[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9823-H10030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONFERENCE REPORT AND EXPLANATORY MATERIAL STATEMENT ON H.R. 2, 
   AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018, SUBMITTED BY MR. CONAWAY, 
             CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

                 Conference Report (H. Rept. 115-1072)

       The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 
     two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 
     2), to provide for the reform and continuation of 
     agricultural and other programs of the Department of 
     Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, 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 proposed to be inserted by the Senate 
     amendment, insert the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary.

                          TITLE I--COMMODITIES

                      Subtitle A--Commodity Policy

Sec. 1101. Definition of effective reference price.
Sec. 1102. Base acres.
Sec. 1103. Payment yields.
Sec. 1104. Payment acres.
Sec. 1105. Producer election.
Sec. 1106. Price loss coverage.
Sec. 1107. Agriculture risk coverage.
Sec. 1108. Repeal of transition assistance for producers of upland 
              cotton.

                      Subtitle B--Marketing Loans

Sec. 1201. Extensions.
Sec. 1202. Loan rates for nonrecourse marketing assistance loans.
Sec. 1203. Economic adjustment assistance for textile mills.
Sec. 1204. Special competitive provisions for extra long staple cotton.
Sec. 1205. Availability of recourse loans.

                           Subtitle C--Sugar

Sec. 1301. Sugar policy.

  Subtitle D--Dairy Margin Coverage and Other Dairy Related Provisions

Sec. 1401. Dairy margin coverage.
Sec. 1402. Reauthorizations.
Sec. 1403. Class I skim milk price.
Sec. 1404. Dairy product donation.

       Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance

Sec. 1501. Supplemental agricultural disaster assistance.

                 Subtitle F--Noninsured Crop Assistance

Sec. 1601. Noninsured crop assistance program.

                       Subtitle G--Administration

Sec. 1701. Regulations.
Sec. 1702. Suspension of permanent price support authority.
Sec. 1703. Payment limitations.
Sec. 1704. Adjusted gross income limitations.
Sec. 1705. Farm Service Agency accountability.
Sec. 1706. Implementation.
Sec. 1707. Exemption from certain reporting requirements for certain 
              producers.

                         TITLE II--CONSERVATION

                    Subtitle A--Wetland Conservation

Sec. 2101. Wetland conversion.
Sec. 2102. Wetland conservation.
Sec. 2103. Mitigation banking.

                Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program

Sec. 2201. Conservation reserve.
Sec. 2202. Conservation reserve enhancement program.
Sec. 2203. Farmable wetland program.
Sec. 2204. Pilot programs.
Sec. 2205. Duties of owners and operators.
Sec. 2206. Duties of the Secretary.
Sec. 2207. Payments.
Sec. 2208. Contracts.
Sec. 2209. Eligible land; State law requirements.

 Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation 
                          Stewardship Program

Sec. 2301. Repeal of conservation programs.
Sec. 2302. Purposes of environmental quality incentives program.
Sec. 2303. Definitions under environmental quality incentives program.
Sec. 2304. Establishment and administration of environmental quality 
              incentives program.
Sec. 2305. Environmental quality incentives program plan.
Sec. 2306. Limitation on payments under environmental quality 
              incentives program.
Sec. 2307. Conservation innovation grants and payments.
Sec. 2308. Conservation stewardship program.
Sec. 2309. Grassland conservation initiative.

                Subtitle D--Other Conservation Programs

Sec. 2401. Watershed protection and flood prevention.
Sec. 2402. Soil and water resources conservation.
Sec. 2403. Emergency conservation program.
Sec. 2404. Conservation of private grazing land.
Sec. 2405. Grassroots source water protection program.
Sec. 2406. Voluntary public access and habitat incentive program.
Sec. 2407. Wildlife management.
Sec. 2408. Feral swine eradication and control pilot program.
Sec. 2409. Report on small wetlands.
Sec. 2410. Sense of Congress relating to increased watershed-based 
              collaboration.

                 Subtitle E--Funding and Administration

Sec. 2501. Commodity Credit Corporation.
Sec. 2502. Delivery of technical assistance.
Sec. 2503. Administrative requirements for conservation programs.
Sec. 2504. Temporary administration of conservation programs.

         Subtitle F--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

Sec. 2601. Establishment and purposes.
Sec. 2602. Definitions.
Sec. 2603. Agricultural land easements.
Sec. 2604. Wetland reserve easements.
Sec. 2605. Administration.

         Subtitle G--Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Sec. 2701. Establishment and purposes.
Sec. 2702. Definitions.
Sec. 2703. Regional conservation partnerships.
Sec. 2704. Assistance to producers.
Sec. 2705. Funding.
Sec. 2706. Administration.
Sec. 2707. Critical conservation areas.

              Subtitle H--Repeals and Technical Amendments

                            PART I--Repeals

Sec. 2811. Repeal of Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program.
Sec. 2812. Repeal of cranberry acreage reserve program.
Sec. 2813. Repeal of National Natural Resources Foundation.
Sec. 2814. Repeal of flood risk reduction.
Sec. 2815. Repeal of study of land use for expiring contracts and 
              extension of authority.

[[Page H9824]]

Sec. 2816. Repeal of Integrated Farm Management Program Option.
Sec. 2817. Repeal of clarification of definition of agricultural lands.

                     PART II--Technical Amendments

Sec. 2821. Technical amendments.
Sec. 2822. State technical committees.

                            TITLE III--TRADE

                     Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act

Sec. 3101. Labeling requirements.
Sec. 3102. Food aid quality assurance.
Sec. 3103. Local sale and barter of commodities.
Sec. 3104. Minimum levels of assistance.
Sec. 3105. Food aid consultative group.
Sec. 3106. Issuance of regulations.
Sec. 3107. Oversight, monitoring, and evaluation.
Sec. 3108. Assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation, 
              delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged 
              foods.
Sec. 3109. Consideration of impact of provision of agricultural 
              commodities and other assistance on local farmers and 
              economy.
Sec. 3110. Allowance for distribution costs.
Sec. 3111. Prepositioning of agricultural commodities.
Sec. 3112. Annual report regarding food aid programs and activities.
Sec. 3113. Deadline for agreements to finance sales or to provide other 
              assistance.
Sec. 3114. Minimum level of nonemergency food assistance.
Sec. 3115. Termination date for micronutrient fortification programs.
Sec. 3116. John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer program.

               Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978

Sec. 3201. Agricultural trade promotion and facilitation.

               Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws

Sec. 3301. Growing American Food Exports.
Sec. 3302. Food for Progress Act of 1985.
Sec. 3303. Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act.
Sec. 3304. Promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets.
Sec. 3305. Cochran fellowship program.
Sec. 3306. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology 
              Fellowship program.
Sec. 3307. International Agricultural Education Fellowship program.
Sec. 3308. International food security technical assistance.
Sec. 3309. McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child 
              Nutrition program.
Sec. 3310. Global Crop Diversity Trust.
Sec. 3311. Local and regional food aid procurement projects.
Sec. 3312. Foreign trade missions.

                          TITLE IV--NUTRITION

         Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Sec. 4001. Requirements for online acceptance of benefits.
Sec. 4002. Re-evaluation of thrifty food plan.
Sec. 4003. Food distribution program on Indian reservations.
Sec. 4004. Simplified homeless housing costs.
Sec. 4005. Employment and training for supplemental nutrition 
              assistance program.
Sec. 4006. Improvements to electronic benefit transfer system.
Sec. 4007. Review of supplemental nutrition assistance program 
              operations.
Sec. 4008. Retail incentives.
Sec. 4009. Required action on data match information.
Sec. 4010. Incentivizing technology modernization.
Sec. 4011. Interstate data matching to prevent multiple issuances.
Sec. 4012. Requirement of live-production environments for certain 
              pilot projects relating to cost sharing for 
              computerization.
Sec. 4013. Quality control improvements.
Sec. 4014. Evaluation of child support enforcement cooperation 
              requirements.
Sec. 4015. Longitudinal data for research.
Sec. 4016. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 4017. Assistance for community food projects.
Sec. 4018. Emergency food assistance program.
Sec. 4019. Nutrition education.
Sec. 4020. Retail food store and recipient trafficking.
Sec. 4021. Public-private partnerships.
Sec. 4022. Technical corrections.

              Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs

Sec. 4101. Commodity distribution program.
Sec. 4102. Commodity supplemental food program.
Sec. 4103. Distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition 
              projects.
Sec. 4104. Food donation standards.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

Sec. 4201. Seniors farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 4202. Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to 
              schools and service institutions.
Sec. 4203. Service of traditional foods in public facilities.
Sec. 4204. Healthy food financing initiative.
Sec. 4205. The Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program.
Sec. 4206. Micro-grants for food security.
Sec. 4207. Buy American requirements.
Sec. 4208. Healthy fluid milk incentives projects.

                            TITLE V--CREDIT

                    Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans

Sec. 5101. Modification of the 3-year experience eligibility 
              requirement for farm ownership loans.
Sec. 5102. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program.
Sec. 5103. Limitations on amount of farm ownership loans.
Sec. 5104. Relending program to resolve ownership and succession on 
              farmland.

                      Subtitle B--Operating Loans

Sec. 5201. Limitations on amount of operating loans.
Sec. 5202. Microloans.
Sec. 5203. Cooperative lending pilot projects.

                 Subtitle C--Administrative Provisions

Sec. 5301. Beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts 
              pilot program.
Sec. 5302. Loan authorization levels.
Sec. 5303. Loan fund set-asides.
Sec. 5304. Use of additional funds for direct operating microloans 
              under certain conditions.
Sec. 5305. Equitable relief.
Sec. 5306. Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; qualified 
              beginning farmers and ranchers.
Sec. 5307. Emergency loan eligibility.

                       Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

Sec. 5401. Technical corrections to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
              Development Act.
Sec. 5402. State agricultural mediation programs.
Sec. 5403. Compensation of bank directors.
Sec. 5404. Sharing of privileged and confidential information.
Sec. 5405. Facility headquarters.
Sec. 5406. Removal and prohibition authority; industry-wide 
              prohibition.
Sec. 5407. Jurisdiction over institution-affiliated parties.
Sec. 5408. Definition of institution-affiliated party.
Sec. 5409. Prohibition on use of funds.
Sec. 5410. Expansion of acreage exception to loan amount limitation.
Sec. 5411. Repeal of obsolete provisions; technical corrections.
Sec. 5412. Corporation as conservator or receiver; certain other 
              powers.
Sec. 5413. Reporting.
Sec. 5414. Study on loan risk.
Sec. 5415. GAO report on ability of the Farm Credit System to meet the 
              agricultural credit needs of Indian tribes and their 
              members.
Sec. 5416. GAO report on credit service to socially disadvantaged 
              farmers and ranchers.

                      TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

         Subtitle A--Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America

Sec. 6101. Combating substance use disorder in rural America; 
              prioritizations.
Sec. 6102. Distance learning and telemedicine.
Sec. 6103. Refinancing of certain rural hospital debt.

     Subtitle B--Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband

Sec. 6201. Access to broadband telecommunications services in rural 
              areas.
Sec. 6202. Expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas.
Sec. 6203. Modifications to the Rural Gigabit Program.
Sec. 6204. Community Connect Grant Program.
Sec. 6205. Outdated broadband systems.
Sec. 6206. Default and deobligation; deferral.
Sec. 6207. Public notice, assessments, and reporting requirements.
Sec. 6208. Environmental reviews.
Sec. 6209. Use of loan proceeds to refinance loans for deployment of 
              broadband service.
Sec. 6210. Smart utility authority for broadband.
Sec. 6211. Refinancing of telephone loans.
Sec. 6212. Federal broadband program coordination.
Sec. 6213. Transition rule.
Sec. 6214. Rural broadband integration working group.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

Sec. 6301. Exclusion of certain populations from definition of rural 
              area.
Sec. 6302. Establishment of technical assistance program.
Sec. 6303. Rural energy savings program.
Sec. 6304. Northern Border Regional Commission reauthorization.
Sec. 6305. Definition of rural area for purposes of the Housing Act of 
              1949.
Sec. 6306. Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic 
              Development.

 Subtitle D--Additional Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
                            Development Act

Sec. 6401. Strategic economic and community development.
Sec. 6402. Expanding access to credit for rural communities.
Sec. 6403. Water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants.
Sec. 6404. Rural water and wastewater technical assistance and training 
              programs.
Sec. 6405. Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.
Sec. 6406. Tribal college and university essential community 
              facilities.
Sec. 6407. Emergency and imminent community water assistance grant 
              program.
Sec. 6408. Water systems for rural and native villages in Alaska.
Sec. 6409. Rural decentralized water systems.
Sec. 6410. Solid waste management grants.

[[Page H9825]]

Sec. 6411. Rural business development grants.
Sec. 6412. Rural cooperative development grants.
Sec. 6413. Locally or regionally produced agricultural food products.
Sec. 6414. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
Sec. 6415. Rural economic area partnership zones.
Sec. 6416. Intemediary relending program.
Sec. 6417. Access to information to verify income for participants in 
              certain rural housing programs.
Sec. 6418. Providing for additional fees for guaranteed loans under the 
              Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Sec. 6419. Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs technical 
              assistance and training.
Sec. 6420. National Rural Development Partnership.
Sec. 6421. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters.
Sec. 6422. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.
Sec. 6423. Health care services.
Sec. 6424. Rural innovation stronger economy grant program.
Sec. 6425. Delta Regional Authority.
Sec. 6426. Rural business investment program.
Sec. 6427. Rural business investment program.

 Subtitle E--Additional Amendments to the Rural Electrification Act of 
                                  1936

Sec. 6501. Amendments to section 2 of the Rural Electrification Act of 
              1936.
Sec. 6502. Loans for telephone service.
Sec. 6503. Cushion of credit payments program.
Sec. 6504. Extension of the rural economic development loan and grant 
              program.
Sec. 6505. Guarantees for bonds and notes issued for electrification or 
              telephone purposes.
Sec. 6506. Expansion of 911 access.
Sec. 6507. Cybersecurity and grid security improvements.

                      Subtitle F--Program Repeals

Sec. 6601. Elimination of unfunded programs.
Sec. 6602. Repeal of Rural Telephone Bank.
Sec. 6603. Amendments to LOCAL TV Act.

                   Subtitle G--Technical Corrections

Sec. 6701. Corrections relating to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
              Development Act.
Sec. 6702. Corrections relating to the Rural Electrification Act of 
              1936.

          TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS

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

Sec. 7101. Purposes of agricultural research, extension, and education.
Sec. 7102. Matters related to certain school designations and 
              declarations.
Sec. 7103. National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
              Economics Advisory Board.
Sec. 7104. Specialty crop committee.
Sec. 7105. Renewable energy committee discontinued.
Sec. 7106. Veterinary services grant program.
Sec. 7107. Grants and fellowships for food and agriculture sciences 
              education.
Sec. 7108. Agricultural and food policy research centers.
Sec. 7109. Education grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and 
              Native Hawaiian serving institutions.
Sec. 7110. Next generation agriculture technology challenge.
Sec. 7111. Land-grant designation.
Sec. 7112. Nutrition education program.
Sec. 7113. Continuing animal health and disease research programs.
Sec. 7114. Carryover of funds for extension at 1890 land-grant 
              colleges, including Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7115. Extension and agricultural research at 1890 land-grant 
              colleges, including Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7116. Reports on disbursement of funds for agricultural research 
              and extension at 1862 and 1890 land-grant colleges, 
              including Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7117. Scholarships for students at 1890 institutions.
Sec. 7118. Grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities 
              at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee 
              University.
Sec. 7119. Grants to upgrade agriculture and food sciences facilities 
              and equipment at insular area land-grant institutions.
Sec. 7120. New Beginning for Tribal Students.
Sec. 7121. Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sec. 7122. Binational agricultural research and development.
Sec. 7123. Partnerships to build capacity in international agricultural 
              research, extension, and teaching.
Sec. 7124. Competitive grants for international agricultural science 
              and education programs.
Sec. 7125. Limitation on indirect costs for agricultural research, 
              education, and extension programs.
Sec. 7126. Research equipment grants.
Sec. 7127. University research.
Sec. 7128. Extension service.
Sec. 7129. Supplemental and alternative crops; hemp.
Sec. 7130. New Era Rural Technology program.
Sec. 7131. Capacity building grants for NLGCA Institutions.
Sec. 7132. Agriculture advanced research and development authority 
              pilot.
Sec. 7133. Aquaculture assistance programs.
Sec. 7134. Rangeland research programs.
Sec. 7135. Special authorization for biosecurity planning and response.
Sec. 7136. Distance education and resident instruction grants program 
              for insular area institutions of higher education.

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

Sec. 7201. Best utilization of biological applications.
Sec. 7202. Integrated management systems.
Sec. 7203. Sustainable agriculture technology development and transfer 
              program.
Sec. 7204. National training program.
Sec. 7205. National strategic germplasm and cultivar collection 
              assessment and utilization plan.
Sec. 7206. National Genetics Resources Program.
Sec. 7207. National Agricultural Weather Information System.
Sec. 7208. Agricultural genome to phenome initiative.
Sec. 7209. High-priority research and extension initiatives.
Sec. 7210. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 7211. Farm business management.
Sec. 7212. Urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production 
              research, education, and extension initiative.
Sec. 7213. Centers of excellence at 1890 Institutions.
Sec. 7214. Clarification of veteran eligibility for assistive 
              technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Sec. 7215. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse.

Subtitle C--Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
                                of 1998

Sec. 7301. National food safety training, education, extension, 
              outreach, and technical assistance program.
Sec. 7302. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
              grants program.
Sec. 7303. Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale, 
              and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum or by Tilletia 
              indica.
Sec. 7304. Grants for youth organizations.
Sec. 7305. Specialty crop research initiative.
Sec. 7306. Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program.
Sec. 7307. Office of Pest Management Policy.
Sec. 7308. Forestry products advanced utilization research.

         Subtitle D--Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008

                     PART I--Agricultural Security

Sec. 7401. Agricultural biosecurity communication center.
Sec. 7402. Assistance to build local capacity in agricultural 
              biosecurity planning, preparation, and response.
Sec. 7403. Research and development of agricultural countermeasures.
Sec. 7404. Agricultural biosecurity grant program.

                         PART II--Miscellaneous

Sec. 7411. Grazinglands research laboratory.
Sec. 7412. Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
Sec. 7413. Natural products research program.
Sec. 7414. Sun grant program.

                  Subtitle E--Amendments to Other Laws

Sec. 7501. Critical Agricultural Materials Act.
Sec. 7502. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Sec. 7503. Research Facilities Act.
Sec. 7504. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
Sec. 7505. Extension design and demonstration initiative.
Sec. 7506. Repeal of review of agricultural research service.
Sec. 7507. Biomass research and development.
Sec. 7508. Reinstatement of matching requirement for Federal funds used 
              in extension work at the University of the District of 
              Columbia.
Sec. 7509. Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978.
Sec. 7510. National Aquaculture Act of 1980.
Sec. 7511. Federal agriculture research facilities.

                       Subtitle F--Other Matters

Sec. 7601. Enhanced use lease authority program.
Sec. 7602. Transfer of administrative jurisdiction over portion of 
              Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, 
              Beltsville, Maryland.
Sec. 7603. Foundation for food and agriculture research.
Sec. 7604. Assistance for forestry research under the McIntire-Stennis 
              Cooperative Forestry Act.
Sec. 7605. Legitimacy of industrial hemp research.
Sec. 7606. Collection of data relating to barley area planted and 
              harvested.
Sec. 7607. Collection of data relating to the size and location of 
              dairy farms.
Sec. 7608. Agriculture innovation center demonstration program.
Sec. 7609. Smith-Lever community extension program.
Sec. 7610. Mechanization and automation for specialty crops.
Sec. 7611. Experienced services program.
Sec. 7612. Simplified plan of work.

[[Page H9826]]

Sec. 7613. Review of land-grant time and effort reporting requirements.
Sec. 7614. Matching funds requirement.

                          TITLE VIII--FORESTRY

        Subtitle A--Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978

Sec. 8101. Support for State assessments and strategies for forest 
              resources.
Sec. 8102. State and private forest landscape-scale restoration 
              program.

 Subtitle B--Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
                                  1978

Sec. 8201. Repeal of recycling research.
Sec. 8202. Repeal of forestry student grant program.

        Subtitle C--Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990

Sec. 8301. Repeals relating to biomass.

          Subtitle D--Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003

Sec. 8401. Promoting cross-boundary wildfire mitigation.
Sec. 8402. Authorization of appropriations for hazardous fuel reduction 
              on Federal land.
Sec. 8403. Repeal of biomass commercial utilization grant program.
Sec. 8404. Water Source Protection Program.
Sec. 8405. Watershed Condition Framework.
Sec. 8406. Authorization of appropriations to combat insect 
              infestations and related diseases.
Sec. 8407. Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 amendments.
Sec. 8408. Authorization of appropriations for designation of treatment 
              areas.

    Subtitle E--Repeal or Reauthorization of Miscellaneous Forestry 
                                Programs

Sec. 8501. Repeal of revision of strategic plan for forest inventory 
              and analysis.
Sec. 8502. Semiarid agroforestry research center.
Sec. 8503. National Forest Foundation Act.
Sec. 8504. Conveyance of Forest Service administrative sites.

                     Subtitle F--Forest Management

Sec. 8601. Definition of National Forest System.

     PART I--Expedited Environmental Analysis and Availability of 
    Categorical Exclusions to Expedite Forest Management Activities

Sec. 8611. Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer 
              habitat.

          PART II--Miscellaneous Forest Management Activities

Sec. 8621. Additional authority for sale or exchange of small parcels 
              of National Forest System land.
Sec. 8622. Forest Service participation in ACES program.
Sec. 8623. Authorization for lease of Forest Service sites.
Sec. 8624. Good neighbor authority.
Sec. 8625. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest land adjustment.
Sec. 8626. Tennessee wilderness.
Sec. 8627. Kisatchie National Forest land conveyance.
Sec. 8628. Purchase of Natural Resources Conservation Service property, 
              Riverside County, California.
Sec. 8629. Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.
Sec. 8630. Utility infrastructure rights-of-way vegetation management 
              pilot program.
Sec. 8631. Okhissa Lake rural economic development land conveyance.
Sec. 8632. Remote sensing technologies.

                      PART III--Timber Innovation

Sec. 8641. Definitions.
Sec. 8642. Clarification of research and development program for wood 
              building construction.
Sec. 8643. Wood innovation grant program.
Sec. 8644. Community wood energy and wood innovation program.

                       Subtitle G--Other Matters

Sec. 8701. Rural revitalization technologies.
Sec. 8702. Resource Advisory Committees.
Sec. 8703. Tribal forest management demonstration project.
Sec. 8704. Technical corrections.
Sec. 8705. Streamlining the Forest Service process for consideration of 
              communications facility location applications.
Sec. 8706. Report on wildfire, insect infestation, and disease 
              prevention on Federal land.
Sec. 8707. West Fork Fire Station.
Sec. 8708. Competitive forestry, natural resources, and environmental 
              grants program.

                            TITLE IX--ENERGY

Sec. 9001. Definitions.
Sec. 9002. Biobased markets program.
Sec. 9003. Biorefinery assistance.
Sec. 9004. Repowering assistance program.
Sec. 9005. Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels.
Sec. 9006. Biodiesel fuel education program.
Sec. 9007. Rural Energy for America Program.
Sec. 9008. Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative.
Sec. 9009. Feedstock flexibility.
Sec. 9010. Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
Sec. 9011. Carbon utilization and biogas education program.

                         TITLE X--HORTICULTURE

Sec. 10101. Specialty crops market news allocation.
Sec. 10102. Local agriculture market program.
Sec. 10103. Organic production and market data initiatives.
Sec. 10104. Organic certification.
Sec. 10105. National organic certification cost-share program.
Sec. 10106. Food safety education initiatives.
Sec. 10107. Specialty crop block grants.
Sec. 10108. Amendments to the Plant Variety Protection Act.
Sec. 10109. Multiple crop and pesticide use survey.
Sec. 10110. Report on the arrival in the United States of forest pests 
              through restrictions on the importation of certain plants 
              for planting.
Sec. 10111. Report on plant biostimulants.
Sec. 10112. Clarification of use of funds for technical assistance.
Sec. 10113. Hemp production.
Sec. 10114. Interstate commerce.
Sec. 10115. FIFRA interagency working group.
Sec. 10116. Study on methyl bromide use in response to an emergency 
              event.

                        TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE

Sec. 11101. Definitions.
Sec. 11102. Data collection.
Sec. 11103. Sharing of records.
Sec. 11104. Use of resources.
Sec. 11105. Specialty crops.
Sec. 11106. Insurance period.
Sec. 11107. Cover crops.
Sec. 11108. Underserved producers.
Sec. 11109. Treatment of forage and grazing.
Sec. 11110. Administrative basic fee.
Sec. 11111. Enterprise units.
Sec. 11112. Continued authority.
Sec. 11113. Submission of policies and materials to board.
Sec. 11114. Crop production on native sod.
Sec. 11115. Use of national agricultural statistics service data to 
              combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
Sec. 11116. Submission of information to corporation.
Sec. 11117. Continuing education for loss adjusters and agents.
Sec. 11118. Program administration.
Sec. 11119. Agricultural commodity.
Sec. 11120. Maintenance of policies.
Sec. 11121. Reimbursement of research, development, and maintenance 
              costs.
Sec. 11122. Research and development authority.
Sec. 11123. Funding for research and development.
Sec. 11124. Technical amendment to pilot programs.
Sec. 11125. Education and risk management assistance.
Sec. 11126. Repeal of cropland report annual updates.

