[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11568-S11570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LEGISLATIVE SESSION

  Mr. ENZI. I ask unanimous consent the President be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action and the Senate return to legislative 
session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                  Hunger-free Communities Act of 2005

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the 
leader that the Committee on Agriculture be discharged from further 
consideration of S. 1120 and that the Senate then proceed to its 
immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1120) to reduce hunger in the United States by 
     half by 2010, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. DeWINE. I understand there is an amendment at the desk, and I ask 
unanimous consent the amendment be considered and agreed to, the bill, 
as amended, be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, the title amendment, which is at the desk, be 
agreed to, and any statements be printed in the appropriate place in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 5233) was agreed to, as follows:

                (Purpose: To make perfecting amendments)

       On page 1, line 5, strike ``2005'' and insert ``2006''.
       On page 2, strike lines 3 through 10.
       On page 2, line 11, strike ``(4)'' and insert ``(1)''.
       Beginning on page 2, strike line 19 and all that follows 
     through page 3, line 21.
       On page 3, line 22, strike ``(8)(A)'' and insert ``(2)''.
       On page 4, line 2, strike ``and''.
       Beginning on page 4, strike line 3 and all that follows 
     through page 5, line 2.
       On page 5, line 3, strike ``(10)'' and insert ``(3)''.
       On page 5, line 5, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
       On page 5, line 6, strike ``(11)'' and insert ``(4)''.
       On page 5, line 18, strike the semicolon and insert a 
     period.

[[Page S11569]]

       Beginning on page 5, strike line 19 and all that follows 
     through page 6, line 9.
       Beginning on page 7, strike line 12 and all that follows 
     through page 8, line 12.
       On page 8, strike line 13 and insert the following:

     SEC. 101. HUNGER REPORTS.

       On page 8, line 16, strike ``, and annual updates of the 
     study,'' and insert ``not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and an update of the study not later 
     than 5 years thereafter,''.
       On page 8, strike lines 21 and 22 and insert the following:
       (A) data on hunger and food insecurity in the United 
     States;
       On page 9, line 14, strike ``, and annually thereafter,'' 
     and insert ``and 5 years thereafter,''.
       On page 10, line 14, strike ``50 percent'' and insert ``90 
     percent''.
       Beginning on page 15, strike line 6 and all that follows 
     through page 17, line 19, and insert the following:

     SEC. 202. HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITIES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL 
                   ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

       On page 19, line 10, strike ``or 202''.
       On page 20, line 14, strike ``or 202''.
       On page 20, strike line 15 and insert the following:

     SEC. 203. REPORT.

  The amendment (No. 5234) was agreed to, as follows:

       Amend the title so as to read: ``To reduce hunger in the 
     United States, and for other purposes.''

  The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read 
the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 1120

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Hunger-
     Free Communities Act of 2006''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

               TITLE I--NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER

Sec. 101. Hunger reports.

               TITLE II--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY EFFORTS

Sec. 201. Hunger-free communities collaborative grants.
Sec. 202. Hunger-free communities training and technical assistance 
              grants.
Sec. 203. Report.

               TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1)(A) at the 1996 World Food Summit, the United States, 
     along with 185 other countries, pledged to reduce the number 
     of undernourished people by half by 2015; and
       (B) as a result of this pledge, the Department of Health 
     and Human Services adopted the Healthy People 2010 goal to 
     cut food insecurity in half by 2010, and in doing so reduce 
     hunger;
       (2)(A) national nutrition programs are among the fastest, 
     most direct ways to efficiently and effectively prevent 
     hunger, reduce food insecurity, and improve nutrition among 
     the populations targeted by a program;
       (3) in 2001, food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and 
     emergency shelters helped to feed more than 23,000,000 low-
     income people; and
       (4) community-based organizations and charities can help--
       (A) play an important role in preventing and reducing 
     hunger;
       (B) measure community food security;
       (C) develop and implement plans for improving food 
     security;
       (D) educate community leaders about the problems of and 
     solutions to hunger;
       (E) ensure that local nutrition programs are implemented 
     effectively; and
       (F) improve the connection of food insecure people to anti-
     hunger programs.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Domestic hunger goal.--The term ``domestic hunger 
     goal'' means--
       (A) the goal of reducing hunger in the United States to at 
     or below 2 percent by 2010; or
       (B) the goal of reducing food insecurity in the United 
     States to at or below 6 percent by 2010.
       (2) Emergency feeding organization.--The term ``emergency 
     feeding organization'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 
     U.S.C. 7501).
       (3) Food security.--The term ``food security'' means the 
     state in which an individual has access to enough food for an 
     active, healthy life.
       (4) Hunger-free communities goal.--The term ``hunger-free 
     communities goal'' means any of the 14 goals described in the 
     H. Con. Res. 302 (102nd Congress).
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.

