[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 124 (Friday, October 6, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H9461-H9502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4461, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD 
 AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida submitted the following conference report and 
statement on the bill (H.R. 4461) making appropriations for 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2001, and for other purposes:

                Conference Report (H. Rept. No. 106-948)

       The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 
     two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 
     4461) ``making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural 
     Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
     Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2001, and for other purposes'', having met, after full and 
     free conference, have agreed to recommend and do recommend to 
     their respective Houses as follows:
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate, and agree to the same with an 
     amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said 
     amendment, insert:
       Section 1. (a) The provisions of H.R. 5426 of the 106th 
     Congress, as introduced on October 6, 2000, are hereby 
     enacted into law.
       (b) In publishing this Act in slip form and in the United 
     States Statutes at Large pursuant to section 112, of title 1, 
     United States Code, the Archivist of the United States shall 
     include after the date of approval at the end an appendix 
     setting forth the text of the bill referred to in subsection 
     (a) of this section.
       And the Senate agree to the same.

     Joe Skeen,
     James T. Walsh,
     Jay Dickey,
     Jack Kingston,
     George R. Nethercutt, Jr.,
     Henry Bonilla,
     Tom Latham,
     Jo Ann Emerson,
     C.W. Bill Young,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Thad Cochran,
     Arlen Specter,
     Christopher S. Bond,
     Slade Gorton,
     Mitch McConnell,
     Conrad Burns,
     Ted Stevens,
     Herb Kohl,
     Tom Harkin
       (Except for Cuba and drug reimportation),
     Byron L. Dorgan,
     Dianne Feinstein,
     Robert C. Byrd,
                               Managers on the Part of the Senate.

       JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE

       The managers on the part of the House and Senate at the 
     conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the 
     amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 4461) making 
     appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other 
     purposes, submit the following joint statement to the House 
     and Senate in explanation of the effect of the action agreed 
     upon by the managers and recommended in the accompanying 
     conference report.
       The conference agreement would enact the provisions of H.R. 
     5426 as introduced on October 6, 2000. The text of that bill 
     follows:


                                 A BILL

       Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, 
     Food and Drug Administration, and related Programs for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes
       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the 
     Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for Agriculture, Rural 
     Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
     Programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and 
     for other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                         AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

                 Production, Processing, and Marketing

                        Office of the Secretary


                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, and not to exceed $75,000 for employment under 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, $2,914,000: Provided, That not to exceed $11,000 
     of this amount shall be available for official reception and 
     representation expenses, not otherwise provided for, as 
     determined by the Secretary: Provided further, That none of 
     the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this 
     Act may be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel 
     of the Department of Agriculture to carry out section 
     793(c)(1)(C) of Public Law 104-127: Provided further, That 
     none of the funds made available by this Act may be used to 
     enforce section 793(d) of Public Law 104-127.

                          Executive Operations


                            chief economist

       For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, including 
     economic analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, 
     energy and new uses, and the functions of the World 
     Agricultural Outlook Board, as authorized by the Agricultural 
     Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622g), and including 
     employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) 
     of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to 
     exceed $5,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, 
     $7,462,000.


                       national appeals division

       For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division, 
     including employment pursuant to the second sentence of 
     section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of 
     which not to exceed $25,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 
     3109, $12,421,000.


                 Office of Budget and Program Analysis

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program 
     Analysis, including employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $5,000 is for employment 
     under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $6,765,000.

[[Page H9462]]

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

       For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief 
     Information Officer, including employment pursuant to the 
     second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 
     (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $10,000 is for 
     employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $10,051,000.


                      Common Computing Environment

       For necessary expenses to acquire a Common Computing 
     Environment for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
     the Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service and Rural 
     Development mission areas for information technology, 
     systems, and services, $40,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, for the capital asset acquisition of shared 
     information technology systems, including services as 
     authorized by 7 U.S.C. 6915-16 and 40 U.S.C. 1421-28: 
     Provided, That obligation of these funds shall be consistent 
     with the Department of Agriculture Service Center 
     Modernization Plan of the county-based agencies, and shall be 
     with the concurrence of the Department's Chief Information 
     Officer.

                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

       For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial 
     Officer, including employment pursuant to the second sentence 
     of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), 
     of which not to exceed $10,000 is for employment under 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, $5,171,000: Provided, That the Chief Financial 
     Officer shall actively market cross-servicing activities of 
     the National Finance Center.

          Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Assistant Secretary for Administration to carry out the 
     programs funded by this Act, $629,000.

        Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments


                     (including transfers of funds)

       For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to 
     Public Law 92-313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984 
     delegation of authority from the Administrator of General 
     Services to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 
     486, for programs and activities of the Department which are 
     included in this Act, and for the operation, maintenance, 
     improvement, and repair of Agriculture buildings, 
     $182,747,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That in the event an agency within the Department should 
     require modification of space needs, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture may transfer a share of that agency's 
     appropriation made available by this Act to this 
     appropriation, or may transfer a share of this appropriation 
     to that agency's appropriation, but such transfers shall not 
     exceed 5 percent of the funds made available for space rental 
     and related costs to or from this account.

                     Hazardous Materials Management


                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to 
     comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
     Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., and 
     the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et 
     seq., $15,700,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That appropriations and funds available herein to 
     the Department for Hazardous Materials Management may be 
     transferred to any agency of the Department for its use in 
     meeting all requirements pursuant to the above Acts on 
     Federal and non-Federal lands.

                      Departmental Administration


                     (including transfers of funds)

       For Departmental Administration, $36,010,000, to provide 
     for necessary expenses for management support services to 
     offices of the Department and for general administration and 
     disaster management of the Department, repairs and 
     alterations, and other miscellaneous supplies and expenses 
     not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical 
     and efficient work of the Department, including employment 
     pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the 
     Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed 
     $10,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided, That 
     this appropriation shall be reimbursed from applicable 
     appropriations in this Act for travel expenses incident to 
     the holding of hearings as required by 5 U.S.C. 551-558.


              Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

       For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of the 
     Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 2279), $3,000,000, to remain available until expended.

     Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations


                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out 
     the programs funded by this Act, including programs involving 
     intergovernmental affairs and liaison within the executive 
     branch, $3,568,000: Provided, That these funds may be 
     transferred to agencies of the Department of Agriculture 
     funded by this Act to maintain personnel at the agency level: 
     Provided further, That no other funds appropriated to the 
     Department by this Act shall be available to the Department 
     for support of activities of congressional relations.

                        Office of Communications

       For necessary expenses to carry out services relating to 
     the coordination of programs involving public affairs, for 
     the dissemination of agricultural information, and the 
     coordination of information, work, and programs authorized by 
     Congress in the Department, $8,623,000, including employment 
     pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the 
     Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed 
     $10,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 
     3109, and not to exceed $2,000,000 may be used for farmers' 
     bulletins.

                    Office of the Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector 
     General, including employment pursuant to the second sentence 
     of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), 
     and the Inspector General Act of 1978, $68,867,000, including 
     such sums as may be necessary for contracting and other 
     arrangements with public agencies and private persons 
     pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 
     1978, including not to exceed $50,000 for employment under 5 
     U.S.C. 3109; and including not to exceed $125,000 for certain 
     confidential operational expenses, including the payment of 
     informants, to be expended under the direction of the 
     Inspector General pursuant to Public Law 95-452 and section 
     1337 of Public Law 97-98.

                     Office of the General Counsel

       For necessary expenses of the Office of the General 
     Counsel, $31,080,000.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics to 
     administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Economic 
     Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics 
     Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the 
     Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
     $556,000.

                       Economic Research Service


                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service in 
     conducting economic research and analysis, as authorized by 
     the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) 
     and other laws, $67,038,000: Provided, That $1,000,000 shall 
     be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``Food and Nutrition Service, Food Program Administration'' 
     for studies and evaluations: Provided further, That this 
     appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to 
     the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 
     1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225).

                National Agricultural Statistics Service

       For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural 
     Statistics Service in conducting statistical reporting and 
     service work, including crop and livestock estimates, 
     statistical coordination and improvements, marketing surveys, 
     and the Census of Agriculture, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 
     1621-1627, Public Law 105-113, and other laws, $100,772,000, 
     of which up to $15,000,000 shall be available until expended 
     for the Census of Agriculture: Provided, That this 
     appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to 
     the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 
     1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $40,000 shall be 
     available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.

                     Agricultural Research Service


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural Research 
     Service to perform agricultural research and demonstration 
     relating to production, utilization, marketing, and 
     distribution (not otherwise provided for); home economics or 
     nutrition and consumer use including the acquisition, 
     preservation, and dissemination of agricultural information; 
     and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, or 
     purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, and for land 
     exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal value 
     or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the grantor 
     which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the 
     land or interests transferred out of Federal ownership, 
     $898,812,000: Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall 
     be available for temporary employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $115,000 shall be available 
     for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That 
     appropriations hereunder shall be available for the operation 
     and maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed 
     one for replacement only: Provided further, That 
     appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 
     U.S.C. 2250 for the construction, alteration, and repair of 
     buildings and improvements, but unless otherwise provided, 
     the cost of constructing any one building shall not exceed 
     $375,000, except for headhouses or greenhouses which shall 
     each be limited to $1,200,000, and except for 10 buildings to 
     be constructed or improved at a cost not to exceed $750,000 
     each, and the cost of altering any one building during the 
     fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current 
     replacement value of the building or $375,000, whichever is 
     greater: Provided further, That the limitations on 
     alterations contained in this Act shall not apply to 
     modernization or replacement of existing facilities at 
     Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That appropriations 
     hereunder shall be available for granting easements at the 
     Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, including an 
     easement to the University of Maryland to construct the 
     Transgenic Animal Facility which upon completion shall be 
     accepted by the Secretary as a gift: Provided further, That 
     the foregoing limitations shall not apply to replacement of 
     buildings needed to carry out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 
     U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That funds may be received 
     from any State, other political subdivision, organization, or 
     individual for the purpose of establishing or operating any 
     research facility or research project of the Agricultural 
     Research Service, as authorized by law.
       None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be 
     available to carry out research related to the production, 
     processing or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.

[[Page H9463]]

       In fiscal year 2001, the agency is authorized to charge 
     fees, commensurate with the fair market value, for any 
     permit, easement, lease, or other special use authorization 
     for the occupancy or use of land and facilities (including 
     land and facilities at the Beltsville Agricultural Research 
     Center) issued by the agency, as authorized by law, and such 
     fees shall be credited to this account, and shall remain 
     available until expended for authorized purposes.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       For acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement, 
     extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or 
     facilities as necessary to carry out the agricultural 
     research programs of the Department of Agriculture, where not 
     otherwise provided, $74,200,000, to remain available until 
     expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That funds may be 
     received from any State, other political subdivision, 
     organization, or individual for the purpose of establishing 
     any research facility of the Agricultural Research Service, 
     as authorized by law.

      Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


                   Research and Education Activities

       For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for 
     cooperative forestry and other research, for facilities, and 
     for other expenses, $506,193,000, as follows: to carry out 
     the provisions of the Hatch Act (7 U.S.C. 361a-i), 
     $180,545,000; for grants for cooperative forestry research 
     (16 U.S.C. 582a-a7), $21,932,000; for payments to the 1890 
     land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University (7 U.S.C. 
     3222), $32,676,000, of which $1,000,000 shall be made 
     available to West Virginia State College in Institute, West 
     Virginia; for special grants for agricultural research (7 
     U.S.C. 450i(c)), $85,669,000; for special grants for 
     agricultural research on improved pest control (7 U.S.C. 
     450i(c)), $13,721,000; for competitive research grants (7 
     U.S.C. 450i(b)), $106,000,000; for the support of animal 
     health and disease programs (7 U.S.C. 3195), $5,109,000; for 
     supplemental and alternative crops and products (7 U.S.C. 
     3319d), $800,000; for grants for research pursuant to the 
     Critical Agricultural Materials Act of 1984 (7 U.S.C. 178) 
     and section 1472 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3318), $640,000, to remain available until expended; 
     for the 1994 research program (7 U.S.C. 301 note), 
     $1,000,000, to remain available until expended; for higher 
     education graduate fellowship grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)), 
     $3,000,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 
     2209b); for higher education challenge grants (7 U.S.C. 
     3152(b)(1)), $4,350,000; for a higher education multicultural 
     scholars program (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), $1,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for an education 
     grants program for Hispanic-serving Institutions (7 U.S.C. 
     3241), $3,500,000; for a program of noncompetitive grants, to 
     be awarded on an equal basis, to Alaska Native-serving and 
     Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions to carry out higher 
     education programs (7 U.S.C. 3242), $3,000,000; for a 
     secondary agriculture education program and 2-year post-
     secondary education (7 U.S.C. 3152(h)), $800,000; for 
     aquaculture grants (7 U.S.C. 3322), $4,000,000; for 
     sustainable agriculture research and education (7 U.S.C. 
     5811), $9,250,000; for a program of capacity building grants 
     (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to colleges eligible to receive funds 
     under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328), 
     including Tuskegee University, $9,500,000, to remain 
     available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for payments to 
     the 1994 Institutions pursuant to section 534(a)(1) of Public 
     Law 103-382, $1,552,000; and for necessary expenses of 
     Research and Education Activities, of which not to exceed 
     $100,000 shall be for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, 
     $18,149,000.
       None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be 
     available to carry out research related to the production, 
     processing or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products: 
     Provided, That this paragraph shall not apply to research on 
     the medical, biotechnological, food, and industrial uses of 
     tobacco.


              Native American Institutions Endowment Fund

       For the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund 
     authorized by Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), 
     $7,100,000: Provided, That hereafter, any distribution of the 
     adjusted income from the Native American Institutions 
     Endowment Fund is authorized to be used for facility 
     renovation, repair, construction, and maintenance, in 
     addition to other authorized purposes.


                          Extension Activities

       For payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto 
     Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern 
     Marianas, and American Samoa, $433,429,000, as follows: 
     payments for cooperative extension work under the Smith-Lever 
     Act, to be distributed under sections 3(b) and 3(c) of said 
     Act, and under section 208(c) of Public Law 93-471, for 
     retirement and employees' compensation costs for extension 
     agents and for costs of penalty mail for cooperative 
     extension agents and State extension directors, $276,548,000; 
     payments for extension work at the 1994 Institutions under 
     the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)), $3,280,000; 
     payments for the nutrition and family education program for 
     low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Act, $58,695,000; 
     payments for the pest management program under section 3(d) 
     of the Act, $10,783,000; payments for the farm safety program 
     under section 3(d) of the Act, $4,000,000; payments to 
     upgrade research, extension, and teaching facilities at the 
     1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, as 
     authorized by section 1447 of Public Law 95-113 (7 U.S.C. 
     3222b), $12,200,000, to remain available until expended; 
     payments for the rural development centers under section 3(d) 
     of the Act, $908,000; payments for youth-at-risk programs 
     under section 3(d) of the Act, $8,500,000; for youth farm 
     safety education and certification extension grants, to be 
     awarded competitively under section 3(d) of the Act, 
     $500,000; payments for carrying out the provisions of the 
     Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978, $3,192,000; 
     payments for Indian reservation agents under section 3(d) of 
     the Act, $2,000,000; payments for sustainable agriculture 
     programs under section 3(d) of the Act, $3,800,000; payments 
     for rural health and safety education as authorized by 
     section 2390 of Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 2661 note, 
     2662), $2,628,000; payments for cooperative extension work by 
     the colleges receiving the benefits of the second Morrill Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328) and Tuskegee University, 
     $28,243,000, of which $1,000,000 shall be made available to 
     West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia; and 
     for Federal administration and coordination including 
     administration of the Smith-Lever Act, and the Act of 
     September 29, 1977 (7 U.S.C. 341-349), and section 1361(c) of 
     the Act of October 3, 1980 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), and to 
     coordinate and provide program leadership for the extension 
     work of the Department and the several States and insular 
     possessions, $18,152,000: Provided, That funds hereby 
     appropriated pursuant to section 3(c) of the Act of June 26, 
     1953, and section 506 of the Act of June 23, 1972, shall not 
     be paid to any State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 
     Guam, or the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, 
     and American Samoa prior to availability of an equal sum from 
     non-Federal sources for expenditure during the current fiscal 
     year.


                         Integrated Activities

       For the integrated research, education, and extension 
     competitive grants programs, including necessary 
     administrative expenses, as authorized under section 406 of 
     the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
     Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626), $41,941,000, as follows: 
     payments for the water quality program, $13,000,000; payments 
     for the food safety program, $15,000,000; payments for the 
     national agriculture pesticide impact assessment program, 
     $4,541,000; payments for the Food Quality Protection Act risk 
     mitigation program for major food crop systems, $4,900,000; 
     payments for the crops affected by Food Quality Protection 
     Act implementation, $1,500,000; payments for the methyl 
     bromide transition program, $2,500,000; and payments for the 
     organic transition program, $500,000.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs to 
     administer programs under the laws enacted by the Congress 
     for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; the 
     Agricultural Marketing Service; and the Grain Inspection, 
     Packers and Stockyards Administration; $635,000.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service


                         Salaries and Expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For expenses, not otherwise provided for, including those 
     pursuant to the Act of February 28, 1947 (21 U.S.C. 114b-c), 
     necessary to prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant 
     and animal diseases; to carry out inspection, quarantine, and 
     regulatory activities; to discharge the authorities of the 
     Secretary of Agriculture under the Acts of March 2, 1931 (46 
     Stat. 1468) and December 22, 1987 (101 Stat. 1329-1331) (7 
     U.S.C. 426-426c); and to protect the environment, as 
     authorized by law, $530,564,000, of which $4,105,000 shall be 
     available for the control of outbreaks of insects, plant 
     diseases, animal diseases and for control of pest animals and 
     birds to the extent necessary to meet emergency conditions; 
     of which $59,400,000 shall be used for the boll weevil 
     eradication program for cost share purposes or for debt 
     retirement for active eradication zones: Provided, That no 
     funds shall be used to formulate or administer a brucellosis 
     eradication program for the current fiscal year that does not 
     require minimum matching by the States of at least 40 
     percent: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be 
     available for field employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $40,000 shall be available 
     for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That 
     this appropriation shall be available for the operation and 
     maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed 
     four, of which two shall be for replacement only: Provided 
     further, That, in addition, in emergencies which threaten any 
     segment of the agricultural production industry of this 
     country, the Secretary may transfer from other appropriations 
     or funds available to the agencies or corporations of the 
     Department such sums as may be deemed necessary, to be 
     available only in such emergencies for the arrest and 
     eradication of contagious or infectious disease or pests of 
     animals, poultry, or plants, and for expenses in accordance 
     with the Act of February 28, 1947, and section 102 of the Act 
     of September 21, 1944, and any unexpended balances of funds 
     transferred for such emergency purposes in the preceding 
     fiscal year shall be merged with such transferred amounts: 
     Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be 
     available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and 
     alteration of leased buildings and improvements, but unless 
     otherwise provided the cost of altering any one building 
     during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the 
     current replacement value of the building: Provided further, 
     That not to exceed $1,000,000 of the funds available under 
     this heading for wildlife services methods development may be 
     used by the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct pilot 
     projects in up to four States representative of wildlife 
     predation of livestock in connection with farming operations 
     for direct assistance in the application of non-lethal 
     predation control

[[Page H9464]]

     methods: Provided further, That the General Accounting Office 
     shall report to the Committees on Appropriations by November 
     30, 2001, on the Department's compliance with this provision 
     and on the effectiveness of the non-lethal measures.
       In fiscal year 2001, the agency is authorized to collect 
     fees to cover the total costs of providing technical 
     assistance, goods, or services requested by States, other 
     political subdivisions, domestic and international 
     organizations, foreign governments, or individuals, provided 
     that such fees are structured such that any entity's 
     liability for such fees is reasonably based on the technical 
     assistance, goods, or services provided to the entity by the 
     agency, and such fees shall be credited to this account, to 
     remain available until expended, without further 
     appropriation, for providing such assistance, goods, or 
     services.
       Of the total amount available under this heading in fiscal 
     year 2001, $85,000,000 shall be derived from user fees 
     deposited in the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection User Fee 
     Account.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       For plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance, 
     environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration, 
     and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized 
     by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as authorized by 7 
     U.S.C. 428a, $9,870,000, to remain available until expended.

                     Agricultural Marketing Service


                           Marketing Services

       For necessary expenses to carry out services related to 
     consumer protection, agricultural marketing and distribution, 
     transportation, and regulatory programs, as authorized by 
     law, and for administration and coordination of payments to 
     States, including field employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225) and not to exceed $90,000 for employment under 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, $65,335,000, including funds for the wholesale 
     market development program for the design and development of 
     wholesale and farmer market facilities for the major 
     metropolitan areas of the country: Provided, That this 
     appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 
     2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and 
     improvements, but the cost of altering any one building 
     during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the 
     current replacement value of the building: Provided further, 
     That, only after promulgation of a final rule on a National 
     Organic Standards Program, $639,000 of this amount shall be 
     available for the Expenses and Refunds, Inspection and 
     Grading of Farm Products fund account for the cost of the 
     National Organic Standards Program and such funds shall 
     remain available until expended.
       Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization 
     activities, as established by regulation pursuant to law (31 
     U.S.C. 9701).


                 limitation on administrative expenses

       Not to exceed $60,730,000 (from fees collected) shall be 
     obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative 
     expenses: Provided, That if crop size is understated and/or 
     other uncontrollable events occur, the agency may exceed this 
     limitation by up to 10 percent with notification to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.


    Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply (Section 32)

                     (including transfers of funds)

       Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 
     1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be used only for commodity 
     program expenses as authorized therein, and other related 
     operating expenses, except for: (1) transfers to the 
     Department of Commerce as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife 
     Act of August 8, 1956; (2) transfers otherwise provided in 
     this Act; and (3) not more than $13,438,000 for formulation 
     and administration of marketing agreements and orders 
     pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
     and the Agricultural Act of 1961.


                   Payments to States and Possessions

       For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus and 
     departments of markets, and similar agencies for marketing 
     activities under section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing 
     Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $1,350,000.

        Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the 
     United States Grain Standards Act, for the administration of 
     the Packers and Stockyards Act, for certifying procedures 
     used to protect purchasers of farm products, and the 
     standardization activities related to grain under the 
     Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, including field 
     employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) 
     of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed 
     $25,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $31,420,000: 
     Provided, That this appropriation shall be available 
     pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and 
     repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of 
     altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not 
     exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the 
     building.


        limitation on inspection and weighing services expenses

       Not to exceed $42,557,000 (from fees collected) shall be 
     obligated during the current fiscal year for inspection and 
     weighing services: Provided, That if grain export activities 
     require additional supervision and oversight, or other 
     uncontrollable factors occur, this limitation may be exceeded 
     by up to 10 percent with notification to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

             Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws 
     enacted by the Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection 
     Service, $460,000.

                   Food Safety and Inspection Service

       For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized by 
     the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products 
     Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, 
     including not to exceed $50,000 for representation allowances 
     and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved 
     August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $696,704,000, of which no 
     less than $591,258,000 shall be available for Federal food 
     inspection; and in addition, $1,000,000 may be credited to 
     this account from fees collected for the cost of laboratory 
     accreditation as authorized by section 1017 of Public Law 
     102-237: Provided, That not more than $2,500,000 of this 
     appropriation may be used to implement section 752 of title 
     VII of this Act: Provided further, That this appropriation 
     shall be available for field employment pursuant to the 
     second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 
     (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $75,000 shall be available 
     for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That 
     this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 
     U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and 
     improvements, but the cost of altering any one building 
     during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the 
     current replacement value of the building: Provided further, 
     That from amounts appropriated under this heading not needed 
     for federal food inspection, up to $6,000,000 may be used to 
     liquidate obligations incurred in previous years, to the 
     extent approved by the Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget based on documentation provided by the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.

    Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
                                Services

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to 
     administer the laws enacted by Congress for the Farm Service 
     Agency, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Risk Management 
     Agency, and the Commodity Credit Corporation, $589,000.

                          Farm Service Agency


                         Salaries and Expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration 
     and implementation of programs administered by the Farm 
     Service Agency, $828,385,000: Provided, That the Secretary is 
     authorized to use the services, facilities, and authorities 
     (but not the funds) of the Commodity Credit Corporation to 
     make program payments for all programs administered by the 
     Agency: Provided further, That other funds made available to 
     the Agency for authorized activities may be advanced to and 
     merged with this account: Provided further, That these funds 
     shall be available for employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $1,000,000 shall be available 
     for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.


                         State Mediation Grants

       For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101-5106), $3,000,000.


                        Dairy Indemnity Program

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity 
     payments to dairy farmers for milk or cows producing such 
     milk and manufacturers of dairy products who have been 
     directed to remove their milk or dairy products from 
     commercial markets because it contained residues of chemicals 
     registered and approved for use by the Federal Government, 
     and in making indemnity payments for milk, or cows producing 
     such milk, at a fair market value to any dairy farmer who is 
     directed to remove his milk from commercial markets because 
     of: (1) the presence of products of nuclear radiation or 
     fallout if such contamination is not due to the fault of the 
     farmer; or (2) residues of chemicals or toxic substances not 
     included under the first sentence of the Act of August 13, 
     1968 (7 U.S.C. 450j), if such chemicals or toxic substances 
     were not used in a manner contrary to applicable regulations 
     or labeling instructions provided at the time of use and the 
     contamination is not due to the fault of the farmer, 
     $450,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 
     2209b): Provided, That none of the funds contained in this 
     Act shall be used to make indemnity payments to any farmer 
     whose milk was removed from commercial markets as a result of 
     the farmer's willful failure to follow procedures prescribed 
     by the Federal Government: Provided further, That this amount 
     shall be transferred to the Commodity Credit Corporation: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary is authorized to utilize 
     the services, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation for the purpose of making dairy indemnity 
     disbursements.


           Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct 
     and guaranteed loans as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1928-1929, to 
     be available from funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance 
     Fund, as follows: farm ownership loans, $998,000,000, of 
     which $870,000,000 shall be for guaranteed loans; operating 
     loans, $1,972,741,000, of which $1,077,839,000 shall be for 
     unsubsidized guaranteed loans and $369,902,000 shall be for 
     subsidized guaranteed loans; Indian tribe land acquisition 
     loans as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $2,006,000; for 
     emergency insured loans, $25,000,000 to meet the needs 
     resulting from natural disasters; and for boll weevil 
     eradication program loans as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, 
     $100,000,000.
       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the 
     cost of modifying loans as defined

[[Page H9465]]

     in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as 
     follows: farm ownership loans, $18,223,000, of which 
     $4,437,000 shall be for guaranteed loans; operating loans, 
     $92,310,000, of which $14,770,000 shall be for unsubsidized 
     guaranteed loans and $30,185,000 shall be for subsidized 
     guaranteed loans; Indian tribe land acquisition loans as 
     authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $323,000; and for emergency 
     insured loans, $6,133,000 to meet the needs resulting from 
     natural disasters.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $269,454,000, of 
     which $265,315,000 shall be transferred to and merged with 
     the appropriation for ``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and 
     Expenses''.
       Funds appropriated by this Act to the Agricultural Credit 
     Insurance Program Account for farm ownership and operating 
     direct loans and guaranteed loans may be transferred among 
     these programs with the prior approval of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

                         Risk Management Agency

       For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized by 
     the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 
     U.S.C. 6933), $65,597,000: Provided, That not to exceed 
     $700 shall be available for official reception and 
     representation expenses, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 
     1506(i).

                              CORPORATIONS

       The following corporations and agencies are hereby 
     authorized to make expenditures, within the limits of funds 
     and borrowing authority available to each such corporation or 
     agency and in accord with law, and to make contracts and 
     commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as 
     provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control 
     Act as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set 
     forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such 
     corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.

                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

       For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Federal 
     Crop Insurance Act, such sums as may be necessary, to remain 
     available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).

                   Commodity Credit Corporation Fund


                 reimbursement for net realized losses

       For fiscal year 2001, such sums as may be necessary to 
     reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized 
     losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed, pursuant to 
     section 2 of the Act of August 17, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11).


       operations and maintenance for hazardous waste management

       For fiscal year 2001, the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for site investigation 
     and cleanup expenses, and operations and maintenance expenses 
     to comply with the requirement of section 107(g) of the 
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607(g), and section 6001 of the 
     Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6961.

                                TITLE II

                         CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

  Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to 
     administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Forest 
     Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
     $711,000: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated or 
     otherwise made available by this Act or any other Act shall 
     be available to the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural 
     Resources and Environment for the supervision, management or 
     direction of the Forest Service or the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service until January 20, 2001: Provided 
     further, That the Chiefs of the Forest Service and the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service shall report directly 
     to the Secretary of Agriculture until January 20, 2001.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service


                        Conservation Operations

       For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions of 
     the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), including 
     preparation of conservation plans and establishment of 
     measures to conserve soil and water (including farm 
     irrigation and land drainage and such special measures for 
     soil and water management as may be necessary to prevent 
     floods and the siltation of reservoirs and to control 
     agricultural related pollutants); operation of conservation 
     plant materials centers; classification and mapping of soil; 
     dissemination of information; acquisition of lands, water, 
     and interests therein for use in the plant materials program 
     by donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to 
     exceed $100 pursuant to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 
     428a); purchase and erection or alteration or improvement of 
     permanent and temporary buildings; and operation and 
     maintenance of aircraft, $714,116,000, to remain available 
     until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b), of which not less than 
     $5,990,000 is for snow survey and water forecasting and not 
     less than $9,125,000 is for operation and establishment of 
     the plant materials centers: Provided, That appropriations 
     hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for 
     construction and improvement of buildings and public 
     improvements at plant materials centers, except that the 
     cost of alterations and improvements to other buildings 
     and other public improvements shall not exceed $250,000: 
     Provided further, That not to exceed $2,000,000 of this 
     amount shall be available for the Urban Resources 
     Partnership program, of which $1,000,000 shall be 
     available only after promulgation of a final rule on this 
     program: Provided further, That not to exceed $204,000 of 
     this amount shall be available for American Heritage 
     Rivers: Provided further, That when buildings or other 
     structures are erected on non-Federal land, that the right 
     to use such land is obtained as provided in 7 U.S.C. 
     2250a: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be 
     available for technical assistance and related expenses to 
     carry out programs authorized by section 202(c) of title 
     II of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 
     1974 (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)): Provided further, That this 
     appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant 
     to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic 
     Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $25,000 
     shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: 
     Provided further, That qualified local engineers may be 
     temporarily employed at per diem rates to perform the 
     technical planning work of the Service (16 U.S.C. 590e-2).


                     Watershed Surveys and Planning

       For necessary expenses to conduct research, investigation, 
     and surveys of watersheds of rivers and other waterways, and 
     for small watershed investigations and planning, in 
     accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention 
     Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001-1009), 
     $10,868,000: Provided, That not to exceed $136,000 shall be 
     available for American Heritage Rivers: Provided further, 
     That this appropriation shall be available for employment 
     pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the 
     Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed 
     $110,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 
     3109.


               Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations

       For necessary expenses to carry out preventive measures, 
     including but not limited to research, engineering 
     operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of 
     vegetation, rehabilitation of existing works and changes in 
     use of land, in accordance with the Watershed Protection and 
     Flood Prevention Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001-
     1005 and 1007-1009), the provisions of the Act of April 27, 
     1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), and in accordance with the 
     provisions of laws relating to the activities of the 
     Department, $99,443,000, to remain available until expended 
     (7 U.S.C. 2209b) (of which up to $15,000,000 may be available 
     for the watersheds authorized under the Flood Control Act 
     approved June 22, 1936 (33 U.S.C. 701 and 16 U.S.C. 1006a)): 
     Provided, That not to exceed $44,423,000 of this 
     appropriation shall be available for technical assistance: 
     Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available 
     for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 
     706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to 
     exceed $200,000 shall be available for employment under 5 
     U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That not to exceed $1,000,000 
     of this appropriation is available to carry out the purposes 
     of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-205), 
     including cooperative efforts as contemplated by that Act to 
     relocate endangered or threatened species to other suitable 
     habitats as may be necessary to expedite project 
     construction: Provided further, That of the funds available 
     for Emergency Watershed Protection activities, $8,000,000 
     shall be available for Ohio, New Mexico, Mississippi and 
     Wisconsin for financial and technical assistance for pilot 
     rehabilitation projects of small, upstream dams built under 
     the Watershed and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, Public Law 
     83-566 (16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); Section 13 of the Flood 
     Control Act of 1944, Public Law 78-534 (33 U.S.C. 701 b-1); 
     the pilot watershed program authorized under the heading 
     ``FLOOD PREVENTION'' of the Department of Agriculture 
     Appropriations Act, 1954, Public Law 83-156 (67 Stat. 
     214); and Subtitle H of title XV of the Agriculture and 
     Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451 et seq.): Provided 
     further, That the amount of Federal funds that may be made 
     available to an eligible local organization for 
     construction of a particular rehabilitation project shall 
     be equal to 65 percent of the total rehabilitation costs, 
     but not to exceed 100 percent of actual construction costs 
     incurred in the rehabilitation: Provided further, That 
     consistent with existing statute, rehabilitation 
     assistance provided may not be used to perform operation 
     and maintenance activities specified in the agreement for 
     the covered water resource projects entered into between 
     the Secretary and the eligible local organization 
     responsible for the works of improvement.


                 Resource Conservation and Development

       For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out 
     projects for resource conservation and development and for 
     sound land use pursuant to the provisions of section 32(e) of 
     title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1010-1011; 76 Stat. 607); the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 
     U.S.C. 590a-f); and the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 
     U.S.C. 3451-3461), $42,015,000, to remain available until 
     expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That this appropriation 
     shall be available for employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $50,000 shall be available 
     for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.


                      Forestry Incentives Program

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out the program of forestry incentives, as authorized 
     by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
     2101), including technical assistance and related expenses, 
     $6,325,000, to remain available until expended, as authorized 
     by that Act.

                               TITLE III

                       RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

          Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Rural Development to administer programs 
     under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Rural Housing 
     Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service,

[[Page H9466]]

     and the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of 
     Agriculture, $605,000.


                  Rural Community Advancement Program

       For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, 
     as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c, 1926d, and 
     1932, except for sections 381E-H, 381N, and 381O of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, $762,542,000, to 
     remain available until expended, of which $53,225,000 shall 
     be for rural community programs described in section 
     381E(d)(1) of such Act; of which $644,360,000 shall be for 
     the rural utilities programs described in sections 
     381E(d)(2), 306C(a)(2), and 306D of such Act; and of which 
     $64,957,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative 
     development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such 
     Act: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated in this 
     account, $24,000,000 shall be for loans and grants to benefit 
     Federally Recognized Native American Tribes, including grants 
     for drinking and waste disposal systems pursuant to section 
     306C of such Act, of which $250,000 shall be available for a 
     grant to a qualified national organization to provide 
     technical assistance for rural transportation in order to 
     promote economic development: Provided further, That of the 
     amount appropriated for rural community programs, $6,000,000 
     shall be available for a Rural Community Development 
     Initiative: Provided further, That such funds shall be used 
     solely to develop the capacity and ability of private, 
     nonprofit community-based housing and community development 
     organizations serving low-income rural communities, including 
     Federally Recognized Indian tribes to undertake projects to 
     improve housing, community facilities, community and economic 
     development projects in rural areas: Provided further, 
     That such funds shall be made available to qualified 
     private, nonprofit intermediary organizations (including 
     tribal) proposing to carry out a program of financial and 
     technical assistance to other public entities with a 
     record of achievement in providing technical and financial 
     assistance to housing and community development 
     organizations in rural areas: Provided further, That such 
     intermediary organizations shall provide matching funds 
     from other sources, including federal funds for related 
     activities, in an amount not less than funds provided: 
     Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for 
     rural community programs, not to exceed $5,000,000 shall 
     be for hazardous weather early warning systems: Provided 
     further, That of the amount appropriated for the rural 
     business and cooperative development programs, not to 
     exceed $500,000 shall be made available for a grant to a 
     qualified national organization to provide technical 
     assistance for rural transportation in order to promote 
     economic development; $5,000,000 shall be for rural 
     partnership technical assistance grants; and $2,000,000 
     shall be for grants to Mississippi Delta Region counties: 
     Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for 
     rural utilities programs, not to exceed $20,000,000 shall 
     be for water and waste disposal systems to benefit the 
     Colonias along the United States/Mexico borders, including 
     grants pursuant to section 306C of such Act; not to exceed 
     $20,000,000 shall be for water and waste disposal systems 
     for rural and native villages in Alaska pursuant to 
     section 306D of such Act, with up to one percent available 
     to administer the program and up to one percent available 
     to improve interagency coordination; not to exceed 
     $16,215,000 shall be for technical assistance grants for 
     rural waste systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of such 
     Act; and not to exceed $9,500,000 shall be for contracting 
     with qualified national organizations for a circuit rider 
     program to provide technical assistance for rural water 
     systems: Provided further, That of the total amount 
     appropriated, not to exceed $42,574,650 shall be available 
     through June 30, 2001, for authorized empowerment zones 
     and enterprise communities and communities designated by 
     the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area 
     Partnership Zones; of which $34,704,000 shall be for the 
     rural utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2) 
     of such Act; and of which $8,435,000 shall be for the 
     rural business and cooperative development programs 
     described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act.


                rural development Salaries and Expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses of administering Rural Development 
     programs as authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 
     1936; the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; title 
     V of the Housing Act of 1949; section 1323 of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 
     for activities related to marketing aspects of cooperatives, 
     including economic research findings, authorized by the 
     Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for activities with 
     institutions concerning the development and operation of 
     agricultural cooperatives; and for cooperative agreements; 
     $130,371,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be 
     available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of 
     section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), 
     and not to exceed $1,000,000 may be used for employment under 
     5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That not more than $10,000 
     may be expended to provide modest nonmonetary awards to non-
     USDA employees: Provided further, That any balances available 
     from prior years for the Rural Utilities Service, Rural 
     Housing Service, and the Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
     salaries and expenses accounts shall be transferred to and 
     merged with this account.

                         Rural Housing Service


              Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct 
     and guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing 
     Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing 
     insurance fund, as follows: $4,800,000,000 for loans to 
     section 502 borrowers, as determined by the Secretary, of 
     which $3,700,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed 
     loans; $32,396,000 for section 504 housing repair loans; 
     $100,000,000 for section 538 guaranteed multi-family housing 
     loans; $114,321,000 for section 515 rental housing; 
     $5,152,000 for section 524 site loans; $11,780,000 for credit 
     sales of acquired property, of which up to $1,780,000 may be 
     for multi-family credit sales; and $5,000,000 for section 523 
     self-help housing land development loans: Provided, That of 
     the total amount made available for loans to section 502 
     borrowers, up to $5,400,000 shall be available until expended 
     for use under a demonstration program to be carried out by 
     the Secretary of Agriculture in North Carolina to determine 
     the timeliness, quality, suitability, efficiency, and cost of 
     utilizing modular housing to house low-income and very low-
     income elderly families who: (1) have lost their housing 
     because of a major disaster (as so declared by the President 
     pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act); and (2)(A) do not have homeowner's 
     insurance; or (B) can not repay a direct loan that is 
     provided under section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949 with 
     the maximum subsidy allowed for such loans: Provided further, 
     That of the amounts made available for such demonstration 
     program, $5,000,000 shall be for grants and $400,000 shall be 
     for the cost (as defined in section 502 of the Congressional 
     Budget Act of 1974) of loans, for such families to acquire 
     modular housing.
       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the 
     cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502 
     loans, $184,160,000 of which $7,400,000 shall be for 
     unsubsidized guaranteed loans; section 504 housing repair 
     loans, $11,481,000; section 538 multi-family housing 
     guaranteed loans, $1,520,000; section 515 rental housing, 
     $56,326,000; multi-family credit sales of acquired property, 
     $874,000; and section 523 self-help housing land development 
     loans, $279,000: Provided, That of the total amount 
     appropriated in this paragraph, $13,832,000 shall be 
     available through June 30, 2001, for authorized empowerment 
     zones and enterprise communities and communities designated 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area 
     Partnership Zones.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $409,233,000, 
     which shall be transferred to and merged with the 
     appropriation for ``Rural Development, Salaries and 
     Expenses''.


                       Rental Assistance Program

       For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed 
     pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or 
     agreements entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or 
     payments for eligible households as authorized by section 
     502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing Act of 1949, $680,000,000; and, 
     in addition, such sums as may be necessary, as authorized by 
     section 521(c) of the Act, to liquidate debt incurred prior 
     to fiscal year 1992 to carry out the rental assistance 
     program under section 521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided, That of 
     this amount, not more than $5,900,000 shall be available for 
     debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households as 
     authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to 
     exceed $10,000 per project for advances to nonprofit 
     organizations or public agencies to cover direct costs (other 
     than purchase price) incurred in purchasing projects pursuant 
     to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided further, That 
     agreements entered into or renewed during fiscal year 2001 
     shall be funded for a 5-year period, although the life of any 
     such agreement may be extended to fully utilize amounts 
     obligated.