                        TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS

                         Subtitle A--Livestock

Sec. 12101. Animal disease prevention and management.
Sec. 12102. Sheep production and marketing grant program.
Sec. 12103. Feasibility study on livestock dealer statutory trust.
Sec. 12104. Definition of livestock.
Sec. 12105. National Aquatic Animal Health Plan.
Sec. 12106. Veterinary training.
Sec. 12107. Report on FSIS guidance and outreach to small meat 
              processors.
Sec. 12108. Regional Cattle and Carcass Grading Correlation and 
              Training Centers.

                Subtitle B--Agriculture and Food Defense

Sec. 12201. Repeal of Office of Homeland Security.
Sec. 12202. Office of Homeland Security.
Sec. 12203. Agriculture and food defense.
Sec. 12204. Biological agents and toxins list.
Sec. 12205. Authorization of appropriations.

             Subtitle C--Historically Underserved Producers

Sec. 12301. Farming opportunities training and outreach.
Sec. 12302. Urban agriculture.
Sec. 12303. Tribal Advisory Committee.
Sec. 12304. Beginning farmer and rancher coordination.
Sec. 12305. Agricultural youth organization coordinator.
Sec. 12306. Availability of Department of Agriculture programs for 
              veteran farmers and ranchers.

   Subtitle D--Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
                               Amendments

Sec. 12401. Office of Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental 
              Affairs.
Sec. 12402. Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.
Sec. 12403. Civil rights analyses.
Sec. 12404. Farm Service Agency.
Sec. 12405. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and 
              Conservation.
Sec. 12406. Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
Sec. 12407. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.
Sec. 12408. Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.
Sec. 12409. Rural Health Liaison.
Sec. 12410. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Sec. 12411. Office of the Chief Scientist.
Sec. 12412. Appointment of national appeals division hearing officers.
Sec. 12413. Trade and foreign agricultural affairs.
Sec. 12414. Repeals.
Sec. 12415. Technical corrections.
Sec. 12416. Termination of authority.

               Subtitle E--Other Miscellaneous Provisions

              PART I--Miscellaneous Agriculture Provisions

Sec. 12501. Acer access and development program.
Sec. 12502. Protecting animals with shelter.
Sec. 12503. Marketing orders.

[[Page H9827]]

Sec. 12504. Establishment of food loss and waste reduction liaison.
Sec. 12505. Report on business centers.
Sec. 12506. Report on personnel.
Sec. 12507. Report on absent landlords.
Sec. 12508. Century farms program.
Sec. 12509. Report on importation of live dogs.
Sec. 12510. Tribal Promise Zones.
Sec. 12511. Precision agriculture connectivity.
Sec. 12512. Improvements to United States Drought Monitor.
Sec. 12513. Dairy business innovation initiatives.
Sec. 12514. Report on funding for the National Institute of Food and 
              Agriculture and other extension programs.
Sec. 12515. Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human 
              consumption.
Sec. 12516. Labeling exemption for single ingredient foods and 
              products.
Sec. 12517. South Carolina inclusion in Virginia/Carolina peanut 
              producing region.
Sec. 12518. Forest Service hire authority.
Sec. 12519. Conversion authority.
Sec. 12520. Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary of 
              Agriculture and others.

              PART II--National Oilheat Research Alliance

Sec. 12531. National oilheat research alliance.

                     Subtitle F--General Provisions

Sec. 12601. Baiting of migratory game birds.
Sec. 12602. Pima agriculture cotton trust fund.
Sec. 12603. Agriculture wool apparel manufacturers trust fund.
Sec. 12604. Wool research and promotion.
Sec. 12605. Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust 
              Fund.
Sec. 12606. Extension of merchandise processing fees.
Sec. 12607. Reports on land access and farmland ownership data 
              collection.
Sec. 12608. Reauthorization of rural emergency medical services 
              training and equipment assistance program.
Sec. 12609. Commission on Farm Transitions--Needs for 2050.
Sec. 12610. Exceptions under United States Grain Standards Act.
Sec. 12611. Conference report requirement threshold.
Sec. 12612. National agriculture imagery program.
Sec. 12613. Report on inclusion of natural stone products in Commodity 
              Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996.
Sec. 12614. Establishment of food access liaison.
Sec. 12615. Eligibility for operators on heirs property land to obtain 
              a farm number.
Sec. 12616. Extending prohibition on animal fighting to the 
              territories.
Sec. 12617. Exemption of exportation of certain echinoderms from 
              permission and licensing requirements.
Sec. 12618. Data on conservation practices.
Sec. 12619. Conforming changes to Controlled Substances Act.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

       In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
     Agriculture.

                          TITLE I--COMMODITIES

                      Subtitle A--Commodity Policy

     SEC. 1101. DEFINITION OF EFFECTIVE REFERENCE PRICE.

       Section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9011) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (25) as 
     paragraphs (9) through (26), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
       ``(8) Effective reference price.--The term `effective 
     reference price', with respect to a covered commodity for a 
     crop year, means the lesser of the following:
       ``(A) An amount equal to 115 percent of the reference price 
     for such covered commodity.
       ``(B) An amount equal to the greater of--
       ``(i) the reference price for such covered commodity; or
       ``(ii) 85 percent of the average of the marketing year 
     average price of the covered commodity for the most recent 5 
     crop years, excluding each of the crop years with the highest 
     and lowest marketing year average price.''.

     SEC. 1102. BASE ACRES.

       (a) Technical Corrections.--Section 1112(c)(2) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9012(c)(2)) is amended by 
     striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
       ``(A) Any acreage on the farm enrolled in--
       ``(i) the conservation reserve program established under 
     subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.); or
       ``(ii) a wetland reserve easement under section 1265C of 
     the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865c).''.
       (b) Reduction in Base Acres.--Section 1112(d) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9012(d)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Treatment of base acres on farms entirely planted to 
     grass or pasture.--
       ``(A) In general.--In the case of a farm on which all of 
     the cropland was planted to grass or pasture (including 
     cropland that was idle or fallow), as determined by the 
     Secretary, during the period beginning on January 1, 2009, 
     and ending on December 31, 2017, the Secretary shall maintain 
     all base acres and payment yields for the covered commodities 
     on the farm, except that no payment shall be made with 
     respect to those base acres under section 1116 or 1117 for 
     the 2019 through 2023 crop years.
       ``(B) Ineligibility.--The producers on a farm for which all 
     of the base acres are maintained under subparagraph (A) shall 
     be ineligible for the option to change the election 
     applicable to the producers on the farm under section 
     1115(h).
       ``(4) Prohibition on reconstitution of farm.--The Secretary 
     shall ensure that producers on a farm do not reconstitute the 
     farm to void or change the treatment of base acres under this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 1103. PAYMENT YIELDS.

       (a) Treatment of Designated Oilseeds.--Section 1113(b) of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9013(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``designated oilseeds'' 
     and inserting ``oilseeds designated before the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018'';
       (2) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking ``a designated 
     oilseed'' each place it appears and inserting ``an oilseed 
     designated before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Treatment of oilseeds designated after certain 
     date.--In the case of oilseeds designated on or after the 
     date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
     the payment yield shall be equal to 90 percent of the average 
     of the yield per planted acre for the most recent 5 crop 
     years, as determined by the Secretary, excluding any crop 
     year in which the acreage planted to the covered commodity 
     was zero.''.
       (b) Single Opportunity to Update Yields.--Section 1113 of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9013) is amended by 
     striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Single Opportunity to Update Yields.--
       ``(1) Election to update.--At the sole discretion of the 
     owner of a farm, the owner of a farm shall have a 1-time 
     opportunity to update, on a covered-commodity-by-covered-
     commodity basis, the payment yield that would otherwise be 
     used in calculating any price loss coverage payment for each 
     covered commodity on the farm for which the election is made.
       ``(2) Method of updating yields for covered commodities.--
     If the owner of a farm elects to update yields under 
     paragraph (1), the payment yield for a covered commodity on 
     the farm, for the purpose of calculating price loss coverage 
     payments only, shall be equal to the product obtained by 
     multiplying--
       ``(A) 90 percent;
       ``(B) the average of the yield per planted acre for the 
     crop of covered commodities on the farm for the 2013 through 
     2017 crop years, as determined by the Secretary, excluding 
     any crop year in which the acreage planted to the covered 
     commodity was zero; and
       ``(C) subject to paragraph (3), the ratio obtained by 
     dividing--
       ``(i) the average of the 2008 through 2012 national average 
     yield per planted acre for the covered commodity, as 
     determined by the Secretary; by
       ``(ii) the average of the 2013 through 2017 national 
     average yield per planted acre for the covered commodity, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Limitation.--In no case shall the ratio obtained 
     under paragraph (2)(C) be less than 90 percent or greater 
     than 100 percent.
       ``(4) Use of county average yield.--For the purposes of 
     determining the average yield per planted acre under 
     paragraph (2)(B), if the yield per planted acre for a crop of 
     a covered commodity for a farm for any of the crop years 
     described in that subparagraph was less than 75 percent of 
     the average of county yields for those crop years for that 
     commodity, the Secretary shall assign a yield for that crop 
     year equal to 75 percent of the average of the 2013 through 
     2017 county yield for the covered commodity.
       ``(5) Upland cotton conversion.--In the case of seed 
     cotton, for purposes of determining the average of the yield 
     per planted acre under this subsection, the average yield for 
     seed cotton per planted acre shall be equal to 2.4 times the 
     average yield for upland cotton per planted acre.
       ``(6) Time for election.--An election under this subsection 
     shall be made at a time and manner so as to be in effect 
     beginning with the 2020 crop year, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.

     SEC. 1104. PAYMENT ACRES.

       Section 1114 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9014) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, unless the sum of 
     the base acres on the farm, when combined with the base acres 
     of other farms in which the producer has an interest, is more 
     than 10 acres'' before the period at the end; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) a beginning farmer or rancher (as defined in 
     subsection (a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)); or
       ``(D) a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in subsection 
     (a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
     and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)).''; and
       (2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Effect of reduction.--For each crop year for which 
     fruits, vegetables (other than mung beans and pulse crops), 
     or wild rice are planted to base acres on a farm for which a 
     reduction in payment acres is made under this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall consider such base acres to be planted, or 
     prevented from being planted, to a covered commodity for 
     purposes of any adjustment or reduction of base acres for the 
     farm under section 1112.''.

[[Page H9828]]

  


     SEC. 1105. PRODUCER ELECTION.

       Section 1115 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9015) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``Except as provided in subsection (g), for 
     the 2014 through 2018 crop years'' and inserting ``For the 
     2014 through 2018 crop years (except as provided in 
     subsection (g)) and for the 2019 through 2023 crop years 
     (subject to subsection (h))'';
       (2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``subsection (a), the producers on a farm 
     that elect under paragraph (2) of such subsection to obtain 
     agriculture risk coverage under section 1117'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (a) or (h), as applicable, the producers on a 
     farm that elect to obtain agriculture risk coverage'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``or the 2019 crop year, as applicable'' after ``2014 crop 
     year'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or the 2019 crop year, 
     as applicable,'' after ``2014 crop year''; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) subject to subsection (h), the producers on the farm 
     shall be deemed to have elected, as applicable--
       ``(A) price loss coverage for all covered commodities on 
     the farm for the 2015 through 2018 crop years; and
       ``(B) the same coverage for each covered commodity on the 
     farm for the 2020 through 2023 crop years as was applicable 
     for the 2015 through 2018 crop years.'';
       (4) in subsection (g)(1), by inserting ``for the 2018 crop 
     year,'' before ``all of the producers''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Option to Change Election.--
       ``(1) In general.--For the 2021 crop year and each crop 
     year thereafter, all of the producers on a farm may change 
     the election under subsection (a), subsection (c), or this 
     subsection, as applicable, to price loss coverage or 
     agriculture risk coverage, as applicable.
       ``(2) Applicability.--An election change under paragraph 
     (1) shall apply to--
       ``(A) the crop year for which the election change is made; 
     and
       ``(B) each crop year thereafter until another election 
     change is made under that paragraph.''.

     SEC. 1106. PRICE LOSS COVERAGE.

       Section 1116 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9016) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
     redesignated)--
       (i) by inserting ``or (h)'' after ``subsection (a)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``determines that, for any of the 2014 
     through 2018 crop years--'' and inserting ``determines that--
       ``(1) for any of the 2014 through 2018 crop years--'';
       (C) in paragraph (1)(B) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) for any of the 2019 through 2023 crop years--
       ``(A) the effective price for the covered commodity for the 
     crop year; is less than
       ``(B) the effective reference price for the covered 
     commodity for the crop year.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as clauses (i) 
     and (ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``The payment rate'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) 2014 through 2018 crop years.--For the 2014 through 
     2018 crop years, the payment rate'';
       (C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(B) 2019 through 2023 crop years.--For the 2019 through 
     2023 crop years, the payment rate shall be equal to the 
     difference between--
       ``(i) the effective reference price for the covered 
     commodity; and
       ``(ii) the effective price determined under subsection (b) 
     for the covered commodity.''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Announcement.--Not later than 30 days after the end 
     of each applicable 12-month marketing year for each covered 
     commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment rate 
     determined under paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Insufficient data.--In the case of a covered 
     commodity, such as temperate japonica rice, for which the 
     Secretary cannot determine the payment rate for the most 
     recent 12-month marketing year by the date described in 
     paragraph (2) due to insufficient reporting of timely pricing 
     data by 1 or more nongovernmental entities, including a 
     marketing cooperative for the covered commodity, the 
     Secretary shall publish the payment rate as soon as 
     practicable after the marketing year data are made 
     available.''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
       ``(g) Reference Price for Temperate Japonica Rice.--In 
     order to reflect price premiums, the Secretary shall provide 
     a reference price with respect to temperate japonica rice in 
     an amount equal to the amount established under subparagraph 
     (F) of section 1111(19), as adjusted by paragraph (8) of such 
     section, multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing--
       ``(1) the simple average of the marketing year average 
     price of medium grain rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop 
     years; by
       ``(2) the simple average of the marketing year average 
     price of all rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop years.''.

     SEC. 1107. AGRICULTURE RISK COVERAGE.

       Section 1117 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9017) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1)--
       (A) by inserting ``(beginning with the 2019 crop year, 
     based on the physical location of the farm)'' after 
     ``payments''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or the 2019 through 2023 crop years, as 
     applicable'' after ``2014 through 2018 crop years'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``paragraph (4)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraphs (4) and (5)''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(5)'' and inserting 
     ``(6)'';
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``(5)'' and 
     inserting ``(6)''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) by striking ``If'' and inserting the following:
       ``(A) 2014 through 2018 crop years.--Effective for the 2014 
     through 2018 crop years, if''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) 2019 through 2023 crop years.--Effective for the 2019 
     through 2023 crop years, if the yield per planted acre for 
     the covered commodity or historical county yield per planted 
     acre for the covered commodity for any of the 5 most recent 
     crop years, as determined by the Secretary, is less than 80 
     percent of the transitional yield, as determined by the 
     Secretary, the amounts used for any of those years in 
     paragraph (2)(A) or (3)(A)(i) shall be 80 percent of the 
     transitional yield.'';
       (D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6);
       (E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) Trend-adjusted yield.--The Secretary shall calculate 
     and use a trend-adjusted yield factor to adjust the yield 
     determined under paragraph (2)(A) and subsection (b)(1)(A), 
     taking into consideration, but not exceeding, the trend-
     adjusted yield factor that is used to increase yield history 
     under the endorsement under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) for that crop and county.''; and
       (F) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) by striking ``Reference price.--If the national average 
     market price'' and inserting the following: ``Low national 
     average market price.--
       ``(A) Reference price.--For the 2014 through 2018 crop 
     years, if the national average market price''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Effective reference price.--For the 2019 through 2023 
     crop years, if the national average market price received by 
     producers during the 12-month marketing year for any of the 5 
     most recent crop years is lower than the effective reference 
     price for the covered commodity, the Secretary shall use the 
     effective reference price for any of those years for the 
     amounts in paragraph (2)(B) or (3)(A)(ii).'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
     and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (C) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``The payment'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--The payment''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Announcement.--Not later than 30 days after the end 
     of each applicable 12-month marketing year for each covered 
     commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment rate 
     determined under paragraph (1) for each county.'';
       (4) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'';
       (5) in subsection (g)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to the maximum extent 
     practicable,'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``effective for the 2014 through 2018 crop years,'' before 
     ``in the case of''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) effective for the 2019 through 2023 crop years, in 
     the case of county coverage, assign an actual or benchmark 
     county yield for each planted acre for the crop year for the 
     covered commodity--
       ``(A) for a county for which county data collected by the 
     Risk Management Agency are sufficient for the Secretary to 
     offer a county-wide insurance product, using the actual 
     average county yield determined by the Risk Management 
     Agency; or
       ``(B) for a county not described in subparagraph (A), 
     using--
       ``(i) other sources of yield information, as determined by 
     the Secretary; or
       ``(ii) the yield history of representative farms in the 
     State, region, or crop reporting district, as determined by 
     the Secretary.''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Publications.--
       ``(1) County guarantee.--
       ``(A) In general.--For each crop year for a covered 
     commodity, the Secretary shall publish information 
     describing, for that crop year for the covered commodity in 
     each county--

[[Page H9829]]

       ``(i) the agriculture risk coverage guarantee for county 
     coverage determined under subsection (c)(1);
       ``(ii) the average historical county yield determined under 
     subsection (c)(2)(A); and
       ``(iii) the national average market price determined under 
     subsection (c)(2)(B).
       ``(B) Timing.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clauses (ii) and 
     (iii), not later than 30 days after the end of each 
     applicable 12-month marketing year, the Secretary shall 
     publish the information described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(ii) Insufficient data.--In the case of a covered 
     commodity, such as temperate japonica rice, for which the 
     Secretary cannot determine the national average market price 
     for the most recent 12-month marketing year by the date 
     described in clause (i) due to insufficient reporting of 
     timely pricing data by 1 or more nongovernmental entities, 
     including a marketing cooperative for the covered commodity, 
     as soon as practicable after the pricing data are made 
     available, the Secretary shall publish information 
     describing--

       ``(I) the agriculture risk coverage guarantee under 
     subparagraph (A)(i); and
       ``(II) the national average market price under subparagraph 
     (A)(iii).

       ``(iii) Transition.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Secretary shall publish the information described in clauses 
     (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) for the 2018 crop year.
       ``(2) Actual average county yield.--As soon as practicable 
     after each crop year, the Secretary shall determine and 
     publish each actual average county yield for each covered 
     commodity, as determined under subsection (b)(1)(A).
       ``(3) Data sources for county yields.--For the 2018 crop 
     year and each crop year thereafter, the Secretary shall make 
     publicly available information describing, for the most 
     recent crop year--
       ``(A) the sources of data used to calculate county yields 
     under subsection (c)(2)(A) for each covered commodity--
       ``(i) by county; and
       ``(ii) nationally; and
       ``(B) the number and outcome of occurrences in which the 
     Farm Service Agency reviewed, changed, or determined not to 
     change a source of data used to calculate county yields under 
     subsection (c)(2)(A).
       ``(i) Administrative Units.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of agriculture risk 
     coverage payments in the case of county coverage, a county 
     may be divided into not greater than 2 administrative units 
     in accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Eligible counties.--A county that may be divided into 
     administrative units under this subsection is a county that--
       ``(A) is larger than 1,400 square miles; and
       ``(B) contains more than 190,000 base acres.
       ``(3) Elections.--Before making any agriculture risk 
     coverage payments for the 2019 crop year, the Farm Service 
     Agency State committee, in consultation with the Farm Service 
     Agency county or area committee of a county described in 
     paragraph (2), may make a 1-time election to divide the 
     county into administrative units under this subsection along 
     a boundary that better reflects differences in weather 
     patterns, soil types, or other factors.
       ``(4) Limitation.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) limit the number of counties that may be divided into 
     administrative units under paragraph (3) to 25 counties; and
       ``(B) give preference to the division of counties that have 
     greater variation in climate, soils, and expected 
     productivity between the proposed administrative units.
       ``(5) Administration.--For purposes of providing 
     agriculture risk coverage payments in the case of county 
     coverage, the Secretary shall consider an administrative unit 
     elected under paragraph (3) to be a county for the 2019 
     through 2023 crop years.''.

     SEC. 1108. REPEAL OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE FOR PRODUCERS OF 
                   UPLAND COTTON.

       Section 1119 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9019) is repealed.

                      Subtitle B--Marketing Loans

     SEC. 1201. EXTENSIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1201(b)(1) of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9031(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Repayment.--Section 1204 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9034) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)(2)(B), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by striking ``2019''and inserting ``2024''; and
       (2) in subsection (g), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (c) Loan Deficiency Payments.--
       (1) Extension.--Section 1205(a)(2)(B) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9035(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (2) Payments in lieu of ldps.--Section 1206 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9036) is amended in 
     subsections (a) and (d) by striking ``2018'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 1202. LOAN RATES FOR NONRECOURSE MARKETING ASSISTANCE 
                   LOANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1202 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9032) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking the subsection heading 
     and inserting ``2014 through 2018 crop years'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) 2019 Through 2023 Crop Years.--For purposes of each 
     of the 2019 through 2023 crop years, the loan rate for a 
     marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for a loan 
     commodity shall be equal to the following:
       ``(1) In the case of wheat, $3.38 per bushel.
       ``(2) In the case of corn, $2.20 per bushel.
       ``(3) In the case of grain sorghum, $2.20 per bushel.
       ``(4) In the case of barley, $2.50 per bushel.
       ``(5) In the case of oats, $2.00 per bushel.
       ``(6)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case 
     of base quality of upland cotton, the simple average of the 
     adjusted prevailing world price for the 2 immediately 
     preceding marketing years, as determined by the Secretary and 
     announced October 1 preceding the next domestic planting.
       ``(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the loan rate 
     determined under subparagraph (A) may not equal less than an 
     amount equal to 98 percent of the loan rate for base quality 
     of upland cotton for the preceding year.
       ``(C) The loan rate determined under subparagraph (A) may 
     not be equal to an amount--
       ``(i) less than $0.45 per pound; or
       ``(ii) more than $0.52 per pound.
       ``(7) In the case of extra long staple cotton, $0.95 per 
     pound.
       ``(8) In the case of long grain rice, $7.00 per 
     hundredweight.
       ``(9) In the case of medium grain rice, $7.00 per 
     hundredweight.
       ``(10) In the case of soybeans, $6.20 per bushel.
       ``(11) In the case of other oilseeds, $10.09 per 
     hundredweight for each of the following kinds of oilseeds:
       ``(A) Sunflower seed.
       ``(B) Rapeseed.
       ``(C) Canola.
       ``(D) Safflower.
       ``(E) Flaxseed.
       ``(F) Mustard seed.
       ``(G) Crambe.
       ``(H) Sesame seed.
       ``(I) Other oilseeds designated by the Secretary.
       ``(12) In the case of dry peas, $6.15 per hundredweight.
       ``(13) In the case of lentils, $13.00 per hundredweight.
       ``(14) In the case of small chickpeas, $10.00 per 
     hundredweight.
       ``(15) In the case of large chickpeas, $14.00 per 
     hundredweight.
       ``(16) In the case of graded wool, $1.15 per pound.
       ``(17) In the case of nongraded wool, $0.40 per pound.
       ``(18) In the case of mohair, $4.20 per pound.
       ``(19) In the case of honey, $0.69 per pound.
       ``(20) In the case of peanuts, $355 per ton.''; and
       (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``subsection (a)(11)'' and inserting ``subsections (a)(11) 
     and (b)(11)''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1204(h)(1) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9034(h)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``section 1202(a)(20)'' and inserting ``subsection 
     (a)(20) or (b)(20), as applicable, of section 1202''.

     SEC. 1203. ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR TEXTILE MILLS.

       (a) 2008 Authority.--Section 1207 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8737) is 
     amended by striking subsection (c).
       (b) 2014 Authority.--Section 1207(c) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9037(c)) is amended by striking the 
     subsection heading and inserting ``Economic Adjustment 
     Assistance for Textile Mills''.

     SEC. 1204. SPECIAL COMPETITIVE PROVISIONS FOR EXTRA LONG 
                   STAPLE COTTON.

       (a) In General.--Section 1208(a) of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9038(a)) is amended in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) by striking ``2019'' and inserting ``2024''.
       (b) Payments Under Program; Trigger.--Section 1208(b)(2) of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9038(b)(2)) is amended 
     by striking ``134 percent'' and inserting ``113 percent''.

     SEC. 1205. AVAILABILITY OF RECOURSE LOANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1209 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9039) is amended in subsections (a)(2) and (b) 
     by striking ``2018'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (b) Recourse Loans Available for Contaminated 
     Commodities.--Section 1209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
     U.S.C. 9039) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Recourse Loans Available for Contaminated 
     Commodities.--In the case of a loan commodity that is 
     ineligible for 100 percent of the nonrecourse marketing loan 
     rate in the county due to a determination that the commodity 
     is contaminated yet still merchantable, for each of the 2019 
     through 2023 crops of such loan commodity, the Secretary 
     shall make available recourse commodity loans, at the rate 
     provided under section 1202, on any production.''.

                           Subtitle C--Sugar

     SEC. 1301. SUGAR POLICY.

       (a) Sugar Program.--
       (1) Sugarcane.--Section 156(a) of the Federal Agriculture 
     Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(a)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) 19.75 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for each of 
     the 2019 through 2023 crop years.''.
       (2) Sugar beets.--Section 156(b)(2) of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
     7272(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

[[Page H9830]]

       (3) Effective period.--Section 156(i) of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
     7272(i)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (b) Flexible Marketing Allotments for Sugar.--
       (1) Sugar estimates.--Section 359b(a)(1) of the 
     Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359bb(a)(1)) 
     is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (2) Effective period.--Section 359l(a) of the Agricultural 
     Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ll(a)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

  Subtitle D--Dairy Margin Coverage and Other Dairy Related Provisions

     SEC. 1401. DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE.

