[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11373-S11388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REFORM ACT OF 1997
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 154, Senate 1150.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
[[Page S11374]]
A bill (S. 1150) to ensure that federally funded
agricultural research, extension, and education address high-
priority concerns with national multi-State significance, to
reform, extend, and eliminate certain agricultural research
programs, and for other purposes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate
consideration of the bill?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Amendment No. 1527
(Purpose: To improve the bill)
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, Senator Lugar has a managers' amendment
at the desk, and I ask for its consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
The Senator from Vermont [Mr. Jeffords], for Mr. Lugar and
Mr. Harkin, proposes an amendment numbered 1527.
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of
the amendment be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment is as follows:
(The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under
``Amendments Submitted.'')
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today the Senate completes action on the
Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1997. This
legislation was approved by a unanimous rollcall vote of the 18 members
of the Senate Agriculture Committee in July. I commend Senator Harkin
and all members of the committee for their bipartisan approach and
cooperative efforts in constructing this legislation.
Because research programs were only authorized through 1997 in last
year's farm bill, the Senate Agriculture Committee has had the
opportunity this year to review agricultural research, extension and
education funding. The committee gathered testimony through four
hearings in March and received more than 100 responses to some relevant
questions that I posed publicly in January.
With the growth in world population, U.S. producers may well need to
triple their production in the next few decades to meet growing demand
for food and spare the world's rain forests from being uprooted in a
desperate effort to expand production.
To increase future food production, our Nation must devote additional
resources to agricultural research. This bill provides new funding for
agricultural research to address critical emerging issues related to
future food production, environmental protection and farm income. Food
genome science, food safety, agricultural biotechnology and precision
agriculture are key areas that need additional resources to meet the
challenges that face U.S. farmers.
This bill also makes significant reforms to the current agricultural
research system. This system has served us well. To use our available
resources most effectively, however, it is important to ensure more
collaboration and efficiency as well as achieve greater accountability.
We cannot overlook the relevance or merit of the research, extension,
and education programs.
I urge all Members of the Senate to support this important
legislation.
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I want to thank Chairman Lugar, Senator
Harkin, and their staffs for the tremendous effort they have devoted to
the research reauthorization bill over the past several months, and
congratulate them for the legislation we have before us today.
We owe much of the credit for this country's agricultural success to
our network of land grant institutions, State agriculture experiment
stations, USDA's Agricultural Research Service, and hundreds of county
extension offices. These entities work together in a wide range of ways
to produce cutting-edge research and then convert it into improved
practices and technology meaningful to producers.
It is important to strengthen this network further. This bill places
increased emphasis on collaboration among institutions and disciplines,
and encourages pursuit of goals benefiting more than one region or
State. It emphasizes priority-setting so resources can be targeted to
emerging and critical issues when necessary, and establishes new
mechanisms for ensuring accountability.
Specifically, I am pleased that the bill preserves existing programs
that share these objectives, such as the Fund for Rural America. As you
know, the fund was designed to provide immediate, flexible, and applied
research and support to people in rural areas who are adjusting to
rapid changes in the agricultural sector since the last farm bill.
The Fund for Rural America promotes value-added processing, which is
vital to successful rural economic development. Our rural communities
must capture more of the revenue their locally produced commodities
ultimately generate. Value-added processing keeps that revenue local,
which will be critical to the future of those communities.
I am pleased to say also that this bill treats smaller institutions
fairly. It significantly levels the playing field for small schools
competing for limited research funds, and it is sensitive to the
relative importance of formula funds for institutions in agrarian
States with low populations.
Finally, I had hoped we would be able to address the problems with
the CRP haying and grazing program, but I recognize that consensus on a
specific remedy remains elusive. I do hope we will be more successful
on this front in the near future because the current system is creating
both severe difficulties for the people managing those lands and
growing uneasiness among all groups interested in CRP's success. I urge
the committee to continue working on this issue.
This bill is a positive step forward. Federal investment in
agricultural research, extension, and education is one of the most
important duties of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and, again, I
commend Senator Lugar and Senator Harkin for their commitment to this
effort.
FOOD GENOME STRATEGY
Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I would like to discuss with the
distinguished chairman of the Agriculture Committee the food genome
strategy that is authorized in this bill. Senator Lugar is to be
commended highly for including this visionary provision in the bill. It
is my understanding that the food genome strategy, authorized in this
bill, will include comprehensive, directed, and coordinated plant
genome and animal genome initiatives. Is my understanding correct?
Mr. LUGAR. Yes, these initiatives, while allowing for all entities to
compete competitively for funding, will be directed and coordinated
programs that are designed to accomplish specific objectives. The
request for proposals [RFP] that will be published by the USDA could be
very specific in its requests. For example, one part of the RFP may
request the development of 100,000 expressed sequence Tags on corn and
another part may request a very high resolution physical map of corn.
Mr. BOND. I understand that it is your intention that the plant
genome initiative and the animal genome initiative will not be
scientific free-for-alls, if you will, that fund any research project
that happens to have genome in the proposal. Rather, this program will
be designed to have specific objectives and milestones that must be met
along the way so that the taxpayers realize a timely and significant
return on their dollar invested in this research.
Mr. LUGAR. The purpose of having a food genome strategy is to ensure
that there is a comprehensive plan that includes appropriate, specific
objectives for each aspect of the program, be it mapping, sequencing,
trait identification, or bioinformatics.
Mr. BOND. With your assistance, we have established a $40 million
plant genome initiative within the National Science Foundation [NSF]
that will be focused on economically significant crops. To facilitate
the development of a comprehensive plant genome initiative, the
President's Science Advisor, Dr. Gibbons, established an Inter-Agency
Working Group on Plant Genomes. This group will be consulting with the
NSF in the design and implementation of the plant genome initiative. It
is my understanding that the plant genome initiative, authorized under
this bill, will be coordinated with the NSF plant genome initiative.
Mr. LUGAR. Certainly, we intend for the work to be complementary. We
expect the USDA to work with the Inter-Agency Working Group to ensure
that
[[Page S11375]]
the total amount of funds from all agencies is coordinated, directed,
and focused. This will ensure that there is no duplication and better
coordination.
Mr. BOND. Since the NSF has $40 million for a plant genome
initiative, there have been some questions raised concerning which
agency, NSF or USDA, would serve as the lead agency for the national
plant genome initiative. In the managers amendment, you clarified this
issue by providing that USDA be the lead agency unless the funding it
administered for the plant genome initiative was substantially less
than that provided by another agency.
Mr. LUGAR. That is correct. I agree that if the USDA does not provide
sufficient funding for the plant genome initiative, it should not be
the lead agency.
Mr. BOND. It is my understanding that some people have stated that
this program will be administered in a manner similar to the national
research initiative, the NRI. While the NRI plays a valuable role in
the discovery of scientific information related to agriculture, it is
not a directed, coordinated program. It is my understanding, however,
that the plant genome initiative will be coordinated and focused on the
most economically significant crops. Is that correct?
Mr. LUGAR. Yes. The food genome strategy will be coordinated and
directed and the outcomes will be focused on economically significant
plants, animals, and microbes and will ensure that all the funding
under the program will be directed at achieving results that ultimately
will yield us the greatest economic returns.
Mr. BOND. The report accompanying S. 1150 makes clear that the
committee intends that the Secretary utilize funds from the initiative
for future agriculture and food systems, established under title III of
the bill, for the plant genome initiative and the animal genome
initiative. Under the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food
Systems, there is no provision for coordinated, directed, and focused
programs. Am I correct in assuming that while the funds for the food
genome strategy may be derived from the Initiative for Future
Agriculture and Food Systems, it is the intent of the managers that the
food genome strategy would, in fact, be a coordinated, directed
program?
Mr. LUGAR. The food genome strategy will be a coordinated, directed
program without regard to the origin of the funding.
Mr. BOND. In addition, under title III, the Secretary is required, in
making individual grants, to give higher priority to a proposal that is
multi-state, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary. While the
overall Food Genome Strategy will be multi-State, multi-institutional,
and multidisciplinary, there will be many aspects of the program that
will not facilitate multi-State, multi-institutional, and
multidisciplinary grants, especially in the first couple of years. For
example, the development of expressed sequence tags and high-resolution
physical maps may, of necessity, be done by one entity. Expressed
sequence tags and physical maps are the critical foundation of the food
genome strategy. If the Secretary is required to give higher priority
to multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary proposals,
this very basic information may not be developed. It is my
understanding, however, that the managers do not intend for this to
happen. Rather, since the entire Food Genome Strategy will be multi-
State, multi-institutional, and multi-disciplinary, all aspects of this
program could receive a higher priority.
Mr. LUGAR. That is absolutely correct. We recognize that the food
genome strategy will be different from other projects funded under
title III. The food genome strategy will be a multi-State, multi-
institutional, and multi-disciplinary program and, therefore, all
individual proposals and projects could meet the tests for gaining a
higher priority.
Mr. BOND. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I commend you and other members of
the Agriculture Committee for including this vitally important
provision in the bill. I also appreciate the able assistance of our
staff throughout this process.
This legislation, will provide us the tools we need to meet the
challenges of the 21st century and I congratulate you on your
continuing leadership.
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today, the Senate will pass S. 1150, the
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act. I am
pleased, Mr. President, that several amendments I had planned to offer
on the floor when the Senate took up this bill have been accepted by
the chairman, Mr. Lugar, and the ranking member, Mr. Harkin, of the
Agriculture Committee and have been included in the managers' amendment
to the bill.
Two of my amendments included in the bill address a new research
program regarding precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is a
system of farming that uses very site-specific information on soil
nutrient needs and presence of plant pests, often gathered using
advanced technologies such as global positioning systems, high
performance image processing, and software systems to determine the
specific fertilizer, pesticide and other input needs of a farmer's
cropland. This technology may have the benefit of lowering farm
production costs and increase profitability by helping the producer
reduce agricultural inputs by applying them only where needed. In
addition, reducing agricultural inputs may minimize the impact of crop
production on wildlife and the environment. While precision
agriculture, generally defined, encompasses a broad range of techniques
from high-technology satellite imaging systems to manual soil sampling,
it is most frequently discussed in terms of the use of capital
intensive advanced technologies.
Section 232 of the S. 1150 creates a new research program authorizing
the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for the development and
promotion of precision agriculture, including projects to educate
producers on the benefits of this new technology. One of my amendments,
which has been included in the managers amendment, ensures that
educational efforts provide farmers with information about the costs of
this technology as well. Any responsible federally funded farmer
education efforts on precision agriculture must inform farmers of costs
of this new technology.
Cost considerations are particularly important given that precision
agriculture technologies tend to be technologically sophisticated and
capital intensive, requiring investments in computer systems, new
software, and potentially new mechanical input applicators. Farmers who
wish to avoid acquiring the equipment needed for precision agriculture
may have to contract for these services with input suppliers. In either
case, substantial financial investments may be required of farmers
adopting precision agriculture technologies. Farmers need information
that will allow them to balance the potential long-term benefits of
precision agriculture technologies with the short-term and long-term
financial costs. My amendment clarifies that any USDA funding provided
for producer education efforts must provide information on both costs
and benefits of precision agriculture.
While precision agriculture may result in production efficiencies and
improved profitability for some farms, many in agriculture are
concerned that, because of the capital intensive nature of this
precision agriculture systems, this new technology will not be
applicable or accessible to small or highly diversified farms. It is
unclear whether precision agriculture services, even if provided by
input suppliers, will be available at affordable rates to small farms.
Furthermore, some observers are concerned that private firms may find
that marketing efforts directed at small farms are not lucrative enough
and thus may avoid efforts to apply the technology to small operations.
In addition to concerns about the applicability and accessibility of
precision agriculture to small farms, many are concerned that precision
agriculture may not be the most appropriate production system for small
farms given the costs of acquiring new technology or contracting for
additional services. There may be other production systems, such as
integrated whole farm crop, livestock, and resource management systems,
that allow small farmers to reduce input costs, improve profitability,
and minimize environmental impacts of agricultural production that are
more appropriate for smaller operations.