                  Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants

       For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) 
     of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $34,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, 
     That of the total amount appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be 
     available through June 30, 2001, for authorized empowerment 
     zones and enterprise communities and communities designated 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area 
     Partnership Zones.


                    Rural Housing Assistance Grants

       For grants and contracts for very low-income housing 
     repair, supervisory and technical assistance, compensation 
     for construction defects, and rural housing preservation made 
     by the Rural Housing Service, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 
     1474, 1479(c), 1490e, and 1490m, $44,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That of the total amount 
     appropriated, $5,000,000 shall be for a housing demonstration 
     program for agriculture, aquaculture, and seafood processor 
     workers: Provided further, That of the total amount 
     appropriated, $1,200,000 shall be available through June 30, 
     2001, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise 
     communities and communities designated by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.


                       Farm Labor Program Account

       For the cost of direct loans, grants, and contracts, as 
     authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486, $30,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for direct farm labor housing loans 
     and domestic farm labor housing grants and contracts.

                   Rural Business-Cooperative Service


              Rural Development Loan Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $19,476,000, as authorized by 
     the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)), of which 
     $2,036,000 shall be for Federally Recognized Native American

[[Page H9467]]

     Tribes and of which $4,072,000 shall be for Mississippi Delta 
     Region counties (as defined by Public Law 100-460): Provided, 
     That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, 
     shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional 
     Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans of $38,256,000: Provided further, That 
     of the total amount appropriated, $3,216,000 shall be 
     available through June 30, 2001, for the cost of direct loans 
     for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities 
     and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as 
     Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct loan programs, $3,640,000 shall be transferred to and 
     merged with the appropriation for ``Rural Development, 
     Salaries and Expenses''.


            Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account

                    (including rescission of funds)

       For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized 
     under section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the 
     purpose of promoting rural economic development and job 
     creation projects, $15,000,000.
       For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of 
     modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, $3,911,000, which shall be 
     administered in accordance with the regulations utilized in 
     fiscal year 2000.
       Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit 
     payments in fiscal year 2001, as authorized by section 313 of 
     the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, $3,911,000 shall not 
     be obligated and $3,911,000 are rescinded.


                  Rural Cooperative Development Grants

       For rural cooperative development grants authorized under 
     section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $6,500,000, of which 
     $2,000,000 shall be available for cooperative agreements for 
     the appropriate technology transfer for rural areas 
     program: Provided, That not to exceed $1,500,000 of the 
     total amount appropriated shall be made available to 
     cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose primary 
     focus is to provide assistance to small, minority 
     producers and whose governing board and/or membership is 
     comprised of at least 75 percent minority.

                        Rural Utilities Service


   Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of 
     the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) shall be 
     made as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans, 
     $121,500,000; 5 percent rural telecommunications loans, 
     $75,000,000; cost of money rural telecommunications loans, 
     $300,000,000; municipal rate rural electric loans, 
     $295,000,000; and loans made pursuant to section 306 of that 
     Act, rural electric, $1,700,000,000 and rural 
     telecommunications, $120,000,000; and $500,000,000 for 
     Treasury rate direct electric loans.
       For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of 
     modifying loans, of direct and guaranteed loans authorized by 
     the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935 and 936), 
     as follows: cost of direct loans, $19,871,000; and cost of 
     municipal rate loans, $20,503,000: Provided, That 
     notwithstanding section 305(d)(2) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936, borrower interest rates may 
     exceed 7 percent per year.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $34,716,000, 
     which shall be transferred to and merged with the 
     appropriation for ``Rural Development, Salaries and 
     Expenses''.


                  Rural Telephone Bank Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make such 
     expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such 
     corporation in accord with law, and to make such contracts 
     and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as 
     provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control 
     Act, as may be necessary in carrying out its authorized 
     programs. During fiscal year 2001 and within the resources 
     and authority available, gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans shall be $175,000,000.
       For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of 
     modifying loans, of direct loans authorized by the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935), $2,590,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses, including audits, 
     necessary to carry out the loan programs, $3,000,000, which 
     shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses''.


               Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

       For the cost of direct loans and grants, as authorized by 7 
     U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., $27,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, to be available for loans and grants for 
     telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas, 
     and of which $2,000,000 may be available for a pilot program 
     to finance broadband transmission and local dial-up Internet 
     service in areas that meet the definition of ``rural area'' 
     used for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program 
     authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa: Provided, That the cost of 
     direct loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

                                TITLE IV

                         DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

       For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to 
     administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and 
     Nutrition Service, $570,000.

                       Food and Nutrition Service


                        Child Nutrition Programs

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses to carry out the National School 
     Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and 
     the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), 
     except sections 17 and 21; $9,541,539,000, to remain 
     available through September 30, 2002, of which $4,413,960,000 
     is hereby appropriated and $5,127,579,000 shall be derived by 
     transfer from funds available under section 32 of the Act of 
     August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c): Provided, That except as 
     specifically provided under this heading, none of the funds 
     made available under this heading shall be used for studies 
     and evaluations: Provided further, That of the funds made 
     available under this heading, up to $6,000,000 shall be for 
     school breakfast pilot projects, including the evaluation 
     required under section 18(e) of the National School Lunch 
     Act: Provided further, That of the funds made available under 
     this heading, $500,000 shall be for a School Breakfast 
     Program startup grant pilot program for the State of 
     Wisconsin: Provided further, That school food authorities in 
     Ohio participating in a domestic food assistance program 
     administered by the Secretary and preparing meals for use by 
     other schools and institutions also participating in a 
     domestic food assistance program, shall, with regard to such 
     meals, not be subject to additional requirements under 
     section 301(c) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act or section 
     5(c) of the Poultry Products Inspection Act: Provided 
     further, That up to $4,511,000 shall be available for 
     independent verification of school food service claims.


Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 
                                 (WIC)

       For necessary expenses to carry out the special 
     supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of 
     the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), 
     $4,052,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 
     2002: Provided, That none of the funds made available under 
     this heading shall be used for studies and evaluations: 
     Provided further, That of the total amount available, the 
     Secretary shall obligate $10,000,000 for the farmers' market 
     nutrition program within 45 days of the enactment of this 
     Act, and an additional $10,000,000 for the farmers' market 
     nutrition program from any funds not needed to maintain 
     current caseload levels: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding section 17(h)(10)(A) of such Act, up to 
     $14,000,000 shall be available for the purposes specified in 
     section 17(h)(10)(B), no less than $6,000,000 of which shall 
     be used for the development of electronic benefit transfer 
     systems: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act 
     shall be available to pay administrative expenses of WIC 
     clinics except those that have an announced policy of 
     prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out the 
     program: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in 
     this account shall be available for the purchase of infant 
     formula except in accordance with the cost containment and 
     competitive bidding requirements specified in section 17 of 
     such Act: Provided further, That none of the funds provided 
     shall be available for activities that are not fully 
     reimbursed by other Federal Government departments or 
     agencies unless authorized by section 17 of such Act: 
     Provided further, That funds made available under this 
     heading shall be made available for sites participating in 
     the special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
     infants, and children to determine whether a child eligible 
     to participate in the program has received a blood lead 
     screening test, using a test that is appropriate for age and 
     risk factors, upon the enrollment of the child in the 
     program.


                           Food Stamp Program

       For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7 
     U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $20,114,293,000, of which $100,000,000 
     shall be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and 
     at such times as may become necessary to carry out program 
     operations: Provided, That of the funds made available under 
     this heading and not already appropriated to the Food 
     Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) 
     established under section 4(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
     (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)), not to exceed $3,000,000 shall be used 
     to purchase bison for the FDPIR: Provided further, That 
     the Secretary shall purchase such bison from Native 
     American producers and cooperative organizations without 
     competition: Provided further, That none of the funds made 
     available under this heading shall be used for studies and 
     evaluations: Provided further, That funds provided herein 
     shall be expended in accordance with section 16 of the 
     Food Stamp Act: Provided further, That this appropriation 
     shall be subject to any work registration or workfare 
     requirements as may be required by law: Provided further, 
     That not more than $194,000,000 may be reserved by the 
     Secretary, notwithstanding section 16(h)(1)(A)(vi) of the 
     Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)(A)(vi)), for 
     allocation to State agencies under section 16(h)(1) of 
     such Act to carry out Employment and Training programs: 
     Provided further, That funds made available for Employment 
     and Training under this heading shall remain available 
     until expended, as authorized by section 16(h)(1) of the 
     Food Stamp Act.


                      Commodity Assistance Program

       For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity 
     supplemental food program as authorized by section 4(a) of 
     the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 
     612c note) and the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, 
     $140,300,000, to remain available through September 30, 2002: 
     Provided, That none of these funds shall be available to 
     reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities 
     donated to the program: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding section 5(a)(2) of the Agriculture and 
     Consumer Protection Act of 1973

[[Page H9468]]

     (Public Law 93-86; 7 U.S.C. 612c note), $20,781,000 of this 
     amount shall be available for administrative expenses of the 
     commodity supplemental food program.


                        Food Donations Programs

       For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the 
     Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; special 
     assistance for the nuclear affected islands as authorized by 
     section 103(h)(2) of the Compacts of Free Association Act of 
     1985, as amended; and section 311 of the Older Americans Act 
     of 1965, $151,081,000, to remain available through September 
     30, 2002.


                      Food Program Administration

       For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic food 
     programs funded under this Act, $116,807,000, of which 
     $5,000,000 shall be available only for simplifying 
     procedures, reducing overhead costs, tightening regulations, 
     improving food stamp benefit delivery, and assisting in the 
     prevention, identification, and prosecution of fraud and 
     other violations of law and of which not less than $4,500,000 
     shall be available to improve integrity in the Food Stamp and 
     Child Nutrition programs: Provided, That this appropriation 
     shall be available for employment pursuant to the second 
     sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 
     U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $150,000 shall be available 
     for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.

                                TITLE V

                FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

                      Foreign Agricultural Service


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service, 
     including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 
     1954 (7 U.S.C. 1761-1768), market development activities 
     abroad, and for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and 
     integrate activities of the Department in connection with 
     foreign agricultural work, including not to exceed $158,000 
     for representation allowances and for expenses pursuant to 
     section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), 
     $115,424,000: Provided, That the Service may utilize advances 
     of funds, or reimburse this appropriation for expenditures 
     made on behalf of Federal agencies, public and private 
     organizations and institutions under agreements executed 
     pursuant to the agricultural food production assistance 
     programs (7 U.S.C. 1737) and the foreign assistance programs 
     of the United States Agency for International Development.
       None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be 
     available to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco 
     products.


                 Public Law 480 title I Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of agreements under the 
     Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, 
     and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, including the cost of 
     modifying credit arrangements under said Acts, $114,186,000, 
     to remain available until expended.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     credit program of title I, Public Law 83-480, and the Food 
     for Progress Act of 1985, to the extent funds appropriated 
     for Public Law 83-480 are utilized, $1,850,000, of which 
     $1,035,000 may be transferred to and merged with the 
     appropriation for ``Foreign Agricultural Service, Salaries 
     and Expenses'', and of which $815,000 may be transferred to 
     and merged with the appropriation for ``Farm Service Agency, 
     Salaries and Expenses''.


        Public Law 480 Title I Ocean Freight Differential Grants

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise 
     recoverable, and unrecovered prior years' costs, including 
     interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development 
     and Assistance Act of 1954, $20,322,000, to remain available 
     until expended, for ocean freight differential costs for the 
     shipment of agricultural commodities under title I of said 
     Act: Provided, That funds made available for the cost of 
     title I agreements and for title I ocean freight differential 
     may be used interchangeably between the two accounts with 
     prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress.


                     Public Law 480 Title II Grants

       For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise 
     recoverable, and unrecovered prior years' costs, including 
     interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development 
     and Assistance Act of 1954, $837,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended, for commodities supplied in connection with 
     dispositions abroad under title II of said Act.


       Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loans Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation's export guarantee program, GSM 102 and 
     GSM 103, $3,820,000; to cover common overhead expenses as 
     permitted by section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     Charter Act and in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform 
     Act of 1990, of which $3,231,000 may be transferred to and 
     merged with the appropriation for ``Foreign Agricultural 
     Service, Salaries and Expenses'', and of which $589,000 may 
     be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses''.

                                TITLE VI

           RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

                      Food and Drug Administration


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration, 
     including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for 
     payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public 
     Law 92-313 for programs and activities of the Food and Drug 
     Administration which are included in this Act; for rental of 
     special purpose space in the District of Columbia or 
     elsewhere; and for miscellaneous and emergency expenses of 
     enforcement activities, authorized and approved by the 
     Secretary and to be accounted for solely on the 
     Secretary's certificate, not to exceed $25,000; 
     $1,217,797,000, of which not to exceed $149,273,000 in 
     prescription drug user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C. 379(h) 
     may be credited to this appropriation and remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That fees derived from 
     applications received during fiscal year 2001 shall be 
     subject to the fiscal year 2001 limitation: Provided 
     further, That none of these funds shall be used to 
     develop, establish, or operate any program of user fees 
     authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701: Provided further, That of 
     the total amount appropriated: (1) $285,269,000 shall be 
     for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and 
     related field activities in the Office of Regulatory 
     Affairs; (2) $317,547,000 shall be for the Center for Drug 
     Evaluation and Research and related field activities in 
     the Office of Regulatory Affairs, of which no less than 
     $12,534,000 shall be available for grants and contracts 
     awarded under section 5 of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 
     360ee); (3) $140,489,000 shall be for the Center for 
     Biologics Evaluation and Research and for related field 
     activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (4) 
     $64,069,000 shall be for the Center for Veterinary 
     Medicine and for related field activities in the Office of 
     Regulatory Affairs; (5) $165,207,000 shall be for the 
     Center for Devices and Radiological Health and for related 
     field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (6) 
     $35,568,000 shall be for the National Center for 
     Toxicological Research; (7) $25,855,000 shall be for Rent 
     and Related activities, other than the amounts paid to the 
     General Services Administration; (8) $104,954,000 shall be 
     for payments to the General Services Administration for 
     rent and related costs; and (9) $78,839,000 shall be for 
     other activities, including the Office of the 
     Commissioner; the Office of Management and Systems; the 
     Office of the Senior Associate Commissioner; the Office of 
     International and Constituent Relations; the Office of 
     Policy, Legislation, and Planning; and central services 
     for these offices: Provided further, That funds may be 
     transferred from one specified activity to another with 
     the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress.
       In addition, mammography user fees authorized by 42 U.S.C. 
     263(b) may be credited to this account, to remain available 
     until expended.
       In addition, export certification user fees authorized by 
     21 U.S.C. 381 may be credited to this account, to remain 
     available until expended.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension, 
     alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of 
     or used by the Food and Drug Administration, where not 
     otherwise provided, $31,350,000, to remain available until 
     expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  Commodity Futures Trading Commission

       For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the 
     Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the 
     purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; the rental of 
     space (to include multiple year leases) in the District of 
     Columbia and elsewhere; and not to exceed $25,000 for 
     employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $68,000,000, including not to 
     exceed $1,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses.

                       Farm Credit Administration


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

       Not to exceed $36,800,000 (from assessments collected from 
     farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural 
     Mortgage Corporation) shall be obligated during the current 
     fiscal year for administrative expenses as authorized under 
     12 U.S.C. 2249: Provided, That this limitation shall not 
     apply to expenses associated with receiverships.

                     TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law, 
     appropriations and authorizations made for the Department of 
     Agriculture for fiscal year 2001 under this Act shall be 
     available for the purchase, in addition to those specifically 
     provided for, of not to exceed 389 passenger motor vehicles, 
     of which 385 shall be for replacement only, and for the hire 
     of such vehicles.
       Sec. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department of 
     Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances 
     therefor as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901-5902).
       Sec. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropriations of 
     the Department of Agriculture in this Act for research and 
     service work authorized by sections 1 and 10 of the Act of 
     June 29, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 427, 427i; commonly known as the 
     Bankhead-Jones Act), subtitle A of title II and section 302 
     of the Act of August 14, 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), and 
     chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, shall be 
     available for contracting in accordance with such Acts and 
     chapter.
       Sec. 704. The Secretary of Agriculture may transfer 
     unobligated balances of funds appropriated by this Act or 
     other available unobligated balances of the Department of 
     Agriculture to the Working Capital Fund for the acquisition 
     of plant and capital equipment necessary for the delivery of 
     financial, administrative, and information technology 
     services of primary benefit to the agencies of the Department 
     of Agriculture: Provided, That none of the funds made 
     available by this Act or any other Act shall be transferred 
     to the Working Capital Fund without the

[[Page H9469]]

     prior approval of the agency administrator: Provided further, 
     That none of the funds transferred to the Working Capital 
     Fund pursuant to this section shall be available for 
     obligation without the prior approval of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 705. New obligational authority provided for the 
     following appropriation items in this Act shall remain 
     available until expended: Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
     Service, the contingency fund to meet emergency conditions, 
     fruit fly program, integrated systems acquisition project, 
     boll weevil program, up to 25 percent of the screwworm 
     program, and up to $2,000,000 for costs associated with 
     colocating regional offices; Food Safety and Inspection 
     Service, field automation and information management project; 
     funds appropriated for rental payments; Cooperative State 
     Research, Education, and Extension Service, funds for 
     competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), funds for the 
     Research, Education and Economics Information System (REEIS), 
     and funds for the Native American Institutions Endowment 
     Fund; Farm Service Agency, salaries and expenses funds made 
     available to county committees; Foreign Agricultural Service, 
     middle-income country training program and up to $2,000,000 
     of the Foreign Agricultural Service appropriation solely for 
     the purpose of offsetting fluctuations in international 
     currency exchange rates, subject to documentation by the 
     Foreign Agricultural Service.
       Sec. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in this 
     Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current 
     fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
       Sec. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations 
     available to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall 
     be available to provide appropriate orientation and language 
     training pursuant to section 606C of the Act of August 28, 
     1954 (7 U.S.C. 1766b; commonly known as the Agricultural Act 
     of 1954).
       Sec. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to 
     pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements 
     or similar arrangements between the United States Department 
     of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 
     percent of the total direct cost of the agreement when the 
     purpose of such cooperative arrangements is to carry out 
     programs of mutual interest between the two parties. This 
     does not preclude appropriate payment of indirect costs on 
     grants and contracts with such institutions when such 
     indirect costs are computed on a similar basis for all 
     agencies for which appropriations are provided in this 
     Act.
       Sec. 709. None of the funds in this Act shall be available 
     to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     to lease space for its own use or to lease space on behalf of 
     other agencies of the Department of Agriculture when such 
     space will be jointly occupied.
       Sec. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be available 
     to pay indirect costs charged against competitive 
     agricultural research, education, or extension grant awards 
     issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
     Extension Service that exceed 19 percent of total Federal 
     funds provided under each award: Provided, That 
     notwithstanding section 1462 of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3310), funds provided by this Act for grants awarded 
     competitively by the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
     and Extension Service shall be available to pay full 
     allowable indirect costs for each grant awarded under section 
     9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
       Sec. 711. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
     all loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered 
     estimates, not limitations.
       Sec. 712. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture 
     for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in 
     fiscal year 2001 shall remain available until expended to 
     cover obligations made in fiscal year 2001 for the following 
     accounts: the rural development loan fund program account; 
     the Rural Telephone Bank program account; the rural 
     electrification and telecommunications loans program account; 
     the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account; and the 
     rural economic development loans program account.
       Sec. 713. Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United 
     States Code, marketing services of the Agricultural Marketing 
     Service; the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
     Administration; the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
     Service; and the food safety activities of the Food Safety 
     and Inspection Service may use cooperative agreements to 
     reflect a relationship between the Agricultural Marketing 
     Service; the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
     Administration; the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
     Service; or the Food Safety and Inspection Service and a 
     state or cooperator to carry out agricultural marketing 
     programs, to carry out programs to protect the nation's 
     animal and plant resources, or to carry out educational 
     programs or special studies to improve the safety of the 
     nation's food supply.
       Sec. 714. Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (including provisions of law requiring competition), the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may hereafter enter into cooperative 
     agreements (which may provide for the acquisition of goods or 
     services, including personal services) with a State, 
     political subdivision, or agency thereof, a public or private 
     agency, organization, or any other person, if the Secretary 
     determines that the objectives of the agreement will: (1) 
     serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in 
     carrying out the programs administered by the Natural 
     Resources Conservation Service; and (2) all parties will 
     contribute resources to the accomplishment of these 
     objectives: Provided, That Commodity Credit Corporation funds 
     obligated for such purposes shall not exceed the level 
     obligated by the Commodity Credit Corporation for such 
     purposes in fiscal year 1998.
       Sec. 715. None of the funds in this Act may be used to 
     retire more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the Rural 
     Telephone Bank or to maintain any account or subaccount 
     within the accounting records of the Rural Telephone Bank the 
     creation of which has not specifically been authorized by 
     statute: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available in this Act may be used to transfer to the Treasury 
     or to the Federal Financing Bank any unobligated balance of 
     the Rural Telephone Bank telephone liquidating account 
     which is in excess of current requirements and such 
     balance shall receive interest as set forth for financial 
     accounts in section 505(c) of the Federal Credit Reform 
     Act of 1990.
       Sec. 716. Of the funds made available by this Act, not more 
     than $1,800,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of 
     activities related to all advisory committees, panels, 
     commissions, and task forces of the Department of 
     Agriculture, except for panels used to comply with negotiated 
     rule makings and panels used to evaluate competitively 
     awarded grants.
       Sec. 717. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be 
     used to carry out section 410 of the Federal Meat Inspection 
     Act (21 U.S.C. 679a) or section 30 of the Poultry Products 
     Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 471).
       Sec. 718. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may 
     be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by 
     this Act to any other agency or office of the Department for 
     more than 30 days unless the individual's employing agency or 
     office is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office 
     for the salary and expenses of the employee for the period of 
     assignment.
       Sec. 719. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available to the Department of Agriculture shall be used to 
     transmit or otherwise make available to any non-Department of 
     Agriculture employee questions or responses to questions that 
     are a result of information requested for the appropriations 
     hearing process.
       Sec. 720. None of the funds made available to the 
     Department of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire 
     new information technology systems or significant upgrades, 
     as determined by the Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
     without the approval of the Chief Information Officer and the 
     concurrence of the Executive Information Technology 
     Investment Review Board: Provided, That notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or 
     otherwise made available by this Act may be transferred to 
     the Office of the Chief Information Officer without the prior 
     approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress.
       Sec. 721. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or 
     provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies 
     funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or 
     expenditure in fiscal year 2001, or provided from any 
     accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by the 
     collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this 
     Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through 
     a reprogramming of funds which: (1) creates new programs; (2) 
     eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases 
     funds or personnel by any means for any project or activity 
     for which funds have been denied or restricted; (4) relocates 
     an office or employees; (5) reorganizes offices, programs, or 
     activities; or (6) contracts out or privatizes any functions 
     or activities presently performed by Federal employees; 
     unless the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress are notified 15 days in advance of such 
     reprogramming of funds.
       (b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by 
     previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this 
     Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in 
     fiscal year 2001, or provided from any accounts in the 
     Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of 
     fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be 
     available for obligation or expenditure for activities, 
     programs, or projects through a reprogramming of funds in 
     excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that: 
     (1) augments existing programs, projects, or activities; (2) 
     reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program, 
     project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent 
     as approved by Congress; or (3) results from any general 
     savings from a reduction in personnel which would result in a 
     change in existing programs, activities, or projects as 
     approved by Congress; unless the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days in advance of 
     such reprogramming of funds.
       (c) The Secretary of Agriculture shall notify the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     before implementing a program or activity not carried out 
     during the previous fiscal year unless the program or 
     activity is funded by this Act or specifically funded by any 
     other Act.
       Sec. 722. (a) Of the funds made available to the Secretary 
     of Agriculture pursuant to section 793(b)(1) of Public Law 
     104-127 (7 U.S.C. 2204f) for the 2000 fiscal year--
       (1) $30,000,000 shall be available to be obligated for any 
     purpose authorized under section 793 of that Act during the 
     2001 fiscal year; and
       (2) $30,000,000 shall be available to be obligated for any 
     purpose authorized under section 793 of that Act during the 
     2002 fiscal year.
       (b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act or any other Act may be used to pay the 
     salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out the transfer 
     or obligation of fiscal year 2001 funds under section 793 of 
     Public Law 104-127 (7 U.S.C. 2204f).
       Sec. 723. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and 
     expenses of personnel who carry out an environmental quality

[[Page H9470]]

     incentives program authorized by chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
     title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa 
     et seq.) in excess of $174,000,000.
       Sec. 724. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the 
     salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out the transfer 
     or obligation of fiscal year 2001 funds under the provisions 
     of section 401 of Public Law 105-185, the Initiative for 
     Future Agriculture and Food Systems (7 U.S.C. 7621): 
     Provided, That notwithstanding section 401(d) of Public Law 
     105-185, any appropriation or funds available to the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to make grants under section 401 of 
     Public Law 105-185 shall be used only to make grants to 
     Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 
     1101a(5)); West Virginia State College in Institute; and the 
     1862 institutions, 1890 institutions, and 1994 institutions, 
     as defined in section 2 of Public Law 105-185 (7 U.S.C. 
     7601), or research foundations maintained by such 
     institutions.
       Sec. 725. Hereafter, none of the funds made available to 
     the Department of Agriculture shall be used to carry out any 
     commodity purchase program that would prohibit eligibility or 
     participation by farmer-owned cooperatives.
       Sec. 726. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and 
     expenses of personnel to carry out a conservation farm option 
     program, as authorized by section 1240M of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb).
       Sec. 727. None of the funds made available to the Food and 
     Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to close or 
     relocate, or to plan to close or relocate, the Food and Drug 
     Administration Division of Drug Analysis (recently renamed 
     the Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis) in St. Louis, 
     Missouri, except that funds could be used to plan a possible 
     relocation of this Division within the city limits of St. 
     Louis, Missouri.
       Sec. 728. None of the funds made available to the Food and 
     Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to reduce the 
     Detroit, Michigan, Food and Drug Administration District 
     Office below the operating and full-time equivalent staffing 
     level of July 31, 1999; or to change the Detroit District 
     Office to a station, residence post or similarly modified 
     office; or to reassign residence posts assigned to the 
     Detroit District Office: Provided, That this section shall 
     not apply to Food and Drug Administration field laboratory 
     facilities or operations currently located in Detroit, 
     Michigan, except that field laboratory personnel shall be 
     assigned to locations in the general vicinity of Detroit, 
     Michigan, pursuant to cooperative agreements between the 
     Food and Drug Administration and other laboratory 
     facilities associated with the State of Michigan.
       Sec. 729. Hereafter, none of the funds appropriated by this 
     Act or any other Act may be used to:
       (1) carry out the proviso under 7 U.S.C. 1622(f); or
       (2) carry out 7 U.S.C. 1622(h) unless the Secretary of 
     Agriculture inspects and certifies agricultural processing 
     equipment, and imposes a fee for the inspection and 
     certification, in a manner that is similar to the inspection 
     and certification of agricultural products under that 
     section, as determined by the Secretary: Provided, That this 
     provision shall not affect the authority of the Secretary to 
     carry out the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et 
     seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et 
     seq.), or the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et 
     seq.).
       Sec. 730. None of the funds appropriated by this Act or any 
     other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of 
     personnel who prepare or submit appropriations language as 
     part of the President's Budget submission to the Congress of 
     the United States for programs under the jurisdiction of the 
     Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural 
     Development, and Related Agencies that assumes revenues or 
     reflects a reduction from the previous year due to user fees 
     proposals that have not been enacted into law prior to the 
     submission of the Budget unless such Budget submission 
     identifies which additional spending reductions should occur 
     in the event the user fees proposals are not enacted prior to 
     the date of the convening of a committee of conference for 
     the fiscal year 2002 appropriations Act.
       Sec. 731. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act shall be used to establish an Office of 
     Community Food Security or any similar office within the 
     United States Department of Agriculture without the prior 
     approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress.
       Sec. 732. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this or any other Act may be used to carry out 
     provision of section 612 of Public Law 105-185.
       Sec. 733. None of the funds appropriated by this Act shall 
     be used to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or 
     orders for the purpose of implementation, or in preparation 
     for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol which was adopted 
     on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan.
       Sec. 734. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act may be used to declare excess or 
     surplus all or part of the lands and facilities owned by the 
     Federal Government and administered by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture at Fort Reno, Oklahoma, or to transfer or convey 
     such lands or facilities prior to July 1, 2001, without the 
     specific authorization of Congress.
       Sec. 735. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act or any other Act shall be used for the 
     implementation of a Support Services Bureau or similar 
     organization.
       Sec. 736. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for 
     any fiscal year, in the case of a high cost, isolated rural 
     area of the State of Alaska that is not connected to a road 
     system--
       (1) in the case of assistance provided by the Rural Housing 
     Service for single family housing under title V of the 
     Housing Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), the maximum 
     income level for the assistance shall be 150 percent of the 
     average income level in metropolitan areas of the State;
       (2) in the case of community facility loans and grants 
     provided under paragraphs (1) and (19), respectively, of 
     section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) and assistance provided 
     under programs carried out by the Rural Utilities Service, 
     the maximum income level for the loans, grants, and 
     assistance shall be 150 percent of the average income 
     level in nonmetropolitan areas of the State;
       (3) in the case of a business and industry guaranteed loan 
     made under section 310B(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(a)(1)), to the extent 
     permitted under that Act, the Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall--
       (A) guarantee the repayment of 90 percent of the principal 
     and interest due on the loan; and
       (B) charge a loan origination and servicing fee in an 
     amount not to exceed 1 percent of the amount of the loan; and
       (4) in the case of assistance provided under the Rural 
     Community Development Initiative for fiscal year 2001 carried 
     out under the rural community advancement program established 
     under subtitle E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009 et seq.), the median household 
     income level, and the not employed rate, with respect to 
     applicants for assistance under the Initiative shall be 
     scored on a community-by-community basis.
       Sec. 737. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Town of Lloyd, New York, and the Town of Thompson, New York, 
     shall be eligible for loans and grants provided through the 
     Rural Community Advancement Program.
       Sec. 738. Hereafter, notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no housing or residence in a foreign country purchased 
     by an agent or instrumentality of the United States, for the 
     purpose of housing the agricultural attache, shall be sold or 
     disposed of without the approval of the Foreign Agricultural 
     Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, 
     including property purchased using foreign currencies 
     generated under the Agricultural Trade Development and 
     Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) and used or occupied 
     by agricultural attaches of the Foreign Agricultural Service: 
     Provided, That the Department of State/Office of Foreign 
     Buildings may sell such properties with the concurrence of 
     the Foreign Agricultural Service if the proceeds are used to 
     acquire suitable properties of appropriate size for Foreign 
     Agricultural Service agricultural attaches: Provided further, 
     That the Foreign Agricultural Service shall have the right to 
     occupy such residences in perpetuity with costs limited to 
     appropriate maintenance expenses.
       Sec. 739. Hereafter, notwithstanding section 502(h)(7) of 
     the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)(7)), the fee 
     collected by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to a 
     guaranteed loan under such section 502(h) at the time of the 
     issuance of such guarantee may be in an amount equal to not 
     more than 2 percent of the principal obligation of the loan.
       Sec. 740. Hereafter, funds appropriated to the Department 
     of Agriculture may be used to employ individuals by contract 
     for services outside the United States as determined by the 
     agencies to be necessary or appropriate for carrying out 
     programs and activities abroad; and such contracts are 
     authorized to be negotiated, the terms of the contract to be 
     prescribed, and the work to be performed, where necessary, 
     without regard to such statutory provisions as relate to the 
     negotiation, making and performance of contracts and 
     performance of work in the United States. Individuals 
     employed by contract to perform such services outside the 
     United States shall not by virtue of such employment be 
     considered to be employees of the United States Government 
     for purposes of any law administered by the Office of 
     Personnel Management. Such individuals may be considered 
     employees within the meaning of the Federal Employee 
     Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. Further, that 
     Government service credit shall be accrued for the time 
     employed under a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) should 
     the individual later be hired into a permanent United 
     States Government position within FAS or another United 
     States Government agency if the authorities of the hiring 
     agency so permit.
       Sec. 741. None of the funds made available by this Act or 
     any other Act may be used to close or relocate a state Rural 
     Development office unless or until cost effectiveness and 
     enhancement of program delivery have been determined.
       Sec. 742. (a) In General.--Section 141 of the Agricultural 
     Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7251) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``and 2000''; and 
     inserting ``through 2001''; and
       (2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2000'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2001''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 142(e) of the 
     Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7252(e)) is 
     amended by striking ``2001'' and inserting ``2002''.
       Sec. 743. Of any shipments of commodities made pursuant to 
     section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 
     1431(b)), the Secretary of Agriculture shall, to the extent 
     practicable, direct that tonnage equal in value to not more 
     than $25,000,000 shall be made available to foreign countries 
     to assist in mitigating the effects of the Human 
     Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency 
     Syndrome on communities, including the provision of--
       (1) agricultural commodities to--
       (A) individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or 
     Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in the communities, and

[[Page H9471]]

       (B) households in the communities, particularly individuals 
     caring for orphaned children; and
       (2) agricultural commodities monetized to provide other 
     assistance (including assistance under microcredit and 
     microenterprise programs) to create or restore sustainable 
     livelihoods among individuals in the communities, 
     particularly individuals caring for orphaned children.
       Sec. 744. In addition to amounts otherwise appropriated or 
     made available by this Act, $2,000,000 is appropriated for 
     the purpose of providing Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland 
     Hunger Fellowships through the Congressional Hunger Center.
       Sec. 745. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as 
     the ``Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000''.
       (b) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The cost of prescription drugs for Americans continues 
     to rise at an alarming rate.
       (2) Millions of Americans, including medicare beneficiaries 
     on fixed incomes, face a daily choice between purchasing 
     life-sustaining prescription drugs, or paying for other 
     necessities, such as food and housing.
       (3) Many life-saving prescription drugs are available in 
     countries other than the United States at substantially lower 
     prices, even though such drugs were developed and are 
     approved for use by patients in the United States.
       (4) Many Americans travel to other countries to purchase 
     prescription drugs because the medicines that they need are 
     unaffordable in the United States.
       (5) Americans should be able to purchase medicines at 
     prices that are comparable to prices for such medicines in 
     other countries, but efforts to enable such purchases should 
     not endanger the gold standard for safety and effectiveness 
     that has been established and maintained in the United 
     States.
       (c) Amendment.--Chapter VIII of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 801(d)(1), by inserting ``and section 804'' 
     after ``paragraph (2)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:


                   ``importation of covered products

       ``Sec. 804. (a) Regulations.--The Secretary, after 
     consultation with the United States Trade Representative and 
     the Commissioner of Customs, shall promulgate regulations 
     permitting pharmacists and wholesalers to import into the 
     United States covered products.
       ``(b) Limitation.--Regulations under subsection (a) shall--
       ``(1) require that safeguards be in place to ensure that 
     each covered product imported pursuant to such subsection 
     complies with section 505 (including with respect to being 
     safe and effective for its intended use), with sections 501 
     and 502, and with other applicable requirements of this Act;
       ``(2) require that an importer of a covered product 
     pursuant to subsection (a) comply with the applicable 
     provisions of this section, including subsection (d); and
       ``(3) contain any additional provisions determined by the 
     Secretary to be appropriate as a safeguard to protect the 
     public health or as a means to facilitate the importation of 
     such products.
       ``(c) Records.--Regulations under subsection (a) shall 
     require that records regarding the importation of covered 
     products pursuant to such subsection be provided to and 
     maintained by the Secretary for a period of time determined 
     to be necessary by the Secretary.
       ``(d) Importation.--Regulations under subsection (a) shall 
     require an importer of a covered product pursuant to such 
     subsection to provide to the Secretary the following 
     information and records:
       ``(1) The name and amount of the active ingredient of such 
     product and description of the dosage form.
       ``(2) The date that the product is shipped and the quantity 
     of the product that is shipped, points of origin and 
     destination for the product, the price paid for the product 
     by the importer, and (once the product is distributed) the 
     price for which such product is sold by the importer.
       ``(3) Documentation from the foreign seller specifying the 
     original source of the product and the amount of each lot of 
     the product originally received.
       ``(4) The manufacturer's lot or control number of the 
     product imported.
       ``(5) The name, address, and telephone number of the 
     importer, including the professional license number of the 
     importer, if any.
       ``(6) For a product that is coming directly from the first 
     foreign recipient of the product from the manufacturer:
       ``(A) Documentation demonstrating that such product came 
     from such recipient and was received by the recipient from 
     such manufacturer.
       ``(B) Documentation of the amount of each lot of the 
     product received by such recipient to demonstrate that the 
     amount being imported into the United States is not more than 
     the amount that was received by the recipient.
       ``(C) In the case of the initial imported shipment, 
     documentation demonstrating that each batch of such shipment 
     was statistically sampled and tested for authenticity and 
     degradation.
       ``(D) In the case of all subsequent shipments from such 
     recipient, documentation demonstrating that a statistically 
     valid sample of such shipments was tested for authenticity 
     and degradation.
       ``(E) Certification from the importer or manufacturer of 
     such product that the product is approved for marketing in 
     the United States and meets all labeling requirements under 
     this Act.
       ``(7) For a product that is not coming directly from the 
     first foreign recipient of the product from the manufacturer:
       ``(A) Documentation demonstrating that each batch in all 
     shipments offered for importation into the United States was 
     statistically sampled and tested for authenticity and 
     degradation.
       ``(B) Certification from the importer or manufacturer of 
     such product that the product is approved for marketing in 
     the United States and meets all labeling requirements under 
     this Act.
       ``(8) Laboratory records, including complete data derived 
     from all tests necessary to assure that the product is in 
     compliance with established specifications and standards.
       ``(9) Documentation demonstrating that the testing required 
     by paragraphs (6) through (8) was performed at a qualifying 
     laboratory (as defined in subsection (k)).
       ``(10) Any other information that the Secretary determines 
     is necessary to ensure the protection of the public health.
       ``(e) Testing.--Regulations under subsection (a)--
       ``(1) shall require that testing referred to in paragraphs 
     (6) through (8) of subsection (d) be conducted by the 
     importer of the covered product pursuant to subsection (a), 
     or the manufacturer of the product;
       ``(2) shall require that if such tests are conducted by the 
     importer, information needed to authenticate the product 
     being tested, and to confirm that the labeling of such 
     product complies with labeling requirements under this Act, 
     be supplied by the manufacturer of such product to the 
     pharmacist or wholesaler, and shall require that such 
     information be kept in strict confidence and used only for 
     purposes of testing under this Act; and
       ``(3) may include such additional provisions as the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate to provide for the 
     protection of trade secrets and commercial or financial 
     information that is privileged or confidential.
       ``(f) Country Limitation.--Regulations under subsection (a) 
     shall provide that covered products may be imported pursuant 
     to such subsection only from a country, union, or economic 
     area that is listed in subparagraph (A) of section 802(b)(1) 
     or designated by the Secretary, subject to such limitations 
     as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to protect the 
     public health.
       ``(g) Suspension of Importations.--The Secretary shall 
     require that importations of specific covered products or 
     importations by specific importers pursuant to subsection (a) 
     be immediately suspended upon discovery of a pattern of 
     importation of such products or by such importers that is 
     counterfeit or in violation of any requirement pursuant to 
     this section, until an investigation is completed and the 
     Secretary determines that the public is adequately protected 
     from counterfeit and violative covered products being 
     imported pursuant to subsection (a).
       ``(h) Prohibited Agreements.--No manufacturer of a covered 
     product may enter into a contract or agreement that includes 
     a provision to prevent the sale or distribution of covered 
     products imported pursuant to subsection (a).
       ``(i) Studies; Reports.--
       ``(1) Study by secretary.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct, or contract 
     with an entity to conduct, a study on the imports permitted 
     pursuant to subsection (a), including consideration of the 
     information received under subsection (d). In conducting such 
     study, the Secretary or entity shall--
       ``(i) evaluate the compliance of importers with regulations 
     under subsection (a), and the number of shipments pursuant to 
     such subsection, if any, that have been determined to be 
     counterfeit, misbranded, or adulterated, and determine how 
     such compliance contrasts with the number of shipments of 
     prescription drugs transported within the United States that 
     have been determined to be counterfeit, misbranded, or 
     adulterated; and
       ``(ii) consult with the United States Trade Representative 
     and the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to evaluate 
     the effect of importations pursuant to subsection (a) on 
     trade and patent rights under Federal law.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than two years after the effective 
     date of final regulations under subsection (a), the Secretary 
     shall prepare and submit to the Congress a report describing 
     the findings of the study under subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Study by general accounting office.--The Comptroller 
     General of the United States shall conduct a study to 
     determine the effect of this section on the price of covered 
     products sold to consumers at retail. Not later than 18 
     months after the effective date of final regulations under 
     subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall prepare and 
     submit to the Congress a report describing the findings of 
     such study.
       ``(j) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to limit the statutory, regulatory, or enforcement 
     authority of the Secretary relating to the importation of 
     covered products, other than with respect to section 
     801(d)(1) as provided in this section.
       ``(k) Definitions.--
       ``(1) Covered product.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `covered product' means a prescription drug, except that such 
     term does not include a controlled substance in schedule I, 
     II, or III under section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances 
     Act or a biological product as defined in section 351 of the 
     Public Health Service Act.
       ``(B) Charitable contributions; parenteral drugs.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, section 
     801(d)(1)--
       ``(i) continues to apply to a covered product donated or 
     otherwise supplied for free by the manufacturer of the drug 
     to a charitable or humanitarian organization, including the 
     United Nations and affiliates, or to a government of a 
     foreign country; and
       ``(ii) continues to apply to a covered product that is a 
     parenteral drug the importation of which pursuant to 
     subsection (a) is determined by the Secretary to pose a 
     threat to the public health.

