[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10354-H10371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  1997

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2534) to reform, extend, and repeal certain 
agricultural research, extension, and education programs, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2534

       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 
     Reauthorization Act of 1997''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION

Sec. 101. Priorities and management principles for federally supported 
              and conducted agricultural research, education, and 
              extension.
Sec. 102. Principal definitions regarding agricultural research, 
              education, and extension.
Sec. 103. Consultation with National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
              Education, and Economics Advisory Board.
Sec. 104. Relevance and merit of federally funded agricultural 
              research, extension, and education.
Sec. 105. Expansion of authority to enter into cost-reimbursable 
              agreements.
Sec. 106. Evaluation and assessment of agricultural research, 
              extension, and education programs.

    TITLE II--REFORM OF EXISTING RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              AUTHORITIES

           Subtitle A--Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887

Sec. 201. Adoption of short titles for Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 
              1887.
Sec. 202. Consistent matching funds requirements under Hatch Act of 
              1887 and Smith-Lever Act.
Sec. 203. Plans of work to address critical research and extension 
              issues and use of protocols to measure success of plans.

  Subtitle B--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
                           Policy Act of 1977

Sec. 211. Plans of work for 1890 land-grant colleges to address 
              critical research and extension issues and use of 
              protocols to measure success of plans.
Sec. 212. Matching funds requirement for research and extension 
              activities at 1890 land-grant colleges, including 
              Tuskegee University.
Sec. 213. International research, extension, and teaching.
Sec. 214. Task force on 10-year strategic plan for agricultural 
              research facilities.

   Subtitle C--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990

Sec. 231. Agricultural genome initiative.

                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

Sec. 241. Waiver of matching requirement for certain small colleges and 
              universities.

                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

Sec. 251. Findings, authorities, and competitive research grants under 
              Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
              1978.

 TITLE III--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              INITIATIVES

                         Subtitle A--Extensions

Sec. 301. National Research Initiative under Competitive, Special, and 
              Facilities Research Grant Act.
Sec. 302. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Sec. 303. Education grants programs for Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sec. 304. General authorization for agricultural research programs.
Sec. 305. General authorization for extension education.
Sec. 306. Grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences 
              education.
Sec. 307. Grants for research on the production and marketing of 
              alcohols and industrial hydrocarbons from agricultural 
              commodities and forest products.
Sec. 308. Policy research centers.
Sec. 309. Human nutrition intervention and health promotion research 
              program.
Sec. 310. Pilot research program to combine medical and agricultural 
              research.
Sec. 311. Food and nutrition education program.
Sec. 312. Animal health and disease continuing research.
Sec. 313. Animal health and disease national or regional research.
Sec. 314. Grant program to upgrade agricultural and food sciences 
              facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges.
Sec. 315. National research and training centennial centers.
Sec. 316. Supplemental and alternative crops research.
Sec. 317. Aquaculture research and extension.
Sec. 318. Rangeland research.
Sec. 319. Federal agricultural research facilities.
Sec. 320. Water quality research, education, and coordination.
Sec. 321. National genetics resources program.
Sec. 322. Agricultural telecommunications program.
Sec. 323. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Sec. 324. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse.
Sec. 325. Critical Agricultural Materials Act.

                          Subtitle B--Repeals

Sec. 341. Aquaculture research facilities.
Sec. 342. Agricultural research program under National Agricultural 
              Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments 
              of 1981.
Sec. 343. Livestock product safety and inspection program.
Sec. 344. Generic authorization of appropriations.

      TITLE IV--NEW RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES

 Subtitle A--Partnerships for High-Value Agricultural Product Quality 
                               Research.

Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Establishment and characteristics of partnerships.
Sec. 403. Elements of grant making process.
Sec. 404. Authorization of appropriations and related provisions.

                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

Sec. 411. Definitions.
Sec. 412. Competitive grants to promote precision agriculture.
Sec. 413. Reservation of funds for education and information 
              dissemination projects.
Sec. 414. Precision agriculture partnerships.
Sec. 415. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations.

                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

Sec. 421. High-priority research and extension initiatives.
Sec. 422. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 423. United States-Mexico joint agricultural research.
Sec. 424. Competitive grants for international agricultural science and 
              education programs.
Sec. 425. Food animal residue avoidance database program.
Sec. 426. Development and commercialization of new biobased products.
Sec. 427. Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification.
Sec. 428. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
              grants program.
Sec. 429. Research grants under Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status 
              Act of 1994.

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Role of Secretary of Agriculture regarding food and 
              agricultural sciences research, education, and extension.
Sec. 502. Office of Pest Management Policy.
Sec. 503. Food Safety Research Information Office and national 
              conference.

[[Page H10355]]

Sec. 504. Nutrient composition data.
Sec. 505. Availability of funds received or collected on behalf of 
              National Arboretum.
Sec. 506. Retention and use of Agricultural Research Service patent 
              culture collection fees.
Sec. 507. Reimbursement of expenses incurred under Sheep Promotion, 
              Research, and Information Act of 1994.
Sec. 508. Designation of Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural 
              Research Center, Weslaco, Texas.
Sec. 509. Sense of Congress regarding Agricultural Research Service 
              emphasis on in field research regarding methyl bromide 
              alternatives.
Sec. 510. Sense of Congress regarding importance of school-based 
              agricultural education.
Sec. 511. Sense of Congress regarding designation of Department Crisis 
              Management Team.
TITLE I--COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION

     SEC. 101. PRIORITIES AND MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES FOR FEDERALLY 
                   SUPPORTED AND CONDUCTED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
                   EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION.

       (a) Priority Setting Process.--Section 1402 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) Purposes.--'' before ``The 
     purposes''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Priority Setting Process.--Consistent with subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall establish priorities for 
     agricultural research, extension, and education activities 
     conducted or funded by the Department. In establishing such 
     priorities, the Secretary shall solicit and consider input 
     and recommendations from the Advisory Board and persons who 
     conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or 
     education.''.
       (b) Management Principles.--Such section is further amended 
     by adding after subsection (b), as added by subsection 
     (a)(2), the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Management Principles.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that agricultural 
     research, education, and extension activities conducted or 
     funded by the Department 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 multi-State and multi-institutional 
     programs to address relevant issues of common concern and to 
     better leverage scarce resources; and
       ``(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.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The heading of such section is 
     amended by inserting ``, PRIORITIES, AND MANAGEMENT 
     PRINCIPLES'' after ``PURPOSES''.

     SEC. 102. PRINCIPAL DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION.

       (a) Food and Agricultural Sciences.--Paragraph (8) of 
     section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(8) Food and agricultural sciences.--The term `food and 
     agricultural sciences' means basic, applied, and 
     developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in 
     food and fiber, agricultural, renewable natural resources, 
     forestry, and physical and social sciences, including (but 
     not limited to) activities relating to the following:
       ``(A) Animal health, production, and well-being.
       ``(B) Plant health and production.
       ``(C) Animal and plant germ plasm collection and 
     preservation.
       ``(D) Aquaculture.
       ``(E) Food safety.
       ``(F) Soil and water conservation and improvement.
       ``(G) Forestry, horticulture, and range management.
       ``(H) Nutritional sciences and promotion.
       ``(I) Farm enhancement, including financial management, 
     input efficiency, and profitability.
       ``(J) Home economics.
       ``(K) Rural human ecology.
       ``(L) Youth development and agricultural education, 
     including 4-H.
       ``(M) Expansion of domestic and international markets for 
     agricultural commodities and products, including agricultural 
     trade barrier identification and comprehension.
       ``(N) Information management and technology transfer 
     related to agriculture.
       ``(O) Biotechnology related to agriculture.''.
       (b) References to Teaching or Education.--Paragraph (14) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``the term `teaching' 
     means'' and inserting ``Teaching and education.--The terms 
     `teaching' and `education' mean''.
       (c) Application of Definitions to Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Education.--Such section is further amended by 
     striking the section heading and all that follows through the 
     matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 1404. PRINCIPAL DEFINITIONS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION.

       ``When used in this title or any other law relating to any 
     research, extension, or education activities of the 
     Department of Agriculture regarding the food and agricultural 
     sciences (unless the context requires otherwise):''.
       (d) In-Kind Support.--Such section is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(18) In-kind support.--The term `in-kind support', with 
     regard to a requirement that the recipient of funds provided 
     by the Secretary match all or some portion of the amount of 
     the funds, means contributions such as office space, 
     equipment, and staff support.''.
       (e) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``the term'' in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), 
     (5), (6), (7), (10) through (13), and (15), (16), and (17) 
     and inserting ``The term'';
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the terms'' and 
     inserting ``The terms'';
       (3) in paragraph (9), by striking ``the term'' the first 
     place it appears and inserting ``The term'';
       (4) by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraphs (1) 
     through (7) and (9) through (15) and inserting a period; and
       (5) in paragraph (16)(F), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a period.

     SEC. 103. CONSULTATION WITH NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
                   EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY 
                   BOARD.

       Subsection (d) of section 1408 of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3123) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Consultation.--
       ``(1) As affecting advisory board.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Advisory Board shall solicit opinions and 
     recommendations from persons who will benefit from and use 
     federally funded agricultural research, extension, education, 
     and economics.
       ``(2) As affecting secretary.--To comply with a provision 
     of this title or any other law that requires the Secretary to 
     consult or cooperate with the Advisory Board or that 
     authorizes the Advisory Board to submit recommendations to 
     the Secretary, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) solicit the written opinions and recommendations of 
     the Advisory Board; and
       ``(B) provide a written response to the Advisory Board 
     regarding the manner and extent to which the Secretary will 
     implement recommendations submitted by the Advisory Board.''.

     SEC. 104. RELEVANCE AND MERIT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
                   EDUCATION.

       (a) Review of Relevance and Merit.--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 new section:

     ``SEC. 1461. RELEVANCE AND MERIT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
                   EDUCATION.

       ``(a) Review of Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
     Extension Service.--
       ``(1) Peer review of research grants.--The Secretary shall 
     establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review 
     of each agricultural research grant administered, on a 
     competitive basis, by the Cooperative State Research, 
     Education, and Extension Service of the Department.
       ``(2) Merit review of extension and education.--The 
     Secretary shall establish procedures that provide for merit 
     review of each agricultural extension or education grant 
     administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative 
     State Research, Education, and Extension Service. The 
     Secretary shall consult with the Advisory Board in 
     establishing such merit review procedures.
       ``(b) Requests for Proposals: Request and Consideration of 
     Input.--When formulating a request for proposals involving an 
     agricultural research, extension, or education activity to be 
     funded by the Secretary on a competitive basis, the Secretary 
     shall solicit and consider input from the Advisory Board and 
     users of agricultural research, extension, and education 
     regarding the request for proposals for the preceding year. 
     If an agricultural research, extension, or education activity 
     has not been the subject of a previous request for proposals, 
     the Secretary shall solicit and consider input from the 
     Advisory Board and users of agricultural research, extension, 
     and education before publication of the first request for 
     proposals regarding the activity.
       ``(c) Scientific Peer Review of Agricultural Research.--
       ``(1) Peer review procedures.--The Secretary shall 
     establish procedures that ensure scientific peer review of 
     all research activities conducted by the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       ``(2) Review panel required.--As part of the procedures 
     established under paragraph (1), a review panel shall verify, 
     at least once every three years, that each research activity 
     of the Department and research conducted under each research 
     program of the Department have scientific merit and 
     relevance. If the research activity or program

[[Page H10356]]

     to be reviewed is included in the research, educational, and 
     economics mission area of the Department, the review panel 
     shall consider--
       ``(A) the scientific merit and relevance of the activity or 
     research in light of the priorities established pursuant to 
     section 1402(b) ; and
       ``(B) the national or multi-State significance of the 
     activity or research.
       ``(3) Composition of review panel.--A review panel shall be 
     composed of individuals with scientific expertise, a majority 
     of whom are not employees of the agency whose research is 
     being reviewed. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall 
     use scientists from colleges and universities to serve on the 
     review panels.
       ``(4) Submission of results.--The results of the panel 
     reviews shall be submitted to the Advisory Board.
       ``(5) Applicability of other laws.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of this Act (7 
     U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a review panel.
       ``(d) Merit Review of College and University Research and 
     Extension Activities.--
       ``(1) Land-grant institutions.--Effective beginning October 
     1, 1998, to be eligible to obtain agricultural research or 
     extension funds from the Secretary for an activity, a land-
     grant college or university 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 (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)) shall--
       ``(A) establish a process for merit review of the activity; 
     and
       ``(B) review the activity in accordance with the 
     process.''.
       (b) 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.--The National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended--
       (A) in section 1444 (7 U.S.C. 3221)--
       (i) by striking subsection (f); and
       (ii) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f);
       (B) in section 1445(g) (7 U.S.C. 3222(g)), by striking 
     paragraph (3); and
       (C) by striking section 1468 (7 U.S.C. 3314).

     SEC. 105. 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''.

     SEC. 106. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
                   EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a performance 
     evaluation to determine whether agricultural research, 
     extension, and education programs conducted or funded by the 
     Department of Agriculture result in public benefits that have 
     national or multi-State significance.
       (b) Guidelines for Performance Measurement.--The Secretary 
     shall develop practical guidelines for measuring the 
     performance of agricultural research, extension and education 
     programs evaluated under subsection (a).
    TITLE II--REFORM OF EXISTING RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              AUTHORITIES
           Subtitle A--Smith-Lever Act and Hatch Act of 1887

     SEC. 201. ADOPTION OF 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; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``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; 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.), is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 10. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This Act may be cited as the `Hatch Act of 1887'.''.
       (c) Coordination With Other Amendments.--For purposes of 
     executing amendments made by provisions of this Act (other 
     than this section), this section shall be treated as having 
     been enacted immediately before the other provisions of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 202. CONSISTENT MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENTS UNDER HATCH 
                   ACT OF 1887 AND SMITH-LEVER ACT.