[[Page S11376]]
To address this concern, I have proposed an amendment which adds new
language to section 232 allowing USDA to fund studies evaluating
whether precision agriculture technologies are applicable or accessible
to small- and medium-sized farms. The amendment also allows USDA to
conduct research on methods to improve the applicability of precision
agriculture to these operations. It is critical that USDA's research
investment in this new technology not exclude the needs of small
farmers. If it does, this new research program could ultimately affect
the structure of agriculture, potentially providing disproportionate
advantages to large scale farming operations, furthering the trend to
fewer and larger farms. My amendment will allow USDA to conduct
research on low cost precision agriculture systems that do not require
significant financial investments by farmers and that may be more
appropriate to small or highly diversified farming operations.
The final two amendments I have offered and which have been included
in the managers' amendment authorize and provide funding for research,
education and extension projects to improve the competitiveness,
viability and sustainability of small- and medium-size dairy and
livestock operations.
Many Senators have expressed concern about the trend toward increased
concentration in the dairy and livestock sectors. According to a 1996
report by the USDA Advisory Committee on Agricultural Concentration,
concentration in cattle feeding has grown dramatically, with 152
feeders accounting for more than 40 percent of all head sold.
Meatpacker concentration has also grown, with four packing firms
accounting for 80 percent of fed cattle in the U.S. Extensive vertical
integration in the cattle industry has also reduced price discovery and
market information available to small producers. The combination of
reduced price information and increased concentration in the feeding
and packing industry has put small cattle producers under extreme
financial pressure, necessitating more research, education and
extension efforts to ensure the viability of small- and medium-sized
cattle operations.
Of greatest concern to producers in my home State of Wisconsin is the
trend toward fewer and larger dairy farms in the United States. In
1980, there were 45,000 dairy farms in Wisconsin. In 1997, there are
only 24,000 dairy farms. Of those 24,000 dairy farms, 90 percent are
operations with fewer than 100 cows. The trend toward fewer but larger
dairy operations is mirrored in most States throughout the Nation. The
economic losses associated with the reduction in small farm numbers go
well beyond the impact on the individual farm families exiting the
industry. Rather, the reduction in farm numbers has affected the rural
communities in my home State that have been built around a large number
of small family-owned dairy farms. The grocery storeowners, input
suppliers, schoolteachers, truckers, cheese manufacturers, and many
other small rural businesses have been hurt as Wisconsin has seen its
dairy farm numbers decline.
There is substantial concern that past and present Federal
investments in agricultural research have focused almost solely on the
needs of larger scale agricultural producers, neglecting the specific
research needs of small producers. Some have suggested that
this research bias has exacerbated the trend toward increased
concentration and vertical integration, particularly in the livestock
sector.
To address this concern, I have proposed an amendment to S. 1150,
included in the managers' amendment, which authorizes a coordinated
program of research, extension, and education to improve the viability
of small- and medium-size dairy and livestock operations.
Among the research projects the Secretary is authorized to conduct
are: Research, development, and on-farm education low-cost production
facilities, management systems and genetics appropriate for these small
and medium operations, research and extension on management intensive
grazing systems which reduce feed costs and improve farm profitability,
research and extension on integrated crop and livestock systems that
strengthen the competitive position of small- and medium-size
operations, economic analyses and feasibility studies to identify new
marketing opportunities for small- and medium-size producers,
technology assessment that compares the technological resources of
large specialized producers with the technological needs of small- and
medium-size dairy and livestock operations, and research to identify
the specific research and education needs of these small operations.
The amendment allows the Secretary to carry out this new program
using existing USDA funds, facilities and technical expertise. Dairy
and livestock producers should not be forced to become larger in order
to remain competitive. Bigger is not necessarily better. And in fact,
Mr. President, expansion is often counterproductive for small
operations requiring them to take on an even greater debt load. Farmers
need more help in determining other methods of maintaining long-term
profitability. For example, small dairy farmers may find adoption of
management-intensive grazing systems combined with a diversified
cropping operation a profitable alternative to expansion. But there has
been far too little federally funded research devoted to alternative
livestock production systems. Small producers need more Federal
research and extension activity devoted to the development of these
alternatives. I believe this amendment is a good first step in
establishing the Federal research commitment to help develop and
promote production and marketing systems that specifically address the
needs of small producers.
Using research dollars to help maintain the economic viability of
small- and medium-size dairy and livestock operations has benefits
beyond those afforded to such farmers and the communities in which they
reside. Keeping a large number of small operations in production can
provide environmental benefits as well. As livestock operations expand
their herd size without a corresponding increase in cropping acreage,
manure storage and management practices become more costly and more
burdensome for the operator and raise additional regulatory concerns
associated with runoff and water quality among State and Federal
regulators. Research that helps dairy and livestock operators remain
competitive and profitable without dramatic expansion will help
minimize these concerns.
Finally, Mr. President, I proposed an amendment to require the
Secretary to fund research on the competitiveness and viability of
small- and medium-size farms under the Initiative for Future
Agriculture and Food Systems--a new research program authorized by S.
1150 funded at total $780 million for fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
With the inclusion of my amendment in the managers amendment, the
Secretary is directed to make grants for research projects addressing
the viability of small- and medium-size farming operations with funding
made available under the Initiative in fiscal years 1999-2002. This
amendment ensures that the research needs of small dairy, livestock,
and cropping operations will be addressed under the substantial new
funding provided for agricultural research in this bill.
Mr. President, I appreciate the cooperation of the chairman, Mr.
Lugar, and the ranking member, Mr. Harkin, of the Agriculture Committee
and their staff in addressing the important research needs of small-
and medium-size farms by including my amendments in this important
bill. I look forward to working with them to maintain these amendments
during conference committee consideration of this bill.
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
amendment be agreed to, the bill be considered read a third time and
passed, as amended, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table,
and that any statements relating to the bill appear in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment (No. 1527) was agreed to.
The bill (S. 1150), as amended, was passed, as follows:
S. 1150
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the
``Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
of 1997''.
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(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--PRIORITIES, SCOPE, AND REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION
Sec. 101. Standards for Federal funding of agricultural research,
extension, and education.
Sec. 102. Priority setting process.
Sec. 103. Relevance and merit of federally funded agricultural
research, extension, and education.
Sec. 104. Research formula funds for 1862 Institutions.
Sec. 105. Extension formula funds for 1862 Institutions.
Sec. 106. Research facilities.
TITLE II--OTHER REFORMS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Amendments to National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977
Sec. 201. Advisory Board.
Sec. 202. Grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences
education.
Sec. 203. Policy research centers.
Sec. 204. International agricultural research, extension, and teaching.
Sec. 205. General administrative costs.
Sec. 206. Expansion of authority to enter into cost-reimbursable
agreements.
Subtitle B--Amendments to Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990
Sec. 211. National Agricultural Weather Information System.
Sec. 212. National Food Genome Strategy.
Sec. 213. Imported fire ant control, management, and eradication.
Sec. 214. Agricultural telecommunications program.
Sec. 215. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Subtitle C--Amendments to Other Laws
Sec. 221. 1994 Institutions.
Sec. 222. Cooperative agricultural extension work by 1862, 1890, and
1994 Institutions.
Sec. 223. Eligibility of certain colleges and universities for
extension funding.
Sec. 224. Integration of research and extension.
Sec. 225. Competitive, special, and facilities research grants.
Sec. 226. Fund for Rural America.
Sec. 227. Honey research, promotion, and consumer information.
Sec. 228. Office of Energy Policy and New Uses.
Sec. 229. Kiwifruit research, promotion, and consumer information
program.
Sec. 230. National aquaculture policy, planning, and development.
Subtitle D--New Programs
Sec. 231. Biobased products.
Sec. 232. Precision agriculture.
Sec. 233. Formosan termite eradication program.
Sec. 234. Nutrient composition data.
Sec. 235. Consolidated administrative and laboratory facility.
Sec. 236. National Swine Research Center.
Sec. 237. Coordinated program of research, extension, and education to
improve viability of small and medium size dairy and
livestock operations.
Sec. 238. Support for research regarding diseases of wheat and barley
caused by Fusarium graminearum.
Sec. 239. Food animal residue avoidance database program.
Sec. 240. Financial assistance for certain rural areas.
Subtitle E--Studies and Miscellaneous
Sec. 241. Evaluation and assessment of agricultural research,
extension, and education programs.
Sec. 242. Study of federally funded agricultural research, extension,
and education.
Sec. 243. Sense of Congress on State match for 1890 Institutions.
TITLE III--INITIATIVE FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
Sec. 301. Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems.
TITLE IV--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES; TECHNICAL
AMENDMENTS
Sec. 401. Extensions of authorities.
Sec. 402. Repeal of authorities.
Sec. 403. Short titles for Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887.
Sec. 404. Technical corrections to research provisions of Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
TITLE V--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SAVINGS
Sec. 501. Nutrition programs.
Sec. 502. Information technology funding.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 1862 institution.--The term ``1862 Institution'' means
a college or university eligible to receive funds under the
Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7 U.S.C. 301
et seq.).
(2) 1890 institution.--The term ``1890 Institution'' means
a college or university eligible to receive funds under the
Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 419, chapter 841; 7 U.S.C.
321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University.
(3) 1994 institution.--The term ``1994 Institution'' means
a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity
in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-
382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)).
(4) Advisory board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123).
(5) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Agriculture.
(6) Hatch act of 1887.--The term ``Hatch Act of 1887''
means the Hatch Act of 1887 (as designated by section
403(b)).
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(8) Smith-lever act.--The term ``Smith-Lever Act'' means
the Smith-Lever Act (as designated by section 403(a)).
(9) Stakeholder.--The term ``stakeholder'' means a person
who conducts or uses agricultural research, extension, or
education.
TITLE I--PRIORITIES, SCOPE, AND REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION
SEC. 101. STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING OF AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall ensure that
agricultural research, extension, or education activities
described in subsection (b) address a concern that--
(1) is a priority, as determined under section 102(a); and
(2) has national or multistate significance.
(b) Application.--Subsection (a) applies to--
(1) research activities conducted by the Agricultural
Research Service; and
(2) research, extension, or education activities
administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
SEC. 102. PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS.
(a) In General.--Consistent with section 1402 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101), the Secretary shall
establish priorities for agricultural research, extension,
and education activities conducted or funded by the
Department.
(b) Input From Stakeholders.--
(1) In general.--In establishing priorities for
agricultural research, extension, and education activities
conducted or funded by the Department, the Secretary shall
solicit and consider input and recommendations from
stakeholders.
(2) 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions.--
(A) In general.--Effective beginning October 1, 1998, to
obtain agricultural research, extension, or education formula
funds from the Secretary, each 1862 Institution, 1890
Institution, and 1994 Institution shall establish and
implement a process for obtaining stakeholder input
concerning the use of the funds.
(B) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate
regulations that prescribe--
(i) the requirements for an Institution to comply with
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) the consequences for an Institution of not complying
with subparagraph (A), which may include the withholding and
redistribution of funds to which the Institution may be
entitled until the Institution complies with subparagraph
(A).
(c) Management Principles.--Section 1402 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``AND MANAGEMENT
PRINCIPLES'' after ``PURPOSES'';
(2) by inserting ``(a) Purposes.--'' before ``The
purposes''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Management Principles.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that federally
supported and conducted agricultural research, education, and
extension activities are accomplished in a manner that--
``(1) integrates agricultural research, education, and
extension functions to better link research to technology
transfer and information dissemination activities;
``(2) encourages regional and multistate programs to
address relevant issues of common concern and to better
leverage scarce resources;
``(3) achieves agricultural research, education, and
extension objectives through multi-institutional and
multifunctional approaches and by conducting research at
facilities and institutions best equipped to achieve those
objectives; and
``(4) requires accountability to be measured against shared
national goals of the research, education, and economics
mission area agencies of the Department and their partners
that receive Federal research, extension, and higher
education funds, consistent with the Government Performance
and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62) and amendments
made by that Act.''.
(d) Notification of Advisory Board and Congress.--Section
1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (e) through (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Notification of Advisory Board and Congress.--
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``(1) Advisory board.--The Secretary shall provide a
written response to the Advisory Board regarding the
implementation of any written recommendations made by the
Advisory Board to the Secretary under subsection (c).
``(2) Congress.--The Secretary shall provide to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a copy of the response of the Secretary to an Advisory
Board recommendation concerning the priority mission areas of
the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems
established under section 301(c)(2)(B) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''.