[[Page H9472]]

       ``(2) Other terms.--For purposes of this section:
       ``(A) The term `importer' means a pharmacist or wholesaler.
       ``(B) The term `pharmacist' means a person licensed by a 
     State to practice pharmacy, including the dispensing and 
     selling of prescription drugs.
       ``(C) The term `prescription drug' means a drug subject to 
     section 503(b).
       ``(D) The term `qualifying laboratory' means a laboratory 
     in the United States that has been approved by the Secretary 
     for purposes of this section.
       ``(E) The term `wholesaler' means a person licensed as a 
     wholesaler or distributor of prescription drugs in the United 
     States pursuant to section 503(e)(2)(A). Such term does not 
     include a person authorized to import drugs under section 
     801(d)(1).
       ``(l) Conditions.--This section shall become effective only 
     if the Secretary demonstrates to the Congress that the 
     implementation of this section will--
       ``(1) pose no additional risk to the public's health and 
     safety; and
       ``(2) result in a significant reduction in the cost of 
     covered products to the American consumer.
       ``(m) Sunset.--Effective upon the expiration of the five-
     year period beginning on the effective date of final 
     regulations under subsection (a), this section ceases to have 
     any legal effect.''.
       (d) Prohibited Act.--
       (1) In general.--Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(aa) The importation of a covered product in violation of 
     section 804, the falsification of any record required to be 
     maintained or provided to the Secretary under such section, 
     or any other violation of regulations under such section.''.
       (2) Enhanced penalties.--Section 303(b) of the Federal 
     Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 333(b)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Notwithstanding subsection (a), any person who is a 
     manufacturer or importer of a covered product pursuant to 
     section 804(a) and knowingly fails to comply with a 
     requirement of section 804(e) that is applicable to such 
     manufacturer or importer, respectively, shall be imprisoned 
     for not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000, 
     or both.''.
       (e) For an additional amount for ``Salaries and expenses'', 
     Food and Drug Administration, $23,000,000, solely to carry 
     out the ``Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000'', to 
     be available only upon submission of an official budget 
     request and justification for such amount by the President to 
     the Congress.
       Sec. 746. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as 
     the ``Prescription Drug Import Fairness Act of 2000''.
       (b) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Patients and their families sometimes have reason to 
     import into the United States drugs that have been approved 
     by the Food and Drug Administration (``FDA'').
       (2) There have been circumstances in which--
       (A) an individual seeking to import such a drug has 
     received a notice from FDA that importing the drug violates 
     or may violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and
       (B) the notice failed to inform the individual of the 
     reasons underlying the decision to send the notice.
       (3) FDA should not send a warning notice regarding the 
     importation of a drug without providing to the individual 
     involved a statement of the underlying reasons for the 
     notice.
       (c) Clarification of Certain Responsibilities of Food and 
     Drug Administration With Respect to Importation of 
     Prescription Drugs Into United States.--Section 801 of the 
     Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following subsection:
       ``(g)(1) With respect to a prescription drug being imported 
     or offered for import into the United States, the Secretary, 
     in the case of an individual who is not in the business of 
     such importations, may not send a warning notice to the 
     individual unless the following conditions are met:
       ``(A) The notice specifies, as applicable to the 
     importation of the drug, that the Secretary has made a 
     determination that--
       ``(i) importation is in violation of section 801(a) because 
     the drug is or appears to be adulterated, misbranded, or in 
     violation of section 505;
       ``(ii) importation is in violation of section 801(a) 
     because the drug is or appears to be forbidden or restricted 
     in sale in the country in which it was produced or from which 
     it was exported;
       ``(iii) importation is or appears to be in violation of 
     section 801(d)(1); or
       ``(iv) importation otherwise is or appears to be in 
     violation of Federal law.
       ``(B) The notice does not specify any provision described 
     in subparagraph (A) that is not applicable to the importation 
     of the drug.
       ``(C) The notice states the reasons underlying such 
     determination by the Secretary, including a brief application 
     to the principal facts involved of the provision of law 
     described in subparagraph (A) that is the basis of the 
     determination by the Secretary.
       ``(2) For purposes of this section, the term `warning 
     notice', with respect to the importation of a drug, means a 
     communication from the Secretary (written or otherwise) 
     notifying a person, or clearly suggesting to the person, that 
     importing the drug for personal use is, or appears to be, a 
     violation of this Act.''.
       Sec. 747. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may not deny a loan application made 
     pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.) in Arkansas solely on the basis 
     that--
       (a) the proceeds of the loan will be used to conduct 
     activities in a flood plain; or
       (b) the loan is secured by land that is in a flood plain.
       Sec. 748. Section 2111(a)(3) of the Organic Foods 
     Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 651(a)(3)) is amended by 
     adding after ``sulfites,'' ``except in the production of 
     wine,''.
       Sec. 749. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or 
     regulation, hereafter, Friends of the National Arboretum, an 
     organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 
     501(a) of such Code incorporated in the District of Columbia, 
     shall not be considered a prohibited source with respect to 
     gifts to the United States National Arboretum so long as 
     Friends of the National Arboretum remains an organization 
     described under section 501(c)(3) of such Code and continues 
     to conduct its operations exclusively for the benefit of the 
     United States National Arboretum. The Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, 
     provide the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of 
     Congress with either a copy of a Memorandum of 
     Understanding detailing the nature of its partnership with 
     the Friends of the National Arboretum, or with a written 
     explanation of why such a Memorandum of Understanding 
     could not be achieved.
       Sec. 750. None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to require an office of the Farm Service Agency that 
     is using FINPACK on May 17, 1999, for financial planning and 
     credit analysis, to discontinue use of FINPACK for six months 
     from the date of enactment of this Act.
       Sec. 751. Hereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     consider any borrower whose income does not exceed 115 
     percent of the median family income of the United States as 
     meeting the eligibility requirements for a borrower contained 
     in section 502(h)(2) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 
     1472(h)(2)).
       Sec. 752. Effective 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and continuing for the remainder of 
     fiscal year 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year, 
     establishments in the United States that slaughter or process 
     birds of the order Ratitae, such as ostriches, emus and 
     rheas, and squab, for distribution in commerce as human food 
     shall be subject to the ante mortem and post mortem 
     inspection, reinspection, and sanitation requirements of the 
     Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) 
     rather than the voluntary poultry inspection program of the 
     Department of Agriculture under section 203 of the 
     Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622).
       Sec. 753. In developing a rule concerning on-farm standards 
     for prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs 
     pursuant to any plan to eliminate Salmonella Enteritidis 
     illnesses due to eggs, the Food and Drug Administration 
     shall--
       (a) consider one environmental test per laying cycle for 
     each layer house for verification of the producer's 
     Salmonella Enteritidis reduction plan;
       (b) consider when it is appropriate to require diversion of 
     shell eggs to treatment, such as pasteurization, and base any 
     requirement for testing that would necessitate diversion, 
     which may include the receipt of a positive egg test result, 
     on sound science;
       (c) conduct or support research to develop cost-effective 
     and improved tests for determination of Salmonella 
     Enteritidis; and
       (d) solicit comments on appropriate options for 
     implementing a Salmonella Enteritidis reduction plan in shell 
     eggs, including comments on conducting and funding testing, 
     through state and federal programs.
       Sec. 754. Public Law 105-277, division A, title XI, section 
     1121 (112 Stat. 2681-44, 2681-45) is amended by--
       (1) striking ``not later than January 1, 2000'' and 
     inserting ``not later than January 1, 2001''; and
       (2) adding the following new subsection at the end 
     thereof--
       ``(d) Additional Disbursement.--
       ``(1) Cotton stored in georgia.--The State of Georgia may 
     use funds remaining in the indemnity fund established in 
     accordance with this section to compensate cotton producers 
     in other States who stored cotton in the State of Georgia and 
     incurred losses in 1998 or 1999 as the result of the events 
     described in subsection (a).
       ``(2) Ginners and others.--The State of Georgia may also 
     use funds remaining in the indemnity fund established in 
     accordance with this section to compensate cotton ginners and 
     others in the business of producing, ginning, warehousing, 
     buying, or selling cotton for losses they incurred in 1998 
     or 1999 as the result of the events described in 
     subsection (a), if--
       ``(A) as of March 1, 2000, the indemnity fund has not been 
     exhausted,
       ``(B) the State of Georgia provides cotton producers an 
     additional time period prior to May 1, 2000, in which to 
     establish eligibility for compensation under this section;
       ``(C) the State of Georgia determines during calendar year 
     2000 that all cotton producers in that State and cotton 
     producers in other States as described in paragraph (d)(1) 
     have been appropriately compensated for losses incurred in 
     1998 or 1999 as described in subsection (a); and
       ``(D) such additional compensation is not made available 
     until May 1, 2000.''.
       Sec. 755. The Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1230 (16 U.S.C. 3830) the following:

     ``SEC. 1230A. GOOD FAITH RELIANCE.

       ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (d) and 
     notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the 
     Secretary shall provide equitable relief to an owner or 
     operator

[[Page H9473]]

     that has entered into a contract under this chapter, and that 
     is subsequently determined to be in violation of the 
     contract, if the owner or operator in attempting to comply 
     with the terms of the contract and enrollment requirements 
     took actions in good faith reliance on the action or advice 
     of an authorized representative of the Secretary.
       ``(b) Types of Relief.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) to the extent the Secretary determines that an owner 
     or operator has been injured by good faith reliance described 
     in subsection (a), allow the owner or operator to do any one 
     or more of the following--
       ``(A) to retain payments received under the contract;
       ``(B) to continue to receive payments under the contract;
       ``(C) to keep all or part of the land covered by the 
     contract enrolled in the applicable program under this 
     chapter;
       ``(D) to reenroll all or part of the land covered by the 
     contract in the applicable program under this chapter; or
       ``(E) or any other equitable relief the Secretary deems 
     appropriate; and
       ``(2) require the owner or operator to take such actions as 
     are necessary to remedy any failure to comply with the 
     contract.
       ``(c) Relation to Other Law.--The authority to provide 
     relief under this section shall be in addition to any other 
     authority provided in this or any other Act.
       ``(d) Exception.--This section shall not apply to a pattern 
     of conduct in which an authorized representative of the 
     Secretary takes actions or provides advice with respect to an 
     owner or operator that the representative and the owner or 
     operator know are inconsistent with applicable law (including 
     regulations).
       ``(e) Applicability of Relief.--Relief under this section 
     shall be available for contracts in effect on January 1, 2000 
     and for all subsequent contracts.''.
       Sec. 756. Section 375(e)(6)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008j(e)(6)(B)) is amended by 
     striking ``$20,000,000'' and inserting ``$25,000,000''.
       Sec. 757. Refunds or rebates received on an on-going basis 
     from a credit card services provider under the Department of 
     Agriculture's charge card programs may be deposited to and 
     retained without fiscal year limitation in the Departmental 
     Working Capital Fund established under 7 U.S.C. 2235 and used 
     to fund management initiatives of general benefit to the 
     Department of Agriculture bureaus and offices as 
     determined by the Secretary of Agriculture or the 
     Secretary's designee.
       Sec. 758. The Act of August 19, 1958 (7 U.S.C. 1431 note) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``clause (3) or (4) of'' the first place it 
     appears and inserting ``the Food for Progress Act of 1985,'';
       (2) by striking ``clause (3) or (4) of such'' and inserting 
     ``the Food for Progress Act of 1985, such''; and
       (3) by striking ``to the President''.
       Sec. 759. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Sea Island Health Clinic located on Johns Island, South 
     Carolina, shall remain eligible for assistance and funding 
     from the Rural Development community facilities programs 
     administered by the Department of Agriculture until such time 
     new population data is available from the 2000 Census.
       Sec. 760. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     area bounded by West 197th Avenue, North S.W. 232nd Street, 
     East U.S. Highway 1 and S.W. 360th Street in Dade County, 
     Florida, shall continue to be eligible to receive business 
     and industry guaranteed loans under section 310B of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932) 
     until such time that population data is available from the 
     2000 decennial Census.
       Sec. 761. Hereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     consider the City of Kewanee and the City of Jacksonville, 
     Illinois, as meeting the requirements of a rural area 
     contained in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 
     U.S.C. 1490).
       Sec. 762. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall 
     provide funds, within discretionary amounts available, to pay 
     the balance of the amount due pursuant to the settlement of 
     claims associated with the Chuquatonchee Watershed Project in 
     Mississippi to close out this project.
       Sec. 763. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Konocti Water District, California, shall be eligible for 
     grants and loans administered by the Rural Utilities Service.
       Sec. 764. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     Jefferson County, Kentucky, shall be considered to be a rural 
     area for the purposes of the business and industry direct and 
     guaranteed loan program authorized by the Consolidated Farm 
     and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.).
       Sec. 765. The Secretary of Agriculture may convey, under 
     such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate, all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to a parcel of real property consisting of 
     approximately one acre located within the Sunnyside 
     Subdivision in Prince George's County, Maryland, for the 
     purpose of resolving land title claims and encroachments at 
     the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and for promoting 
     public access on Sunnyside Avenue. Any funds received by the 
     Secretary as a result of the conveyance shall be credited to 
     and merged with the appropriations available to operate the 
     Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and shall be 
     available, without further appropriation, for the same 
     purposes and for the same time period as such appropriations.
       Sec. 766. Of the funds provided to carry out section 211(a) 
     of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
     2820 note; Public Law 106-224), up to $500,000 shall be used 
     solely for the State of California.
       Sec. 767. The first section of the Act of March 2, 1931 (7 
     U.S.C. 426) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SECTION 1. PREDATORY AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS.

       ``The Secretary of Agriculture may conduct a program of 
     wildlife services with respect to injurious animal species 
     and take any action the Secretary considers necessary in 
     conducting the program. The Secretary shall administer the 
     program in a manner consistent with all of the wildlife 
     services authorities in effect on the day before the date 
     of the enactment of the Agriculture, Rural Development, 
     Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 2001.''.
       Sec. 768. Section 412(d) of the Agricultural Trade 
     Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1736f(d)) is 
     amended by striking ``title I of the Agricultural Act of 1949 
     (7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.)'' and inserting ``dairy price support 
     operations''.
       Sec. 769. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     City of Coachella, California, shall be eligible for grants 
     and loans administered by the rural development mission areas 
     of the Department of Agriculture.
       Sec. 770. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall consider the City of 
     Vicksburg, Mississippi, as meeting the requirements of a 
     rural area in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 
     U.S.C. 1490).
       Sec. 771. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service shall use the 
     authorities provided in the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
     to finance the acquisition of existing generation, 
     transmission and distribution systems and facilities serving 
     high cost, predominantly rural areas by entities capable of 
     and dedicated to providing or improving service in such areas 
     in an efficient and cost effective manner.
       Sec. 772. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act shall be used to issue a notice of 
     proposed rulemaking, to promulgate a proposed rule, or to 
     otherwise change or modify the definition of ``animal'' in 
     existing regulations pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act.
       Sec. 773. Section 306(a)(19)(A) of the Consolidated Farmers 
     Home Administration Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after 
     ``nonprofit corporations'' the following new phrase: ``, 
     Indian tribes (as such term is defined under section 4(e) of 
     Public Law 93-638, as amended),''.
       Sec. 774. Section 2101 of the Emergency Supplemental Act, 
     2000 (Public Law 106-246; 114 Stat. 541) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``or prior'' after ``such outstanding''; 
     and
       (2) by inserting ``and subsequently repaid'' after ``placed 
     under loan''.
       Sec. 775. For purposes of administering Title IX of this 
     Act, the term ``agricultural commodity'' shall also include 
     fertilizer and organic fertilizer, except to the extent 
     provided pursuant to Section 904 of that title.

     SEC. 776. HAMILTON GRANGE, NEW YORK.

       (a) Sense of the Congress.--Congress finds that--
       (1) Alexander Hamilton, assisted by James Madison and 
     George Washington, was the principal drafter of the 
     Constitution of the United States;
       (2) Hamilton was General Washington's aide-de-camp during 
     the Revolutionary War, and, given command by Washington of 
     the New York and Connecticut light infantry battalion, led 
     the successful assault on British redoubt number 10 at 
     Yorktown;
       (3) after serving as Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton 
     founded the Bank of New York and the New York Post;
       (4) the only home Hamilton ever owned, commonly known as 
     ``the Grange'', is a fine example of Federal period 
     architecture designed by New York architect John McComb, Jr., 
     and was built in upper Manhattan in 1803;
       (5) the New York State Assembly enacted a law in 1908 
     authorizing New York City to acquire the Grange and move it 
     to nearby St. Nicholas Park, part of the original Hamilton 
     estate, but no action was taken;
       (6) in 1962, the National Park Service took over management 
     of the Grange, by then wedged on Convent Avenue within inches 
     between an apartment house on the north side and a church on 
     the south side;
       (7) the 1962 designation of the Grange as a national 
     memorial was contingent on the acquisition by the National 
     Park Service of a site to which the building could be 
     relocated;
       (8) the New York State legislature enacted a law in 1998 
     that granted approval for New York City to transfer land in 
     St. Nicholas Park to the National Park Service, causing 
     renovations to the Grange to be postponed; and
       (9) no obelisk, monument, or classical temple along the 
     national mall has been constructed to honor the man who more 
     than any other designed the Government of the United States, 
     Hamilton should at least be remembered by restoring his home 
     in a sylvan setting.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Alexander Hamilton made an immense contribution to the 
     United States by serving as a principal drafter of the 
     Constitution; and
       (2) the National Park Service should expeditiously--
       (A) proceed to relocate the Grange to St. Nicholas Park; 
     and
       (B) restore the Grange to a state befitting the memory of 
     Alexander Hamilton.

     SECTION 777. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LAND ACQUISITION FOR 
                   FALLEN TIMBERS BATTLEFIELD AND FORT MIAMIS 
                   NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) In General.--Section 4 of the Fallen Timbers 
     Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic Site Act of 
     1999 (Public Law 106-164; 16

[[Page H9474]]

     U.S.C. 461 note) is amneded by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(d) Land Acquisition Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide financial 
     assistance to the management entity for acquiring lands or 
     interests in lands within the boundaries of the historic site 
     under subsection (b).
       ``(2) Cost sharing.--Financial assistance under this 
     subsection may not be used to pay more than 50 percent of the 
     cost of any acquisition made with the assistance.
       ``(3) Condition.--The Secretary shall require, as a 
     condition of any assistance under this subsection, that any 
     interest in land acquired with assistance under this 
     subsection shall be included in and managed as part of the 
     historic site.''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 6 of such Act 
     is amended by inserting ``(a) In General.-- before ``There is 
     authorized'', and by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Land Acquisition Assistance.--There is authorized to 
     be appropriated $2,500,000 to carry out section 4(d).''

                               TITLE VIII

     NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AND OTHER EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS

                       DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

                Office of the Chief Information Officer


                      COMMON COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT

       For an additional amount for ``Common Computing 
     Environment,'' $19,500,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That the entire amount shall be available 
     only to the extent that an official budget request for 
     $19,500,000, that includes designation of the entire amount 
     of the request as an emergency requirement as defined in the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended, is transmitted by the President to the Congress: 
     Provided further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.

                      Departmental Administration


                     (Including Transfer of Funds)

       For an additional amount for Departmental Administration, 
     $200,000: Provided, That this amount shall be transferred to 
     the Small Business Administration to support two advocacy 
     staffers to review rules and regulations relating to 
     disasters to determine the impact of their implementation on 
     small business entities: Provided further, That the entire 
     amount shall be available only to the extent an official 
     budget request for $200,000, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency 
     requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.

                          Farm Service Agency


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For an additional amount for ``Salaries and Expenses'', 
     $50,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That the entire amount shall be available only to the extent 
     that an official budget request for $50,000,000, that 
     includes designation of the entire amount of the request as 
     an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.


                     EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM

       For an additional amount for ``Emergency Conservation 
     Program,'' for expenses resulting from natural disasters, 
     $80,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That the entire amount shall be available only to the extent 
     an official budget request for $80,000,000, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.

                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

       For an additional amount for the Federal Crop Insurance 
     Corporation Fund, up to $13,000,000, to provide premium 
     discounts to purchasers of crop insurance reinsured by the 
     Corporation (except for catastrophic risk protection 
     coverage), as authorized under section 1102(g)(2) of the 
     Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration 
     and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 
     105-277): Provided, That the entire amount is designated by 
     the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service

               watershed and flood prevention operations

       For an additional amount for ``Watershed and Flood 
     Prevention Operations'', to repair damages to the waterways 
     and watersheds, including the purchase of floodplain 
     easements, resulting from natural disasters, $110,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended: Provided, That of the amount 
     made available in this section, the Secretary may use up to 
     $2,000,000 to replace, repair and improve snow telemetry 
     equipment impacted by fire, winds, and fire fighting efforts 
     in order to protect watersheds: Provided further, That the 
     entire amount shall be available only to the extent an 
     official budget request for $110,000,000, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.

                  Rural Community Advancement Program

       For an additional amount for the Rural Community 
     Advancement Program, $200,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of the additional amount 
     appropriated, $50,000,000 shall be to provide grants for 
     facilities in rural communities with extreme unemployment and 
     severe economic depression: Provided further, That of the 
     additional amount appropriated, $30,000,000 shall be to 
     provide grants in rural communities with extremely high 
     energy costs: Provided further, That of the additional amount 
     appropriated, $50,000,000 shall be for rural community 
     programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009d), of which 
     $25,000,000 shall be to provide assistance to areas in the 
     State of North Carolina subject to a declaration of a major 
     disaster as a result of Hurricane Floyd, Hurricane Dennis, or 
     Hurricane Irene: Provided further, That of the additional 
     amount appropriated, $70,000,000 shall be for the cost of 
     direct loans and grants of the rural utilities programs 
     described in section 381E(d)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009d) for distribution 
     through the national reserve, of which $30,000,000 may be 
     used in counties which have received an emergency designation 
     by the President or the Secretary after January 1, 2001, for 
     applications responding to water shortages resulting from the 
     designated emergency: Provided further, That the entire 
     amount necessary to carry out this section shall be available 
     only to the extent that an official budget request for 
     $200,000,000, that includes designation of the entire amount 
     of the request as an emergency requirement as defined in the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended, is transmitted by the President to the Congress: 
     Provided further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.

                     GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE

       Sec. 801. Notwithstanding section 11 of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i), an 
     additional $35,000,000, to remain available until expended, 
     shall be provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     for technical assistance activities performed by any agency 
     of the Department of Agriculture in carrying out the 
     Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program 
     funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation: Provided, That 
     the entire amount shall be available only to the extent an 
     official budget request for $35,000,000, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 802. The paragraph under the heading ``Livestock 
     Assistance'' in chapter 1, title I of H.R. 3425 of the 106th 
     Congress, enacted by section 1000(a)(5) of Public Law 106-113 
     (113 Stat. 1536) is amended by striking ``during 1999'' and 
     inserting ``from January 1, 1999, through February 7, 2000'': 
     Provided, That the entire amount necessary to carry out this 
     section shall be available only to the extent that an 
     official budget request for the entire amount, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 803. Hereafter, for the purposes of the Livestock 
     Indemnity Program authorized in Public Law 105-18, the term 
     ``livestock'' shall have the same meaning as the term 
     ``livestock'' under section 104 of Public Law 106-31.
       Sec. 804. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may use the funds, facilities and 
     authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to administer 
     and make payments for losses not otherwise compensated to: 
     (a) compensate growers whose crops could not be sold due to 
     Mexican fruit fly quarantines in San Diego and San 
     Bernardino/Riverside counties in California since their 
     imposition on November 16, 1999, and September 10, 1999, 
     respectively; (b) compensate growers in relation to the 
     Secretary's ``Declaration of Extraordinary Emergency'' on 
     March 2, 2000, regarding the plum pox virus; (c) compensate 
     growers for losses due to Pierce's disease; (d) compensate 
     growers for losses due to watermelon sudden wilt disease; and 
     (e) compensate growers for losses incurred due to 
     infestations of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets: Provided, 
     That the entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided further, That the entire 
     amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 805. The Secretary shall use the funds, facilities and 
     authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make and 
     administer supplemental payments to dairy producers who 
     received a payment under section 805 of Public

[[Page H9475]]

     Law 106-78 and to new dairy producers. Such payment, per unit 
     of production used in such prior payments, shall be in an 
     amount equal to 35 percent of the reduction in market value 
     per unit of milk production in 2000, as determined by the 
     Secretary, based, to the extent practicable, on price 
     estimates as of the date of enactment of this Act, from the 
     previous 5-year average and on the base production of the 
     producer used to make a payment under section 805 of Public 
     Law 106-78: Provided, That these funds shall be available 
     until September 30, 2001: Provided further, That the 
     Secretary shall make payments to producers under this section 
     in a manner consistent with and subject to the same 
     limitations on payments and eligible production which were 
     applicable to the payments that were made to dairy producers 
     under section 805 of Public Law 106-78, except that a 
     producer may be paid for production up to 39,000 cwt: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall also make payments 
     to new dairy producers at the same per unit rate: Provided 
     further, That for any dairy producers, including new dairy 
     producers, whose base production was less than twelve months 
     for purposes of section 805 of Public Law 106-78, the 
     producer's base production for the purposes of payments under 
     this section may be, at the producer's option, the production 
     of that producer in the twelve months preceding the enactment 
     of this section or the producer's base production under the 
     program carried out under section 805 of Public Law 106-78 
     subject to such limitations which are applicable to other 
     producers: Provided further, That the entire amount necessary 
     to carry out this section shall be available only to the 
     extent that an official budget request for the entire amount, 
     that includes designation of the entire amount of the request 
     as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 806. The Secretary shall use the funds, facilities and 
     authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation in an amount 
     equal to $490,000,000 to make and administer payments for 
     livestock losses using the criteria established to carry out 
     the 1999 Livestock Assistance Program (except for application 
     of the national percentage reduction factor) to producers 
     for 2000 losses in a county which has received an 
     emergency designation by the President or the Secretary 
     after January 1, 2000, and shall be available until 
     September 30, 2001: Provided, That the Secretary shall 
     give consideration to the effect of recurring droughts in 
     establishing the level of payments to producers under this 
     section: Provided further, That of the funds made 
     available by this section, up to $40,000,000 may be used 
     to carry out the Pasture Recovery Program: Provided 
     further, That the payments to a producer made available 
     through the Pasture Recovery Program shall be no less than 
     65 percent of the average cost of reseeding: Provided 
     further, That of the funds made available, the Secretary 
     shall use not more than $12,000,000 to carry out the 
     American Indian Livestock Feed Program: Provided further, 
     That the entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official 
     budget request for $490,000,000, that includes designation 
     of the entire amount of the request as an emergency 
     requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 807. In using amounts made available under section 
     801(a) of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
     Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 
     (7 U.S.C. 1421 note; Public Law 106-78), or under the matter 
     under the heading ``crop loss assistance'' under the heading 
     ``Commodity Credit Corporation Fund'' of H.R. 3425 of the 
     106th Congress, as enacted by section 1001(a)(5) of Public 
     Law 106-113 (113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-289), to provide emergency 
     financial assistance to producers on a farm that have 
     incurred losses in a 1999 crop due to a disaster, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall consider nursery stock losses 
     caused by Hurricane Irene on October 16 and 17, 1999, to be 
     losses to the 1999 crop of nursery stock: Provided, That such 
     sums shall also be available to provide additional 
     compensation to eligible agriculture producers of 1999 crop 
     year citrus fruit for losses incurred due to the December 
     1998 freeze in California: Provided further, That such 
     additional compensation, together with compensation 
     previously provided by the Secretary of Agriculture for such 
     losses does not exceed the level of compensation such 
     producers would have received if such losses had occurred 
     during the 1998 crop year: Provided further, That the entire 
     amount necessary to carry out this section shall be available 
     only to the extent that an official budget request for the 
     entire amount, that includes designation of the entire amount 
     of the request as an emergency requirement under the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, 
     is transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount necessary to carry out this 
     section is designated by the Congress as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 808. Notwithstanding section 1237(b)(1) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837(b)(1)), the Secretary of 
     Agriculture may permit the enrollment of not to exceed 
     1,075,000 acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program: Provided, 
     That notwithstanding section 11 of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i), such sums as may be 
     necessary, to remain available until expended, shall be 
     provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation for 
     technical assistance activities performed by any agency of 
     the Department of Agriculture in carrying out this section: 
     Provided further, That the entire amount necessary to carry 
     out this section shall be available only to the extent that 
     an official budget request for the entire amount, that 
     includes designation of the entire amount of the request as 
     an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 809. In addition to other compensation paid by the 
     Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary shall compensate, for 
     economic losses not otherwise compensated, or otherwise seek 
     to make whole, from funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, not to exceed $2,400,000, the owners of all 
     sheep destroyed from flocks within the period ending 20 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act under the Secretary's 
     declarations of July 14, 2000, for lost income, or other 
     business interruption losses, due to actions of the Secretary 
     with respect to such sheep: Provided, That the entire amount 
     necessary to carry out this section shall be available only 
     to the extent that an official budget request for the entire 
     amount, that includes designation of the entire amount of the 
     request as an emergency requirement as defined in the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended, is transmitted by the President to the Congress: 
     Provided further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 810. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall pay 
     Florida commercial citrus and lime growers $26 for each 
     commercial citrus or lime tree removed to control citrus 
     canker in order to allow for tree replacement and associated 
     business costs. Payments under this subsection shall be 
     capped in accordance with the following trees per acre 
     limitations:
       (1) in the case of grapefruit, 104 trees per acre;
       (2) in the case of valencias, 123 trees per acre;
       (3) in the case of navels, 118 trees per acre;
       (4) in the case of tangelos, 114 trees per acre;
       (5) in the case of limes, 154 trees per acre; and
       (6) in the case of other or mixed citrus, 104 trees per 
     acre.
       (b) The Secretary of Agriculture shall compensate Florida 
     commercial citrus and lime growers for lost production, as 
     determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
     trees removed to control citrus canker.
       (c) To receive assistance under this section, a tree 
     referred to in subsection (a) or (b) must have been removed 
     after January 1, 1986, and before September 30, 2001.
       (d) In the case of a removed tree that was covered by a 
     crop insurance tree policy, compensation for lost production 
     under subsection (b) with respect to such a tree shall be 
     reduced by the indemnity received with respect to such a 
     tree. In the case of a removed tree that was not covered by a 
     crop insurance tree policy, although such insurance was 
     available for the tree, compensation for lost production 
     under subsection (b) with respect to such a tree shall be 
     reduced by 5 percent.
       (e) The Secretary of Agriculture shall use $58,000,000 of 
     the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out 
     this section, to remain available until expended.
       (f) The entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
     of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the President to the 
     Congress: Provided, That the entire amount is designated by 
     the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 811. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall use $100,000,000 of Commodity 
     Credit Corporation funds, to remain available until 
     expended, to make payments to apple producers to provide 
     relief for the loss of markets: Provided, That the amount 
     of payment to each producer shall be made on a per pound 
     basis equal to each qualifying producer's 1998 and 1999 
     production of apples: Provided further, That the grower 
     shall establish eligibility for the amount of market loss 
     payment upon either of the two crop years or an average of 
     the two years: Provided further, That the Secretary shall 
     not make payments for that amount of a particular farm's 
     apple production that is in excess of 1.6 million pounds: 
     Provided further, That in addition to the assistance 
     provided under this section, the Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall use $38,000,000 of Commodity Credit Corporation 
     funds, to remain available until expended, to make 
     payments to apple and potato producers to compensate them 
     for quality losses to either or both their 1999 and 2000 
     crops due to fireblight or weather-related disaster, 
     including but not limited to a hurricane or hail: Provided 
     further, That these payments shall be made regardless of 
     whether a crop was harvested and without limit: Provided 
     further, That the producer shall be ineligible for 
     payments under this section with respect to a market loss 
     for apples or a quality loss for apples or potatoes to the 
     extent of that amount that the producer received as 
     compensation or assistance for the loss under any other 
     Federal program, other than the Federal Crop Insurance 
     Program established under the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.): Provided further, That the 
     Secretary shall not establish any terms or conditions for 
     grower eligibility, such as limits based upon gross 
     income, other than those in

[[Page H9476]]

     this section: Provided further, That the assistance made 
     available under this section for an eligible producer 
     shall be made as soon as practicable after the enactment 
     of this Act: Provided further, That the entire amount 
     necessary to carry out this section shall be available 
     only to the extent that an official budget request for the 
     entire amount, that includes designation of the entire 
     amount of the request as an emergency requirement as 
     defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided further, That the 
     entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.
       Sec. 812. (a) Nonrecourse Marketing Assistance Loans.--
       (1) The Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation to make nonrecourse marketing assistance loans 
     available to producers of the 2000 crop of honey.
       (2) The loan rate for a marketing assistance loan under 
     paragraph (1) for honey shall be 65 cents per pound.
       (3) The Secretary shall permit producers to repay a 
     marketing assistance nonrecourse loan under paragraph (1) at 
     a rate that is the lesser of--
       (A) the loan rate for honey, plus interest (as determined 
     by the Secretary); or
       (B) the prevailing domestic market price for honey, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       (b) Loan Deficiency Payments.--
       (1) The Secretary may make loan deficiency payments 
     available to any producer of honey that, although eligible to 
     obtain a marketing assistance loan under subsection (a), 
     agrees to forgo obtaining the loan in return for a payment 
     under this subsection.
       (2) A loan deficiency payment under this subsection shall 
     be determined by multiplying--
       (A) the loan payment rate determined under paragraph (3); 
     by
       (B) the quantity of honey that the producer is eligible to 
     place under loan, but for which the producer forgoes 
     obtaining the loan in return for a payment under this 
     subsection.
       (3) For the purposes of this subsection, the loan payment 
     rate shall be the amount by which--
       (A) the loan rate established under subsection (a)(2); 
     exceeds
       (B) the rate at which a loan may be repaid under subsection 
     (a)(3).
       (c) In order to provide an orderly transition to the loans 
     and payments provided under this section, the Secretary shall 
     convert recourse loans for the 2000 crop of honey outstanding 
     on the date of enactment of this Act to nonrecourse marketing 
     assistance loans under subsection (a).
       (d) Limitations.--
       (1) The marketing assistance loan gains and loan deficiency 
     payments that a person may receive for the 2000 crop of honey 
     under this section shall be subject to the same limitations 
     that apply to marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency 
     payments received by producers of the same crop of other 
     agricultural commodities.
       (2) The Secretary shall carry out this section in such a 
     manner as to minimize forfeitures of honey marketing 
     assistance loans.
       (e) The Secretary shall make loans and loan deficiency 
     payments under this section available to producers beginning 
     not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (f) In the case of a producer that marketed or redeemed, 
     before, on, or within 30 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, a quantity of an eligible 2000 crop for which 
     the producer has not received a loan deficiency payment or 
     marketing loan gain under this section, the producer shall be 
     eligible to receive a payment from the Secretary of 
     Agriculture under this section in an amount equal to the 
     payment or gain that the producer would have received for 
     that quantity of eligible production as of the date on which 
     the producer lost beneficial interest in the quantity or 
     redeemed the quantity, as determined by the Secretary.
       (g) The entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided, That the entire amount 
     is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 813. The Secretary shall use up to $10,000,000 of the 
     funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make livestock 
     indemnity payment to producers on a farm that have incurred 
     livestock losses during calendar year 2000 due to a disaster, 
     as determined by the Secretary, including losses due to fires 
     and anthrax: Provided, That the entire amount shall be 
     available only to the extent that an official budget request 
     for the entire amount, that includes designation of the 
     entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement as 
     defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
     Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the President to 
     the Congress: Provided further, That the entire amount is 
     designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 814. The Secretary shall use the funds, facilities and 
     authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation, not to 
     exceed $20,000,000, to make payments directly to producers of 
     wool, and producers of mohair, for the 2000 marketing year: 
     Provided, That the payment rate for producers of wool and 
     mohair shall be equal to $0.40 per pound: Provided further, 
     That the entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation 
     of the entire amount of the request as an emergency 
     requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 815. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall use 
     such sums as are necessary of funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation to make emergency financial assistance authorized 
     under this section available to producers on a farm that have 
     incurred qualifying losses described in subsection (c).
       (b) Administration.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall make assistance available under this section 
     in the same manner as provided under section 1102 of the 
     Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, 
     and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (7 U.S.C. 1421 
     note; Public Law 105-277), including using the same loss 
     thresholds for quantity and economic losses as were used in 
     administering that section.
       (2) Loss thresholds for quality losses.--In the case of a 
     payment for quality loss for a crop under subsection (c)(2), 
     the loss thresholds for quality loss for the crop shall be 
     determined under subsection (d).
       (c) Qualifying Losses.--Assistance under this section may 
     be made available for losses due to damaging weather or 
     related condition (including losses due to crop diseases and 
     insects) associated with crops that are, as determined by the 
     Secretary--
       (1) quantity losses for the 2000 crop;
       (2) quality losses for the 2000 crop; or
       (3) severe economic losses for the 2000 crop.
       (d) Quality Losses.--
       (1) Amount of quality loss.--The amount of a quality loss 
     for a crop of producers on a farm under subsection (c)(2) 
     shall be equal to the difference between--
       (A) the per unit market value of the units of the crop 
     affected by the quality loss would have had if the crop had 
     not suffered a quality loss; and
       (B) the per unit market value of the units of the crop 
     affected by the quality loss.
       (2) Amount of quality loss payment.--Subject to paragraph 
     (3), the amount of a payment made to producers on a farm for 
     a quality loss for a crop under subsection (c)(2) shall be 
     equal to the amount obtained by multiplying--
       (A) 65 percent of the quantity of the crop affected by the 
     quality loss that was produced on the farm; by
       (B) 65 percent of the per unit quality loss for the crop 
     determined under paragraph (1).
       (3) Eligibility.--For producers on a farm to be eligible to 
     obtain a payment for a quality loss for a crop under 
     subsection (c)(2), the amount obtained by multiplying the per 
     unit loss determined under paragraph (1) by the number of 
     units affected by the quality loss shall be at least 20 
     percent of the value that all production of the crop would 
     have had if the crop had not suffered a quality loss.
       (e) Crops Covered.--Assistance under this section shall be 
     applicable to losses for all crops, as determined by the 
     Secretary, due to disasters, including--
       (1) irrigated crops that, due to lack of water or 
     contamination by saltwater intrusion of an irrigation supply 
     resulting from drought conditions, were planted and 
     suffered a loss or were prevented from being planted;
       (2) pecans; and
       (3) nursery losses in the State of Florida that occur, 
     because of disaster, during the period beginning on October 
     1, 2000, and ending on December 31, 2000. Calculations of the 
     amount of such losses shall be made independently of other 
     losses of the producer, and such losses shall be subject to a 
     separate limit on payment amounts as may otherwise apply. Any 
     payment under this section for such losses shall for all 
     purposes, present and future, be considered to be a 2000 crop 
     payment, and such compensated losses shall be ineligible for 
     any assistance that may become available for 2001 crop 
     losses.
       (f) Crop Insurance.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall not discriminate against or penalize 
     producers on a farm that have purchased crop insurance under 
     the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
       (g) Limitation on Payments for Multiple Losses on Same 
     Acreage.--Notwithstanding subsection (d), a producer may not 
     receive assistance under this section for losses to more than 
     2000 crop on the same acreage unless there is an established 
     practice of planting two or more crops for harvest on such 
     acreage in the same crop year, as determined by the 
     Secretary. The Secretary shall give a producer that is not 
     covered by the exception in the previous sentence an 
     opportunity to designate the 2000 crop for which the producer 
     requests assistance under this section.
       (h) The entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided, That the entire amount 
     is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 816. Of the amounts made available to the Secretary 
     for the purchase of specialty crops under sections 203(d) and 
     261(a)(2) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 
     U.S.C. 1421 note; Public Law 106-224), the Secretary shall 
     use not less than $30,000,000 to purchase cranberry juice 
     concentrate and frozen cranberry fruit: Provided, That 
     section 203(d)(1) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 
     2000 (7

[[Page H9477]]