       (a) Hatch Act of 1887.--Subsection (d) of section 3 of the 
     Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(d) Matching Funds.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--Except as provided in paragraph (4), no 
     allotment shall be made to a State under subsections (b) and 
     (c), and no payments of such allotment shall be made to a 
     State, in excess of the amount which the State makes 
     available out of non-Federal funds for agricultural research 
     and for the establishment and maintenance of facilities for 
     the performance of such research.
       ``(2) Failure to provide matching funds.--If a State fails 
     to comply with the requirement to provide matching funds for 
     a fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall withhold from payment to the State for that 
     fiscal year an amount equal to the difference between--
       ``(A) the amount that would be allotted and paid to the 
     State under subsections (b) and (c) (if the full amount of 
     matching funds were provided by the State); and
       ``(B) the amount of matching funds actually provided by the 
     State.
       ``(3) Reapportionment.--The Secretary shall reapportion 
     amounts withheld under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year among 
     the States satisfying the matching requirement for that 
     fiscal year. Any reapportionment of funds under this 
     paragraph shall be subject to the matching requirement 
     specified in paragraph (1).
       ``(4) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds 
     provided to a State from the Regional research fund, State 
     agricultural experiment stations.''.
       (b) Smith-Lever Act.--Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
     U.S.C. 343) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)2, by striking ``That payments'' and 
     all that follows through ``Provided further,''; and
       (2) by striking subsections (e) and (f) and inserting the 
     following new subsections:
       ``(e) Matching Funds.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--No allotment shall be made to a State 
     under subsections (b) and (c), and no payments of such 
     allotment shall be made to a State, in excess of the amount 
     which the State makes available out of non-Federal funds for 
     cooperative extension work.
       ``(2) Failure to provide matching funds.--If a State fails 
     to comply with the requirement to provide matching funds for 
     a fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall withhold from payment to the State for that 
     fiscal year an amount equal to the difference between--
       ``(A) the amount that would be allotted and paid to the 
     State under subsections (b) and (c) (if the full amount of 
     matching funds were provided by the State); and
       ``(B) the amount of matching funds actually provided by the 
     State.
       ``(3) Reapportionment.--The Secretary shall reapportion 
     amounts withheld under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year among 
     the States satisfying the matching requirement for that 
     fiscal year. Any reapportionment of funds under this 
     paragraph shall be subject to the matching requirement 
     specified in paragraph (1).
       ``(f) Matching Funds Exception for 1994 Institutions.--
     There shall be no matching requirement for funds made 
     available to 1994 Institutions pursuant to subsection 
     (b)(3).''.
       (c) Technical Corrections.--
       (1) Recognition of statehood of alaska and hawaii.--Section 
     1 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a) is amended by 
     striking ``Alaska, Hawaii,''.
       (2) Role of secretary of agriculture.--Section 3 of the 
     Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``Federal Extension 
     Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of Agriculture'';
       (B) in subsection (c)1, by striking ``Federal Extension 
     Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of Agriculture'';
       (C) in subsection (d), by striking ``Federal Extension 
     Service'' and inserting ``Secretary of Agriculture''; and
       (D) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``through the Federal 
     Extension Service''.
       (3) References to regional research fund.--The Hatch Act of 
     1887 is amended--
       (A) in section 3 (7 U.S.C. 361c)--
       (i) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``subsection 
     3(c)(3)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)3''; and
       (ii) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection 3(c)3'' 
     and inserting ``subsection (c)3''; and
       (B) in section 5 (7 U.S.C. 361e), by striking ``regional 
     research fund authorized by subsection 3(c)(3)'' and 
     inserting ``Regional research fund, State agricultural 
     experiment stations''.

     SEC. 203. PLANS OF WORK TO ADDRESS CRITICAL RESEARCH AND 
                   EXTENSION ISSUES AND USE OF PROTOCOLS TO 
                   MEASURE SUCCESS OF PLANS.

       (a) Smith-Lever Act.--Section 4 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
     U.S.C. 344) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Sec. 4.'' and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 4. ASCERTAINMENT OF ENTITLEMENT OF STATE TO FUNDS, 
                   TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENT, STATE REPORTING 
                   REQUIREMENTS, AND PLANS FOR WORK.

       ``(a) Ascertainment of Entitlement.--'';
       (2) in the last sentence, by striking ``Such sums'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(b) Time and Manner of Payment; Related Reports.--The 
     amount to which a State is entitled''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(c) Requirements Related to Plan of Work.--Each extension 
     plan of work for a State required under subsection (a) shall 
     contain descriptions of the following:
       ``(1) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-term 
     agricultural issues in the State and the current and planned 
     extension programs and projects targeted to address such 
     issues.

[[Page H10357]]

       ``(2) The process established to consult with extension 
     users regarding the identification of critical agricultural 
     issues in the State and the development of extension programs 
     and projects targeted to address such issues.
       ``(3) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
     other colleges and universities within the State and other 
     States that have unique capacity to address the identified 
     agricultural issues in the State and current and emerging 
     efforts to work with these other institutions and States.
       ``(4) The manner in which research and extension, including 
     research and extension activities funded other than through 
     formula funds, will cooperate to address the critical issues 
     in the State, including the activities to be carried out 
     separately, the activities to be carried out sequentially, 
     and the activities to be carried out jointly.
       ``(5) The education and outreach programs already underway 
     to convey currently available research results that are 
     pertinent to a critical agricultural issue, including efforts 
     to encourage multi-county cooperation in the dissemination of 
     research results.
       ``(d) Extension Protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
     multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
     extension activities and joint research and extension 
     activities in addressing critical agricultural issues 
     identified in the plans of work submitted under subsection 
     (a). The Secretary shall develop the protocols in 
     consultation with the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board and land-
     grant colleges and universities.
       ``(e) Treatment of Plans of Work for Other Purposes.--To 
     the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of 
     work submitted under subsection (a) to satisfy other 
     appropriate Federal reporting requirements.''.
       (b) Hatch Act of 1887.--Section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 
     (7 U.S.C. 361g), as amended by section 104(b), is further 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``Sec. 7.'' and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 7. DUTIES OF SECRETARY, ASCERTAINMENT OF ENTITLEMENT 
                   OF STATE TO FUNDS, AND PLANS FOR WORK.

       ``(a) Duties of Secretary.--'';
       (2) by striking ``On or before'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(b) Ascertainment of Entitlement.--On or before'';
       (3) by striking ``Whenever it shall appear'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(c) Effect of Failure to Expend Full Allotment.--Whenever 
     it shall appear''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(d) Plan of Work Required.--Before funds may be provided 
     to a State under this Act for any fiscal year, plans for the 
     work to be carried on under this Act shall be submitted by 
     the proper officials of the State and approved by the 
     Secretary of Agriculture.
       ``(e) Requirements Related to Plan of Work.--Each research 
     plan of work for a State required under subsection (d) shall 
     contain descriptions of the following:
       ``(1) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-term 
     agricultural issues in the State and the current and planned 
     research programs and projects targeted to address such 
     issues.
       ``(2) The process established to consult with users of 
     agricultural research regarding the identification of 
     critical agricultural issues in the State and the development 
     of research programs and projects targeted to address such 
     issues.
       ``(3) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
     other colleges and universities within the State and other 
     States that have unique capacity to address the identified 
     agricultural issues in the State and current and emerging 
     efforts (including regional efforts) to work with these other 
     institutions and States.
       ``(4) The manner in which research and extension, including 
     research and extension activities funded other than through 
     formula funds, will cooperate to address the critical issues 
     in the State, including the activities to be carried out 
     separately, the activities to be carried out sequentially, 
     and the activities to be carried out jointly.
       ``(f) Research Protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
     multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
     research activities and joint research and extension 
     activities in addressing critical agricultural issues 
     identified in the plans of work submitted under subsection 
     (d). The Secretary shall develop the protocols in 
     consultation with the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board and land-
     grant colleges and universities.
       ``(g) Treatment of Plans of Work for Other Purposes.--To 
     the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of 
     work submitted under subsection (d) to satisfy other 
     appropriate Federal reporting requirements.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     take effect on October 1, 1998.
       (2) Delayed applicability.--With respect to a particular 
     State, the Secretary of Agriculture may delay the 
     applicability of the requirements imposed by the amendments 
     made by this section until not later than October 1, 1999, if 
     the Secretary finds that the State will be unable to meet 
     such requirements by October 1, 1998, despite the good faith 
     efforts of the State.
  Subtitle B--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
                           Policy Act of 1977

     SEC. 211. PLANS OF WORK FOR 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES TO 
                   ADDRESS CRITICAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ISSUES 
                   AND USE OF PROTOCOLS TO MEASURE SUCCESS OF 
                   PLANS.

       (a) Extension At 1890 Institutions.--Section 1444(d) of the 
     National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
     Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(d)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(d)'' and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Ascertainment of Entitlement to Funds; Time and 
     Manner of Payment; State Reporting Requirements; and Plans 
     for Work.--
       ``(1) Ascertainment of entitlement.--'';
       (2) in the last sentence, by striking ``Such sums'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Time and manner of payment; related reports.--The 
     amount to which an eligible institution is entitled''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each extension 
     plan of work for an eligible institution required under this 
     section shall contain descriptions of the following:
       ``(A) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-term 
     agricultural issues in the State in which the eligible 
     institution is located and the current and planned extension 
     programs and projects targeted to address such issues.
       ``(B) The process established to consult with extension 
     users regarding the identification of critical agricultural 
     issues in the State and the development of extension programs 
     and projects targeted to address such issues.
       ``(C) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
     other colleges and universities within the State and other 
     States that have unique capacity to address the identified 
     agricultural issues in the State and current and emerging 
     efforts (including regional research efforts) to work with 
     these other institutions and States.
       ``(D) The manner in which research and extension, including 
     research and extension activities funded other than through 
     formula funds, will cooperate to address the critical issues 
     in the State, including the activities to be carried out 
     separately, the activities to be carried out sequentially, 
     and the activities to be carried out jointly.
       ``(E) The education and outreach programs already underway 
     to convey currently available research results that are 
     pertinent to a critical agricultural issue, including efforts 
     to encourage multi-county cooperation in the dissemination of 
     research results.
       ``(4) Extension protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
     multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
     extension activities and joint research and extension 
     activities in addressing critical agricultural issues 
     identified in the plans of work submitted under this section. 
     The Secretary shall develop the protocols in consultation 
     with the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and 
     universities.
       ``(5) Treatment of plans of work for other purposes.--To 
     the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of 
     work submitted under this section to satisfy other 
     appropriate Federal reporting requirements.''.
       (b) Agricultural Research At 1890 Institutions.--Section 
     1445(c) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 3222(c)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(c)'' and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Program and Plans for Work.--
       ``(1) Initial comprehensive program of agricultural 
     research.--''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) Plan of work required.--Before funds may be provided 
     to an eligible institution under this section for any fiscal 
     year, plans for the work to be carried on under this section 
     shall be submitted by the research director specified in 
     subsection (d) and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
       ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each research 
     plan of work required under paragraph (2) shall contain 
     descriptions of the following:
       ``(A) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-term 
     agricultural issues in the State in which the eligible 
     institution is located and the current and planned research 
     programs and projects targeted to address such issues.
       ``(B) The process established to consult with users of 
     agricultural research regarding the identification of 
     critical agricultural issues in the State and the development 
     of research programs and projects targeted to address such 
     issues.
       ``(C) Other colleges and universities in the State and 
     other States that have unique capacity to address the 
     identified agricultural issues in the State.
       ``(D) The current and emerging efforts to work with these 
     other institutions and States to build on each other's 
     experience and take advantage of each institution's unique 
     capacities.
       ``(E) The manner in which research and extension, including 
     research and extension activities funded other than through 
     formula funds, will cooperate to address the critical issues 
     in the State, including the activities to be carried out 
     separately, the activities to

[[Page H10358]]

     be carried out sequentially, and the activities to be carried 
     out jointly.
       ``(4) Research protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
     multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
     research activities and joint research and extension 
     activities in addressing critical agricultural issues 
     identified in the plans of work submitted under paragraph 
     (2). The Secretary shall develop the protocols in 
     consultation with the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges 
     and universities.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     take effect on October 1, 1998.
       (2) Delayed applicability.--With respect to a particular 
     eligible institution (as described in sections 1444(a) and 
     1445(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a), 3222(a))), the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may delay the applicability of the 
     requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section 
     until not later than October 1, 1999, if the Secretary finds 
     that the eligible institution will be unable to meet such 
     requirements by October 1, 1998, despite the good faith 
     efforts of the eligible institution.