       (a) Review of Data Used in Calculation of Average Feed 
     Cost.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
     report evaluating the extent to which the average cost of 
     feed used by a dairy operation to produce a hundredweight of 
     milk calculated by the Secretary as required by section 
     1402(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9052(a)) is 
     representative of actual dairy feed costs.
       (b) Corn Silage Report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the Senate a report detailing the costs 
     incurred by dairy operations in the use of corn silage as 
     feed, and the difference between the feed cost of corn silage 
     and the feed cost of corn.
       (c) Collection of Alfalfa Hay Data.--Not later than 120 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary, acting through the National Agricultural 
     Statistics Service, shall revise monthly price survey reports 
     to include prices for high-quality alfalfa hay in the top 
     five milk producing States, as measured by volume of milk 
     produced during the previous month.
       (d) Registration of Multiproducer Dairy Operations.--
     Section 1404(b) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9054(b)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) Election period for 2019 calendar year.--For the 2019 
     calendar year, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) open the election period not later than 60 days after 
     the effective date described in section 1401(m) of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and
       ``(B) hold that election period open for not less than 90 
     days.
       ``(4) Treatment of multiproducer dairy operation.--
       ``(A) In general.--If a participating dairy operation is 
     operated by more than 1 dairy producer, the dairy producers 
     of the dairy operation who elect to participate shall be 
     treated as a single dairy operation for purposes of 
     participating in dairy margin coverage.
       ``(B) Rule of construction.--Subparagraph (A) shall not be 
     construed to allow a producer to adjust the proportion of 
     their share covered under tier I or tier II premiums from the 
     proportion covered for the operation.''.
       (e) Relation to Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Program.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1404 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054) is amended by striking subsection (d).
       (2) Retroactive program option.--Section 1404(b)(2) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054(b)(2)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Retroactive program option.--In the case of a dairy 
     operation that, by operation of subsection (d) (as in effect 
     on the day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018), was ineligible to participate in 
     the margin protection program for any part of calendar year 
     2018, the Secretary shall establish a new election period for 
     that calendar year that ends on a date that is not less than 
     90 days after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018 and the Secretary determines is 
     necessary for dairy operations to make new elections to 
     participate in the margin protection program (as in effect on 
     the day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018) for that calendar year, including 
     dairy operations that elected to participate in the livestock 
     gross margin for dairy program under the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) before the date of 
     enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 
     115-123).''.
       (f) Production History of Participating Dairy Operators.--
       (1) Adjustment.--Section 1405 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9055) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``In subsequent years'' 
     and inserting ``In the subsequent calendar years ending 
     before January 1, 2019''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, as applicable'' 
     after ``paragraph (2)''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``In the case'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) Dairy operations with less than 1 year of production 
     history.--In the case''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Dairy operations with 1 year or more of production 
     history.--In the case of a participating dairy operation that 
     was not in operation prior to January 1, 2014, that has not 
     established a production history, and that has been in 
     operation for equal to or longer than 1 year, the 
     participating dairy operation shall elect the annual milk 
     marketings during any 1 calendar year to determine the 
     production history of the participating dairy operation.
       ``(3) Adjustment.--The Secretary shall adjust the 
     production history of a participating dairy operation 
     determined under paragraph (1) or (2) to reflect any increase 
     or decrease in the national average milk production relative 
     to calendar year 2017.''.
       (2) Limitation on changes to business structure.--Section 
     1405 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9055) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Limitation on Changes to Business Structure.--The 
     Secretary may not make dairy margin coverage payments to a 
     participating dairy operation if the Secretary determines 
     that the participating dairy operation has reorganized the 
     structure of such operation solely for the purpose of 
     qualifying as a new operation under subsection (b).''.
       (g) Coverage Level Threshold and Coverage Percentage.--
     Section 1406 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9056) 
     is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) Coverage Level Threshold and Coverage Percentage.--
       ``(1) Coverage level threshold.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of receiving dairy margin 
     coverage payments for a month, a participating dairy 
     operation shall annually elect a coverage level threshold 
     that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, 
     $7.00, $7.50, $8.00, $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50.
       ``(B) Applicability.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
     (C), the coverage level threshold elected under subparagraph 
     (A) shall apply to the covered production elected by the 
     participating dairy operation under paragraph (2).
       ``(C) Second coverage election for tier ii.--In the case of 
     a participating dairy operation that elects a coverage level 
     threshold of $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50 under subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) that coverage level threshold shall apply to the 
     first 5,000,000 pounds of milk marketings included in the 
     covered production elected by the participating dairy 
     operation; and
       ``(ii) the participating dairy operation shall elect a 
     coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, 
     $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 to apply 
     to milk marketings in excess of 5,000,000 pounds included in 
     the covered production elected by the participating dairy 
     operation.
       ``(2) Coverage percentage.--For purposes of receiving dairy 
     margin coverage payments for a month, a participating dairy 
     operation shall annually elect a percentage of coverage, in 
     5-percent increments, not exceeding 95 percent of the 
     production history of the participating dairy operation.''.
       (h) Producer Premiums.--Section 1407 of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Producer premiums.--Except as provided in subsection 
     (g), the following annual premiums apply:


------------------------------------------------------------------------
          ``Coverage Level                     Premium per Cwt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4.00                                None
$4.50                                $0.0025
$5.00                                $0.005
$5.50                                $0.030
$6.00                                $0.050
$6.50                                $0.070
$7.00                                $0.080
$7.50                                $0.090
$8.00                                $0.100
$8.50                                $0.105
$9.00                                $0.110
$9.50                                $0.150''; and
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       (2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Producer premiums.--Except as provided in subsection 
     (g), the following annual premiums apply:


------------------------------------------------------------------------
          ``Coverage Level                     Premium per Cwt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4.00                                None
$4.50                                $0.0025
$5.00                                $0.005
$5.50                                $0.100
$6.00                                $0.310
$6.50                                $0.650
$7.00                                $1.107
$7.50                                $1.413
$8.00                                $1.813''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       (i) Repayment of Premiums.--Section 1407 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(f) Repayment of Premiums.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each dairy operation described in 
     paragraph (2) shall be eligible to receive a repayment from 
     the Secretary in an amount equal to the difference between--
       ``(A) the total amount of premiums paid by the 
     participating dairy operation under this section for each 
     applicable calendar year; and
       ``(B) the total amount of payments made to the 
     participating dairy operation under section 1406 for that 
     calendar year.
       ``(2) Eligibility.--A dairy operation that is eligible to 
     receive a repayment under paragraph (1) is a dairy operation 
     that--
       ``(A) participated in the margin protection program, as in 
     effect for any of calendar years 2014 through 2017; and

[[Page H9831]]

       ``(B) submits to the Secretary an application for the 
     repayment at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(3) Method of repayment.--A dairy operation that is 
     eligible to receive a repayment under paragraph (1) shall 
     elect to receive the repayment--
       ``(A) in an amount equal to 75 percent of the repayment 
     calculated under that paragraph as credit that may be used by 
     the dairy operation for dairy margin coverage premiums; or
       ``(B) in an amount equal to 50 percent of the repayment 
     calculated under that paragraph as a direct cash repayment.
       ``(4) Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall only apply to a 
     calendar year during the period of calendar years 2014 
     through 2017 for which the amount described in subparagraph 
     (A) of that paragraph is greater than the amount described in 
     subparagraph (B) of that paragraph.''.
       (j) Premium Discount.--Section 1407 of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) (as amended by subsection (i)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Premium Discount.--The premium per hundredweight 
     specified in the tables contained in subsections (b) and (c) 
     for each coverage level shall be reduced by 25 percent in 
     accordance with the following:
       ``(1) In general.--For each of calendar years 2019 through 
     2023, for a participating dairy operation that makes a 1-time 
     election of coverage level in a tier and of a percentage of 
     coverage under section 1406(a) for the 5-year period 
     beginning in January 2019.
       ``(2) New dairy operations.--For each applicable calendar 
     year through 2023, for a participating dairy operation that--
       ``(A) establishes a production history pursuant to section 
     1405(b); and
       ``(B) makes a 1-time election of coverage level in a tier 
     and of a percentage of coverage under section 1406(a) for the 
     period beginning with the first available calendar year and 
     ending in December 2023.
       ``(3) Full participation required.--Notwithstanding the 
     annual elections under section 1406(a)--
       ``(A) a 1-time enrollment under this subsection shall 
     remain in effect for the full duration applicable to a 
     participating dairy operation in accordance with paragraph 
     (1) or (2)(B), as applicable; and
       ``(B) a participating dairy operation that makes a 1-time 
     enrollment under this subsection and is noncompliant under 
     section 1408 shall be subject to that section.''.
       (k) Conforming Amendments Related to Program Name.--
       (1) Heading.--The heading of part I of subtitle D of title 
     I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79; 128 
     Stat. 688) is amended to read as follows:

                   ``PART I--DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE''.

       (2) Definitions.--Section 1401 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9051) is amended--
       (A) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the 
     following new paragraphs:
       ``(5) Dairy margin coverage.--The term `dairy margin 
     coverage' means the dairy margin coverage program required by 
     section 1403.
       ``(6) Dairy margin coverage payment.--The term `dairy 
     margin coverage payment' means a payment made to a 
     participating dairy operation under dairy margin coverage 
     pursuant to section 1406.''; and
       (B) in paragraphs (7) and (8), by striking ``the margin 
     protection program'' both places it appears and inserting 
     ``dairy margin coverage''.
       (3) Calculation of actual dairy production margin.--Section 
     1402(b)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9052(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A) by striking ``the margin protection program'' and 
     inserting ``dairy margin coverage''.
       (4) Program operation.--Section 1403 of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9053) is amended--
       (A) by striking the section heading and inserting ``dairy 
     margin coverage'';
       (B) by striking ``Not later than September 1, 2014, the 
     Secretary shall establish and administer a margin protection 
     program'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall continue to 
     administer a dairy margin coverage program'';
       (C) in subsection (a) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``margin protection payment'' both places it appears and 
     inserting ``dairy margin coverage payment''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Regulations.--Subpart A of part 1430 of title 7, Code 
     of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment 
     of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018), shall remain in 
     effect for dairy margin coverage beginning with the 2019 
     calendar year, except to the extent that the regulations are 
     inconsistent with any provision of this Act.''.
       (5) Participation.--Section 1404 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054) is amended--
       (A) in the section heading, by striking ``margin protection 
     program'' and inserting ``dairy margin coverage'';
       (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``the margin protection 
     program to receive margin protection payments'' and inserting 
     ``dairy margin coverage to receive dairy margin coverage 
     payments''; and
       (C) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ``the margin 
     protection program'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``dairy margin coverage''.
       (6) Production history.--Section 1405 of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9055) is amended in subsections (a)(1) 
     and (c) by striking ``the margin protection program'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``dairy margin coverage''.
       (7) Payments.--Section 1406 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
     (7 U.S.C. 9056) is amended--
       (A) in the section heading, by striking ``margin 
     protection'' and inserting ``dairy margin coverage'';
       (B) by striking ``margin protection'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``dairy margin coverage''; and
       (C) in the heading of subsection (c), by striking ``Margin 
     Protection''.
       (8) Premiums.--Section 1407 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
     (7 U.S.C. 9057) is amended--
       (A) in the section heading, by striking ``margin protection 
     program'' and inserting ``dairy margin coverage'';
       (B) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``the margin protection program'' and 
     inserting ``dairy margin coverage'';
       (C) in subsection (d), by striking ``program'' and 
     inserting ``dairy margin coverage''; and
       (D) in subsection (e)--
       (i) by striking ``the margin protection program'' both 
     places it appears and inserting ``dairy margin coverage''; 
     and
       (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``integrity of the 
     program'' and inserting ``integrity of dairy margin 
     coverage''.
       (9) Failure to pay administrative fees or premiums.--
     Section 1408 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9058) 
     is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``margin protection'' 
     and inserting ``dairy margin coverage''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``the margin protection 
     program'' and inserting ``dairy margin coverage''.
       (10) Administration and enforcement.--Section 1410 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9060) is amended--
       (A) in subsections (a) and (c), by striking ``the margin 
     protection program'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``dairy margin coverage''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``margin protection'' 
     and inserting ``dairy margin coverage''.
       (l) Duration.--Section 1409 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
     (7 U.S.C. 9059) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The margin protection program'' and 
     inserting ``Dairy margin coverage''; and
       (2) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (m) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on January 1, 2019.

     SEC. 1402. REAUTHORIZATIONS.

       (a) Forward Pricing.--Section 1502(e) of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8772(e)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2021'' and inserting 
     ``2026''.
       (b) Indemnity Program.--Section 3 of Public Law 90-484 (7 
     U.S.C. 4553) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (c) Promotion and Research.--Section 113(e)(2) of the Dairy 
     Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(e)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 1403. CLASS I SKIM MILK PRICE.

       (a) Class I Skim Milk Price.--Section 8c(5)(A) of the 
     Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(5)(A)), reenacted 
     with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act 
     of 1937, is amended by striking ``Throughout'' in the third 
     sentence and all that follows through the period at the end 
     of the fourth sentence and inserting ``Throughout the 2-year 
     period beginning on the effective date of this sentence (and 
     subsequent to such 2-year period unless modified by amendment 
     to the order involved), for purposes of determining prices 
     for milk of the highest use classification, the Class I skim 
     milk price per hundredweight specified in section 1000.50(b) 
     of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
     regulations), shall be the sum of the adjusted Class I 
     differential specified in section 1000.52 of such title 7 (or 
     successor regulations), plus the adjustment to Class I prices 
     specified in sections 1005.51(b), 1006.51(b), and 1007.51(b) 
     of such title 7 (or successor regulations), plus the simple 
     average of the advanced pricing factors computed in sections 
     1000.50(q)(1) and 1000.50(q)(2) of such title 7 (or successor 
     regulations), plus $0.74.''.
       (b) Effective Date and Implementation.--
       (1) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the first day of the first month 
     beginning more than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (2) Implementation.--Implementation of the amendment made 
     by subsection (a) shall not be subject to any of the 
     following:
       (A) The notice and comment provisions of section 553 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (B) The notice and hearing requirements of section 8c(3) of 
     the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(3)), reenacted 
     with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act 
     of 1937.
       (C) The order amendment requirements of section 8c(17) of 
     that Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(17)).
       (D) A referendum under section 8c(19) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 
     608c(19)).

     SEC. 1404. DAIRY PRODUCT DONATION.

       (a) Repeal of Dairy Product Donation Program.--Section 1431 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9071) is repealed.
       (b) Milk Donation Program.--
       (1) In general.--Part III of subtitle D of title I of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79; 128 Stat. 695) 
     is amended to read as follows:

                   ``PART III--MILK DONATION PROGRAM

     ``SEC. 1431. MILK DONATION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible dairy organization.--The term `eligible 
     dairy organization' means a dairy farmer (either individually 
     or as part of a cooperative), or a dairy processor, who--

[[Page H9832]]

       ``(A) accounts to a Federal milk marketing order marketwide 
     pool; and
       ``(B) incurs qualified expenses under subsection (e).
       ``(2) Eligible distributor.--The term `eligible 
     distributor' means a public or private nonprofit organization 
     that distributes donated eligible milk.
       ``(3) Eligible milk.--The term `eligible milk' means Class 
     I fluid milk products produced and processed in the United 
     States.
       ``(4) Eligible partnership.--The term `eligible 
     partnership' means a partnership between an eligible dairy 
     organization and an eligible distributor.
       ``(5) Participating partnership.--The term `participating 
     partnership' means an eligible partnership for which the 
     Secretary has approved a donation and distribution plan for 
     eligible milk under subsection (c)(2).
       ``(b) Program Required; Purposes.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
     Act of 2018, the Secretary shall establish and administer a 
     milk donation program for the purposes of--
       ``(1) encouraging the donation of eligible milk;
       ``(2) providing nutrition assistance to individuals in low-
     income groups; and
       ``(3) reducing food waste.
       ``(c) Donation and Distribution Plans.--
       ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive reimbursement 
     under subsection (d), an eligible partnership shall submit to 
     the Secretary a donation and distribution plan that--
       ``(A) describes the process that the eligible partnership 
     will use for the donation, processing, transportation, 
     temporary storage, and distribution of eligible milk;
       ``(B) includes an estimate of the quantity of eligible milk 
     that the eligible partnership will donate each year, based 
     on--
       ``(i) preplanned donations; and
       ``(ii) contingency plans to address unanticipated 
     donations; and
       ``(C) describes the rate at which the eligible partnership 
     will be reimbursed, which shall be based on a percentage of 
     the limitation described in subsection (e)(2), not to exceed 
     100 percent.
       ``(2) Review and approval.--Not less frequently than 
     annually, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) review donation and distribution plans submitted 
     under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) determine whether to approve or disapprove each of 
     those donation and distribution plans.
       ``(d) Reimbursement.--
       ``(1) In general.--On receipt of appropriate documentation 
     under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall reimburse an 
     eligible dairy organization that is a member of a 
     participating partnership on a regular basis for qualified 
     expenses described in subsection (e).
       ``(2) Documentation.--
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible dairy organization shall 
     submit to the Secretary such documentation as the Secretary 
     may require to demonstrate the qualified expenses described 
     in subsection (e) of the eligible dairy organization.
       ``(B) Verification.--The Secretary may verify the accuracy 
     of documentation submitted under subparagraph (A) by spot 
     checks and audits.
       ``(3) Retroactive reimbursement.--In providing 
     reimbursements under paragraph (1), the Secretary may provide 
     reimbursements for qualified expenses incurred before the 
     date on which the donation and distribution plan for the 
     applicable participating partnership was approved by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(e) Qualified Expenses.--
       ``(1) In general.--The amount of a reimbursement under 
     subsection (d) shall be an amount equal to the product of--
       ``(A) the quantity of eligible milk donated by the eligible 
     dairy organization under a donation and distribution plan 
     approved by the Secretary under subsection (c); and
       ``(B) subject to the limitation under paragraph (2), the 
     rate described in that donation and distribution plan under 
     subsection (c)(1)(C).
       ``(2) Limitation.--Expenses eligible for reimbursement 
     under subsection (d) shall not exceed the value that an 
     eligible dairy organization incurred by accounting to the 
     Federal milk marketing order pool at the difference in the 
     Class I milk value and the lowest classified price for the 
     applicable month (either Class III milk or Class IV milk).
       ``(f) Preapproval.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) establish a process for an eligible partnership to 
     apply for preapproval of donation and distribution plans 
     under subsection (c); and
       ``(B) not less frequently than annually, preapprove an 
     amount for qualified expenses described in subsection (e) 
     that the Secretary will allocate for reimbursement under each 
     donation and distribution plan preapproved under subparagraph 
     (A), based on an assessment of--
       ``(i) the feasibility of the plan; and
       ``(ii) the extent to which the plan advances the purposes 
     described in subsection (b).
       ``(2) Preference.--In preapproving amounts for 
     reimbursement under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall 
     give preference to eligible partnerships that will provide 
     funding and in-kind contributions in addition to the 
     reimbursements.
       ``(3) Adjustments.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall adjust or increase 
     amounts preapproved for reimbursement under paragraph (1)(B) 
     based on performance and demand.
       ``(B) Requests for increase.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     procedure for a participating partnership to request an 
     increase in the amount preapproved for reimbursement under 
     paragraph (1)(B) based on changes in conditions.
       ``(ii) Interim approval; incremental increase.--The 
     Secretary may provide an interim approval of an increase 
     requested under clause (i) and an incremental increase in the 
     amount of reimbursement to the applicable participating 
     partnership to allow time for the Secretary to review the 
     request without interfering with the donation and 
     distribution of eligible milk by the participating 
     partnership.
       ``(g) Prohibition on Resale of Products.--
       ``(1) In general.--An eligible distributor that receives 
     eligible milk donated under this section may not sell the 
     products back into commercial markets.
       ``(2) Prohibition on future participation.--An eligible 
     distributor that the Secretary determines has violated 
     paragraph (1) shall not be eligible for any future 
     participation in the program established under this section.
       ``(h) Administration.--The Secretary shall publicize 
     opportunities to participate in the program established under 
     this section.
       ``(i) Reviews.--The Secretary shall conduct appropriate 
     reviews or audits to ensure the integrity of the program 
     established under this section.
       ``(j) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
     section $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, and $5,000,000 for 
     each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until 
     expended.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1401 of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9051) is amended, in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``and part III''.

       Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance

     SEC. 1501. SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Members of Indian Tribes.--Section 1501(a)(1)(B) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(a)(1)(B)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) 
     and (v), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
       ``(iii) an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those 
     terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304));''.
       (b) Covered Livestock Losses for Livestock Indemnity 
     Payments.--Section 1501(b) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
     U.S.C. 9081(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``cold.'' and 
     inserting ``cold, on the condition that in the case of the 
     death loss of unweaned livestock due to that adverse weather, 
     the Secretary may disregard any management practice, 
     vaccination protocol, or lack of vaccination by the eligible 
     producer on a farm; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) disease that, as determined by the Secretary--
       ``(i) is caused or transmitted by a vector; and
       ``(ii) is not susceptible to control by vaccination or 
     acceptable management practices.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``A payment'' and 
     inserting ``Payment reductions.--A payment''.
       (c) Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and 
     Farm-raised Fish.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1501(d)(2) of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)(2)) is amended by inserting ``, 
     including inspections of cattle tick fever'' before the 
     period at the end.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply to inspections of cattle tick fever conducted on 
     or after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Tree Assistance Program.--Section 1501(e) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``paragraph (4)'' and inserting ``paragraphs 
     (4) and (5)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Payment rate for beginning and veteran producers.--
     Subject to paragraph (4), in the case of a beginning farmer 
     or rancher or a veteran farmer or rancher (as those terms are 
     defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     2279)) that is eligible to receive assistance under this 
     subsection, the Secretary shall provide reimbursement of 75 
     percent of the costs under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B) of 
     paragraph (3).''.
       (e) Payment Limitation.--Section 1501(f)(2) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(f)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``this section (excluding payments received under 
     subsections (b) and (e))'' and inserting ``subsection (c)''.

                 Subtitle F--Noninsured Crop Assistance

     SEC. 1601. NONINSURED CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
     Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Data collection and sharing.--The Secretary shall 
     coordinate with the Administrator of the Risk Management 
     Agency on the type and format of data received under the 
     noninsured crop disaster assistance program that--
       ``(i) best facilitates the use of that data in developing 
     policies or plans of insurance offered under the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and
       ``(ii) ensures the availability of that data on a regular 
     basis.
       ``(D) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate between 
     the agencies of the Department that provide programs or 
     services to farmers and ranchers that are potentially 
     eligible for the noninsured crop disaster assistance program 
     under this section--
       ``(i) to make available coverage under--

       ``(I) the fee waiver under subsection (k)(2); or

[[Page H9833]]

       ``(II) the premium discount under subsection (l)(3); and

       ``(ii) to share eligibility information to reduce paperwork 
     and avoid duplication.'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (A) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), in this 
     section, the term `eligible crop' means each commercial crop 
     or other agricultural commodity that is produced for food or 
     fiber (except livestock) for which catastrophic risk 
     protection under subsection (b) of section 508 of the Federal 
     Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) and additional coverage 
     under subsections (c) and (h) of such section are not 
     available or, if such coverage is available, it is only 
     available under a policy that provides coverage for specific 
     intervals based on weather indexes or under a whole farm plan 
     of insurance.''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4)(B)--
       (i) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
       ``(i) In general.--

       ``(I) Agricultural act of 2014.--During the first 4 crop 
     years of planting, as determined by the Secretary, native sod 
     acreage that has been tilled for the production of an annual 
     crop during the period beginning on February 8, 2014, and 
     ending on the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018 shall be subject to a reduction in 
     benefits under this section as described in this 
     subparagraph.
       ``(II) Subsequent years.--Native sod acreage that has been 
     tilled for the production of an eligible crop after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 shall 
     be subject to a reduction in benefits under this section as 
     described in this subparagraph for not more than any 4 crop 
     years--

       ``(aa) during the first 10 crop years after the initial 
     tillage; and
       ``(bb) during which a crop on that acreage is enrolled 
     under subsection (l)(2) or (k).''; and
       (ii) in clause (iii)(I), by striking ``transitional yield 
     of the producer'' and inserting ``county expected yield'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``not later than 30 
     days'' and inserting ``by an appropriate deadline''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Streamlined submission process.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a streamlined process for the submission of records 
     and acreage reports under paragraphs (2) and (3) for diverse 
     production systems such as those typical of urban production 
     systems, other small-scale production systems, and direct-to-
     consumer production systems.'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as 
     paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
       (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(1) the producer's share of the total acres devoted to 
     the eligible crop; by''; and
       (C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``established yield for the crop'' and inserting ``approved 
     yield for the crop, as determined by the Secretary'';
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``farm'' and inserting 
     ``approved'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in the second sentence--

       (I) by inserting ``approved'' before ``yield''; and
       (II) by striking ``Subject'' and inserting the following:

       ``(B) Calculation.--Subject''; and
       (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (B) (as so 
     designated)--

       (I) by striking ``yield coverage'' and inserting ``an 
     approved yield''; and
       (II) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:

       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``transitional yield of 
     the producer'' and inserting ``county expected yield'';
       (5) in subsection (i)(2), by striking ``exceed $125,000'' 
     and inserting the following: ``exceed--
       ``(A) in the case of catastrophic coverage under subsection 
     (c), $125,000; and
       ``(B) in the case of additional coverage under subsection 
     (l), $300,000'';
       (6) in subsection (k)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$250'' and inserting 
     ``$325''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``$750'' and inserting ``$825''; and
       (ii) by striking ``$1,875'' and inserting ``$1,950''; and
       (7) in subsection (l)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively;
       (ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so 
     redesignated) the following:
       ``(A) the producer's share of the total acres devoted to 
     the crop;''; and
       (iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by 
     inserting ``, contract price, or other premium price (such as 
     a local, organic, or direct market price, as elected by the 
     producer)'' after ``price'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)--
       (i) in subclause (IV), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subclause (V), by striking ``or'' at the end and 
     inserting ``and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(VI) the producer's share of the crop; or'';

       (C) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5); and
       (D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).