     U.S.C. 1421 note; Public Law 106-224) is amended by inserting 
     ``or cranberry products (including cranberry juice 
     concentrate and frozen cranberry fruit)'' after 
     ``cranberries'': Provided further, That in this section, the 
     term ``farm unit'' means a separate and distinct farming 
     operation that reports independent production information to 
     the Cranberry Marketing Committee: Provided further, That to 
     provide assistance for loss of markets for cranberries, the 
     Secretary shall use $20,000,000 of funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation to make payments to cranberry producers: 
     Provided further, That subject to this section and such other 
     terms and conditions as are determined by the Secretary, a 
     payment under this section shall be made on the basis of 
     the quantity of the 1999 crop of cranberries that was 
     produced on each farm unit: Provided further, That the 
     maximum quantity of the 1999 crop of cranberries for which 
     producers are eligible for a payment for a farm unit under 
     this section shall be 1,600,000 pounds: Provided further, 
     That subject to this section, the Secretary shall take 
     such actions as are necessary to ensure that payments made 
     under this section do not duplicate payments provided 
     under other Federal programs for the same loss: Provided 
     further, That this shall not apply to an indemnity 
     provided under a policy or plan of insurance offered under 
     the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.): 
     Provided further, That the entire amount necessary to 
     carry out this section shall be available only to the 
     extent that an official budget request for the entire 
     amount, that includes designation of the entire amount of 
     the request as an emergency requirement as defined in the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, 
     as amended, is transmitted by the President to the 
     Congress: Provided further, That the entire amount is 
     designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 817. Section 1232(a)(4) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3832(a)(4)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``except that such'' and inserting ``except 
     that--
       ``(A) such'';
       (2) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; 
     and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) the Secretary shall not terminate the contract for 
     failure to establish approved vegetative or water cover on 
     the land if--
       ``(i) the failure to plant such cover was due to excessive 
     rainfall or flooding;
       ``(ii) the land subject to the contract that could 
     practicably be planted to such cover is planted to such 
     cover; and
       ``(iii) the land on which the owner or operator was unable 
     to plant such cover is planted to such cover after the wet 
     conditions that prevented the planting subsides;''.
       Sec. 818. (a) Section 353(e) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2001(e)) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(7) Financing of recapture payment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may amortize a recapture 
     payment owed to the Secretary under this subsection.
       ``(B) Term.--The term of an amortization under this 
     paragraph may not exceed 25 years.
       ``(C) Interest rate.--
       ``(i) In general.--The interest rate applicable to an 
     amortization under this paragraph may not exceed the rate 
     applicable to a loan to reacquire homestead property less 100 
     basis points.
       ``(ii) Existing amortizations and loans.--The interest rate 
     applicable to an amortization or loan made by the Secretary 
     before the date of enactment of this paragraph to finance a 
     recapture payment owed to the Secretary under this subsection 
     may not exceed the rate applicable to a loan to reacquire 
     homestead property less 100 basis points.''.
       (b) The entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided, That the entire 
     amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 819. The Secretary of Agriculture shall use up to 
     $2,500,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     to provide financial assistance to the State of South 
     Carolina to capitalize the South Carolina Grain Dealers 
     Guaranty Fund: Provided, That these funds shall only be 
     available if the State of South Carolina provides an equal 
     amount in the form of a grant to the South Carolina Grain 
     Dealers Guaranty Fund: Provided further, That the entire 
     amount necessary to carry out this section shall be available 
     only to the extent that an official budget request for the 
     entire amount, that includes designation of the entire amount 
     of the request as an emergency requirement as defined in the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended, is transmitted by the President to the Congress: 
     Provided further, That the entire amount is designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 820. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture may use funds 
     made available under sections 211(a) and 211(b), and 133(b) 
     of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to provide 
     technical assistance to farmers and ranchers for the purposes 
     described in sections 211(a) and 211(b), and 133(b) of that 
     Act; and
       (b) The Secretary of Agriculture may use funds made 
     available under section 211(b) of the Agricultural Risk 
     Protection Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 3830 note; Public Law 106-
     224) to provide additional funding for the Wildlife Habitat 
     Incentive Program established under section 387 of the 
     Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 in 
     such sums as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out 
     that program.
       (c) The entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided, That the entire amount 
     is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 821. Section 19(a)(1)(A) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
     (7 U.S.C. 2028(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``Puerto 
     Rico'' and all that follows through ``2002, to finance'' and 
     inserting ``Puerto Rico--
       ``(i) for fiscal year 2000, $1,268,000,000;
       ``(ii) for fiscal year 2001, the amount required to be paid 
     under clause (i) for fiscal year 2000, as adjusted by the 
     change in the Food at Home series of the Consumer Price Index 
     for All Urban Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor 
     Statistics of the Department of Labor, for the most recent 
     12-month period ending in June; and
       ``(iii) for fiscal year 2002, the amount required to be 
     paid under clause (ii) for fiscal year 2001, as adjusted by 
     the percentage by which the thrifty food plan is adjusted for 
     fiscal year 2002 under section 3(o)(4);

     to finance''.
       Sec. 822. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall make a payment in the amount 
     $7,200,000 to the State of Hawaii from the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation for assistance to an agricultural transportation 
     cooperative in Hawaii, the members of which are eligible to 
     participate in the Farm Service Agency administered Commodity 
     Loan Program and have suffered extraordinary market losses 
     due to unprecedented low prices: Provided, That the entire 
     amount shall be available only to the extent an official 
     budget request for $7,200,000, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided further, That the 
     entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.
       Sec. 823. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service shall provide 
     financial and technical assistance to the Long Park Dam in 
     Utah from funds available for the Emergency Watershed 
     Program, not to exceed $4,500,000.
       Sec. 824. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service shall provide 
     financial and technical assistance to the Kuhn Bayou (Point 
     Remove) Project in Arkansas from funds available for the 
     Emergency Watershed Program, not to exceed $3,300,000.
       Sec. 825. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service shall provide 
     financial and technical assistance to the Snake River 
     Watershed project in Minnesota from funds available for the 
     Emergency Watershed Program, not to exceed $4,000,000.
       Sec. 826. Of the funds made available for the Emergency 
     Watershed Protection Program activities in the State of North 
     Carolina, $1,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, acting through the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service, to provide technical and financial 
     assistance for implementation of the project known as the 
     ``Flood Water Mitigation and Stream Restoration Project'', 
     Princeville, North Carolina.
       Sec. 827. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds 
     paid to oyster producers in the State of Connecticut under 
     section 1102 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     1999, as contained in the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency 
     Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277) 
     shall be retained by such producers.
       Sec. 828. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service shall provide 
     financial and technical assistance to DuPage County, 
     Illinois, from funds available for the Emergency Watershed 
     Program, not to exceed $1,100,000.
       Sec. 829. Subtitle G, Section 262 of Public Law 106-224 is 
     amended as follows: After ``obligate'', strike ``and 
     expend''.
       Sec. 830. Any funds appropriated by Cerro Grande Fire 
     Supplemental as contained in Public Law 106-246 for the 
     Emergency Conservation Program not required to meet the 
     purposes of rehabilitating farmland damaged from fires which 
     resulted from prescribed burnings conducted by the Federal 
     Government may be used by the Secretary of Agriculture for 
     activities mandated under the Emergency Conservation Program 
     authorized under section 401 of the Agricultural Credit Act 
     of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201) consistent with the cost-share 
     requirements of that program: Provided, That the entire 
     amount shall be available only to the extent that an official 
     budget request for the entire amount, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 831. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for 
     technical and financial assistance up to $120,000 shall be 
     made available from the Emergency Watershed Program for the 
     Camp

[[Page H9478]]

     Lejeune Project on the Camp Lejeune Marine Base, North 
     Carolina.
       Sec. 832. Funds appropriated by this Act and Public Law 
     106-113 to the Agricultural Credit Insurance Program Account 
     for farm ownership and operating direct loans and guaranteed 
     loans and emergency loans may be transferred among these 
     programs with the prior approval of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided, That the 
     entire amount shall be available only to the extent that an 
     official budget request for the entire amount, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 833. Section 321(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961(b)) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(3) Loans to poultry farmers.--
       ``(A) Inability to obtain insurance.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this subtitle, the Secretary may make a loan to a poultry 
     farmer under this subtitle to cover the loss of a chicken 
     house for which the farmer did not have hazard insurance at 
     the time of the loss, if the farmer--

       ``(I) applied for, but was unable, to obtain hazard 
     insurance for the chicken house;
       ``(II) uses the loan to rebuild the chicken house in 
     accordance with industry standards in effect on the date the 
     farmer submits an application for the loan (referred to in 
     this paragraph as `current industry standards');
       ``(III) obtains, for the term of the loan, hazard insurance 
     for the full market value of the chicken house; and
       ``(IV) meets the other requirements for the loan under this 
     subtitle.

       ``(ii) Amount.--Subject to the limitation contained in 
     section 324(a)(2), the amount of a loan made to a poultry 
     farmer under clause (i) shall be an amount that will allow 
     the farmer to rebuild the chicken house in accordance with 
     current industry standards.
       ``(B) Loans to comply with current industry standards.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this subtitle, the Secretary may make a loan to a poultry 
     farmer under this subtitle to cover the loss of a chicken 
     house for which the farmer had hazard insurance at the time 
     of the loss, if--

       ``(I) the amount of the hazard insurance is less than the 
     cost of rebuilding the chicken house in accordance with 
     current industry standards;
       ``(II) the farmer uses the loan to rebuild the chicken 
     house in accordance with current industry standards;
       ``(III) the farmer obtains, for the term of the loan, 
     hazard insurance for the full market value of the chicken 
     house; and
       ``(IV) the farmer meets the other requirements for the loan 
     under this subtitle.

       ``(ii) Amount.--Subject to the limitation contained in 
     section 324(a)(2), the amount of a loan made to a poultry 
     farmer under clause (i) shall be the difference between--

       ``(I) the amount of the hazard insurance obtained by the 
     farmer; and
       ``(II) the cost of rebuilding the chicken house in 
     accordance with current industry standards.''.

       Sec. 834. For an additional amount for grants under 
     sections 231(a) and 261(a)(2) of the Agricultural Risk 
     Protection Act of 2000, $10,000,000: Provided, That the 
     entire amount shall be available only to the extent an 
     official budget request for $10,000,000, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 835. For an additional amount for the cost (as defined 
     in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of 
     guaranteed loans under section 310B(a)(1) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act, $10,000,000: Provided, That 
     the entire amount shall be available only to the extent an 
     official budget request for $10,000,000, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 836. Section 156(e) of the Federal Agriculture 
     Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(e)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``recourse'' each place that it appears and 
     inserting ``nonrecourse''; and
       (B) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (2), the'' and 
     inserting ``The'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (2);
       (3) by re-designating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and
       (4) in paragraph (2) as so re-designated, by striking 
     ``If'' through ``shall'' in the first sentence and inserting 
     ``The Secretary shall''.
       Sec. 837. Notwithstanding section 1001(2) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308 (1)), the total amount of 
     the payments specified in section 1001(3) of that Act or 
     section 812 of this Act that a person shall be entitled to 
     receive under the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 
     U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) for one or more contract commodities, 
     oilseeds and for honey under section 812 of this Act produced 
     during the 2000 crop year may not exceed $150,000: Provided, 
     That in carrying out this section, the Secretary shall allow 
     a producer that has marketed or redeemed a quantity of an 
     eligible 2000 crop for which the producer has not received a 
     loan deficiency payment or marketing loan gain under section 
     134 or 135 of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 
     U.S.C. 7234, 7235) or section 812 of this Act to receive such 
     payment or gain as of the date on which the quantity was 
     marketed or redeemed, as determined by the Secretary.
       Sec. 838. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary shall extend until the date that is 60 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act the final eligibility date 
     for marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments 
     under subtitle C of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 
     U.S.C. 7231 et seq.) for rice of special grade designations, 
     as determined by the Secretary, that was made eligible for 
     the loans by the Secretary during December 1999; and for 
     which producers were not notified of the eligibility 
     period for the loans: Provided, That producers on a farm 
     that lost a beneficial interest in rice after the date on 
     which the rice was made ineligible for loans and loan 
     deficiency payments by the Secretary shall be eligible to 
     obtain loan deficiency payments based on the payment rate 
     that was in effect on the last date of eligibility for the 
     loans before the date of enactment of this Act: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount necessary to carry out 
     this section shall be available only to the extent that an 
     official budget request for the entire amount, that 
     includes designation of the entire amount of the request 
     as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended, is transmitted by the President to the Congress: 
     Provided further, That the entire amount is designated by 
     the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.
       Sec. 839. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may enter into contracts with 
     livestock producers for the purpose of controlling the 
     buildup of grasses, forbs and other natural fuels that 
     contribute to the threat of wildfire on rangelands 
     administered by the Secretary: Provided, That such contracts 
     are provided from within discretionary funds.
       Sec. 840. As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, as appropriate, shall issue such regulations as 
     are necessary to implement sections 804, 805, 806, 809, 810, 
     811, 812, 814, 815, 816, 836, 837, 838, 839, 841, 843, 844, 
     and 845 of this title: Provided, That the issuance of the 
     regulations shall be made without regard to: (1) the notice 
     and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United 
     States Code; (2) the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of 
     Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), 
     relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public 
     participation in rulemaking; and (3) chapter 35 of title 44, 
     United States Code (commonly known as the ``Paperwork 
     Reduction Act''): Provided further, That in carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under 
     section 808 of title 5, United States Code.
       Sec. 841. The Secretary of Agriculture shall use funds of 
     the Commodity Credit Corporation to make a payment to each 
     eligible person described in section 204(b)(1)(A) of the 
     Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1421 note; 
     Public Law 106-224) without regard to section 
     204(b)(1)(A)(ii) of that Act: Provided, That the Secretary 
     shall make a payment to an eligible person described in this 
     section in the same amount as is payable to an eligible 
     person under section 204 of that Act: Provided further, That 
     the entire amount necessary to carry out this section shall 
     be available only to the extent an official budget request 
     that includes designation of the entire amount of the request 
     as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress 
     as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) 
     of such Act.
       Sec. 842. Payments made from amounts appropriated pursuant 
     to this title shall not be subject to administrative offset, 
     including administrative offset under chapter 37 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
       Sec. 843. The Secretary of Agriculture shall use not more 
     than $20,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     to make payments to producers of tomatoes, pears, peaches, 
     and apricots that were unable to market the crops of the 
     producers because of the insolvency of an agriculture 
     cooperative in the State of California: Provided, That the 
     amount of a payment made to a producer under this subsection 
     shall not exceed 50 percent of the contract value of the 
     unmarketed crop referred to in this section: Provided 
     further, That the entire amount necessary to carry out this 
     section shall be available only to the extent an official 
     budget request that includes designation of the entire 
     amount of the request as an emergency requirement as 
     defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress: Provided further, That the 
     entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.

     SEC. 844. LOAN FORFEITURES OF BURLEY TOBACCO.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 106 through 106B 
     of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1445 through 1445-
     2)--
       (1) a producer-owned cooperative marketing association may 
     fully settle a loan made for the 1999 crop of Burley tobacco 
     by forfeiting to the

[[Page H9479]]

     Commodity Credit Corporation the Burley tobacco covered by 
     the loan regardless of the condition of the tobacco;
       (2) any losses to the Commodity Credit Corporation as a 
     result of paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall not be charged to the No Net Cost Tobacco 
     Account; and
       (B) shall not affect the amount of any assessment imposed 
     against Burley or any other kind of tobacco under sections 
     106 through 106B of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 
     1445 through 1445-2); and
       (3) any tobacco forfeited pursuant to this section shall 
     not be--
       (A) counted for the purpose of determining the Burley 
     tobacco quota for any year pursuant to section 319 of the 
     Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1314e); or
       (B) sold for use in the United States.
       (b) Emergency Requirement.--
       (1) The entire amount necessary to carry out this section 
     shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
     request for the entire amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress.
       (2) The entire amount is designated by Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.

     SEC. 845. COMMODITY ELIGIBILITY ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 3720B(a) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting 
     ``or a marketing assistance loan or loan deficiency payment 
     under subtitle C of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 
     U.S.C. 7231 et seq.)'' after ``disaster loan''.
       (b) Payments.--Any payment made by the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation to a producer as a result of the amendment made 
     by section (a) shall be credited toward any delinquent debt 
     owed by the producer to the Farm Service Agency.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) takes 
     effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Transition loan deficiency payments.--If the producers 
     on a farm lost beneficial interest in a crop during the 
     period beginning March 21, 2000, and ending on the day before 
     the date of enactment of this Act and were ineligible for a 
     marketing assistance loan under subtitle C of the 
     Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7231 et seq.) 
     because of section 3720B(a) of title 31, United States Code, 
     as in effect before the amendment made by subsection (a), the 
     producers shall be eligible for any loan deficiency payment 
     under subtitle C of that Act that was available on the date 
     on which the producers lost beneficial interest in the crop.
       (d)(1) The entire amount necessary to carry out this 
     section shall be available only to the extent an official 
     budget request for the entire amount, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amedned, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress.
       (2) The entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.

     SEC. 846. MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF EXCESS SHELTER EXPENSE DEDUCTION.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 5(e)(7)(B) of the Food Stamp Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(7)(B)) is amended by striking clauses 
     (iii) and (iv) and inserting the following:
       ``(iii) for fiscal year 1999, $275, $478, $393, $334, and 
     $203 per month, respectively;
       ``(iv) for fiscal year 2000, $280, $483, $398, $339, and 
     $208 per month, respectively;
       ``(v) for fiscal year 2001, $340, $543, $458, $399, and 
     $268 per month, respectively; and
       ``(vi) for fiscal year 2002 and each subsequent fiscal 
     year, the applicable amount during the preceding fiscal year, 
     as adjusted to reflect changes for the 12-month period ending 
     the preceding November 30 in the Consumer Price Index for All 
     Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
     of the Department of Labor.''.
       (b) Effective Date; Application of Amendment.--(1) Except 
     as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by this 
     section shall take effect on March 1, 2001.
       (2) The amendment made by this section shall not apply with 
     respect to certification periods beginning before March 1, 
     2001.
       (c)(1) The entire amount necessary to carry out this 
     section shall be available only to the extent an official 
     budget request for the entire amount, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress.
       (2) The entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.

     SEC. 847. VEHICLE ALLOWANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 5(g)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(g)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B)(iv)--
       (A) by striking ``subparagraph (C)'' and inserting 
     ``subparagraphs (C) and (D)''; and
       (B) by striking ``to the extent that'' and all that follows 
     through the end of the clause and inserting ``to the extent 
     that the fair market value of the vehicle exceeds $4,650; 
     and''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Alternative vehicle allowance.--If the vehicle 
     allowance standards that a State agency uses to determine 
     eligibility for assistance under the State program funded 
     under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 601 et seq.) would result in a lower attribution of 
     resources to certain households than under subparagraph 
     (B)(iv), in lieu of applying subparagraph (B)(iv), the State 
     agency may elect to apply the State vehicle allowance 
     standards to all households that would incur a lower 
     attribution of resources under the State vehicle allowance 
     standards.''.
       (b) Effective Date; Application of Amendments.--(1) Except 
     as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this 
     section shall take effect on July 1, 2001.
       (2) The amendments made by this section shall not apply 
     with respect to certification periods beginning before July 
     1, 2001.
       (c)(1) The entire amount necessary to carry out this 
     section shall be available only to the extent an official 
     budget request for the entire amount, that includes 
     designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
     emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is 
     transmitted by the President to the Congress.
       (2) The entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of 
     such Act.

        TITLE IX--TRADE SANCTIONS REFORM AND EXPORT ENHANCEMENT

     SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Trade Sanctions Reform and 
     Export Enhancement Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 902. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural 
     commodity'' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of 
     the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
       (2) Agricultural program.--The term ``agricultural 
     program'' means--
       (A) any program administered under the Agricultural Trade 
     Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691 et 
     seq.);
       (B) any program administered under section 416 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1431);
       (C) any program administered under the Agricultural Trade 
     Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.);
       (D) the dairy export incentive program administered under 
     section 153 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C. 713a-
     14);
       (E) any commercial export sale of agricultural commodities; 
     or
       (F) any export financing (including credits or credit 
     guarantees) provided by the United States Government for 
     agricultural commodities.
       (3) Joint resolution.--The term ``joint resolution'' 
     means--
       (A) in the case of section 903(a)(1), only a joint 
     resolution introduced within 10 session days of Congress 
     after the date on which the report of the President under 
     section 903(a)(1) is received by Congress, the matter after 
     the resolving clause of which is as follows: ``That Congress 
     approves the report of the President pursuant to section 
     903(a)(1) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export 
     Enhancement Act of 2000, transmitted on ______________.'', 
     with the blank completed with the appropriate date; and
       (B) in the case of section 906(1), only a joint resolution 
     introduced within 10 session days of Congress after the date 
     on which the report of the President under section 906(2) is 
     received by Congress, the matter after the resolving clause 
     of which is as follows: ``That Congress approves the report 
     of the President pursuant to section 906(1) of the Trade 
     Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, 
     transmitted on ______________.'', with the blank completed 
     with the appropriate date.
       (4) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the 
     meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the 
     Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
       (5) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given 
     the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, 
     and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
       (6) Unilateral agricultural sanction.--The term 
     ``unilateral agricultural sanction'' means any prohibition, 
     restriction, or condition on carrying out an agricultural 
     program with respect to a foreign country or foreign entity 
     that is imposed by the United States for reasons of foreign 
     policy or national security, except in a case in which the 
     United States imposes the measure pursuant to--
       (A) a multilateral regime and the other member countries of 
     that regime have agreed to impose substantially equivalent 
     measures; or
       (B) a mandatory decision of the United Nations Security 
     Council.
       (7) Unilateral medical sanction.--The term ``unilateral 
     medical sanction'' means any prohibition, restriction, or 
     condition on exports of, or the provision of assistance 
     consisting of, medicine or a medical device with respect to a 
     foreign country or foreign entity that is imposed by the 
     United States for reasons of foreign policy or national 
     security, except in a case in which the United States imposes 
     the measure pursuant to--
       (A) a multilateral regime and the other member countries of 
     that regime have agreed to impose substantially equivalent 
     measures; or
       (B) a mandatory decision of the United Nations Security 
     Council.

     SEC. 903. RESTRICTION.

       (a) New Sanctions.--Except as provided in sections 904 and 
     905 and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     President may not impose a unilateral agricultural sanction 
     or unilateral medical sanction against a foreign country or 
     foreign entity, unless--
       (1) not later than 60 days before the sanction is proposed 
     to be imposed, the President submits a report to Congress 
     that--
       (A) describes the activity proposed to be prohibited, 
     restricted, or conditioned; and
       (B) describes the actions by the foreign country or foreign 
     entity that justify the sanction; and

[[Page H9480]]

       (2) there is enacted into law a joint resolution stating 
     the approval of Congress for the report submitted under 
     paragraph (1).
       (b) Existing Sanctions.--The President shall terminate any 
     unilateral agricultural sanction or unilateral medical 
     sanction that is in effect as of the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 904. EXCEPTIONS.

       Section 903 shall not affect any authority or requirement 
     to impose (or continue to impose) a sanction referred to in 
     section 903--
       (1) against a foreign country or foreign entity--
       (A) pursuant to a declaration of war against the country or 
     entity;
       (B) pursuant to specific statutory authorization for the 
     use of the Armed Forces of the United States against the 
     country or entity;
       (C) against which the Armed Forces of the United States are 
     involved in hostilities; or
       (D) where imminent involvement by the Armed Forces of the 
     United States in hostilities against the country or entity is 
     clearly indicated by the circumstances; or
       (2) to the extent that the sanction would prohibit, 
     restrict, or condition the provision or use of any 
     agricultural commodity, medicine, or medical device that is--
       (A) controlled on the United States Munitions List 
     established under section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act 
     (22 U.S.C. 2778);
       (B) controlled on any control list established under the 
     Export Administration Act of 1979 or any successor statute 
     (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.); or
       (C) used to facilitate the development or production of a 
     chemical or biological weapon or weapon of mass destruction.

     SEC. 905. TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.

       Any unilateral agricultural sanction or unilateral medical 
     sanction that is imposed pursuant to the procedures described 
     in section 903(a) shall terminate not later than 2 years 
     after the date on which the sanction became effective 
     unless--
       (1) not later than 60 days before the date of termination 
     of the sanction, the President submits to Congress a report 
     containing--
       (A) the recommendation of the President for the 
     continuation of the sanction for an additional period of not 
     to exceed 2 years; and
       (B) the request of the President for approval by Congress 
     of the recommendation; and
       (2) there is enacted into law a joint resolution stating 
     the approval of Congress for the report submitted under 
     paragraph (1).

     SEC. 906. STATE SPONSORS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.

       (a) Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this title (other than section 904), the export of 
     agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices to 
     Cuba or to the government of a country that has been 
     determined by the Secretary of State to have repeatedly 
     provided support for acts of international terrorism under 
     section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2371), section 6(j)(1) of the Export Administration 
     Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. app. 2405(j)(1)), or section 40(d) 
     of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)), or to 
     any other entity in such a country, shall only be made 
     pursuant to one-year licenses issued by the United States 
     Government for contracts entered into during the one-year 
     period of the license and shipped within the 12-month 
     period beginning on the date of the signing of the 
     contract, except that the requirements of such one-year 
     licenses shall be no more restrictive than license 
     exceptions administered by the Department of Commerce or 
     general licenses administered by the Department of the 
     Treasury, except that procedures shall be in place to deny 
     licenses for exports to any entity within such country 
     promoting international terrorism.
       (2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect 
     to the export of agricultural commodities, medicine, or 
     medical devices to the Government of Syria or to the 
     Government of North Korea.
       (b) Quarterly Reports.--The applicable department or agency 
     of the Federal Government shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees on a quarterly basis a report on any 
     activities undertaken under subsection (a)(1) during the 
     preceding calendar quarter.
       (c) Biennial Reports.--Not later than two years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and every two years 
     thereafter, the applicable department or agency of the 
     Federal Government shall submit a report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees on the operation of the licensing 
     system under this section for the preceding two-year period, 
     including--
       (1) the number and types of licenses applied for;
       (2) the number and types of licenses approved;
       (3) the average amount of time elapsed from the date of 
     filing of a license application until the date of its 
     approval;
       (4) the extent to which the licensing procedures were 
     effectively implemented; and
       (5) a description of comments received from interested 
     parties about the extent to which the licensing procedures 
     were effective, after the applicable department or agency 
     holds a public 30-day comment period.

     SEC. 907. CONGRESSIONAL PROCEDURES.

       (a) Referral of Report.--A report described in section 
     903(a)(1) or 905(1) shall be referred to the appropriate 
     committee or committees of the House of Representatives and 
     to the appropriate committee or committees of the Senate.
       (b) Referral of Joint Resolution.--
       (1) In general.--A joint resolution introduced in the 
     Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations, and a joint resolution introduced in the House of 
     Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on 
     International Relations.
       (2) Reporting date.--A joint resolution referred to in 
     paragraph (1) may not be reported before the eighth session 
     day of Congress after the introduction of the joint 
     resolution.

     SEC. 908. PROHIBITION ON UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE AND 
                   FINANCING.

       (a) Prohibition on United States Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no United States Government assistance, including United 
     States foreign assistance, United States export assistance, 
     and any United States credit or guarantees shall be 
     available for exports to Cuba or for commercial exports to 
     Iran, Libya, North Korea, or Sudan.
       (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall 
     be construed to alter, modify, or otherwise affect the 
     provisions of section 109 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic 
     Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6039) or any 
     other provision of law relating to Cuba in effect on the day 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (3) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of 
     paragraph (1) with respect to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and 
     Sudan to the degree the President determines that it is in 
     the national security interest of the United States to do so, 
     or for humanitarian reasons.
       (b) Prohibition on Financing of Agricultural Sales to 
     Cuba.--
       (1) In general.--No United States person may provide 
     payment or financing terms for sales of agricultural 
     commodities or products to Cuba or any person in Cuba, except 
     in accordance with the following terms (notwithstanding part 
     515 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, or any other 
     provision of law):
       (A) Payment of cash in advance.
       (B) Financing by third country financial institutions 
     (excluding United States persons or Government of Cuba 
     entities), except that such financing may be confirmed or 
     advised by a United States financial institution.

     Nothing in this paragraph authorizes payment terms or trade 
     financing involving a debit or credit to an account of a 
     person located in Cuba or of the Government of Cuba 
     maintained on the books of a United States depository 
     institution.
       (2) Penalties.--Any private person or entity that violates 
     paragraph (1) shall be subject to the penalties provided in 
     the Trading With the Enemy Act for violations under that Act.
       (3) Administration and enforcement.--The President shall 
     issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this 
     section, except that the President, in lieu of issuing new 
     regulations, may apply any regulations in effect on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, pursuant to the Trading With 
     the Enemy Act, with respect to the conduct prohibited in 
     paragraph (1).
       (4) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       (A) the term ``financing'' includes any loan or extension 
     of credit;
       (B) the term ``United States depository institution'' means 
     any entity (including its foreign branches or subsidiaries) 
     organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the 
     United States, or any agency, office or branch located in the 
     United States of a foreign entity, that is engaged primarily 
     in the business of banking (including a bank, savings bank, 
     savings association, credit union, trust company, or United 
     States bank holding company); and
       (C) the term ``United States person'' means the Federal 
     Government, any State or local government, or any private 
     person or entity of the United States.

     SEC. 909. PROHIBITION ON ADDITIONAL IMPORTS FROM CUBA.

       Nothing in this title shall be construed to alter, modify, 
     or otherwise affect the provisions of section 515.204 of 
     title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to the 
     prohibition on the entry into the United States of 
     merchandise that (1) is of Cuban origin, (2) is or has been 
     located in or transported from or through Cuba, or (3) is 
     made or derived in whole or in part of any article which 
     is the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba.

     SEC. 910. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN TRAVEL-RELATED 
                   TRANSACTIONS WITH CUBA.

       (a) Authorization of Travel Relating to Commercial Sale of 
     Agricultural Commodities.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall promulgate regulations under which the travel-related 
     transactions listed in paragraph (c) of section 515.560 of 
     title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, may be authorized on a 
     case-by-case basis by a specific license for travel to, from, 
     or within Cuba for the commercial export sale of agricultural 
     commodities pursuant to the provisions of this title.
       (b) Prohibition on Travel Relating to Tourist Activities.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     or regulation, the Secretary of the Treasury, or any other 
     Federal official, may not authorize the travel-related 
     transactions listed in paragraph (c) of section 515.560 of 
     title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, either by a general 
     license or on a case-by-case basis by a specific license for 
     travel to, from, or within Cuba for tourist activities.
       (2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``tourist 
     activities'' means any activity with respect to travel to, 
     from, or within Cuba that is not expressly authorized in 
     subsection (a) of this section, in any of paragraphs (1) 
     through (12) of section 515.560 of title 31, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, or in any section referred to in any of such 
     paragraphs (1) through (12) (as such sections were in effect 
     on June 1, 2000).

     SEC. 911. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this 
     title shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act, 
     and shall apply thereafter in any fiscal year.
       (b) Existing Sanctions.--In the case of any unilateral 
     agricultural sanction or unilateral

[[Page H9481]]

     medical sanction that is in effect as of the date of 
     enactment of this Act, this title shall take effect 120 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, and shall apply 
     thereafter in any fiscal year.

             TITLE X--CONTINUED DUMPING AND SUBSIDY OFFSET

     SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Continued Dumping and 
     Subsidy Offset Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 1002. FINDINGS OF CONGRESS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Consistent with the rights of the United States under 
     the World Trade Organization, injurious dumping is to be 
     condemned and actionable subsidies which cause injury to 
     domestic industries must be effectively neutralized.
       (2) United States unfair trade laws have as their purpose 
     the restoration of conditions of fair trade so that jobs and 
     investment that should be in the United States are not lost 
     through the false market signals.
       (3) The continued dumping or subsidization of imported 
     products after the issuance of antidumping orders or findings 
     or countervailing duty orders can frustrate the remedial 
     purpose of the laws by preventing market prices from 
     returning to fair levels.
       (4) Where dumping or subsidization continues, domestic 
     producers will be reluctant to reinvest or rehire and may be 
     unable to maintain pension and health care benefits that 
     conditions of fair trade would permit. Similarly, small 
     businesses and American farmers and ranchers may be unable 
     to pay down accumulated debt, to obtain working capital, 
     or to otherwise remain viable.
       (5) United States trade laws should be strengthened to see 
     that the remedial purpose of those laws is achieved.

     SEC. 1003. AMENDMENTS TO THE TARIFF ACT OF 1930.

       (a) In General.--Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 
     U.S.C. 1671 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     753 following new section:

     ``SEC. 754. CONTINUED DUMPING AND SUBSIDY OFFSET.

       ``(a) In General.--Duties assessed pursuant to a 
     countervailing duty order, an antidumping duty order, or a 
     finding under the Antidumping Act of 1921 shall be 
     distributed on an annual basis under this section to the 
     affected domestic producers for qualifying expenditures. Such 
     distribution shall be known as the `continued dumping and 
     subsidy offset'.
       ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section:
       ``(1) Affected domestic producer.--The term `affected 
     domestic producer' means any manufacturer, producer, farmer, 
     rancher, or worker representative (including associations of 
     such persons) that--
       ``(A) was a petitioner or interested party in support of 
     the petition with respect to which an antidumping duty order, 
     a finding under the Antidumping Act of 1921, or a 
     countervailing duty order has been entered, and
       ``(B) remains in operation.

      Companies, businesses, or persons that have ceased the 
     production of the product covered by the order or finding or 
     who have been acquired by a company or business that is 
     related to a company that opposed the investigation shall not 
     be an affected domestic producer.
       ``(2) Commissioner.--The term `Commissioner' means the 
     Commissioner of Customs.
       ``(3) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the United 
     States International Trade Commission.
       ``(4) Qualifying expenditure.--The term `qualifying 
     expenditure' means an expenditure incurred after the issuance 
     of the antidumping duty finding or order or countervailing 
     duty order in any of the following categories:
       ``(A) Manufacturing facilities.
       ``(B) Equipment.
       ``(C) Research and development.
       ``(D) Personnel training.
       ``(E) Acquisition of technology.
       ``(F) Health care benefits to employees paid for by the 
     employer.
       ``(G) Pension benefits to employees paid for by the 
     employer.
       ``(H) Environmental equipment, training, or technology.
       ``(I) Acquisition of raw materials and other inputs.
       ``(J) Working capital or other funds needed to maintain 
     production.
       ``(5) Related to.--A company, business, or person shall be 
     considered to be `related to' another company, business, or 
     person if--
       ``(A) the company, business, or person directly or 
     indirectly controls or is controlled by the other company, 
     business, or person,
       ``(B) a third party directly or indirectly controls both 
     companies, businesses, or persons,
       ``(C) both companies, businesses, or persons directly or 
     indirectly control a third party and there is reason to 
     believe that the relationship causes the first company, 
     business, or persons to act differently than a nonrelated 
     party.
     For purposes of this paragraph, a party shall be considered 
     to directly or indirectly control another party if the party 
     is legally or operationally in a position to exercise 
     restraint or direction over the other party.
       ``(c) Distribution Procedures.--The Commissioner shall 
     prescribe procedures for distribution of the continued 
     dumping or subsidies offset required by this section. Such 
     distribution shall be made not later than 60 days after the 
     first day of a fiscal year from duties assessed during the 
     preceding fiscal year.
       ``(d) Parties Eligible for Distribution of Antidumping and 
     Countervailing Duties Assessed.--
       ``(1) List of affected domestic producers.--The Commission 
     shall forward to the Commissioner within 60 days after the 
     effective date of this section in the case of orders or 
     findings in effect on January 1, 1999, or thereafter, or in 
     any other case, within 60 days after the date an antidumping 
     or countervailing duty order or finding is issued, a list of 
     petitioners and persons with respect to each order and 
     finding and a list of persons that indicate support of the 
     petition by letter or through questionnaire response. In 
     those cases in which a determination of injury was not 
     required or the Commission's records do not permit an 
     identification of those in support of a petition, the 
     Commission shall consult with the administering authority to 
     determine the identity of the petitioner and those domestic 
     parties who have entered appearances during administrative 
     reviews conducted by the administering authority under 
     section 751.
       ``(2) Publication of list; certification.--The Commissioner 
     shall publish in the Federal Register at least 30 days before 
     the distribution of a continued dumping and subsidy offset, a 
     notice of intention to distribute the offset and the list of 
     affected domestic producers potentially eligible for the 
     distribution based on the list obtained from the Commission 
     under paragraph (1). The Commissioner shall request a 
     certification from each potentially eligible affected 
     domestic producer--
       ``(A) that the producer desires to receive a distribution;
       ``(B) that the producer is eligible to receive the 
     distribution as an affected domestic producer; and
       ``(C) the qualifying expenditures incurred by the producer 
     since the issuance of the order or finding for which 
     distribution under this section has not previously been made.
       ``(3) Distribution of funds.--The Commissioner shall 
     distribute all funds (including all interest earned on the 
     funds) from assessed duties received in the preceding fiscal 
     year to affected domestic producers based on the 
     certifications described in paragraph (2). The distributions 
     shall be made on a pro rata basis based on new and remaining 
     qualifying expenditures.
       ``(e) Special Accounts.--
       ``(1) Establishments.--Within 14 days after the effective 
     date of this section, with respect to antidumping duty orders 
     and findings and countervailing duty orders notified under 
     subsection (d)(1), and within 14 days after the date an 
     antidumping duty order or finding or countervailing duty 
     order issued after the effective date takes effect, the 
     Commissioner shall establish in the Treasury of the United 
     States a special account with respect to each such order or 
     finding.
       ``(2) Deposits into accounts.--The Commissioner shall 
     deposit into the special accounts, all antidumping or 
     countervailing duties (including interest earned on such 
     duties) that are assessed after the effective date of this 
     section under the antidumping order or finding or the 
     countervailing duty order with respect to which the 
     account was established.
       ``(3) Time and manner of distributions.--Consistent with 
     the requirements of subsections (c) and (d), the Commissioner 
     shall by regulation prescribe the time and manner in which 
     distribution of the funds in a special account shall be made.
       ``(4) Termination.--A special account shall terminate 
     after--
       ``(a) the order or finding with respect to which the 
     account was established has terminated;
       ``(B) all entries relating to the order or finding are 
     liquidated and duties assessed collected;
       ``(C) the Commissioner has provided notice and a final 
     opportunity to obtain distribution pursuant to subsection 
     (c); and
       ``(D) 90 days has elapsed from the date of the notice 
     described in subparagraph (C).

     Amounts not claimed within 90 days of the date of the notice 
     described in subparagraph (C), shall be deposited into the 
     general fund of the Treasury.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for title 
     VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting the 
     following new item after the item relating to section 753:

``Sec. 754. Continued dumping and subsidy offset.''.

       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to all antidumping and 
     countervailing duty assessments made on or after October 1, 
     2000.
               TITLE XI--CONSERVATION OF FARMABLE WETLAND

     SECTION 1101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Conservation of Farmable 
     Wetland Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 1102. PILOT PROGRAM FOR ENROLLMENT OF WETLAND AND BUFFER 
                   ACREAGE IN CONSERVATION RESERVE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(h) Pilot Program for Enrollment of Wetland and Buffer 
     Acreage in Conservation Reserve.--
       ``(1) In general.--During the 2001 and 2002 calendar years, 
     the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program in the States 
     of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and 
     South Dakota under which the Secretary shall include eligible 
     acreage described in paragraph (3) in the program established 
     under this subchapter.
       ``(2) Participation among states.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that owners and 
     operators in each of the States referred to in paragraph (1) 
     have an equitable opportunity to participate in the pilot 
     program established under this subsection.
       ``(3) Eligible acreage.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) through 
     (D), an owner or operator may enroll in the conservation 
     reserve under this subsection--
       ``(i) a wetland (including a converted wetland described in 
     section 1222(b)(1)(A)) that was

[[Page H9482]]

     cropped during at least 3 of the immediately preceding 10 
     crop years; and
       ``(ii) buffer acreage that--

       ``(I) is contiguous to the wetland described in clause (i);
       ``(II) is used to protect the wetland; and
       ``(III) is of such width as the Secretary determines is 
     necessary to protect the wetland, taking into consideration 
     and accommodating the farming practices (including the 
     straightening of boundaries to accommodate machinery) used 
     with respect to the cropland that surrounds the wetland.

       ``(B) Exclusions.--An owner or operator may not enroll in 
     the conservation reserve under this subsection--
       ``(i) any wetland, or land on a floodplain, that is, or is 
     adjacent to, a perennial riverine system wetland identified 
     on the final national wetland inventory map of the Secretary 
     of the Interior; or
       ``(ii) in the case of an area that is not covered by the 
     final national inventory map, any wetland, or land on a 
     floodplain, that is adjacent to a perennial stream identified 
     on a 1-24,000 scale map of the United States Geological 
     Survey.
       ``(C) Program limitations.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary may enroll in the 
     conservation reserve under this subsection--

       ``(I) not more than 500,000 acres in all States referred to 
     in paragraph (1); and
       ``(II) not more than 150,000 acres in any 1 State referred 
     to in paragraph (1).