     SEC. 212. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT FOR RESEARCH AND 
                   EXTENSION ACTIVITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT 
                   COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

       (a) Imposition of Requirement.--Subtitle G of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 is amended by inserting after section 1448 (7 U.S.C. 
     3222c) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1449. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT FOR RESEARCH AND 
                   EXTENSION ACTIVITIES AT ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
     institution' means a college eligible to receive funds under 
     the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.) (commonly 
     known as the Second Morrill Act), including Tuskegee 
     University.
       ``(2) Formula funds.--The term `formula funds' means the 
     formula allocation funds distributed to eligible institutions 
     under sections 1444 and 1445.
       ``(b) Determination of Non-Federal Sources of Funds.--Not 
     later than September 30, 1999, each eligible institution 
     shall submit to the Secretary a report describing for fiscal 
     year 1999 the sources of non-Federal funds available to the 
     eligible institution and the amount of funds generally 
     available from each such source.
       ``(c) Matching Formula.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this subtitle, the distribution of formula funds 
     to an eligible institution shall be subject to the following 
     matching requirements:
       ``(1) In fiscal year 2000, the institution shall provide 
     matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
     not less than 30 percent of the formula funds to be 
     distributed to the eligible institution.
       ``(2) In fiscal year 2001, the institution shall provide 
     matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 
     not less than 45 percent of the formula funds to be 
     distributed to the eligible institution.
       ``(3) In fiscal year 2002, and each fiscal year thereafter, 
     the institution shall provide matching funds from non-Federal 
     sources in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the 
     formula funds to be distributed to the eligible institution.
       ``(d) Limited Waiver Authority.--Notwithstanding subsection 
     (f), the Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement 
     under subsection (c)(1) for fiscal year 2000 if the Secretary 
     determines with regard to a particular eligible institution, 
     based on the report received under subsection (b), that the 
     eligible institution will be unlikely to satisfy the matching 
     requirement. The waiver of the matching requirements for 
     subsequent fiscal years is not permitted.
       ``(e) Use of Matching Funds.--Under terms and conditions 
     established by the Secretary, matching funds provided as 
     required by subsection (c) may be used by an eligible 
     institution for research, education, and extension 
     activities.
       ``(f) Redistribution of Funds.--Federal funds that are not 
     matched by an eligible institution in accordance with 
     subsection (c) for a fiscal year shall be redistributed by 
     the Secretary to eligible institutions satisfying the 
     matching funds requirement for that fiscal year. Any 
     redistribution of funds under this subsection shall be 
     subject to the applicable matching requirement specified in 
     subsection (c) and shall be made in a manner consistent with 
     sections 1444 and 1445, as determined by the Secretary.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1445(g) of such Act (7 
     U.S.C. 3222(g)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).
       (c) References to Tuskegee University.--Such Act is further 
     amended--
       (1) in section 1404 (7 U.S.C. 3103), by striking ``Tuskegee 
     Institute'' in paragraphs (10) and (16)(B) and inserting 
     ``Tuskegee University'';
       (2) in section 1444 (7 U.S.C. 3221)--
       (A) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 1444.'' and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 1444. EXTENSION AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING 
                   TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.''; AND

       (B) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``Tuskegee 
     Institute'' both places it appears and inserting ``Tuskegee 
     University''; and
       (3) in section 1445 (7 U.S.C. 3222)--
       (A) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 1445.'' and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 1445. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND-GRANT 
                   COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.''; AND

       (B) in subsections (a) and (b)(2)(B), by striking 
     ``Tuskegee Institute'' both places it appears and inserting 
     ``Tuskegee University''.

     SEC. 213. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

       (a) Inclusion of Teaching.--Section 1458 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``RESEARCH AND 
     EXTENSION'' and inserting ``RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
     TEACHING'';
       (2) in subsection (a)--
       (A) 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 activities addressing'';
       (B) in paragraphs (2) and (6), by striking ``education'' 
     and inserting ``teaching'';
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``scientists and 
     experts'' and inserting ``science and education experts'';
       (D) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``teaching,'' after 
     ``development,'';
       (E) in paragraph (7), by striking ``research and extension 
     that is'' and inserting ``research, extension, and teaching 
     programs''; and
       (F) in paragraph (8), by striking ``research capabilities'' 
     and inserting ``research, extension, and teaching 
     capabilities''; and
       (3) in subsection (b), by striking ``counterpart agencies'' 
     and inserting ``counterpart research, extension, and teaching 
     agencies''.
       (b) Full Payment of Funds Made Available for Certain 
     Binational Project.--Such section is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Full Payment of Funds Made Available for Certain 
     Binational Projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the full amount of any funds appropriated or otherwise 
     made available to carry out cooperative projects under the 
     arrangement entered into between the Secretary and the 
     Government of Israel to support the Israel-United States 
     Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund shall 
     be paid directly to the Fund.''.
       (c) 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 to read as follows:
    ``Subtitle I--International Research, Extension, and Teaching''.

     SEC. 214. TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

       (a) Transfer of Existing Provision.--Section 4 of the 
     Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390b)--
       (1) is transferred to the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et 
     seq.);
       (2) is redesignated as section 1473B;
       (3) is inserted after section 1473A of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319a); and
       (4) is amended in subsection (f), by striking 
     ``Notwithstanding section 2(1), in'' and inserting ``In''.
       (b) Conforming Repeal.--The Research Facilities Act (7 
     U.S.C. 390 et seq.) is repealed.
   Subtitle C--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990

     SEC. 231. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

       (a) Establishment and Purpose of Initiative.--Section 1671 
     of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
     (7 U.S.C. 5924) is amended by striking the section heading 
     and subsection (a) and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 1671. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

       ``(a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     conduct a research initiative for the purpose of--
       ``(1) supporting basic and applied research and technology 
     development in the area of genome structure and function in 
     support of agriculturally important species, with a 
     particular focus on research projects that will yield 
     scientifically important results that will enhance the 
     usefulness of many agriculturally important species;
       ``(2) studying and mapping agriculturally significant genes 
     to achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production;
       ``(3) ensuring that current gaps in existing agricultural 
     genetics knowledge are filled;
       ``(4) identifying and developing a functional understanding 
     of genes responsible for economically important traits in 
     agriculturally important species, including emerging plant 
     and animal diseases causing economic hardship;
       ``(5) ensuring the future genetic improvement of 
     agriculturally important species;
       ``(6) supporting the preservation of diverse germplasm; and
       ``(7) ensuring the preservation of biodiversity to maintain 
     access to genes that may be of importance in the future.''.

[[Page H10359]]

       (b) Competitive Grants.--Subsection (b) of such section is 
     amended by striking ``subsection (c)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (a)''.
       (c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
     Subsection (c) of such section is amended to read as follows:
       ``(c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on 
     Construction.--Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection 
     (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
     Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the 
     making of grants under this section.''.
       (d) Matching Funds.--Subsection (d) of such section is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Matching of Funds.--
       ``(1) General requirement.--If a grant under this section 
     is to the particular benefit of a specific agricultural 
     commodity, the Secretary shall require the recipient of the 
     grant to provide funds or in-kind support to match the amount 
     of funds provided by the Secretary in the grant.
       ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
     requirement specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a 
     research project if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) the results of the project, while of particular 
     benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to 
     be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or
       ``(B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals with 
     scientifically important research, and the grant recipient 
     would be unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.''.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (g) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 
     1997'' and inserting ``fiscal years 1998 through 2002''.
                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

     SEC. 241. WAIVER OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN SMALL 
                   COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

       Subsection (b)(8)(B) of the Competitive, Special, and 
     Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``the cost'' and inserting ``the cost of''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The 
     Secretary may waive all or a portion of the matching 
     requirement under this subparagraph in the case of a smaller 
     college or university (as described in subsection 
     (c)(2)(C)(ii) of section 793 of the Federal Agriculture 
     Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f)) if the 
     equipment to be acquired costs not more than $25,000 and has 
     multiple uses within a single research project or is usable 
     in more than one research project.''.
                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

     SEC. 251. FINDINGS, AUTHORITIES, AND COMPETITIVE RESEARCH 
                   GRANTS UNDER FOREST AND RANGELAND RENEWABLE 
                   RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 1978.

       (a) Findings.--Section 2 of the Forest and Rangeland 
     Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1641) is 
     amended by striking ``Sec. 2.'' and subsection (a) and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) Forests and rangelands, and the resources of forests 
     and rangelands, are of strategic economic and ecological 
     importance to the United States, and the Federal Government 
     has an important and substantial role in ensuring the 
     continued health, productivity, and sustainability of the 
     Nation's forests and rangelands.
       ``(2) Over 75 percent of the productive commercial forest 
     land in the United States is in private ownership, with some 
     60 percent owned by small nonindustrial private owners. These 
     10,000,000 nonindustrial private owners are critical to 
     providing both commodity and noncommodity values to the 
     citizens of the United States.
       ``(3) The National Forest System manages only 17 percent of 
     the Nation's commercial timberlands, with over half of the 
     standing softwoods inventory located on those lands. Dramatic 
     changes in Federal agency policy during the early 1990's have 
     significantly curtailed the management of this vast timber 
     resource, causing abrupt shifts in the supply of timber from 
     public to private ownership. As a result of these shifts in 
     supply, some 60 percent of total wood production in the 
     United States is now coming from private forest lands in the 
     southern United States.
       ``(4) At the same time that pressures are building for the 
     removal of even more land from commercial production, the 
     Federal Government is significantly reducing its commitment 
     to productivity-related research regarding forests and 
     rangelands, which is critically needed by the private sector 
     for the sustained management of remaining available timber 
     and forage resources for the benefit of all species.
       ``(5) Uncertainty over the availability of the United 
     States timber supply, increasing regulatory burdens, and the 
     lack of Federal Government support for research is causing 
     domestic wood and paper producers to move outside the United 
     States to find reliable sources of wood supplies, which in 
     turns results in a worsening of the United States trade 
     balance, the loss of employment and infrastructure 
     investments, and an increased risk of infestations of exotic 
     pests and diseases from imported wood products.
       ``(6) Wood and paper producers in the United States are 
     being challenged not only by shifts in Government policy, but 
     also by international competition from tropical countries 
     where growth rates of trees far exceed those in the United 
     States. Wood production per acre will need to quadruple from 
     1996 levels for the United States forestry sector to remain 
     internationally competitive on an ever decreasing forest land 
     base.
       ``(7) Better and more frequent forest inventorying and 
     analysis is necessary to identify productivity-related 
     forestry research needs and to provide forest managers with 
     the current data necessary to make timely and effective 
     management decisions.''.
       (b) High Priority Forestry Research and Education.--
     Subsection (d) of section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland 
     Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) High Priority Forestry and Rangelands Research and 
     Education.--The Secretary may conduct, support, and cooperate 
     in forestry and rangelands research and education that is of 
     the highest priority to the United States and to users of 
     public and private forest lands and rangelands in the United 
     States. Such research and education priorities include the 
     following:
       ``(1) The biology of forest organisms and rangeland 
     organisms.
       ``(2) Functional characteristics and cost-effective 
     management of forest and rangeland ecosystems.
       ``(3) Interactions between humans and forests and 
     rangelands.
       ``(4) Wood and forage as a raw material.
       ``(5) International trade, competition, and cooperation.''.
       (c) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--Section 3 of the Forest 
     and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 
     U.S.C. 1642) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(e) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--
       ``(1) Program required.--In compliance with existing 
     statutory authority, the Secretary shall establish a program 
     to inventory and analyze, in a timely manner, public and 
     private forests and their resources in the United States.
       ``(2) Annual state inventory.--Not later than the end of 
     each full fiscal year beginning after the date of the 
     enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall prepare for 
     each State, in cooperation with the State forester for the 
     State, an inventory of forests and their resources in the 
     State. For purposes of preparing the inventory for a State, 
     the Secretary shall measure annually 20 percent of all sample 
     plots that are included in the inventory program for that 
     State. Upon completion of the inventory for a year, the 
     Secretary shall make available to the public a compilation of 
     all data collected for that year from measurements of sample 
     plots as well as any analysis made of such samples.
       ``(3) Five-year reports.--At intervals not greater than 
     every five full fiscal years after the date of the enactment 
     of this subsection, the Secretary shall prepare, publish, and 
     make available to the public a report, prepared in 
     cooperation with State foresters, that--
       ``(A) contains a description of each State inventory of 
     forests and their resources, incorporating all sample plot 
     measurements conducted during the five years covered by the 
     report;
       ``(B) displays and analyzes on a nationwide basis the 
     results of the annual reports required by paragraph (2); and
       ``(C) contains an analysis of forest health conditions and 
     trends over the previous two decades, with an emphasis on 
     such conditions and trends during the period subsequent to 
     the immediately preceding report under this paragraph.
       ``(4) National standards and definitions.--To ensure 
     uniform and consistent data collection for all public and 
     private forest ownerships and each State, the Secretary shall 
     develop, in consultation with State foresters and Federal 
     land management agencies not under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary, and publish national standards and definitions to 
     be applied in inventorying and analyzing forests and their 
     resources under this subsection. The standards shall include 
     a core set of variables to be measured on all sample plots 
     under paragraph (2) and a standard set of tables to be 
     included in the reports under paragraph (3).
       ``(5) Protection for private property rights.--The 
     Secretary shall obtain written authorization from property 
     owners prior to collecting data from sample plots located on 
     private property pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).
       ``(6) Strategic plan.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
     prepare and submit to Congress a strategic plan to implement 
     and carry out this subsection, including the annual updates 
     required by paragraph (2) and the reports require by 
     paragraph (3), that shall describe in detail--
       ``(A) the financial resources required to implement and 
     carry out this subsection, including the identification of 
     any resources required in excess of the amounts provided for 
     forest inventorying and analysis in recent appropriations 
     Acts;
       ``(B) the personnel necessary to implement and carry out 
     this subsection, including any personnel in addition to 
     personnel currently performing inventorying and analysis 
     functions;
       ``(C) the organization and procedures necessary to 
     implement and carry out this subsection, including proposed 
     coordination with Federal land management agencies and State 
     foresters;

[[Page H10360]]

       ``(D) the schedules for annual sample plot measurements in 
     each State inventory required by paragraph (2) within the 
     first five-year interval after the date of the enactment of 
     this subsection;
       ``(E) the core set of variables to be measured in each 
     sample plot under paragraph (2) and the standard set of 
     tables to be used in each State and national report under 
     paragraph (3); and
       ``(F) the process for employing, in coordination with the 
     Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, remote sensing, global positioning systems, 
     and other advanced technologies to carry out this subsection, 
     and the subsequent use of such technologies.''.
       (d) Forestry and Rangelands Competitive Research Grants.--
     Section 5 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
     Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 16442) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 5.'' and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 5. FORESTRY AND RANGELANDS COMPETITIVE RESEARCH 
                   GRANTS.