                       Subtitle G--Administration

     SEC. 1701. REGULATIONS.

       Section 1601(c)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
     U.S.C. 9091(c)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``title and sections 11003 and 11017'' and inserting ``title, 
     sections 11003 and 11017, title I of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018 and the amendments made by that 
     title, and section 10109 of that Act'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a period; and
       (4) by striking subparagraph (C).

     SEC. 1702. SUSPENSION OF PERMANENT PRICE SUPPORT AUTHORITY.

       Section 1602 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9092) is amended by striking ``2018'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 1703. PAYMENT LIMITATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1001 of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``section 1001 of the 
     Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008'' and inserting 
     ``section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     9011)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``first cousin, niece, 
     nephew,'' after ``sibling,'';
       (2) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ``and as 
     marketing loan gains or loan deficiency payments under 
     subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9016, 9017)''; and
       (3) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) Administration of reduction.--The Secretary shall 
     apply any order described in section 1614(d)(1) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)(1)) to payments 
     under sections 1116 and 1117 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9016, 
     9017) prior to applying payment limitations under this 
     section.''.
       (b) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply beginning with the 2019 crop year.

     SEC. 1704. ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATIONS.

       (a) Waiver.--Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``title II of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018,'' after ``under''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the limitation 
     established by paragraph (1) with respect to a payment 
     pursuant to a covered benefit described in paragraph (2)(C), 
     on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretary determines that 
     environmentally sensitive land of special significance would 
     be protected as a result of such waiver.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1001D(b)(1) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)(1)) is amended by 
     inserting ``subject to paragraph (3),'' after ``of law,''.
       (c) Transition.--Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a), as in effect on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this Act, shall apply with respect to 
     the 2018 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for 
     each program described in subsection (b)(2) of that section 
     (as so in effect on that day).

     SEC. 1705. FARM SERVICE AGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish 
     policies, procedures, and plans to improve program 
     accountability and integrity through targeted and coordinated 
     activities, including utilizing data mining to identify and 
     reduce errors, waste, fraud, and abuse in programs 
     administered by the Farm Service Agency.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report describing the progress and results of the 
     activities conducted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 1706. IMPLEMENTATION.

       (a) Maintenance of Base Acres and Payment Yields.--Section 
     1614(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(a)) is 
     amended by inserting ``, and as adjusted pursuant to sections 
     1112 and 1113'' before the period at the end.
       (b) Streamlining.--Section 1614 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097) is amended by striking subsection (b) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Streamlining.--In implementing this title and the 
     amendments made by this title, the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) continue to reduce administrative burdens and costs 
     to producers by streamlining and reducing paperwork, forms, 
     and other administrative requirements, to ensure that--
       ``(A) a producer (or an agent of a producer) may report 
     information, electronically (including geospatial data) or 
     conventionally, to the Department of Agriculture, subject to 
     the Secretary--
       ``(i) establishing reasonable levels of tolerance that 
     reflect the differences in accuracy between measures of 
     common land units and geospatial data; and
       ``(ii) ensuring that discrepancies that occur within the 
     levels of tolerance established under clause (i) shall not be 
     used to penalize a producer (or an agent of a producer) under 
     any program administered by the Department of Agriculture;
       ``(B) on the request of a producer (or an agent of a 
     producer), the Department of Agriculture electronically 
     shares with the producer (or agent) in real time and without 
     cost to the producer (or agent) the common land unit data, 
     related farm level data, conservation practices, and other 
     information of the producer through a single Department of 
     Agriculture-wide login;

[[Page H9834]]

       ``(C) not later than September 30, 2020, the Administrator 
     of the Risk Management Agency and the Administrator of the 
     Farm Service Agency shall implement a consistent method for 
     determining crop acreage, acreage yields, farm acreage, 
     property descriptions, and other common informational 
     requirements, including measures of common land units;
       ``(D) except in the case of misrepresentation, fraud, or 
     scheme and device, no crop insurance agent, approved 
     insurance provider, or employee or contractor of a crop 
     insurance agency or approved insurance provider bears 
     responsibility or liability under the Acreage Crop Reporting 
     and Streamlining Initiative (or any successor or similar 
     initiative) for the eligibility of a producer for a program 
     administered by the Department of Agriculture, not including 
     a policy or plan of insurance offered under the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and
       ``(E) on request of a crop insurance agent or approved 
     insurance provider required to deliver policies and plans of 
     insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 
     et seq.) the crop insurance agent or approved insurance 
     provider receives, in a timely manner, any information held 
     by the Farm Service Agency that is necessary to ensure 
     effective crop insurance coverage for farmer customers;
       ``(2) continue to improve coordination, information 
     sharing, and administrative work among the Farm Service 
     Agency, Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service, and other agencies, as determined by 
     the Secretary;
       ``(3) continue to take advantage of new technologies to 
     enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of 
     Department of Agriculture programs to producers, including by 
     developing and making publicly available data standards and 
     security procedures to allow third-party providers to develop 
     applications that use or feed data (including geospatial and 
     precision agriculture data) into the datasets and analyses of 
     the Department of Agriculture; and
       ``(4) reduce administrative burdens on producers 
     participating in price loss coverage or agriculture risk 
     coverage by offering--
       ``(A) those producers an option to remotely and 
     electronically sign annual contracts for that coverage; and
       ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, an option to sign 
     a multiyear contract for that coverage.''.
       (c) Implementation.--Section 1614(c) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(c)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(4) Agriculture improvement act of 2018.--The Secretary 
     shall make available to the Farm Service Agency to carry out 
     title I of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and the 
     amendments made by that title $15,500,000.''.
       (d) Loan Implementation.--Section 1614(d)(1) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``under subtitles'' and all that follows through 
     ``except'' and inserting ``under subtitle B or C, under the 
     amendments made by subtitle B or C, or under the amendments 
     made by subtitle B or C of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
     2018, except''.
       (e) Deobligation of Unliquidated Obligations.--Section 1614 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Deobligation of Unliquidated Obligations.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), any payment 
     obligated or otherwise made available by the Secretary under 
     this title on or after the date of enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 that is not disbursed to 
     the recipient by the date that is 5 years after the date on 
     which the payment is obligated or otherwise made available 
     shall--
       ``(A) be deobligated; and
       ``(B) revert to the Treasury.
       ``(2) Outstanding payments.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), any payment 
     obligated or otherwise made available by the Farm Service 
     Agency (or any predecessor agency of the Department of 
     Agriculture) under the laws described in subparagraph (B) 
     before the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
     Act of 2018, that is not disbursed by the date that is 5 
     years after the date on which the payment is obligated or 
     otherwise made available shall--
       ``(i) be deobligated; and
       ``(ii) revert to the Treasury.
       ``(B) Laws described.--The laws referred to in subparagraph 
     (A) are any of the following:
       ``(i) This title.
       ``(ii) Title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (7 U.S.C. 8702 et seq.).
       ``(iii) Title I of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.).
       ``(iv) The Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 
     7201 et seq.).
       ``(v) Titles I through XI of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624; 104 
     Stat. 3374) and the amendments made by those titles.
       ``(vi) Titles I through X of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (Public Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 1362) and the amendments made by 
     those titles.
       ``(vii) Titles I through XI of the Agriculture and Food Act 
     of 1981 (Public Law 97-98; 95 Stat. 1218) and the amendments 
     made by those titles.
       ``(viii) Titles I through X of the Food and Agriculture Act 
     of 1977 (Public Law 95-113; 91 Stat. 917) and the amendments 
     made by those titles.
       ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may delay the date of the 
     deobligation and reversion under paragraph (1) or (2) of any 
     payment--
       ``(A) that is the subject of--
       ``(i) ongoing administrative review or appeal;
       ``(ii) litigation; or
       ``(iii) the settlement of an estate; or
       ``(B) for which the Secretary otherwise determines that the 
     circumstances are such that the delay is equitable.''.
       (f) Report.--Section 1614 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
     (7 U.S.C. 9097) (as amended by subsection (e)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2020, and each 
     January 1 thereafter through January 1, 2023, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the tilled 
     native sod acreage that was subject to a reduction in 
     benefits under section 196(a)(4)(B) of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
     7333(a)(4)(B) and section 508(o)(2) of the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(o)(2))--
       ``(1) as of the date of submission of the report; and
       ``(2) by State and county, relative to the total acres of 
     cropland in the State or county.''.

     SEC. 1707. EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR 
                   CERTAIN PRODUCERS.

       (a) Definition of Exempted Producer.--In this section, the 
     term ``exempted producer'' means an individual or entity that 
     is eligible to participate in--
       (1) a conservation program under title II or a law amended 
     by title II;
       (2) an indemnity or disease control program under the 
     Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) or the 
     Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.); or
       (3) a commodity program under title I of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq.), excluding the assistance 
     provided to users of cotton under sections 1207(c) and 1208 
     of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9037(c), 9038).
       (b) Exemption.--Notwithstanding the Federal Funding 
     Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
     282; 31 U.S.C. 6101 note), the requirements of parts 25 and 
     170 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
     regulations), shall not apply with respect to assistance 
     received by an exempted producer from the Secretary, acting 
     through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
     Service, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health 
     Inspection Service, or the Administrator of the Farm Service 
     Agency.

                         TITLE II--CONSERVATION

                    Subtitle A--Wetland Conservation

     SEC. 2101. WETLAND CONVERSION.

       Section 1221(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3821(d)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Except as'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Except as''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Duty of the secretary.--No person shall become 
     ineligible under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines 
     that an exemption under section 1222(b) applies to that 
     person.''.

     SEC. 2102. WETLAND CONSERVATION.

       Section 1222(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3822(c)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``No program'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--No program'';
       (2) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by inserting ``, 
     which, except as provided in paragraph (2), shall be 
     conducted in the presence of the affected person'' before the 
     period at the end; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Exception.--The Secretary may conduct an on-site 
     visit under paragraph (1) without the affected person present 
     if the Secretary has made a reasonable effort to include the 
     presence of the affected person at the on-site visit.''.

     SEC. 2103. MITIGATION BANKING.

       Section 1222(k)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3822(k)(1)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
     paragraph $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.''.

                Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program

     SEC. 2201. CONSERVATION RESERVE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Eligible Land.--Section 1231(b) of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (except for land enrolled in the conservation reserve 
     program as of that date)'' and inserting ``Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018, on the condition that the Secretary 
     shall consider to be planted cropland enrolled in the 
     conservation reserve program'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (5) and (6), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) cropland, marginal pasture land, and grasslands that 
     will have a positive impact on water quality and will be 
     devoted to--
       ``(A) a grass sod waterway;
       ``(B) a contour grass sod strip;
       ``(C) a prairie strip;
       ``(D) a filterstrip;
       ``(E) a riparian buffer;
       ``(F) a wetland or a wetland buffer;
       ``(G) a saturated buffer;
       ``(H) a bioreactor; or
       ``(I) another similar water quality practice, as determined 
     by the Secretary;'';
       (4) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or filterstrips or 
     riparian buffers devoted to trees, shrubs, or grasses'' and 
     inserting ``salt tolerant vegetation, field borders, or 
     practices to benefit State or federally identified wellhead 
     protection areas''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``or'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (5) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
     (B)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
     or''; and

[[Page H9835]]

       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) as determined by the Secretary, land--
       ``(A) that was enrolled in the conservation reserve program 
     under a 15-year contract that expired on September 30, 2017, 
     or September 30, 2018;
       ``(B) for which there was no opportunity for additional 
     enrollment in that program; and
       ``(C) on which the conservation practice under the expired 
     contract under subparagraph (A) is maintained.''.
       (c) Enrollment.--Section 1231(d) of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) through 
     (E) and inserting the following:
       ``(A) fiscal year 2019, not more than 24,000,000 acres;
       ``(B) fiscal year 2020, not more than 24,500,000 acres;
       ``(C) fiscal year 2021, not more than 25,000,000 acres;
       ``(D) fiscal year 2022, not more than 25,500,000 acres; and
       ``(E) fiscal year 2023, not more than 27,000,000 acres.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) Limitation.--For purposes of applying the limitations 
     in paragraph (1)--
       ``(i) the Secretary shall enroll and maintain in the 
     conservation reserve not fewer than 2,000,000 acres of the 
     land described in subsection (b)(3) by September 30, 2023; 
     and
       ``(ii) in carrying out clause (i), to the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall maintain in the conservation 
     reserve at any one time during--

       ``(I) fiscal year 2019, 1,000,000 acres;
       ``(II) fiscal year 2020, 1,500,000 acres; and
       ``(III) fiscal years 2021 through 2023, 2,000,000 acres.

       ``(B) Priority.--In enrolling acres under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary may give priority to land, as determined by the 
     Secretary--
       ``(i) with expiring conservation reserve contracts;
       ``(ii) at risk of conversion or development; or
       ``(iii) of ecological significance, including land that--

       ``(I) may assist in the restoration of threatened or 
     endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
     (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
       ``(II) may assist in preventing a species from being listed 
     as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
       ``(III) improves or creates wildlife habitat corridors.'';

       (B) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) by striking ``In enrolling'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) In general.--In enrolling'';
       (ii) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ``a 
     continuous'' and inserting ``an annual''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Timing of grassland ranking period.--For purposes of 
     grasslands described in subsection (b)(3), the Secretary 
     shall announce at least 1 ranking period subsequent to the 
     announcement of general enrollment offers.''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Reservation of unenrolled acres.--If the Secretary is 
     unable in a fiscal year to enroll enough acres of land 
     described in subsection (b)(3) to meet the number of acres 
     described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A) for the 
     fiscal year--
       ``(i) the Secretary shall reserve the remaining number of 
     acres for that fiscal year for the enrollment of land 
     described in subsection (b)(3); and
       ``(ii) that number of acres shall not be available for the 
     enrollment of any other type of eligible land.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Water quality practices to foster clean lakes, 
     estuaries, and rivers (clear initiative).--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall give priority within 
     continuous enrollment under paragraph (6) to the enrollment 
     of land described in subsection (b)(4).
       ``(B) Sediment and nutrient loadings.--In carrying out 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to the 
     implementation of practices on land that, if enrolled, will 
     help reduce sediment loadings, nutrient loadings, and harmful 
     algal blooms, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(C) Acreage.--
       ``(i) In general.--Of the acres maintained in the 
     conservation reserve in accordance with paragraph (1), to the 
     maximum extent practicable, not less than 40 percent of acres 
     enrolled in the conservation reserve using continuous 
     enrollment under paragraph (6) shall be of land described in 
     subsection (b)(4).
       ``(ii) Limitation.--The acres described in clause (i) shall 
     not include grasslands described in subsection (b)(3).
       ``(D) Report.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(i) in the monthly publication of the Secretary 
     describing conservation reserve program statistics, include a 
     description of enrollments through the priority under this 
     paragraph; and
       ``(ii) publish on the website of the Farm Service Agency an 
     annual report describing a summary of, with respect to the 
     enrollment priority under this paragraph--

       ``(I) new enrollments;
       ``(II) expirations;
       ``(III) geographic distribution; and
       ``(IV) estimated water quality benefits.

       ``(4) State enrollment rates.--At the beginning of each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall allocate to the States 
     proportionately 60 percent of the available number of acres 
     each year for enrollment in the conservation reserve, in 
     accordance with historical State enrollment rates, taking 
     into consideration--
       ``(A) the average number of acres of all land enrolled in 
     the conservation reserve in each State during each of fiscal 
     years 2007 through 2016;
       ``(B) the average number of acres of all land enrolled in 
     the conservation reserve nationally during each of fiscal 
     years 2007 through 2016; and
       ``(C) the acres available for enrollment during each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023, excluding acres described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(5) Frequency.--In carrying out this subchapter, for 
     contracts that are not available on a continuous enrollment 
     basis, the Secretary shall hold a signup and enrollment not 
     less often than once each year.
       ``(6) Continuous enrollment procedure.--
       ``(A) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     Secretary shall allow producers to submit applications on a 
     continuous basis for enrollment in--
       ``(i) the conservation reserve of--

       ``(I) marginal pasture land described in subsection (b)(2);
       ``(II) land described in subsection (b)(4); and
       ``(III) cropland described in subsection (b)(5); and

       ``(ii) the conservation reserve enhancement program under 
     section 1231A.
       ``(B) Limitation.--For purposes of applying the limitations 
     in paragraph (1)--
       ``(i) the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, enroll and maintain not fewer than 8,600,000 
     acres of land under subparagraph (A) by September 30, 2023; 
     and
       ``(ii) in carrying out clause (i), to the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall maintain in the conservation 
     reserve at any one time during--

       ``(I) fiscal year 2019, 8,000,000 acres;
       ``(II) fiscal year 2020, 8,250,000 acres;
       ``(III) fiscal year 2021, 8,500,000 acres; and
       ``(IV) fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 8,600,000 acres.''.

       (d) Eligibility for Consideration.--Section 1231(h) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(h)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``On the expiration'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--On the expiration''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Reenrollment limitation for certain land.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     land subject to a contract entered into under this subchapter 
     shall be eligible for only one reenrollment in the 
     conservation reserve under paragraph (1) if the land is 
     devoted to hardwood trees.
       ``(B) Exclusions.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to--
       ``(i) riparian forested buffers;
       ``(ii) forested wetlands enrolled under subsection (d)(3) 
     or the conservation reserve enhancement program under section 
     1231A; and
       ``(iii) shelterbelts.''.

     SEC. 2202. CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of 
     title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1231 (16 U.S.C. 3831) the following:

     ``SEC. 1231A. CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) CREP.--The term `CREP' means a conservation reserve 
     enhancement program carried out under subsection (b)(1).
       ``(2) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land' means land 
     that is eligible to be included in the program established 
     under this subchapter.
       ``(3) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible partner' 
     means--
       ``(A) a State;
       ``(B) a political subdivision of a State;
       ``(C) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304)); or
       ``(D) a nongovernmental organization.
       ``(4) Management.--The term `management' means an activity 
     conducted by an owner or operator under a contract entered 
     into under this subchapter after the establishment of a 
     conservation practice on eligible land, to regularly maintain 
     or enhance the vegetative cover established by the 
     conservation practice--
       ``(A) throughout the term of the contract; and
       ``(B) consistent with the conservation plan that covers the 
     eligible land.
       ``(b) Agreements.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into an 
     agreement with an eligible partner to carry out a 
     conservation reserve enhancement program--
       ``(A) to assist in enrolling eligible land in the program 
     established under this subchapter; and
       ``(B) that the Secretary determines will advance the 
     purposes of this subchapter.
       ``(2) Contents.--An agreement entered into under paragraph 
     (1) shall--
       ``(A) describe--
       ``(i) 1 or more specific State or nationally significant 
     conservation concerns to be addressed by the agreement;
       ``(ii) quantifiable environmental goals for addressing the 
     concerns under clause (i);
       ``(iii) a suitable acreage goal for enrollment of eligible 
     land under the agreement, as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(iv) the location of eligible land to be enrolled in the 
     project area identified under the agreement;
       ``(v) the payments to be offered by the Secretary and 
     eligible partner to an owner or operator; and
       ``(vi) an appropriate list of conservation reserve program 
     conservation practices that are appropriate to meeting the 
     concerns described

[[Page H9836]]

     under clause (i), as determined by the Secretary in 
     consultation with eligible partners;
       ``(B) subject to subparagraph (C), require the eligible 
     partner to provide matching funds--
       ``(i) in an amount determined during a negotiation between 
     the Secretary and 1 or more eligible partners, if the 
     majority of the matching funds to carry out the agreement are 
     provided by 1 or more eligible partners that are not 
     nongovernmental organizations; or
       ``(ii) in an amount not less than 30 percent of the cost 
     required to carry out the conservation measures and practices 
     described in the agreement, if a majority of the matching 
     funds to carry out the agreement are provided by 1 or more 
     nongovernmental organizations; and
       ``(C) include procedures to allow for a temporary waiver of 
     the matching requirements under subparagraph (B), or 
     continued enrollment with a temporary suspension of 
     incentives or eligible partner contributions for new 
     agreements, during a period when an eligible partner loses 
     the authority or ability to provide matching contributions, 
     if the Secretary determines that the temporary waiver or 
     continued enrollment with a temporary suspension will advance 
     the purposes of this subchapter.
       ``(3) Effect on existing agreements.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), an 
     agreement under this subsection shall not affect, modify, or 
     interfere with existing agreements under this subchapter.
       ``(B) Modification of existing agreements.--To implement 
     this section, the signatories to an agreement under this 
     subsection may mutually agree to a modification of an 
     agreement entered into before the date of enactment of this 
     section under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 
     established by the Secretary under this subchapter.
       ``(c) Payments.--
       ``(1) Matching requirement.--Funds provided by an eligible 
     partner may be in cash, in-kind contributions, or technical 
     assistance, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(2) Marginal pastureland cost-share payments.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure that cost-share payments to an owner 
     or operator to install stream fencing, crossings, and 
     alternative water development on marginal pastureland under a 
     CREP reflect the fair market value of the cost of 
     installation.
       ``(3) Cost-share and practice incentive payments.--
       ``(A) In general.--On request of an owner or operator, the 
     Secretary shall provide cost-share payments when a major 
     component of a conservation practice is completed under a 
     CREP, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Exemption.--For purposes of implementing conservation 
     practices on land enrolled under a CREP, the Secretary may 
     waive the contribution limitation described in section 
     1234(b)(2)(A).
       ``(4) Riparian buffer management payments.--
       ``(A) In general.--In the case of an agreement under 
     subsection (b)(1) that includes riparian buffers as an 
     eligible practice, the Secretary shall make cost-share 
     payments to encourage the regular management of the riparian 
     buffer throughout the term of the agreement, consistent with 
     the conservation plan that covers the eligible land.
       ``(B) Limitation.--The amount of payments received by an 
     owner or operator under subparagraph (A) shall not be greater 
     than 100 percent of the normal and customary projected 
     management cost, as determined by the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the applicable State technical committee 
     established under section 1261(a).
       ``(d) Forested Riparian Buffer Practice.--
       ``(1) Food-producing woody plants.--In the case of an 
     agreement under subsection (b)(1) that includes forested 
     riparian buffers as an eligible practice, the Secretary shall 
     allow an owner or operator--
       ``(A) to plant food-producing woody plants in the forested 
     riparian buffers, on the conditions that--
       ``(i) the plants shall contribute to the conservation of 
     soil, water quality, and wildlife habitat; and
       ``(ii) the planting shall be consistent with--

       ``(I) recommendations of the applicable State technical 
     committee established under section 1261(a); and
       ``(II) technical guide standards of the applicable field 
     office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and

       ``(B) to harvest from plants described in subparagraph (A), 
     on the conditions that--
       ``(i) the harvesting shall not damage the conserving cover 
     or otherwise have a negative impact on the conservation 
     concerns targeted by the CREP;
       ``(ii) only native plant species appropriate to the region 
     shall be used within 35 feet of the watercourse; and
       ``(iii) the producer shall be subject to a reduction in the 
     rental rate commensurate to the value of the crop harvested.
       ``(2) Technical assistance.--For the purpose of enrolling 
     forested riparian buffers in a CREP, the Administrator of the 
     Farm Service Agency shall coordinate with the applicable 
     State forestry agency.
       ``(e) Drought and Water Conservation Agreements.--In the 
     case of an agreement under subsection (b)(1) to address 
     regional drought concerns, in accordance with the 
     conservation purposes of the CREP, the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the applicable State technical committee 
     established under section 1261(a), may--
       ``(1) notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), enroll other 
     agricultural land on which the resource concerns identified 
     in the agreement can be addressed if the enrollment of the 
     land is critical to the accomplishment of the purposes of the 
     agreement;
       ``(2) permit dryland agricultural uses with the adoption of 
     best management practices on enrolled land if the agreement 
     involves the significant long-term reduction of consumptive 
     water use and dryland production is compatible with the 
     agreement; and
       ``(3) calculate annual rental payments consistent with 
     existing administrative practice for similar drought and 
     water conservation agreements under this subtitle and ensure 
     regional consistency in those rates.
       ``(f) Status Report.--Not later than 180 days after the end 
     of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report that describes, with respect to each agreement entered 
     into under subsection (b)(1)--
       ``(1) the status of the agreement;
       ``(2) the purposes and objectives of the agreement;
       ``(3) the Federal and eligible partner commitments made 
     under the agreement; and
       ``(4) the progress made in fulfilling those commitments.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 1240R(c)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5(c)(3)) is amended by striking ``a special 
     conservation reserve enhancement program described in section 
     1234(f)(4)'' and inserting ``a conservation reserve 
     enhancement program under section 1231A''.
       (2) Section 1244(f)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3844(f)(3)) is amended by striking ``subsection 
     (d)(2)(A)(ii) or (g)(2) of section 1234'' and inserting 
     ``section 1231A''.

