricultural countermeasure, as determined by the Secretary.
(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1)
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and
(2)
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
SEC. 14122.
[7 U.S.C. 8922]

AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
(a)

Competitive Grant Program.—
The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to promote the development of teaching programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and disciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture system to increase the number of trained individuals with an expertise in agricultural biosecurity.
(b)

Eligibility.—
The Secretary may award a grant under this section only to an entity that is—
(1)
an accredited school of veterinary medicine; or
(2)
a department of an institution of higher education with a primary focus on—
(A)
comparative medicine;
(B)
veterinary science; or
(C)
agricultural biosecurity.
(c)

Preference.—
The Secretary shall give preference in awarding grants based on the ability of an applicant—
(1)
to increase the number of veterinarians or individuals with advanced degrees in food and agriculture disciplines who are trained in agricultural biosecurity practice areas;
(2)
to increase research capacity in areas of agricultural biosecurity; or
(3)
to fill critical agricultural biosecurity shortage situations outside of the Federal Government.
(d)

Use of Funds..—
(1)

In general.—
Amounts received under this section shall be used by a grantee to pay—
(A)
costs associated with the acquisition of equipment and other capital costs relating to the expansion of food, agriculture, and veterinary medicine teaching programs in agricultural biosecurity;
(B)
capital costs associated with the expansion of academic programs that offer postgraduate training for veterinarians or concurrent training for veterinary students in specific areas of specialization; or
(C)
other capacity and infrastructure program costs that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(2)

Limitation.—
Funds received under this section may not be used for the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of a building or facility.
(e)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1)
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, to remain available until expended; and
(2)
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
Subtitle C—

Other Miscellaneous Provisions
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14203.
[21 U.S.C. 864a]

GRANTS TO REDUCE PRODUCTION OF METHAMPHETAMINES FROM ANHYDROUS AMMONIA.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Eligible entity.—
The term “eligible entity” means—
(A)
a producer of agricultural commodities;
(B)
a cooperative association, a majority of the members of which produce or process agricultural commodities; or
(C)
a person in the trade or business of—
(i)
selling an agricultural product (including an agricultural chemical) at retail, predominantly to farmers and ranchers; or
(ii)
aerial and ground application of an agricultural chemical.
(2)

Nurse tank.—
The term “nurse tank” shall be considered to be a cargo tank (within the meaning of section 173.315(m) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act).
(b)

Grant Authority.—
The Secretary may make a grant to an eligible entity to enable the eligible entity to obtain and add to an anhydrous ammonia fertilizer nurse tank a physical lock or a substance to reduce the amount of methamphetamine that can be produced from any anhydrous ammonia removed from the nurse tank.
(c)

Grant Amount.—
The amount of a grant made under this section to an eligible entity shall be the product obtained by multiplying—
(1)
an amount not less than $40 and not more than $60, as determined by the Secretary; and
(2)
the number of fertilizer nurse tanks of the eligible entity.
(d)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to make grants under this section $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 14204.
[7 U.S.C. 2008q–1]

GRANTS TO IMPROVE SUPPLY, STABILITY, SAFETY, AND TRAINING OF AGRICULTURAL LABOR FORCE.
(a)

Definition of Eligible Entity.—
In this section, the term “eligible entity” means an entity described in section 379C(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008q(a)).
(b)

Grants.—
(1)

In general.—
To assist agricultural employers and farmworkers by improving the supply, stability, safety, and training of the agricultural labor force, the Secretary may provide grants to eligible entities for use in providing services to assist farmworkers who are citizens or otherwise legally present in the United States in securing, retaining, upgrading, or returning from agricultural jobs.
(2)

Eligible services.—
The services referred to in paragraph (1) include—
(A)
agricultural labor skills development;
(B)
the provision of agricultural labor market information;
(C)
transportation;
(D)
short-term housing while in transit to an agricultural worksite;
(E)
workplace literacy and assistance with English as a second language;
(F)
health and safety instruction, including ways of safeguarding the food supply of the United States; and
(G)
such other services as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(c)

Limitation on Administrative Expenses.—
Not more than 15 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year may be used to pay for administrative expenses.
(d)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1)
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and
(2)
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
SEC. 14206.