SEC. 103. RELEVANCE AND MERIT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
EDUCATION.
(a) Review of CSREES Research.--The Secretary shall
establish procedures that ensure--
(1) scientific peer review of each agricultural research
grant administered, on a competitive basis, by the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service;
and
(2) merit review of each agricultural extension or
education grant administered, on a competitive basis, by the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
(b) Advisory Board Review.--The Advisory Board shall
review, on an annual basis, the relevance to the Secretary's
priorities established under section 102(a), and adequacy, of
the funding of all agricultural research, extension, or
education activities of the Department.
(c) Requests for Proposals.--
(1) Review results.--As soon as practicable after the
initial review is conducted under subsection (b) for a fiscal
year, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall
consider the results of the annual review when formulating
each request for proposals, and evaluating proposals,
involving an agricultural research, extension, or education
activity funded, on a competitive basis, by the Department.
(2) Stakeholder input.--In formulating a request for
proposals described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
solicit and consider input from stakeholders on the prior
year's request for proposals.
(d) Scientific Peer Review of ARS Research.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish procedures
that ensure scientific peer review of research activities of
the Agricultural Research Service.
(2) Requirements.--The procedures shall require that--
(A) at least once every 5 years, a review panel verify that
a research activity referred to in paragraph (1) and research
conducted by each scientist employed by the Agricultural
Research Service--
(i) has scientific merit and relevance to the priorities
established under section 102(a); and
(ii) has national or multistate significance, as required
under section 101(a)(2);
(B) a review panel comprised of individuals with scientific
expertise, a majority of whom are not employees of the
Agricultural Research Service; and
(C) the results of the panel reviews are transmitted to--
(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives;
(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate; and
(iii) the Advisory Board.
(e) Merit Review.--
(1) 1862 and 1890 institutions.--Effective beginning
October 1, 1998, to obtain agricultural research or extension
funds from the Secretary for an activity, each 1862
Institution and 1890 Institution shall--
(A) establish a process for merit review of the activity;
and
(B) review the activity in accordance with the process.
(2) 1994 institutions.--Effective beginning October 1,
1998, to obtain agricultural extension funds from the
Secretary for an activity, each 1994 Institution shall--
(A) establish a process for merit review of the activity;
and
(B) review the activity in accordance with the process.
(f) Repeal of Provisions for Withholding Funds.--
(1) Smith-lever act.--Section 6 of the Smith-Lever Act (7
U.S.C. 346) is repealed.
(2) Hatch act of 1887.--Section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887
(7 U.S.C. 361g) is amended by striking the last paragraph.
(3) National agricultural research, extension, and teaching
policy act of 1977.--Section 1468 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3314) is repealed.
SEC. 104. RESEARCH FORMULA FUNDS FOR 1862 INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7
U.S.C. 361c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (3) and
inserting the following:
``(3) Not less than 25 percent shall be allotted to the
States for cooperative research employing multidisciplinary
approaches in which a State agricultural experiment station,
working with another State agricultural experiment station,
the Agricultural Research Service, a college, or a
university, cooperates to solve problems that concern more
than 1 State. The funds available under this paragraph,
together with the funds available under subsection (b) for a
similar purpose, shall be designated as the `Multistate
Research Fund, State Agricultural Experiment Stations'.
``(4) Research carried out under paragraph (3) shall be
subject to scientific peer review. A project review under
this paragraph shall be considered to satisfy the merit
review requirements of section 103(e) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``regional research
fund, State agricultural experiment stations,'' and inserting
``Multistate Research Fund, State Agricultural Experiment
Stations,''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 5 of the Hatch Act of
1887 (7 U.S.C. 361e) is amended in the first sentence by
striking ``regional research fund'' and inserting
``Multistate Research Fund, State Agricultural Experiment
Stations''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION FORMULA FUNDS FOR 1862 INSTITUTIONS.
Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Multistate Cooperative Extension Activities.--
``(1) In general.--Not less than the applicable percentage
specified under paragraph (2) of the amounts that are made
available to carry out subsections (b) and (c) during a
fiscal year shall be allotted to States for cooperative
extension activities in which 2 or more States cooperate to
solve problems that concern more than 1 State (referred to in
this subsection as `multistate activities').
``(2) Applicable percentages.--
``(A) Current expenditures on multistate activities.--The
Secretary of Agriculture shall determine the percentage of
Federal formula funds described in paragraph (1) that each
State expended for fiscal year 1997 for multistate
activities.
``(B) Planned expenditures on multistate activities.--For
fiscal year 2000 and each subsequent fiscal year, a State
shall expend for multistate activities a percentage of the
Federal formula funds described in paragraph (1) for a fiscal
year that is at least equal to the lesser of--
``(i) 25 percent; or
``(ii) twice the percentage for the State determined under
subparagraph (A).
``(C) Reduction by secretary.--The Secretary may reduce the
minimum percentage required to be allotted for multistate
activities under subparagraph (B) in a case of hardship,
infeasibility, or other similar circumstance beyond the
control of the State, as determined by the Secretary.
``(D) Plan of work.--The State shall include in the plan of
work of the State a description of the manner in which the
State will meet the requirements of this paragraph.
``(3) Applicability.--This subsection does not apply to
funds provided--
``(A) by a State or local government pursuant to a matching
requirement;
``(B) to a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of
the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); or
``(C) to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, or Guam.
``(i) Merit Review.--
``(1) In general.--Effective beginning October 1, 1998,
extension activity carried out under subsection (h) shall be
subject to merit review.
``(2) Other requirements.--An extension activity that is
merit reviewed under paragraph (1) shall be considered to
have been reviewed under section 103(e) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.''.
SEC. 106. RESEARCH FACILITIES.
(a) Criteria for Approval.--Section 3(c)(2)(C)(ii) of the
Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(C)(ii)) is
amended by striking ``regional needs'' and inserting
``national or multistate needs''.
(b) National or Multistate Needs Served by ARS
Facilities.--Section 3 of the Research Facilities Act (7
U.S.C. 390a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) National or Multistate Needs Served by ARS
Facilities.--The Secretary shall ensure that each research
activity conducted by a facility of the Agricultural Research
Service serves a national or multistate need.''.
(c) 10-Year Strategic Plan.--Section 4(d) of the Research
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390b(d)) is amended by striking
``regional'' and inserting ``multistate''.
(d) Comprehensive Research Capacity.--Section 4 of the
Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390b) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) Comprehensive Research Capacity.--After submission of
the 10-year strategic plan required under subsection (d), the
Secretary shall continue to review periodically each
operating agricultural research facility constructed in whole
or in part with Federal funds, and each planned agricultural
research facility proposed to be constructed in whole or in
part with Federal funds, pursuant to criteria established by
the Secretary, to ensure that a comprehensive research
capacity is maintained.''.
(e) Priority Research.--The Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended in
subsection (b)(2) by striking ``regional'' and inserting
``multistate''.
[[Page S11379]]
TITLE II--OTHER REFORMS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Amendments to National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977
SEC. 201. ADVISORY BOARD.
Section 1408(b) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123(b))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Equal representation of public and private sector
members.--In appointing members to serve on the Advisory
Board, the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent
practicable, equal representation of public and private
sector members.''.
SEC. 202. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCES EDUCATION.
Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g),
(h), (i), and (j) as subsections (d), (f), (g), (h), (i),
(j), (k), and (l), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Priorities.--In awarding grants under subsection (b),
the Secretary shall give priority to--
``(1) applications for teaching enhancement projects that
demonstrate enhanced coordination among all types of
institutions eligible for funding under this section; and
``(2) applications for teaching enhancement projects that
focus on innovative, multidisciplinary education programs,
material, and curricula.''; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (d) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(e) Food and Agricultural Education Information System.--
From amounts made available for grants authorized under this
section, the Secretary may maintain a national food and
agricultural education information system that contains
information on enrollment, degrees awarded, faculty, and
employment placement in the food and agricultural sciences
and such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.''.
SEC. 203. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.
Section 1419A(a) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(a))
is amended by inserting ``and trade agreements'' after
``public policies''.
SEC. 204. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
TEACHING.
(a) Teaching.--
(1) In general.--Section 1458 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3291) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``RESEARCH AND
EXTENSION'' and inserting ``RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
TEACHING'';
(B) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking ``related research and extension'' and
inserting ``related research, extension, and teaching''; and
(II) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``research and
extension on'' and inserting ``research, extension, and
teaching initiatives addressing'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``education'' and
inserting ``teaching'';
(iii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``scientists and
experts'' and inserting ``science and education experts'';
(iv) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``teaching,'' after
``development,'';
(v) in paragraph (6), by striking ``education'' and
inserting ``teaching'';
(vi) in paragraph (7), by striking ``research and
extension'' and inserting ``research, extension, and
teaching''; and
(vii) in paragraph (8), by striking ``research
capabilities'' and inserting ``research, extension, and
teaching capabilities''; and
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ``counterpart agencies''
and inserting ``counterpart research, extension, and teaching
agencies''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The subtitle heading of subtitle
I of title XIV of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291 et
seq.) is amended by striking ``Research and Extension'' and
inserting ``Research, Extension, and Teaching''.
(b) Grants for Collaborative Projects.--Section 1458(a) of
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) make competitive grants for collaborative projects
that--
``(A) involve Federal scientists or scientists from land-
grant colleges and universities or other colleges and
universities with scientists at international agricultural
research centers in other nations, including the
international agricultural research centers of the
Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research;
``(B) focus on developing and using new technologies and
programs for--
``(i) increasing the production of food and fiber, while
safeguarding the environment worldwide and enhancing the
global competitiveness of United States agriculture; or
``(ii) training scientists;
``(C) are mutually beneficial to the United States and
other countries; and
``(D) encourage private sector involvement and the
leveraging of private sector funds.''.
(c) Reports.--Section 1458 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3291) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Reports.--The Secretary shall provide biennial
reports to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate on efforts of the Federal
Government to--
``(1) coordinate international agricultural research within
the Federal Government; and
``(2) more effectively link the activities of domestic and
international agricultural researchers, particularly
researchers of the Agricultural Research Service.''.
SEC. 205. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle K of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is
amended by inserting before section 1463 (7 U.S.C. 3311) the
following:
``SEC. 1461. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
``(a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in law,
indirect costs charged against a grant described in
subsection (b) shall not exceed 25 percent of the total
Federal funds provided under the grant award, as determined
by the Secretary.
``(b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply to--
``(1) a competitive research grant made under subsection
(b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)); and
``(2) except as otherwise provided in law, a competitive
research, extension, or education grant made under--
``(A) section 793 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement
and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f); or
``(B) section 301 of the Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Education Reform Act of 1997.''.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Section 1469 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3315) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and all that follows
through ``Except as'' and inserting the following:
``SEC. 1469. AUDITING, REPORTING, BOOKKEEPING, AND
ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS.
``(a) In General.--Except as'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) the Secretary may retain up to 4 percent of amounts
appropriated for agricultural research, extension, and
teaching assistance programs for the administration of those
programs authorized under this or any other Act; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Community Food Projects.--The Secretary may retain,
for the administration of community food projects under
section 25 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034), 4
percent of amounts available for the projects,
notwithstanding the availability of any appropriation for
administrative expenses of the projects.''.
SEC. 206. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO COST-
REIMBURSABLE AGREEMENTS.
Section 1473A of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319a)
is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``or other
colleges and universities'' after ``institutions''.
Subtitle B--Amendments to Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990
SEC. 211. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.
Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 is amended by striking subtitle D (7 U.S.C. 5851
et seq.) and inserting the following:
``Subtitle D--National Agricultural Weather Information System
``SEC. 1637. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSES.
``(a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the
`National Agricultural Weather Information System Act of
1997'.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subtitle are--
``(1) to facilitate the management and coordination of a
national agricultural weather and climate station network for
Federal and State agencies, colleges and universities, and
the private sector;
``(2) to ensure that timely and accurate information is
obtained and disseminated; and
``(3) to aid research and education that requires a
comprehensive agricultural weather and climate database.
``SEC. 1638. AGRICULTURAL WEATHER SYSTEM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture may
establish the National Agricultural Weather Information
System (referred to in this subtitle as the `System'). The
System shall be comprised of the operational and research
activities of the Federal, State, and regional agricultural
weather information systems.