     SEC. 2203. FARMABLE WETLAND PROGRAM.

       Section 1231B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3831b) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)(2), by striking ``1234(d)(2)(A)(ii)'' 
     and inserting ``1234(d)''.

     SEC. 2204. PILOT PROGRAMS.

       Subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after 
     section 1231B (16 U.S.C. 3831b) the following:

     ``SEC. 1231C. PILOT PROGRAMS.

       ``(a) CLEAR 30.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Enrollment.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot 
     program to enroll land in the conservation reserve program 
     through a 30-year conservation reserve contract (referred to 
     in this subsection as a `CLEAR 30 contract') in accordance 
     with this subsection.
       ``(B) Inclusion of acreage limitation.--For purposes of 
     applying the limitations in section 1231(d)(1), the Secretary 
     shall include acres of land enrolled under this subsection.
       ``(2) Expired conservation contract election.--
       ``(A) Definition of covered contract.--In this paragraph, 
     the term `covered contract' means a contract entered into 
     under this subchapter that--
       ``(i) expires on or after the date of enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and
       ``(ii) covers land enrolled in the conservation reserve 
     program under the clean lakes, estuaries, and rivers priority 
     described in section 1231(d)(3) (or the predecessor practices 
     that constitute the priority, as determined by the 
     Secretary).
       ``(B) Election.--On the expiration of a covered contract, 
     an owner or operator party to the covered contract shall 
     elect--
       ``(i) not to reenroll the land under the contract;
       ``(ii) to offer to reenroll the land under the contract if 
     the land remains eligible under the terms in effect as of the 
     date of expiration; or
       ``(iii) not to reenroll the land under the contract and to 
     enroll that land through a CLEAR 30 contract under this 
     subsection.
       ``(3) Eligible land.--Only land that is subject to an 
     expired covered contract shall be eligible for enrollment 
     through a CLEAR 30 contract under this subsection.
       ``(4) Term.--The term of a CLEAR 30 contract shall be 30 
     years.
       ``(5) Agreements.--To be eligible to enroll land in the 
     conservation reserve program through a CLEAR 30 contract, the 
     owner of the land shall enter into an agreement with the 
     Secretary--
       ``(A) to implement a conservation reserve plan developed 
     for the land;
       ``(B) to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
     contract and any related agreements; and
       ``(C) to temporarily suspend the base history for the land 
     covered by the contract.
       ``(6) Terms and conditions of clear 30 contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--A CLEAR 30 contract shall include terms 
     and conditions that--
       ``(i) permit--

       ``(I) repairs, improvements, and inspections on the land 
     that are necessary to maintain existing public drainage 
     systems; and
       ``(II) owners to control public access on the land while 
     identifying access routes to be used for restoration 
     activities and management and contract monitoring;

       ``(ii) prohibit--

       ``(I) the alteration of wildlife habitat and other natural 
     features of the land, unless specifically authorized by the 
     Secretary as part of the conservation reserve plan;
       ``(II) the spraying of the land with chemicals or the 
     mowing of the land, except where the spraying or mowing is 
     authorized by the Secretary or is necessary--

       ``(aa) to comply with Federal or State noxious weed control 
     laws;
       ``(bb) to comply with a Federal or State emergency pest 
     treatment program; or
       ``(cc) to meet habitat needs of specific wildlife species;

       ``(III) any activity to be carried out on the land of the 
     owner or successor that is immediately adjacent to, and 
     functionally related to,

[[Page H9837]]

     the land that is subject to the contract if the activity will 
     alter, degrade, or otherwise diminish the functional value of 
     the land; and
       ``(IV) the adoption of any other practice that would tend 
     to defeat the purposes of the conservation reserve program, 
     as determined by the Secretary; and

       ``(iii) include any additional provision that the Secretary 
     determines is appropriate to carry out this section or 
     facilitate the practical administration of this section.
       ``(B) Violation.--On the violation of a term or condition 
     of a CLEAR 30 contract, the Secretary may require the owner 
     to refund all or part of any payments received by the owner 
     under the conservation reserve program, with interest on the 
     payments, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
       ``(C) Compatible uses.--Land subject to a CLEAR 30 contract 
     may be used for compatible economic uses, including hunting 
     and fishing, managed timber harvest, or periodic haying or 
     grazing, if the use--
       ``(i) is specifically permitted by the conservation reserve 
     plan developed for the land; and
       ``(ii) is consistent with the long-term protection and 
     enhancement of the conservation resources for which the 
     contract was established.
       ``(7) Compensation.--
       ``(A) Amount of payments.--The Secretary shall provide 
     payment under this subsection to an owner of land enrolled 
     through a CLEAR 30 contract using 30 annual payments in an 
     amount equal to the amount that would be used if the land 
     were to be enrolled in the conservation reserve program under 
     section 1231(d)(3).
       ``(B) Form of payment.--Compensation for a CLEAR 30 
     contract shall be provided by the Secretary in the form of a 
     cash payment in an amount determined under subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) Timing.--The Secretary shall provide any annual 
     payment obligation under subparagraph (A) as early as 
     practicable in each fiscal year.
       ``(D) Payments to others.--The Secretary shall make a 
     payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary, in a manner as the Secretary determines is fair 
     and reasonable under the circumstances, if an owner who is 
     entitled to a payment under this section--
       ``(i) dies;
       ``(ii) becomes incompetent;
       ``(iii) is succeeded by another person or entity who 
     renders or completes the required performance; or
       ``(iv) is otherwise unable to receive the payment.
       ``(8) Technical assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall assist owners in 
     complying with the terms and conditions of a CLEAR 30 
     contract.
       ``(B) Contracts or agreements.--The Secretary may enter 
     into 1 or more contracts with private entities or agreements 
     with a State, nongovernmental organization, or Indian Tribe 
     to carry out necessary maintenance of a CLEAR 30 contract if 
     the Secretary determines that the contract or agreement will 
     advance the purposes of the conservation reserve program.
       ``(9) Administration.--
       ``(A) Conservation reserve plan.--The Secretary shall 
     develop a conservation reserve plan for any land subject to a 
     CLEAR 30 contract, which shall include practices and 
     activities necessary to maintain, protect, and enhance the 
     conservation value of the enrolled land.
       ``(B) Delegation of contract administration.--
       ``(i) Federal, state, or local government agencies.--The 
     Secretary may delegate any of the management, monitoring, and 
     enforcement responsibilities of the Secretary under this 
     subsection to other Federal, State, or local government 
     agencies that have the appropriate authority, expertise, and 
     resources necessary to carry out those delegated 
     responsibilities.
       ``(ii) Conservation organizations.--The Secretary may 
     delegate any management responsibilities of the Secretary 
     under this subsection to conservation organizations if the 
     Secretary determines the conservation organization has 
     similar expertise and resources.
       ``(b) Soil Health and Income Protection Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) Definition of eligible land.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible land' means cropland 
     that--
       ``(i) is selected by the owner or operator of the land for 
     proposed enrollment in the pilot program under this 
     subsection; and
       ``(ii) as determined by the Secretary--

       ``(I) is located within 1 or more States that are part of 
     the prairie pothole region, as selected by the Secretary 
     based on consultation with State Committees of the Farm 
     Service Agency and State technical committees established 
     under section 1261(a) from that region;
       ``(II) had a cropping history or was considered to be 
     planted during each of the 3 crop years preceding enrollment; 
     and
       ``(III) is verified to be less-productive land, as compared 
     to other land on the applicable farm.

       ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `eligible land' does not include 
     any land that was enrolled in a conservation reserve program 
     contract in any of the 3 crop years preceding enrollment in 
     the pilot program under this subsection.
       ``(2) Establishment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     voluntary soil health and income protection pilot program 
     under which eligible land is enrolled through the use of 
     contracts to assist owners and operators of eligible land to 
     conserve and improve the soil, water, and wildlife resources 
     of the eligible land.
       ``(B) Deadline for participation.--Eligible land may be 
     enrolled in the program under this section through December 
     31, 2020.
       ``(3) Contracts.--
       ``(A) Requirements.--A contract described in paragraph (2) 
     shall--
       ``(i) be entered into by the Secretary, the owner of the 
     eligible land, and (if applicable) the operator of the 
     eligible land; and
       ``(ii) provide that, during the term of the contract--

       ``(I) the lowest practicable cost perennial conserving use 
     cover crop for the eligible land, as determined by the 
     applicable State conservationist after considering the advice 
     of the applicable State technical committee, shall be planted 
     on the eligible land;
       ``(II) except as provided in subparagraph (E), the owner or 
     operator of the eligible land shall pay the cost of planting 
     the conserving use cover crop under subclause (I);
       ``(III) subject to subparagraph (F), the eligible land may 
     be harvested for seed, hayed, or grazed outside the primary 
     nesting season established for the applicable county;
       ``(IV) the eligible land may be eligible for a walk-in 
     access program of the applicable State, if any; and
       ``(V) a nonprofit wildlife organization may provide to the 
     owner or operator of the eligible land a payment in exchange 
     for an agreement by the owner or operator not to harvest the 
     conserving use cover.

       ``(B) Payments.--Except as provided in subparagraphs (E) 
     and (F)(ii)(II), the annual rental rate for a payment under a 
     contract described in paragraph (2) shall be equal to 50 
     percent of the average rental rate for the applicable county 
     under section 1234(d), as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(C) Limitation on enrolled land.--Not more than 15 
     percent of the eligible land on a farm may be enrolled in the 
     pilot program under this subsection.
       ``(D) Term.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), each 
     contract described in paragraph (2) shall be for a term of 3, 
     4, or 5 years, as determined by the parties to the contract.
       ``(ii) Early termination.--

       ``(I) Secretary.--The Secretary may terminate a contract 
     described in paragraph (2) before the end of the term 
     described in clause (i) if the Secretary determines that the 
     early termination of the contract is necessary.
       ``(II) Owners and operators.--An owner and (if applicable) 
     an operator of eligible land enrolled in the pilot program 
     under this subsection may terminate a contract described in 
     paragraph (2) before the end of the term described in clause 
     (i) if the owner and (if applicable) the operator pay to the 
     Secretary an amount equal to the amount of rental payments 
     received under the contract.

       ``(E) Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, 
     or veteran farmers and ranchers.--With respect to a 
     beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or 
     veteran farmer or rancher, as determined by the Secretary--
       ``(i) a contract described in paragraph (2) shall provide 
     that, during the term of the contract, of the actual cost of 
     establishment of the conserving use cover crop under 
     subparagraph (A)(ii)(I)--

       ``(I) using the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
     the Secretary shall pay 50 percent; and
       ``(II) the beginning, limited resource, socially 
     disadvantaged, or veteran farmer or rancher shall pay 50 
     percent; and

       ``(ii) the annual rental rate for a payment under a 
     contract described in paragraph (2) shall be equal to 75 
     percent of the average rental rate for the applicable county 
     under section 1234(d), as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(F) Harvesting, haying, and grazing outside applicable 
     period.--The harvesting for seed, haying, or grazing of 
     eligible land under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) outside of the 
     primary nesting season established for the applicable county 
     shall be subject to the conditions that--
       ``(i) with respect to eligible land that is so hayed or 
     grazed, adequate stubble height shall be maintained to 
     protect the soil on the eligible land, as determined by the 
     applicable State conservationist after considering the advice 
     of the applicable State technical committee; and
       ``(ii) with respect to eligible land that is so harvested 
     for seed--

       ``(I) the eligible land shall not be eligible to be insured 
     or reinsured under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1501 et seq.); and
       ``(II) the rental payment otherwise applicable to the 
     eligible land under this subsection shall be reduced by 25 
     percent.

       ``(4) Acreage limitation.--Of the number of acres available 
     for enrollment in the conservation reserve under section 
     1231(d)(1), not more than 50,000 total acres of eligible land 
     may be enrolled under the pilot program under this 
     subsection.
       ``(5) Report.--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 an annual report describing the eligible land enrolled 
     in the pilot program under this subsection, including--
       ``(A) the estimated conservation value of the land; and
       ``(B) estimated savings from reduced commodity payments, 
     crop insurance indemnities, and crop insurance premium 
     subsidies.''.

     SEC. 2205. DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS.

       Section 1232(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3832(a)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as paragraphs 
     (11) and (12), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
       ``(10) on land devoted to hardwood or other trees, 
     excluding windbreaks and shelterbelts, to carry out proper 
     thinning and other practices--
       ``(A) to enhance the conservation benefits and wildlife 
     habitat resources addressed by the conservation practice 
     under which the land is enrolled; and

[[Page H9838]]

       ``(B) to promote forest management;''.

     SEC. 2206. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

       (a) Cost-Share and Rental Payments.--Section 1233(a) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3833(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including the cost 
     of fencing and other water distribution practices, if 
     applicable'' after ``interest''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``in an amount necessary to compensate'' and inserting ``, in 
     accordance with section 1234(d),'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by inserting ``, marginal pastureland,'' after 
     ``cropland''; and
       (ii) by adding ``or'' at the end;
       (C) by striking subparagraph (B); and
       (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B).
       (b) Specified Activities Permitted.--Section 1233 of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3833) is amended by 
     striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Specified Activities Permitted.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
     applicable State technical committee established under 
     section 1261(a), shall permit certain activities or 
     commercial uses of established cover on land that is subject 
     to a contract under the conservation reserve program if--
       ``(A) those activities or uses--
       ``(i) are consistent with the conservation of soil, water 
     quality, and wildlife habitat;
       ``(ii) are subject to appropriate restrictions during the 
     primary nesting season for birds in the local area that are 
     economically significant, in significant decline, or 
     conserved in accordance with Federal or State law;
       ``(iii) contribute to the health and vigor of the 
     established cover; and
       ``(iv) are consistent with a site-specific plan, including 
     vegetative management requirements, stocking rates, and 
     frequency and duration of activity, taking into consideration 
     regional differences, such as climate, soil type, and natural 
     resources; and
       ``(B) the Secretary, in coordination with the State 
     technical committee, includes contract modifications--
       ``(i) without any reduction in the rental rate for--

       ``(I) emergency haying, emergency grazing, or other 
     emergency use of the forage in response to a localized or 
     regional drought, flooding, wildfire, or other emergency, on 
     all practices, outside the primary nesting season, when--

       ``(aa) the county is designated as D2 (severe drought) or 
     greater according to the United States Drought Monitor;
       ``(bb) there is at least a 40 percent loss in forage 
     production in the county; or
       ``(cc) the Secretary, in coordination with the State 
     technical committee, determines that the program can assist 
     in the response to a natural disaster event without permanent 
     damage to the established cover;

       ``(II) emergency grazing on all practices during the 
     primary nesting season if payments are authorized for a 
     county under the livestock forage disaster program under 
     clause (ii) of section 1501(c)(3)(D) of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)(3)(D)), at 50 percent of the normal 
     carrying capacity determined under clause (i) of that 
     section, adjusted to the site-specific plan;
       ``(III) emergency haying on certain practices, outside the 
     primary nesting season, if payments are authorized for a 
     county under the livestock forage disaster program under 
     clause (ii) of section 1501(c)(3)(D) of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)(3)(D)), on not more than 50 percent 
     of contract acres, as identified in the site-specific plan;
       ``(IV) grazing of all practices, outside the primary 
     nesting season, if included as a mid-contract management 
     practice under section 1232(a)(5);
       ``(V) the intermittent and seasonal use of vegetative 
     buffer established under paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 
     1231(b) that are incidental to agricultural production on 
     land adjacent to the buffer such that the permitted use--

       ``(aa) does not destroy the permanent vegetative cover; and
       ``(bb) retains suitable vegetative structure for wildlife 
     cover and shelter outside the primary nesting season; or

       ``(VI) grazing on all practices, outside the primary 
     nesting season, if conducted by a beginning farmer or 
     rancher; or

       ``(ii) with a 25 percent reduction in the annual rental 
     rate for the acres covered by the authorized activity, 
     including--

       ``(I) grazing not more frequently than every other year on 
     the same land, except that during the primary nesting season, 
     grazing shall be subject to a 50 percent reduction in the 
     stocking rate specified in the site-specific plan;
       ``(II) grazing of all practices during the primary nesting 
     season, with a 50 percent reduction in the stocking rate 
     specified in the site-specific plan;
       ``(III) haying and other commercial use (including the 
     managed harvesting of biomass and excluding the harvesting of 
     vegetative cover), on the condition that the activity--

       ``(aa) is completed outside the primary nesting season;
       ``(bb) occurs not more than once every 3 years; and
       ``(cc) maintains 25 percent of the total contract acres 
     unharvested, in accordance with a site-specific plan that 
     provides for wildlife cover and shelter;

       ``(IV) annual grazing outside the primary nesting season if 
     consistent with a site-specific plan that is authorized for 
     the control of invasive species; and
       ``(V) the installation of wind turbines and associated 
     access, except that in permitting the installation of wind 
     turbines, the Secretary shall determine the number and 
     location of wind turbines that may be installed, taking into 
     account--

       ``(aa) the location, size, and other physical 
     characteristics of the land;
       ``(bb) the extent to which the land contains threatened or 
     endangered wildlife and wildlife habitat; and
       ``(cc) the purposes of the conservation reserve program 
     under this subchapter.
       ``(2) Conditions on haying and grazing.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may permit haying or 
     grazing in accordance with paragraph (1) on any land or 
     practice subject to a contract under the conservation reserve 
     program.
       ``(B) Exceptions.--
       ``(i) Damage to vegetative cover.--Haying or grazing 
     described in paragraph (1) shall not be permitted on land 
     subject to a contract under the conservation reserve program, 
     or under a particular practice, if haying or grazing for that 
     year under that practice, as applicable, would cause long-
     term damage to vegetative cover on that land.
       ``(ii) Special agreements.--

       ``(I) In general.--Except as provided in subclause (II), 
     haying or grazing described in paragraph (1) shall not be 
     permitted on--

       ``(aa) land covered by a contract enrolled under the State 
     acres for wildlife enhancement program established by the 
     Secretary; or
       ``(bb) land covered by a contract enrolled under a 
     conservation reserve enhancement program established under 
     section 1231A or the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 
     established by the Secretary under this subchapter.

       ``(II) Exception.--Subclause (I) shall not apply to land on 
     which haying or grazing is specifically permitted under the 
     applicable conservation reserve enhancement program agreement 
     or other partnership agreement entered into under this 
     subchapter.''.

       (c) Natural Disaster or Adverse Weather as Mid-contract 
     Management.--Section 1233 of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3833) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) Natural Disaster or Adverse Weather as Mid-contract 
     Management.--In the case of a natural disaster or adverse 
     weather event that has the effect of a management practice 
     consistent with the conservation plan, the Secretary shall 
     not require further management practices pursuant to section 
     1232(a)(5) that are intended to achieve the same effect.''.

     SEC. 2207. PAYMENTS.

       (a) Cost Sharing Payments.--Section 1234(b) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraphs (2) through (4) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(2) Limitations.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, that cost sharing payments to an 
     owner or operator under this subchapter, when combined with 
     the sum of payments from all other funding sources for 
     measures and practices described in paragraph (1), do not 
     exceed 100 percent of the total actual cost of establishing 
     those measures and practices, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Mid-contract management grazing.--The Secretary may 
     not make any cost sharing payment to an owner or operator 
     under this subchapter pursuant to section 1232(a)(5).
       ``(C) Seed cost.--In the case of seed costs related to the 
     establishment of cover, cost sharing payments under this 
     subchapter shall not exceed 50 percent of the actual cost of 
     the seed mixture, as determined by the Secretary.'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (3);
       (3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking ``An 
     owner'' and inserting ``Except in the case of incentive 
     payments that are related to the cost of the establishment of 
     a practice and received from eligible partners under the 
     conservation reserve enhancement program under section 1231A, 
     an owner''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Practice incentives for continuous practices.--In 
     addition to the cost sharing payment described in this 
     subsection, the Secretary shall make an incentive payment to 
     an owner or operator of land enrolled under section 
     1231(d)(6) in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the 
     actual cost of establishing all measures and practices 
     described in paragraph (1), including seed costs related to 
     the establishment of cover, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (b) Incentive Payments.--Section 1234(c) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(c)) is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Incentive'' 
     and inserting ``Forest Management Incentive'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
     inserting ``Using funds made available under section 
     1241(a)(1)(A), the Secretary''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``150 percent'' and 
     inserting ``100 percent''.
       (c) Annual Rental Payments.--Section 1234(d) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``the Secretary may consider, among other 
     things, the amount'' and inserting the following: ``the 
     Secretary shall consider--
       ``(A) the amount'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) the impact on the local farmland rental market; and
       ``(C) such other factors as the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.'';

[[Page H9839]]

       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     period;
       (ii) by striking clause (ii); and
       (iii) by striking ``determined through--'' in the matter 
     preceding clause (i) and all that follows through ``the 
     submission of bids'' in clause (i) and inserting ``determined 
     through the submission of applications'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) Multiple enrollments.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), if land subject 
     to a contract entered into under this subchapter is 
     reenrolled under section 1231(h)(1) or has been previously 
     enrolled in the conservation reserve, the annual rental 
     payment shall be in an amount that is not more than 85 
     percent in the case of general enrollment contacts, or 90 
     percent in the case of continuous enrollment contracts, of 
     the applicable estimated average county rental rate published 
     pursuant to paragraph (4) for the year in which the 
     reenrollment occurs.
       ``(ii) Conservation reserve enhancement program.--The 
     reduction in annual rental payments under clause (i) may be 
     waived as part of the negotiation between the Secretary and 
     an eligible partner to enter into a conservation reserve 
     enhancement program agreement under section 1231A.'';
       (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``In the case'' and inserting ``Notwithstanding subparagraph 
     (A), in the case''; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Continuous sign-up incentives.--The Secretary shall 
     make an incentive payment to the owner or operator of land 
     enrolled under section 1231(d)(6) at the time of initial 
     enrollment in an amount equal to 32.5 percent of the amount 
     of the first annual rental payment under subparagraph (A).'';
       (3) by striking paragraph (4);
       (4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4); and
       (5) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``, not less frequently than once every 
     other year,'' and inserting ``annually''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``, and shall publish the estimates 
     derived from the survey not later than September 15 of each 
     year'' before the period at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and the average 
     current and previous soil rental rates for each county'' 
     after ``subparagraph (A)'';
       (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``may use'' and 
     inserting ``shall consider''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Submission of additional information by state fsa 
     offices and crep partners.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall provide an 
     opportunity for State Committees of the Farm Service Agency 
     or eligible partners (as defined in section 1231A(a)) in 
     conservation reserve enhancement programs under section 1231A 
     to propose an alternative soil rental rate prior to 
     finalizing new rates, on the condition that documentation 
     described in clause (ii) is provided to support the proposed 
     alternative.
       ``(ii) Acceptable documentation.--Documentation referred to 
     in clause (i) includes--

       ``(I) an average of cash rents from a random sample of 
     lease agreements;
       ``(II) cash rent estimates from a published survey;
       ``(III) neighboring county estimate comparisons from the 
     National Agricultural Statistics Service;
       ``(IV) an average of cash rents from Farm Service Agency 
     farm business plans;
       ``(V) models that estimate cash rents, such as models that 
     use returns to estimate crop production or land value data; 
     or
       ``(VI) other documentation, as determined by the Secretary.

       ``(iii) Notification.--Not less than 14 days prior to the 
     announcement of new or revised soil rental rates, the 
     Secretary shall offer a briefing to the Chairman and Ranking 
     Member of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate, including information on and the rationale for the 
     alternative rates proposed under clause (i) that were 
     accepted or rejected.
       ``(E) Rental rate limitation.--Notwithstanding forest 
     management incentive payments described in subsection (c), 
     the county average soil rental rate (before any adjustments 
     relating to specific practices, wellhead protection, or soil 
     productivity) shall not exceed--
       ``(i) 85 percent of the estimated rental rate determined 
     under this paragraph for general enrollment; or
       ``(ii) 90 percent of the estimated rental rate determined 
     under this paragraph for continuous enrollment.''.
       (d) Payment Limitation for Rental Payments.--Section 
     1234(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(g)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The total'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (2), the total''; 
     and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Wellhead protection.--Paragraph (1) and section 
     1001D(b) shall not apply to rental payments received by a 
     rural water district or association for land that is enrolled 
     under this subchapter for the purpose of protecting a 
     wellhead.''.

     SEC. 2208. CONTRACTS.

       (a) Transition Option for Certain Farmers or Ranchers.--
     Section 1235(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3835(f)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``retired farmer or rancher'' and inserting ``contract 
     holder'';
       (B) by striking ``retired or retiring owner or operator'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``contract holder'';
       (C) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by striking ``1 year'' and inserting ``2 years'';
       (D) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, including a lease 
     with a term of less than 5 years and an option to purchase'' 
     after ``option to purchase'';
       (E) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (F) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
     and
       (G) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) give priority to the enrollment of the land covered 
     by the contract in--
       ``(i) the environmental quality incentives program 
     established under subchapter A of chapter 4;
       ``(ii) the conservation stewardship program established 
     under subchapter B of chapter 4; or
       ``(iii) the agricultural conservation easement program 
     established under subtitle H; and''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``To the extent that the 
     maximum number of acres permitted to be enrolled under the 
     conservation reserve program has not been met, the 
     Secretary''; and
       (B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A)(i) is carried out on land described in paragraph (4) 
     or (5) of section 1231(b); and
       ``(ii) is eligible for continuous enrollment under section 
     1231(d)(6); and''.
       (b) End of Contract Considerations.--Section 1235(g) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835(g)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(g) End of Contract Considerations.--The Secretary shall 
     not consider an owner or operator to be in violation of a 
     term or condition of the conservation reserve contract if--
       ``(1) during the year prior to expiration of the contract, 
     the owner or operator--
       ``(A)(i) enters into a contract under the environmental 
     quality incentives program established under subchapter A of 
     chapter 4; and
       ``(ii) begins the establishment of a practice under that 
     contract; or
       ``(B)(i) enters into a contract under the conservation 
     stewardship program established under subchapter B of chapter 
     4; and
       ``(ii) begins the establishment of a practice under that 
     contract; or
       ``(2) during the 3 years prior to the expiration of the 
     contract, the owner or operator begins the certification 
     process under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).''.