       ``(ii) Relationship to program maximum.--Subject to clause 
     (iii), for the purposes of subsection (d), any acreage 
     enrolled in the conservation reserve under this subsection 
     shall be considered acres maintained in the conservation 
     reserve.
       ``(iii) Relationship to other enrolled acreage.--Acreage 
     enrolled under this subsection shall not affect for any 
     fiscal year the quantity of--

       ``(I) acreage enrolled to establish conservation buffers as 
     part of the program announced on March 24, 1998 (63 Fed. Reg. 
     14109); or
       ``(II) acreage enrolled into the conservation reserve 
     enhancement program announced on May 27, 1998 (63 Fed. Reg. 
     28965).

       ``(D) Owner or operator limitations.--
       ``(i) Wetland.--The maximum size of any wetland described 
     in subparagraph (A)(i) of an owner or operator enrolled in 
     the conservation reserve under this subsection shall be 5 
     contiguous acres.
       ``(ii) Buffer acreage.--The maximum size of any buffer 
     acreage described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of an owner or 
     operator enrolled in the conservation reserve under this 
     subsection shall be the greater of--

       ``(I) 3 times the size of any wetland described in 
     subparagraph (A)(i) to which the buffer acreage is 
     contiguous; or
       ``(II) 150 feet on either side of the wetland.

       ``(iii) Tracts.--The maximum size of any eligible acreage 
     described in subparagraph (A) in a tract (as determined by 
     the Secretary) of an owner or operator enrolled in the 
     conservation reserve under this subsection shall be 40 acres.
       ``(4) Duties of owners and operators.--Under a contract 
     entered into under this subsection, during the term of the 
     contract, an owner or operator of a farm or ranch must 
     agree--
       ``(A) to restore the hydrology of the wetland within the 
     eligible acreage to the maximum extent practicable, as 
     determined by the Secretary;
       ``(B) to establish vegetative cover on the eligible 
     acreage, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(C) to carry out other duties described in section 1232.
       ``(5) Duties of the secretary.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) 
     and (C), in return for a contract entered into by an owner or 
     operator under this subsection, the Secretary shall make 
     payments and provide assistance to the owner or operator in 
     accordance with sections 1233 and 1234.
       ``(B) Continuous signup.--The Secretary shall use 
     continuous signup under section 1234(c)(2)(B) to determine 
     the acceptability of contract offers and the amount of rental 
     payments under this subsection.
       ``(C) Incentives.--The amounts payable to owners and 
     operators in the form of rental payments under contracts 
     entered into under this subsection shall reflect incentives 
     that are provided to owners and operators to enroll 
     filterstrips in the conservation reserve under section 
     1234.''.

     SEC. 1103. INCIDENTAL GRAZING.

       Section 1232(a)(7)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3832(a)(7)(A)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``occurs during'' and
     inserting ``occurs--

       ``(I) in the case of land other than eligible acreage 
     enrolled under section 1231(h), during''; and

       (2) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(II) in the case of eligible acreage enrolled under 
     section 1231(h), at any time other than during the period 
     beginning May 1 and ending August 1 of each year for a 
     reduction in rental payment commensurate with the limited 
     economic value of such incidental grazing; and''.

     SEC. 1104. STUDY OF IMPACT OF PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct 
     a study of the impact of the pilot program established under 
     section 1231(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3831(h)) (as added by section 1102(a)) on--
       (1) enrollment of owners and operators in--
       (A) the conservation reserve program established under 
     subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of that 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.);
       (B) the wetlands reserve program established under 
     subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of that 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 3837 et seq.); and
       (C) other Federal and State conservation programs;
       (2) types of environmentally sensitive acreage that have 
     not been enrolled in the wetlands reserve program; and
       (3) conservation of soil, water, and related natural 
     resources, including grazing land, wetland, and wildlife 
     habitat.
       (b) Reports.--Not later than March 1, 2003, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the Senate a report on the results of the 
     study.

     SEC. 1105. REGULATIONS.

       (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement the 
     amendments made by this Act.
       (b) Procedure.--The promulgation of the regulations and 
     administration of the amendments made by this Act shall be 
     made without regard to--
       (1) the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of 
     title 5, United States Code;
       (2) the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture 
     effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to 
     notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in 
     rulemaking; and
       (3) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly 
     known as the ``Paperwork Reduction Act'').
       (c) Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking.--In carrying 
     out this section, the Secretary shall use the authority 
     provided under section 808 of title 5, United States Code.

      TITLE XII--HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION

     SEC. 1201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Hass Avocado Promotion, 
     Research, and Information Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 1202. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Hass avocados are an integral food source in the United 
     States that are a valuable and healthy part of the human diet 
     and are enjoyed by millions of persons every year for a 
     multitude of everyday and special occasions.
       (2) Hass avocados are a significant tree fruit crop grown 
     by many individual producers, but virtually all domestically 
     produced Hass avocados for the commercial market are grown in 
     the State of California.
       (3) Hass avocados move in interstate and foreign commerce, 
     and Hass avocados that do not move in interstate or foreign 
     channels of commerce but only in intrastate commerce directly 
     affect interstate commerce in Hass avocados.
       (4) In recent years, large quantities of Hass avocados have 
     been imported into the United States from other countries.
       (5) The maintenance and expansion of markets in existence 
     on the date of enactment of this title, and the development 
     of new or improved markets or uses for Hass avocados are 
     needed to preserve and strengthen the economic viability of 
     the domestic Hass avocado industry for the benefit of 
     producers and other persons associated with the producing, 
     marketing, processing, and consuming of Hass avocados.
       (6) An effective and coordinated program of promotion, 
     research, industry information, and consumer information 
     regarding Hass avocados is necessary for the maintenance, 
     expansion, and development of domestic markets for Hass 
     avocados.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to authorize 
     the establishment, through the exercise of the powers 
     provided in this title, of an orderly procedure for the 
     development and financing (through an adequate assessment on 
     Hass avocados sold by producers and importers in the United 
     States) of an effective and coordinated program of promotion, 
     research, industry information, and consumer information, 
     including funds for marketing and market research activities, 
     that is designed to--
       (1) strengthen the position of the Hass avocado industry in 
     the domestic marketplace; and
       (2) maintain, develop, and expand markets and uses for Hass 
     avocados in the domestic marketplace.
       (c) Limitation.--Nothing in this title may be construed to 
     provide for the control of production or otherwise limit the 
     right of any person to produce, handle, or import Hass 
     avocados.

     SEC. 1203. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this title:
       (1) Board.--The terms ``Avocado Board'' and ``Board'' mean 
     the Hass Avocado Board established under section 1205.
       (2) Conflict of interest.--The term ``conflict of 
     interest'' means a situation in which a member or employee of 
     the Board has a direct or indirect financial interest in a 
     person that performs a service for, or enters into a contract 
     with, the Board for anything of economic value.
       (3) Consumer information.--The term ``consumer 
     information'' means any action or program that provides 
     information to consumers and other persons on the use, 
     nutritional attributes, and other information that will 
     assist consumers and other persons in making evaluations and 
     decisions regarding the purchase, preparation, and use of 
     Hass avocados.
       (4) Customs.--The term ``Customs'' means the United States 
     Customs Service.
       (5) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the United 
     States Department of Agriculture.
       (6) Hass avocado.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``Hass avocado'' includes--
       (i) the fruit of any Hass variety avocado tree; and
       (ii) any other type of avocado fruit that the Board, with 
     the approval of the Secretary, determines is so similar to 
     the Hass variety avocado as to be indistinguishable to 
     consumers in fresh form.

[[Page H9483]]

       (B) Form of fruit.--Except as provided in subparagraph (C), 
     the term includes avocado fruit described in subparagraph (A) 
     whether in fresh, frozen, or any other processed form.
       (C) Exceptions.--In any case in which a handler further 
     processes avocados described in subparagraph (A), or products 
     of such avocados, for sale to a retailer, the Board, with the 
     approval of the Secretary, may determine that such further 
     processed products do not constitute a substantial value 
     of the product and that, based on its determination, the 
     product shall not be treated as a product of Hass avocados 
     subject to assessment under the order. In addition, the 
     Board, with the approval of the Secretary, may exempt 
     certain frozen avocado products from assessment under the 
     order.
       (7) Handler.--
       (A) First handler.--The term ``first handler'' means a 
     person operating in the Hass avocados marketing system that 
     sells domestic or imported Hass avocados for United States 
     domestic consumption, and who is responsible for remitting 
     assessments to the Board. The term includes an importer or 
     producer who sells directly to consumers Hass avocados that 
     the importer or producer has imported into the United States 
     or produced, respectively.
       (B) Exempt handler.--The term ``exempt handler'' means a 
     person who would otherwise be considered a first handler, 
     except that all avocados purchased by the person have already 
     been subject to the assessment under section 1205(h).
       (8) Importer.--The term ``importer'' means any person who 
     imports Hass avocados into the United States.
       (9) Industry information.--The term ``industry 
     information'' means information and programs that are 
     designed to increase efficiency in processing, enhance the 
     development of new markets and marketing strategies, increase 
     marketing efficiency, and activities to enhance the image of 
     Hass avocados and the Hass avocado industry domestically.
       (10) Order.--The term ``order'' means the Hass avocado 
     promotion, research, and information order issued under this 
     title.
       (11) Person.--The term ``person'' means any individual, 
     group of individuals, firm, partnership, corporation, joint 
     stock company, association, cooperative, or other legal 
     entity.
       (12) Producer.--The term ``producer'' means any person 
     who--
       (A) is engaged in the domestic production of Hass avocados 
     for commercial use; and
       (B) owns, or shares the ownership and risk of loss, of such 
     Hass avocados.
       (13) Promotion.--The term ``promotion'' means any action to 
     advance the image, desirability, or marketability of Hass 
     avocados, including paid advertising, sales promotion, and 
     publicity, in order to improve the competitive position and 
     stimulate sales of Hass avocados in the domestic marketplace.
       (14) Research.--The term ``research'' means any type of 
     test, study, or analysis relating to market research, market 
     development, and marketing efforts, or relating to the use, 
     quality, or nutritional value of Hass avocados, other related 
     food science research, or research designed to advance the 
     image, desirability, and marketability of Hass avocados.
       (15) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (16) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
     Federated States of Micronesia.
       (17) United states.--The term ``United States'' means the 
     United States collectively.

     SEC. 1204. ISSUANCE OF ORDERS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Issuance.--To effectuate the policy of this title 
     specified in section 1202(b), the Secretary, subject to the 
     procedures provided in subsection (b), shall issue orders 
     under this title applicable to producers, importers, and 
     first handlers of Hass avocados.
       (2) Scope.--Any order shall be national in scope.
       (3) One order.--Not more than one order shall be in effect 
     at any one time.
       (b) Procedures.--
       (1) Proposal for an order.--An existing organization of 
     avocado producers established pursuant to a State statute, or 
     any other person who will be affected by this title, may 
     request the issuance of, and submit a proposal for an order.
       (2) Publication of proposal.--The Secretary shall publish a 
     proposed order and give notice and opportunity for public 
     comment on the proposed order not later than 60 days after 
     receipt by the Secretary of a proposal for an order from an 
     existing organization of avocado producers established 
     pursuant to a State statute, as provided in paragraph (1).
       (3) Issuance of order.--
       (A) In general.--After notice and opportunity for public 
     comment are provided in accordance with paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall issue the order, taking into consideration 
     the comments received and including in the order such 
     provisions as are necessary to ensure that the order is in 
     conformity with this title.
       (B) Effective date.--The order shall be issued and become 
     effective only after an affirmative vote in a referendum as 
     provided in section 1206, but not later than 180 days after 
     publication of the proposed order.
       (c) Amendments.--The Secretary, from time to time, may 
     amend an order. The provisions of this title applicable to an 
     order shall be applicable to any amendment to an order.

     SEC. 1205. REQUIRED TERMS IN ORDERS.

       (a) In General.--An order shall contain the terms and 
     provisions specified in this section.
       (b) Hass Avocado Board.--
       (1) Establishment and membership.--
       (A) Establishment.--The order shall provide for the 
     establishment of a Hass Avocado Board, consisting of 12 
     members, to administer the order.
       (B) Membership.--
       (i) Appointment.--The order shall provide that members of 
     the Board shall be appointed by the Secretary from 
     nominations submitted as provided in this subsection.
       (ii) Composition.--The Board shall consist of participating 
     domestic producers and importers.
       (C) Special definition of importer.--In this subsection, 
     the term ``importer'' means a person who is involved in, as a 
     substantial activity, the importation, sale, and marketing of 
     Hass avocados in the United States (either directly or as an 
     agent, broker, or consignee of any person or nation that 
     produces or handles Hass avocados outside the United States 
     for sale in the United States), and who is subject to 
     assessments under the order.
       (2) Distribution of appointments.--
       (A) In general.--The order shall provide that the 
     membership of the Board shall consist of the following:
       (i) Seven members who are domestic producers of Hass 
     avocados and are subject to assessments under the order.
       (ii) Two members who represent importers of Hass avocados 
     and are subject to assessments under the order.
       (iii) Three members who are domestic producers of Hass 
     avocados and are subject to assessments under the order, or 
     are importers of Hass avocados and are subject to assessments 
     under the order, to reflect the proportion of domestic 
     production and imports supplying the United States market, 
     which shall be based on the Secretary's determination of the 
     average volume of domestic production of Hass avocados 
     proportionate to the average volume of imports of Hass 
     avocados in the United States over the previous three years.
       (B) Adjustment in board representation.--Three years after 
     the assessment of Hass avocados commences pursuant to an 
     order, and at the end of each three-year period thereafter, 
     the Avocado Board shall adjust the proportion of producer 
     representatives to importer representatives on the Board 
     under subparagraph (A)(iii) on the basis of the amount of 
     assessments collected from producers and importers over the 
     immediately preceding three-year period. Any adjustment under 
     this subparagraph shall be subject to the review and approval 
     of the Secretary.
       (3) Nomination process.--The order shall provide that--
       (A) 2 nominees shall be submitted for each appointment to 
     the Board;
       (B) nominations for each appointment of a producer or an 
     importer shall be made by domestic producers or importers, 
     respectively--
       (i) in the case of producers, through an election process 
     which utilizes existing organizations of avocado producers 
     established pursuant to a State statute, with approval by the 
     Secretary; and
       (ii) in the case of importers, nominations are submitted by 
     importers under such procedures as the Secretary determines 
     appropriate; and
       (C) in any case in which producers or importers fail to 
     nominate individuals for an appointment to the Board, the 
     Secretary may appoint an individual to fill the vacancy on a 
     basis provided in the order or other regulations of the 
     Secretary.
       (4) Alternates.--The order shall provide for the selection 
     of alternate members of the Board by the Secretary in 
     accordance with procedures specified in the order.
       (5) Terms.--The order shall provide that--
       (A) each term of appointment to the Board shall be for 3 
     years, except that, of the initial appointments, 4 of the 
     appointments shall be for 2-year terms, 4 of the appointments 
     shall be for 3-year terms, and 4 of the appointments shall be 
     for 4-year terms; and
       (B) no member of the Board may serve more than 2 
     consecutive terms of three years, except that any member 
     serving an initial term of 4 years may serve an additional 
     term of 3 years.
       (6) Replacement.--
       (A) Disqualification from board service.--The order shall 
     provide that if a member or alternate of the Board who was 
     appointed as a domestic producer or importer ceases to belong 
     to the group for which such member was appointed, such member 
     or alternate shall be disqualified from serving on the Board.
       (B) Manner of filling vacancy.--A vacancy arising as a 
     result of disqualification or any other reason before the 
     expiration of the term of office of an incumbent member or 
     alternate of the Board shall be filled in a manner provided 
     in the order.
       (7) Compensation.--The order shall provide that members and 
     alternates of the Board shall serve without compensation, but 
     shall be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses incurred in 
     performing duties as members or alternates of the Board.
       (c) General Responsibilities of the Avocado Board.--The 
     order shall define the general responsibilities of the 
     Avocado Board, which shall include the responsibility to--
       (1) administer the order in accordance with the terms and 
     provisions of the order;
       (2) meet, organize, and select from among the members of 
     the Board a chairperson, other officers, and committees and 
     subcommittees, as the Board determines to be appropriate;
       (3) recommend to the Secretary rules and regulations to 
     effectuate the terms and provisions of the order;
       (4) employ such persons as the Board determines are 
     necessary, and set the compensation and define the duties of 
     the persons;
       (5)(A) develop budgets for the implementation of the order 
     and submit the budgets to the Secretary for approval under 
     subsection (d); and

[[Page H9484]]

       (B) propose and develop (or receive and evaluate), approve, 
     and submit to the Secretary for approval under subsection (d) 
     plans or projects for Hass avocado promotion, industry 
     information, consumer information, or related research;
       (6)(A) implement plans and projects for Hass avocado 
     promotion, industry information, consumer information, or 
     related research, as provided in subsection (d); or
       (B) contract or enter into agreements with appropriate 
     persons to implement the plans and projects, as provided in 
     subsection (e), and pay the costs of the implementation, or 
     contracts and agreement, with funds received under the order;
       (7) evaluate on-going and completed plans and projects for 
     Hass avocado promotion, industry information, consumer 
     information, or related research and comply with the 
     independent evaluation provisions of the Commodity Promotion, 
     Research, and Information Act of 1996 (subtitle B of title V 
     of Public Law 104-127; 7 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
       (8) receive, investigate, and report to the Secretary 
     complaints of violations of the order;
       (9) recommend to the Secretary amendments to the order;
       (10) invest, pending disbursement under a plan or project, 
     funds collected through assessments authorized under this 
     title only in--
       (A) obligations of the United States or any agency of the 
     United States;
       (B) general obligations of any State or any political 
     subdivision of a State;
       (C) any interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit 
     of a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System; or
       (D) obligations fully guaranteed as to principal and 
     interest by the United States, except that income from any 
     such invested funds may be used only for a purpose for 
     which the invested funds may be used;
       (11) borrow funds necessary for the startup expenses of the 
     order; and
       (12) provide the Secretary such information as the 
     Secretary may require.
       (d) Budgets; Plans and Projects.--
       (1) Submission of budgets.--The order shall require the 
     Board to submit to the Secretary for approval budgets, on a 
     fiscal year basis, of the anticipated expenses and 
     disbursements of the Board in the implementation of the 
     order, including the projected costs of Hass avocado 
     promotion, industry information, consumer information, and 
     related research plans and projects.
       (2) Plans and projects.--
       (A) Promotion and consumer information.--The order shall 
     provide--
       (i) for the establishment, implementation, administration, 
     and evaluation of appropriate plans and projects for 
     advertising, sales promotion, other promotion, and consumer 
     information with respect to Hass avocados, and for the 
     disbursement of necessary funds for the purposes described in 
     this clause; and
       (ii) that any plan or project referred to in clause (i) 
     shall be directed toward increasing the general demand for 
     Hass avocados in the domestic marketplace.
       (B) Industry information.--The order shall provide for the 
     establishment, implementation, administration, and evaluation 
     of appropriate plans and projects that will lead to the 
     development of new markets, maintain and expand existing 
     markets, lead to the development of new marketing strategies, 
     or increase the efficiency of the Hass avocado industry, and 
     activities to enhance the image of the Hass avocado industry, 
     and for the disbursement of necessary funds for the purposes 
     described in this subparagraph.
       (C) Research.--The order shall provide for--
       (i) the establishment, implementation, administration, and 
     evaluation of plans and projects for market development 
     research, research with respect to the sale, distribution, 
     marketing, use, quality, or nutritional value of Hass 
     avocados, and other research with respect to Hass avocado 
     marketing, promotion, industry information or consumer 
     information;
       (ii) the dissemination of the information acquired through 
     the plans and projects; and
       (iii) the disbursement of such funds as are necessary to 
     carry out this subparagraph.
       (D) Submission to secretary.--The order shall provide that 
     the Board shall submit to the Secretary for approval a 
     proposed plan or project for Hass avocados promotion, 
     industry information, consumer information, or related 
     research, as described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
       (3) Approval by secretary.--A budget, plan, or project for 
     Hass avocados promotion, industry information, consumer 
     information, or related research may not be implemented prior 
     to approval of the budget, plan, or project by the Secretary. 
     Not later than 45 days after receipt of such a budget, plan, 
     or project, the Secretary shall notify the Board whether the 
     Secretary approves or disapproves the budget, plan, or 
     project. If the Secretary fails to provide such notice 
     before the end of the 45-day period, the budget, plan, or 
     project shall be deemed to be approved and may be 
     implemented by the Board.
       (e) Contracts and Agreements.--
       (1) Promotion, consumer information, industry information 
     and related research plans and projects.--
       (A) In general.--To ensure the efficient use of funds, the 
     order shall provide that the Board, with the approval of the 
     Secretary, shall enter into a contract or an agreement with 
     an avocado organization established by State statute in a 
     State with the majority of Hass avocado production in the 
     United States, for the implementation of a plan or project 
     for promotion, industry information, consumer information, or 
     related research with respect to Hass avocados, and for the 
     payment of the cost of the contract or agreement with funds 
     received by the Board under the order.
       (B) Requirements.--The order shall provide that any 
     contract or agreement entered into under this paragraph shall 
     provide that--
       (i) the contracting or agreeing party shall develop and 
     submit to the Board a plan or project, together with a budget 
     that includes the estimated costs to be incurred for the plan 
     or project;
       (ii) the plan or project shall become effective on the 
     approval of the Secretary; and
       (iii) the contracting party or agreeing party shall--

       (I) keep accurate records of all transactions of the party;
       (II) account for funds received and expended;
       (III) make periodic reports to the Board of activities 
     conducted; and
       (IV) make such other reports as the Board or the Secretary 
     shall require.

       (2) Other contracts and agreements.--The order shall 
     provide that the Board, with the approval of the Secretary, 
     may enter into a contract or agreement for administrative 
     services. Any contract or agreement entered into under this 
     paragraph shall include provisions comparable to the 
     provisions described in paragraph (1)(B).
       (f) Books and Records of Board.--
       (1) In general.--The order shall require the Board to--
       (A) maintain such books and records (which shall be 
     available to the Secretary for inspection and audit) as the 
     Secretary may require;
       (B) prepare and submit to the Secretary, from time to time, 
     such reports as the Secretary may require; and
       (C) account for the receipt and disbursement of all the 
     funds entrusted to the Board, including all assessment funds 
     disbursed by the Board to a State organization of avocado 
     producers established pursuant to State law.
       (2) Audits.--The Board shall cause the books and records of 
     the Board to be audited by an independent auditor at the end 
     of each fiscal year. A report of each audit shall be 
     submitted to the Secretary.
       (g) Control of Administrative Costs.--
       (1) System of cost controls.--The order shall provide that 
     the Board shall, as soon as practicable after the order 
     becomes effective and after consultation with the 
     Secretary and other appropriate persons, implement a 
     system of cost controls based on normally accepted 
     business practices that--
       (A) will ensure that the costs incurred by the Board in 
     administering the order in any fiscal year shall not exceed 
     10 percent of the projected level of assessments to be 
     collected by the Board for that fiscal year; and
       (B) cover the minimum administrative activities and 
     personnel needed to properly administer and enforce the 
     order, and conduct, supervise, and evaluate plans and 
     projects under the order.
       (2) Use of existing personnel and facilities.--The Board 
     shall use, to the extent possible, the resources, staffs, and 
     facilities of existing organizations, as provided in 
     subsection (e)(1)(A).
       (h) Assessments.--
       (1) Authority.--
       (A) In general.--The order shall provide that each first 
     handler shall remit to the Board, in the manner provided in 
     the order, an assessment collected from the producer, except 
     to the extent that the sale is excluded from assessments 
     under paragraph (6). In the case of imports, the assessment 
     shall be levied upon imports and remitted to the Board by 
     Customs.
       (B) Published lists.--To facilitate the payment of 
     assessments under this paragraph, the Board shall publish 
     lists of first handlers required to remit assessments under 
     the order and exempt handlers.
       (C) Making determinations.--
       (i) First handler status.--The order shall contain 
     provisions regarding the determination of the status of a 
     person as a first handler or exempt handler.
       (ii) Producer-handlers.--For purposes of paragraph (3), a 
     producer-handler shall be considered the first handler of 
     those Hass avocados that are produced by that producer-
     handler and packed by that producer-handler for sale at 
     wholesale or retail.
       (iii) Importers.--The assessment on imported Hass avocados 
     shall be paid by the importer to Customs at the time of entry 
     into the United States and shall be remitted by Customs to 
     the Board. Importation occurs when Hass avocados originating 
     outside the United States are released from custody of 
     Customs and introduced into the stream of commerce within the 
     United States. Importers include persons who hold title to 
     foreign-produced Hass avocados immediately upon release by 
     Customs, as well as any persons who act on behalf of others, 
     as agents, brokers, or consignees, to secure the release of 
     Hass avocados from Customs and the introduction of the 
     released Hass avocados into the current of commerce.
       (2) Assessment rates.--With respect to assessment rates, 
     the order shall contain the following terms:
       (A) Initial rate.--The rate of assessment on Hass avocados 
     shall be $.025 per pound on fresh avocados or the equivalent 
     rate for processed avocados on which an assessment has not 
     been paid.
       (B) Changes in the rate.--
       (i) In general.--Once the order in is effect, the uniform 
     assessment rate may be increased or decreased not more than 
     once annually, but in no event shall the rate of 
     assessment be in excess of $.05 per pound.
       (ii) Requirements.--Any change in the rate of assessment 
     under this subparagraph--

       (I) may be made only if adopted by the Board by an 
     affirmative vote of at least seven members of the Board and 
     approved by the Secretary as necessary to achieve the 
     objectives of this title (after public notice and opportunity 
     for comment in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United 
     States Code, and without regard to sections 556 and 557 of 
     such title);

[[Page H9485]]

       (II) shall be announced by the Board not less than 30 days 
     prior to going into effect; and
       (III) shall not be subject to a vote in a referendum 
     conducted under section 1206.

       (3) Collection by first handlers.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (1)(C)(iii), the first handler of Hass avocados 
     shall be responsible for the collection of assessments from 
     the producer under this subsection. As part of the collection 
     of assessments, the first handler shall maintain a separate 
     record of the Hass avocados of each producer whose Hass 
     avocados are so handled, including the Hass avocados produced 
     by the first handler.
       (4) Timing of submitting assessments.--The order shall 
     provide that each person required to remit assessments under 
     this subsection shall remit to the Board the assessment due 
     from each sale of Hass avocados that is subject to an 
     assessment within such time period after the sale (not to 
     exceed 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale 
     took place) as is specified in the order.
       (5) Claiming an exemption from collecting assessments.--To 
     claim an exemption under section 1203(6) as an exempt handler 
     for a particular fiscal year, a person shall submit an 
     application to the Board--
       (A) stating the basis for such exemption; and
       (B) certifying such person will not purchase Hass avocados 
     in the United States on which an assessment has not been paid 
     for the current fiscal year.
       (6) Exclusion.--An order shall exclude from assessments 
     under the order any sale of Hass avocados for export from the 
     United States.
       (7) Use of assessment funds.--The order shall provide that 
     assessment funds shall be used for payment of costs incurred 
     in implementing and administering the order, with provision 
     for a reasonable reserve, and to cover the administrative 
     costs incurred by the Secretary in implementing and 
     administering this title, including any expenses incurred by 
     the Secretary in conducting referenda under this title, 
     subject to subsection (i).
       (8) Assessment funds for state association.--The order 
     shall provide that a State organization of avocado producers 
     established pursuant to State law shall receive an amount 
     equal to the product obtained by multiplying the aggregate 
     amount of assessments attributable to the pounds of Hass 
     avocados produced in such State by 85 percent. The State 
     organization shall use such funds and any proceeds from the 
     investment of such funds for financing domestic promotion, 
     research, consumer information, and industry information 
     plans and projects, except that no such funds shall be used 
     for the administrative expenses of such State 
     organization.
       (9) Assessment funds for importers associations.--
       (A) In general.--The order shall provide that any importers 
     association shall receive a credit described in subparagraph 
     (B) if such association is--
       (i) established pursuant to State law that requires 
     detailed State regulation comparable to that applicable to 
     the State organization of United States avocado producers, as 
     determined by the Secretary; or
       (ii) certified by the Secretary as meeting the requirements 
     applicable to the Board as to budgets, plans, projects, 
     audits, conflicts of interest, and reimbursements for 
     administrative costs incurred by the Secretary.
       (B) Credit.--An importers association described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall receive 85 percent of the assessments 
     paid on Hass avocados imported by the members of such 
     association.
       (C) Use of funds.--
       (i) In general.--Importers associations described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall use the funds described in 
     subparagraph (B) and proceeds from the investment of such 
     funds for financing promotion, research, consumer 
     information, and industry information plans and projects in 
     the United States.
       (ii) Administrative expenses.--No funds described in 
     subparagraph (C) shall be used for the administrative 
     expenses of such importers association.
       (i) Reimbursement of Secretary Expenses.--The order shall 
     provide for reimbursing the Secretary--
       (1) for expenses not to exceed $25,000 incurred by the 
     Secretary in connection with any referendum conducted under 
     section 1206;
       (2) for administrative costs incurred by the Secretary for 
     supervisory work of up to 2 employee years annually after an 
     order or amendment to any order has been issued and made 
     effective; and
       (3) for costs incurred by the Secretary in implementation 
     of the order issued under section 1204, for enforcement of 
     the title and the order, for subsequent referenda conducted 
     under section 1206, and in defending the Board in litigation 
     arising out of action taken by the Board.
       (j) Prohibition on Brand Advertising and Certain Claims.--
       (1) Prohibitions.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
     program or project conducted under this title shall not--
       (A) make any reference to private brand names;
       (B) make false, misleading, or disparaging claims on behalf 
     of Hass avocados; or
       (C) make false, misleading, or disparaging statements with 
     respect to the attributes or use of any competing products.
       (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not preclude the Board 
     from offering its programs and projects for use by commercial 
     parties, under such terms and conditions as the Board may 
     prescribe as approved by the Secretary. For the purposes of 
     this subsection, a reference to State of origin does not 
     constitute a reference to a private brand name with regard to 
     any funds credited to, or disbursed by the Board to, a State 
     organization of avocado producers established pursuant to 
     State law. Furthermore, for the purposes of this section, a 
     reference to either State of origin or country of origin does 
     not constitute a reference to a private brand name with 
     regard to any funds credited to, or disbursed by the Board 
     to, any importers association established or certified in 
     accordance with subsection (h)(9)(A).
       (k) Prohibition on Use of Funds To Influence Governmental 
     Action.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 
     (2), the order shall prohibit any funds collected by the 
     Board under the order from being used in any manner for the 
     purpose of influencing legislation or government action or 
     policy.
       (2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the 
     development or recommendation of amendments to the order.
       (l) Prohibition of Conflict of Interest.--The Board may not 
     engage in, and shall prohibit the employees and agents of the 
     Board from engaging in, any action that would be a conflict 
     of interest.
       (m) Books and Records; Reports.--
       (1) In general.--The order shall provide that each first 
     handler, producer, and importer subject to the order shall 
     maintain, and make available for inspection, such books and 
     records as are required by the order and file reports at the 
     time, in the manner, and having the content required by the 
     order, to the end that such information is made available to 
     the Secretary and the Board as is appropriate for the 
     administration or enforcement of this title, the order, or 
     any regulation issued under this title.
       (2) Confidentiality requirement.--
       (A) In general.--Information obtained from books, records, 
     or reports under paragraph (1) shall be kept confidential by 
     all officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture 
     and by the staff and agents of the Board.
       (B) Suits and hearings.--Information described in 
     subparagraph (A) may be disclosed to the public only--
       (i) in a suit or administrative hearing brought at the 
     request of the Secretary, or to which the Secretary or any 
     officer of the United States is a party, involving the order; 
     and
       (ii) to the extent the Secretary considers the information 
     relevant to the suit or hearing.
       (C) General statements and publications.--Nothing in this 
     paragraph may be construed to prohibit--
       (i) the issuance of general statements, based on the 
     reports, of the number of persons subject to the order or 
     statistical data collected from the reports, if the 
     statements do not identify the information furnished by any 
     person; or
       (ii) the publication, by direction of the Secretary, of the 
     name of any person who violates the order, together with a 
     statement of the particular provisions of the order violated 
     by the person.
       (3) Lists of importers.--
       (A) Review.--The order shall provide that the staff of the 
     Board shall periodically review lists of importers of Hass 
     avocados to determine whether persons on the lists are 
     subject to the order.
       (B) Customs service.--On the request of the Secretary or 
     the Board, the Commissioner of the United States Customs 
     Service shall provide to the Secretary or the Board lists of 
     importers of Hass avocados.
       (n) Consultations With Industry Experts.--
       (1) In general.--The order shall provide that the Board may 
     seek advice from and consult with experts from the 
     production, import, wholesale, and retail segments of the 
     Hass avocado industry to assist in the development of 
     promotion, industry information, consumer information, and 
     related research plans and projects.
       (2) Special committees.--
       (A) In general.--For the purposes described in paragraph 
     (1), the order shall authorize the appointment of special 
     committees composed of persons other than Board members.
       (B) Consultation.--A committee appointed under subparagraph 
     (A) shall consult directly with the Board.
       (o) Other Terms of the Order.--The order shall contain such 
     other terms and provisions, consistent with this title, as 
     are necessary to carry out this title (including provision 
     for the assessment of interest and a charge for each late 
     payment of assessments under subsection (h)).

     SEC. 1206. REFERENDA.

       (a) Requirements for Initial Referendum.--
       (1) Referendum required.--During the 60-day period 
     immediately preceding the proposed effective date of an order 
     issued under section 1204(b)(3), the Secretary shall conduct 
     a referendum among producers and importers required to pay 
     assessments under the order, as provided in section 
     1205(h)(1).
       (2) Approval of order needed.--The order shall become 
     effective only if the Secretary determines that the order has 
     been approved by a simple majority of all votes cast in the 
     referendum.
       (b) Votes Permitted.--
       (1) In general.--Each producer and importer eligible to 
     vote in a referendum conducted under this section shall be 
     entitled to cast 1 vote if they satisfy the eligibility 
     requirements as defined in paragraph (2).
       (2) Eligibility.--For purposes of paragraph (1), producers 
     and importers, as these terms are defined in section 1203, 
     shall be considered to be eligible to vote if they have been 
     producers or importers with sales of Hass avocados during a 
     period of at least 1 year prior to the referendum.
       (c) Manner of Conducting Referenda.--
       (1) In general.--Referenda conducted pursuant to this title 
     shall be conducted in a manner determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Advance registration.--A producer or importer of Hass 
     avocados who chooses to vote in any referendum conducted 
     under this title

[[Page H9486]]

     shall register with the Secretary prior to the voting period, 
     after receiving notice from the Secretary concerning the 
     referendum under paragraph (4).
       (3) Voting.--A producer or importer of Hass avocados who 
     chooses to vote in any referendum conducted under this title 
     shall vote in accordance with procedures established by the 
     Secretary. The ballots and other information or reports that 
     reveal or tend to reveal the identity or vote of voters shall 
     be strictly confidential.
       (4) Notice.--The Secretary shall notify all producers and 
     importers at least 30 days prior to the referendum conducted 
     under this title. The notice shall explain the procedure 
     established under this subsection.
       (d) Subsequent Referenda.--If an order is approved in a 
     referendum conducted under subsection (a), effective 
     beginning on the date that is 3 years after the date of the 
     approval, the Secretary--
       (1) at the discretion of the Secretary, may conduct at any 
     time a referendum of producers and importers required to pay 
     assessments under the order, as provided in section 
     1205(h)(1), subject to the voting requirements of subsections 
     (b) and (c), to ascertain whether eligible producers and 
     importers favor suspension, termination, or continuance of 
     the order; or
       (2) shall conduct a referendum of eligible producers and 
     importers if requested by the Board or by a representative 
     group comprising 30 percent or more of all producers and 
     importers required to pay assessments under the order, as 
     provided in section 1205(h)(1), subject to the voting 
     requirements of subsections (b) and (c), to ascertain whether 
     producers and importers favor suspension, termination, or 
     continuance of the order.
       (e) Suspension or Termination.--If, as a result of a 
     referendum conducted under subsection (d), the Secretary 
     determines that suspension or termination of the order is 
     favored by a simple majority of all votes cast in the 
     referendum, the Secretary shall--
       (1) not later than 180 days after the referendum, suspend 
     or terminate, as appropriate, collection of assessments under 
     the order; and
       (2) suspend or terminate, as appropriate, activities under 
     the order as soon as practicable and in an orderly manner.

     SEC. 1207. PETITION AND REVIEW.

       (a) Petition and Hearing.--
       (1) Petition.--A person subject to an order may file with 
     the Secretary a petition--
       (A) stating that the order, any provision of the order, or 
     any obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in 
     accordance with law; and
       (B) requesting a modification of the order or an exemption 
     from the order.
       (2) Hearing.--The petitioner shall be given the opportunity 
     for a hearing on a petition filed under paragraph (1), in 
     accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary. Any such 
     hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 
     1209(b)(2) and be held within the United States judicial 
     district in which the residence or principal place of 
     business of the person is located.
       (3) Ruling.--After a hearing under paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall make a ruling on the petition, which shall be 
     final if in accordance with law.
       (4) Limitation.--Any petition filed under this subsection 
     challenging an order, any provision of the order, or any 
     obligation imposed in connection with the order, shall be 
     filed within 2 years after the effective date of the order, 
     provision, or obligation subject to challenge in the 
     petition.
       (b) Review.--
       (1) Commencement of action.--The district courts of the 
     United States in any district in which a person who is a 
     petitioner under subsection (a) resides or conducts business 
     shall have jurisdiction to review the ruling of the Secretary 
     on the petition of the person, if a complaint requesting the 
     review is filed no later than 20 days after the date of the 
     entry of the ruling by the Secretary.
       (2) Process.--Service of process in proceedings under this 
     subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the Federal 
     Rules of Civil Procedure.
       (3) Remand.--If the court in a proceeding under this 
     subsection determines that the ruling of the Secretary on the 
     petition of the person is not in accordance with law, the 
     court shall remand the matter to the Secretary with 
     directions--
       (A) to make such ruling as the court shall determine to be 
     in accordance with law; or
       (B) to take such further action as, in the opinion the 
     court, the law requires.
       (c) Enforcement.--The pendency of proceedings instituted 
     under this section shall not impede, hinder, or delay the 
     Attorney General or the Secretary from obtaining relief under 
     section 1208.

     SEC. 1208. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Jurisdiction.--A district court of the United States 
     shall have jurisdiction to enforce, and to prevent and 
     restrain any person from violating, this title or an order or 
     regulation issued by the Secretary under this title.
       (b) Referral to Attorney General.--A civil action brought 
     under subsection (a) shall be referred to the Attorney 
     General for appropriate action, except that the Secretary is 
     not required to refer to the Attorney General a violation of 
     this title, or an order or regulation issued under this 
     title, if the Secretary believes that the administration and 
     enforcement of this title would be adequately served by 
     administrative action under subsection (c) or suitable 
     written notice or warning to the person who committed or is 
     committing the violation.
       (c) Civil Penalties and Orders.--
       (1) Civil penalties.--
       (A) In general.--A person who violates a provision of this 
     title, or an order or regulation issued by the Secretary 
     under this title, or who fails or refuses to pay, collect, or 
     remit any assessment or fee required of the person under an 
     order or regulation issued under this title, may be assessed 
     by the Secretary--
       (i) a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than 
     $10,000 for each violation; and
       (ii) in the case of a willful failure to remit an 
     assessment as required by an order or regulation, an 
     additional penalty equal to the amount of the assessment.
       (B) Separate offenses.--Each violation shall be a separate 
     offense.
       (2) Cease and desist orders.--In addition to or in lieu of 
     a civil penalty under paragraph (1), the Secretary may issue 
     an order requiring a person to cease and desist from 
     continuing a violation of this title, or an order or 
     regulation issued under this title.
       (3) Notice and hearing.--No penalty shall be assessed, or 
     cease and desist order issued, by the Secretary under this 
     subsection unless the Secretary gives the person against whom 
     the penalty is assessed or the order is issued notice and 
     opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary with respect 
     to the violation. Any such hearing shall be conducted in 
     accordance with section 1209(b)(2) and shall be held within 
     the United States judicial district in which the residence or 
     principal place of business of the person is located.
       (4) Finality.--The penalty assessed or cease and desist 
     order issued under this subsection shall be final and 
     conclusive unless the person against whom the penalty is 
     assessed or the order is issued files an appeal with the 
     appropriate district court of the United States in accordance 
     with subsection (d).
       (d) Review by District Court.--
       (1) Commencement of action.--
       (A) In general.--Any person against whom a violation is 
     found and a civil penalty is assessed or a cease and desist 
     order is issued under subsection (c) may obtain review of the 
     penalty or order by, within the 30-day period beginning on 
     the date the penalty is assessed or the order is issued--
       (i) filing a notice of appeal in the district court of the 
     United States for the district in which the person resides or 
     conducts business, or in the United States District Court for 
     the District of Columbia; and
       (ii) sending a copy of the notice by certified mail to the 
     Secretary.
       (B) Copy of record.--The Secretary shall promptly file in 
     the court a certified copy of the record on which the 
     Secretary found that the person had committed a violation.
       (2) Standard of review.--A finding of the Secretary shall 
     be set aside under this subsection only if the finding is 
     found to be unsupported by substantial evidence.
       (e) Failure To Obey an Order.--
       (1) In general.--A person who fails to obey a cease and 
     desist order issued under subsection (c) after the order has 
     become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate 
     United States district court had entered a final judgment in 
     favor of the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for each 
     offense, after opportunity for a hearing and for judicial 
     review under the procedures specified in subsections (c) and 
     (d).
       (2) Separate violations.--Each day during which the person 
     fails to obey an order described in paragraph (1) shall be 
     considered as a separate violation of the order.
       (f) Failure To Pay a Penalty.--
       (1) In general.--If a person fails to pay a civil penalty 
     assessed under subsection (c) or (e) after the penalty has 
     become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate 
     United States district court has entered final judgment in 
     favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer the matter 
     to the Attorney General for recovery of the amount assessed 
     in any United States district court in which the person 
     resides or conducts business.
       (2) Scope of review.--In an action by the Attorney General 
     under paragraph (1), the validity and appropriateness of a 
     civil penalty shall not be subject to review.
       (g) Additional Remedies.--The remedies provided in this 
     title shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, other 
     remedies that may be available.