``(b) Authority.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31,
United States Code, to carry out this subtitle, the Secretary
may--
``(1) enter into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements
and interagency agreements without regard to competitive
requirements, except as otherwise provided in this subtitle,
with other Federal and State agencies to--
[[Page S11380]]
``(A) support operational weather and climate data
observations, analysis, and derived products;
``(B) preserve historical data records for research studies
useful in agriculture;
``(C) jointly develop improved computer models and
computing capacity for storage, retrieval, dissemination and
analysis of agricultural weather and climate information;
``(D) enhance the quality and availability of weather and
climate information needed by the private sector for value-
added products and agriculturalists for decisionmaking; and
``(E) sponsor joint programs to train private sector
meteorologists and agriculturalists about the optimum use of
agricultural weather and climate data;
``(2) obtain standardized weather observation data
collected in near real time through regional and State
agricultural weather information systems;
``(3) coordinate the activities of the Chief Meteorologist
of the Department of Agriculture and weather and climate
research activities of the Department of Agriculture with
other Federal agencies and the private sector;
``(4) make grants to plan and administer State and regional
agricultural weather information systems, including research
in atmospheric sciences and climatology;
``(5) encourage private sector participation in the System
through cooperation with the private sector, including
cooperation in the generation of weather and climate data
useful for site-specific agricultural weather forecasting;
and
``(6) make competitive grants to carry out research in all
aspects of atmospheric sciences and climatology regarding the
collection, retention, and dissemination of agricultural
weather and climate observations and information with
priority given to proposals that emphasize--
``(A) techniques and processes that relate to--
``(i) weather- or climate-induced agricultural losses; and
``(ii) improvement of information on weather and climate
extremes (such as drought, floods, freeze, and storms) well
in advance of their occurrence;
``(B) the improvement of site-specific weather data
collection and forecasting;
``(C) the impact of weather on economic and environmental
costs in agricultural production; or
``(D) the preservation and management of the ecosystem.
``SEC. 1639. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Work.--Not more than \2/3\ of the funds made available for a
fiscal year to carry out this subtitle shall be used for work
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
``(b) Administrative Costs.--The Secretary of Agriculture
may retain for administration of the System up to 4 percent
of the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle,
notwithstanding the availability of any appropriation for
administrative expenses to carry out this subtitle.
``(c) Limitations.--
``(1) Buildings or facilities.--Funds made available to
carry out this subtitle shall not be used for the planning,
repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a
building or facility.
``(2) Equipment purchases.--Of funds made available under a
grant award under this subtitle, a grantee may use for
equipment purchases not more than the lesser of--
``(A) $15,000; or
``(B) \1/3\ of the amount of the grant award.
``SEC. 1640. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subtitle $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through
2002.''.
SEC. 212. NATIONAL FOOD GENOME STRATEGY.
Section 1671 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 1671. NATIONAL FOOD GENOME STRATEGY.
``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
``(1) to expand the knowledge of public and private sector
entities and persons concerning genomes for species of
importance to the food and agriculture sectors in order to
maximize the return on the investment in plant, animal, and
microbial genomics;
``(2) to focus on the species that will yield early,
scientifically important results that will enhance the
usefulness of many plant, animal, and microbial species;
``(3) to build on genomic research, such as the Human
Genome Initiative and the Arabidopsis Genome Project, to
understand gene structure and function that is expected to
have considerable payoffs in crop species ranging from corn
to soybean to cotton and animal species ranging from cattle
to swine to poultry;
``(4) to develop improved bioinformatics to enhance both
sequence or structure determination and analysis of the
biological function of genes and gene products;
``(5) to develop, within the National Food Genome Strategy
required under subsection (b) for agriculturally important
plants, animals, and microbes, a Plant Genome Initiative
under which--
``(A) the Plant Genome Initiative will be an interagency
activity conducted with--
``(i) as the lead Federal agency--
``(I) the Department of Agriculture; or
``(II) if funding provided for the Plant Genome Initiative
through the Department of Agriculture is substantially less
than funding provided for the Initiative through another
Federal agency, the other Federal agency, as determined by
the President; and
``(ii) the National Science Foundation and the Department
of Energy as participants; and
``(B) the National Institutes of Health will continue to
invest in the underlying critical technologies through its
Human Genome Initiative and other genetics research;
``(6) to establish, within the National Food Genome
Strategy, an Animal Genome Initiative--
``(A) to address the obstacles limiting the development and
implementation of gene-based approaches for animal
improvement, such as high-resolution genomic maps; and
``(B) to take advantage of complementary work of the Human
Genome Initiative, the Agricultural Research Service, and
State agricultural experiment stations;
``(7) to encourage Federal Government participants to
maximize the utility of public and private partnerships for
food genome research;
``(8) to allow resources developed under this section,
including data, software, germplasm, and other biological
materials, to be openly accessible to all persons, subject to
any confidentiality requirements imposed by law; and
``(9) to encourage international partnerships with each
partner country responsible for financing its own strategy
for food genome research.
``(b) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture
(referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall
develop and carry out a National Food Genome Strategy to--
``(1) study and map agriculturally significant genes to
achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production;
``(2) ensure that current gaps in existing agricultural
genetics knowledge are filled;
``(3) identify and develop a functional understanding of
genes responsible for economically important traits in
plants, animals, and microbes of importance to agriculture;
``(4) ensure future genetic improvement of agriculturally
important species;
``(5) support preservation of diverse germplasm;
``(6) ensure preservation of biodiversity to maintain
access to genes that may be of importance in the future; and
``(7) otherwise carry out the purposes of this section.
``(c) Contracts, Grants, and Cooperative Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into or make
contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with individuals
and organizations in accordance with section 1472 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318).
``(2) Competitive basis.--A grant under this subsection
shall be made on a competitive basis.
``(d) Administration.--
``(1) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such
regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
``(2) Consultation with the national academy of sciences.--
The Secretary may use funds made available under this section
to consult with the National Academy of Sciences regarding
the administration of the National Food Genome Strategy.
``(3) Indirect costs.--Indirect costs under this section
shall be allowable at the rate indirect costs are allowable
for contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements entered into
or made by the National Science Foundation for genomic
research.''.
SEC. 213. IMPORTED FIRE ANT CONTROL, MANAGEMENT, AND
ERADICATION.
Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a), (d), (e), and (f);
(2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (g) as
subsections (a), (b), and (c), respectively; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Imported Fire Ant Control, Management, and
Eradication.--
``(1) National advisory and implementation board on
imported fire ant control, management, and eradication.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture may
establish a National Advisory and Implementation Board on
Imported Fire Ant Control, Management, and Eradication
(referred to in this subsection as the `Board').
``(B) Membership.--The Board shall consist of 12 members
who are experts in entomology, ant ecology, wildlife biology,
electrical engineering, economics, or agribusiness and who
are appointed by the Secretary from academia, research
institutes, and the private sector.
``(C) Compensation.--
``(i) In general.--A member of the Board shall not receive
any compensation by reason of service on the Board.
``(ii) Expenses.--A member of the Board shall be reimbursed
for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses
incurred by the member in the performance of a duty of the
member.
``(D) Termination.--The Board shall terminate 60 days after
the date on which the national plan is submitted to the Board
under paragraph (4)(B).
``(2) Initial grants.--
``(A) Request for proposals.--
[[Page S11381]]
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall publish a request
for proposals for grants for research or demonstration
projects related to the control, management, and possible
eradication of imported fire ants.
``(ii) Input from board.--In developing a request for
proposals under clause (i), the Secretary shall solicit and
consider input from the Board.
``(B) Selection.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
publication of the request for proposals, the Secretary shall
evaluate and select meritorious research or demonstration
projects related to the control, management, and possible
eradication of imported fire ants.
``(C) Grants.--The Secretary may award a total of
$6,000,000 for each fiscal year in grants to colleges,
universities, research institutes, Federal laboratories, or
private entities selected under subparagraph (B), for a term
of not to exceed 5 years, for the purpose of conducting
research or demonstration projects related to the control,
management, and possible eradication of imported fire ants.
Each project shall be completed not later than the end of the
term of the grant.
``(3) Subsequent grants.--
``(A) Evaluation; selection.--If the Secretary awards
grants under paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary shall--
``(i) evaluate all of the research or demonstration
projects conducted under paragraph (2)(C) for their use as
the basis of a national plan for the control, management, and
possible eradication of imported fire ants by the Federal
Government, State and local governments, and owners and
operators of land; and
``(ii) on the basis of the evaluation, select the projects
the Secretary considers most promising for additional
research or demonstration related to the control, management,
and possible eradication of imported fire ants and notify the
Board of the selection.
``(B) Grants.--The Secretary may award a grant of up to
$4,000,000 for each fiscal year to each of the colleges,
universities, research institutes, Federal laboratories, or
private entities selected under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the
purpose of conducting research or demonstration projects for
the preparation of a national plan for the control,
management, and possible eradication of imported fire ants.
Each project shall be completed not later than 2 years after
the grant is made.
``(4) National plan.--
``(A) Evaluation; selection.--If the Secretary awards
grants under paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary shall--
``(i) evaluate all of the research or demonstration
projects conducted under paragraph (3)(B) for their use as
the basis of a national plan for the control, management, and
possible eradication of imported fire ants by the Federal
Government, State and local governments, and owners and
operators of land; and
``(ii) on the basis of the evaluation, select 1 project
funded under paragraph (3)(B), or a combination of grant
projects, as the basis for the plan and notify the Board of
the selection.
``(B) Grant.--The Secretary may award a grant of up to
$5,000,000 to the sponsor or sponsors of the grant project
selected under subparagraph (A)(ii) for the purpose of the
final preparation of the national plan for the control,
management, and possible eradication of imported fire ants
that is based on the project. If the Secretary awards a grant
under this subparagraph, the national plan shall be
completed, and submitted to the Board, not later than 1 year
after the grant is made.
``(C) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the
plan is submitted to the Board under subparagraph (B), the
Secretary shall submit to Congress the national plan for the
control, management, and possible eradication of imported
fire ants.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 1998
through 2002.''.
SEC. 214. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as
paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(1) A*DEC.--The term `A*DEC' means the distance education
consortium known as A*DEC.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through A*DEC.'';
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``The Secretary shall
establish a program, to be administered by the Assistant
Secretary for Science and Education,'' and inserting ``The
Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program, to be
administered through a grant provided to A*DEC under terms
and conditions established by the Secretary of
Agriculture,''; and
(3) in the first sentence of subsection (f)(2), by striking
``the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education'' and
inserting ``A*DEC''.
SEC. 215. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH
DISABILITIES.
Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (6);
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in striking ``Dissemination.--'' and all that follows
through ``general.--The'' and inserting ``Dissemination.--
The''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
``(2) National grant.--Not more than 15 percent of the
amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year
shall be used to carry out subsection (b).''.
Subtitle C--Amendments to Other Laws
SEC. 221. 1994 INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Definition.--Section 532 of the Equity in Educational
Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C.
301 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(30) Little Priest Tribal College.''.
(b) Accreditation.--Section 533(a) of the Equity in
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-
382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(3) Accreditation.--To receive funding under sections 534
and 535, a 1994 Institution shall certify to the Secretary
that the Institution is--
``(A) accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting
agency or association determined by the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Education, to be a
reliable authority as to the quality of training offered; or
``(B) as determined by the agency or association, making
progress toward the accreditation.''.
SEC. 222. COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORK BY 1862,
1890, AND 1994 INSTITUTIONS.
Section 3(b)(3) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3))
is amended in the last sentence by striking ``State
institutions'' and all that follows through the period at the
end and inserting ``1994 Institutions (in accordance with
regulations that the Secretary may promulgate) and may be
administered by the Institutions through cooperative
agreements with colleges and universities eligible to receive
funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter
130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), or the Act of August 30, 1890 (26
Stat. 419, chapter 841; 7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including
Tuskegee University, located in any State.''.
SEC. 223. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
FOR EXTENSION FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C.
343) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:
``(d) Funding of Extension Activities.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall receive such amounts
as Congress shall determine for administrative, technical,
and other services and for coordinating the extension work of
the Department and the several States, territories, and
possessions of the United States.