       ``(a) Competitive Grant Authority.--''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(b) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Forestry 
     Research.--The Secretary may use up to five percent of the 
     amounts made available for research under section 3 to make 
     competitive grants regarding forestry research in the high 
     priority research areas identified in section 3(d).
       ``(c) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Rangelands 
     Research.--The Secretary may use up to five percent of the 
     amounts made available for research under section 3 to make 
     competitive grants regarding rangelands research in the high 
     priority research areas identified in section 3(d).
       ``(d) Priorities.--In making grants under subsections (b) 
     and (c), the Secretary shall give priority to research 
     proposals in which--
       ``(1) the proposed research will be collaborative research 
     organized through a center of scientific excellence;
       ``(2) the applicant agrees to provide matching funds (in 
     the form of direct funding or in-kind support) in an amount 
     equal to not less than 50 percent of the grant amount; and
       ``(3) the proposed research will be conducted as part of an 
     existing private and public partnership or cooperative 
     research effort and involves several interested research 
     partners.''.
 TITLE III--EXTENSION OR REPEAL OF RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
                              INITIATIVES
                         Subtitle A--Extensions

     SEC. 301. NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE UNDER 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''.

     SEC. 302. 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''.

     SEC. 303. EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)) 
     is amended by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting 
     ``each of the fiscal years 1997 through 2002''.

     SEC. 304. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is 
     amended in subsections (a) and (b) by striking ``1997'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 305. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR EXTENSION EDUCATION.

       Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is 
     amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 306. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL 
                   SCIENCES EDUCATION.

       Section 1417(j) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)) 
     is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 307. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING 
                   OF ALCOHOLS AND INDUSTRIAL HYDROCARBONS FROM 
                   AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND FOREST PRODUCTS.

       Section 1419(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3154(d)) 
     is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 308. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

       Section 1419A(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(d)) 
     is amended by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and 
     inserting ``each of fiscal years 1996 through 2002''.

     SEC. 309. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 
                   RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       Section 1424(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174(d)) 
     is amended by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and 
     inserting ``each of fiscal years 1996 through 2002''.

     SEC. 310. PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

       Section 1424A(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3174a(d)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and 
     inserting ``each of fiscal years 1997 through 2002''.

     SEC. 311. FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

       Section 1425(c)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3175(c)(3)) is amended by striking ``and 1997'' and inserting 
     ``through 2002''.

     SEC. 312. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTINUING RESEARCH.

       Section 1433(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3195(a)) 
     is amended in the first sentence by striking ``1997'' and 
     inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 313. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE NATIONAL OR REGIONAL 
                   RESEARCH.

       Section 1434(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3196(a)) 
     is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 314. GRANT PROGRAM TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD 
                   SCIENCES FACILITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT 
                   COLLEGES.

       Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3222b(b)) is amended by striking ``and 1997'' and inserting 
     ``through 2002''.

     SEC. 315. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTENNIAL CENTERS.

       Section 1448 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222c) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and 1997'' and 
     inserting ``through 2002''; and
       (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``1997'' and inserting 
     ``2002''.

     SEC. 316. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS RESEARCH.

       Section 1473D(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3319d(a)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting 
     ``2002''.

     SEC. 317. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

       Section 1477 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324) is 
     amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 318. RANGELAND RESEARCH.

       Section 1483(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)) 
     is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 319. FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

       Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (Public 
     Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 1566) is amended by striking ``1997'' 
     and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 320. WATER QUALITY RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 
                   COORDINATION.

       Section 1481(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5501(d)) is amended by striking 
     ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 321. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

       Section 1635(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)) is amended by striking 
     ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 322. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.

       Section 1673(h) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926(h)) is amended by striking 
     ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 323. 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)(6)(B), by striking ``1997'' and 
     inserting ``2002''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``1997'' and 
     inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 324. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

       Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking 
     ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

     SEC. 325. 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''.
                          Subtitle B--Repeals

     SEC. 341. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES.

       Section 1476 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3323) is 
     repealed.

     SEC. 342. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM UNDER NATIONAL 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING 
                   POLICY ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1981.

       Subsection (b) of section 1432 of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 
     1981 (Public Law 97-98; 7 U.S.C. 3222 note) is repealed.

     SEC. 343. LIVESTOCK PRODUCT SAFETY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.

       Section 1670 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5923) is repealed.

[[Page H10361]]

     SEC. 344. GENERIC AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Sections 897 and 898 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
     and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 1184) 
     are repealed.
      TITLE IV--NEW RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES
 Subtitle A--Partnerships for High-Value Agricultural Product Quality 
                                Research

     SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this subtitle:
       (1) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible 
     partnership'' means a partnership consisting of a land-grant 
     college or university and other entities specified in 
     paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of section 402 that satisfies 
     the eligibility criteria contained in such subsection.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.

     SEC. 402. ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTNERSHIPS.

       (a) Establishment by Grant.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to an 
     eligible partnership to coordinate and manage research and 
     extension activities to enhance the quality of high-value 
     agricultural products.
       (2) Awarding of grants.--Grants under paragraph (1) shall 
     be awarded on a competitive basis.
       (b) Criteria for an Eligible Partnership.--
       (1) Primary institutions in partnership.--The primary 
     institution involved in an eligible partnership shall be a 
     land-grant college or university, acting in partnership with 
     other colleges or universities, nonprofit research and 
     development entities, and Federal laboratories.
       (2) Prioritization of research activities.--An eligible 
     partnership shall prioritize research and extension 
     activities in order to--
       (A) enhance the competitiveness of United States 
     agricultural products;
       (B) increase exports of such products; and
       (C) substitute such products for imported products.
       (3) Coordination.--An eligible partnership shall coordinate 
     among the entities comprising the partnership the activities 
     supported by the eligible partnership, including the 
     provision of mechanisms for sharing resources between 
     institutions and laboratories and the coordination of public 
     and private sector partners to maximize cost-effectiveness.
       (c) Types of Research and Extension Activities.--Research 
     or extension supported by an eligible partnership may address 
     the full spectrum of production, processing, packaging, 
     transportation, and marketing issues related to a high-value 
     agricultural product. Such issues include--
       (1) environmentally responsible--
       (A) pest management alternatives and biotechnology;
       (B) sustainable farming methods; and
       (C) soil conservation and enhanced resource management;
       (2) genetic research to develop improved agricultural-based 
     products;
       (3) refinement of field production practices and technology 
     to improve quality, yield, and production efficiencies;
       (4) processing and package technology to improve product 
     quality, stability, or flavor intensity;
       (5) marketing research regarding consumer perceptions and 
     preferences;
       (6) economic research, including industry characteristics, 
     growth, competitive analysis; and
       (7) research to facilitate diversified, value-added 
     enterprises in rural areas.

     SEC. 403. ELEMENTS OF GRANT MAKING PROCESS.

       (a) Period of Grant.--The Secretary may award a grant under 
     this subtitle for a period not to exceed five years.
       (b) Preferences.--In making grants under this subtitle, the 
     Secretary shall give preference to proposals that--
       (1) demonstrate linkages with--
       (A) agencies of the Department of Agriculture;
       (B) other related Federal research laboratories and 
     agencies;
       (C) colleges and universities; and
       (D) private industry; and
       (2) guarantee matching funds in excess of the amounts 
     required by subsection (c).
       (c) Matching Funds.--An eligible partnership shall 
     contribute an amount of non-Federal funds for the operation 
     of the partnership that is at least equal to the amount of 
     grant funds received under this subtitle.
       (d) Limitation on Use of Grant Funds.--Funds provided under 
     this subtitle may not be used for the planning, repair, 
     rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or 
     facility.

     SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND RELATED 
                   PROVISIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry 
     out this subtitle for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 
     2002.
       (b) Limitation on Administrative Costs.--Not more than four 
     percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
     may be retained by the Secretary to pay administrative costs 
     incurred by the Secretary to carry out this subtitle.
                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

     SEC. 411. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this subtitle:
       (1) 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 and 
     livestock production systems;
       (B) gathering on-farm information pertaining to the 
     variation and interaction of site-specific spatial and 
     temporal factors affecting crop and livestock production;
       (C) integrating such information with appropriate data 
     derived from field scouting, remote sensing, and other 
     precision agriculture technologies in a timely manner in 
     order to facilitate on-farm decisionmaking; or
       (D) using such information to prescribe and deliver site-
     specific application of agricultural inputs and management 
     practices in agricultural production systems.
       (2) 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 
     decision making;
       (C) open systems technologies for data networking and 
     processing that produce valued systems for farm management 
     decisionmaking; or
       (D) machines that deliver information based management 
     practices.
       (3) 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).
       (4) 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, feed 
     stuffs, veterinary drugs and vaccines, livestock waste, crop 
     protection chemicals, agronomic data and information, 
     application and management services, seed, and other inputs 
     used in agriculture production.
       (5) 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 or State government entity or agency;
       (E) a national laboratory;
       (F) a private organization or corporation;
       (G) an agricultural producer or other land manager; or
       (H) a precision agriculture partnership referred to in 
     section 414.
       (6) Systems research.--The term ``systems research'' means 
     an integrated, coordinated, and iterative investigative 
     process, which 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, 
     livestock production practices, 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.

     SEC. 412. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO PROMOTE PRECISION 
                   AGRICULTURE.

       (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
     make competitive grants, for periods not to exceed five 
     years, to eligible entities to conduct research, education, 
     or information dissemination projects for the development and 
     advancement of precision agriculture. Such grants shall be 
     limited to those projects that the Secretary determines are 
     unlikely to be financed by the private sector in the absence 
     of a grant under this section. The Secretary shall make such 
     grants in consultation with the Advisory Board.
       (b) Purpose of Projects.--Research, education, or 
     information dissemination projects supported by a grant under 
     subsection (a) shall address one or more of the following:
       (1) The study and promotion of components of precision 
     agriculture technologies using a systems research approach 
     that would increase long-term, site-specified and whole farm 
     production efficiencies, productivity, profitability.
       (2) The improvement in the understanding of agronomic 
     systems, including, soil, water, land cover (including 
     grazing lands), pest management systems, and meteorological 
     variability.
       (3) The provision of training and educational programs for 
     State cooperative extension services agents, and other 
     professionals involved in the agricultural production and 
     transfer of integrated precision agriculture technology.
       (4) The development, demonstration, and dissemination of 
     information regarding precision agriculture technologies and 
     systems

[[Page H10362]]

     and the potential benefits of precision agriculture as it 
     relates to increased long-term farm production efficiencies, 
     productivity, profitability, and the maintenance of the 
     environment, and improvements in international trade into an 
     integrated program to educate agricultural producers and 
     consumers, including family owned and operated farms.
       (c) Grant Priorities.--In making grants to eligible 
     entities under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation 
     with the Advisory Board, shall give priority to research, 
     education, or information dissemination projects designed to 
     accomplish the following:
       (1) Evaluate the use of precision agriculture technologies 
     using a systems research approach to increase long-term site-
     specific and whole farm production efficiencies, 
     productivity, profitability.
       (2) Integrate research, education, and information 
     dissemination components in a practical and readily available 
     manner so that the findings of the project will be made 
     readily usable by farmers.
       (3) Demonstrate the efficient use of agricultural inputs, 
     rather than the uniform reduction in the use of agricultural 
     inputs.
       (4) Maximize the involvement and cooperation of precision 
     agriculture producers, certified crop advisers, State 
     cooperative extension services agents, agricultural input 
     machinery, product and service providers, nonprofit 
     organizations, agribusiness, veterinarians, land-grant 
     colleges and universities, and Federal agencies in precision 
     agriculture systems research projects involving on-farm 
     research, education, and information dissemination of 
     precision agriculture.
       (5) Maximize collaboration with multiple agencies and other 
     partners that include leveraging of funds and resources.
       (d) Matching Funds.--The amount of a grant under this 
     section to an eligible entity (other than a Federal agency) 
     may not exceed the amount which the eligible entity makes 
     available out of non-Federal funds for precision agriculture 
     research and for the establishment and maintenance of 
     facilities necessary for conducting precision agriculture 
     research.

     SEC. 413. RESERVATION OF FUNDS FOR EDUCATION AND INFORMATION 
                   DISSEMINATION PROJECTS.

       Of the funds made available for grants under section 412, 
     the Secretary of Agriculture shall reserve a portion of such 
     funds for grants for projects regarding precision agriculture 
     related to education or information dissemination.

     SEC. 414. PRECISION AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIPS.

       In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, in consultation with the Advisory Board, shall 
     encourage the establishment of appropriate multi-state and 
     national partnerships or consortia between--
       (1) land-grant colleges and universities, State 
     agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension 
     services, other colleges and universities with demonstrable 
     expertise regarding precision agriculture, agencies of the 
     Department of Agriculture, national laboratories, 
     agribusinesses, agricultural equipment and input 
     manufacturers and retailers, certified crop advisers, 
     commodity organizations, veterinaries, other Federal or State 
     government entities and agencies, or nonagricultural 
     industries and nonprofit organizations with demonstrable 
     expertise regarding precision agriculture; and
       (2) agricultural producers or other land managers.

     SEC. 415. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Prohibition on Use of Funds for Certain Purposes.--The 
     Secretary of Agriculture may not make a grant under section 
     412 for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or 
     construction of a building or facility.
       (b) Application 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 
     subtitle.

     SEC. 416. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are hereby 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
     $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
       (b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 3 percent of the 
     amount appropriated under this subtitle may be retained by 
     the Secretary to pay the administrative costs incurred by the 
     Secretary in carrying out this subtitle.
       (c) Availability of Funds.--Funds made available under 
     paragraph (a) shall be available for obligation for a two-
     year period beginning on October 1 of the fiscal year for 
     which the funds are made available.
                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

     SEC. 421. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES.

       Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 1672. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
                   INITIATIVES.