     SEC. 2209. ELIGIBLE LAND; STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.

       The Secretary shall revise paragraph (4) of section 
     1410.6(d) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide 
     that land enrolled under a Conservation Reserve Enhancement 
     Program agreement initially established before January 1, 
     2014 (including an amended or successor Conservation Reserve 
     Enhancement Program agreement, as determined by the 
     Secretary), shall not be ineligible for enrollment in the 
     conservation reserve program established under subchapter B 
     of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) under that paragraph if 
     the Deputy Administrator (as defined in section 1410.2(b) of 
     title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
     regulations)), on recommendation from and in consultation 
     with the applicable State technical committee established 
     under section 1261(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3861(a)) determines, under such terms and conditions 
     as the Deputy Administrator, in consultation with the State 
     technical committee, determines to be appropriate, that 
     making that land eligible for enrollment in that program is 
     not contrary to the purposes of that program.

 Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation 
                          Stewardship Program

     SEC. 2301. REPEAL OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of 
     the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking the chapter designation and heading and 
     inserting the following:

``CHAPTER 4--ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM AND CONSERVATION 
                          STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

    ``Subchapter A--Environmental Quality Incentives Program''; and

       (2) by inserting after section 1240H the following:

          ``Subchapter B--Conservation Stewardship Program''.

       (b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--Subchapter B of 
     chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 1238D through 1238G as 
     sections 1240I through 1240L, respectively; and
       (2) by moving sections 1240I through 1240L (as so 
     redesignated) so as to appear after the subchapter heading 
     for subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of 
     that Act (as added by subsection (a)(2)).
       (c) Repeal.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of 
     the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838 et seq.) (as 
     amended by subsection (b)) is repealed.
       (2) Termination of conservation stewardship program.--
     Effective on the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     conservation stewardship

[[Page H9840]]

     program under subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of 
     title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d 
     et seq.) (as in effect on the day before the date of 
     enactment of this Act) shall cease to be effective.
       (3) Transitional provisions.--
       (A) Effect on existing contracts and agreements.--The 
     cessation of effectiveness under paragraph (2) shall not 
     affect--
       (i) the validity or terms of any contract entered into by 
     the Secretary under subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D 
     of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3838d et seq.) before the date of enactment of this Act, or 
     any payments, modifications, or technical assistance required 
     to be made in connection with the contract; or
       (ii) subject to subparagraph (D), any agreement entered 
     into by the Secretary under the regional conservation 
     partnership program under subtitle I of title XII of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871 et seq.) on or before 
     September 30, 2018, under which conservation stewardship 
     program acres and associated funding have been allocated to 
     the agreement for the purpose of entering into a contract 
     under subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of 
     that Act (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
     before the date of enactment of this Act).
       (B) Extension permitted.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), 
     the Secretary may extend for 1 year a contract described in 
     subparagraph (A)(i) if that contract expires on or before 
     December 31, 2019, under the terms and payment rate of the 
     existing contract and in accordance with subchapter B of 
     chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
     before the date of enactment of this Act).
       (C) Renewal not permitted.--
       (i) In general.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), and 
     subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may not renew a 
     contract or agreement described in that subparagraph.
       (ii) Exception.--The Secretary may renew a contract 
     described in subparagraph (A)(i)--

       (I) if that contract expires on or after December 31, 2019;
       (II) under the terms of the conservation stewardship 
     program under subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
     title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as added by 
     subsections (a)(2) and (b)); and
       (III) subject to the limitation on funding for that 
     subchapter under section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841).

       (D) RCPP contracts.--
       (i) Treatment of acreage.--In the case of an agreement 
     described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary may provide 
     an amount of funding that is equivalent to the value of any 
     acres covered by the agreement.
       (ii) Funds and acres not obligated.--In the case of an 
     agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii) to which program 
     acres and associated funding have been allocated but not yet 
     obligated to enter into a contract under subchapter B of 
     chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
     before the date of enactment of this Act)--

       (I) the Secretary shall modify the agreement to authorize 
     the entrance into a contract under subchapter B of chapter 4 
     of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (as added by subsections (a)(2) and (b)); and
       (II) the funds associated with the conservation stewardship 
     program acres allocated under that agreement, on modification 
     under subclause (I), may be used to enter into conservation 
     stewardship program contracts with producers under subchapter 
     B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) and 
     (b)).

       (4) Contract administration.--Subject to paragraphs (3)(C) 
     and (3)(D)(ii)(II), the Secretary shall administer each 
     contract and agreement described in clauses (i) and (ii) of 
     paragraph (3)(A) until the expiration of the contract or 
     agreement in accordance with the regulations to carry out the 
     conservation stewardship program under subchapter B of 
     chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
     before the date of enactment of this Act) that are in effect 
     on the day before that date of enactment.
       (5) Funding.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), any 
     funds made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     under section 1241(a)(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3841(a)(4)) for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 shall 
     be available to carry out--
       (A) any contract or agreement described in paragraph 
     (3)(A)(i) for fiscal year 2019;
       (B) any contract or agreement described in paragraph 
     (3)(A)(ii);
       (C) any contract extended under paragraph (3)(B); and
       (D) any contract or agreement under subchapter B of chapter 
     4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (as added by subsections (a)(2) and (b)).
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Food security act of 1985.--
       (A) Section 1211(a)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting 
     ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.
       (B) Section 1221(b)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3821(b)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting 
     ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.
       (C) Section 1240J(b)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1)) is amended by striking 
     subparagraph (C).
       (D) Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1) by striking ``chapter'' and inserting ``subchapter''.
       (E) Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is amended by striking ``chapter'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``subchapter''.
       (F) Section 1240B(i)(2)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)(2)(B)) is amended by striking 
     ``chapter'' and inserting ``subchapter''.
       (G) Section 1240C(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-3(b)) is amended in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) by striking ``chapter'' and inserting 
     ``subchapter''.
       (H) Section 1240E(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-5(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``chapter'' 
     and inserting ``subchapter''.
       (I) Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-7) is amended by striking ``chapter'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``subchapter''.
       (J) Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is amended by striking ``chapter'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``subchapter''.
       (K) Section 1244(c)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3844(c)(3)) is amended by inserting ``subchapter A 
     of'' before ``chapter 4''.
       (L) Section 1244(l) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3844(l)) is amended--
       (i) by striking ``chapter 2'' and inserting ``chapter 4''; 
     and
       (ii) by inserting ``subchapter A of'' after ``incentives 
     program under''.
       (2) Other laws.--
       (A) Section 344(f)(8) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 
     1938 (7 U.S.C. 1344(f)(8)) is amended by inserting 
     ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.
       (B) Section 377 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 
     (7 U.S.C. 1377) is amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' 
     before ``chapter 4''.
       (C) Paragraph (1) of the last proviso of the matter under 
     the heading ``conservation reserve program'' under the 
     heading ``Soil Bank Programs'' of title I of the Department 
     of Agriculture and Farm Credit Administration Appropriation 
     Act, 1959 (7 U.S.C. 1831a), is amended by inserting 
     ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.
       (D) Section 8(b)(1) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
     Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(1)) is amended by inserting 
     ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.
       (E) Section 1271(c)(3)(C) of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 
     2106a(c)(3)(C)) is amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' 
     before ``chapter 4''.
       (F) Section 304(a)(1) of the Lake Champlain Special 
     Designation Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 1270 note; Public Law 101-
     596) is amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' before 
     ``chapter 4''.
       (G) Section 202(c) of the Colorado River Basin Salinity 
     Control Act (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)) is amended by inserting 
     ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.

     SEC. 2302. PURPOSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3839aa) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(4) assisting producers to make beneficial, cost-
     effective changes to production systems, including addressing 
     identified, new, or expected resource concerns related to 
     organic production, grazing management, fuels management, 
     forest management, nutrient management associated with crops 
     and livestock, pest management, irrigation management, 
     adapting to, and mitigating against, increasing weather 
     volatility, drought resiliency measures, or other practices 
     on agricultural and forested land.''.

     SEC. 2303. DEFINITIONS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3839aa-1) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) 
     as paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8), respectively;
       (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(1) Conservation planning assessment.--The term 
     `conservation planning assessment' means a report, as 
     determined by the Secretary, that--
       ``(A) is developed by--
       ``(i) a State or unit of local government (including a 
     conservation district);
       ``(ii) a Federal agency; or
       ``(iii) a third-party provider certified under section 
     1242(e) (including a certified rangeland professional);
       ``(B) assesses rangeland or cropland function and describes 
     conservation activities to enhance the economic and 
     ecological management of that land; and
       ``(C) can be incorporated into a comprehensive planning 
     document required by the Secretary for enrollment in a 
     conservation program of the Department of Agriculture.'';
       (3) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
     (B)(vi)--
       (A) by inserting ``environmentally sensitive areas,'' after 
     ``marshes,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``identified or expected'' before 
     ``resource concerns'';
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(3) Incentive practice.--The term `incentive practice' 
     means a practice or set of practices approved by the 
     Secretary that, when implemented and maintained on eligible 
     land, address 1 or more priority resource concerns.'';
       (5) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (vii); and
       (iii) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:
       ``(v) soil testing;
       ``(vi) soil remediation to be carried out by the producer; 
     and''; and

[[Page H9841]]

       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (vi); and
       (iii) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
       ``(ii) planning for resource-conserving crop rotations (as 
     defined in section 1240L(d)(1));
       ``(iii) soil health planning, including increasing soil 
     organic matter and the use of cover crops;
       ``(iv) a conservation planning assessment;
       ``(v) precision conservation management planning; and'';
       (6) by inserting after paragraph (6) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(7) Priority resource concern.--The term `priority 
     resource concern' means a natural resource concern or 
     problem, as determined by the Secretary, that--
       ``(A) is identified at the national, State, or local level 
     as a priority for a particular area of a State; and
       ``(B) represents a significant concern in a State or 
     region.''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) Soil remediation.--The term `soil remediation' means 
     scientifically based practices that--
       ``(A) ensure the safety of producers from contaminants in 
     soil;
       ``(B) limit contaminants in soil from entering agricultural 
     products for human or animal consumption; and
       ``(C) regenerate and sustain the soil.
       ``(10) Soil testing.--The term `soil testing' means the 
     evaluation of soil health, including testing for--
       ``(A) the optimal level of constituents in the soil, such 
     as organic matter, nutrients, and the potential presence of 
     soil contaminants, including heavy metals, volatile organic 
     compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or other 
     contaminants; and
       ``(B) the biological and physical characteristics 
     indicative of proper soil functioning.''.

     SEC. 2304. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL 
                   QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--Section 1240B(a) of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(a)) is amended by striking 
     ``2019'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Payments.--Section 1240B(d) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4)(B)--
       (A) in clause (i)--
       (i) by striking ``Not more than'' and inserting ``On an 
     election by a producer described in subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall provide at least'';
       (ii) by striking ``may be provided''; and
       (iii) by striking ``the purpose of'' and inserting ``all 
     costs related to''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) Notification and documentation.--The Secretary 
     shall--

       ``(I) notify each producer described in subparagraph (A), 
     at the time of enrollment in the program, of the option to 
     receive advance payments under clause (i); and
       ``(II) document the election of each producer described in 
     subparagraph (A) to receive advance payments under clause (i) 
     with respect to each practice that has costs described in 
     that clause.''; and

       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) Increased payments for high-priority practices.--
       ``(A) State determination.--Each State, in consultation 
     with the State technical committee established under section 
     1261(a) for the State, may designate not more than 10 
     practices to be eligible for increased payments under 
     subparagraph (B), on the condition that the practice, as 
     determined by the Secretary--
       ``(i) addresses specific causes of impairment relating to 
     excessive nutrients in groundwater or surface water;
       ``(ii) addresses the conservation of water to advance 
     drought mitigation and declining aquifers;
       ``(iii) meets other environmental priorities and other 
     priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other 
     area restoration plans; or
       ``(iv) is geographically targeted to address a natural 
     resource concern in a specific watershed.
       ``(B) Increased payments.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), 
     in the case of a practice designated under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary may increase the amount that would otherwise be 
     provided for a practice under this subsection to not more 
     than 90 percent of the costs associated with planning, 
     design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, 
     management, maintenance, or training.''.
       (c) Allocation of Funding.--Section 1240B(f) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(f)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
     through 2023'';
       (B) by striking ``60'' and inserting ``50''; and
       (C) by striking ``production.'' and inserting ``production, 
     including grazing management practices.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``For each'' and inserting the following:
       ``(A) Fiscal years 2014 through 2018.--For each''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Fiscal years 2019 through 2023.--For each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023, at least 10 percent of the funds 
     made available for payments under the program shall be 
     targeted at practices benefitting wildlife habitat under 
     subsection (g).''.
       (d) Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.--Section 1240B(g) 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(g)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Maximum term.--In the case of a contract under the 
     program entered into solely for the establishment of 1 or 
     more annual management practices for the benefit of wildlife 
     as described in paragraph (1), notwithstanding any maximum 
     contract term established by the Secretary, the contract 
     shall have a term that does not exceed 10 years.
       ``(4) Included practices.--For the purpose of providing 
     seasonal wetland habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds, a 
     practice that is eligible for payment under paragraph (1) and 
     targeted for funding under subsection (f) may include--
       ``(A) a practice to carry out postharvest flooding; or
       ``(B) a practice to maintain the hydrology of temporary and 
     seasonal wetlands of not more than 2 acres to maintain 
     waterfowl and migratory bird habitat on working cropland.''.
       (e) Water Conservation or Irrigation Efficiency Practice.--
     Section 1240B(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3839aa-2(h)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Availability of payments.--The Secretary may provide 
     water conservation and system efficiency payments under this 
     subsection to an entity described in paragraph (2) or a 
     producer for--
       ``(A) water conservation scheduling, water distribution 
     efficiency, soil moisture monitoring, or an appropriate 
     combination thereof;
       ``(B) irrigation-related structural or other measures that 
     conserve surface water or groundwater, including managed 
     aquifer recovery practices; or
       ``(C) a transition to water-conserving crops, water-
     conserving crop rotations, or deficit irrigation.'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Eligibility of certain entities.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 1001(f)(6), the 
     Secretary may enter into a contract under this subsection 
     with a State, irrigation district, groundwater management 
     district, acequia, land-grant mercedes, or similar entity 
     under a streamlined contracting process to implement water 
     conservation or irrigation practices under a watershed-wide 
     project that will effectively conserve water, provide fish 
     and wildlife habitat, or provide for drought-related 
     environmental mitigation, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Implementation.--Water conservation or irrigation 
     practices that are the subject of a contract entered into 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be implemented on--
       ``(i) eligible land of a producer; or
       ``(ii) land that is--

       ``(I) under the control of an irrigation district, 
     groundwater management district, acequia, land-grant 
     mercedes, or similar entity; and
       ``(II) adjacent to eligible land described in clause (i), 
     as determined by the Secretary.

       ``(C) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
     applicability of the limitations in section 1001D(b) or 
     section 1240G for a payment made under a contract entered 
     into under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that 
     the waiver is necessary to fulfill the objectives of the 
     project.
       ``(D) Contract limitations.--If the Secretary grants a 
     waiver under subparagraph (C), the Secretary may impose a 
     separate payment limitation for the contract with respect to 
     which the waiver applies.'';
       (4) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``to a producer'' and inserting ``under this subsection'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the eligible land of 
     the producer is located, there is a reduction in water use in 
     the operation of the producer'' and inserting ``the land on 
     which the practices will be implemented is located, there is 
     a reduction in water use in the operation on that land''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``except in the case 
     of an application under paragraph (2),'' before ``the 
     producer agrees''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection authorizes the 
     Secretary to modify the process for determining the annual 
     allocation of funding to States under the program.''.
       (f) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Organic 
     Production.--Section 1240B(i)(3) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)(3)) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Payments'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(A) In general.--Payments'';
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``In applying these 
     limitations'' and inserting the following:
       ``(B) Technical assistance.--In applying the limitations 
     under subparagraph (A)''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)--
       (A) by striking ``aggregate, $20,000 per year or $80,000 
     during any 6-year period.'' and inserting the following: 
     ``aggregate--
       ``(i) through fiscal year 2018--

       ``(I) $20,000 per year; or
       ``(II) $80,000 during any 6-year period; and''; and

       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) during the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
     $140,000.''.
       (g) Conservation Incentive Contracts.--Section 1240B of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Conservation Incentive Contracts.--
       ``(1) Identification of eligible priority resource concerns 
     for states.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     applicable State technical committee established under 
     section 1261(a), shall

[[Page H9842]]

     identify watersheds (or other appropriate regions or areas 
     within a State) and the corresponding priority resource 
     concerns for those watersheds or other regions or areas that 
     are eligible to be the subject of an incentive contract under 
     this subsection.
       ``(B) Limitation.--For each of the relevant land uses 
     within the watersheds, regions, or other areas identified 
     under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall identify not more 
     than 3 eligible priority resource concerns.
       ``(2) Contracts.--
       ``(A) Authority.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts 
     with producers under this subsection that require the 
     implementation, adoption, management, and maintenance of 
     incentive practices that effectively address at least 1 
     eligible priority resource concern identified under paragraph 
     (1) for the term of the contract.
       ``(ii) Inclusions.--Through a contract entered into under 
     clause (i), the Secretary may provide--

       ``(I) funding, through annual payments, for certain 
     incentive practices to attain increased levels of 
     conservation on eligible land; or
       ``(II) assistance, through a practice payment, to implement 
     an incentive practice.

       ``(B) Term.--A contract under this subsection shall have a 
     term of not less than 5, and not more than 10, years.
       ``(C) Prioritization.--Notwithstanding section 1240C, the 
     Secretary shall develop criteria for evaluating incentive 
     practice applications that--
       ``(i) give priority to applications that address eligible 
     priority resource concerns identified under paragraph (1); 
     and
       ``(ii) evaluate applications relative to other applications 
     for similar agriculture and forest operations.
       ``(3) Incentive practice payments.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide payments to 
     producers through contracts entered into under paragraph (2) 
     for--
       ``(i) adopting and installing incentive practices; and
       ``(ii) managing, maintaining, and improving the incentive 
     practices for the duration of the contract, as determined 
     appropriate by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Payment amounts.--In determining the amount of 
     payments under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
     consider, to the extent practicable--
       ``(i) the level and extent of the incentive practice to be 
     installed, adopted, completed, maintained, managed, or 
     improved;
       ``(ii) the cost of the installation, adoption, completion, 
     management, maintenance, or improvement of the incentive 
     practice;
       ``(iii) income foregone by the producer, including 
     payments, as appropriate, to address--

       ``(I) increased economic risk;
       ``(II) loss in revenue due to anticipated reductions in 
     yield; and
       ``(III) economic losses during transition to a resource-
     conserving cropping system or resource-conserving land use; 
     and

       ``(iv) the extent to which compensation would ensure long-
     term continued maintenance, management, and improvement of 
     the incentive practice.
       ``(C) Delivery of payments.--In making payments under 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, to the extent 
     practicable--
       ``(i) in the case of annual payments under paragraph 
     (2)(A)(ii)(I), make those payments as soon as practicable 
     after October 1 of each fiscal year for which increased 
     levels of conservation are maintained during the term of the 
     contract; and
       ``(ii) in the case of practice payments under paragraph 
     (2)(A)(ii)(II), make those payments as soon as practicable on 
     the implementation of an incentive practice.''.

     SEC. 2305. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM PLAN.

       Section 1240E(a)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-5(a)(3)) is amended by inserting 
     ``progressive'' before ``implementation''.

     SEC. 2306. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 
                   INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

       Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3839aa-7) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``A person'' and inserting ``Not including 
     payments made under section 1240B(j), a person''; and
       (2) by inserting ``or the period of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023,'' after ``2018,''.

     SEC. 2307. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS.

       (a) Competitive Grants for Innovative Conservation 
     Approaches.--Section 1240H(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8(a)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``program;'' and 
     inserting ``program or community colleges (as defined in 
     section 1473E(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3319e(a))) carrying out demonstration projects on land of the 
     community college;'';
       (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
     subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) partner with farmers to develop innovative practices 
     for urban, indoor, or other emerging agricultural operations;
       ``(F) utilize edge-of-field and other monitoring practices 
     on farms--
       ``(i) to quantify the impacts of practices implemented 
     under the program; and
       ``(ii) to assist producers in making the best conservation 
     investments for the operations of the producers;''.
       (b) Air Quality Concerns From Agricultural Operations.--
     Section 1240H(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-8(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``$25,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2018'' and inserting 
     ``$37,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.
       (c) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials; Reporting and 
     Database.--Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is amended by striking subsection (c) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(c) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means, 
     as determined by the Secretary--
       ``(i) a third-party private entity the primary business of 
     which is related to agriculture;
       ``(ii) a nongovernmental organization with experience 
     working with agricultural producers; or
       ``(iii) a governmental organization.
       ``(B) New or innovative conservation approach.--The term 
     `new or innovative conservation approach' means--
       ``(i) new or innovative--

       ``(I) precision agriculture technologies;
       ``(II) enhanced nutrient management plans, nutrient 
     recovery systems, and fertilization systems;
       ``(III) soil health management systems, including systems 
     to increase soil carbon levels;
       ``(IV) water management systems;
       ``(V) resource-conserving crop rotations (as defined in 
     section 1240L(d)(1));
       ``(VI) cover crops; and
       ``(VII) irrigation systems; and

       ``(ii) any other conservation approach approved by the 
     Secretary as new or innovative.
       ``(2) Testing new or innovative conservation approaches.--
     Using $25,000,000 of the funds made available to carry out 
     this subchapter for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
     the Secretary shall carry out on-farm conservation innovation 
     trials, on eligible land of producers, to test new or 
     innovative conservation approaches--
       ``(A) directly with producers; or
       ``(B) through eligible entities.
       ``(3) Incentive payments.--
       ``(A) Agreements.--In carrying out paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall enter into agreements with producers (either 
     directly or through eligible entities) on whose land an on-
     farm conservation innovation trial is being carried out to 
     provide payments (including payments to compensate for 
     foregone income, as appropriate to address the increased 
     economic risk potentially associated with new or innovative 
     conservation approaches) to the producers to assist with 
     adopting and evaluating new or innovative conservation 
     approaches to achieve conservation benefits.
       ``(B) Adjusted gross income requirements.--
       ``(i) In general.--Adjusted gross income requirements under 
     section 1001D(b)(1) shall--

       ``(I) apply to producers receiving payments under this 
     subsection; and
       ``(II) be enforced by the Secretary.

       ``(ii) Reporting.--An eligible entity participating in an 
     on-farm conservation innovation trial under this subsection 
     shall report annually to the Secretary on the amount of 
     payments made to individual farm operations under this 
     subsection.
       ``(C) Limitation on administrative expenses.--None of the 
     funds made available to carry out this subsection may be used 
     to pay for the administrative expenses of an eligible entity.
       ``(D) Length of agreements.--An agreement entered into 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be for a period determined by 
     the Secretary that is--
       ``(i) not less than 3 years; and
       ``(ii) if appropriate, more than 3 years, including if such 
     a period is appropriate to support--

       ``(I) adaptive management over multiple crop years; and
       ``(II) adequate data collection and analysis by a producer 
     or eligible entity to report the natural resource and 
     agricultural production benefits of the new or innovative 
     conservation approaches to the Secretary.

       ``(4) Flexible adoption.--The scale of adoption of a new or 
     innovative conservation approach under an on-farm 
     conservation innovation trial under an agreement under 
     paragraph (2) may include multiple scales on an operation, 
     including whole farm, field-level, or sub-field scales.
       ``(5) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance--
       ``(A) to each producer or eligible entity participating in 
     an on-farm conservation innovation trial under paragraph (2) 
     with respect to the design, installation, and management of 
     the new or innovative conservation approaches; and
       ``(B) to each eligible entity participating in an on-farm 
     conservation innovation trial under paragraph (2) with 
     respect to data analyses of the on-farm conservation 
     innovation trial.
       ``(6) Geographic scope.--The Secretary shall identify a 
     diversity of geographic regions of the United States in which 
     to establish on-farm conservation innovation trials under 
     paragraph (2), taking into account factors such as soil type, 
     cropping history, and water availability.
       ``(7) Soil health demonstration trial.--Using funds made 
     available to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall 
     carry out a soil health demonstration trial under which the 
     Secretary coordinates with eligible entities--
       ``(A) to provide incentives to producers to implement 
     conservation practices that--
       ``(i) improve soil health;
       ``(ii) increase carbon levels in the soil; or
       ``(iii) meet the goals described in clauses (i) and (ii);
       ``(B) to establish protocols for measuring carbon levels in 
     the soil and testing carbon levels on land where conservation 
     practices described

[[Page H9843]]

     in subparagraph (A) were applied to evaluate gains in soil 
     health as a result of the practices implemented by the 
     producers in the soil health demonstration trial; and
       ``(C)(i) not later than September 30, 2020, to initiate a 
     study regarding changes in soil health and, if feasible, 
     economic outcomes, generated as a result of the conservation 
     practices described in subparagraph (A) that were applied by 
     producers through the soil health demonstration trial; and
       ``(ii) to submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate annual reports on the 
     progress and results of the study under clause (i).
       ``(d) Reporting and Database.--
       ``(1) Report required.--Not later than September 30, 2019, 
     and every 2 years thereafter, 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 status of activities funded under 
     this section, including--
       ``(A) funding awarded;
       ``(B) results of the activities, including, if feasible, 
     economic outcomes;
       ``(C) incorporation of findings from the activities, such 
     as new technology and innovative approaches, into the 
     conservation efforts implemented by the Secretary; and
       ``(D) on completion of the study required under subsection 
     (c)(7)(C), the findings of the study.
       ``(2) Conservation practice database.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use the data 
     reported under paragraph (1) to establish and maintain a 
     publicly available conservation practice database that 
     provides--
       ``(i) a compilation and analysis of effective conservation 
     practices for soil health, nutrient management, and source 
     water protection in varying soil compositions, cropping 
     systems, slopes, and landscapes; and
       ``(ii) a list of recommended new and effective conservation 
     practices.
       ``(B) Privacy.--Information provided under subparagraph (A) 
     shall be transformed into a statistical or aggregate form so 
     as to not include any identifiable or personal information of 
     individual producers.''.