``(2) Eligibility of certain colleges and universities for
extension funding.--
``(A) Competitive awards.--Colleges and universities (as
defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3103)), including a foundation established by the
colleges or universities, shall be eligible for extension
funding awarded under paragraph (1) on a competitive basis.
``(B) Noncompetitive awards.--
``(i) In general.--An entity described in clause (ii) shall
be eligible for extension funding awarded under paragraph (1)
on a noncompetitive basis.
``(ii) Applicability.--Clause (i) shall apply to--
``(I) a college or university eligible to receive funds
under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7
U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
``(II) a college or university eligible to receive funds
under the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 419, chapter 841;
7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University;
``(III) a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of
the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); and
``(IV) a foundation established by a college, university,
or Institution described in this clause.
``(3) Memoranda of understanding, cooperative agreements,
and reimbursable agreements.--To maximize the use of Federal
resources, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, enter into memoranda of understanding,
cooperative agreements, or reimbursable agreements with other
Federal agencies under which the agencies provide funds,
facilities, and other resources of the agencies to the
Department of Agriculture to assist the Department in
carrying out extension work.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever
Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is amended--
(1) in subsections (b)(1) and (c), by striking ``Federal
Extension Service'' each place it appears and inserting
``Secretary of Agriculture''; and
(2) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``through the Federal
Extension Service''.
[[Page S11382]]
SEC. 224. INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7
U.S.C. 361c) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Integration of Research and Extension.--
``(1) In general.--Not less than the applicable percentage
specified under paragraph (2) of the Federal formula funds
that are made available to carry out this Act and subsections
(b) and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C.
343), to colleges and universities eligible to receive funds
under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7
U.S.C. 301 et seq.), during a fiscal year shall be allotted
to activities that integrate cooperative research and
extension (referred to in this subsection as `integrated
activities').
``(2) Applicable percentages.--
``(A) Current expenditures on integrated activities.--The
Secretary of Agriculture shall determine the percentage of
the Federal formula funds described in paragraph (1) that
each State expended for fiscal year 1997 for integrated
activities.
``(B) Planned expenditures on integrated activities.--For
fiscal year 2000 and each subsequent fiscal year, a State
shall expend for integrated activities a percentage of the
Federal formula funds described in paragraph (1) for a fiscal
year that is at least equal to the lesser of--
``(i) 25 percent; or
``(ii) twice the percentage for the State determined under
subparagraph (A).
``(C) Reduction by secretary.--The Secretary may reduce the
minimum percentage required to be allotted for integrated
activities under subparagraph (B) in a case of hardship,
infeasibility, or other similar circumstance beyond the
control of the State, as determined by the Secretary.
``(D) Compliance.--The State shall provide to the Secretary
a description of the manner in which the State will meet the
requirements of this paragraph.
``(3) Applicability.--This subsection does not apply to
funds provided--
``(A) by a State or local government pursuant to a matching
requirement;
``(B) to a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of
the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); or
``(C) to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, or Guam.
``(4) Other requirements.--Funds that are used in
accordance with paragraph (2)(B) may also be used to satisfy
the requirements of subsection (c)(3) and the requirements of
section 3(h) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(h)).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act
(7 U.S.C. 343) (as amended by section 105(2)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(j) Reference to Other Law.--Section 3(h) of the Hatch
Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(h)) shall apply to amounts made
available to carry out this Act.''.
SEC. 225. COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND FACILITIES RESEARCH
GRANTS.
(a) Competitive Grants.--The Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended in
subsection (b)--
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by inserting
``national laboratories,'' after ``Federal agencies,''; and
(2) in the second sentence of paragraph (3)(E), by striking
``an individual shall have less than'' and all that follows
through ``research experience'' and inserting ``an individual
shall be within 5 years of the individual's initial career
track position''.
(b) Special Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended by striking
subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Special Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make
grants, for periods not to exceed 3 years, to colleges,
universities, other research institutions and organizations,
Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and
individuals for the purpose of conducting research to
address--
``(A) agricultural research needs of immediate importance,
by themselves or in conjunction with extension or education;
or
``(B) new or emerging areas of agricultural research, by
themselves or in conjunction with extension or education.
``(2) Limitations.--The Secretary may not make a grant
under this subsection--
``(A) for any purpose for which a grant may be made under
subsection (d); or
``(B) for the planning, repair, rehabilitation,
acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
``(3) Review requirements.--
``(A) Research activities.--The Secretary shall make a
grant under this subsection for a research activity only if--
``(i) the activity has undergone scientific peer review
arranged by the grantee in accordance with regulations
promulgated by the Secretary; and
``(ii) except in the case of a grant awarded competitively
under this subsection, the grantee provides to the Secretary
a proposed plan for graduation from noncompetitive Federal
funding for grants under this subsection.
``(B) Extension and education activities.--The Secretary
shall make a grant under this subsection for an extension or
education activity only if--
``(i) the activity has undergone merit review arranged by
the grantee in accordance with regulations promulgated by the
Secretary; and
``(ii) except in the case of a grant awarded competitively
under this subsection, the grantee provides to the Secretary
a proposed plan for graduation from noncompetitive Federal
funding for grants under this subsection.
``(4) Partnerships.--
``(A) Immediate needs.--Except in the case of a grant
awarded competitively under this subsection, to receive a
grant under paragraph (1)(A), a recipient of a grant shall
enter into a partnership to carry out the grant with another
entity referred to in paragraph (1).
``(B) New and emerging areas.--Except in the case of a
grant awarded competitively under this subsection, after a
recipient has received a grant under paragraph (1)(B) for 3
consecutive years, to receive such a grant for an additional
year, the recipient shall enter into a partnership to carry
out the grant with 2 or more entities referred to in
paragraph (1).
``(5) Reports.--
``(A) In general.--A recipient of a grant under this
subsection shall--
``(i) prepare on an annual basis a report describing the
results of the research, extension, or education activity and
the merit of the results; and
``(ii) submit the report to the Secretary.
``(B) Public availability.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), on
request, the Secretary shall make the report available to the
public.
``(ii) Exceptions.--Clause (i) shall not apply to the
extent that making the report, or a part of the report,
available to the public is not authorized or permitted by
section 552 of title 5, United States Code, or section 1905
of title 18, United States Code.
``(6) Set aside for administrative costs.--Of the amounts
made available for a fiscal year to carry out this
subsection, not more than 4 percent of the amounts may be
retained by the Secretary to pay administrative costs
incurred by the Secretary to carry out this subsection.''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
takes effect on October 1, 1998.
SEC. 226. FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA.
Section 793(b) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``January 1, 1997,
October 1, 1998, and October 1, 1999'' and inserting
``October 1, 1997, and each October 1 thereafter through
October 1, 2001''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Purposes.--Subject to subsection (d), of the amounts
transferred to the Account for a fiscal year, the Secretary
shall make available--
``(A) for activities described in subsection (c)(1), not
less than 50 percent, and not more than 67 percent, of the
funds in the Account; and
``(B) for activities described in subsection (c)(2), all
funds in the Account not made available under subparagraph
(A).''.
SEC. 227. HONEY RESEARCH, PROMOTION, AND CONSUMER
INFORMATION.
(a) Findings and Purposes.--Section 2 of the Honey
Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C.
4601) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 2. The
Congress'' and inserting the following:
``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Findings.--Congress''; and
(2) in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1)), by
adding at the end the following:
``(8) Research directed at improving the cost-effectiveness
and efficiency of beekeeping and developing better means of
dealing with pest and disease problems is essential to
keeping honey and honey product prices competitive,
facilitating market growth, and maintaining the financial
well-being of the honey industry.
``(9) Research involving the quality, safety, and image of
honey and honey products, and how that quality, safety, and
image may be affected during the extraction, processing,
packaging, marketing, and other stages of the honey and honey
product production and distribution process, is highly
important to building and maintaining markets for honey and
honey products.''.
(b) Research Projects.--Section 7(f) of the Honey Research,
Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 4606(f)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(f) Funds'' and inserting the following:
``(f) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Funds'';
(2) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as designated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(2) Research projects.--
``(A) In general.--The Honey Board shall reserve at least 8
percent of all assessments collected during a year for
expenditure on approved research projects designed to advance
the cost-effectiveness, competitiveness, efficiency, pest and
disease control, and other management aspects of beekeeping
and honey production.
``(B) Subsequent availability.--If all funds reserved under
subparagraph (A) are
[[Page S11383]]
not allocated to approved research projects in a year, any
unallocated reserved funds shall be carried forward for
allocation and expenditure under subparagraph (A) in
subsequent years.''.
SEC. 228. OFFICE OF ENERGY POLICY AND NEW USES.
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 220. OFFICE OF ENERGY POLICY AND NEW USES.
``An Office of Energy Policy and New Uses of the Department
shall be established in the Office of the Secretary.''.
SEC. 229. KIWIFRUIT RESEARCH, PROMOTION, AND CONSUMER
INFORMATION PROGRAM.
(a) Amendments to Orders.--Section 554(c) of the National
Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act
(7 U.S.C. 7463(c)) is amended in the second sentence by
inserting before the period at the end the following: ``,
except that an amendment to an order shall not require a
referendum to become effective''.
(b) National Kiwifruit Board.--Section 555 of the National
Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act
(7 U.S.C. 7464) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraphs (1) through
(3) and inserting the following:
``(1) 10 members who are producers, exporters, or importers
(or their representatives), based on a proportional
representation of the level of domestic production and
imports of kiwifruit (as determined by the Secretary).
``(2) 1 member appointed from the general public.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Membership.--'' and all that follows
through ``paragraph (2), the'' and inserting ``Membership.--
Subject to the 11-member limit, the''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``who are producers''
after ``members'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``who are importers or
exporters'' after ``members''; and
(C) in the second sentence of paragraph (5), by inserting
``and alternate'' after ``member''.
SEC. 230. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE POLICY, PLANNING, AND
DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Definitions.--Section 3 of the National Aquaculture Act
of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2802) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the propagation'' and
all that follows through the period at the end and inserting
the following: ``the commercially controlled cultivation of
aquatic plants, animals, and microorganisms, but does not
include private for-profit ocean ranching of Pacific salmon
in a State in which the ranching is prohibited by law.'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or aquatic plant'' and
inserting ``aquatic plant, or microorganism'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as
paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Private aquaculture.--The term `private aquaculture'
means the commercially controlled cultivation of aquatic
plants, animals, and microorganisms other than cultivation
carried out by the Federal Government, any State or local
government, or an Indian tribe recognized by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs.''.
(b) National Aquaculture Development Plan.--Section 4 of
the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2803) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C);
(2) in the second sentence of subsection (d), by striking
``Secretaries determine that'' and inserting ``Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
the Interior, and the heads of such other agencies as the
Secretary determines are appropriate, determines that''; and
(3) in subsection (e), by striking ``Secretaries'' and
inserting ``Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, and the heads of
such other agencies as the Secretary determines are
appropriate,''.
(c) Functions and Powers of Secretaries.--Section 5(b)(3)
of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2804(b)(3)) is amended by striking ``Secretaries deem'' and
inserting ``Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, and the heads of
such other agencies as the Secretary determines are
appropriate, consider''.
(d) Coordination of National Activities Regarding
Aquaculture.--The first sentence of section 6(a) of the
National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2805(a)) is
amended by striking ``(f)'' and inserting ``(e)''.
(e) National Policy for Private Aquaculture.--The National
Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 as
sections 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 6 (16 U.S.C. 2805) the
following:
``SEC. 7. NATIONAL POLICY FOR PRIVATE AQUACULTURE.
``(a) In General.--In consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary
shall coordinate and implement a national policy for private
aquaculture in accordance with this section. In developing
the policy, the Secretary may consult with other agencies and
organizations.
``(b) Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Plan.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and
implement a Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Plan
(referred to in this section as the `Department plan') for a
unified aquaculture program of the Department of Agriculture
(referred to in this section as the `Department') to support
the development of private aquaculture.
``(2) Elements of department plan.--The Department plan
shall address--
``(A) programs of individual agencies of the Department
related to aquaculture that are consistent with Department
programs related to other areas of agriculture, including
livestock, crops, products, and commodities under the
jurisdiction of agencies of the Department;
``(B) the treatment of cultivated aquatic animals as
livestock and cultivated aquatic plants as agricultural
crops; and
``(C) means for effective coordination and implementation
of aquaculture activities and programs within the Department,
including individual agency commitments of personnel and
resources.