       ``(a) Competitive Specialized Research and Extension Grants 
     Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation 
     with the National Agricultural Research, Education, 
     Extension, and Economics Advisory Board, may make competitive 
     grants to support research and extension activities in the 
     high-priority research and extension areas specified in 
     subsection (e).
       ``(b) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on 
     Construction.--Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection 
     (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
     Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the 
     making of grants under this section.
       ``(c) Matching Funds Required.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require the 
     recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or 
     in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount at 
     least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
       ``(2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
     matching funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) with 
     respect to a research project if the Secretary determines 
     that--
       ``(A) the results of the project, while of particular 
     benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to 
     be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or
       ``(B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals with 
     scientifically important research, and the grant recipient 
     would be unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
       ``(d) Partnerships Encouraged.--Following the completion of 
     a peer review process for grant proposals received under this 
     section, the Secretary may give priority to those grant 
     proposals found to be scientifically meritorious that involve 
     the cooperation of multiple institutions.
       ``(e) High-Priority Research and Extension Areas.--
       ``(1) Brown citrus aphid and citrus tristeza virus research 
     and extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
     under this section for the purpose of--
       ``(A) developing methods to control or eradicate the brown 
     citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza virus from citrus crops 
     grown in the United States; or
       ``(B) adapting citrus crops grown in the United States to 
     the brown citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza virus.
       ``(2) Ethanol research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of carrying on or enhancing research on ethanol 
     derived from agricultural crops as an alternative fuel 
     source.
       ``(3) Aflatoxin research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of identifying and controlling aflatoxin in the food 
     and feed chains.
       ``(4) Mesquite research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of developing enhanced production methods and 
     commercial uses of mesquite.
       ``(5) Prickly pear research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of investigating enhanced genetic selection and 
     processing techniques of prickly pears.
       ``(6) Deer tick ecology research and extension.--Research 
     and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of studying the population ecology of deer ticks and 
     other insects and pests which transmit Lyme disease.
       ``(7) Red meat safety research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of developing--
       ``(A) intervention strategies that reduce microbial 
     contamination on carcass surfaces;
       ``(B) microbiological mapping of carcass surfaces; and
       ``(C) model hazard analysis and critical control point 
     plans.
       ``(8) Grain sorghum ergot research and extension.--Research 
     and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of developing techniques for the eradication of 
     sorghum ergot.
       ``(9) Animal waste and odor management research and 
     extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
     this section for the purpose of--
       ``(A) identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating innovative 
     technologies for animal waste management and odor control; 
     and
       ``(B) conducting information workshops to disseminate the 
     results of such research.
       ``(10) Fire ant research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of control, management, and eradication of fire ants.
       ``(11) Wheat scab research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section to a 
     consortium of land-grant colleges and universities for the 
     purpose of understanding and combating diseases of wheat and 
     barley caused by Fusarium graminearum and related fungi 
     (commonly known as wheat scab).
       ``(12) Peanut market enhancement research and extension.--
     Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
     for the purpose of evaluating the economics of applying 
     innovative technologies for peanut processing in a commercial 
     environment.
       ``(13) Dairy financial risk management research and 
     extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
     this section for the purpose of providing research, 
     development, or education materials, information, and 
     outreach programs regarding risk management strategies for 
     dairy producers and for dairy cooperatives and other 
     processors and marketers of milk.
       ``(14) Cotton research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made

[[Page H10363]]

     under this section for the purpose of improving pest 
     management, fiber quality enhancement, economic assessment, 
     textile production, and optimized production systems for 
     short staple cotton.
       ``(15) Methyl bromide research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of--
       ``(A) developing and evaluating chemical and nonchemical 
     alternatives, and use and emission reduction strategies, for 
     pre-planting and post-harvest uses of methyl bromide; and
       ``(B) transferring the results of such research for 
     agricultural producer use.
       ``(16) Water quality and aquatic ecosystem research and 
     extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
     this section for the purpose of investigating the impact on 
     aquatic food webs, especially commercially important aquatic 
     species and their habitats, of microorganisms of the genus 
     Pfiesteria and other microorganisms that are a threat to 
     human or animal health.
       ``(17) Potato research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of developing and evaluating new strains of potatoes 
     which are resistant to blight and other diseases, as well as 
     insects. Emphasis may be placed on developing potato 
     varieties that lend themselves to innovative marketing 
     approaches.
       ``(18) Wood utilization research and extension.--Research 
     and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of developing new uses for wood from underutilized 
     tree species as well as investigating methods of modifying 
     wood and wood fibers to produce better building materials.
       ``(19) Low-bush blueberry research and extension.--Research 
     and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of evaluating methods of propagating and developing 
     low-bush blueberry as a marketable crop.
       ``(20) Formosan termite eradication research and 
     extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
     this section for the purpose of--
       ``(A) conducting research for the control, management, and 
     possible eradication of Formosan termites in the United 
     States; and
       ``(B) collecting data on the effectiveness of research 
     projects conducted under this paragraph.
       ``(21) Swine waste management and odor control research and 
     extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
     this section for the purpose of investigating the 
     microbiology of swine waste and developing improved methods 
     to effectively manage air and water quality in animal 
     husbandry.
       ``(22) Wetlands utilization research and extension.--
     Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
     for the purpose of better utilizing wetlands in diverse ways 
     to provide various economic, agricultural, and environmental 
     benefits.
       ``(23) Wild pampas grass control and eradication research 
     and extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
     under this section for the purpose of control, management, 
     and eradication of wild pampas grass.
       ``(24) Pathogen detection and limitation research and 
     extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
     this section for the purpose of identifying advanced 
     detection and processing methods to limit the presence of 
     pathogens, including hepatitis A and E. coli 0157:H7, in 
     domestic and imported foods.
       ``(25) Financial risk management research and extension.--
     Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
     for the purpose of providing research, development, or 
     education materials, information, and outreach programs 
     regarding financial risk management strategies for 
     agricultural producers and for cooperatives and other 
     processors and marketers of any agricultural commodity.
       ``(26) Ornamental tropical fish research and extension.--
     Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
     for the purpose of meeting the needs of commercial producers 
     of ornamental tropical fish and aquatic plants for 
     improvements in the areas of fish reproduction, health, 
     nutrition, predator control, water use, water quality 
     control, and farming technology.
       ``(27) Sheep scrapie research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of investigating the genetic aspects of scrapie in 
     sheep.
       ``(28) Animal waste management at rural/urban interfaces.--
     Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
     for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating 
     innovative technologies to be used for animal waste 
     management (including odor control) in rural areas adjacent 
     to urban or suburban areas in connection with waste 
     management activities undertaken in urban or suburban areas.
       ``(29) Gypsy moth research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of developing biological control, management, and 
     eradication methods against nonnative insects, including 
     Lymantria dispar (commonly known as the Gypsy Moth), that 
     contribute to significant agricultural, economical, or 
     environmental harm.
       ``(30) Dairy efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness 
     research and extension.--Research and extension grants may be 
     made under this section for the purpose of improving the 
     efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of dairy 
     production on farms that are heavily dependent on 
     manufacturing uses of milk.
       ``(31) Animal feed research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purpose of maximizing nutrition management for livestock, 
     while limiting risks, such as mineral bypass, associated with 
     livestock feeding practices.
       ``(32) Forestry research and extension.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section to develop 
     and distribute new, high-quality, science-based information 
     for the purpose of improving the long-term productivity of 
     forest resources and contributing to forest-based economic 
     development by addressing such issues as forest land use 
     policies, multiple-use forest management, including wildlife 
     habitat development, improved forest regeneration systems, 
     and timber supply, and improved development, manufacturing, 
     and marketing of forest products.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 
     1998 through 2002 such sums as may be necessary to make 
     grants under this section in each of the high-priority 
     research and extension areas specified in subsection (e).
       ``(g) Use of Task Forces.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--To facilitate the making of research 
     and extension grants under this section in a high-priority 
     research and extension area specified in subsection (e), the 
     Secretary may appoint a task force to make recommendations to 
     the Secretary.
       ``(2) Limitation on costs.--The Secretary may not incur 
     costs in excess of $1,000 in any fiscal year in connection 
     with each task force established under this subsection.
       ``(3) Application 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 task force established under this subsection.''.

     SEC. 422. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
                   INITIATIVE.

       The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
     is amended by inserting after section 1672 (7 U.S.C. 5925) 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1672A. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
                   INITIATIVE.

       ``(a) Competitive Specialized Research and Extension Grants 
     Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation 
     with the National Agricultural Research, Education, 
     Extension, and Economics Advisory Board, may make competitive 
     grants to support research and extension activities regarding 
     organically grown and processed agricultural commodities for 
     the purpose of--
       ``(1) facilitating the development of organic agriculture 
     production and processing methods;
       ``(2) evaluating the potential economic benefits to 
     producers and processors who use organic methods; and
       ``(3) exploring international trade opportunities for 
     organically grown and processed agricultural commodities.
       ``(b) Grant Types and Process, Prohibition on 
     Construction.--Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection 
     (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
     Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the 
     making of grants under this section.
       ``(c) Matching Funds Required.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require the 
     recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or 
     in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount at 
     least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
       ``(2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
     matching funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) with 
     respect to a research project if the Secretary determines 
     that--
       ``(A) the results of the project, while of particular 
     benefit to a specified agricultural commodity, are likely to 
     be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or
       ``(B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals with 
     scientifically important research, and grant recipient would 
     be unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
       ``(d) Partnerships Encouraged.--Following the completion of 
     a peer review process for grant proposals received under this 
     section, the Secretary may give priority to those grant 
     proposals found to be scientifically meritorious that 
     involved the cooperation of multiple institutions.
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 
     1998 through 2002 such sums as may be necessary to make 
     grants under this section.''.

     SEC. 423. UNITED STATES-MEXICO JOINT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

       Subtitle I of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1458 (7 U.S.C. 3291) the following 
     new section:

     ``SEC. 1459. UNITED STATES-MEXICO JOINT AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH.

       ``(a) Research and Development Program.--The Secretary may 
     provide for an agricultural research and development program 
     with the United States/Mexico Foundation for Science, which 
     will focus on binational problems facing agricultural 
     producers and consumers in the two countries, in particular 
     pressing problems in the areas of food safety, plant and 
     animal pest control,

[[Page H10364]]

     and the natural resources base on which agriculture depends.
       ``(b) Administration.--Grants under the research and 
     development program shall be awarded competitively through 
     the Foundation.
       ``(c) Matching Requirements.--The provision of funds to the 
     Foundation by the United States Government shall be subject 
     to the condition that the Government of Mexico match, on at 
     least an equal ratio, any funds provided by the United States 
     Government.
       ``(d) Limitation on Use of Funds.--Funds provided under 
     this section may not be used for the planning, repair, 
     rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or 
     facility.''.

     SEC. 424. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
                   SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       Subtitle I of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291 et 
     seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1459, as added by 
     section 423, the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1459A. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL 
                   AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       ``(a) Competitive Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may 
     make competitive grants to colleges and universities in order 
     to strengthen United States economic competitiveness and to 
     promote international market development.
       ``(b) Purpose of Grants.--Grants under this section shall 
     be directed to agricultural research, extension, and teaching 
     activities that will--
       ``(1) enhance the international content of the curricula in 
     colleges and universities so as to ensure that United States 
     students acquire an understanding of the international 
     dimensions and trade implications of their studies;
       ``(2) ensure that United States scientists, extension 
     agents, and educators involved in agricultural research and 
     development activities outside of the United States have the 
     opportunity to convey the implications of their activities 
     and findings to their peers and students in the United States 
     and to the users of agricultural research, extension, and 
     teaching;
       ``(3) enhance the capabilities of colleges and universities 
     to do collaborative research with other countries, in 
     cooperation with other Federal agencies, on issues relevant 
     to United States agricultural competitiveness;
       ``(4) enhance the capabilities of colleges and universities 
     to provide cooperative extension education to promote the 
     application of new technology developed in foreign countries 
     to United States agriculture; and
       ``(5) enhance the capability of United States colleges and 
     universities, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, to 
     provide leadership and educational programs that will assist 
     United States natural resources and food production, 
     processing, and distribution businesses and industries to 
     compete internationally, including product market 
     identification, international policies limiting or enhancing 
     market production, development of new or enhancement of 
     existing markets, and production efficiencies.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
     to carry out this section.''.

     SEC. 425. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.

       (a) Continuation of Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall continue operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance 
     Database program (referred to in this section as the ``FARAD 
     program'') through appropriate colleges or universities.
       (b) Activities.--In carrying out the FARAD program, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall--
       (1) provide livestock producers, extension specialists, 
     scientists, and veterinarians with information to prevent 
     drug, pesticide, and 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) Grants.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation 
     with the National Agricultural Research, Education, 
     Extension, and Economics Advisory Board, may make grants to 
     colleges and universities to operate the FARAD program. The 
     term of a grant shall be three years, with options to extend 
     the term of the grant triennially.

     SEC. 426. DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF NEW BIOBASED 
                   PRODUCTS.

       (a) Biobased Product Defined.--For purposes of this 
     section, the term ``biobased product'' means a product 
     suitable for food or nonfood use that is derived in whole or 
     in part from renewable agricultural and forestry materials.
       (b) Cooperative Agreements for Biobased Products.--The 
     Secretary of Agriculture may enter into cooperative 
     agreements with private entities described in subsection (c), 
     under which the facilities and technical expertise of the 
     Agricultural Research Service may be made available to 
     operate pilot plants and other large-scale preparative 
     facilities for the purpose of bringing technologies necessary 
     for the development and commercialization of new biobased 
     products to the point of practical application. Cooperative 
     activities may include research on potential environmental 
     impacts of a biobased product, methods to reduce the cost of 
     manufacturing a biobased product, and other appropriate 
     research.
       (c) Eligible Partners.--The following entities shall be 
     eligible to enter into a cooperative agreement under this 
     section:
       (1) A party that has entered into a cooperative research 
     and development agreement with the Secretary under section 12 
     of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
     U.S.C. 3710a).
       (2) 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).
       (3) A recipient of funding from the Biotechnology Research 
     and Development Corporation.
       (4) A recipient of funding from the Secretary under a Small 
     Business Innovation Research Program established under 
     section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
       (d) Source of Funds.--To carry out this section, the 
     Secretary may use--
       (1) funds appropriated to carry out this section; and
       (2) funds available for cooperative research and 
     development agreements (as described in subsection (b)).
       (e) Sale of Developed Products.--The Secretary shall 
     authorize the private partner or partners in a cooperative 
     agreement consistent with this section to sell new biobased 
     products produced at a pilot plant under the agreement for 
     the purpose of determining the market potential for the 
     products.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section.