     SEC. 1209. INVESTIGATIONS AND POWER TO SUBPOENA.

       (a) Investigations.--The Secretary may conduct such 
     investigations as the Secretary considers necessary for the 
     effective administration of this title, or to determine 
     whether any person has engaged or is engaging in any act that 
     constitutes a violation of this title or any order or 
     regulation issued under this title.
       (b) Subpoenas, Oaths, and Affirmations.--
       (1) Investigations.--For the purpose of conducting an 
     investigation under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
     administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel 
     the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the 
     production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. 
     The production of the records may be required from any place 
     in the United States.
       (2) Administrative hearings.--For the purpose of an 
     administrative hearing held under section 1207(a)(2) or 
     1208(c)(3), the presiding officer may administer oaths and 
     affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of 
     witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any 
     records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of 
     witnesses and the production of the records may be required 
     from any place in the United States.
       (c) Aid of Courts.--
       (1) In general.--In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to 
     obey a subpoena issued under subsection (b) to, any person, 
     the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the United 
     States within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or 
     proceeding is conducted, or where the person resides or 
     conducts business, in order to enforce a subpoena issued 
     under subsection (b).

[[Page H9487]]

       (2) Order.--The court may issue an order requiring the 
     person referred to in paragraph (1) to comply with a subpoena 
     referred to in paragraph (1).
       (3) Failure to obey.--Any failure to obey the order of the 
     court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court.
       (4) Process.--Process in any proceeding under this 
     subsection may be served in the United States judicial 
     district in which the person being proceeded against resides 
     or conducts business, or wherever the person may be found.

     SEC. 1210. CONFIDENTIALITY.

       (a) Prohibition.--No information regarding names of voters 
     or how a person voted in a referendum conducted under this 
     title shall be made public.
       (b) Penalty.--Any person who knowingly violates subsection 
     (a) or the confidentiality terms of an order, as described in 
     section 1205(m)(2), shall be subject to a fine of not less 
     that $1,000 nor more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for not 
     more than 1 year, or both. If the person is an officer or 
     employee of the Department of Agriculture or the Board, the 
     person shall be removed from office.
       (c) Additional Prohibition.--No information obtained under 
     this title may be made available to any agency or officer of 
     the Federal Government for any purpose other than the 
     implementation of this title or an investigatory or 
     enforcement action necessary for the implementation of this 
     title.
       (d) Withholding Information From Congress Prohibited.--
     Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize the 
     withholding of information from Congress.

     SEC. 1211. AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE 
                   ORDER.

       (a) Grounds for Suspension or Termination.--If the 
     Secretary finds that an order, or any provision of the order, 
     obstructs or does not tend to effectuate the policy of this 
     title specified in section 1202(b), the Secretary shall 
     terminate or suspend the operation of the order or provision 
     under such terms as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
       (b) Effect of Lack of Approval of Order.--If, as a result 
     of a referendum, the Secretary determines that the order is 
     not approved, the Secretary shall, within 180 days after 
     making the determination, suspend, or terminate, as 
     appropriate, collection of assessments under the order, and 
     suspend or terminate, as appropriate, activities under the 
     order in an orderly manner as soon as possible.

     SEC. 1212. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

       (a) Termination or Suspension Not an Order.--The 
     termination or suspension of an order, or a provision of an 
     order, shall not be considered an order under the meaning of 
     this title.
       (b) Rights.--This title--
       (1) may not be construed to provide for control of 
     production or otherwise limit the right of individual Hass 
     avocado growers, handlers and importers to produce, handle, 
     or import Hass avocados; and
       (2) shall be construed to treat all persons producing, 
     handling, and importing Hass avocados fairly and to implement 
     any order in an equitable manner.
       (c) Other Programs.--Nothing in this title may be construed 
     to preempt or supersede any other program relating to Hass 
     avocado promotion, research, industry information, and 
     consumer information organized and operated under the laws of 
     the United States or of a State.

     SEC. 1213. REGULATIONS.

       The Secretary may issue such regulations as are necessary 
     to carry out this title and the powers vested in the 
     Secretary by this title, including regulations relating to 
     the assessment of late payment charges and interest.

     SEC. 1214. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     for each fiscal year such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this title.
       (b) Administrative Expenses.--Funds appropriated under 
     subsection (a) may not be used for the payment of the 
     expenses or expenditures of the Board in administering a 
     provision of an order.

                       TITLE XIII--DEBT REDUCTION

                       DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

                       Bureau of the Public Debt

      gifts to the united states for reduction of the public debt

       For deposit of an additional amount for fiscal year 2001 
     into the account established under section 3113(d) of title 
     31, United States Code, to reduce the public debt, 
     $5,000,000,000.
       This Act may be cited as the ``Agriculture, Rural 
     Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001''.
       Following is explanatory language on H.R. 5426, as 
     introduced on October 6, 2000.
       The conferees on H.R. 4461 agree with the matter included 
     in H.R. 5426 and enacted in this conference report by 
     reference and the following description of it. This bill was 
     developed through negotiations by the conferees on the 
     differences in H.R. 4461. References in the following 
     description to the ``conference agreement'' mean the matter 
     included in the introduced bill enacted by this conference 
     report.

                        Congressional Directives

       The statement of the managers remains silent on provisions 
     that were in both the House and Senate bills that remain 
     unchanged by this conference agreement, except as noted in 
     this statement of the managers.
       The conferees agree that executive branch wishes cannot 
     substitute for Congress' own statements as to the best 
     evidence of congressional intentions--that is, the official 
     reports of the Congress. The conferees further point out that 
     funds in this Act must be used for the purposes for which 
     appropriated, as required by section 1301 of title 31 of the 
     United States Code, which provides: ``Appropriations shall be 
     applied only to the objects for which the appropriations were 
     made except as otherwise provided by law.''
       The House and Senate report language that is not changed by 
     the conference is approved by the committee of conference. 
     The statement of the managers, while repeating some report 
     language for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language 
     referred to above unless expressly provided herein.
       In cases in which the House or the Senate have directed the 
     submission of a report, such report is to be submitted to 
     both the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

                     TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

                 Production, Processing, and Marketing

                        Office of the Secretary

       The conference agreement provides $2,914,000 for the Office 
     of the Secretary instead of $2,836,000 as proposed by the 
     House and $27,914,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conferees note that $40,000,000 for the development and 
     implementation of a common computing environment is provided 
     under the heading ``Common Computing Environment'' instead of 
     $25,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement does not adopt bill language as 
     proposed by the Senate providing that funds for the 
     development and implementation of a common computing 
     environment shall be available only upon prior notice to the 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       The conference agreement does not include House language 
     permitting unobligated balances of representation funds in 
     the Foreign Agricultural Service to be used for official 
     reception and representation purposes.
       The conferees direct the Secretary to provide to the 
     Committees on Appropriations a detailed report of all USDA 
     activities related to Hurricane Mitch recovery efforts in 
     Central America. The report should specifically include, but 
     not be limited to, a list of all agencies that participated 
     in the efforts, the specific activities by each agency, the 
     cost incurred by each agency, and the source of funding for 
     these costs.
       The Secretary of Agriculture is urged to use ethanol, 
     biodiesel, and other alternative fuels to the maximum extent 
     practicable in meeting the fuel needs of the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       As the Administration proceeds with implementing the 1998 
     Congressional amendments to the Clean Air Act, the conferees 
     urge that it closely follow the legislative language defining 
     the quarantine and preshipment exemption. The conferees also 
     urge the Administration to work with stakeholders regarding 
     methyl bromide availability for critical post-harvest uses.

                          Executive Operations


                     Office of the Chief Economist

       The conference agreement provides $7,462,000 for the Office 
     of the Chief Economist as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $6,408,000 as proposed by the House.


                       National Appeals Division

       The conference agreement provides $12,421,000 for the 
     National Appeals Division (NAD) as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $11,718,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conferees direct that the Director of NAD track and 
     make available information about Director Review 
     Determinations that are made in favor of the Department and 
     those that are made in favor of the producer, and that NAD 
     make this information available to the public, and submit a 
     report to the Committees on Appropriations no later than 
     February 1, 2001, as proposed by the House.


                 Office of Budget and Program Analysis

       The conference agreement provides $6,765,000 for the Office 
     of Budget and Program Analysis as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $6,581,000 as proposed by the House.


                Office of the Chief Information Officer

       The conference agreement provides $10,051,000 for the 
     Office of the Chief Information Officer as proposed by the 
     House instead of $10,046,000 as proposed by the Senate. This 
     includes the following increases from the fiscal year 2000 
     level: $1,392,000 for a central cyber security program; 
     $1,280,000 to strengthen the information risk management 
     program; $1,116,000 for an information and telecommunications 
     security architecture; and $217,000 for pay costs.
       The conferees direct the Chief Information Officer to keep 
     the Committees updated on a quarterly basis as the 
     information security programs are implemented.


                      Common Computing Environment

       The conference agreement provides $40,000,000 in a separate 
     account for the Common Computing Environment instead of 
     $25,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conferees note that incorporating geographic 
     information systems technology and the use of geospatial 
     information are important components of the Common Computing 
     Environment.


                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

       The conference agreement provides $5,171,000 for the Office 
     of the Chief Financial Officer as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $4,783,000 as proposed by the House.

          Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration

       The conference agreement provides $629,000 for the Office 
     of the Assistant Secretary for

[[Page H9488]]

     Administration as proposed by the Senate instead of $613,000 
     as proposed by the House.

        Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments

       The conference agreement provides $182,747,000 for 
     Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $150,343,000 as proposed by 
     the House.
       The conferees expect that the five percent transfer 
     authority will be proposed when a move into General Services 
     Administration (GSA) space is vacated in favor of commercial 
     space. The report further notes that this flexibility is 
     provided to allow for incremental changes in the amount of 
     GSA space, and is not intended to finance changes in GSA 
     billing.

                      Departmental Administration

       The conference agreement provides $36,010,000 for 
     Departmental Administration instead of $34,708,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $36,840,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement reflects the transfer of $177,000 
     in FY 2000 for accounting support services from Departmental 
     Administration to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, 
     and increases of $979,000 for pay costs and $500,000 for 
     alternative dispute resolution.

     Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations

       The conference agreement provides $3,568,000 for the Office 
     of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations as 
     proposed by the House and the Senate. The conference 
     agreement allows funds to be transferred to the agencies, but 
     does not prescribe the amount of funds to be transferred. The 
     conferees direct the Department, within 30 days of enactment, 
     to notify the Committees on the allocation of these funds, 
     including an explanation for any agency-by-agency 
     distribution of these funds.

                        Office of Communications

       The conference agreement provides $8,623,000 for the Office 
     of Communications instead of $8,138,000 as proposed by the 
     House and $8,873,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes the increase requested 
     for pay costs and $250,000 for electronic access to 
     information.

                    Office of the Inspector General

       The conference agreement provides $68,867,000 for the 
     Office of the Inspector General instead of $66,867,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate and $65,097,000 as proposed by the 
     House.
       The conference agreement includes $2,000,000 for oversight 
     and audit activities involving the more than $16 billion 
     provided in emergency agricultural assistance in fiscal years 
     1999 and 2000. The conferees want to ensure the Inspector 
     General's office has resources to carry out its oversight 
     activities with respect to these funds.
       The conferees do not agree to language proposed by the 
     Senate directing the Inspector General to investigate whether 
     National Appeals Division decisions overwhelmingly favor the 
     Department. The conference agreement addresses this issue 
     under the National Appeals Division account.

                     Office of the General Counsel

       The conference agreement provides $31,080,000 for the 
     Office of the General Counsel as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $29,194,000 as proposed by the House.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics

       The conference agreement provides $556,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics 
     as proposed by the Senate instead of $540,000 as proposed by 
     the House.

                       Economic Research Service

       The conference agreement provides $67,038,000 for the 
     Economic Research Service as proposed by the Senate instead 
     of $66,419,000 as proposed by the House. Included in this 
     amount is $12,195,000 for USDA food assistance program 
     studies and evaluations, of which $1,000,000 is transferred 
     to the Food Program Administration account of the Food and 
     Nutrition Service as proposed by the Senate.
       Of the $1,000,000 to be transferred to the Food and 
     Nutrition Service for studies and evaluations, $500,000 is to 
     be made available for a study on the decline in participation 
     in the food stamp program. The FNS study on this issue is to 
     be completed by the Food and Nutrition Service within 180 
     days of enactment of this Act.
       The conferees note that the USDA released a study in June, 
     2000, on this same issue. In addition, the USDA has 
     contracted out for a broader, more in-depth study of food 
     stamp program access and declining food stamp participation. 
     The conferees are concerned that the studies to date neither 
     accounted for a large segment of the participation decline, 
     nor did they fully account for the corresponding rise in 
     demand among community food banks. The Department is 
     encouraged to develop the ongoing study in a manner to answer 
     these questions.
       The conferees direct the Economic Research Service to 
     provide an interim report, by April 15, 2001, on the number 
     of suppliers of infant formula in each state or major 
     marketing area, and to compare the cost of formula that is 
     included in the WIC rebate program versus the cost of formula 
     that is not in the WIC rebate program. The conferees expect a 
     final report by August 31, 2001.

                National Agricultural Statistics Service

       The conference agreement provides $100,772,000 for the 
     National Agricultural Statistics Service instead of 
     $100,851,000 as proposed by the House and $100,615,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. This amount includes $159,000 to 
     develop and implement a bi-weekly cream/milkfat price survey 
     to benefit all segments of the dairy industry.

                     Agricultural Research Service


                         Salaries and Expenses

       The conference agreement provides $898,812,000 for the 
     Agricultural Research Service instead of $843,584,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $871,593,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement approves all directives and 
     provides funding for all research and related costs, as 
     specified in the House and Senate reports accompanying the 
     fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill. Where increased funding 
     is provided by both the House and Senate for the same 
     research activity, the conference agreement provides funding 
     at the higher level.
       The conferees are aware that USDA is considering the 
     relocation of ARS scientists from the Shafter Cotton Research 
     Station, CA. The conferees are concerned that this relocation 
     will reduce the level of resources for cotton research 
     conducted at the station. The conference agreement provides 
     continued funding at the fiscal year 2000 level for this 
     research and directs that no action be taken to shift funds 
     or staffing resources from Shafter without the prior approval 
     of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress.
       The conferees recognize that ARS, Stoneville, MS, should be 
     properly credited with the development of a catfish line 
     (USDA 103) with improved growth characteristics. The 
     Stoneville Unit has also developed the first channel catfish 
     detailed genetic linkage map.
       Increased funding provided by the conference agreement for 
     endophyte research, as recommended by the House, is to be 
     divided equally among the participating institutions 
     (University of Arkansas, University of Missouri, and Oregon 
     State University).
       Increased funding provided by the conference agreement for 
     chicken genome mapping, as recommended by the House, is to be 
     carried out at the Avian Disease Oncology Laboratory, 
     currently located in East Lansing, Michigan.
       The conferees encourage the Department to carry out glassy-
     winged sharpshooter and Pierce's disease research at Parlier, 
     CA.
       The conferees expect the Department to ensure that funds 
     provided to the Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory 
     intended for potato research are fully utilized for potato 
     research.
       The conferees concur with House report language regarding 
     increased funding, as recommended by both the House and 
     Senate, for potato research at Prosser, WA.
       Increased funding provided by the conference agreement for 
     mosquito trapping research and West Nile virus, as 
     recommended by the House, is to be utilized for cooperative 
     research with the State of Connecticut Agricultural 
     Experiment Station for research that focuses on the West Nile 
     virus crisis. These resources will allow the experiment 
     station to enhance its on-going efforts to control and 
     eradicate this infectious disease.
       Within the increased funding provided by the conference 
     agreement for soil tilth research, as recommended by the 
     House, $350,000 is to be utilized for carbon cycle research 
     focusing on the corn-soybean rotation.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       The conference agreement provides $74,200,000 for 
     Agricultural Research Service, Building and Facilities 
     instead of $39,300,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $56,330,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The following table reflects the conference agreement:

Arizona: Water Conservation and Western Cotton Laboratory, Ma$5,000,000
California: Western Regional Research Center, Albany..........4,900,000
District of Columbia: U.S. National Arboretum.................3,330,000
Hawaii: U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo.5,000,000
Illinois: USDA Greenhouse Complex, Urbana.....................3,600,000
Iowa: National Animal Disease Center, Ames....................9,000,000
Kansas: U.S. Grain Marketing Research Laboratory, Manhattan...3,500,000
Maine: Northeast Marine Cold Water Aquaculture Research Center2,500,000
Maryland:
  Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville................13,300,000
  National Agricultural Li- brary, Beltsville.................1,770,000
Mississippi: Insect Rearing Facility, Stoneville..............5,000,000
Montana: Fort Keogh Laboratory, Miles City....................5,300,000
New York: Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport........7,000,000
Utah: Poisonous Plant Laboratory, Logan.......................5,000,090
                                                       ________________
                                                       
  Total.....................................................$74,200,000


[[Page H9489]]


       The conferees are aware that the Agriculture Research 
     Station and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
     are developing a Master Plan to construct new and expanded 
     facilities at Ames, Iowa. The conferees direct the Secretary 
     of Agriculture to assess the scope of and need for this 
     project based on the research and regulatory requirements of 
     the Department, and the relationship between this project and 
     existing capabilities available to the Department. The Office 
     of the Secretary of Agriculture is directed to submit a 
     report to the Committees on Appropriations by March 1, 2001 
     that will include this assessment as well as current 
     estimates of full costs and the proposed construction 
     schedule for this project. Of the funds appropriated no more 
     than $2,000,000 will be expended prior to March 30, 2001. The 
     Department will not commit additional funds on any of the 
     components of this project after that date unless the report 
     finds that the construction of the component is found to be 
     appropriate.

      Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


                   Research and Education Activities

       The conference agreement provides $506,193,000 for research 
     and education activities instead of $481,551,000 as proposed 
     by the House and $494,044,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The following table reflects the conference agreement:


                   Research and education activities

                       (In thousands of dollars)

                                                             Conference
                                                              Agreement
Payments under the Hatch Act...................................$180,545
Cooperative Forestry Research (McIntire-Stennis).................21,932
Payments to 1890 Colleges and Tuskegee University................32,676
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

Special Research Grants (Public Law 89-106):
  Advanced genetic technologies (KY)................................475
  Advanced spatial technologies (MS)..............................1,000
  Aegilops cylindricum (WA).........................................360
  Aflatoxin (IL)....................................................131
  Agricultural diversification (HI).................................131
  Agricultural diversity/Red River Trade Corridor (MN,ND)...........375
  Agricultural telecommunications (NY)..............................425
  Agriculture-based industrial lubricants (IA)......................350
  Agriculture water usage (GA)......................................300
  Agroecology (MD)..................................................285
  Alliance of food protection (GA, NE)..............................300
  Alternative crops (ND)............................................625
  Alternative corps for arid lands (TX).............................100
  Alternative nutrient management (VT)..............................190
  Alternative salmon products (AK)..................................645
  Animal science food safety consortium (AR, IA, KS)..............1,635
  Apple fire blight (MI, NY)........................................500
  Aquaculture (AR)..................................................238
  Aquaculture (FL)..................................................446
  Aquaculture (LA)..................................................330
  Aquaculture (MS)..................................................592
  Aquaculture (NC)..................................................300
  Aquaculture (VA)..................................................100
  Aquaculture (WA)..................................................285
  Aquaculture Product and Marketing Development (WV)................750
  Asparagus technology and production (WA)..........................225
  Babcock Institute (WI)............................................600
  Beef technology transfer (MO).....................................285
  Biobased technology (MI)..........................................285
  Bioinformatics (VA)...............................................475
  Biomass-based energy research (OK, MS)............................902
  Biotechnology (NC)................................................285
  Blocking anhydrous methamphetamine production (IA)................248
  Bovine Tuberculosis (MI)..........................................325
  Brucellosis vaccine (MT)..........................................496
  Center for animal health & productivity (PA)......................113
  Center for Rural Studies (VT).....................................200
  Chesapeake Bay agroecology (MD)...................................175
  Chesapeake Bay aquaculture........................................392
  Citrus canker (FL)..............................................4,750
  Citrus tristeza...................................................742
  Competitiveness of agriculture products (WA)......................680
  Cool season legume research (ID, WA)..............................329
  Cranberry/blueberry (MA)..........................................175
  Cranberry/blueberry disease and breeding (NJ).....................220
  Dairy and meat goat research (TX)................................. 63
  Dairy farm profitability (PA).....................................285
  Delta rural revitalization (MS)...................................205
  Designing foods for health (TX)...................................563
  Diaprepes/root weevil (FL)........................................395
  Drought mitigation (NE)...........................................200
  Ecosystems (AL)...................................................500
  Efficient irrigation (NM, TX)...................................1,188
  Environmental biotechnology (RI)..................................190
  Environmental horticulture (FL)...................................285
  Environmental research (NY).......................................400
  Environmental risk factors/cancer (NY)............................227
  Environmentally-safe products (VT)................................246
  Exotic pest diseases (CA).......................................1,250
  Expanded wheat pasture (OK).......................................293
  Farm injuries and illnesses (NC)..................................285
  Feed barley for rangeland cattle (MT).............................694
  Fish and shellfish technologies (VA)..............................475
  Floriculture (HI).................................................250
  Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (IA, MO)...........950
  Food irradiation (IA).............................................225
  Food Marketing Policy Center (CT).................................495
  Food processing center (NE)....................................... 42
  Food quality (AK).................................................350
  Food safety (AL)..................................................521
  Food safety research consortium (NY)..............................285
  Food Systems Research Group (WI)..................................500
  Forages for advancing livestock production (KY)...................375
  Forestry (AR).....................................................523
  Fruit and vegetable market analysis (AZ, MO)......................348
  Generic commodity promotions, research and evaluation (NY)........198
  Global change/ultraviolet radiation.............................1,434
  Grain sorghum (KS)................................................106
  Grass seed cropping systems for sustainable agriculture (ID, OR, 
    WA).............................................................423
  Human nutrition (IA)..............................................473
  Human nutrition (LA)..............................................752
  Human nutrition (NY)..............................................622
  Hydroponic tomato production (OH).................................100
  Illinois-Missouri Alliance for Biotechnology....................1,242
  Improved dairy management practices (PA)..........................398
  Improved early detection of crop disease (NC).....................198
  Improved fruit practices (MI).....................................445
  Infectious disease research (CO)..................................300
  Institute for Food Science & Engineering (AR)...................1,250
  Integrated production systems (OK)................................180
  Intelligent quality sensor for food safety (ND)...................142
  International arid lands consortium...............................495
  Iowa Biotechnology Consortium...................................1,564
  Livestock and dairy policy (NY, TX)...............................570
  Lowbush blueberry research (ME)...................................260
  Maple research (VT)...............................................119
  Meadowfoam (OR)...................................................300
  Michigan biotechnology consortium.................................725
  Midwest Advanced Food Manufacturing Alliance......................462
  Midwest agricultural products (IA)................................646
  Milk safety (PA)..................................................375
  Minor use animal drugs............................................550
  Molluscan shellfish (OR)..........................................400
  Multi-commodity research (OR).....................................364
  Multi-cropping strategies for aquaculture (HI)....................127
  National beef cattle genetic evaluation consortium (NY)...........285
  National biological impact assessment.............................254
  Nematode resistance genetic engineering (NM)......................127
  Nevada arid rangelands initiative (NV)............................300
  New crop opportunities (AK).......................................496
  New crop opportunities (KY).......................................725
  Non-food uses of agricultural products (NE)....................... 64
  Nursery, greenhouse, and turf specialities (AL)...................285
  Oil resources from desert plants (NM).............................175
  Organic waste utilization (NM)....................................100
  Pasture and forage research (UT)..................................250
  Peach tree short life (SC)........................................179
  Peanut allergy reduction (AL).....................................500
  Pest control alternatives (SC)....................................117
  Phytophthora root rot (NM)........................................138
  Pierce's disease (CA)...........................................1,900
  Plant, drought, and disease resistance gene cataloging (NM).......250
  Potato research.................................................1,450
  Precision agriculture (KY)........................................750
  Preharvest food safety (KS).......................................212
  Preservation and processing research (OK).........................226
  Produce pricing (AZ).............................................. 76
  Protein utilization (IA)..........................................190
  Rangeland ecosystems (NM).........................................300
  Red snapper research (AL).........................................725
  Regional barley gene mapping project..............................588
  Regionalized implications of farm programs (MO, TX)...............294
  Rice Modeling (AR)................................................296
  Rural Development Centers (PA, IA, ND, MS, OR, LA)................523
  Rural Policies Research Institute (NE, IA, MO)....................822
  Russian wheat aphid (CO)..........................................250
  Safe vegetable production (GA)....................................285
  Satsuma orange research (AL)......................................475
  Sclerotina disease research (MN)..................................238
  Seafood and acquaculture harvesting, processing, and marketing 
    (MS)............................................................305

[[Page H9490]]

  Seafood harvesting, processing, and marketing (AK)..............1,168
  Seafood safety (MA)...............................................278
  Small fruit research (OR, WA, ID).................................325
  Southwest consortium for plant genetics and water resources.......369
  Soybean cyst nematode (MO)........................................600
  STEEP-water quality in the Pacific Northwest......................500
  Sustainable agriculture (CA)......................................393
  Sustainable agriculture (MI)......................................445
  Sustainable agriculture and natural resources (PA)................100
  Sustainable agriculture systems (NE).............................. 59
  Sustainable agriculture beef supply (MT)..........................744
  Sustainable pest management for dryland wheat (MT)................462
  Swine waste management (NC).......................................500
  Technological development of renewable resources (MO).............285
  Tillage silviculture, waste management (LA).......................212
  Tomato wilt virus (GA)............................................250
  Tropical aquaculture (FL).........................................198
  Tropical and subtropical research/T STAR........................3,862
  Turkey carna virus (IN)...........................................200
  Value-added product development from agricultural resources (MT)..332
  Value-added products (IL)......................................... 95
  Vidalia onions (GA)...............................................250
  Viticulture consortium (NY, CA, PA).............................1,500
  Water conservation (KS)........................................... 79
  Weed control (ND).................................................436
  Wetland plants (LA)...............................................600
  Wheat genetic research (KS).......................................261
  Wheat sawfly research (MT)........................................332
  Wood utilization (AK, ID, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, OR, TN)...........5,786
  Wool research (TX, MT, WY)........................................300
                                                             __________
                                                             
      Subtotal, Special Grants...................................85,669
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

Improved pest control:
  Emerging pests/critical issues....................................200
  Expert IPM decision support system................................177
  Integrated pest management......................................2,731
  IR-4 minor crop pest management.................................8,990
  Pest management alternatives....................................1,623
                                                             __________
                                                             
      Subtotal, Improved pest control............................13,721
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants...........106,000
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

Animal health and disease (sec. 1433).............................5,109
Alternative crops...................................................800
Critical Agricultural Materials Act.................................640
1994 Institutions research program................................1,000
Institution challenge grants......................................4,350
Graduate fellowships grants.......................................3,000
Multicultural scholars program....................................1,000
Hispanic education partnership grants.............................3,500
Capacity building grants (1890 Institutions)......................9,500
Payments to the 1994 Institutions.................................1,552
Alaska Native serving and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions 
  education grants................................................3,000
Secondary agriculture education.....................................800
Sustainable agriculture research and education/SARE...............9,250
Aquaculture centers (sec. 1475)...................................4,000
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

Federal Administration:
  Agriculture development in the American Pacific...................564
  Agriculture waste utilization (WV)................................496
  Agriculture water policy (GA).....................................366
  Alternative fuels characterization laboratory (ND)................259
  Animal waste management (OK)......................................275
  Biotechnology (MS)................................................591
  Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (IA)................428
  Center for innovative food technology (OH)........................761
  Center for North American Studies (TX)............................ 87
  Climate change research (FL)......................................170
  Cotton research (TX)..............................................500
  Data Information system.........................................2,125
  Geographic information system...................................1,025
  Germplasm development in forage grasses (OH)......................100
  Livestock marketing information center (CO).......................185
  Mariculture (NC)..................................................325
  Mississippi Valley State University...............................647
  National Center for Peanut Competitiveness (GA)...................400
  Office of Extramural Programs.....................................449
  Pay costs and FERS..............................................1,100
  Peer panels.......................................................350
  PM-10 air quality study (WA)......................................436
  Precision agriculture/Geospatial Training and Application Center 
    (AL)............................................................587
  Precision agriculture/Tennessee Valley Research and Extension 
    Center (AL).....................................................147
  Shrimp aquaculture (AZ, HI, MA, MS, SC, TX).....................4,177
  Sustainable agriculture development (OH)..........................475
  Urban silviculture (NY)...........................................238
  Water quality (IL)................................................349
  Water quality (ND)................................................395
  Wetland plants (WV)...............................................142
                                                             __________
                                                             
      Subtotal, Federal Administration...........................18,149
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

      Total, Research and Education Activities.................$506,193

       The conference agreement includes $800,000 for alternative 
     crops, of which $600,000 is for canola and $200,000 is for 
     hesperaloe and other natural products from desert plants.
       The conference agreement for Binational Agricultural 
     Research and Development (BARD) is included under the 
     ``Agricultural Research Service, Salaries and Expenses'' 
     account, which provides $400,000 as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $400,000 under CSREES Research and Education 
     Activities as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement provides $106,000,000 for the 
     National Research Initiative (NRI), without specifying the 
     breakdown of funds to support the ``high priority research'' 
     areas authorized by 7 U.S.C. 450i(b). However, the conferees 
     direct that $20,788,000 of this amount, the full request 
     level, be made available to support the President's Food 
     Safety Initiative. The conferees also encourage a fair 
     distribution of resources between research on animal systems 
     and plants.
       The conferees are aware that CSREES intends to fill the 
     position of National Program Leader, Agricultural 
     Engineering, vacated by retirement. The conferees intend that 
     the primary responsibilities of the position should continue 
     to support ginning education and technology transfer and be 
     based at a USDA ginning laboratory facility to maintain 
     efficiency and ensure close communications with stakeholders 
     and researchers.


              Native American Institutions Endowment Fund

       The conference agreement provides $7,100,000 for the Native 
     American Institutions Endowment Fund as proposed by both the 
     House and the Senate, with technical corrections as proposed 
     by the Senate.


                          Extension Activities

       The conference agreement provides $433,429,000 for 
     extension activities instead of $431,540,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $427,380,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The following table reflects the conference agreement:


                          Extension Activities

                       [In thousands of dollars]

                                                             Conference
                                                              agreement
Smith-Lever sections 3(b) and (c)..............................$276,548
Smith-Lever section 3(d):
  Farm safety.....................................................4,000
  Food and nutrition education...................................58,695
  Indian reservation agents.......................................2,000
  Pesticide applicator training.......................................0
  Pest management................................................10,783
  Rural development centers.........................................908
  Sustainable agriculture.........................................3,800
  Youth at risk...................................................8,500
  Youth farm safety education and certification.....................500
Renewable Resources Extension Act.................................3,192
1890 Colleges & Tuskegee University..............................28,243
1890 facilities grants...........................................12,200
Rural health and safety education.................................2,628
Extension services at the 1994 institutions.......................3,280
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Subtotal....................................................415,277
                                                       ================

Federal administration:
  After-school program (CA).........................................399
  Ag in the Classroom...............................................452
  Beef producers improvement (AR)...................................197
  Botanical garden initiative (IL)..................................238
  Conservation technology transfer (WI).............................475
  Dairy education (IA)..............................................238
  Delta Teachers Academy..........................................3,500
  Diabetes detection, prevention (WA)...............................926
  Efficient irrigation (NM/TX)....................................1,900
  Extension specialist (MS).........................................100
  Family farm beef industry network (OH)..........................1,320
  Food animal residue avoidance database/FARAD......................285
  Food Electronically and Effectively Distributed (FEED) demonstration 
    project (OR)....................................................167
  Income enhancement demonstration (OH).............................246
  Integrated cow/calf management (IA)...............................285
  National Center for Agriculture Safety (IA).......................195
  Pilot technology transfer (WI)....................................163
  Pilot technology transfer (OK, MS)................................326
  Potato pest management (WI).......................................190
  Range improvement (NM)............................................197

[[Page H9491]]

  Rural development (AK)............................................618
  Rural development (NM)............................................280
  Rural rehabilitation (GA).........................................246
  Vocational agriculture (OK).......................................276
  Wood biomass as an alternative farm product (NY)..................197
  General administration and pay..................................4,736
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Federal Administration................................18,152
                                                       ================

    Total, Extension Activities................................$433,429

       The conference agreement includes $4,000,000 for farm 
     safety, of which $2,800,000 is for the AgrAbility project.


                         Integrated Activities

       The conference agreement provides $41,941,000 for 
     integrated activities instead of $39,541,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $43,365,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The following table reflects the conference agreement:


                     Integrated Activities Account

                       [In thousands of dollars]

                                                             Conference
                                                              agreement
Integrated Research, Education and Extension Competitive Grants 
    Program:
  Water Quality.................................................$13,000
  Food Safety....................................................15,000
  Pesticide Impact Assessment.....................................4,541
  Crops at Risk From FQPA Implementation..........................1,500
  FQPA Risk Mitigation Program for Major Food Crop Systems........4,900
  Methyl Bromide Transition Program...............................2,500
  Organic Transition Program........................................500
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Integrated Activities.................................41,941

       The conferees direct the Department to continue funding for 
     the Farm*A*Syst program at no less than the fiscal year 1999 
     level, and encourage the Department to give consideration to 
     $4,000,000 for this program within the funds provided for 
     water quality.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

       The conference agreement provides $635,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs 
     as proposed by the Senate instead of $618,000 as proposed by 
     the House.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service


                         Salaries and Expenses

       The conference agreement provides $530,564,000 for the 
     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) instead of 
     $469,985,000 as proposed by the House and $458,149,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement does not include the House bill 
     language ``reduced by $15,510.''
       The conference agreement includes language permitting up to 
     $1,000,000 for wildlife services methods development pilot 
     projects for wildlife predation of livestock.
       The conference agreement includes an additional $59,400,000 
     for boll weevil eradication program as proposed by the Senate 
     in Division B.
       The conferees direct the agency not to deduct 
     administrative and overhead expenses from the additional 
     funding provided for boll weevil eradication. The conferees 
     support the producer-governed Boll Weevil Action Committee's 
     unanimously approved plan for allocation of the emergency and 
     regular funding for eradication zones active as of December 
     1, 2000. The conferees understand the plan provides for 
     distribution of funds on a pro-rata basis with exceptions to 
     address special funding requirements arising from 
     extraordinary circumstances in Oklahoma, Mississippi and 
     possibly Tennessee.
       The conferees are concerned about the need for more control 
     of rabies. The conferees direct the Secretary of Agriculture 
     to issue a declaration of emergency with regard to rabies in 
     West Virginia, Ohio, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, 
     Pennsylvania, and Texas, and to provide an additional 
     $4,100,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level for control 
     efforts by the Animal and Plant Health Service (APHIS), 
     Wildlife Services. Of this amount, not less than $1,300,000 
     is to be directed toward cooperative rabies control in West 
     Virginia.
  The following table reflects the conference agreement:

                       [In thousands of dollars]

                                                             Conference
                                                              agreement
Pest and Disease Exclusion:
  Agricultural quarantine inspection............................$38,970
  User fees......................................................85,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Subtotal, Agricultural Quarantine Inspection................123,970
  Cattle ticks....................................................5,276
  Foot-and-mouth disease..........................................3,803
  Import/export...................................................7,025
  Sanitary/phytosanitary management...............................8,205
  Fruit fly exclusion and detection..............................32,610
  Screwworm......................................................30,375
  Tropical bont tick................................................407
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Pest and Disease Exclusion...........................211,671
                                                       ================

Plant and Animal Health Monitoring:
  Animal health monitoring and surveillance......................68,653
  Animal and plant health regulatory enforcement..................6,263
  Emergency Management System.....................................2,997
  Pest detection..................................................6,729
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Plant and Animal Health Monitoring....................84,642
                                                       ================

Pest and Disease Management Programs:
  Aquaculture.......................................................920
  Biocontrol......................................................8,318
  Boll weevil....................................................79,157
  Brucellosis eradication.........................................9,943
  Emerging plant pests............................................3,533
  Golden nematode...................................................580
  Gypsy moth......................................................4,417
  Imported fire ant...............................................2,100
  Noxious weeds...................................................1,124
  Pink bollworm...................................................1,548
  Pseudorabies....................................................4,039
  Scrapie eradication.............................................3,024
  Tuberculosis....................................................5,474
  Wildlife services operations...................................36,781
  Witchweed.......................................................1,506
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Pest and Disease Management..........................162,464
                                                       ================

Animal Care:
  Animal welfare.................................................12,167
  Horse protection..................................................398
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Animal Care...........................................12,565
                                                       ================

Scientific and Technical Services:
  Biotechnology/environmental protection.........................10,021
  Integrated systems acquisition project..........................1,000
  Plant methods development laboratories..........................4,806
  Veterinary biologics...........................................10,751
  Veterinary diagnostics.........................................17,514
  Wildlife Services methods development..........................11,025
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Scientific and Technical Services.....................55,117
                                                       ================

Contingency fund..................................................4,105
Invasive species......................................................0
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Contingency Fund and Invasive Species..................4,105
                                                       ================

    Total, Salaries and Expenses................................530,564

       The conference agreement provides $625,000 for a 
     cooperative agreement with Georgia Wildlife Services and the 
     University of Georgia to conduct research on and control of 
     game bird predation in Georgia.
       The conference agreement provides an increase of $1,000,000 
     above the fiscal year 2000 level for predator control 
     programs for livestock operators in Montana, Idaho and 
     Wyoming.
       The conference agreement provides $50,000 to begin studies 
     in order to better understand the effect of American white 
     pelicans and their associated ecology on the aquaculture 
     industry in the Mid-south.
       The conferees are aware that the General Accounting Office 
     has been asked to provide an analysis of the likely impact of 
     an extension of the Andean Trade Preferences Act on imports 
     of Peruvian asparagus within six months of the date of 
     enactment of this Act. The conferees support this request and 
     note the importance of completion of the study by the date 
     requested.
       The conferees urge the use of the VAC-TRAC Verification 
     System (VTVS) through Artificial Intelligence networking in 
     the establishment of the permanent animal identification 
     system in the United States. The VTVS will possibly help 
     enforce APHIS' port of entry agricultural quarantine program 
     and assure the safety and efficacy of veterinary biological 
     and agricultural biotechnology products overseen by APHIS.
       The conference agreement includes an increase of $1,000,000 
     above the fiscal year 2000 level for aviation operations and 
     safety.
       The conference agreement includes an increase of $2,000,000 
     above the fiscal year 2000 level for the shared 
     responsibility with the states to conduct surveys, compliance 
     monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities affiliated with 
     the fire ant quarantine of nursery and greenhouse plants 
     including control, management and eradication of the imported 
     fire ant in New Mexico.
       The conference agreement provides $500,000 for research and 
     evaluation of nicarbazin as a means of controlling goose and 
     other avian populations and to increase airport safety.
       The conference agreement does not adopt House report 
     language regarding apportionment of funds by the Office of 
     Management and Budget. The conferees direct the Department to 
     notify the Committees on Appropriations when funds are 
     released from the

[[Page H9492]]

     Commodity Credit Corporation for APHIS programs.
       The conference agreement provides $920,000 for aquaculture 
     including an increase of $191,000 above the fiscal year 2000 
     level to continue the telemetry studies on depredating 
     species of wildlife in the Southeast and to pay for cost 
     increases. The conference agreement also includes $100,000 to 
     support a wildlife biologist at the Northwest Florida 
     Aquaculture Farm in Blountstown, FL.
       The conference agreement provides an increase of $124,000 
     for the National Poultry Improvement Program.
       The conferees emphasize that they expect the Secretary to 
     continue to conduct a wildlife services program consistent 
     with the program in place on the date of enactment of this 
     Act. The Secretary is expected to take all actions deemed 
     necessary and proper to protect agricultural resources, 
     natural resources, property, and public health and safety on 
     all lands with respect to injurious animals such as 
     predators, rodents, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The 
     conferees also emphasize the importance to develop and 
     implement methods that best promote and further utilize non-
     lethal means of control in order to sustain diversity of and 
     reduce harm to native species, and realize savings and 
     efficiencies among public agencies and those seeking agency 
     assistance. The conferees expect the Secretary to continue 
     cooperating with all parties interested in agency activities 
     and to conduct such investigations, experiments, and tests as 
     he may deem necessary and proper to determine, demonstrate, 
     and promulgate the best methods of eliminating the threats 
     posed by injurious animals in the most efficient and humane 
     manner practicable. The conferees further expect the General 
     Accounting Office to provide a report to the Appropriations 
     Committees of the House and the Senate by November 30, 2001 
     on actions taken or planned by Wildlife Services to reduce 
     the threats posed by injurious animals; the nature, severity, 
     and harm resulting from such threats; specific costs and 
     benefits of agency operations; and opportunities for 
     developing effective non-lethal methods of control as 
     evidenced by evaluations of actual agency activities on farms 
     and ranches representative of client appeals for assistance 
     and results.
       The conference agreement provides an increase of $50,000 
     above the fiscal year 2000 level for a cooperative agreement 
     with Murray State University, Breathitt Veterinary Center, 
     Hopkinsville, KY to determine the impact on animal health 
     from common agricultural chemical usage.
       The conference agreement provides an increase of $2,370,000 
     above the fiscal year 2000 level for the emergency management 
     systems program so the agency can respond to crises that 
     threaten the economic health of the animal industry.
       The conferees direct the agency to evaluate its authority 
     and its resources for sufficiency to promote the safety of 
     companion animals transported on commercial airlines. This 
     study should include recommendations regarding any authority 
     needed by the agency to improve animal safety on all 
     commercial airlines.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       The conference agreement provides $9,870,000 for Animal and 
     Plant Health Inspection Service Buildings and Facilities as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $5,200,000 as proposed by 
     the House.