``(c) National Aquaculture Information Center.--In carrying
out section 5, the Secretary may maintain and support a
National Aquaculture Information Center at the National
Agricultural Library as a repository for information on
national and international aquaculture.
``(d) Treatment of Aquaculture.--The Secretary shall
treat--
``(1) private aquaculture as agriculture; and
``(2) commercially cultivated aquatic animals, plants, and
microorganisms, and products of the animals, plants, and
microorganisms, produced by private persons and transported
or moved in standard commodity channels as agricultural
livestock, crops, and commodities.
``(e) Private Aquaculture Policy Coordination, Development,
and Implementation.--
``(1) Responsibility.--The Secretary shall have
responsibility for coordinating, developing, and carrying out
policies and programs for private aquaculture.
``(2) Duties.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) coordinate all intradepartmental functions and
activities relating to private aquaculture; and
``(B) establish procedures for the coordination of
functions, and consultation with, the coordinating group.
``(f) Liaison With Departments of Commerce and the
Interior.--The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the
Interior shall each designate an officer or employee of the
Department of the Secretary to be the liaison of the
Department to the Secretary of Agriculture.''.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 11 of the
National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (as redesignated by
subsection (e)(1)) is amended by striking ``the fiscal years
1991, 1992, and 1993'' each place it appears and inserting
``fiscal years 1991 through 2002''.
Subtitle D--New Programs
SEC. 231. BIOBASED PRODUCTS.
(a) Definition of Biobased Product.--In this section, the
term ``biobased product'' means a product that is produced
from a renewable agricultural or forestry product.
(b) Coordination of Biobased Product Activities.--The
Secretary shall--
(1) coordinate the research, technical expertise, economic
information, and market information resources and activities
of the Department to develop, commercialize, and promote the
use of biobased products;
(2) solicit input from private sector persons who produce,
or are interested in producing, biobased products;
(3) provide a centralized contact point for advice and
technical assistance for promising and innovative biobased
products; and
(4) submit an annual report to Congress describing the
coordinated research, marketing, and commercialization
activities of the Department relating to biobased products.
(c) Research and Cooperative Agreements for Biobased
Products.--
(1) Definition of eligible contractor.--In this subsection,
the term ``eligible contractor'' means--
(A) a party that has entered into a cooperative research
and development agreement with the Department under section
12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
(15 U.S.C. 3710a);
(B) a recipient of funding from the Alternative
Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation
established under section 1658 of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5902);
(C) a recipient of funding from the Biotechnology Research
and Development Center; or
(D) a recipient of funding from the Department under a
Small Business Innovation Research Program established under
section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
(2) Research.--The Secretary may use the funds, facilities,
and technical expertise of
[[Page S11384]]
the Agricultural Research Service, cooperative research and
development agreement funds, or other funds--
(A) to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible
contractors to operate pilot plants and other large-scale
preparation facilities to promote the practical application
of biobased technologies; and
(B) to conduct--
(i) research on environmental impacts of the technologies;
(ii) research on lowering the cost of manufacturing
biobased products; or
(iii) other appropriate research.
(3) Sale of biobased products.--For the purpose of
determining the market potential for biobased products, an
eligible contractor who enters into a cooperative agreement
may sell biobased products produced at a pilot plant or other
large-scale preparation facility under paragraph (2).
(d) Pilot Project.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Agricultural Research Service, shall establish and carry out
a pilot project under which grants are provided, on a
competitive basis, to scientists of the Agricultural Research
Service to--
(A) encourage innovative and collaborative science; and
(B) during each of fiscal years 1999 through 2001, develop
biobased products with promising commercial potential.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002.
SEC. 232. PRECISION AGRICULTURE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agricultural inputs.--The term ``agricultural inputs''
includes all farm management, agronomic, and field-applied
agricultural production inputs, such as machinery, labor,
time, fuel, irrigation water, commercial nutrients, livestock
waste, crop protection chemicals, agronomic data and
information, application and management services, seed, and
other inputs used in agricultural production.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State agricultural experiment station;
(B) a college or university;
(C) a research institution or organization;
(D) a Federal agency;
(E) a national laboratory;
(F) a private organization or corporation; or
(G) an individual.
(3) Precision agriculture.--The term ``precision
agriculture'' means an integrated information- and
production-based farming system that is designed to increase
long-term site-specific and whole-farm production
efficiencies, productivity, and profitability while
minimizing unintended impacts on wildlife and the environment
by--
(A) combining agricultural sciences, agricultural inputs
and practices, agronomic production databases, and precision
agriculture technologies to efficiently manage agronomic
systems;
(B) gathering on-farm information pertaining to the
variation and interaction of site-specific spatial and
temporal factors affecting crop production;
(C) integrating the information with appropriate data
derived from remote sensing and other precision agriculture
technologies in a timely manner in order to facilitate on-
farm decisionmaking; or
(D) using the information to prescribe and deliver site-
specific application of agricultural inputs and management
practices in agricultural production systems.
(4) Precision agriculture technologies.--The term
``precision agriculture technologies'' includes--
(A) instrumentation and techniques ranging from
sophisticated sensors and software systems to manual sampling
and data collection tools that measure, record, and manage
spatial and temporal data;
(B) technologies for searching out and assembling
information necessary for sound agricultural production
decisionmaking;
(C) open systems technologies for data networking and
processing that produce valued systems for farm management
decisionmaking, including high bandwidth networks,
distributed processing, spatial databasing, object
technology, global positioning systems, data modeling, high
performance image processing, high resolution satellite
imagery, digital orthophotogrammetry simulation, geographic
information systems, computer aided design, and digital
cartography; or
(D) machines that deliver information based management
practices, including global positioning satellites, digital
field mapping, on-the-go yield monitoring, automated pest
scouting, and site-specific agricultural input application to
accomplish the objectives of precision agriculture.
(5) Systems research.--The term ``systems research'' means
an integrated, coordinated, and iterative investigative
process that considers the multiple interacting components
and aspects of precision agriculture systems, including
synthesis of new knowledge regarding the physical-chemical-
biological processes and complex interactions with cropping
and natural resource systems, precision agriculture
technologies development and implementation, data and
information collection and interpretation, production scale
planning, production-scale implementation, and farm
production efficiencies, productivity, and profitability.
(b) Grants.--After consultation with the Advisory Board,
the Secretary may make competitive grants, for periods not to
exceed 5 years, to eligible entities to carry out research,
education, and information dissemination projects for the
development and promotion of precision agriculture. The
projects shall address 1 or more of the following:
(1) The study and promotion of components of precision
agriculture technologies using a systems research approach
designed to increase long-term site-specific and whole-farm
production efficiencies, productivity, and profitability.
(2) The improvement in the understanding of agronomic
systems, including soil, water, land cover, and
meteorological variability.
(3) The development, demonstration, and dissemination of
information regarding precision agriculture technologies and
systems into an integrated program.
(4) The promotion of systems research and education
projects focusing on the integration of the multiple aspects
of precision agriculture, including development, production-
scale implementation, and farm production efficiencies,
productivity, and profitability.
(5) The education of agricultural producers and consumers
regarding the costs and benefits of precision agriculture as
it relates to increased long-term farm production
efficiencies, productivity, and profitability, as well as the
maintenance of the environment and improvements in
international trade.
(6) The provision of training and educational programs for
State cooperative extension services agents, agricultural
producers, agricultural input machinery, product, and service
providers, and certified crop advisers and other
professionals involved in agricultural production and the
transfer of integrated precision agriculture technology.
(7) The study of whether precision agriculture technologies
are applicable and accessible to small and medium size farms
and the study of methods of improving the applicability of
precision agriculture technologies to the farms.
(c) Education and Information Dissemination.--Of the funds
allocated for grants under this section, the Secretary shall
reserve a portion of the funds for education and information
dissemination grants regarding precision agriculture.
(d) Precision Agriculture Partnerships.--
(1) Establishment.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, shall
encourage the establishment of appropriate multistate and
national partnerships or consortia among--
(A) land-grant colleges and universities;
(B) State agricultural experiment stations;
(C) State cooperative extension services;
(D) other colleges and universities with demonstrable
expertise regarding precision agriculture;
(E) agencies of the Department;
(F) national laboratories;
(G) agribusinesses;
(H) agricultural equipment and input manufacturers and
retailers;
(I) certified crop advisers;
(J) commodity organizations;
(K) other Federal or State government entities and
agencies;
(L) nonagricultural industries and nonprofit organizations
with demonstrable expertise regarding precision agriculture;
and
(M) agricultural producers and other land managers.
(2) Agreement between secretary of energy and secretary of
agriculture.--The partnerships established pursuant to this
subsection may include the agreement entered into (before the
date of enactment of this Act) by the Secretary of Energy (on
behalf of the national laboratories of the Department of
Energy) and the Secretary of Agriculture (on behalf of
agencies of the Department) to promote cooperation and
coordination between the national laboratories of the
Department of Energy and agencies of the Department of
Agriculture in the areas of systems research, technology
research and development, and the transfer, utilization, and
private-sector commercialization of technology.
(3) Role of partnerships.--Partnerships described in
paragraph (1) shall be eligible grantees for conducting
systems research (including on-farm research) regarding
precision agriculture and precision agriculture technologies.
(e) Limitation.--A grant made under this section may not be
used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition,
or construction of a building or facility.
(f) Matching Funds.--The Secretary may not take the offer
or availability of matching funds into consideration in
making a grant under this section.
(g) Annual Report.--Not later than January 1 of each year,
the Secretary shall transmit to Congress an annual report
describing the policies, priorities, and operations of the
grant program authorized by this section during the preceding
fiscal year.
(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such
regulations as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out
this section.
(i) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and
Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not
apply to a panel or board created for the purpose of
reviewing applications or proposals submitted under this
section.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
such sums as are necessary to
[[Page S11385]]
carry out this section for each of fiscal years 1998 through
2002, of which, for each fiscal year--
(A) not less than 30 percent shall be available to make
grants for research to be conducted by multidisciplinary
teams;
(B) not less than 40 percent shall be available to make
grants for research to be conducted by eligible entities
conducting mission-linked systems research; and
(C) not more than 4 percent may be retained by the
Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred by the
Secretary in carrying out this section.
(2) Availability of funds.--Funds made available under
paragraph (1) shall be available for obligation for a 2-year
period beginning on October 1 of the fiscal year for which
the funds are made available.
SEC. 233. FORMOSAN TERMITE ERADICATION PROGRAM.
(a) Research Program.--The Secretary may make competitive
research grants for terms of not to exceed 5 years to
regional and multijurisdictional entities, local government
planning organizations, and local governments for the purpose
of conducting research for the control, management, and
possible eradication of Formosan termites in the United
States.
(b) Eradication Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements with regional and multijurisdictional entities,
local government planning organizations, and local
governments for the purposes of--
(A) conducting projects for the control, management, and
possible eradication of Formosan termites in the United
States; and
(B) collecting data on the effectiveness of the projects.
(2) Funding priority.--In allocating funds made available
to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall provide a
higher priority for regions or locations with the highest
historical rates of infestation of Formosan termites.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
SEC. 234. NUTRIENT COMPOSITION DATA.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall update, on a periodic
basis, nutrient composition data.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report that describes--
(1) the method the Secretary will use to update nutrient
composition data, including the quality assurance criteria
that will be used and the method for generating the data; and
(2) the timing for updating the data.
SEC. 235. CONSOLIDATED ADMINISTRATIVE AND LABORATORY
FACILITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.),
the Public Buildings Act of 1959 (40 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), or
section 5 of the Public Buildings Amendments of 1972 (40
U.S.C. 602a), the Secretary, in consultation with the
Administrator of General Services, may enter into contracts
for the design, construction, and operation of a consolidated
administrative and laboratory facility of the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service to be located in or near
Ames, Iowa.
(b) Awarding of Contract.--
(1) Solicitation.--The Secretary may solicit contract
proposals from interested parties to carry out subsection
(a).
(2) Priority.--In awarding contracts under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall--
(A) review the proposals; and
(B) provide a higher priority to proposals that--
(i) are--
(I) the most cost effective for the Federal Government; or
(II) safer, based on the relative safety of the proposed
facility in comparison to facilities of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service located in Ames, Iowa, in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act; and
(ii) allow for the use of donated land, federally owned
property, or lease-purchase arrangements.