               TITLE I--NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER

     SEC. 101. HUNGER REPORTS.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study not 
     later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     and an update of the study not later than 5 years thereafter, 
     of major matters relating to the problem of hunger in the 
     United States, as determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Matters to be assessed.--The matters to be assessed by 
     the Secretary shall include--
       (A) data on hunger and food insecurity in the United 
     States;
       (B) measures carried out during the previous year by 
     Federal, State, and local governments to achieve domestic 
     hunger goals and hunger-free communities goals; and
       (C) measures that could be carried out by Federal, State, 
     and local governments to achieve domestic hunger goals and 
     hunger-free communities goals.
       (b) Recommendations.--The Secretary shall develop 
     recommendations on--
       (1) removing obstacles to achieving domestic hunger goals 
     and hunger-free communities goals; and
       (2) otherwise reducing domestic hunger.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and 5 years thereafter, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the President and Congress a report that 
     contains--
       (1) a detailed statement of the results of the study, or 
     the most recent update to the study, conducted under 
     subsection (a); and
       (2) the most recent recommendations of the Secretary under 
     subsection (b).

               TITLE II--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY EFFORTS

     SEC. 201. HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITIES COLLABORATIVE GRANTS.

       (a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the 
     term ``eligible entity'' means a public food program service 
     provider or a nonprofit organization, including but not 
     limited to an emergency feeding organization, that 
     demonstrates the organization has collaborated, or will 
     collaborate, with 1 or more local partner organizations to 
     achieve at least 1 hunger-free communities goal.
       (b) Program Authorized.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall use not more than 90 
     percent of any funds made available under title III to make 
     grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the 
     costs of an activity described in subsection (d).
       (2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     carrying out an activity under this section shall not exceed 
     80 percent.
       (3) Non-federal share.--
       (A) Calculation.--The non-Federal share of the cost of an 
     activity under this section may be provided in cash or in 
     kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or 
     services.
       (B) Sources.--Any entity may provide the non-Federal share 
     of the cost of an activity under this section through a State 
     government, a local government, or a private source.
       (c) Application.--
       (1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, an 
     eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary 
     at the time and in the manner and accompanied by any 
     information the Secretary may require.
       (2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
     (1) shall--
       (A) identify any activity described in subsection (d) that 
     the grant will be used to fund;
       (B) describe the means by which an activity identified 
     under subparagraph (A) will reduce hunger in the community of 
     the eligible entity;
       (C) list any partner organizations of the eligible entity 
     that will participate in an activity funded by the grant;
       (D) describe any agreement between a partner organization 
     and the eligible entity necessary to carry out an activity 
     funded by the grant; and
       (E) if an assessment described in subsection (d)(1) has 
     been performed, include--
       (i) a summary of that assessment; and
       (ii) information regarding the means by which the grant 
     will help reduce hunger in the community of the eligible 
     entity.
       (3) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
       (A) demonstrate in the application of the eligible entity 
     that the eligible entity makes collaborative efforts to 
     reduce hunger in the community of the eligible entity; and
       (B)(i) serve a predominantly rural and geographically 
     underserved area;
       (ii) serve communities in which the rates of food 
     insecurity, hunger, poverty, or unemployment are demonstrably 
     higher than national average rates;
       (iii) provide evidence of long-term efforts to reduce 
     hunger in the community;
       (iv) provide evidence of public support for the efforts of 
     the eligible entity; or
       (v) demonstrate in the application of the eligible entity a 
     commitment to achieving more than 1 hunger-free communities 
     goal.
       (d) Use of Funds.--
       (1) Assessment of hunger in the community.--
       (A) In general.--An eligible entity in a community that has 
     not performed an assessment described in subparagraph (B) may 
     use a grant received under this section to perform the 
     assessment for the community.
       (B) Assessment.--The assessment referred to in subparagraph 
     (A) shall include--
       (i) an analysis of the problem of hunger in the community 
     served by the eligible entity;