REPORT ON STORED QUANTITIES OF PROPANE.
(a)

Report.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report describing the effect of interim or final regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 550(a) of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 (6 U.S.C. 121 note; Public Law 109–295), with respect to possession of quantities of propane that meet or exceed the screening threshold quantity for propane established in the final rule under that section.
(2)

Inclusions.—
The report under paragraph (1) shall include a description of—
(A)
the number of facilities that completed a top screen consequence assessment due to possession of quantities of propane that meet or exceed the listed screening threshold quantity for propane;
(B)
the number of agricultural facilities that completed the top screen consequence assessment due to possession of quantities of propane that meet or exceed the listed screening threshold quantity for propane;
(C)
the number of propane facilities initially determined to be high risk by the Secretary;
(D)
the number of propane facilities—
(i)
required to complete a security vulnerability assessment or a site security plan; or
(ii)
that submit to the Secretary an alternative security program;
(E)
the number of propane facilities that file an appeal of a finding under the final rule described in paragraph (1); and
(F)
to the extent available, the average cost of—
(i)
completing a top screen consequence assessment requirement;
(ii)
completing a security vulnerability assessment; and
(iii)
completing and implementing a site security plan; and
(3)

Form.—
The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(b)

Educational Outreach.—
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct educational outreach activities for rural facilities that may be required to complete a top screen consequence assessment due to possession of propane in a quantity that meets or exceeds the listed screening threshold quantity for propane.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14208.
[7 U.S.C. 2255b]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE TRANSPARENCY.
(a)

Report.—
(1)

Requirement.—
Not later than September 30 of each year, the Secretary of Agriculture 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 conferences sponsored or held by the Department of Agriculture or attended by employees of the Department of Agriculture.
(2)

Contents.—
Each report under paragraph (1) shall contain—
(A)
for each conference sponsored or held by the Department or attended by employees of the Department—
(i)
the name of the conference;
(ii)
the location of the conference;
(iii)
the number of Department of Agriculture employees attending the conference; and
(iv)
the costs (including travel expenses) relating to such conference; and
(B)
for each conference sponsored or held by the Department of Agriculture for which the Department awarded a procurement contract, a description of the contracting procedures related to such conference.
(3)

Exclusions.—
The requirement in paragraph (1) shall not apply to any conference—
(A)
for which the cost to the Federal Government was less than $10,00057; or
^{57}
Section 12611 of Public Law 115–334 provides for an amendment to section 14209(a)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2255b(a)(3)(A)) to strike ‘‘$10,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$50,000’’. Such amendment was not executed because it probably should have been made to section 14208(a)(3)(A).
(B)
outside of the United States that is attended by the Secretary or the Secretary's designee as an official representative of the United States government.
(b)

Availability of Report.—
Each report submitted in accordance with subsection (a) shall be posted in a searchable format on a Department of Agriculture website that is available to the public.
(c)

Definition of Conference.—
In this section, the term “conference”—
(1)
means a meeting that—
(A)
is held for consultation, education, awareness, or discussion;
(B)
includes participants from at least one agency of the Department of Agriculture;
(C)
is held in whole or in part at a facility outside of an agency of the Department of Agriculture; and
(D)
involves costs associated with travel and lodging for some participants; and
(2)
does not include any training program that is continuing education or a curriculum-based educational program, provided that such training program is held independent of a conference of a non-governmental organization.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14211.
[7 U.S.C. 2209j]

PERMANENT DEBARMENT FROM PARTICIPATION IN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS FOR FRAUD.
(a)

In General.—
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Agriculture shall permanently debar an individual, organization, corporation, or other entity convicted of a felony for knowingly defrauding the United States in connection with any program administered by the Department of Agriculture from any subsequent participation in Department of Agriculture programs.
(b)

Exceptions.—
(1)

Secretary determination.—
The Secretary may reduce a debarment under subsection (a) to a period of not less than 10 years if the Secretary considers it appropriate.
(2)

Food assistance.—
A debarment under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to participation in domestic food assistance programs (as defined by the Secretary).
SEC. 14212.
[7 U.S.C. 6932a]

PROHIBITION ON CLOSURE OR RELOCATION OF COUNTY OFFICES FOR THE FARM SERVICE AGENCY.
(a)

Temporary Prohibition.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), until the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may not close or relocate a county or field office of the Farm Service Agency.
(2)

Exception.—
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
(A)
an office that is located not more than 20 miles from another office of the Farm Service Agency; or
(B)
the relocation of an office within the same county in the course of routine leasing operations.
(b)

Limitation on Closure; Notice.—
(1)

Limitation.—
After the period referred to in subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall, before closing any office of the Farm Service Agency that is located more than 20 miles from another office of the Farm Service Agency, to the maximum extent practicable, first close any offices of the Farm Service Agency that—
(A)
are located less than 20 miles from another office of the Farm Service Agency; and
(B)
have two or fewer permanent full-time employees.
(2)