(c) Donations.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
may, in connection with real property, buildings, and
facilities, accept on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service such gifts or donations of services or
property, real or personal, as the Secretary determines
necessary.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out
this section for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, to
remain available until expended.
SEC. 236. NATIONAL SWINE RESEARCH CENTER.
Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out
this section, or through a reprogramming of funds provided
for swine research to carry out this section pursuant to
established procedures, during the period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act and ending December 31, 1998,
the Secretary, acting through the Agricultural Research
Service, may accept as a gift, and administer, the National
Swine Research Center located in Ames, Iowa.
SEC. 237. COORDINATED PROGRAM OF RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND
EDUCATION TO IMPROVE VIABILITY OF SMALL AND
MEDIUM SIZE DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may carry out a coordinated
program of research, extension, and education to improve the
competitiveness, viability, and sustainability of small and
medium size dairy and livestock operations (referred to in
this section as ``operations'').
(b) Components.--To the extent the Secretary elects to
carry out the program, the Secretary shall conduct--
(1) research, development, and on-farm extension and
education concerning low-cost production facilities and
practices, management systems, and genetics that are
appropriate for the operations;
(2) research and extension on management-intensive grazing
systems for livestock and dairy production to realize the
potential for reduced capital and feed costs through greater
use of management skills, labor availability optimization,
and the natural benefits of grazing pastures;
(3) research and extension on integrated crop and livestock
systems that increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and prevent
environmental pollution to strengthen the competitive
position of the operations;
(4) economic analyses and market feasibility studies to
identify new and expanded opportunities for producers on the
operations that provide tools and strategies to meet consumer
demand in domestic and international markets, such as
cooperative marketing and value-added strategies for milk and
meat production and processing; and
(5) technology assessment that compares the technological
resources of large specialized producers with the
technological needs of producers on the operations to
identify and transfer existing technology across all sizes
and scales and to identify the specific research and
education needs of the producers.
(c) Administration.--The Secretary may use the funds,
facilities, and technical expertise of the Agricultural
Research Service and the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service and other funds available to
the Secretary (other than funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation) to carry out this section.
SEC. 238. SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH REGARDING DISEASES OF WHEAT
AND BARLEY CAUSED BY FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM.
(a) Research Grant Authorized.--The Secretary may make a
grant to a consortium of land-grant colleges and universities
to enhance the ability of the consortium to carry out a
multi-State research project aimed at understanding and
combating diseases of wheat and barley caused by Fusarium
graminearum and related fungi (referred to in this section as
``wheat scab'').
(b) Research Components.--Funds provided under this section
shall be available for the following collaborative, multi-
State research activities:
(1) Identification and understanding of the epidemiology of
wheat scab and the toxicological properties of vomitoxin, a
toxic metabolite commonly occurring in wheat and barley
infected with wheat scab.
(2) Development of crop management strategies to reduce the
risk of wheat scab occurrence.
(3) Development of--
(A) efficient and accurate methods to monitor wheat and
barley for the presence of wheat scab and resulting vomitoxin
contamination;
(B) post-harvest management techniques for wheat and barley
infected with wheat scab; and
(C) milling and food processing techniques to render
contaminated grain safe.
(4) Strengthening and expansion of plant-breeding
activities to enhance the resistance of wheat and barley to
wheat scab, including the establishment of a regional
advanced breeding material evaluation nursery and a germplasm
introduction and evaluation system.
(5) Development and deployment of alternative fungicide
application systems and formulations to control wheat scab
and consideration of other chemical control strategies to
assist farmers until new more resistant wheat and barley
varieties are available.
(c) Communications Networks.--Funds provided under this
section shall be available for efforts to concentrate,
integrate, and disseminate research, extension, and outreach-
orientated information regarding wheat scab.
(d) Management.--To oversee the use of a grant made under
this section, the Secretary may establish a committee
composed of the directors of the agricultural experiment
stations in the States in which land-grant colleges and
universities that are members of the consortium are located.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,200,000 for
each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
SEC. 239. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.
(a) Continuation of Program.--The Secretary shall continue
operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database
program (referred to in this section as the ``FARAD
program'') through contracts with appropriate colleges or
universities.
(b) Activities.--In carrying out the FARAD program, the
Secretary shall--
(1) provide livestock producers, extension specialists,
scientists, and veterinarians with information to prevent
drug, pesticide, and
[[Page S11386]]
environmental contaminant residues in food animal products;
(2) maintain up-to-date information concerning--
(A) withdrawal times on FDA-approved food animal drugs and
appropriate withdrawal intervals for drugs used in food
animals in the United States, as established under section
512(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.
360b(a));
(B) official tolerances for drugs and pesticides in
tissues, eggs, and milk;
(C) descriptions and sensitivities of rapid screening tests
for detecting residues in tissues, eggs, and milk; and
(D) data on the distribution and fate of chemicals in food
animals;
(3) publish periodically a compilation of food animal drugs
approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
(4) make information on food animal drugs available to the
public through handbooks and other literature, computer
software, a telephone hotline, and the Internet;
(5) furnish producer quality-assurance programs with up-to-
date data on approved drugs;
(6) maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date, residue
avoidance database;
(7) provide professional advice for determining the
withdrawal times necessary for food safety in the use of
drugs in food animals; and
(8) engage in other activities designed to promote food
safety.
(c) Contracts.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into
contracts with appropriate colleges and universities to
operate the FARAD program.
(2) Term.--The term of a contract under subsection (a)
shall be 3 years, with options to extend the term of the
contract triennially.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for
each fiscal year.
SEC. 240. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN RURAL AREAS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may provide financial
assistance to a nationally recognized organization to promote
educational opportunities at the primary and secondary levels
in rural areas with a historic incidence of poverty and low
academic achievement, including the Lower Mississippi River
Delta.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section up to
$10,000,000 for each fiscal year.
Subtitle E--Studies and Miscellaneous
SEC. 241. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a performance
evaluation to determine whether federally funded agricultural
research, extension, and education programs result in public
goods that have national or multistate significance.
(b) Contract.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract
with an expert in research assessment and performance
evaluation to provide input and recommendations to the
Secretary with respect to federally funded agricultural
research, extension, and education programs.
(2) Guidelines for performance measurement.--
(A) In general.--The contractor under paragraph (1) shall
develop and propose to the Secretary practical guidelines for
measuring performance of federally funded agricultural
research, extension, and education programs.
(B) Consistency with gpra.--The guidelines shall be
consistent with the Government Performance and Results Act of
1993 (Public Law 103-62) and amendments made by that Act.
SEC. 242. STUDY OF FEDERALLY FUNDED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.
(a) Study.--Not later than January 1, 1999, the Secretary
shall request the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a
study of the role and mission of federally funded
agricultural research, extension, and education.
(b) Requirements.--The study shall--
(1) evaluate the strength of science conducted by the
Agricultural Research Service and the relevance of the
science to national priorities;
(2) examine how the work of the Agricultural Research
Service relates to the capacity of the agricultural research,
extension, and education system of the United States;
(3) examine the formulas for funding agricultural research
and extension; and
(4) examine the system of competitive grants for
agricultural research, extension, and education.
(c) Reports.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry of the
Senate--
(1) not later than 18 months after the commencement of the
study, a report that describes the results of the study as it
relates to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b),
including any appropriate recommendations; and
(2) not later than 3 years after the commencement of the
study, a report that describes the results of the study as it
relates to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (b),
including any appropriate recommendations.
SEC. 243. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON STATE MATCH FOR 1890
INSTITUTIONS.
It is the sense of Congress that States should provide
matching funds for agricultural research and extension
formula funds provided by the Federal Government to 1890
Institutions.
TITLE III--INITIATIVE FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
SEC. 301. INITIATIVE FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States an account to be known as the Initiative
for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (referred to in this
section as the ``Account'') to provide funds for activities
authorized under this section.
(b) Funding.--
(1) In general.--Out of any funds in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
transfer to the Account--
(A) on October 1, 1997, $100,000,000; and
(B) on October 1, 1998, and each October 1 thereafter
through October 1, 2001, $170,000,000.
(2) Entitlement.--The Secretary--
(A) shall be entitled to receive the funds transferred to
the Account under paragraph (1);
(B) shall accept the funds; and
(C) shall use the funds to carry out this section.
(c) Purposes.--
(1) Critical emerging issues.--The Secretary shall use the
funds in the Account--
(A) subject to paragraph (2), for research, extension, and
education grants (referred to in this section as ``grants'')
to address critical emerging agricultural issues related to--
(i) future food production;
(ii) environmental protection; or
(iii) farm income; and
(B) for activities carried out under the Alternative
Agricultural Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 5901 et seq.).
(2) Priority mission areas.--
(A) Fiscal year 1998.--In making grants under this section
for fiscal year 1998, the Secretary shall address priority
mission areas related to--
(i) food genome;
(ii) food safety, food technology, and human nutrition;
(iii) new and alternative uses and production of
agricultural commodities and products;
(iv) agricultural biotechnology; and
(v) natural resource management, including precision
agriculture.
(B) Fiscal years 1999 through 2002.--In making grants under
this section for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002, the
Secretary shall address--
(i) priority mission areas described in subparagraph (A);
or
(ii) after consultation with the Advisory Board, new or
different priority mission areas, including the viability and
competitiveness of small and medium sized dairy, livestock,
crop, and other commodity operations.
(d) Eligible Grantees.--The Secretary may make a grant
under this section to--
(1) a Federal research agency;
(2) a national laboratory;
(3) a college or university or a research foundation
maintained by a college or university; or
(4) a private research organization with an established and
demonstrated capacity to perform research or technology
transfer.
(e) Use of Grants.--
(1) Smaller institutions.--The Secretary may award grants
under this section to ensure that the faculty of small and
mid-sized institutions who have not previously been
successful in obtaining competitive grants awarded by the
Secretary under subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special,
and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) receive
a portion of the grants.
(2) Priorities.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall provide a higher priority to--
(A) a project that is multistate, multi-institutional, or
multidisciplinary; or
(B) a project that integrates agricultural research,
extension, and education.
(f) Administration.--
(1) In general.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall--
(A) seek and accept proposals for grants;
(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals through
a system of peer review in accordance with section 103;
(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and
relevance to advancing the purposes and priority mission
areas established under subsection (c); and
(D) solicit and consider input from stakeholders in
accordance with section 102(b)(1).
(2) Competitive basis.--A grant under this section shall be
awarded on a competitive basis.
(3) Term.--A grant under this section shall have a term
that does not exceed 5 years.
(4) Matching funds.--As a condition of making a grant under
this section, the Secretary shall require the funding of the
grant be matched with equal matching funds from a non-Federal
source if the grant is--
(A) for applied research that is commodity-specific; and
(B) not of national scope.
(5) Delegation.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall administer this
section through the Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service of the Department.
[[Page S11387]]
(B) Institutes.--The Secretary may establish 1 or more
institutes to carry out all or part of the activities
authorized under this section.
(6) Availability of funds.--Funds for grants under this
section shall be available for obligation for a 2-year
period.
(7) Administrative costs.--The Secretary may use not more
than 4 percent of the funds made available for grants under
this section for administrative costs incurred by the
Secretary in carrying out this section.
(8) Buildings and facilities.--Funds made available for
grants under this section shall not be used for the
construction of a new building or facility or the
acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an
existing building or facility (including site grading and
improvement and architect fees).
TITLE IV--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES; TECHNICAL
AMENDMENTS
SEC. 401. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITIES.
(a) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977.--The National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended--
(1) in subsection (l) of section 1417 (7 U.S.C. 3152) (as
redesignated by section 202(1)), by striking ``1997'' and
inserting ``2002'';
(2) in section 1419(d) (7 U.S.C. 3154(d)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(3) in section 1419A(d) (7 U.S.C. 3155(d)), by striking
``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 1996 through 2002'';
(4) in section 1424(d) (7 U.S.C. 3174(d)), by striking
``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 1996 through 2002'';
(5) in section 1425(c)(3) (7 U.S.C. 3175(c)(3)), by
striking ``and 1997'' and inserting ``through 2002'';
(6) in the first sentence of section 1433(a) (7 U.S.C.