     SEC. 427. THOMAS JEFFERSON INITIATIVE FOR CROP 
                   DIVERSIFICATION.

       (a) Initiative Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall provide for a research initiative (to be known as the 
     ``Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification'') for 
     the purpose of conducting research and development, in 
     cooperation with other public and private entities, on the 
     production and marketing of new and nontraditional crops 
     needed to strengthen and diversify the agricultural 
     production base of the United States. The initiative shall 
     include research and education efforts regarding new and 
     nontraditional crops designed--
       (1) to identify and overcome agronomic barriers to 
     profitable production;
       (2) to identify and overcome other production and marketing 
     barriers; and
       (3) to develop processing and utilization technologies for 
     new and nontraditional crops.
       (b) Purposes.--The initiative is established--
       (1) to develop a focused program of research and 
     development at the regional and national level to overcome 
     barriers to development of new crop opportunities for farmers 
     and related value-added enterprise development in rural 
     communities; and
       (2) to ensure a broad-based effort encompassing research, 
     education, market development, and support of entrepreneurial 
     activity leading to increased agricultural diversification.
       (c) Establishment of Initiative.--The Secretary shall 
     coordinate the initiative through a nonprofit center or 
     institute that will coordinate research and education 
     programs in cooperation with other public and private 
     entities. The Secretary shall administer research and 
     education grants made under this section.
       (d) Regional Emphasis.--The Secretary shall support 
     development of multi-State regional efforts in crop 
     diversification. Of funding made available to carry out the 
     initiative, 50 percent shall be used for regional efforts 
     centered at land-grant colleges and universities in order to 
     facilitate site-specific crop development efforts.
       (e) Eligible Grantee.--The Secretary may award funds under 
     this section to colleges or universities, nonprofit 
     organizations, or public agencies.
       (f) Administration.--
       (1) Grants and contracts.--Grants awarded through the 
     initiative shall be selected on a competitive basis. The 
     recipient of a grant may use a portion of the grant funds for 
     standard contracts with private businesses, such as for test 
     processing of a new or nontraditional crop.

[[Page H10365]]

       (2) Terms.--The term of a grant awarded through the 
     initiative may not exceed five years.
       (3) Matching funds.--The Secretary shall require the 
     recipient of a grant awarded through the initiative to 
     contribute an amount of funds from non-Federal sources at 
     least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section.

     SEC. 428. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM.

       (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to 
     authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an 
     integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
     grant program to provide funding for integrated, multi-
     functional research, education, and extension activities.
       (b) Competitive Grants Authorized.--Subject to the 
     appropriation of funds to carry out this section, the 
     Secretary may award grants to colleges and universities (as 
     defined in section 1404(4) of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3103(4))) on a competitive basis for integrated 
     research, education, and extension projects in accordance 
     with the provisions of this section.
       (c) Criteria for Grants.--Grants under this section shall 
     be awarded to address priorities in United States 
     agriculture, determined by the Secretary in consultation with 
     the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
     Economics Advisory Board, which involve integrated research, 
     education, and extension activities.
       (d) Matching of Funds.--
       (1) General requirement.--If a grant under this section is 
     to the particular benefit of a specific agricultural 
     commodity, the Secretary shall require the recipient of the 
     grant to provide funds or in-kind support to match the amount 
     of funds provided by the Secretary in the grant.
       (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
     requirement specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a 
     grant if the Secretary determines that--
       (A) the results of the project, while of particular benefit 
     to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to be 
     applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or
       (B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals with 
     scientifically important research, and the grant recipient 
     would be unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of 
     the fiscal years 1998 through 2002 to carry out this section.

     SEC. 429. RESEARCH GRANTS UNDER EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-
                   GRANT STATUS ACT OF 1994.

       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 new section--

     ``SEC. 536. RESEARCH GRANTS.

       ``(a) Research Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture may make grants under this section on the basis 
     of a competitive application process (and in accordance with 
     such regulations that the Secretary may promulgate) to a 1994 
     Institution to assist the 1995 Institution to conduct 
     agricultural research that addresses high priority concerns 
     of tribal, national, or multi-state significance.
       ``(b) Requirements.--Grant applications submitted under 
     this section shall certify that the research to be conducted 
     will be performed under a cooperative agreement with at least 
     one other land-grant college or university (exclusive of 
     another 1994 Institution).
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002. 
     Amounts appropriated shall remain available until 
     expended.''.
                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 501. ROLE OF SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE REGARDING FOOD AND 
                   AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 
                   EXTENSION.

       The Secretary of Agriculture shall be the principal 
     official in the executive branch responsible for coordinating 
     all Federal research and extension activities related to food 
     and agricultural sciences.

     SEC. 502. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.

       (a) Objective.--The establishment of an Office of Pest 
     Management Policy pursuant to this section is intended to 
     provide for the effective coordination of agricultural 
     policies and activities within the Department of Agriculture 
     related to pesticides and of the development and use of pest 
     management tools, while taking into account the effects of 
     regulatory actions of other government agencies.
       (b) Establishment of Office; Principal Responsibilities.--
     The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish in the 
     Department of Agriculture an Office of Pest Management 
     Policy, which shall be responsible for--
       (1) the development and coordination of Department of 
     Agriculture policy on pest management and pesticides;
       (2) the coordination of activities and services of the 
     Department, including research, extension, and education 
     activities, regarding the development, availability, and use 
     of economically and environmentally sound pest management 
     tools and practices;
       (3) assisting the Department in fulfilling its 
     responsibilities related to pest management or pesticides 
     under the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (Public Law 
     104-170; 110 Stat. 1489), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, 
     and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.), the Federal Food, 
     Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), or other law; 
     and
       (4) performing such other functions as may be required by 
     law or prescribed by the Secretary.
       (c) Interagency Coordination.--In support of its 
     responsibilities under subsection (a), the Office of Pest 
     Management Policy shall provide leadership to ensure 
     coordination of interagency activities with the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and 
     other Federal and State agencies.
       (d) Outreach.--The Office of Pest Management Policy shall 
     consult with agricultural producers that may be affected by 
     pest management or pesticide-related activities or actions of 
     the Department or other agencies as necessary in carrying out 
     the Office's responsibilities under this section.
       (e) Director.--The Office of Pest Management Policy shall 
     be under the direction of a Director appointed by the 
     Secretary who shall report directly to the Secretary or a 
     designee of the Secretary.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section.

     SEC. 503. FOOD SAFETY RESEARCH INFORMATION OFFICE AND 
                   NATIONAL CONFERENCE.

       (a) Food Safety Research Information Office.--
       (1) Establishment and purpose.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall establish a Food Safety Research 
     Information Office at the National Agricultural Library. The 
     Office shall provide to the research community and the 
     general public information on publicly funded, and to the 
     extent possible, privately funded food safety research 
     initiatives for the purpose of--
       (A) preventing unintended duplication of food safety 
     research; and
       (B) assisting the executive and legislative branches of the 
     Government and private research entities to assess food 
     safety research needs and priorities.
       (2) Cooperation.--The Office shall carry out paragraph (1) 
     in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health, the 
     Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control 
     and Prevention, public institutions, and on a voluntary 
     basis, private research interests.
       (b) National Conference.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     sponsor a conference to be known as the ``National Conference 
     on Food Safety Research'', for the purpose of beginning the 
     task of food safety research prioritization. The Secretary 
     shall sponsor annual workshops in each of the subsequent four 
     years after the conference so that priorities can be updated 
     or adjusted to reflect changing food safety concerns.
       (c) Food Safety Report.--With regard to the study and 
     report to be prepared by the National Academy of Sciences on 
     the scientific and organizational needs for an effective food 
     safety system, the study shall include recommendations to 
     ensure that the food safety inspection system, within the 
     resources traditionally available to existing food safety 
     agencies, protects the public health.

     SEC. 504. NUTRIENT COMPOSITION DATA.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall update, 
     on a periodic basis, nutrient composition data.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     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. 505. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS RECEIVED OR COLLECTED ON 
                   BEHALF OF NATIONAL ARBORETUM.

       Section 6(b) of the Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 
     196(b)), is amended by striking ``Treasury'' and inserting 
     ``Treasury. Amounts in the special fund shall be available to 
     the Secretary of Agriculture, without further 
     appropriation,''.

     SEC. 506. RETENTION AND USE OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE 
                   PATENT CULTURE COLLECTION FEES.

       All funds collected by the Agricultural Research Service of 
     the Department of Agriculture in connection with the 
     acceptance of microorganisms for deposit in, or the 
     distribution of microorganisms from, the Patent Culture 
     Collection maintained and operated by the Agricultural 
     Research Service shall be credited to the appropriation 
     supporting the maintenance and operation of the Patent 
     Culture Collection. The collected funds shall be available to 
     the Agricultural Research Service, without further 
     appropriation or fiscal-year limitation, to carry out its 
     responsibilities under law (including international treaty) 
     with respect to the Patent Culture Collection.

[[Page H10366]]

     SEC. 507. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED UNDER SHEEP 
                   PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION ACT OF 
                   1994.

       Using funds available to the Agricultural Marketing 
     Service, the Service may reimburse the American Sheep 
     Industry Association for expenses incurred by American Sheep 
     Industry Association between February 6, 1996, and May 17, 
     1996, in preparation for the implementation of a sheep and 
     wool promotion, research, education, and information order 
     under the Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 
     1994 (7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).

     SEC. 508. DESIGNATION OF KIKA DE LA GARZA SUBTROPICAL 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, WESLACO, TEXAS.

       (a) Designation.--The Federal facilities located at 2413 
     East Highway 83, and 2301 South International Boulevard, in 
     Weslaco, Texas, and known as the Subtropical Agricultural 
     Research Center, shall be known and designated as the ``Kika 
     de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     Federal facilities referred to in subsection (a) shall be 
     deemed to be a reference to the ``Kika de la Garza 
     Subtropical Agricultural Research Center''.

     SEC. 509. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
                   SERVICE EMPHASIS ON IN FIELD RESEARCH REGARDING 
                   METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES.

       It is the sense of Congress that, of the Agricultural 
     Research Service funds made available for a fiscal year for 
     research regarding the development for agricultural use of 
     alternatives to methyl bromide, the Secretary of Agriculture 
     should use a substantial portion of such funds for research 
     to be conducted in real field conditions, in particular pre-
     planting and post-harvest conditions, so as to expedite the 
     development and commercial use of methyl bromide 
     alternatives.

     SEC. 510. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-
                   BASED AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

       It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of 
     Agriculture and the Secretary of Education should collaborate 
     and cooperate in providing both instructional and technical 
     support for school-based agricultural education.