Notice.—
After the period referred to in subsection (a)(1), the Secretary of Agriculture may not close a county or field office of the Farm Service Agency unless—
(A)
not later than 30 days after the Secretary proposes to close such office, the Secretary holds a public meeting regarding the proposed closure in the county in which such office is located; and
(B)
after the public meeting referred to in subparagraph (A), but not less than 90 days before the date on which the Secretary approves the closure of such office, the Secretary notifies the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, each Senator representing the State in which the office proposed to be closed is located, and the member of the House of Representatives who represents the Congressional district in which the office proposed to be closed is located of the proposed closure of such office.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14213.
[7 U.S.C. 2279b; Public Law 110–246]

USDA GRADUATE SCHOOL.
* * * * * * *
(b)

Procurement Procedures.—
Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsection (a), effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Graduate School of the Department of Agriculture shall be subject to Federal procurement laws and regulations in the same manner and subject to the same requirements as a private entity providing services to the Federal Government.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14216.

CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS OF STUDY ON USE OF CATS AND DOGS IN FEDERAL RESEARCH.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall—
(1)
review—
(A)
any independent reviews conducted by a nationally recognized panel of experts of the use of Class B dogs and cats in federally supported research to determine how frequently such dogs and cats are used in research by the National Institutes of Health; and
(B)
any recommendations proposed by such panel outlining the parameters of such use; and
(2)
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 how recommendations referred to in paragraph (1)(B) can be applied within the Department of Agriculture to ensure such dogs and cats are treated in accordance with regulations of the Department of Agriculture.
(b)

Class B Dogs and Cats Defined.—
In this section, the term “Class B dogs and cats” means dogs and cats obtained from a Class “B” licensee, as such term is defined in section 1.1 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14218.
[7 U.S.C. 6941a]

COORDINATOR FOR CHRONICALLY UNDERSERVED RURAL AREAS.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a Coordinator for Chronically Underserved Rural Areas (in this section referred to as the “Coordinator”), to be located in the Rural Development Mission Area.
(b)

Mission.—
The mission of the Coordinator shall be to direct Department of Agriculture resources to high need, high poverty rural areas.
(c)

Duties.—
The Coordinator shall consult with other offices in directing technical assistance, strategic regional planning, at the State and local level, for developing rural economic development that leverages the resources of State and local governments and non-profit and community development organizations.
(d)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14220.
[7 U.S.C. 2206b]

AVAILABILITY OF EXCESS AND SURPLUS COMPUTERS IN RURAL AREAS.
In addition to any other authority, the Secretary of Agriculture may make available to an organization excess or surplus computers or other technical equipment of the Department of Agriculture for the purposes of distribution to a city, town, or local government entity in a rural area (as defined in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act).
* * * * * * *
SEC. 14222.
[7 U.S.C. 612c–6]

DOMESTIC FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a)

Definition of Section 32.—
In this section, the term “section 32” means section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c).
(b)

Transfer to Food and Nutrition Service.—
(1)

In general.—
Amounts made available for a fiscal year to carry out section 32 in excess of the maximum amount calculated under paragraph (2) shall be transferred to the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service, to be used to carry out the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) except section 21, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except sections 17 and 21.
(2)

Maximum amount.—
The maximum amount calculated under this paragraph for a fiscal year is the sum of—
(A)
(i)
in the case of fiscal year 2009, $1,173,000,000;
(ii)
in the case of fiscal year 2010, $1,199,000,000;
(iii)
in the case of fiscal year 2011, $1,215,000,000;
(iv)
in the case of fiscal year 2012, $1,231,000,000;
(v)
in the case of fiscal year 2013, $1,248,000,000;
(vi)
in the case of fiscal year 2014, $1,266,000,000;
(vii)
in the case of fiscal year 2015, $1,284,000,000;
(viii)
in the case of fiscal year 2016, $1,303,000,000;
(ix)
in the case of fiscal year 2017, $1,322,000,000; and
(x)
for fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount made available for the preceding fiscal year, as adjusted to reflect changes for the 12-month period ending on the preceding November 30 in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor; and
(B)
any transfers for the fiscal year from section 32 to the Department of Commerce under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.).
(c)

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.—
Of amounts made available to carry out section 32 under subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall transfer for use to carry out the fresh fruit and vegetable program under section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act the amounts specified in subsection (i) of that section.
(d)

Whole Grain Products.—
Of amounts made available to carry out section 32 under subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall use to carry out section 4305 $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(e)

Maintenance of Funding.—
The funding provided under subsections (c) and (d) shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal funding (including section 32 funding) for programs carried out under—
(1)
the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except for section 19 of that Act;
(2)
the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.); and
(3)
section 27 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2036).
* * * * * * *