3195(a)), by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(7) in section 1434(a) (7 U.S.C. 3196(a)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(8) in section 1447(b) (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)), by striking
``and 1997'' and inserting ``through 2002'';
(9) in section 1448 (7 U.S.C. 3222c)--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and 1997'' and
inserting ``through 2002''; and
(B) in subsection (f), by striking ``1997'' and inserting
``2002'';
(10) in section 1455(c) (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)), by striking
``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years
1997 through 2002'';
(11) in section 1463 (7 U.S.C. 3311), by striking ``1997''
each place it appears in subsections (a) and (b) and
inserting ``2002'';
(12) in section 1464 (7 U.S.C. 3312), by striking ``1997''
and inserting ``2002'';
(13) in section 1473D(a) (7 U.S.C. 3319d(a)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(14) in the first sentence of section 1477 (7 U.S.C. 3324),
by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''; and
(15) in section 1483(a) (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(b) Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of
1990.--The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of
1990 is amended--
(1) in section 1635(b) (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(2) in section 1673(h) (7 U.S.C. 5926(h)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002'';
(3) in section 1676(e) (7 U.S.C. 5929(e)), by striking
``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years
1997 through 2002'';
(4) in section 2381(e) (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)), by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''; and
(5) in section 2412 (7 U.S.C. 6710), by striking ``1997''
and inserting ``2002''.
(c) Critical Agricultural Materials Act.--Section 16(a) of
the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178n(a)) is
amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(d) Research Facilities Act.--Section 6(a) of the Research
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d(a)) is amended by striking
``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 1996 through 2002''.
(e) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act Amendments of 1985.--Section 1431 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act
Amendments of 1985 (99 Stat. 1566) is amended by striking
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(f) Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act.--Subsection (b)(10) of the Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(10)) is
amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.
(g) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act Amendments of 1981.--Section 1432(b)(5) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act Amendments of 1981 (Public Law 97-98; 7 U.S.C.
3222 note) is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting
``2002''.
(h) Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.--
Sections 533(b) and 535 of the Equity in Educational Land-
Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301
note) are amended by striking ``2000'' each place it appears
and inserting ``2002''.
(i) Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978.--Section 6
of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C.
1675) is amended in the first sentence by striking ``the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1988,'' and all that follows
through the period at the end and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 1987 through 2002.''.
SEC. 402. REPEAL OF AUTHORITIES.
(a) National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977.--Sections 1424A and 1476 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174a, 3323) are repealed.
(b) Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of
1990.--Subtitle G of title XIV and sections 1670 and 1675 of
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 5501 et seq., 5923, 5928) are repealed.
(c) Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of
1996.--Subtitle E of title VIII of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 1184) is
repealed.
SEC. 403. SHORT TITLES FOR SMITH-LEVER ACT AND HATCH ACT OF
1887.
(a) Smith-Lever Act.--The Act of May 8, 1914 (commonly
known as the ``Smith-Lever Act'') (38 Stat. 372, chapter 79;
7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE.
``This Act may be cited as the `Smith-Lever Act'.''.
(b) Hatch Act of 1887.--The Act of March 2, 1887 (commonly
known as the ``Hatch Act of 1887'') (24 Stat. 440, chapter
314; 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.), is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 10. SHORT TITLE.
``This Act may be cited as the `Hatch Act of 1887'.''.
SEC. 404. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO RESEARCH PROVISIONS OF
FEDERAL AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT
OF 1996.
(a) Supplemental and Alternative Crops Research.--Section
819(b)(5) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 1167) is amended
by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and inserting ``subsection
(c)(3)''.
(b) Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences.--
Section 1413(b) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3128(b))
is amended by striking ``Joint Council, the Advisory Board,''
and inserting ``Advisory Board''.
(c) Advisory Board.--
(1) Support for advisory board.--Section 1412 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3127) is amended--
(A) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``their
duties'' each place it appears and inserting ``its duties'';
and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``their
recommendations'' and inserting ``its recommendations''.
(2) General provisions.--Section 1413(a) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3128(a)) is amended by striking ``their
powers'' and inserting ``its duties''.
(d) Plant and Animal Pest and Disease Control Program.--
Section 1629(g) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832(g)) is amended by striking
``section 1650,''.
(e) Grants To Upgrade 1890 Land-Grant College Extension
Facilities.--Section 873 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110
Stat. 1175) is amended by striking ``1981'' and inserting
``1985''.
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
take effect on April 4, 1996.
TITLE V--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SAVINGS
SEC. 501. NUTRITION PROGRAMS.
(a) Food Stamps.--Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977
(7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking
``The Secretary'' and inserting ``Subject to subsection (k),
the Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Reductions in Payments for Administrative Costs.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) AFDC program.--The term `AFDC program' means the
program of aid to families with dependent children
established under part A of title IV of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (as in effect, with respect to a
State, during the base period for that State)).
``(B) Base period.--The term `base period' means the period
used to determine the amount of the State family assistance
grant for a State under section 403 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 603).
``(C) Medicaid program.--The term `medicaid program' means
the program of medical assistance under a State plan or under
a waiver of the plan under title XIX of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
``(2) Determinations of amounts attributable to benefiting
programs.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the
States, shall, with respect to the base period for each
State, determine--
``(A) the annualized amount the State received under
section 403(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
603(a)(3) (as in effect during the base period)) for
administrative costs common to determining the eligibility of
individuals, families, and households eligible or applying
for the AFDC program and the food stamp program, the AFDC
program and the medicaid program, and the AFDC
[[Page S11388]]
program, the food stamp program, and the medicaid program
that were allocated to the AFDC program; and
``(B) the annualized amount the State would have received
under section 403(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
603(a)(3) (as so in effect)), section 1903(a)(7) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(7) (as so in
effect)), and subsection (a) of this section (as so in
effect), for administrative costs common to determining the
eligibility of individuals, families, and households eligible
or applying for the AFDC program and the food stamp program,
the AFDC program and the medicaid program, and the AFDC
program, the food stamp program, and the medicaid program, if
those costs had been allocated equally among such programs
for which the individual, family, or household was eligible
or applied for.
``(3) Reduction in payment.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this section, effective for each of fiscal years
1998 through 2002, the Secretary shall reduce, for each
fiscal year, the amount paid under subsection (a) to each
State by an amount equal to the amount determined for the
food stamp program under paragraph (2)(B).
``(4) Determinations not subject to review.--The
determinations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
under paragraph (2) shall be final and not subject to
administrative or judicial review.
``(5) Allocation of common administrative costs.--In
allocating administrative costs common to determining the
eligibility of individuals, families, and households eligible
or applying for 2 or more State-administered public benefit
programs, the head of a Federal agency may require States to
allocate the costs among the programs.''.
(b) Meals for Children of Working Families.--
(1) Grants for low-income areas.--Section 4 of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(f) Low-Income Area Grant Program.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Eligible school.--The term `eligible school' means a
school--
``(i) attended by children, a significant percentage of
whom are members of low-income families, as determined by the
Secretary; and
``(ii)(I) as used with respect to a school breakfast
program, that agrees to operate the school breakfast program
established or expanded with the assistance provided under
this subsection for a period of not less than 3 years; and
``(II) as used with respect to a summer food service
program for children, that agrees to operate the summer food
service program for children established or expanded with the
assistance provided under this subsection for a period of not
less than 3 years.
``(B) Service institution.--The term `service institution'
means an institution or organization described in paragraph
(1)(B) or (7) of section 13(a) of the National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(a)).
``(C) Summer food service program for children.--The term
`summer food service program for children' means a program
authorized by section 13 of the National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1761).
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
program under this subsection to be known as the `Low-Income
Area Grant Program' (referred to in this subsection as the
`Program') to assist eligible schools and service
institutions through grants to initiate or expand programs
under the school breakfast program and the summer food
service program for children.
``(3) Payments.--
``(A) Appropriation.--Out of any moneys in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
provide to the Secretary $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1998 and
each fiscal year thereafter.
``(B) Entitlement to funds.--The Secretary shall be
entitled to receive the funds made available under
subparagraph (A) and shall accept the funds.
``(C) Use of funds.--The Secretary shall use the funds made
available under subparagraph (A) to make payments under the
Program--
``(i) in the case of the school breakfast program, to
school food authorities for eligible schools; and
``(ii) in the case of the summer food service program for
children, to service institutions.
``(D) Insufficient number of applicants.--The Secretary may
expend less than the amount described in subparagraph (A) for
a fiscal year to the extent that there is an insufficient
number of suitable applicants to initiate or expand programs
under this subsection for the fiscal year.
``(4) Priority.--The Secretary shall make payments under
the Program on a competitive basis and in the following order
of priority (subject to the other provisions of this
subsection) to:
``(A) School food authorities for eligible schools to
assist the schools with nonrecurring expenses incurred in--
``(i) initiating a school breakfast program under this
section; or
``(ii) expanding a school breakfast program.
``(B) Service institutions to assist the institutions with
nonrecurring expenses incurred in--
``(i) initiating a summer food service program for
children; or
``(ii) expanding a summer food service program for
children.
``(5) Payments additional.--Payments under the Program
shall be in addition to payments under subsection (b) of this
section and section 13 of the National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1761).
``(6) Preferences.--Consistent with paragraph (4), in
making payments under the Program for any fiscal year to
initiate or expand school breakfast programs or summer food
service programs for children, the Secretary shall provide a
preference to a school food authority for an eligible school
or service institution that--
``(A) in the case of a summer food service program for
children, is a public or private nonprofit school food
authority;
``(B) has significant public or private resources that will
be used to carry out the initiation or expansion of the
programs during the year;
``(C) serves an unmet need among low-income children, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(D) is not operating a school breakfast program or summer
food service program for children, as appropriate.
``(7) Recovery and reallocation.--The Secretary shall act
in a timely manner to recover and reallocate to other school
food authorities for eligible schools or service institutions
any amounts under the Program that are not expended within a
reasonable period (as determined by the Secretary).
``(8) Maintenance of effort.--Expenditures of funds from
State, local, and private sources for the maintenance of the
school breakfast program and the summer food service program
for children shall not be diminished as a result of payments
received under the Program.''.
(2) Meals and supplements.--Section 13(b)(2) of the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(b)(2)) is amended--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses
(i) and (ii), respectively;
(B) by striking ``(2) Any service'' and inserting the
following:
``(2) Meals and supplements.--
``(A) In general.--Any service'';
(C) by striking ``3 meals, or 2 meals and 1 supplement,''
and inserting ``4 meals''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Camps and migrant programs.--A camp or migrant
program may serve a breakfast, a lunch, a supper, and meal
supplements.''.
(3) Number of meals and supplements.--Section 17(f)(2) of
the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(f)(2)) is
amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) Number of meals and supplements.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), no
reimbursement may be made to any institution under this
paragraph, or to a family or group day care home sponsoring
organization under paragraph (3), for more than 2 meals and 1
supplement per day per child.
``(ii) Child care.--A reimbursement may be made to an
institution under this paragraph (but not a family or group
day care home sponsoring organization) for 2 meals and 2
supplements, or 3 meals and 1 supplement, per day per child
for children that are maintained in a child care setting for
8 or more hours per day.''.
(4) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraphs (2)
and (3) take effect on September 1, 1998.
(c) Information Clearinghouse.--Section 26(d) of the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769g(d)) is amended in
the first sentence by striking ``$150,000'' and all that
follows through ``1998'' and inserting ``$150,000 for fiscal
year 1997, and $185,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 through
2002''.
(d) Food Stamp Eligibility for Certain Indians.--
(1) Exception for certain indians.--Section 402(a)(2)(G) of
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2)(G)) is
amended--
(A) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``SSI
exception'' and inserting ``Exception''; and
(B) by striking ``program defined in paragraph (3)(A)
(relating to the supplemental security income program)'' and
inserting ``specified Federal programs described in paragraph
(3)''.
(2) Benefits for certain indians.--Section 403(d) of the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613(d)) is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``SSI and
Medicaid''; and
(B) by striking ``(a)(3)(A)'' and inserting ``(a)(3)''.
SEC. 502. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 4(g) of the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714b(g)) is amended in the
first sentence by striking ``$275,000,000'' and inserting
``$193,000,000''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
takes effect on October 1, 1997.
____________________