     SEC. 511. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DESIGNATION OF 
                   DEPARTMENT CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Department of Agriculture plays a crucial role in 
     ensuring that the United States is a world leader in 
     maintaining the most affordable, abundant, wholesome, and 
     safe food supply for its citizens.
       (2) It is in the best interest of consumers, producers, 
     processors, retailers, government officials, and other 
     interested parties to ensure that any crisis that may affect 
     the operation of the Department or the production of a safe 
     and wholesome food supply is addressed in an effective 
     manner.
       (3) Unforeseen circumstances, including natural disaster, 
     personnel management problems, threats to public health, and 
     trade disruptions, have the potential to undermine the 
     operation of the Department and the Nation's ability to 
     efficiently provide a safe, affordable, abundant, and 
     wholesome food supply.
       (4) Department of Agriculture employees, consumer 
     confidence, and the food production sector have been 
     adversely impacted as a result of the challenges associated 
     with Federal agencies' ability to respond to incidents in a 
     coordinated and timely fashion.
       (5) An effective response to crises, emergencies, and 
     similar situations depends upon the timely and efficient 
     coordination of Federal, State, and local government 
     agencies.
       (6) It is in the best interests of the Nation to ensure 
     that whenever a crisis occurs the appropriate Federal 
     agencies coordinate their activities.
       (7) The Department of Agriculture should take the lead in 
     ensuring a safe and wholesome supply of food for the Nation 
     because of its broad and diverse relationship with consumers 
     and the food production sector.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of Agriculture should--
       (1) designate a Crisis Management Team within the 
     Department of Agriculture, which would be composed of senior 
     departmental personnel with strong subject matter expertise 
     selected from each relevant agency of the Department and 
     would be headed by a team leader with strong management and 
     communications skills;
       (2) upon establishment of such a Crisis Management Team, 
     direct that the Crisis Management Team--
       (A) develop a department-wide crisis management plan, 
     taking into account similar plans developed by other 
     government agencies and other large organizations;
       (B) develop detailed written procedures for implementing 
     the crisis management plan;
       (C) conduct periodic reviews and revisions of the crisis 
     management plan and procedures;
       (D) ensure compliance with crisis management procedures by 
     departmental personnel;
       (E) coordinate the Department's information gathering and 
     dissemination activities concerning issues managed by the 
     Crisis Management Team;
       (F) ensure that all employees of the Department are 
     familiar with the crisis management plan and procedures and 
     are encouraged to bring information regarding crises or 
     potential crises to the attention of team members;
       (G) ensure that departmental spokespersons convey accurate, 
     timely, and scientifically sound information that is easily 
     understood by the target audience; and
       (H) cooperate and coordinate with other Federal agencies, 
     States, local governments, industry, and public interest 
     groups; and
       (3) seek to enter into cooperative agreements with other 
     Federal departments and agencies that have related programs 
     or activities to help ensure consistent, accurate, and 
     coordinated dissemination of information throughout the 
     executive branch in the event of a crisis.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon [Mr. Smith] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2534, the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997. In 
doing so I would like to offer my gratitude and congratulations to 
three of my colleagues who serve on the Committee on Agriculture; 
first, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Combest], who chairs the 
Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation and Research; the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm], the committee's ranking minority 
member; and the gentleman from California [Mr. Dooley], the ranking 
Democrat on the Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation and 
Research. These three gentleman have shown a deep commitment to the 
importance of agricultural research and to America's farmers and 
ranchers, and we would not be here today, Mr. Speaker, were it not for 
their fine efforts.
  After several subcommittee hearings, this bill, which passed the 
Committee on Agriculture by unanimous vote on Wednesday, October 29, is 
the first comprehensive overhaul of agricultural research programs 
since 1977. The last 2 decades have brought sweeping changes to 
agricultural trade, production and Government's approach to 
agriculture, culminating in the reforms accomplished in the last 
session of Congress commonly called the freedom to farm bill.
  Today agricultural research is more important than ever in 
transforming to a market economy, in securing new markets for American 
farm products overseas, and ensuring that we continue to produce the 
world's highest quality food and fiber at competitive prices.
  Consider for a moment the tremendous successes we have achieved as a 
result of agricultural research. The boll weevil has been virtually 
eliminated throughout the American South as a result of highly 
successful research programs. Throughout the Southern States, cotton 
production has been restored to profitability benefiting not just 
farmers who grow cotton, but American textile manufacturers and 
consumers who depend upon high-quality American cotton.
  Agricultural research is also yielding new genetically modified 
organisms with great potential for American farmers, consumers and our 
environment. BT corn, which incorporates pesticide properties at 
genetic levels, allows farmers to combat corn root rot and corn borers 
without applying additional pesticides. Round-Up ready soybeans, which 
are resistant to common herbicide, allow Round-Up to be applied to the 
plant.
  In each instance agricultural research has yielded better crops that 
save farmers and consumers money and allow for less application of 
pesticides and herbicides on the farm.
  As I have the pleasure to recount to many foreign government 
officials with whom I met recently, these genetically modified 
organisms, which are the result of agricultural research, give the 
United States a real and distinct competitive advantage in the 
international marketplace. These and other advances indicate 
agricultural research's enormous potential for the farmer, the consumer 
and the environment.
  H.R. 2534 lives up to this challenge. In addition to reauthorizing 
numerous agricultural research programs through the year 2002, the bill 
includes reform provisions to ensure peer and

[[Page H10367]]

merit review of all USDA and U.S. research programs, provides for 
greater accountability in the development of Federal research 
priorities, and greater dependence on cost-sharing through requirements 
for matching funds.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to bring the Agricultural Research, 
Extension and Education Reauthorization to the full House with two 
technical amendments. First, as a result of jurisdictional concerns, 
section 231 of the bill is removed, which would have authorized the 
Secretary to establish a national agricultural weather information 
system. Second, a new section which has been added to the bill which 
names the Subtropical Agricultural Research Center in Weslaco, TX, 
after our former colleague and chairman of the House Committee on 
Agriculture, the Honorable Kika de la Garza.
  I urge my colleagues to support this very worthwhile bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bill, H.R. 2534, as 
amended, the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education 
Reauthorization Act of 1997. I am pleased to report that this bill is 
the result of a bipartisan effort in the House Committee on Agriculture 
and incorporates suggestions from both the providers and the users of 
agricultural research.
  The bill, as amended, will provide for the continuation of our 
Nation's historic commitment to agricultural research and productivity. 
It was through this commitment that our Nation developed an 
agricultural sector that is the undisputed technological leader of the 
world. Our commitment to agricultural research has allowed us to 
produce more food on less land. As a result producers have the option 
of devoting environmentally sensitive land to other uses.
  Among the provisions of this bill, as amended, is language to do the 
following: Increase merit review of federally funded agricultural 
research and extension, improve mechanisms for feedback from users of 
agricultural technology, and expand open competition for grant funds. 
In addition, we have included in the committee reported bill a 
provision that was inadvertently left out in the committee which would 
rename the Weslaco Agricultural Research Station as the Kika de la 
Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center.
  H.R. 2534, as amended, stretches every Federal dollar by directing 
many grant programs to require matching funds from non-Federal sources. 
Additionally, this legislation places new emphasis on genetics and 
biotechnology, research cooperation and the development of new crops.
  As we look toward a future with greater reliance on international 
competition and exports, it is even more critical that we maintain our 
Nation's leadership in agricultural research. The modest reforms and 
the priorities in this legislation will help to ensure continued U.S. 
leadership in both agricultural research and production well into the 
next century.
  I urge all Members to support H.R. 2534, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas [Mr. Combest], who is chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Forestry, Resource Conservation and Research of the Committee on 
Agriculture.
  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2534, the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Act of 
1997, and I, as the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith], would like to 
thank several of my colleagues as well, certainly beginning with the 
chairman of the committee Mr. Smith, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Stenholm], the ranking member of the full committee, and the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Dooley], ranking member on the subcommittee, for 
their work and cooperation in bringing this bill to the floor. This 
bill has been a bipartisan effort from the start, and I have enjoyed 
working with all parties involved.
  As chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over ag research 
programs, I held four hearings this summer to hear testimony from 
researchers who are involved in ag research, and farmers and others who 
the research is intended to benefit. We attempted to craft this bill to 
reflect some of their recommendations. This bill also reflects many 
recommendations of the Department of Agriculture.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is critical that we maintain a strong 
public and private research effort in order for American agriculture to 
continue to be profitable and competitive in the global economy of the 
future. It is not by accident that Americans enjoy the most abundant 
and affordable supply of food and fiber of any country in the world. 
More people are fed and clothed today from crops grown with increased 
efficiency and limited resources. Research efforts have led to a 
sixfold increase in agricultural productivity over the last 4 decades. 
Almost 50 years ago the number of people fed by 1 farmer was 15. Today 
1 farmer is able to feed 96 other people. Research into farming 
techniques and improved seed nutrition and nutrients have underwritten 
the success story of American agriculture.
  Further, agricultural research is even more critical to support 
growing populations in the areas of the world which suffer from 
malnutrition. World demand for food is expected to double by the year 
2025.
  I have said from the start that all the components of our ag research 
system do an excellent job and are to be commended for their hard work. 
However, in today's farm policy and budget environment, it is very 
critical that we ensure that the Government maintains a strong role in 
ag research to support our farmers and ranchers. I have approached this 
reauthorization effort with a goal of striving to improve current 
research efforts and accomplish more with the same or fewer dollars 
than we have had in the past. This will require research to be 
conducted in the most efficient manner possible and avoid any 
duplication of efforts.

                              {time}  1315

  This bill accomplishes some good and necessary reforms. Frankly, I 
would have liked to have accomplished even more reform in some of our 
research programs, but this bill represents the will of our 
subcommittee and the will of the full committee, and I urge my 
colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Dooley].
  (Mr. DOOLEY of California asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Combest], the chairman of the subcommittee 
which had jurisdiction, and thank him for his work and his willingness 
to work with myself and other members of the minority to putting forth, 
I think, a research bill, H.R. 2334, which really is going to position 
this country to move forward to ensure that the U.S. agriculture is on 
the leading edge of technology.
  Just last year when we modified and made major changes in our farm 
programs, where we were moving Government more and more out of the 
business of farming, we are going to be requiring our farmers to be 
relying more on the marketplace in order to achieve their financial 
benefits.
  This change in our farm policy is going to require an even greater 
investment in research, because all of us in agriculture fully 
understand that we are, in fact, in an international marketplace and 
the only way we can be competitive is by being on the leading edge of 
technology.
  Thus, the investments that we make in agriculture research are 
ensuring that our farmers will have the tools to assure they can be 
competitive, to assure they can be profitable.
  This bill embodies what I think are some modest reforms in our 
agriculture research program. It ensures we will have greater 
participation by stakeholders to participate. It will ensure that the 
research grants that are being offered will be subject to greater peer 
review and merit review. It will ensure that we maintain an 
infrastructure through our land grant colleges and other educational 
institutions that can provide us with the highest quality in 
agriculture research.
  Importantly also, it moves forward in a new area of providing the 
authorization for funding for the plant genome research program. I 
think all of us understand the benefits that can be derived not only to 
agriculture but to

[[Page H10368]]

consumers and our economy by further understanding the intricacies and 
opportunities with plant genome research.
  There is more that can be done though, and I hope we will find a way 
that we can ensure that even greater competition on the allocation of 
our Federal dollars occurs so we can assure that our taxpayers get the 
greatest return from the Federal investment they are making in 
agriculture research.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from New Mexico [Mr. Skeen] the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. SKEEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I 
appreciate the time.
  What I am rising to say is, this is a good bill coming out of the 
House of Representatives. I appreciate the fact that we have had a lot 
of cooperation and the ability to work together with the gentleman from 
Oregon [Mr. Smith].
  However, I do want to say that the companion bill in the Senate is a 
problem. It creates $1.2 billion in entitlement spending, and we will 
certainly want to watch what happens. What the outcome of the 
conference will be is important, because I think this is a misuse of 
the process and it is an abuse of this particular category of bill.
  Mr. Speaker, we will take a long hard look and see what the Senate 
comes up with. Maybe we can twist a few ears over there.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton].
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  I also want to compliment the bipartisan leadership that brought this 
bill forward, and particularly the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith], 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Combest], and the gentleman from California [Mr. Dooley].
  I also want to speak to the value of the research components, both in 
the research area and the extension area, and some of the expansion of 
education programs, not only those that are reauthorized, but some of 
the new initiatives and new ways of ensuring not only that we have a 
new reform but that we include new research items.
  Particularly I am interested in bringing to your attention the 
inclusion of pfisteria. That has indeed been a troublesome bacteria 
that has plagued our waterways, both our fish and human areas. I am 
also appreciative in the land grant colleges, that there was the 
opportunity for the 1890 colleges to participate.
  However, I have a concern. I have the concern that there is the 
potential, not through the bill we have passed, indeed, I voted for 
that bill and will encourage people to vote for this one as well, but 
in the conference activity. I hope that we do not attempt to use that 
savings, all of that savings, not to go for food needs of hungry 
people, particularly those persons for food stamps who were denied food 
stamps through the welfare reform. A lot of people are suffering out 
there; also food stamp mothers who need those programs.
  The potential of using $1.3 billion away from that, I think, is far 
too much. So I am urging the conferees not to allow that to happen. I 
support this bill, and I look forward to voting for the bill, I look 
forward to voting for the conference report that certainly has a better 
distribution of moneys coming from food stamps, savings from food 
stamps. It should not be dissipated out of that area; it should be 
included in that area.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Illinois [Mr. Ewing], who is also the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Risk Management and Speciality Crops of the Committee on 
Agriculture.
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2534, the Agricultural 
Research Extension and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the first comprehensive overhaul of agricultural 
research programs in 20 years. I think that is quite an achievement. 
The legislation is a critical step forward in meeting the increased 
demand for food in our world.
  The bill improves the ability and capacity of participants in the 
U.S. food and agricultural sector to meet consumer needs for high-
quality, safe, nutritious, affordable, and convenient food and other 
agricultural products and services.
  The bill also will help American producers, the farmers of America, 
produce in a global market and compete. Innovative and meaningful 
research is vital to ensure that the United States remains at the 
forefront of producing the world's highest quality food.
  This bill creates many exciting new programs; for instance, the Food 
Genome Research Initiative, which is fundamental in developing new and 
improved uses of crops, improving their productivity and efficiency, 
and generating high-quality, safe, and more affordable food products.
  H.R. 2534 also establishes an Animal Waste Management Research 
Initiative, which will help address waste disposal issues faced by both 
the farm community and urban interests as well. Agricultural research 
continues to play a critical role in spurring our Nation's expanding 
economy. This legislation will help keep it that way for years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank the gentleman from Oregon 
[Mr. Smith], our chairman; the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas 
[Mr. Stenholm]; the gentleman from California [Mr. Dooley]; and, of 
course, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Combest], for the fine work they 
have done on this legislation.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Farr].
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2534, the Agricultural 
Research Extension and Education Reauthorization Act. I would like to 
thank the hard work that others have mentioned of the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Combest], the subcommittee chair; of the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Dooley] on our side; of the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Stenholm]; and our chairman, the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith]. It 
is a great day for Willamette, Mr. Chairman.
  Frankly, if you thank these people, you have got to thank their 
staffs, because they are the ones that have done such hard work on this 
important piece of legislation. It is not only important to America, 
but it is certainly important to California agriculture.
  The farmers in my district are the most productive specialty crop 
growers in the world. They produce $2.5 billion worth of fresh row 
crops, vegetables, and horticultural crops each year. Mr. Speaker, I 
represent not only the salad bowl, but the flower bowl of the country. 
The agriculture industry is the backbone of the communities in my 
district, and they do this without Federal price supports.
  This is a highly competitive field of agriculture. Research is one of 
the few ways that the Federal Government can help my farmers. I feel 
this legislation will help not just my farmers but all the farmers to 
be competitive into the next century.
  I especially want to bring to your attention the language that I 
offered that was adopted in the markup that will greatly affect some of 
the farmers in my district and others in other parts of the country.
  A high priority in the field of research is in the form of extension 
grants which will expedite the development of alternatives to methyl 
bromide. A fundamental change in the manner research is conducted in 
the Agricultural Research Service will help to avert the possible 
negative impacts on the American production as research will be 
directed to areas of greatest need as the phaseout date gets closer.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill also contains an initiative for organic farming 
that will help this niche market continue to grow. We have barely begun 
to tap the full potential of the organic farming systems. This 
initiative will provide grants to facilitate the development of organic 
agriculture production, processing, and potential economic benefits 
associated with both domestic and foreign markets.