     SEC. 2308. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)(B)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) development of a comprehensive conservation plan, 
     as defined in section 1240L(e)(1);
       ``(iv) soil health planning, including planning to increase 
     soil organic matter; and
       ``(v) activities that will assist a producer to adapt to, 
     or mitigate against, increasing weather volatility.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting the following: ``through the use of--
       ``(A) quality criteria under a resource management system;
       ``(B) predictive analytics tools or models developed or 
     approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
       ``(C) data from past and current enrollment in the program; 
     and
       ``(D) other methods that measure conservation and 
     improvement in priority resource concerns, as determined by 
     the Secretary.''.
       (b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--
       (1) Establishment.--Subsection (a) of section 1240J of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 
     2301(b)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
     striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 through 
     2023''.
       (2) Exclusions.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 1240J of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 
     2301(b)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
     striking ``the Agricultural Act of 2014'' and inserting the 
     ``Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018''.
       (c) Stewardship Contracts.--Section 1240K of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (1) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) Ranking of applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--In evaluating contract offers submitted 
     under subsection (a) and contract renewals under subsection 
     (e), the Secretary shall rank applications based on--
       ``(i) the natural resource conservation and environmental 
     benefits that result from the conservation treatment on all 
     applicable priority resource concerns at the time of 
     submission of the application;
       ``(ii) the degree to which the proposed conservation 
     activities increase natural resource conservation and 
     environmental benefits; and
       ``(iii) other consistent criteria, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(B) Additional criterion.--If 2 or more applications 
     receive the same ranking under subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall rank those contracts based on the extent to 
     which the actual and anticipated conservation benefits from 
     each contract are provided at the lowest cost relative to 
     other similarly beneficial contract offers.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``the program under subsection (a)'' and 
     inserting ``a contract or contract renewal under this 
     section'';
       (B) by inserting ``or contract renewal'' before ``offer 
     ranks'';
       (C) by inserting ``or contract renewal'' after 
     ``stewardship contract''; and
       (D) by adding ``or contract renewal'' before the period at 
     the end;
       (3) in subsection (d)(2)(A), by striking ``1238G(d)'' and 
     inserting ``1240L(c)''; and
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``At 
     the end'' and all that follows through ``period'' the second 
     place it appears and inserting the following: ``The Secretary 
     may provide the producer an opportunity to renew an existing 
     contract in the first half of the fifth year of the contract 
     period'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``initial'' and inserting 
     ``existing'';
       (C) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by inserting ``new or improved'' after ``integrate''; 
     and
       (ii) by inserting ``demonstrating continued improvement 
     during the additional 5-year period,'' after ``operation,''; 
     and
       (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``to exceed the 
     stewardship threshold of'' and inserting ``to adopt or 
     improve conservation activities, as determined by the 
     Secretary, to achieve higher levels of performance with 
     respect to not less than''.
       (d) Duties of Secretary.--Section 1240L of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``acres'' and inserting ``funding'';
       (2) by striking subsection (c);
       (3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively;
       (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(5) Payment for cover crop activities.--The amount of a 
     payment under this subsection for cover crop activities shall 
     be not less than 125 percent of the annual payment amount 
     determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2).'';
       (5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and Advanced 
     Grazing Management'' after ``Rotations'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (2);
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (4) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (1), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to 
     appear in numerical order;
       (D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) and (E) 
     as clauses (i) through (iv) and (vi), respectively, and 
     indenting appropriately;
       (ii) by striking the paragraph designation and all that 
     follows through ``the term'' in the matter preceding clause 
     (i) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Advanced grazing management.--The term `advanced 
     grazing management' means the use of a combination of grazing 
     practices (as determined by the Secretary), which may include 
     management-intensive rotational grazing, that provide for--
       ``(i) improved soil health and carbon sequestration;
       ``(ii) drought resilience;
       ``(iii) wildlife habitat;
       ``(iv) wildfire mitigation;
       ``(v) control of invasive plants; and
       ``(vi) water quality improvement.
       ``(B) Management-intensive rotational grazing.--The term 
     `management-intensive rotational grazing' means a strategic, 
     adaptively managed multipasture grazing system in which 
     animals are regularly and systematically moved to fresh 
     pasture in a manner that--
       ``(i) maximizes the quantity and quality of forage growth;
       ``(ii) improves manure distribution and nutrient cycling;
       ``(iii) increases carbon sequestration from greater forage 
     harvest;
       ``(iv) improves the quality and quantity of cover for 
     wildlife;
       ``(v) provides permanent cover to protect the soil from 
     erosion; and
       ``(vi) improves water quality.
       ``(C) Resource-conserving crop rotation.--The term''; and
       (iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so designated)--

       (I) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``and'' at the end; and
       (II) by inserting after clause (iv) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:

       ``(v) builds soil organic matter; and'';
       (E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``improve resource-conserving'' and all that follows through 
     the period at the end and inserting the following: ``improve, 
     manage, and maintain--
       ``(A) resource-conserving crop rotations; or
       ``(B) advanced grazing management.'';
       (F) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
     (2)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``and maintain'' and all that follows 
     through the period at the end and inserting ``or improve, 
     manage, and maintain resource-conserving crop rotations or 
     advanced grazing management for the term of the contract.''; 
     and
       (G) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Amount of payment.--An additional payment provided 
     under paragraph (2) shall be not less than 150 percent of the 
     annual payment amount determined by the Secretary under 
     subsection (c)(2).'';
       (6) by inserting after subsection (d) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(e) Payment for Comprehensive Conservation Plan.--
       ``(1) Definition of comprehensive conservation plan.--In 
     this subsection, the term `comprehensive conservation plan' 
     means a conservation plan that meets or exceeds the 
     stewardship threshold for each priority resource concern 
     identified by the Secretary under subsection (a)(2).
       ``(2) Payment for comprehensive conservation plan.--The 
     Secretary shall provide a 1-

[[Page H9844]]

     time payment to a producer that develops a comprehensive 
     conservation plan.
       ``(3) Amount of payment.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     amount of payment under paragraph (2) based on--
       ``(A) the number of priority resource concerns addressed in 
     the comprehensive conservation plan; and
       ``(B) the number of types of land uses included in the 
     comprehensive conservation plan.'';
       (7) in subsection (f), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' 
     and inserting ``2019 through 2023'';
       (8) in subsection (h)--
       (A) by striking the subsection designation and heading and 
     all that follows through ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(h) Organic Certification.--
       ``(1) Coordination.--The Secretary''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Allocation.--
       ``(A) In general.--Using funds made available for the 
     program for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the 
     Secretary shall allocate funding to States to support organic 
     production and transition to organic production through 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Determination.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     allocation to a State under subparagraph (A) based on--
       ``(i) the number of certified and transitioning organic 
     operations within the State; and
       ``(ii) the number of acres of certified and transitioning 
     organic production within the State.''; and
       (9) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Streamlining and Coordination.--To the maximum extent 
     feasible, the Secretary shall provide for streamlined and 
     coordinated procedures for the program and the environmental 
     quality incentives program under subchapter A, including 
     applications, contracting, conservation planning, 
     conservation practices, and related administrative 
     procedures.
       ``(k) Soil Health.--To the maximum extent feasible, the 
     Secretary shall manage the program to enhance soil health.
       ``(l) Annual Report.--Each fiscal year, 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 describing the payment 
     rates for conservation activities offered to producers under 
     the program and an analysis of whether payment rates can be 
     reduced for the most expensive conservation activities.''.

     SEC. 2309. GRASSLAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.

       Subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) and 
     (b) of section 2301) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 1240L-1. GRASSLAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible land.--Notwithstanding sections 1240I(4) and 
     1240J(b)(2), the term `eligible land' means cropland on a 
     farm for which base acres have been maintained by the 
     Secretary under section 1112(d)(3) of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9012(d)(3)).
       ``(2) Initiative.--The term `initiative' means the 
     grassland conservation initiative established under 
     subsection (b).
       ``(b) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary shall 
     establish within the program a grassland conservation 
     initiative for the purpose of assisting producers in 
     protecting grazing uses, conserving and improving soil, 
     water, and wildlife resources, and achieving related 
     conservation values by conserving eligible land through 
     grassland conservation contracts under subsection (e).
       ``(c) Election.--Beginning in fiscal year 2019, the 
     Secretary shall provide a 1-time election to enroll eligible 
     land in the initiative under a contract described in 
     subsection (e).
       ``(d) Method of Enrollment.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 1240K, 
     determine under subsection (c) of that section that eligible 
     land ranks sufficiently high under the evaluation criteria 
     described in subsection (b) of that section; and
       ``(2) enroll the eligible land in the initiative under a 
     contract described in subsection (e).
       ``(e) Grassland Conservation Contract.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 1240K(a)(1), to 
     enroll eligible land in the initiative under a grassland 
     conservation contract, a producer shall agree--
       ``(A) to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for not 
     less than 1 priority resource concern by the date on which 
     the contract expires; and
       ``(B) to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
     contract.
       ``(2) Terms.--A grassland conservation contract entered 
     into under this section shall--
       ``(A)(i) be for a single 5-year term; and
       ``(ii) not be subject to renewal or reenrollment under 
     section 1240K(e); and
       ``(B) be subject to section 1240K(d).
       ``(3) Early termination.--The Secretary shall allow a 
     producer that enters into a grassland conservation contract 
     under this section--
       ``(A) to terminate the contract at any time; and
       ``(B) to retain payments already received under the 
     contract.
       ``(f) Grassland Conservation Plan.--The grassland 
     conservation plan developed for eligible land shall be 
     limited to--
       ``(1) eligible land; and
       ``(2) resource concerns and activities relating to 
     grassland.
       ``(g) Payments.--
       ``(1) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2019, of the 
     funds made available for this subchapter under section 
     1241(a)(3)(B), and notwithstanding any payment under title I 
     of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, an amendment made 
     by that title, or section 1240L(c), the Secretary shall make 
     annual grassland conservation contract payments to the 
     producer of any eligible land that is the subject of a 
     grassland conservation contract under this section.
       ``(2) Payment noneligibility.--A grassland conservation 
     contract under this section shall not be--
       ``(A) eligible for payments under section 1240L(d); or
       ``(B) subject to the payment limitations under this 
     subchapter.
       ``(3) Limitation.--The amount of an annual payment under 
     this subsection shall be $18 per acre, not to exceed the 
     number of base acres on a farm.
       ``(h) Considered Planted.--The Secretary shall consider 
     land enrolled under a grassland conservation contract under 
     this section during a crop year to be planted or considered 
     planted to a covered commodity (as defined in section 1111 of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) during that 
     crop year.
       ``(i) Other Contracts.--A producer with an agricultural 
     operation that contains land eligible under this section and 
     land eligible under section 1240K--
       ``(1) may enroll the land eligible under this section 
     through a contract under this section or under section 1240K; 
     and
       ``(2) shall not be prohibited from enrolling the land 
     eligible under section 1240K through a contract under section 
     1240K.''.

                Subtitle D--Other Conservation Programs

     SEC. 2401. WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION.

       (a) Assistance to Local Organizations.--Section 3 of the 
     Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1003) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section designation and all that 
     follows through ``In order to assist'' and inserting the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--In order to assist''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the watershed plan 
     for works of improvement if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(1) the watershed plan is unnecessary or duplicative; and
       ``(2) the works of improvement are otherwise consistent 
     with applicable requirements under section 4.''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 14(h)(2)(E) 
     of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1012(h)(2)(E)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.
       (c) Funds of Commodity Credit Corporation.--The Watershed 
     Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 15. FUNDING.

       ``In addition to any other funds made available by this 
     Act, of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
     Secretary shall make available to carry out this Act 
     $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.''.

     SEC. 2402. SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION.

       The Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 
     U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 5(e) (16 U.S.C. 2004(e)), by striking ``and 
     December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015, and 
     December 31, 2022'';
       (2) in section 6(d) (16 U.S.C. 2005(d)), by striking ``, 
     respectively'' and inserting ``, and a program update shall 
     be completed by December 31, 2023'';
       (3) in section 7 (16 U.S.C. 2006)--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``and 2016'' and 
     inserting ``, 2016, and 2022''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``and 2017'' and inserting ``, 2017, and 
     2023''; and
       (4) in section 10 (16 U.S.C. 2009), by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 2403. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

       (a) Repair or Replacement of Fencing.--
       (1) In general.--Section 401 of the Agricultural Credit Act 
     of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201) is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``wildfires,'' after ``hurricanes,'';
       (B) by striking the section designation and all that 
     follows through ``The Secretary of Agriculture'' and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 401. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred 
     to in this title as the `Secretary')''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Repair or Replacement of Fencing.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to a payment to an 
     agricultural producer under subsection (a) for the repair or 
     replacement of fencing, the Secretary shall give the 
     agricultural producer the option of receiving not more than 
     25 percent of the payment, determined by the Secretary based 
     on the applicable percentage of the fair market value of the 
     cost of the repair or replacement, before the agricultural 
     producer carries out the repair or replacement.
       ``(2) Return of funds.--If the funds provided under 
     paragraph (1) are not expended by the end of the 60-day 
     period beginning on the date on which the agricultural 
     producer receives those funds, the funds shall be returned 
     within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Sections 402, 403, 404, and 405 of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205) are 
     amended by striking ``Secretary of Agriculture'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``Secretary''.
       (B) Section 407(a) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 
     (16 U.S.C. 2206(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (4).

[[Page H9845]]

       (b) Cost Share Payments.--Title IV of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 402 
     (16 U.S.C. 2202) the following:

     ``SEC. 402A. COST-SHARE REQUIREMENT.

       ``(a) Cost-share Rate.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), 
     the maximum cost-share payment under sections 401 and 402 
     shall not exceed 75 percent of the total allowable cost, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(b) Exception.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a payment 
     to a limited resource farmer or rancher, a socially 
     disadvantaged farmer or rancher (as defined in subsection (a) 
     of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279), or a beginning farmer or 
     rancher under section 401 or 402 shall not exceed 90 percent 
     of the total allowable cost, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The total payment under sections 401 and 
     402 for a single event may not exceed 50 percent of the 
     agriculture value of the land, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (c) Payment Limitations.--Title IV of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by 
     inserting after section 402A (as added by subsection (b)) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 402B. PAYMENT LIMITATION.

       ``The maximum payment made under the emergency conservation 
     program to an agricultural producer under sections 401 and 
     402 shall not exceed $500,000.''.
       (d) Watershed Protection Program.--Section 403 of the 
     Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
     ``emergency watershed program''; and
       (2) in subsection (a), by inserting ``watershed 
     protection'' after ``emergency''.
       (e) Funding and Administration.--Section 404 of the 
     Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2204) is amended--
       (1) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``The Corporation'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Limitation.--The Commodity Credit Corporation'';
       (2) in the third sentence (as amended by subsection 
     (a)(2)(A)), by striking ``In implementing the provisions of'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Use of Commodity Credit Corporation.--In 
     implementing'';
       (3) by striking the second sentence;
       (4) by striking the section designation and all that 
     follows through ``There are authorized'' in the first 
     sentence and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 404. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.

       ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized'';
       (5) in subsection (a) (as so designated), by inserting ``, 
     to remain available until expended'' before the period at the 
     end; and
       (6) by inserting after subsection (a) (as so designated) 
     the following:
       ``(b) Set-aside for Fencing.--Of the amounts made available 
     under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, 25 percent shall be 
     set aside until April 1 of that fiscal year for the repair or 
     replacement of fencing.''.

     SEC. 2404. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND.

       Section 1240M of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3839bb) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(2), by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(C) Partnerships.--In carrying out the program under this 
     section, the Secretary shall provide education and outreach 
     activities through partnerships with--
       ``(i) land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in 
     section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); 
     and
       ``(ii) nongovernmental organizations.''; and
       (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 2405. GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1240O(b)(1) 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-2(b)(1)) 
     is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Availability of Funds.--Section 1240O(b) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-2(b)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Additional funding.--In addition to any other funds 
     made available under this subsection, of the funds of the 
     Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use 
     $5,000,000 beginning in fiscal year 2019, to remain available 
     until expended.''.

     SEC. 2406. VOLUNTARY PUBLIC ACCESS AND HABITAT INCENTIVE 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3839bb-5) is amended--
       (1) in subsections (a) and (c), by striking ``grants'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``funding'';
       (2) in subsections (b) and (d)(2), by striking ``a grant'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``funding'';
       (3) in subsection (c)(3) (as amended by section 
     2202(b)(1)), by inserting ``or on land covered by a wetland 
     reserve easement under section 1265C'' before ``by 
     providing''; and
       (4) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``2012 and'' and inserting ``2012,''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``, and $50,000,000 for the period of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' before the period at the 
     end;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Enhanced public access to wetland reserve 
     easements.--To the maximum extent practicable, of the funds 
     made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use 
     $3,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 
     to encourage public access to land covered by wetland reserve 
     easements under section 1265C through agreements with States 
     and tribal governments under this section.''.

     SEC. 2407. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall continue to carry out the Working Lands for 
     Wildlife model of conservation on working landscapes, as 
     implemented on the day before the date of enactment of this 
     Act, in accordance with--
       (1) the document entitled ``Partnership Agreement Between 
     the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service and the United States Department of the 
     Interior Fish and Wildlife Service'', numbered A-3A7516-937, 
     and formalized by the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service on September 15, 2016, and by the 
     Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on 
     August 4, 2016, as in effect on September 15, 2016; and
       (2) United States Fish and Wildlife Service Director's 
     Order No. 217, dated August 9, 2016, as in effect on August 
     9, 2016.
       (b) Expansion of Model.--The Secretary and the Secretary of 
     the Interior may expand the conservation model described in 
     subsection (a) through a new partnership agreement between 
     the Farm Service Agency and the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service for the purpose of carrying out conservation 
     activities for species conservation.
       (c) Extension of Period of Regulatory Predictability.--
       (1) Definition of period of regulatory predictability.--In 
     this subsection, the term ``period of regulatory 
     predictability'' means the period of regulatory 
     predictability under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
     U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) initially determined in accordance with 
     the document and order described in paragraphs (1) and (2), 
     respectively, of subsection (a).
       (2) Extension.--After the period of regulatory 
     predictability, on request of the Secretary, the Secretary of 
     the Interior, acting through the Director of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service, may provide additional 
     consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species 
     Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)), or additional conference 
     under section 7(a)(4) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(4)), as 
     applicable, with the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service or the Administrator of the Farm Service 
     Agency, as applicable, to extend the period of regulatory 
     predictability.

     SEC. 2408. FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a feral 
     swine eradication and control pilot program to respond to the 
     threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, 
     and human and animal health.
       (b) Duties of the Secretary.--In carrying out the pilot 
     program, the Secretary shall--
       (1) study and assess the nature and extent of damage to the 
     pilot areas caused by feral swine;
       (2) develop methods to eradicate or control feral swine in 
     the pilot areas;
       (3) develop methods to restore damage caused by feral 
     swine; and
       (4) provide financial assistance to agricultural producers 
     in pilot areas.
       (c) Assistance.--The Secretary may provide financial 
     assistance to agricultural producers under the pilot program 
     to implement methods to--
       (1) eradicate or control feral swine in the pilot areas; 
     and
       (2) restore damage caused by feral swine.
       (d) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Animal and 
     Plant Health Inspection Service coordinate for purposes of 
     this section through State technical committees established 
     under section 1261(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3861(a)).
       (e) Pilot Areas.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
     program in areas of States in which feral swine have been 
     identified as a threat to agriculture, native ecosystems, or 
     human or animal health, as determined by the Secretary.
       (f) Cost Sharing.--
       (1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs of 
     activities under the pilot program may not exceed 75 percent 
     of the total costs of such activities.
       (2) In-kind contributions.--The non-Federal share of the 
     costs of activities under the pilot program may be provided 
     in the form of in-kind contributions of materials or 
     services.
       (g) Funding.--
       (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
     section $75,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.
       (2) Distribution of funds.--Of the funds made available 
     under paragraph (1)--
       (A) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service to carry out the pilot program, 
     including the provision of financial assistance to producers 
     for on-farm trapping and technology related to capturing and 
     confining feral swine; and
       (B) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Animal and Plant 
     Health Inspection Service to carry out the pilot program, 
     including the use of established, and testing of innovative, 
     population reduction methods.
       (3) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not more than 
     10 percent of funds made available under this section may be 
     used for administrative expenses of the pilot program.

     SEC. 2409. REPORT ON SMALL WETLANDS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of 
     the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 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 describing the number of wetlands with an 
     area

[[Page H9846]]

     not more than 1 acre that have been delineated in each of the 
     States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa 
     during fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
       (b) Requirement.--In the report under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service, shall list the number of wetlands acres 
     in each State described in the report by tenths of an acre, 
     and ensure the report is based on the best available science.

     SEC. 2410. SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO INCREASED WATERSHED-
                   BASED COLLABORATION.

       It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government 
     should recognize and encourage partnerships at the watershed 
     level between nonpoint sources and regulated point sources to 
     advance the goals of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 
     (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and provide benefits to farmers, 
     landowners, and the public.

                 Subtitle E--Funding and Administration

     SEC. 2501. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.

       (a) Annual Funding.--Section 1241(a) of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``2018 (and fiscal year 2019 in the case of the program 
     specified in paragraph (5))'' and inserting ``2023'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$10,000,000 for the 
     period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting 
     ``$12,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``$33,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
     years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``$50,000,000 for the 
     period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, including not more 
     than $5,000,000 to provide outreach and technical 
     assistance,''; and
       (ii) by striking ``retired or retiring owners and 
     operators'' and inserting ``contract holders'';
       (3) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) $450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.'';
       (4) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) The programs under chapter 4, using, to the maximum 
     extent practicable--
       ``(A) for the environmental quality incentives program 
     under subchapter A of that chapter--
       ``(i) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
       ``(ii) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       ``(iii) $1,800,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(iv) $1,850,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
       ``(v) $2,025,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
       ``(B) for the conservation stewardship program under 
     subchapter B of that chapter--
       ``(i) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
       ``(ii) $725,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       ``(iii) $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(iv) $800,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
       ``(v) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.'';
       (5) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``(as in effect on the 
     day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018), using such sums as are necessary to 
     administer contracts entered into before that date of 
     enactment'' before the period at the end; and
       (6) by striking paragraph (5).
       (b) Availability of Funds.--Section 1241(b) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(b)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018 (and fiscal year 2019 in the case of the 
     program specified in subsection (a)(5))'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (c) Report on Program Enrollments and Assistance.--Section 
     1241(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(i)) 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) Report on Program Enrollments and Assistance.--Not 
     later than December 15 of each of calendar years 2019 through 
     2023, 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 an 
     annual report containing statistics by State related to 
     enrollments in conservation programs under this title, as 
     follows:
       ``(1) The annual and current cumulative activity reflecting 
     active agreement and contract enrollment statistics.
       ``(2) Secretarial exceptions, waivers, and significant 
     payments, including--
       ``(A) payments made under the agricultural conservation 
     easement program for easements valued at $250,000 or greater;
       ``(B) payments made under the regional conservation 
     partnership program subject to the waiver of adjusted gross 
     income limitations pursuant to section 1271C(c)(3);
       ``(C) waivers granted by the Secretary under section 
     1001D(b)(3);
       ``(D) exceptions and activity associated with section 
     1240B(h)(2); and
       ``(E) exceptions provided by the Secretary under section 
     1265B(b)(2)(B)(ii).''.
       (d) Allocations Review and Update.--Section 1241(g) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(g)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``January'' and all that follows through 
     ``shall'' and inserting ``1 year after the date of enactment 
     of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary, 
     acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service and the Administrator of the Farm 
     Service Agency, shall'';
       (B) by inserting ``annual'' after ``utilize''; and
       (C) by inserting ``relevant data on local natural resource 
     concerns, resource inventories, evaluations and reports, 
     recommendations from State technical committees established 
     under section 1261(a),'' after ``accounting for''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``that the formulas'' and inserting the 
     following: ``that--
       ``(A) the formulas'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, local natural 
     resource concerns are considered a leading factor in 
     determining annual funding allocation to States;
       ``(C) the process used at the national level to evaluate 
     State budget proposals and to allocate funds is reviewed 
     annually to assess the effect of allocations in addressing 
     identified natural resource priorities and objectives; and
       ``(D) the allocation of funds to States addresses priority 
     natural resource concerns and objectives.''.
       (e) Assistance to Certain Farmers or Ranchers for 
     Conservation Access.--Section 1241(h) of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(h)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
     (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``Of the funds'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) Fiscal years 2009 through 2018.--Of the funds''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Fiscal years 2019 through 2023.--Of the funds made 
     available for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry 
     out the environmental quality incentives program under 
     subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D and the conservation 
     stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter 4 of 
     subtitle D, the Secretary shall use, to the maximum extent 
     practicable--
       ``(i) 5 percent to assist beginning farmers or ranchers; 
     and
       ``(ii) 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged farmers 
     or ranchers.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and, in the case of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023, under the conservation 
     stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter 4 of 
     subtitle D'' before the period at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``year, acres not 
     obligated under paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``year through 
     fiscal year 2018, acres not obligated under paragraph 
     (1)(A)''; and
       (4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``subparagraph (A) or (B) 
     of paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``, as applicable, clause 
     (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) or clause (i) or (ii) of 
     paragraph (1)(B)''.
       (f) Conservation Standards and Requirements.--Section 1241 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Conservation Standards and Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to the requirements of this 
     title, the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall serve 
     as the lead agency in developing and establishing technical 
     standards and requirements for conservation programs carried 
     out under this title, including--
       ``(A) standards for conservation practices under this 
     title;
       ``(B) technical guidelines for implementing conservation 
     practices under this title, including the location of the 
     conservation practices; and
       ``(C) standards for conservation plans.
       ``(2) Consistency of farm service agency technical 
     standards and payment rates.--The Administrator of the Farm 
     Service Agency shall ensure that--
       ``(A) technical standards of programs administered by the 
     Farm Service Agency are consistent with the technical 
     standards established by the Natural Resources Conservation 
     Service under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) payment rates, to the extent practicable, are 
     consistent between the Farm Service Agency and the Natural 
     Resources Conservation Service.''.