                     Agricultural Marketing Service


                           Marketing Services

       The conference agreement provides $65,335,000 for the 
     Agricultural Marketing Service instead of $56,326,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $64,696,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate. The conference agreement provides that $639,000 shall 
     be transferred for the National Organic Standards program 
     only after promulgation of a final rule as proposed by the 
     House. The total amount recommended includes: $5,900,000 for 
     the Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 1999 as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $3,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House; $6,235,000 for the Microbiological Data 
     program as proposed by the Senate; an increase of 
     $1,106,000 for the Pesticide Data program as proposed by 
     the House instead of $1,137,000 as proposed by the Senate; 
     and an increase of $31,000 for the Federal-State Marketing 
     Improvement program as proposed by the House.
       The conferees expect that, prior to implementation of the 
     recommendations of the USDA Research and Promotion Task 
     Force, the Agricultural Marketing Service will conduct a cost 
     and benefit analysis of the recommendations of the USDA 
     Research and Promotion Task Force, and report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate on the cost implications to the affected 
     commodity promotion boards.
       The conferees place the highest emphasis on ensuring the 
     safety of meals delivered through USDA's various feeding 
     programs. The conferees direct that USDA will not preclude 
     the use of any USDA-approved food safety technology in the 
     preparation of food for its meal or nutrition programs.


                   Payments to States and Possessions

       The conference agreement provides $1,350,000 for the 
     Payments to States and Possessions program instead of 
     $1,500,000 as proposed by the House and $1,200,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.

        Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


                         Salaries and Expenses

       The conference agreement provides $31,420,000 for the Grain 
     Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration instead of 
     $27,801,000 as proposed by the House and $27,269,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes $600,000 for the 
     completion of a biotechnology facility.
       The conferees direct the Secretary of Agriculture to 
     conduct a comprehensive study on the issue of captive supply, 
     and deliver a report by September 30, 2001. In particular, 
     the Secretary is instructed to examine and report on whether 
     or not the cattle that are procured pursuant to a captive 
     supply arrangement by a packer's non-reporting subsidiary, 
     affiliate and owners, officers and employees are being 
     included in the percentages as captive supply. The report 
     shall also include the reasons why GIPSA's annual ``Packers 
     and Stockyard Statistical Report'' frequently reports a 
     captive supply percentage much lower than the percentages 
     reported by other entities.

             Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

       The conference agreement provides $460,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Food Safety as proposed by the 
     Senate instead of $446,000 as proposed by the House.

                   Food Safety and Inspection Service

       The conference agreement provides $696,704,000 for the Food 
     Safety and Inspection Service instead of $673,790,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $678,011,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement includes $591,258,000 for federal 
     food inspection.
       The conference agreement includes $6,000,000 to be used to 
     the extent approved by the Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget to liquidate obligations incurred in 
     previous years that violated the Antideficiency Act. The 
     conferees expect the agency to take appropriate action to 
     avoid violations of the Antideficiency Act from occurring 
     again.
       The conference agreement does not adopt Senate bill 
     language providing that the appropriation shall not be 
     available for shell egg surveillance under the Egg Products 
     Inspection Act.
       The conferees direct the agency to provide $500,000 to the 
     National Research Council for an evaluation, at the earliest 
     date practicable, by the National Research Council of the 
     role of scientifically determined criteria, including 
     microbiological criteria, in the production and regulation of 
     meat and poultry products and a report, including 
     recommendations to the Secretary, to be prepared by the 
     National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for 
     Foods, no later that March 1, 2001, regarding microbiological 
     performance standards, including the role of such standards 
     as a means of assuring meat and poultry product safety, as 
     well as such other considerations as the Committee deems 
     appropriate. These activities should in no way delay the 
     implementation of the HACCP inspection system or other food 
     safety activities.
       The conferees direct the agency to continue to provide the 
     Quarterly Report on Budget Execution and Staffing to the 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       The conference agreement does not include language under 
     this heading which permits FSIS to expend funds appropriated 
     for FY 2001 to liquidate overobligations and overexpenditures 
     incurred in previous fiscal years as proposed by the House.
       The conferees note that the conference agreement provides 
     for all mandatory pay cost increases and the full amount 
     requested for the FSIS portion of the Food Safety Initiative.
       The conference agreement includes full funding for 
     inspection costs and activities and $2,039,000 for activities 
     related to the Codex Alimentarius. The conferees note 
     increased responsibilities for the agency regarding 
     participation in the Codex Alimentarius. The conference 
     agreement provides for not to exceed $50,000 for 
     representational expenses associated with Codex activities.
       The conferees direct a report by March 1, 2001 on meat and 
     poultry inspection regulations in place prior to publication 
     of the Pathogen Reduction HACCP Rule.
       Furthermore, the conferees, in supporting food safety 
     regulations based upon the best available science, recognize 
     the importance of the National Advisory Committee for 
     Microbiological Criteria for Foods' (NACMF) chartered mission 
     of providing impartial, scientific advice to Federal agencies 
     on food safety matters. The conferees, therefore, direct that 
     as part of Department of Health and Human Services and 
     Department of Agriculture's ongoing rechartering of the 
     NACMF, the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services shall: (1) appoint a number of 
     members consistent with scientific advisory committees 
     utilized by agencies such as the Food and Drug 
     Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection 
     Agency; (2) adhere strictly to applicable Federal 
     conflict-of-interest requirements for Federal advisory 
     committee membership; (3) report to the Committee on 
     Appropriations and Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the U.S. Senate, the Committee on 
     Appropriations and Committee on Agriculture in the U.S. 
     House of Representatives, and the Secretaries of 
     Agriculture and Health and Human Services on any conflicts 
     of interest

[[Page H9493]]

     of NACMF members involved in making recommendations to 
     federal agencies, whether waived under applicable Federal 
     law or not, and what those conflicts are.

    Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
                                Services

       The conference agreement provides $589,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
     Services as proposed by the Senate instead of $572,000 as 
     proposed by the House.

                          Farm Service Agency


                         Salaries and Expenses

       The conference agreement provides $828,385,000 for the 
     salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the 
     same as proposed by the House, Senate and President's budget 
     request. The conferees are concerned, however, that the 
     budget request did not include a funding request sufficient 
     to maintain FSA county office employees at the fiscal year 
     2000 level. Rural communities and agricultural producers rely 
     heavily on the programs administered by the FSA county office 
     employees during periods of economic decline. Since the 
     economic crisis and FSA workload are not expected to decline 
     in the near future, the conferees expect that future funding 
     requests will fully support the workload needs of county 
     office employees.

                         State Mediation Grants

       The conferees are aware of outstanding issues regarding 
     confidentiality of client information and auditing 
     requirements necessary to maintain program integrity in the 
     State Mediation Program. The conferees strongly encourage the 
     relevant agencies to work cooperatively to balance those 
     program interests and propose further reauthorization 
     requirements as appropriate.


           Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account

       The following table reflects the conference agreement:

Farm Ownership Loans:
  Guaranteed.............................................($870,000,000)
  Subsidy.....................................................4,437,000
Farm Operating Loans:
  Direct..................................................(525,000,000)
  Subsidy....................................................47,355,000
  Unsubsidized Guaranteed...............................(1,077,839,000)
  Subsidy....................................................14,770,000
  Subsidized Guaranteed...................................(369,902,000)
  Subsidy....................................................30,185,000
Emergency Loans............................................(25,000,000)
  Subsidy.....................................................6,133,000
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans.........................(2,006,000)
  Subsidy.......................................................323,000

       The conferees considered the estimated large carry over 
     balances in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program 
     account in determining the fiscal year 2001 funding amounts. 
     The estimated carry over balances and the conference 
     agreement reflect at a minimum the President's budget 
     request. In the case of emergency loans, the total amount 
     available is $292,802,000 with a subsidy of $71,825,000, 
     reflecting an increase of $142,738,000 and $35,014,000, 
     respectively, over the President's request.

                         Risk Management Agency

       The conference agreement provides $65,597,000 for the Risk 
     Management Agency (RMA) as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $67,700,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conferees recognize the importance of improved risk 
     management tools for dairy farmers and expect the RMA to 
     allow the participation of producers in the Dairy Options 
     Pilot Program (DOPP) for more than one year. The complexities 
     inherent in DOPP require a full understanding of all facets 
     of the program rather than a mere introduction to any 
     benefits or problems. Accordingly, the Administrator of RMA 
     is directed to report to the Appropriations Committees of the 
     House and the Senate by January 2001 on agency compliance 
     with this directive.

                              CORPORATIONS

                   Commodity Credit Corporation Fund


                 Reimbursement for Net Realized Losses

       The conference agreement provides such sums as may be 
     necessary to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for 
     net realized losses as proposed by the Senate instead of a 
     limitation of $27,771,007,000 as proposed by the House.

                    TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

  Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

       The conference agreement provides $711,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment 
     as proposed by the Senate instead of no appropriation as 
     proposed by the House.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service


                        Conservation Operations

       The conference agreement provides $714,116,000 for 
     Conservation Operations as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $676,812,000 as proposed by the House. Included in this 
     amount is not less than $9,125,000 for operation and 
     establishment of plant materials centers as proposed by the 
     House instead of not less than $9,975,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement provides $2,000,000 for the Urban 
     Resources Partnership program, the same amount as the budget 
     request, of which $1,000,000 is available only after 
     promulgation of a final rule for the program.
       The conference agreement includes language that makes 
     $204,000 available for the American Heritage Rivers program, 
     the same amount as the budget request.
       The conferees recognize the long-term nature of the 
     technical assistance work associated with EQIP contracts and 
     recommend that the technical assistance component be 
     reimbursed, from the Commodity Credit Corporation, for all 
     costs associated with new and existing contracts.
       In addition to the items in the House and Senate reports 
     that are not changed by the conference agreement, funding is 
     included for the following items: fiscal year 2000 funding 
     level for the National Water Management Center in Arkansas; 
     $290,000 to expand cooperative efforts with Delaware State 
     University as proposed by the House instead of $500,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate; $5,000,000 for pilot projects for 
     technology systems resulting in nutrient reduction in Florida 
     and North Carolina instead of $1,600,000 as proposed by the 
     House; $525,000 for a cooperative agreement with the Georgia 
     Soil and Water Conservation Commission; $750,000 for Hungry 
     Canyon/Loess Hills erosion control instead of $900,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate; $500,000 above the fiscal year 2000 
     funding level for Chesapeake Bay activities instead of 
     $1,000,000 as proposed by the Senate; $250,000 for the 
     Squirrel Branch drainage project in Mississippi instead of 
     $500,000 as proposed by the Senate; $100,000 for a 
     cooperative agreement for soil erosion and water quality 
     analysis with Alcorn State University; $150,000 for 
     Tallahagga grade stabilization; no funds to implement Phase 
     II for watershed work in Walton, New York instead of $525,000 
     as proposed by the House; $300,000 for a study to 
     characterize land use change in cooperation with Clemson 
     University instead of $350,000 as proposed by the Senate; 
     $300,000 for Oregon Garden in Silverton instead of $400,000 
     as proposed by the Senate; $225,000 to test emerging 
     alternative technology to reduce phosphorus loading into Lake 
     Champlain instead of $300,000 as proposed by the Senate; 
     $18,000,000 for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative as 
     proposed by the House instead of $17,000,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate; $725,000 for the Great Lakes Basin Program 
     instead of $700,000 as proposed by the House and $750,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate; $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 
     level for the Wildlife Management Institute for developing 
     and transferring fish and wildife technology to States and 
     field offices; and an increase of $14,060,000 above the 
     fiscal year 2000 funding level for AFO/CAFO instead of 
     $8,660,000 above fiscal year 2000 as proposed by the House.


                     Watershed Surveys and Planning

       The conference agreement provides $10,868,000 for Watershed 
     Surveys and Planning as proposed by the House instead of 
     $10,705,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference 
     agreement includes language providing $136,000 for American 
     Heritage Rivers, the same amount as requested in the budget.


               Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations

       The conference agreement provides $99,443,000 as proposed 
     by the Senate instead of $83,423,000 as proposed by the 
     House. The conference agreement includes $15,000,000 for 
     watersheds authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1936 as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $12,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House.
       The conference report includes a provision that earmarks 
     $8,000,000 of the funds available for Emergency Watershed 
     Protection activities for Mississippi, Wisconsin, New Mexico, 
     and Ohio for financial and technical assistance for pilot 
     rehabilitation projects.
       The conference agreement includes funds for a study in 
     cooperation with the town of Johnston, Rhode Island, on 
     floodplain management for the Pocasset River.
       In addition to the items in the House and Senate reports 
     that are not changed by the conference agreement, the 
     following item is included: funds for financial assistance to 
     implement Phase II of a multi-year agreement between the NRCS 
     and the Watershed Agricultural Council in Walton, New York 
     including funds to monitor perpetual stewardship easements.


                 Resource Conservation and Development

       The conference agreement provides $42,015,000 for Resource 
     Conservation and Development instead of $41,708,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $36,265,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.


                      Forestry Incentives Program

       The conference agreement provides $6,325,000 for the 
     Forestry Incentives Program as proposed by the Senate. The 
     House bill provided no funds for this account.

      TITLE III--RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

          Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

       The conference agreement provides $605,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Rural Development as proposed by 
     the Senate instead of $588,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conferees expect the Department to give consideration 
     to the following requests for assistance from rural 
     development programs: rural business enterprise grants to the 
     Lower Mississippi Delta Development Center in Memphis, TN, 
     the Central Kentucky Growers in Georgetown, KY, the Warren 
     County Port Commission in Vicksburg, MS, and the York (PA) 
     Farmers' Market; assistance from community facilities 
     grant and loan programs for construction of a Filipino 
     community center in Waipahu in Honolulu County, HI; 
     assistance from the distance

[[Page H9494]]

     learning program to the Memphis Mid-south Telemedicine 
     Network Initiative in Tennessee and an outreach program 
     for e-commerce and a high school mentoring program at New 
     Mexico State University; financial assistance to the Town 
     of Newton, MA for upgrades to the sewer system to comply 
     with Clean Water Act standards; funding for the Rockland 
     County (NY) Cornell Cooperative Extension facility; 
     financial assistance, including use of other federal funds 
     to offset USDA loans, for new wastewater treatment 
     facilities in Beach City, OH, and assistance to deal with 
     the environmental health risk due to the quality of water 
     in Browning and East Glacier, MT located on the Blackfeet 
     Indian Reservation and assistance for a sanitary sewers 
     project in Jerusalem Township, Lucas County, OH.
       The conferees expect the Department to apply established 
     review procedures when considering applications.
       The conferees direct the Department to fund the completion 
     of a study by the National Ground Water Association that 
     would identify and develop strategies to address economic, 
     legal, technological, or public health issues that must be 
     addressed prior to developing a publicly financed program to 
     assist individual low and moderate income households to 
     secure financing for the installation or refurbishing of 
     individually owned household water well systems.
       The conferees recognize the urgent need to provide adequate 
     medical care for the members of the Mississippi Band of 
     Choctaw Indians (the Tribe) and other eligible individuals 
     residing in east central Mississippi including Attala, 
     Winston, Noxubee, Leake, Neshoba, Kemper, Scott, Newton, 
     Jasper, and Jones counties. The Tribe, under the provisions 
     of a Self-Governance Compact with the Indian Health Service/
     U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the major 
     provider of comprehensive health care services to this large 
     community. Given the rapid population growth in this 
     community, especially young children, the conferees 
     understand there is a critical need to update, expand and 
     modernize the Tribe's existing medical facilities especially 
     the Choctaw Health Center, the Choctaw Residential Center, 
     and the Tribe's ambulatory medical and dental care facilities 
     in the outlying rural clinics in Red Water, Bogue Chitto, and 
     Conehatta.


                  Rural Community Advancement Program

       The conference agreement provides $762,542,000 for the 
     Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP) instead of 
     $775,837,000 as proposed by the House and $759,284,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement does not include Senate language 
     that specifies program levels within the total made available 
     under the RCAP for assistance to Native Americans. The 
     conferees are aware of housing, utility, business 
     opportunity, and educational infrastructure needs and direct 
     the Department to allocate program benefits in a manner that 
     best serves the requirements of this population, but expect 
     that up to $4,000,000 shall be available for community 
     facility grants for tribal college improvements.
       The conference agreement adopts House language setting 
     aside funds provided for Federally Recognized Native American 
     Tribes for technical assistance for rural transportation.
       The conference agreement does not adopt House language 
     setting aside $2,000,000 for an agritourism program. The 
     conferees direct the Department to consider requests for 
     agritourism funding and use funds provided under the RCAP to 
     assist meritorious projects.
       The conference agreement adopts House language setting 
     aside $5,000,000 for hazardous weather early warning systems.
       The conference agreement adopts House language setting 
     aside $5,000,000 for rural partnership technical assistance 
     grants.
       The conference agreement does not adopt House language 
     setting aside $2,000,000 for loans to firms that market and 
     process biobased products.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     for up to one percent of funds provided for water and waste 
     disposal systems in Alaska for program administration and up 
     to one percent to improve interagency coordination.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     $16,125,000 for technical assistance grants.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language setting 
     aside $34,704,000 for Rural Utility Services programs under 
     the Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
       The conferees direct that of the funds provided for 
     technical assistance for rural waste systems, $7,300,000 be 
     designated for the Rural Community Assistance Program.
       The conference agreement includes language provided in 
     title VII to define the use of funds awarded under the Rural 
     Community Development Initiative.
       The conferees direct the Department to give priority 
     consideration to applications that will assist producers' 
     transition from tobacco to alternative crops, and to 
     applications that will add value to alternative crops within 
     those states most dependent on tobacco production.
       The conferees direct the Department to use RBOG funds for 
     the regional development activities of multi-jurisdictional 
     planning and development organizations serving general 
     purpose units of local government.
       The conferees are aware of and encourage the Department to 
     consider applications from the City of Valdez to repair 
     avalanche damage to its water and sewer system through the 
     Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grants program.
       The following table indicates the distribution of funding 
     for the RCAP:

Water/Sewer................................................$644,360,000
Community Facilities.........................................53,225,000
Business-Cooperative Development.............................64,957,000
    Total...................................................762,542,000
Earmarks:
  Tech. Assist. (water/sewer)................................16,215,000
  Circuit Rider...............................................9,500,000
  Native Americans...........................................24,000,000
  Rural Community Development Initiative......................6,000,000

                           Rural Development


                         Salaries and Expenses

       The conference agreement provides $130,371,000 for Rural 
     Development Salaries and Expenses as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $120,270,000 as proposed by the House.

                         Rural Housing Service


              Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account

       The conference agreement provides a total subsidy of 
     $254,640,000 for activities under the Rural Housing Insurance 
     Fund Program Account as proposed by the House instead of 
     $285,279,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference 
     agreement provides for an estimated loan program level of 
     $5,068,649,000 instead of $5,073,497,000 as proposed by the 
     House and $4,564,372,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement adopts House language providing up 
     to $5,400,000 for a demonstration program in North Carolina 
     on the use of modular housing.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     $13,832,000 for empowerment zones and enterprise communities 
     designated as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     for a transfer of $409,233,000 to salaries and expenses.
       The following table indicates loan and subsidy levels 
     provided in the conference agreement:

Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
                                                   Loan authorizations:
    Single family (sec. 502)...........................($1,100,000,000)
      Unsubsidized guaranteed...........................(3,700,000,000)
    Housing repair (sec. 504)..............................(32,396,000)
    Rental housing (sec. 515).............................(114,321,000)
    Multi-family housing guarantees (sec. 538)............(100,000,000)
    Site loans (sec. 524)...................................(5,152,000)
    Credit sales of acquired property......................(11,780,000)
    Self-help housing land development fund.................(5,000,000)
                                                       ________________
                                                       
      Total, Loan authorizations........................(5,068,649,000)
                                                       ================

                                                        Loan subsidies:
    Single family (sec. 502)................................176,760,000
      Unsubsidized guaranteed.................................7,400,000
    Housing repair (sec. 504)................................11,481,000
    Multi-family housing guarantees (sec. 538)................1,520,000
    Rental housing (sec. 515)................................56,326,000
    Site loans (sec. 524)........................................------
    Credit sales of acquired property...........................874,000
    Self-help housing land development fund.....................279,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
      Total, Loan subsidies.................................254,640,000
                                                       ================

RHIF administration expenses (transfer to RHS)..............409,233,000
                                                       ================

    Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund...................1,343,873,000
    (Loan authorization)................................(5,068,649,000)


                       Rental Assistance Program

       The conference agreement provides $680,000,000 for the 
     Rental Assistance Program as proposed by the Senate instead 
     of $655,900,000 as proposed by the House.


                  Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants

       The conference agreement provides $34,000,000 for Mutual 
     and Self-Help Housing Grants as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $28,000,000 as proposed by the House.


                    Rural Housing Assistance Grants

       The conference agreement provides $44,000,000 for Rural 
     Housing Assistance Grants as proposed by the Senate instead 
     of $39,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language setting 
     aside $5,000,000 for a housing demonstration program for 
     workers in the agriculture, aquaculture and seafood 
     processing industries.

                       Farm Labor Program Account

       The conference agreement provides $30,000,000 for the Farm 
     Labor Program Account as proposed by the House instead of 
     $28,750,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference 
     agreement provides $15,000,000 for loan subsidies and 
     $15,000,000 for grants.
       The conference agreement does not adopt House language 
     providing $3,000,000 for grants to migrant and seasonal farm 
     workers.

[[Page H9495]]

                   Rural Business-Cooperative Service


              Rural Development Loan Fund Program Account

       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     for a transfer of $3,640,000 to salaries and expenses.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language setting 
     aside $2,036,000 for Federally Recognized Native American 
     Tribes and $4,072,000 for Mississippi Delta Region counties.
       The conferees direct the Department to give priority 
     consideration to applications that will assist producers' 
     transition from tobacco to alternative crops and to 
     applications that will add value to alternative crops within 
     those states most dependent on tobacco production.


                  Rural Cooperative Development Grants

       The conference agreement provides $6,500,000 for Rural 
     Cooperative Development Grants as proposed by the House 
     instead of $6,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement adopts House language providing 
     $2,000,000 for the appropriate technology transfer for rural 
     areas program.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     not to exceed $1,500,000 for cooperatives or associations of 
     cooperatives, whose primary focus is to provide assistance to 
     small, minority producers.
       The conference agreement does not provide for the requested 
     transfer of $2,000,000 from salaries and expenses to fund 
     cooperative research agreements.


       National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Revolving Fund

       The conference agreement does not provide $5,000,000 for 
     the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Revolving Fund 
     as proposed by the House. The Senate bill provided no funds 
     for this program. This matter is addressed in title VII.

                        Rural Utilities Service


   Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account

       The conference agreement provides a total subsidy of 
     $40,374,000 for activities under the Rural Electrification 
     and Telecommunications Loans Program Account as proposed by 
     the Senate instead of $33,270,000 as proposed by the House. 
     The conference agreement provides for an estimated loan 
     program level of $3,111,500,000 as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $2,040,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     for a transfer of $34,716,000 to salaries and expenses.
       The following table indicates loan and subsidy levels 
     provided in the conference agreement:

Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account:
                                                   Loan authorizations:
    Electric:
      Direct, 5 percent..................................($121,500,000)
      Direct, Muni........................................(295,000,000)
      Direct, FFB.......................................(1,700,000,000)
      Direct, Treasury rate...............................(500,000,000)
      Guaranteed...................................................
                                                       ________________
                                                       
        Subtotal........................................(2,616,500,000)
                                                       ================

    Telecommunications:
      Direct, (5 percent)..................................(75,000,000)
      Direct, Treasury rate...............................(300,000,000)
      Direct, FFB.........................................(120,000,000)
                                                       ________________
                                                       
        Subtotal..........................................(495,000,000)
                                                       ________________
                                                       
        Total, loan authorizations......................(3,111,500,000)
                                                       ================

Loan subsidies:
    Electric:
      Direct, 5 percent......................................12,101,000
      Direct, Muni...........................................20,503,000
      Direct, FFB........................................(1)
      Direct, Treasury rate..............................(1)
      Guaranteed...................................................
                                                       ________________
                                                       
        Subtotal.............................................32,604,000
                                                       ================

    Telecommunications:
      Direct, 5 percent.......................................7,770,000
      Direct, Treasury rate........................................ (1)
      Direct, FFB.................................................. (1)
                                                       ________________
                                                       
        Subtotal..............................................7,770,000
                                                       ================

      Total, loan subsidies..................................40,374,000
RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RUS)..............34,716,000
Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program 
  Account....................................................75,090,000
(Loan authorization)....................................(3,111,500,000)

\1\ Negative subsidy rates for fiscal year 2001 are calculated for 
these programs.


                  Rural Telephone Bank Program Account

       The conference agreement adopts House language including 
     audits under ``administrative expenses.''


               Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

       The conference agreement provides $27,000,000 for the 
     Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program as proposed by the 
     Senate instead of $19,500,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language setting 
     aside $2,000,000 for a pilot program to finance broadband 
     transmission and local dial-up service in rural areas as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $1,400,000 as proposed by 
     the House.
       The conferees direct the Department to maintain the current 
     level of funding for grants to rural entities to promote 
     employment of rural residents through teleworking.

                    TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

       The conference agreement provides $570,000 for the Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer 
     Services as proposed by the Senate instead of $554,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       The conferees want to ensure that farmers participating in 
     the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Food 
     Stamp Program (FSP) are able to participate through 
     electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems. The conferees note 
     that USDA has established the technical feasibility of 
     wireless and other innovative EBT systems for farmers 
     markets, rural route vendors, and other ``non-traditional'' 
     vendors operating without access to standard telephone and 
     electricity service.
       The conferees urge the Department to use funds designated 
     for the development of WIC EBT systems to support state 
     initiatives to implement wireless and other innovative EBT 
     solutions for farmers and farmers markets participating in 
     the WIC FMNP and the FSP to enable them to continue 
     participating in these programs.
       Nutrition monitoring activities are vital to shaping 
     policies for food safety, child nutrition, food assistance, 
     and dietary guidance. Integration of these activities must 
     ensure that: (1) the quality of the dietary data collected is 
     not diminished; (2) survey methods capture statistically 
     valid intakes of various population groups, especially at-
     risk groups, and are continually updated to account for 
     changes in dietary patterns and new food technologies; (3) 
     the needs of the many users of these important data are met; 
     and (4) data are made available in a timely manner. The 
     conferees direct the USDA, in consultation with the 
     Department of Health and Human Services, to prepare and 
     submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations, by December 31, 2000, that describes the 
     process for integrating the National Health and Nutrition 
     Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Continuing Survey of Food 
     Intakes by Individuals (CSFII). The report should: (1) 
     include a timeline and steps to accomplish the goals set 
     forth in the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related 
     Research Act of 1990; (2) be prepared in consultation with 
     representatives of user groups (i.e., anti-hunger groups, 
     consumer advocates, commodity organizations, food producers, 
     nutrition professionals, and public and voluntary health 
     organizations); (3) address the strengths and potential 
     weaknesses of merging the two surveys and identify how 
     problems will be addressed and by whom; (4) identify funding 
     needs and sources; and (5) include recommendations for 
     inclusion in reauthorization of the National Nutrition 
     Monitoring and Related Research Act.

                       Food and Nutrition Service


                        Child Nutrition Programs

       The conference agreement provides a total of $9,541,539,000 
     for Child Nutrition Programs as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $9,535,039,000 as proposed by the House. Included 
     in this amount is an appropriated amount of $4,413,960,000, a 
     transfer from section 32 of $5,127,579,000, $6,000,000 for 
     the school breakfast demonstration project as proposed by the 
     Senate, and $500,000 for a school breakfast pilot project.
       The conference agreement provides the following for Child 
     Nutrition programs:


                      Total Obligational Authority

Child Nutrition Programs:
  School lunch program...................................$5,387,523,000
  School breakfast program................................1,495,684,000
  Child and adult care food program.......................1,807,435,000
  Summer food service program...............................323,499,000
  Special milk program.......................................16,843,000
  State administrative expenses.............................127,321,000
  Commodity procurement and support.........................360,223,000
  School meals initiative/Team nutrition.....................10,000,000
  School breakfast demonstration project......................6,000,000
  Coordinated review effort...................................4,511,000
  Food safety education.......................................2,000,000
  School breakfast pilot project................................500,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total.................................................9,541,539,000

       The conference agreement includes $500,000 for school 
     breakfast startup grants in Wisconsin. The conferees are 
     aware of an effort initiated and funded by the State of 
     Wisconsin to enhance participation in the school breakfast 
     program and the Department is directed to make available 
     grants to currently non-participating schools in a manner 
     consistent with that program.
       The conferees are aware that the Department has recently 
     issued a final rule regarding the use of alternate protein 
     products in the Child Nutrition Programs. The conferees

[[Page H9496]]

     urge the Department to work with interested organizations to 
     ensure that fortification, name and labeling requirements are 
     sufficient to protect the health, growth, and nutritional 
     well-being of America's school children. The conferees 
     believe that any new requirements for fortification of these 
     protein products should be based on the USDA guidelines that 
     set levels for nutrient fortification of soy-containing foods 
     used in the child nutrition programs. In addition, the 
     conferees encourage that any recommended labeling 
     requirements be consistent with similar guidelines of other 
     Departmental agencies and the Food and Drug Administration.
       The conferees recognize the longstanding, high level of 
     expertise in the Food and Nutrition Service in the 
     administration of school lunch programs, and encourage the 
     Secretary to take advantage of this expertise by utilizing 
     Food and Nutrition Service staff in any efforts to help other 
     nations establish such programs.


Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 
                                 (WIC)

       The conference agreement provides $4,052,000,000 for the 
     Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, 
     and Children (WIC) as proposed by the Senate, instead of 
     $4,067,000,000 as proposed by the House. The conference 
     agreement provides sufficient funding to support an average 
     of at least 7.4 million monthly participants in the WIC 
     program, an increase from the projected fiscal year 2000 
     average monthly participation level of 7.2 million.
       The conference agreement provides that the Secretary shall 
     obligate $10,000,000 for the farmers' market nutrition 
     program within 45 days of enactment of this Act, and that the 
     Secretary shall obligate an additional $10,000,000 for this 
     program from funds not needed to meet program participation 
     requirements.
       The conference agreement does not include a provision that 
     allows fiscal year 2000 WIC carryover funds to be transferred 
     to other nutrition programs as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement includes a provision that WIC 
     funds shall be made available for sites participating in the 
     WIC program to determine whether a child eligible to 
     participate has received an appropriate blood lead screening 
     test upon the enrollment of the child in the WIC program as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       It is not the intent of this conference agreement to 
     detrimentally affect religious beliefs or practices. Nothing 
     in this agreement is intended to preclude a child's 
     participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program 
     for Women, Infants, and Children if a parent objects to his 
     or her child receiving a lead poisoning screening test 
     because such a test would be inconsistent with his or her 
     religious beliefs and practices. Accommodation of religious 
     beliefs and practices shall have no impact whatsoever on the 
     level of funds made available for each site participating in 
     the WIC program.
       The conference agreement directs the USDA to release a 
     final rule on WIC delivery systems no later than 90 days 
     after enactment of this Act.
       The conferees are aware that the Department is considering 
     changes in the food package to the WIC program. One of those 
     proposals involves the potential exceptions to the current 
     sugar cap for the WIC food package. The sugar cap is an issue 
     that has been studied many times, always with the same 
     conclusion. The consensus from the studies, nutritionists, 
     State WIC directors, sugar commodity associations, and 
     dentists is that no exceptions to the sugar cap should be 
     made. Accordingly, the conferees direct that the Department 
     make no exceptions to the sugar cap. The conferees further 
     direct that no USDA funds be used to investigate this issue 
     further.


                           Food Stamp Program

       The conference agreement provides $20,114,293,000 for the 
     food stamp program instead of $21,221,293,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate and $21,231,993,000 as proposed by the House. 
     Included in this amount is $18,613,293,000 for expenses 
     instead of $19,720,293,000 as proposed by the Senate and 
     $19,730,993,000 as proposed by the House. The recommendation 
     makes a downward adjustment of $1,107,000,000, as reflected 
     in OMB's Mid-Session Review.
       The conference agreement does not include Senate language 
     providing for an additional amount, not to exceed $7,300,000, 
     for bison purchases for the Food Distribution Program on 
     Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The conferees encourage the 
     Department to continue and increase, to the extent 
     practicable, purchases of bison for FDPIR and to use every 
     opportunity to acquire purchases from Native American 
     producer and cooperative organizations. The Department should 
     also review program infrastructure needs, including 
     refrigeration, and use program funds, as necessary, to meet 
     existing requirements.
       The conferees recognize the severe health problems facing 
     Native Americans, including diabetes and heart disease. The 
     conferees expect the Secretary to purchase bison meat for the 
     FDPIR to promote health benefits in the Native American 
     population.


                      Commodity Assistance Program

       The conference agreement provides $140,300,000 for the 
     Commodity Assistance Program as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $138,300,000 as proposed by the House. Included in 
     the amount is $45,000,000 for administration of TEFAP, and 
     $98,300,000 for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
       The conference agreement includes language that provides 
     $20,781,000 of this appropriation shall be available for 
     administrative expenses of the Commodity Supplemental Food 
     Program.
       The conferees are aware of the interest in restoring the 
     income eligibility guideline for senior citizens under the 
     Commodity Supplemental Food Program to 185% of poverty, the 
     same as that used for mothers, infants, and children. The 
     Secretary is encouraged to give positive consideration to 
     this proposal.


                         Food Donations Program

       The conference agreement provides $151,081,000 for the Food 
     Donations Program instead of $161,081,000 as proposed by the 
     House and $141,081,000 as proposed by the Senate. Included in 
     this amount is $150,000,000 for the Elderly Feeding Program.


                      Food Program Administration

       The conference agreement provides $116,807,000 for Food 
     Program Administration as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $116,392,000 as proposed by the House. Included in this 
     amount is not less than $4,500,000 to improve integrity in 
     the Food Stamp Program and Child Nutrition Program as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of not less than $3,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement does not include funds for the 
     Colonias program. The conferees note that over $300,000,000 
     is estimated to be spent on nutrition education, promotion, 
     and information through USDA's feeding programs. The 
     conferees urge the Department to target funding from these 
     nutrition education, promotion and information programs to 
     the Colonias in the southwestern United States.

            TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

                      Foreign Agricultural Service

       The conference agreement provides $115,424,000 for the 
     Foreign Agricultural Service instead of $113,424,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate and $109,186,000 as proposed by the 
     House. The conference agreement includes $3,120,000 for 
     mandatory pay cost increases and $618,000 for the Foreign 
     Agricultural Service attache, office in the American 
     Institute in Taiwan.
       The conference agreement provides $4,000,000 for the 
     Cochran Fellowship Program and encourages the Secretary to 
     continue to provide additional support for the program 
     through the CCC Emerging Markets Program at the fiscal year 
     1999 level.
       The conference agreement includes $2,000,000 for the 
     Foreign Agricultural Service to administer and oversee 
     emergency and other international food assistance. The 
     Service is expected to undertake activities in support of 
     monetization where there is the highest potential for 
     promoting and enhancing economic growth and development in 
     recipient countries. Further, the Service is directed to 
     specifically expand its presence in Ukraine where there is a 
     strong potential for expansion, and Bulgaria, where there is 
     a need for more adequate administration and monitoring of 
     USDA programs due to the sharp increase in USDA food aid 
     programs in the Balkans. The conferees believe these funds 
     will help build strong U.S. partnerships with emerging 
     economies and enhance exports to develop long-term markets 
     for U.S. agricultural inputs and products.
       The conferees direct the Department to provide a quarterly 
     report to the Subcommittees on Agriculture of the House and 
     Senate Appropriations Committees detailing the volume of 
     agricultural imports from and exports to China by commodity.
       The conferees understand that there may be the opportunity 
     to resume food assistance to Ukraine in the coming year. The 
     Secretary is encouraged to pursue responsible opportunities 
     for restoring appropriate levels of assistance for this 
     nation, including opportunities for collaborative programs 
     involving research, extension, micro-credit, and business 
     development opportunities.
       The Secretary is directed to require that any agreement be 
     transparent, subject to monitoring, and to report to the 
     Committees all steps taken to achieve these requirements 
     before finalizing any agreement.

               Public Law 480 Program and Grant Accounts

                 Public Law 480 Title I Program Account

       The conferees encourage the Department of Agriculture to 
     provide concessional financing through the P.L. 480 title I 
     program to private entities as authorized in P.L. 104-27, the 
     Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

        Public Law 480 Title I Ocean Freight Differential Grants

       The conference agreement adopts Senate bill language 
     requiring prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations 
     for transfers of funds between title I agreements and title I 
     ocean freight differential.