[[Page H10369]]

  As we go to conference, I would like to echo the words stated earlier 
on the issue of the food stamps. We need to restore the food stamps, 
particularly to the children that have been affected and cut off by 
them. I am confident my colleagues will recognize the merit of this 
issue, and I look forward to their support.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Hall].
  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for 
yielding me time, and certainly his great work in the whole agriculture 
field across this country; and the chairman of the committee, the 
gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith], for his wonderful work; and the 
other members and staff.
  I have no objection to this bill, certainly, going forward at this 
point, but I just want to say that I hope we are all perfectly clear 
that this budget-neutral bill will go to a conference with the Senate 
measure, S. 1150, that contains over $1.2 billion in new spending, 
offset by savings from prohibiting States from double-billing the 
Federal Government for food stamp administrative costs.
  I do not have a problem with the offset, but it is, nevertheless, a 
huge amount of money coming out of the food stamp program. I understand 
that some of these funds may be needed for agriculture programs. 
However, in the final conference agreement, it is imperative that a 
substantial amount of savings be used to address what is perhaps the 
most pressing hunger problem facing the country today, and that is the 
need to restore food stamp benefits to the very poor refugees and legal 
immigrant families with children, especially those not receiving any 
SSI.
  There is a strong consensus on this point among the religious 
community, the antihunger community, and the immigrant community. So it 
will be difficult to support a final conference agreement that does not 
put a substantial amount of the Senate bill's administrative savings 
back into feeding hungry people, in particular vulnerable groups of 
legal immigrants and refugees who lost access to food stamps and now 
face real hardship.
  I think many of my colleagues will be with me, hopefully, in sharing 
this view. I do know just in food in general, being at an emergency 
food bank in my hometown of Dayton, OH, food is down across the country 
in almost every food bank and warehouse across this land. We really 
need to address this issue in a better way, and I hope we can do it 
through this bill.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Kentucky [Mr. Lewis], a member of the committee.
  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
2534, the agricultural research reauthorization bill. I would like to 
thank the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith]; the gentleman from Texas, 
[Chairman Combest]; and the ranking member, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Dooley], and the committee staff for their hard work on 
this important bill.
  I am particularly pleased that this bill includes the essential part 
of legislation that I authored, the Precision Agricultural Research 
Education and Information Dissemination Act.
  Several new technologies make up precision agriculture. These include 
global positioning satellites, digital field mapping, grid soil 
sampling, and the list continues to grow as technology develops. If our 
farmers are to remain the most productive and most efficient growers 
and producers in the world, precision technology must be made available 
to them. This technology is just as revolutionary as moving from the 
horse to the tractor or from the plow to conservation tillage.

                              {time}  1330

  Let us not deny our farmers the opportunity to remain the best in the 
world, and I urge my colleagues to bring our farmers into the 21st 
century by voting yes on this bill.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Serrano].
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for 
his excellent work in this area.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of a growing number of folks on both 
sides of the aisle who are caught in a very delicate situation. We feel 
good about the bill before us and terrified of what may be coming out 
of the Senate in a conference report, and trying to figure out how best 
to deal with this situation and how best to begin to send a message 
here today that that has to be dealt with and dealt with carefully.
  We are concerned about the food stamp issue, and that is an issue 
that makes us the most nervous.
  With that in mind, I would like to respectfully inform my colleagues 
that I will be calling for a recorded vote on this bill in the hope 
that that will begin a conversation to ensure that our fears will not 
be founded when it comes back from the Senate.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Illinois [Mr. LaHood] a member of the committee.
  (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I stand in the well today to encourage my 
colleagues to support H.R. 2534, the Research and Extension 
Reauthorization Act. The bill fulfills a commitment the Republican 
Congress made over 2 years ago to our Nation's farmers and ranchers. In 
return for a more market-oriented Federal farm policy, Congress would 
enact a more farmer-friendly Tax Code and increase our investment in 
agriculture research as we head into the 21st century.
  The Federal Government must continue to lead the way in market 
developments and in finding new ways to utilize America's grown 
products.
  Mr. Speaker, upon passage today, we will have delivered on our 
promises.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Combest], the chairman 
of the subcommittee, who I know was here earlier, and the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Dooley], the ranking member, who I also see in the 
Chamber, for their leadership on this important issue, and also the 
gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith], the chairman of the committee,.
  Strong agricultural research programs have enabled America's farmers 
and ranchers to produce the highest quality food and fiber in the world 
at competitive prices. H.R. 2534 updates and modernizes our research 
programs so that American farmers will maintain their competitive edge 
in an increasingly global market. From the start, I was committed to 
passing an agricultural research bill that does more with our research 
dollars in an ever-increasing tight budget environment.
  This country has for many years been referred to as the 
``breadbasket'' to the world. We could not talk about America and her 
greatness without first acknowledging the role that the family farm has 
played, and we are the most productive country in the world. The family 
farm is largely responsible for these unprecedented accomplishments.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bill. We had 
the good fortune of having folks from our community in the agriculture 
research lab testify and offer testimony, and our home community of 
Peoria has an agriculture research lab and benefits immensely, as well 
as the University of Illinois, and I encourage all Members to support 
this important legislation.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Minnesota [Mr. Peterson].
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I too rise in strong support today of the Agriculture 
Research Extension and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997. As has 
been said by others, we are moving into a new era in agriculture, and 
research is going to be a more and more important component of our 
agriculture policy in this country. We in the upper Midwest and 
particularly in the northern part which I represent are very concerned 
about some specific issues with scab on wheat and barley where we have 
a cooperative effort in this bill to start putting more of a focus on 
that particular issue, and that is something we are very interested in, 
along with all of the other parts of this legislation.
  I, too, want to commend the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Combest], the 
subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from California [Mr. Dooley], the 
ranking member of the subcommittee, and also the gentleman from Oregon 
[Mr. Smith], the chairman of the

[[Page H10370]]

full committee, and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm], the 
ranking member of the full committee, and I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation so that we can move it ahead and see if we can 
get a conference on this and pass this into law.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Georgia [Mr. Kingston].
  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Committee on 
Agriculture for allowing me to speak on a bill that they have worked 
very hard on and has lots of good merits. I think the House bill should 
be passed, as is, by both bodies. I do not feel that way about the 
potential Senate bill, and even though I have not seen or read the 
Senate bill in its entirety, I have a lot of concerns about what is 
coming out of the Senate side of this bill.
  Making research mandatory, for example, puts research funding at the 
tune of $780 million on the same level with Social Security, VA 
payments, Medicare and Medicaid, and unlike making a decision to 
postpone research on certain kinds of plants and animals, one cannot 
postpone payments on Social Security, and I do not think that the 
Senate bill is right in trying to make research mandatory.
  I also have concerns about the $300 million Fund for America, which 
would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to have a pot of money that 
could be used to reward or punish friends and enemies accordingly. I do 
not think that is a proper thing, that we need to put more politics in 
it.
  I am also concerned about what this bill could do in terms of an 
unfunded mandates to Medicaid to our States. I have a lot of concerns 
about it, but I do want to emphasize, Mr. Speaker, I think the House 
bill is the model which we need to pass. I do not think the Senate bill 
is. I am very concerned that the Senate took a good and proper 
fundamental use of taxpayers' money and a fundamental jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Agriculture, and they have politicized it.
  What I urge our Members to do as this bill goes to conference is to 
stick to our guns; do not accept the Senate bill, do not accept the 
Senate amendments, do not increase spending, do not increase unfunded 
mandates, and do not create more mandatory entitlement programs.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Brown].
  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding this time to me.
  I want to say, just in a general way, that I appreciate the work that 
the chairman of the committee has done on this bill in moving it 
forward. I think it is basically a good bill and I would like to see it 
enacted.
  Now, I have heard, as apparently others have, that there are some 
problems having to do with the Senate bill, and I am sure the gentleman 
has heard some of these; in fact, I think I heard some remarks just as 
I was walking in with regard to that, and I would earnestly like to ask 
the chairman to give full consideration to this, because if we have a 
situation in which the Governors, as I understand they have continued 
to find objections to this, and a large number of our welfare agencies 
have objections to the Senate language, it is going to cause some 
difficulty, as the gentleman would know, for many of the Democrats to 
vote for the bill. I want to see this bill passed very solidly, as the 
gentleman knows.
  So I would just call that to the gentleman's attention, and if he can 
in any way ameliorate the impact of that Senate language, why, it would 
be very much appreciated by me and I am sure by many others on this 
side, and we will see if we cannot emerge with a bill that we can all 
support and which I know will be good for agriculture.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers on this 
side, and I yield myself the remainder of the time.
  The controversy that has been talked about on both sides of the aisle 
concerning the Senate bill will have to be resolved in conference, as 
all legislation is resolved in conference. Getting us to the floor 
today was not an easy endeavor, and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Combest], the chairman of the subcommittee, and the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Dooley], the ranking member, and all members of their 
subcommittee did an excellent job of resolving some very, very strong 
differences; and as they have stated, they were not totally satisfied 
with their work, as I would agree with them, but they have done the 
best they could do. I commend the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith], 
chairman of the full committee, for his leadership in bringing us to 
this point.
  Now we are asking our colleagues in the House to join with us in 
passing this bill so that we might go to the Senate and resolve those 
issues, of which there are several. But one of which I would speak 
particularly to is the administrative cost of the food stamp program of 
$1.25 billion. Those moneys, and the Senate has agreed, those dollars 
should be reserved for the Committee on Agriculture to be spent on 
food, hunger, nutrition.
  I happen to agree very strongly myself with the comments of the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hall] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Serrano], but there are differences of opinion in this, and I believe 
we can work them out in a conference.
  Yes, the States are very opposed to this. They would much rather 
control the expenditure of those funds, if there are any funds there, 
which also has yet to be resolved. I understand that. But I would hope 
that all of our colleagues in this body would stay with the House 
Committee on Agriculture and with the Senate on this provision and work 
it out in a satisfactory way.
  I particularly want to acknowledge, as the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. 
Smith] did earlier, and the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Skeen], that 
we have had a very good working relationship on this bill between the 
appropriators on the House side and the House Committee on Agriculture. 
That is something that we have not had as good a relationship in years 
past as we now have.
  I will just say in concluding that this Member will do everything on 
our part, working with Members on my side on appropriations and on the 
Committee on Agriculture, to work in the conference to see that we 
satisfy a majority of the House Members in resolving this issue. I 
would hope that all of our colleagues would join with us today in 
passing this legislation at this moment today so that we might get to 
that conference and work those out in the same spirit of cooperation 
that has brought us here today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about this. This bill has nothing to do 
with the criticism that we have heard from several Members. This bill, 
as we call it, is a very clean reauthorization bill of the research 
title, which has not been reauthorized for some many years now. The 
subcommittee and the full committee I think found that there were few 
differences on this bill, but when there were, we resolved them so that 
we will have unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans from 
the Committee on Agriculture, and as we should from this House of 
Representatives, because we were very careful to make sure that 
Members' concerns were answered in committee, as we have always done.
  This committee, my colleagues will find, if they have not found 
already, is very concerned about its bipartisanship, and it is very 
concerned about bringing regions of this great Nation together on 
agriculture, which we have been very successful in doing. And here 
again, we come before the House with a unanimous effort.
  Now, the issues that have been discussed indeed are very difficult 
issues. Any time there is $1.25 billion at stake, Members become very 
anxious about where they are spent, how they are spent, and on which 
priorities they may be spent. We hear all of those concerns.
  The conference committee will be made up of Republicans and 
Democrats, most of whom we see here today. So Members' concerns have 
been heard, and our job now is to try to sit down in this very short 
time with the Senate and see if there is any way that we can take care 
of the concerns that we have in the House and complement them with the 
Senate.
  So I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It is an important 
position that we take now. There is about 2.8

[[Page H10371]]

billion dollars' worth of research here that is authorized, 
reauthorized. It is essential to this Nation if we are indeed going to 
be competitive throughout the world.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2534, the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Act for 1997.
  I have had the opportunity to meet with farmers, producers, and 
processors from northeast Indiana, as well as Dean Vic Lechtenberg of 
Purdue University's School of Agriculture. They have emphasized that 
the excellent research and extension education system of our land grant 
universities and the USDA has allowed U.S. agriculture to provide the 
lowest cost and highest quality food supply in the world.
  As you know, agriculture is an extremely important industry, not only 
to my home State of Indiana, but many other parts of the country as 
well.
  In the 1996 farm bill, we made great strides in bringing agriculture 
production into a new era of technological competitiveness. As American 
agriculture relies more on world markets, it is imperative that its 
technology and human resources continue to be strong.
  Without superb technology and an outstanding education system, U.S. 
producers and processors will be unable to compete effectively with 
other nations where labor and other costs are less.
  There is little doubt that our agricultural industry will need the 
necessary tools to compete in the global market with technology based 
research.
  The passage of this legislation will provide State cooperative 
extension service systems and State university agricultural research 
programs the necessary tools to help direct this country in the future 
and allow it to continue to be a world leader in agriculture.
  As we work toward making sure that our Nation's books are balanced, 
we must not do so at the expense of a safe, dependable, and abundant 
food supply.
  We simply must maintain agricultural research and funding at adequate 
levels to ensure that American agriculture can remain competitive. For 
these reasons, I encourage my colleagues to support this very important 
bill.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith] that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2534, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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