[[Page S11570]]

       (ii) an evaluation of any facility and any equipment used 
     to achieve a hunger-free communities goal in the community;
       (iii) an analysis of the effectiveness and extent of 
     service of existing nutrition programs and emergency feeding 
     organizations; and
       (iv) a plan to achieve any other hunger-free communities 
     goal in the community.
       (2) Activities.--An eligible entity in a community that has 
     submitted an assessment to the Secretary shall use a grant 
     received under this section for any fiscal year for 
     activities of the eligible entity, including--
       (A) meeting the immediate needs of people in the community 
     served by the eligible entity who experience hunger by--
       (i) distributing food;
       (ii) providing community outreach; or
       (iii) improving access to food as part of a comprehensive 
     service;
       (B) developing new resources and strategies to help reduce 
     hunger in the community;
       (C) establishing a program to achieve a hunger-free 
     communities goal in the community, including--
       (i) a program to prevent, monitor, and treat children in 
     the community experiencing hunger or poor nutrition; or
       (ii) a program to provide information to people in the 
     community on hunger, domestic hunger goals, and hunger-free 
     communities goals; and
       (D) establishing a program to provide food and nutrition 
     services as part of a coordinated community-based 
     comprehensive service.

     SEC. 202. HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITIES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL 
                   ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

       (a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the 
     term ``eligible entity'' means a national or regional 
     nonprofit organization that carries out an activity described 
     in subsection (d).
       (b) Program Authorized.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall use not more than 10 
     percent of any funds made available under title III to make 
     grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the 
     costs of an activity described in subsection (d).
       (2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     carrying out an activity under this section shall not exceed 
     80 percent.
       (c) Application.--
       (1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, an 
     eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary 
     at the time and in the manner and accompanied by any 
     information the Secretary may require.
       (2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
     (1) shall--
       (A) demonstrate that the eligible entity does not operate 
     for profit;
       (B) describe any national or regional training program 
     carried out by the eligible entity, including a description 
     of each region served by the eligible entity;
       (C) describe any national or regional technical assistance 
     provided by the eligible entity, including a description of 
     each region served by the eligible entity; and
       (D) describe the means by which each organization served by 
     the eligible entity--
       (i) works to achieve a domestic hunger goal;
       (ii) works to achieve a hunger-free communities goal; or
       (iii) used a grant received by the organization under 
     section 201.
       (3) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities the 
     applications of which demonstrate 2 or more of the following:
       (A) The eligible entity serves a predominantly rural and 
     geographically underserved area.
       (B) The eligible entity serves a region in which the rates 
     of food insecurity, hunger, poverty, or unemployment are 
     demonstrably higher than national average rates.
       (C) The eligible entity serves a region that has carried 
     out long-term efforts to reduce hunger in the region.
       (D) The eligible entity serves a region that provides 
     public support for the efforts of the eligible entity.
       (E) The eligible entity is committed to achieving more than 
     1 hunger-free communities goal.
       (d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity shall use a grant 
     received under this section for any fiscal year to carry out 
     national or regional training and technical assistance for 
     organizations that--
       (1) work to achieve a domestic hunger goal;
       (2) work to achieve a hunger-free communities goal; or
       (3) receive a grant under section 201.

     SEC. 203. REPORT.

       Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall 
     submit to Congress a report describing--
       (1) each grant made under this title, including--
       (A) a description of any activity funded by such a grant; 
     and
       (B) the degree of success of each activity funded by such a 
     grant in achieving hunger-free communities goals; and
       (2) the degree of success of all activities funded by 
     grants under this title in achieving domestic hunger goals.

               TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

     SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out title 
     II $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011.

                          ____________________