                    Public Law 480--Title II Grants

       The conference agreement provides $837,000,000 for Public 
     Law 480 title II as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $770,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement does not adopt House bill language 
     providing for transfer of up to 15 percent of title II funds 
     to title III. The conferees note that this provision exists 
     in current law.
       The conference agreement does not adopt House bill language 
     providing $1,850,000 for

[[Page H9497]]

     use by the United States Agency for International Development 
     for administrative expenses to carry out title II.
       The conferees are aware that loss of commodities under the 
     Public Law 480 food program often occurs as a result of 
     package breakage. The conferees urge the Secretary to 
     evaluate this problem, explore using alternative containers, 
     and to meet regularly with members of private voluntary 
     organizations, the industry, shippers, and millers, to 
     continue to improve the quality of food aid, in terms of its 
     packaging, nutritional content, and other quality aspects.
       The following table reflects the conference agreement for 
     Public Law 480 program accounts:
Public Law 480 Program and Grant Accounts:
    Title I--Credit Sales:
      Program level......................................($180,000,000)
      Direct loans..........................................159,678,000
      Ocean freight differential.............................20,322,000
    Title II--Commodities for disposition abroad:
      Program level.......................................(837,000,000)
      Appropriation.........................................837,000,000
    Loan subsidies..........................................114,186,000
    Salaries and expenses:
      General Sales Manager (transfer to FAS).................1,035,000
      Farm Service Agency (transfer to FSA).....................815,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
        Subtotal..............................................1,850,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total, Public Law 480:
      Program level.....................................(1,017,000,000)
      Appropriation.........................................973,358,000

      TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

                      Food and Drug Administration


                         Salaries and Expenses

       The conference agreement provides total appropriations, 
     including Prescription Drug User Fee Act collections, of 
     $1,217,797,000 for the salaries and expenses of the Food and 
     Drug Administration, instead of $1,240,178,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $1,216,796,000 as proposed by the Senate, and 
     provides specific amounts by FDA activity as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement does not include a rescission of 
     $27,000,000 as proposed by the House. The conference 
     agreement does not include the subheading ``(Including 
     Rescission)'' as proposed by the House.
       The conferees adopt the title VI subheading as proposed by 
     the Senate. The House version differed technically.
       The conference agreement does not include a proviso that 
     $3,000,000 may be for activities carried out with regard to 
     new animal drugs, as proposed by the House. However, the 
     conference agreement provides an increase of $3,000,000 for 
     work done within the Center for Veterinary Medicine on 
     antimicrobial resistance. The Senate had no similar 
     provision.
       The conference agreement does not include a proviso that, 
     in addition to amounts provided, $6,000,000 shall be made 
     available for food safety activities, as proposed by the 
     Senate. The conference agreement provides the full increase 
     requested for the Food Safety Initiative, $30,000,000, as 
     proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement provides that fees derived from 
     applications received during fiscal year 2001 shall be 
     subject to the fiscal year 2001 limitation as proposed by the 
     Senate. The House had no similar provision.
       The conference agreement provides the full funding 
     increases from the fiscal year 2000 levels requested in the 
     President's fiscal year 2001 budget for the following 
     activities: $30,000,000 for food safety initiatives; 
     $22,879,000 for premarket review; and $4,783,000 for payments 
     to the General Services Administration for rent and related 
     activities. For other increases requested in the President's 
     fiscal year 2001 budget, the conferees provide the following: 
     $9,000,000 for inspections; $5,000,000 for enforcement of 
     Internet drug sales; $5,000,000 for counter-bioterrorism 
     activities; and $6,800,000 for improvements to FDA's current 
     system of post-approval surveillance to identify adverse 
     events associated with products on the market, subject to 
     existing information confidentiality restrictions.
       In addition, the conference agreement provides increases 
     from the fiscal year 2000 levels of $1,000,000 for dietary 
     supplements and $1,000,000 for orphan product grants, as 
     recommended by the Senate; and $1,200,000 for the Office of 
     Generic Drugs to reduce generic drug application review and 
     approval times.
       Fiscal year 2000 funds appropriated, but no longer 
     required, for FDA tobacco activities have been made available 
     to cover the $5,000,000 included in the fiscal year 2001 
     budget request for costs associated with the relocation of 
     the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to College 
     Park, MD; $21,800,000 included in the fiscal year 2001 budget 
     request for one-time contracts and equipment purchases; and 
     $1,500,000, as recommended by the House, for information 
     technology upgrades for the Office of Generic Drugs. Funding 
     for these one-time cost requirements is not included in the 
     fiscal year 2001 level provided.
       The conferees direct that FDA provide $1,500,000 from sums 
     provided for food safety for a contract with New Mexico State 
     University's Physical Science Laboratory to establish an 
     agricultural products testing laboratory in Dona Ana County, 
     New Mexico. The laboratory will conduct rapid screening 
     analyses of fresh fruits and vegetables (imported and 
     domestic) for microbiological contamination of products in 
     the Texas, New Mexico, Arizona area. The laboratory will 
     augment FDA's capabilities and facilitate rapid testing of 
     these perishable products. The conference language replaces 
     similar language in the House report. The Senate had no 
     similar language.
       The conferees expect FDA to make final the regulations 
     regarding labeling of irradiated foods by March 1, 2002, and 
     report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
     on the status by November 15, 2000. This agreement changes 
     the dates proposed for final regulations by the House of 
     September 30, 2001, and by the Senate of October 30, 2001.
       The conference agreement does not include House language on 
     treatment of biologic drugs versus that of chemically-based 
     drugs, as related to orphan drug alternatives. Recognizing 
     that the House authorizing committee has recently resumed 
     consideration of this issue, the conferees defer to that 
     action in lieu of that recommended by the House. The Senate 
     had no similar language.
       It has been brought to the conferees' attention that makers 
     of electronic facial toning appliances have been informed by 
     the FDA that their products may be ``medical devices'' under 
     the law. The conferees encourage the FDA to consider the 
     companies' claims that products are purely cosmetic and not 
     ``intended to affect the structure or any function of the 
     body.'' Nothing in this conference report language should be 
     taken to diminish or attempt to diminish the responsibility 
     under law for the FDA to continue to protect American 
     consumers. FDA will report to the Appropriations Committees 
     of the House and Senate on their findings.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       The conference agreement provides $31,350,000 for Food and 
     Drug Administration Buildings and Facilities as proposed by 
     the Senate instead of $11,350,000 as proposed by the House.

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  Commodity Futures Trading Commission

       The conference agreement provides $68,000,000 for the 
     Commodity Futures Trading Commission instead of $69,000,000 
     as proposed by the House and $67,100,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement adopts Senate language providing 
     not to exceed $1,000 for official reception and 
     representation expenses instead of not to exceed $2,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       The conference agreement does not adopt a House provision 
     providing authority to charge reasonable fees to cover the 
     costs of Commission-sponsored events and activities. The 
     conferees note that this authority exists in permanent law.

                     TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       House and Senate Section 701.--The conference agreement 
     (Section 701) makes funds available for the purchase of 
     passenger motor vehicles in fiscal year 2001 as proposed by 
     the Senate instead of in the ``current fiscal year'' as 
     proposed by the House.
       House and Senate Section 704.--The conference agreement 
     includes language (Section 704) that provides that the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may transfer unobligated balances of 
     the USDA to the Working Capital fund for the acquisition of 
     plant and capital equipment of primary benefit to USDA with 
     prior approval from the agency administrator and the 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       House and Senate Section 705.--The conference agreement 
     includes language (Section 705) allowing certain funds to 
     remain available until expended.
       House Section 709.--The conference agreement does not 
     include a provision as proposed by the House making 
     commodities available to individuals in cases of hardship. 
     The Secretary of Agriculture has this authority.
       House Section 713 and Senate Section 712.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 712) that makes funds 
     available for the cost of loans for fiscal year 2001 as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of ``in the current fiscal 
     year'' as proposed by the House.
       House Section 714.--The conference agreement does not 
     include a provision that sums as may be necessary for current 
     fiscal year pay raises shall be absorbed within levels 
     appropriated by this Act as proposed by the House.
       House Section 716 and Senate Section 714.--The conference 
     agreement includes permanent language (Section 714) allowing 
     the use of cooperative agreements.
       House Section 718 and Senate Section 716.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 716) that provides 
     $1,800,000 for expenses for advisory committees as proposed 
     by the Senate instead of $1,500,000 as proposed by the House.
       House Section 723 and Senate Section 721.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 721) that provides for 
     reprogramming procedures in fiscal year 2001.
       House Section 724 and Senate Section 722.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 722) regarding 
     limitations on the Fund for Rural America.
       House Section 726.--The conference agreement does not 
     contain a limitation on AMTA contract payments for wild rice 
     as proposed by the House. Public Law 106-78 made this 
     provision permanent.

[[Page H9498]]

       House Section 727 and Senate Section 724.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 724) regarding 
     limitations on the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food 
     Systems.
       House Section 728 and Senate Section 725.--The conference 
     agreement makes permanent a provision (Section 725) regarding 
     participation by farmer-owned cooperatives in commodity 
     purchase programs.
       Senate Section 727.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 727) that prohibits the use of funds to 
     close or relocate certain FDA offices in St. Louis, Missouri.
       Senate Section 728.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 728) prohibiting the use of funds to reduce 
     staff levels at certain FDA offices in Detroit, Michigan.
       House Section 730 and Senate Section 729.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 729) to permanently (1) 
     allow the Agricultural Marketing Service to utilize 
     advertising in conducting consumer education activities, and 
     (2) prohibit the use of funds to carry out certain activities 
     unless the Secretary of Agriculture inspects and certifies 
     agricultural processing equipment and imposes a fee for those 
     activities.
       House Section 731 and Senate Section 730.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 730) regarding budget 
     submission requirements related to user fees proposals prior 
     to the date of conference for the fiscal year 2002 
     appropriations Act.
       House Section 732 and Senate Section 731.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 731) that none of the 
     funds appropriated by this Act shall be used to establish an 
     Office of Community Food Security or any similar office 
     within the USDA without prior approval of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House and the Senate.
       House Section 734.--The conference agreement (Section 733) 
     prohibits the use of funds for certain activities 
     implementing the Kyoto Protocol.
       Senate Section 733.--The conference agreement (Section 734) 
     prohibits the use of funds to transfer or convey federal 
     lands and facilities at Fort Reno, OK, without the specific 
     authorization of Congress.
       Senate Section 734.--The conference agreement (Section 735) 
     prohibits the use of funds for the implementation of a 
     Support Services Bureau or similar organization.
       House Section 735.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding karnal bunt.
       Senate Section 735.--The conference agreement (Section 736) 
     contains a provision that raises income eligibility levels 
     for rural development programs.
       House Section 736.--The conference agreement (Section 737) 
     makes Lloyd, New York, and Thompson, New York, eligible for 
     certain loans and grants.
       Senate Section 736.--The conference agreement (Section 738) 
     contains a permanent provision that disallows the sale or 
     disposal of housing purchased in a foreign country for the 
     agricultural attache, without the approval of the FAS.
       House Section 737.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 739) making permanent a provision that the 
     fee collected by the Secretary of Agriculture for a 
     guaranteed loan may be in an amount equal to not more than 2 
     percent of the principal obligation of the loan.
       House Section 738 and Senate Section 737.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 740) that allows the 
     Secretary to use funds to employ individuals to perform 
     services outside the U.S. as determined to be necessary to 
     carry out programs and activities abroad through the use of 
     Personal Service Agreements.
       Senate Section 738.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 741) that prohibits the use of funds to 
     close or relocate a state rural development office until/
     unless cost effectiveness and enhanced program delivery has 
     been determined.
       House Section 739.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 742) that extends the dairy price support 
     program and delays the dairy recourse loan program.
       Senate Section 739.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 743) that directs that not more than 
     $25,000,000 worth of commodities made available under the 
     section 416(b) program shall be made available to foreign 
     countries to assist in mitigating the effects of HIV/AIDS.
       House Section 740.--The conference agreement (Section 744) 
     provides $2,000,000 for hunger fellowships.
       Senate Section 740.--The conference agreement (Section 745) 
     includes the ``Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000'' 
     and the ``Prescription Drug Import Fairness Act of 2000'' 
     (Section 746).
       House Section 741.--The conference agreement provides 
     language (Section 747) regarding loans in Arkansas.
       Senate Section 741.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 748) that amends the Organic Act of 1990 to 
     allow sulfites in the production of wine.
       House Section 742.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 749) regarding the Friends of the National 
     Arboretum.
       Senate Section 742.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 750) that prohibits the use of funds to 
     discontinue use of FINPACK in the Farm Service Agency (FSA) 
     offices for six months from the date of enactment. The 
     conferees expect the FSA to provide for a smooth and orderly 
     transition to a common computing environment in USDA field 
     service centers. The transition should provide the capability 
     of FSA computer programs to interface with any commercial 
     off-the-shelf software, including FINPACK, that may be used 
     by clients or lending institutions.
       House Section 743.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding compensation for the value of lost 
     production due to citrus canker.
       Senate Section 743.--The conference agreement (Section 751) 
     makes permanent a provision that any borrower whose income 
     does not exceed 115 percent of the median family income of 
     the U.S. shall be eligible for section 502 housing.
       House Section 744.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding alternative protein products.
       Senate Section 744.--The conference agreement does not 
     include Sense of the Senate language regarding victims of 
     domestic violence. However, the conferees do agree that to 
     the extent practicable, USDA's Rural Housing Service should 
     work with other public agencies and organizations to provide 
     transitional housing for individuals and families who are 
     homeless as a result of domestic violence.
       House Section 745.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 752) that makes ratites and squab 
     slaughtered for human consumption subject to the Poultry 
     Products Inspection Act.
       Senate Section 745.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language that prohibits the use of funds to change 
     natural cheese standards. The conferees are aware of 
     technological changes relating to cheese processing and the 
     potential economic and structural changes that might result 
     within the dairy industry. The conferees are also aware of a 
     request recently submitted to the General Accounting Office 
     for a report on this subject and concur that such a request 
     is consistent with that part of Senate Section 745 which 
     requires a study on this subject.
       House Section 746.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding previously appropriated funds to 
     compensate nursery stock producers for losses caused by 
     Hurricane Irene.
       Senate Section 746.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding the import of Argentine citrus.
       House Section 747.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 753) providing guidance for developing the 
     prevention standards for Salmonella Enteritidis.
       The conferees share the commitment to egg safety evidenced 
     by the Action Plan to Eliminate Salmonella Enteritidis 
     Illnesses Due to Eggs published on December 10, 1999. The 
     conferees support FDA's current thinking paper on national 
     standards for egg safety dated July 31, 2000. In preparing 
     the regulations to implement the plan, the conferees expect 
     the government agencies to: (1) coordinate federal and state 
     programs to efficiently and effectively implement the 
     standards; (2) consider egg labeling which is consistent with 
     the existing safe handling instructions associated with meat 
     and poultry; (3) consider effective administrative and 
     management practices to ensure consistent nationwide 
     enforcement and implementation of the standards, including 
     (a) cleaning and disinfection, (b) rodent and pest 
     elimination, (c) proper egg washing, (d) biosecurity, (e) 
     refrigeration, (f) testing and verification, and (g) 
     vaccination; (4) consider the appropriate utilization of 
     existing federal, state, or local government agencies 
     currently charged with poultry or egg safety responsibilities 
     (including such aspects of grading as are related to egg 
     safety), in implementing the regulations; (5) conduct 
     traceback procedures in a consistent manner and make such 
     procedures accessible to the public, and employ appropriate 
     inspectional and testing protocols to determine the source of 
     contamination; and (6) consider, as appropriate, the 
     provisions of existing national and state quality assurance 
     programs in establishing regulations that are practical, 
     achievable and cost-effective in accordance with the risk 
     posed to U.S. consumers.
       Senate Section 747.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding the Dairy Export Incentive 
     Program. The conferees are concerned that awards for U.S. 
     dairy products under the Dairy Export Incentive Program have 
     not been shipped and the Department has been reluctant to 
     reallocate these amounts for other awards. The conferees 
     direct the Secretary to provide information to the Committees 
     no later than November 1, 2000, relating to a justification 
     for this reluctance, including supporting documentation.
       House Section 748.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding loans to poultry farmers.
       Senate Section 748.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language that reauthorizes State agricultural 
     mediation programs through 2005. The conference agreement 
     provides annual funding for the program in the appropriate 
     section of the bill.
       House Section 749.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 754) extending the time to compensate 
     cotton producers/ginners/others in Georgia.
       Senate Section 749.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (Section 755) that adds a section to the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to make provisions for Good Faith 
     Reliance when the owner/operator is attempting to comply with 
     terms of the contract and enrollment requirements.
       House Section 750.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language providing emergency funds for market/quality 
     loss payments for apples and potatoes.
       Senate Section 750.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding

[[Page H9499]]

     data collected on imported herbs. The conferees do expect the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the Secretary of 
     the Treasury to establish a framework within which the 
     publication of data regarding herb imports (including through 
     electronic media) may be made available to the public on a 
     monthly basis.
       House Section 751.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language exempting oyster fishermen from repaying 
     emergency payments issued erroneously in the State of 
     Connecticut.
       House Section 752.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language urging the Secretary of Agriculture to use 
     alternative fuels in meeting the fuel needs of the USDA. This 
     matter is addressed under the Office of the Secretary.
       House Section 753.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding reimportation of prescription 
     drugs. This matter is addressed under Sections 745 and 746.
       House Section 754.--The conference agreement does not 
     include language regarding reimportation of prescription 
     drugs. This matter is addressed under Sections 745 and 746.
       Section 756.--The conference agreement includes language 
     that amends Section 375(e)(6)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act.
       Section 757.--The conference agreement includes language 
     that allows the USDA to retain refunds and rebates from 
     credit card services.
       Section 758.--The conference agreement includes a technical 
     correction to the Act of August 19, 1958, to permit section 
     416(b) food aid programs to operate more efficiently.
       Section 759.--The conference agreement includes language 
     that allows Sea Island Health Clinic on Johns Island, South 
     Carolina, to remain eligible for Rural Development community 
     facilities programs.
       Section 760.--The conference agreement includes language 
     making certain areas of Dade County, Florida, eligible for 
     business and industry loans.
       Section 761.--The conference agreement includes language 
     designating the City of Kewanee and the City of Jacksonville, 
     Illinois, as meeting the requirements of a rural area 
     contained in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 
     permanently.
       Section 762.--The conference agreement includes language 
     directing the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
     Service to settle claims associated with the Chuquatonchee 
     Watershed Project in Mississippi from existing funds.
       Section 763.--The conference agreement includes language 
     making the Konocti Water District, California, eligible for 
     grants and loans administered by the Rural Utilities Service 
     during fiscal year 2001.
       Section 764.--The conference agreement includes language 
     designating Jefferson County, Kentucky, as a rural area for 
     purposes of the business and industry direct and guaranteed 
     loan program during fiscal year 2001.
       Section 765.--The conference agreement includes language 
     authorizing the conveyance of a small parcel of land 
     associated with the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center 
     within the Sunnyside Subdivision of Prince George's County, 
     Maryland.
       Section 766.--The conference agreement designates up to 
     $500,000 of the funds provided to carry out section 211(a) of 
     the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to be used 
     solely for the State of California.
       Section 767.--The conference agreement provides for a 
     wildlife services program for injurious animal species.
       Section 768.--The conference agreement amends section 412 
     (d) of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act 
     of 1954 for dairy value products.
       Section 769.--The conference agreement makes the City of 
     Coachella, California, eligible for grants and loans 
     administered by the Rural Development mission areas of USDA 
     for fiscal year 2001.
       Section 770.--The conference agreement designates the City 
     of Vicksburg, Mississippi, as meeting the requirements of a 
     rural area in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949.
       Section 771.--The conference agreement provides language 
     instructing the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service 
     to use the authorities of the Rural Electrification Act of 
     1936 to finance the acquisition of electricity in 
     predominantly rural areas.
       Section 772.--The conference agreement includes language 
     (Section 772) prohibiting the use of funds to promulgate a 
     final rule to change the definition of ``animal'' pursuant to 
     the Animal Welfare Act.
       Section 773.--The conference agreement includes language 
     (Section 773) adding ``Indian tribes'' to the Consolidated 
     Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961.
       Section 774.--The conference agreement includes language 
     (Section 774) making technical corrections to P.L. 106-246.
       Section 775.--The conference agreement includes language 
     (Section 775) modifying the term ``agricultural commodity'' 
     for the purposes of administering Title IX of this Act.
       Section 776.--The conference agreement includes language 
     (Section 776) regarding Hamilton Grange.
       Section 777.--The conference agreement includes language 
     (Section 777) regarding ``Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort 
     Miamis National Historic Site.''

                               TITLE VIII

    Natural Disaster Assistance and Other Emergency Appropriations, 
                       Department of Agriculture

       The conference agreement includes a new title to provide 
     emergency assistance for agricultural losses of crop 
     production and quality related to natural disasters, 
     conservation needs, market-related problems, relief to rural 
     communities across America and certain USDA administrative 
     requirements. Emergency agricultural assistance was 
     previously included in H.R. 3908, as passed by the House of 
     Representatives on March 30, 2000; H.R. 4461, as passed by 
     the Senate on July 20, 2000; and Public Law 106-246, enacted 
     on July 13, 2000. Items included in H.R. 3908 and H.R. 4461, 
     not previously resolved in P.L. 106-246, were given 
     consideration for inclusion in this conference report.
       A number of accounts are included in this conference report 
     which respond to the severe wildfires that have occurred in 
     many states such as Montana and Idaho. The Emergency 
     Conservation Program, Emergency Watershed Program, Livestock 
     Assistance Program (including the American Indian Emergency 
     Feed Assistance Program), Livestock Indemnity Program, and 
     programs within the USDA rural development mission area 
     receive funding in the conference report which will assist in 
     the response and recovery of these affected lands, farming 
     and ranching operations, and rural communities.

                 Office of the Secretary of Agriculture

       Bovine tuberculosis--The conferees expect the Secretary to 
     use all existing authority for the implementation of a 
     program that will prevent and eradicate bovine tuberculosis 
     in Texas, Michigan, and other affected States, to reduce the 
     monetary loss associated with bovine tuberculosis affecting 
     cattle producers. The conferees recognize the importance of 
     this program, and of the complete eradication of bovine 
     tuberculosis. The conferees believe the program should 
     include payments to producers who suffer livestock losses. 
     The conferees direct the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
     consultation with the affected States, to ensure the program 
     shall be administered in such a manner that will reduce the 
     Federal financial burden resulting from the payments made to 
     the producers.

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

                      Common Computing Environment

       The conference agreement provides $19,500,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for information technology tools 
     needed to develop and implement a common computing 
     environment in USDA field office service centers.

                      Departmental Administration

       The conference agreement provides $200,000 for activities 
     related to rural business entities.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The conference agreement does not include $7,140,000 to 
     contain and control Pierce's disease as proposed by the House 
     in H.R. 3908. The conferees note that USDA has received 
     emergency funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation for 
     applied research, eradication, and control of Pierce's 
     Disease.
       The conference agreement addresses funding for boll weevil 
     eradication in title I of this Act.

                          Farm Service Agency


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The conference agreement includes $50,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for administrative expenses 
     associated with administering provisions of this title.

                     Emergency Conservation Program

       The conference agreement provides $80,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for natural disasters. The 
     conferees intend this funding to address damages incurred on 
     crop lands as a result of the summer fires and drought 
     conditions in certain regions of the country as well as other 
     natural disasters. The conferees further intend for the 
     funding to address the replacement of fences destroyed by the 
     fires.
       The conference agreement does not include language to allow 
     the Secretary of Agriculture to use unobligated balances 
     available in the ECP to repair farm buildings and equipment, 
     as proposed by the House in H.R. 3908.

                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

       The conference agreement provides an additional $13,000,000 
     to provide premium discounts to purchasers of crop insurance 
     reinsured by the Corporation as proposed by the House in H.R. 
     3908 and the Senate.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service

               Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations

       The conference agreement provides an additional 
     $110,000,000, to remain available until expended, for 
     watershed and flood prevention operations to reduce hazards 
     to life and property in watersheds damaged by natural 
     disasters. The Natural Resource Conservation Service will 
     provide financial and technical assistance to help repair 
     damage to rivers, streams, reservoirs, and other waterways 
     including: $3,300,000 for the Kuhn Bayou Project in Arkansas; 
     $10,000,000 for the Chino Dairy Preserve in California; 
     $4,000,000 for the Snake River Project in Minnesota; 
     $1,100,000 for DuPage County, Illinois; $8,000,000 for 
     emergency dam rehabilitation projects in Mississippi, 
     Wisconsin, Ohio, and New Mexico; $4,500,000 for Long Park 
     Dam, Utah; $500,000 for floods in Wisconsin; $2,000,000 for 
     the Lower James River in South

[[Page H9500]]

     Dakota; and $2,000,000 to replace, repair, and improve snow 
     telemetry equipment impacted by fire, winds, and fire 
     fighting efforts.

                           Rural Development

       The conferees are aware of the efforts of the Coeur d'Alene 
     tribe and private sector investors to operate a strawboard 
     plant in Plummer, Idaho, that provides economic benefits to 
     the community and achieves an environmentally safe method of 
     disposing of blue grass straw. The conferees direct the 
     Department to meet with the plant owners and operators to 
     determine what assistance can be made available to keep the 
     plant in operation.
       The conferees urge the Department to consider forgiveness 
     or restructuring for Rural Development loans issued to the 
     Green County, Kentucky, Sanitation District No. 1.

                  Rural Community Advancement Program

       The conference agreement includes an additional 
     $200,000,000 for the Rural Community Advancement Program, 
     instead of $180,000,000 as proposed by the Senate, and 
     $43,000,000 as proposed by the House in H.R. 3908.
       The conference agreement includes a provision regarding the 
     availability of grants for rural community facilities for 
     areas with extreme unemployment and severe economic 
     depression as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes a provision regarding the 
     availability of funds to provide grants in rural communities 
     with extremely high energy costs as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes a provision regarding 
     assistance to areas in the state of North Carolina subject to 
     a declaration of a major disaster as a result of Hurricanes 
     Floyd, Dennis or Irene.
       The conference agreement provides that of the amount 
     appropriated for rural utilities loans and grants, 
     $30,000,000 may be used only in counties which have received 
     an emergency declaration by the President or Secretary of 
     Agriculture after January 1, 2000, for applications 
     responding to water shortages resulting from a designated 
     emergency, including in the states of Texas, Georgia, Montana 
     and Idaho.
       The conference agreement includes an additional $50,000,000 
     for communities facilities loans and grants with a 
     requirement that $25,000,000 of the total be directed to 
     assist recovery efforts in North Carolina from natural 
     disasters.
       The conferees are aware of an ongoing wastewater treatment 
     project in Huey, Illinois. The conferees encourage USDA Rural 
     Development to provide adequate funding and technical 
     assistance to complete the project.

                        Rural Utilities Service

   Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account

       The conference agreement does not include any additional 
     funding this account as proposed by the Senate.

                     General Provisions--This Title

       Senate Section 1101 and House Section 3101.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (Section 801) that provides an 
     additional $35,000,000 for conservation technical assistance, 
     to remain available until expended.
       Senate Section 1102.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 802) that extends the period of eligibility 
     for the Livestock Assistance Program.
       Senate Section 1103.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 803) that conforms the definition of 
     ``livestock'' for the purposes of administering the Livestock 
     Indemnity and Livestock Assistance Programs.
       Senate Section 1104.--This matter is addressed in Section 
     805.
       Senate Section 1105.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 804) that allows the Secretary of 
     Agriculture to utilize Commodity Credit Corporation funds to 
     provide compensation to growers for losses due to Mexican 
     fruit fly quarantines, plum pox virus, Pierce's disease, 
     grasshopper/Mormon cricket infestations, and watermelon 
     sudden wilt. The conferees note that this funding is in 
     addition to the funding provided in section 203 of P.L. 106-
     224.
       Senate Section 1106.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 805) that provides supplemental payments to 
     dairy producers.
       Senate Section 1107.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 806) that provides $490,000,000 to make and 
     administer payments for livestock losses using criteria 
     established to carry out the 1999 Livestock Assistance 
     Program.
       The conferees expect that up to $5,000,000 be provided 
     under this section to the State of Alabama and that those 
     funds shall be used in conjunction with the program 
     administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and 
     Industries.
       The conferees expect the Department to provide up to 
     $2,000,000 to individuals who raise poultry owned by other 
     individuals for income losses sustained before April 30, 
     2001, to the extent that the Secretary finds that such losses 
     are the result of Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome control 
     programs.
       The amount provided includes up to $300,000 for the Montana 
     Department of Agriculture for transportation needs associated 
     with emergency hay and feeding.
       The conferees are aware of the extraordinarily bad weather 
     during the past year. As a result of cold temperatures and 
     record rainfall during the early growing season in New York 
     and other parts of the Northeast, the hay crop is substandard 
     in both quantity and quality. The conferees expect that the 
     Secretary of Agriculture will use a portion of the funds 
     available under this section to compensate dairy and 
     livestock producers who suffered losses in their hay crop for 
     purchases of supplemental feed.
       Senate Section 1108.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 807) that clarifies nursery crop loss 
     eligibility.
       Senate Section 1109.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 808) that provides authority and technical 
     assistance funding to enroll additional acres into the 
     Wetlands Reserve Program.
       Senate Section 1110.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 809) that provides up to $2,400,000 in 
     compensation for owners of sheep destroyed pursuant to the 
     Secretary of Agriculture's declarations of July 14, 2000, 
     instead of $4,000,000 as provided by the Senate.
       Senate Section 1111 and House general provision 3103.--The 
     conference agreement includes language (section 810) that 
     directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use not more than 
     $58,000,000 for replacement of citrus trees and for 
     compensation for losses as a result of citrus canker, instead 
     of $40,000,000 provided by the Senate and House in H.R. 3908.
       Senate Section 1117 and House section 750.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (section 811) regarding quality 
     and market loss assistance for apples and potatoes.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 812) 
     that directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make non-
     recourse marketing assistance loans available to producers of 
     honey.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 813) 
     that provides up to $10,000,000 from Commodity Credit 
     Corporation funds for livestock indemnity payments to 
     producers during calendar year 2000 due to disasters, 
     including fires and anthrax.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 814) 
     that provides $20,000,000 from Commodity Credit Corporation 
     funds for wool and mohair payments to producers for the 2000 
     marketing year.
       Senate Sections 1114 and 1115.--The conference agreement 
     includes language (section 815) which provides such sums as 
     may be necessary to provide assistance to farmers for losses 
     in production and quality sustained in 2000 due to natural 
     disasters. The conferees expect the Department to administer 
     this program within the general guidelines provided for 
     similar programs enacted in recent years, with the 
     exception of guidelines needed for adverse commodity 
     quality losses.
       In the case of grain and oilseed quality losses, the 
     Department is expected to take into consideration market 
     value reductions experienced by farmers who may be unable to 
     market their production for the end use intended. The 
     conferees are aware that farmers of some commodities 
     adversely impacted by quality factors have not received 
     compensation commensurate with actual value of reduction in 
     the marketplace as a result of past Departmental quality loss 
     procedures. Guidelines are established in this section that 
     direct the Department to calculate the production value 
     reduction of a commodity in an area from the value assigned 
     for such commodities as production loss under this section. 
     The Department is further instructed by the conferees to take 
     every precaution to avoid payment levels reached by 
     artificial or manipulated price fluctuations and to ensure 
     that payments to producers are not at levels in excess of 
     reasonable expectations.
       The conferees have provided a mechanism of determining 
     payments that will reduce time of application processing from 
     those periods experienced in recent years. Due to ongoing 
     problems related to depressed prices and the fact that the 
     rural economy has not kept pace with other sectors of the 
     national economy, it is expected that payments made available 
     under this section will be provided in the most efficient and 
     timely manner possible. The conferees note that the 
     separation of production loss calculations from an 
     independent calculation for quality might result in an 
     eligible threshold of loss not being met by separate 
     calculations for the same crop, and that the Secretary may 
     wish to consider an adjustment to the threshold of loss, in 
     equity, to account for economic losses sustained by a 
     combination of both quality and quantity.
       Because cotton is stored identity-preserved and its overall 
     quality cannot be improved through blending in warehouses, 
     the Secretary, in carrying out the provisions of this act 
     providing assistance to cotton producers for losses in 
     production (or quantity), quality and other economic losses, 
     should ensure that (1) loss thresholds for quantity losses 
     are determined in a manner that is similar to that used by 
     the Secretary for the 1998 and 1999 crops of cotton; (2) that 
     quality losses are compensated in a manner that is 
     appropriate for cotton; and (3) that market losses, increased 
     expenses (including expenses related to fuel purchases), and 
     other factors that detrimentally affect a cotton producer's 
     net income are included in determining severe economic losses 
     that are to be compensated under subsection (c)(3) of this 
     Act. If there is a category of severe economic loss for which 
     the Secretary did not establish a threshold for the 1998 and 
     1999 crops, no additional threshold should be established

[[Page H9501]]

     and any loss that qualifies as a severe economic loss under 
     subsection (c)(3) should be compensated.
       With respect to the determination of quality losses for the 
     2000 crop of upland cotton, the Secretary should: (1) 
     determine the value of quality losses in a manner that is 
     similar to that used in implementing weather related disaster 
     losses for the 1998 and 1999 crops and reflected in 7 C.F.R. 
     1478.17(g); (2) consider that any bale produced in a county 
     that is of a quality that is less than the 5-year county 
     average historical quality premium or discount has suffered a 
     quality loss; and (3) in determining the value of the crop 
     affected by the quality loss that would have applied if the 
     crop had suffered a quantity loss, as provided in subsection 
     (c)(2) for cotton, compare the value of the cotton affected 
     by the quality loss with the value of the cotton if it had 
     not had a reduction in quality.
       Finally, in determining whether a cotton producer is 
     eligible to receive a payment for a quality loss under this 
     section, the Secretary should compare the amount of a quality 
     loss payment that the producer would qualify for under 
     subsection (c)(2) (notwithstanding the eligibility 
     requirement in subsection (d)(3)) to the value of those bales 
     of cotton that are affected by quality losses.
       Due to the fact that onion growers have experienced weather 
     related disasters three out of the last four years, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture is directed to develop a suitable 
     onion crop loss disaster program for weather related crop and 
     weather related market losses incurred by producers during 
     the 2000 crop year. Further, the conferees expect the 
     Secretary to take into consideration each qualifying 
     producer's pre-1996 production of onions, based on the 5-year 
     average market price for yellow onions when calculating 
     payments under this program.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 816) 
     regarding market loss assistance for growers of cranberries. 
     The conferees continue to be concerned about the economic 
     losses sustained by cranberry growers around the country. 
     Prices for fruit paid to growers have declined to 
     historically depressed levels due to enormous surpluses 
     caused by record harvests. Steps taken thus far by the 
     Secretary towards stabilizing prices, including the purchase 
     of agricultural products containing cranberry ingredients, 
     have only marginally reduced existing surpluses and hold out 
     little hope of stabilizing prices. The industry has sought, 
     and the Secretary has approved, a marketing order to help 
     reduce the surplus but the short-term impact on growers will 
     be negative, unless and until prices for the fruit are 
     restored.
       Accordingly, the conferees have included $20,000,000 for a 
     market loss assistance payment to cranberry growers. The 
     payment is to be calculated on a per pound basis on each 
     qualifying producer's 1999 production of cranberries subject 
     to a limitation of 1.6 million pounds per separate farm unit 
     as reported to the Cranberry Marketing Committee and would be 
     subject to such other terms and conditions as may be 
     established by the Secretary.
       The conferees also have included language to direct the 
     Secretary to use not less than $30,000,000 of additional 
     funds available to the Secretary for commodity purchases, 
     including amounts permanently appropriated under the Section 
     32 program and additional amounts appropriated for specialty 
     crops pursuant to section 261(a)(2) of the Agricultural Risk 
     Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224; 114 Stat. 427), for 
     the purchase of cranberry juice concentrate and frozen 
     cranberry fruit or their equivalent in removing fruit from 
     current surplus.
       In selecting fruit or fruit products for purchase, the 
     Secretary shall consult with industry representatives and 
     representatives of the recipients of Federal food purchase 
     programs to select products which utilize the greatest 
     quantity of fruit at the least cost while providing the 
     maximum nutritional benefit for food purchase recipients.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 817) 
     prohibiting the Secretary of Agriculture from terminating 
     contracts established under section 1232(a)(4) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 for failure to establish vegetative or 
     water cover under certain conditions.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 818) 
     regarding shared appreciation for loans established under 
     section 353(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act.
       Senate Section 1112.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 819), which allows the Secretary to 
     contribute Commodity Credit Corporation funds for the 
     establishment of a grain dealers' indemnity fund in South 
     Carolina, to be available only if such funding is matched by 
     a grant from the State.
       Senate Section 1113.--The conference agreement provides 
     language (section 820) that amends section 211 of the 
     Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to provide technical 
     assistance to farmers and ranchers and funding for the 
     Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program from funds provided.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 821) 
     that reauthorizes the Puerto Rico Food Stamp Block Grant 
     through 2002.
       Senate Section 1116.--The conference agreement includes 
     language (section 822) regarding payments to the State of 
     Hawaii from the Commodity Credit Corporation for 
     transportation assistance.
       Senate Section 2101.--The conferees have addressed the 
     issue of business and industry loan guarantee eligibility 
     elsewhere in the Act.
       Senate Sections 2102, 2103, and 2104.--The conference 
     agreement provides (sections 823, 824, 825, 826, 828, 831) 
     that Emergency Watershed Program funds shall be available for 
     conservation technical and financial assistance for the Long 
     Park Dam, UT; Kuhn Bayou, AR; Snake River Watershed Project, 
     MN; DuPage County, IL; Camp Lejeune project in NC; and 
     Princeville, NC.
       Senate Section 2105 and House section 751.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (section 827) that allows oyster 
     farmers to keep payments made to them by USDA.
       Senate Section 2107.--The conferees have addressed the 
     issue of Sea Island Health Clinic in Johns Island, South 
     Carolina eligibility for assistance and funding from the 
     Rural Development Community facilities elsewhere in the Act.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 829) 
     regarding technical changes to subtitle G, section 262 of 
     P.L. 106-224, The Agricultural
       Risk Protection Act of 2000. The technical changes require 
     obligations by a date certain rather than ``expended by'' the 
     same date.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 830) 
     regarding the use of emergency conservation funds provided 
     previously for the Cerro Grande fires.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 832) 
     regarding funding transfers for the Agricultural Credit 
     Insurance Fund.
       Senate Section 2106 and House section 748.--The conference 
     agreement includes language (section 833) regarding emergency 
     loans to poultry producers to rebuild chicken houses.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 834) 
     providing $10,000,000 for value-added agricultural product 
     development grants.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 835) 
     providing an additional $10,000,000 for the cost of business 
     and industry guaranteed loans.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 836) 
     regarding sugar nonrecourse loans.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 837) 
     regarding Loan Deficiency Payment limitations for crop year 
     2000.
       The conferees note the importance of the role of loan 
     deficiency payments in helping offset reductions in net farm 
     income. The conferees direct the Secretary of Agriculture to 
     take into account county production and prices of feed barley 
     and malting barley in establishing county loan rates and loan 
     repayment rates.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 838) 
     regarding date extention for marketing assistance loans and 
     loan deficiency payments for rice.
       The conference agreement includes a provision (section 839) 
     that allows the Secretary to enter into agreements for the 
     purpose of controlling the buildup of natural fuels that 
     contribute to the threat of wildfires.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 840) 
     regarding publication of regulations for this title.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 841) 
     regarding tobacco.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 842) 
     regarding administrative offsets. The conferees note that the 
     Secretary of Agriculture has in prior years used existing 
     authorities to exempt farm payments from administrative 
     offset, both within the Department of Agriculture and 
     externally. In view of the significant economic hardships 
     faced by farmers and ranchers this year, the third straight 
     year of such hardships, the conferees urge the Secretary 
     of Agriculture to exempt loan deficiency payments and 
     marketing loan gains for year 2000 crops from internal and 
     external administrative offset.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 843) 
     providing $20,000,000 to make payments to producers of 
     tomatoes, pears, peaches, and apricots that were unable to 
     market their crops because of agriculture cooperative losses 
     in the state of California.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 844) 
     regarding burley tobacco.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 845) 
     regarding marketing assistance loans and deficiency loan 
     payment eligibility.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 846) 
     regarding food stamp program excess shelter expenses.
       The conference agreement includes language (section 847) 
     regarding food stamp program vehicle allowances.

                          Offsets/Rescissions

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

       The conference agreement does not provide language that 
     cancels funds in the Office of the Chief Information Officer 
     account that were made available for Year 2000 conversion 
     purposes.

        TITLE IX--TRADE SANCTIONS REFORM AND EXPORT ENHANCEMENT

       The conference agreement includes the ``Trade Sanctions 
     Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000''.

             TITLE X--CONTINUED DUMPING AND SUBSIDY OFFSET

       The conference agreement includes the ``Continued Dumping 
     and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000''.

[[Page H9502]]

               TITLE XI--CONSERVATION OF FARMABLE WETLAND

       The conference agreement includes language regarding a 
     Conservation Reserve Program pilot in the prairie pothole 
     region of the United States.

      TITLE XII--HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION

       The conference agreement includes language regarding 
     avocado research and promotion program.

                       TITLE XIII--DEBT REDUCTION

       The conference agreement includes language that reduces the 
     public debt of the United States.

                   CONFERENCE TOTAL--WITH COMPARISONS

       The total new budget (obligational) authority for the 
     fiscal year 2001 recommended by the Committee of Conference, 
     with comparisons to the fiscal year 2000 amount, the 2001 
     budget estimates, and the House and Senate bills for 2001 
     follow:


                       [In thousands of dollars]

New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2000.......$84,312,546
Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal year76,785,597
House bill, fiscal year 2001.................................75,264,494
Senate bill, fiscal year 2001................................75,356,809
Conference agreement, fiscal year 2001.......................78,139,809
Conference agreement
  compared with:
    New budget (obliga
      tional) authority, fiscal year 2000....................-6,172,737
    Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal +1,354,212
    House bill, fiscal year 2001.............................+2,875,315
    Senate bill, fiscal year 2001............................+2,783,000

     Joe Skeen,
     James T. Walsh,
     Jay Dickey,
     Jack Kingston,
     George R. Nethercutt, Jr.,
     Henry Bonilla,
     Tom Latham,
     Jo Ann Emerson,
     C.W. Bill Young,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Thad Cochran,
     Arlen Specter,
     Christopher S. Bond,
     Slade Gorton,
     Mitch McConnell,
     Conrad Burns,
     Ted Stevens,
     Herb Kohl,
     Tom Harkin,
       (except for Cuba and drug reimportation),
     Byron L. Dorgan,
     Dianne Feinstein,
     Robert C. Byrd,
     Managers on the Part of the Senate.

                          ____________________