     SEC. 2502. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 1242(a) of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(a)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible participant.--The term `eligible 
     participant' means a producer, landowner, or entity that is 
     participating in, or seeking to participate in, programs in 
     which the producer, landowner, or entity is otherwise 
     eligible to participate under this title or the agricultural 
     management assistance program under section 524(b) of the 
     Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)).
       ``(2) Third-party provider.--The term `third-party 
     provider' means a commercial entity (including a farmer 
     cooperative, agriculture retailer, or other commercial entity 
     (as defined by the Secretary)), a nonprofit entity, a State 
     or local government (including a conservation district), or a 
     Federal agency, that has expertise in the technical aspect of 
     conservation planning, including nutrient management 
     planning, watershed planning, or environmental 
     engineering.''.
       (b) Certification Process.--Section 1242(e) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(e)) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(4) Certification process.--The Secretary shall certify a 
     third-party provider through--
       ``(A) a certification process administered by the 
     Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service; or
       ``(B) a non-Federal entity approved by the Secretary to 
     perform the certification.
       ``(5) Streamlined certification.--The Secretary shall 
     provide a streamlined certification process for a third-party 
     provider that has an appropriate specialty certification, 
     including a sustainability certification.''.

[[Page H9847]]

       (c) Expedited Revision of Standards.--Section 1242(h) of 
     the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(h)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, complete a review of 
     each conservation practice standard, including engineering 
     design specifications, in effect on the day before the date 
     of enactment of that Act;'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) evaluate opportunities to increase flexibility in 
     conservation practice standards in a manner that ensures 
     equivalent natural resource benefits.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``State technical 
     committees established under section 1261(a),'' before ``crop 
     consultants''; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) Expedited revision of standards.--Not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall develop for the 
     programs under this title an administrative process for--
       ``(A) expediting the establishment and revision of 
     conservation practice standards;
       ``(B) considering conservation innovations and scientific 
     and technological advancements with respect to any 
     establishment or revision under subparagraph (A);
       ``(C) allowing local flexibility in the creation of--
       ``(i) interim practice standards and supplements to 
     existing practice standards to address the considerations 
     described in subparagraph (B); and
       ``(ii) partnership-led proposals for new and innovative 
     techniques to facilitate implementing agreements and grants 
     under this title; and
       ``(D) soliciting regular input from State technical 
     committees established under section 1261(a) for 
     recommendations that identify innovations or advancements 
     described in subparagraph (B).
       ``(4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and 
     every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report on--
       ``(A) the administrative process developed under paragraph 
     (3);
       ``(B) conservation practice standards that were established 
     or revised under that process; and
       ``(C) conservation innovations that were considered under 
     that process.''.

     SEC. 2503. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) Acreage Limitations.--Section 1244(f) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(f)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``10'' and inserting 
     ``15''; and
       (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``the Agricultural Act of 
     2014'' and inserting ``the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
     2018''.
       (b) Requirements for Conservation Programs.--Section 1244 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (m);
       (2) by redesignating subsections (j) through (l) as 
     subsections (k) through (m), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
       ``(j) Review and Guidance for Practice Costs and Payment 
     Rates.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and not 
     later than October 1 of each year thereafter, the Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(A) review the estimates for practice costs and rates of 
     payments made to producers for practices on eligible land 
     under this title; and
       ``(B) evaluate whether those costs and rates reflect a 
     payment that--
       ``(i) encourages participation in a conservation program 
     administered by the Secretary;
       ``(ii) encourages implementation of the most effective 
     practices to address local natural resource concerns on 
     eligible land; and
       ``(iii) accounts for regional, State, and local variability 
     relating to the complexity, implementation, and adoption of 
     practices on eligible land.
       ``(2) Guidance; review.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) issue guidance to States to annually review and 
     adjust the estimates for practice costs and rates of payments 
     made to producers to reflect the evaluation factors described 
     in paragraph (1)(B); and
       ``(B) determine the appropriate practice costs and rates of 
     payments for each State by--
       ``(i) annually reviewing each conservation program payment 
     schedule and payment rate used in the State; and
       ``(ii) consulting with the State technical committee 
     established under section 1261(a) in that State.''.
       (c) Funding for Indian Tribes.--Section 1244(m) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(2)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall'';
       (2) by striking ``that the goals'' and inserting the 
     following: ``that--
       ``(1) the goals'';
       (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``arrangements, and that statutory'' and inserting the 
     following: ``arrangements;
       ``(2) a sufficient number of eligible participants will be 
     aggregated under the alternative funding arrangement to 
     accomplish the underlying purposes and objectives of the 
     applicable program; and
       ``(3) statutory''; and
       (4) in paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting ``, except that the Secretary 
     may approve a waiver if the Secretary is authorized to 
     approve a waiver under the statutory authority of the 
     applicable program.''.
       (d) Source Water Protection Through Targeting of 
     Agricultural Practices.--Section 1244 of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by subsection (b)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(n) Source Water Protection Through Targeting of 
     Agricultural Practices.--
       ``(1) In general.--In carrying out any conservation program 
     administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall encourage 
     practices that relate to water quality and water quantity 
     that protect source water for drinking water (including 
     protecting against public health threats) while also 
     benefitting agricultural producers.
       ``(2) Collaboration with water systems and increased 
     incentives.--
       ``(A) In general.--In encouraging practices under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) work collaboratively with community water systems and 
     State technical committees established under section 1261(a) 
     to identify, in each State, local priority areas for the 
     protection of source waters for drinking water; and
       ``(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), for practices described 
     in paragraph (1), offer to producers increased incentives and 
     higher payment rates than are otherwise statutorily 
     authorized by the applicable conservation program 
     administered by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Limitation.--An increased payment under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii) shall not exceed 90 percent of practice costs 
     associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, 
     installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training.
       ``(3) Reservation of funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--In each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection 
     not less than 10 percent of any funds available for 
     conservation programs administered by the Secretary under 
     this title (other than the conservation reserve program 
     established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D).
       ``(B) Limitation.--Funds available for a specific 
     conservation program shall not be transferred to fund a 
     different conservation program under this title.''.
       (e) Environmental Services Market.--Section 1244 of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by 
     subsection (d)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(o) Environmental Services Market.--The Secretary may not 
     prohibit, through a contract, easement, or agreement under 
     this title, a participant in a conservation program 
     administered by the Secretary under this title from 
     participating in, and receiving compensation from, an 
     environmental services market if 1 of the purposes of the 
     market is the facilitation of additional conservation 
     benefits that are consistent with the purposes of the 
     conservation program administered by the Secretary.''.
       (f) Regulatory Certainty.--Section 1244 of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by 
     subsection (e)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(p) Regulatory Certainty.--
       ``(1) In general.--In addition to technical and 
     programmatic information that the Secretary is otherwise 
     authorized to provide, on request of a Federal agency, a 
     State, an Indian tribe, or a unit of local government, the 
     Secretary may provide technical and programmatic 
     information--
       ``(A) subject to paragraph (2), to the Federal agency, 
     State, Indian tribe, or unit of local government to support 
     specifically the development of mechanisms that would provide 
     regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe harbor 
     protection, or other similar regulatory assurances to a 
     farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial forest landowner 
     under a regulatory requirement--
       ``(i) that relates to soil, water, or wildlife; and
       ``(ii) over which that Federal agency, State, Indian tribe, 
     or unit of local government has authority; and
       ``(B) relating to conservation practices or activities that 
     could be implemented by a farmer, rancher, or private 
     nonindustrial forest landowner to address a targeted soil, 
     water, or wildlife resource concern that is the direct 
     subject of a regulatory requirement enforced by that Federal 
     agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of local government, as 
     applicable.
       ``(2) Mechanisms.--The Secretary shall only provide 
     additional technical and programmatic information under 
     paragraph (1) if the mechanisms to be developed by the 
     Federal agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of local 
     government, as applicable, under paragraph (1)(A) are 
     anticipated to include, at a minimum--
       ``(A) the implementation of 1 or more conservation 
     practices or activities that effectively addresses the soil, 
     water, or wildlife resource concern identified under 
     paragraph (1);
       ``(B) the on-site confirmation that the applicable 
     conservation practices or activities identified under 
     subparagraph (A) have been implemented;
       ``(C) a plan for a periodic audit, as appropriate, of the 
     continued implementation or maintenance of each of the 
     conservation practices or activities identified under 
     subparagraph (A); and
       ``(D) notification to a farmer, rancher, or private 
     nonindustrial forest landowner of, and an opportunity to 
     correct, any noncompliance with a requirement to obtain 
     regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe harbor 
     protection, or other similar regulatory assurance.
       ``(3) Continuing current collaboration on soil, water, or 
     wildlife conservation practices.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) continue collaboration with Federal agencies, States, 
     Indian tribes, or local units of

[[Page H9848]]

     government on existing regulatory certainty, regulatory 
     predictability, safe harbor protection, or other similar 
     regulatory assurances in accordance with paragraph (2); and
       ``(B) continue collaboration with the Secretary of the 
     Interior on consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or 
     conference under section 7(a)(4) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1536(a)(4)), as applicable, for wildlife conservation 
     efforts, including the Working Lands for Wildlife model of 
     conservation on working landscapes, as implemented on the day 
     before the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
     Act of 2018, in accordance with--
       ``(i) the document entitled `Partnership Agreement Between 
     the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service and the United States Department of the 
     Interior Fish and Wildlife Service', numbered A-3A75-16-937, 
     and formalized by the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service on September 15, 2016, and by the 
     Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on 
     August 4, 2016, as in effect on September 15, 2016; and
       ``(ii) United States Fish and Wildlife Service Director's 
     Order No. 217, dated August 9, 2016, as in effect on August 
     9, 2016.
       ``(4) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection--
       ``(A) preempts, displaces, or supplants any authority or 
     right of a Federal agency, a State, an Indian tribe, or a 
     unit of local government;
       ``(B) modifies or otherwise affects, preempts, or 
     displaces--
       ``(i) any cause of action; or
       ``(ii) a provision of Federal or State law establishing a 
     remedy for a civil or criminal cause of action; or
       ``(C) applies to a case in which the Department of 
     Agriculture is the originating agency requesting a 
     consultation or other technical and programmatic information 
     or assistance from another Federal agency in assisting 
     farmers, ranchers, or nonindustrial private forest landowners 
     participating in a conservation program administered by the 
     Secretary.''.

     SEC. 2504. TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Interim Administration.--Subject to subsection (d), the 
     Secretary shall use the applicable regulations in effect on 
     the day before the date of enactment of this Act, to the 
     extent that the terms and conditions of those regulations are 
     consistent with the amendments made by this title, to carry 
     out the programs under laws as amended by this title, 
     including--
       (1) the conservation reserve program under subchapter B of 
     chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) (as amended by subtitle B);
       (2) the environmental quality incentives program under 
     subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq) (as added 
     by section 2301(a)(1) and amended by subtitle C);
       (3) the conservation stewardship program under subchapter B 
     of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
     Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) and (b) of 
     section 2301 and amended by subtitle C); and
       (4) the agricultural conservation easement program 
     established under subtitle H of title XII of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq.) (as amended by 
     subtitle F).
       (b) Regional Conservation Partnership Program.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (e) of section 1271E of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871e) (as amended by section 
     2706), and subject to subsection (d), for fiscal year 2019, 
     the Secretary may use an availability of program funding 
     announcement consistent with the amendments made by subtitle 
     G to carry out the regional conservation partnership program 
     under subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871 et seq.) without issuing a regulation.
       (c) Funding.--The Secretary may only use funds authorized 
     to be made available by this title or the amendments made by 
     this title for the specific programs described in paragraphs 
     (1) through (4) of subsection (a) and subsection (b), in 
     accordance with any restrictions on the use of those funds, 
     for the purposes described in subsections (a) and (b).
       (d) Termination of Authority.--The authority of the 
     Secretary to carry out subsections (a) and (b) shall 
     terminate on September 30, 2019.
       (e) Permanent Administration.--Effective beginning on the 
     termination date described in subsection (d), the Secretary 
     shall carry out this title and the amendments made by this 
     title in accordance with such final regulations as the 
     Secretary considers necessary to carry out this title and the 
     amendments made by this title.

         Subtitle F--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

     SEC. 2601. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.

       Section 1265(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3865(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``that negatively affect 
     the agricultural uses and conservation values'' after ``that 
     land''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``restoring and'' and 
     inserting ``restoring or''.

     SEC. 2602. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 1265A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3865a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph(1)(B), by striking ``subject to an 
     agricultural land easement plan, as approved by the 
     Secretary'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) as 
     paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Buy-protect-sell transaction.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `buy-protect-sell transaction' 
     means a legal arrangement--
       ``(i) between an eligible entity and the Secretary relating 
     to land that an eligible entity owns or is going to purchase 
     prior to acquisition of an agricultural land easement;
       ``(ii) under which the eligible entity certifies to the 
     Secretary that the eligible entity shall--

       ``(I)(aa) hold an agricultural land easement on that land, 
     but transfer ownership of the land to a farmer or rancher 
     that is not an eligible entity prior to or on acquisition of 
     the agricultural land easement; or
       ``(bb) hold an agricultural land easement on that land, but 
     transfer ownership of the land to a farmer or rancher that is 
     not an eligible entity in a timely manner and, subject to 
     subparagraph (B), not later than 3 years after the date of 
     acquisition of the agricultural land easement; and
       ``(II) make an initial sale of the land subject to the 
     agricultural land easement to a farmer or rancher at not more 
     than agricultural value, plus any reasonable holding and 
     transaction costs incurred by the eligible entity, as 
     determined by the Secretary; and

       ``(iii) under which the Secretary shall be reimbursed for 
     the entirety of the Federal share of the cost of the 
     agricultural land easement by the eligible entity if the 
     eligible entity fails to transfer ownership under item (aa) 
     or (bb), as applicable, of clause (ii)(I).
       ``(B) Time extension.--Under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I)(bb), 
     an eligible entity may transfer land later than 3 years after 
     the date of acquisition of the agricultural land easement if 
     the Secretary determines an extension of time is 
     justified.'';
       (4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
       (i) by striking ``to a'' and inserting the following: 
     ``to--

       ``(I) a'';

       (ii) in subclause (I) (as so designated), by adding ``or'' 
     at the end; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(II) a buy-protect-sell transaction;''; and

       (B) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II), by striking ``, as 
     determined by the Secretary in consultation with the 
     Secretary of the Interior at the local level''; and
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(5) Monitoring report.--The term `monitoring report' 
     means a report, the contents of which are formulated and 
     prepared by the holder of an agricultural land easement, that 
     accurately documents whether the land subject to the 
     agricultural land easement is in compliance with the terms 
     and conditions of the agricultural land easement.''.

     SEC. 2603. AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS.

       (a) Availability of Assistance.--Section 1265B(a) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``provide for the 
     conservation of natural resources pursuant to an agricultural 
     land easement plan.'' and inserting ``implement the program, 
     including technical assistance for the development of a 
     conservation plan under subsection (b)(4)(C)(iv); and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) buy-protect-sell transactions.''.
       (b) Cost-share Assistance.--
       (1) Scope of assistance available.--Section 1265B(b)(2) of 
     the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(2)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(ii) Grasslands exception.--In the case of grassland of 
     special environmental significance, as determined by the 
     Secretary, the Secretary may provide an amount not to exceed 
     75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land 
     easement.
       ``(iii) Permissible forms.--The non-Federal share provided 
     by an eligible entity under this subparagraph may comprise--

       ``(I) cash resources;
       ``(II) a charitable donation or qualified conservation 
     contribution (as defined in section 170(h) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986) from the private landowner from which 
     the agricultural land easement will be purchased;
       ``(III) costs associated with securing a deed to the 
     agricultural land easement, including the cost of appraisal, 
     survey, inspection, and title; and
       ``(IV) other costs, as determined by the Secretary.''; and

       (B) by striking subparagraph (C).
       (2) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--Section 
     1265B(b)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3865b(b)(3)) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E); 
     and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
       ``(C) Accounting for geographic differences.--The Secretary 
     may adjust the criteria established under subparagraph (A) to 
     account for geographic differences, if the adjustments--
       ``(i) meet the purposes of the program; and
       ``(ii) continue to maximize the benefit of the Federal 
     investment under the program.
       ``(D) Priority.--In evaluating applications under the 
     program, the Secretary may give priority to an application 
     for the purchase of an agricultural land easement that, as 
     determined by the Secretary, maintains agricultural 
     viability.''.
       (3) Agreements with eligible entities.--Section 1265B(b)(4) 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(4)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking clauses (iii) and (iv) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(iii) include a right of enforcement for the Secretary 
     that--

       ``(I) may be used only if the terms and conditions of the 
     easement are not enforced by the eligible entity; and

[[Page H9849]]

       ``(II) does not extend to a right of inspection unless--

       ``(aa)(AA) the holder of the easement fails to provide 
     monitoring reports in a timely manner; or
       ``(BB) the Secretary has a reasonable and articulable 
     belief that the terms and conditions of the easement have 
     been violated; and
       ``(bb) prior to the inspection, the Secretary notifies the 
     eligible entity and the landowner of the inspection and 
     provides a reasonable opportunity for the eligible entity and 
     the landowner to participate in the inspection;
       ``(iv) include a conservation plan only for any portion of 
     the land subject to the agricultural land easement that is 
     highly erodible cropland; and'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as 
     subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
       ``(D) Additional permitted terms and conditions.--An 
     eligible entity may include terms and conditions for an 
     agricultural land easement that--
       ``(i) are intended to keep the land subject to the 
     agricultural land easement under the ownership of a farmer or 
     rancher, as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(ii) allow subsurface mineral development on the land 
     subject to the agricultural land easement and in accordance 
     with applicable State law if, as determined by the 
     Secretary--

       ``(I) the subsurface mineral development--

       ``(aa) has a limited and localized impact;
       ``(bb) does not harm the agricultural use and conservation 
     values of the land subject to the easement;
       ``(cc) does not materially alter or affect the existing 
     topography;
       ``(dd) shall comply with a subsurface mineral development 
     plan that--
       ``(AA) includes a plan for the remediation of impacts to 
     the agricultural use and conservation values of the land 
     subject to the easement; and
       ``(BB) is approved by the Secretary prior to the initiation 
     of mineral development activity;
       ``(ee) is not accomplished by any surface mining method;
       ``(ff) is within the impervious surface limits of the 
     easement under subparagraph (C)(v); and
       ``(gg) uses practices and technologies that minimize the 
     duration and intensity of impacts to the agricultural use and 
     conservation values of the land subject to the easement; and

       ``(II) each area impacted by the subsurface mineral 
     development shall be reclaimed and restored by the holder of 
     the mineral rights at cessation of operation; and

       ``(iii) include other relevant activities relating to the 
     agricultural land easement, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (4) Certification of eligible entities.--Section 
     1265B(b)(5) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3865b(b)(5)) is amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) allow a certified eligible entity to use its own 
     terms and conditions, notwithstanding paragraph (4)(C), as 
     long as the terms and conditions are consistent with the 
     purposes of the program.''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (iii), by redesignating subclauses (I) 
     through (III) as items (aa) through (cc), respectively, and 
     indenting appropriately;
       (ii) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as 
     subclauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (iii) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``entity will'' and inserting the 
     following: ``eligible entity--
       ``(i) will'';
       (iv) in clause (i)(III)(cc) (as so redesignated), by 
     striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
       (v) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) has--

       ``(I) been accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation 
     Commission, or by an equivalent accrediting body, as 
     determined by the Secretary;
       ``(II) acquired not fewer than 10 agricultural land 
     easements under the program or any predecessor program; and
       ``(III) successfully met the responsibilities of the 
     eligible entity under the applicable agreements with the 
     Secretary, as determined by the Secretary, relating to 
     agricultural land easements that the eligible entity has 
     acquired under the program or any predecessor program; or

       ``(iii) is a State department of agriculture or other State 
     agency with statutory authority for farm and ranchland 
     protection that has--

       ``(I) acquired not fewer than 10 agricultural land 
     easements under the program or any predecessor program; and
       ``(II) successfully met the responsibilities of the 
     eligible entity under the applicable agreements with the 
     Secretary, as determined by the Secretary, relating to 
     agricultural land easements that the eligible entity has 
     acquired under the program or any predecessor program.''.

       (5) Technical assistance.--Section 1265B of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is amended by striking 
     subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
     technical assistance, if requested, to assist in compliance 
     with the terms and conditions of easements.''.

     SEC. 2604. WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENTS.

       Section 1265C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3865c) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``or improving water 
     quality'' before the period at the end; and
       (B) in paragraph (5)--
       (i) in subparagraph (C)--

       (I) by striking ``Land subject'' and inserting the 
     following:

       ``(i) In general.--Land subject'';

       (II) in clause (i) (as so designated), by inserting ``water 
     management,'' after ``timber harvest,''; and
       (III) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(ii) Compatible use authorization.--In evaluating and 
     authorizing a compatible economic use under clause (i), the 
     Secretary shall--

       ``(I) request and consider the advice of the applicable 
     State technical committee established under section 1261(a) 
     about the 1 or more types of uses that may be authorized to 
     be conducted on land subject to a wetland reserve easement, 
     including the frequency, timing, and intensity of those uses;
       ``(II) consider the ability of an authorized use to 
     facilitate the practical administration and management of 
     that land; and
       ``(III) ensure that an authorized use furthers the 
     functions and values for which the wetland reserve easement 
     was established.''; and

       (ii) in subparagraph (D)(i)(III), by inserting after 
     ``under subsection (f)'' the following: ``or a grazing 
     management plan that is consistent with the wetland reserve 
     easement plan and has been reviewed, and modified as 
     necessary, at least every 5 years''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Wetland reserve easement plan.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a wetland 
     reserve easement plan--
       ``(i) for any eligible land subject to a wetland reserve 
     easement; and
       ``(ii) that restores, protects, enhances, manages, 
     maintains, and monitors the eligible land subject to the 
     wetland reserve easements acquired under this section.
       ``(B) Practices and activities.--A wetland reserve easement 
     plan under subparagraph (A) shall include practices and 
     activities, including repair or replacement, that are 
     necessary to restore and maintain the enrolled land and the 
     functions and values of the wetland subject to a wetland 
     reserve easement.'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Alternative plant communities.--The Secretary, in 
     coordination with State technical committees established 
     under section 1261(a) and pursuant to State-specific criteria 
     and guidelines, may authorize the establishment or 
     restoration of a hydrologically appropriate native community 
     or alternative naturalized vegetative community as part of a 
     wetland reserve easement plan on land subject to a wetland 
     reserve easement if that hydrologically appropriate native or 
     alternative naturalized vegetative community shall--
       ``(A) substantially support or benefit migratory waterfowl 
     or other wetland wildlife; or
       ``(B) meet local resource concerns or needs (including as 
     an element of a regional, State, or local wildlife initiative 
     or plan).''.

     SEC. 2605. ADMINISTRATION.

       Section 1265D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3865d) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (a)(4), by striking ``proposed'' and 
     inserting ``permitted'';
       (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Subordination, Exchange, Modification, and 
     Termination.--
       ``(1) Subordination.--The Secretary may subordinate any 
     interest in land, or portion of such interest, administered 
     by the Secretary (including for the purposes of utilities and 
     energy transmission services) either directly or on behalf of 
     the Commodity Credit Corporation under the program if the 
     Secretary determines that the subordination--
       ``(A) increases conservation values or has a limited 
     negative effect on conservation values;
       ``(B) minimally affects the acreage subject to the interest 
     in land; and
       ``(C) is in the public interest or furthers the practical 
     administration of the program.
       ``(2) Modification and exchange.--
       ``(A) Authority.--The Secretary may approve a modification 
     or exchange of any interest in land, or portion of such 
     interest, administered by the Secretary, either directly or 
     on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation under the 
     program if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(i) no reasonable alternative exists and the effect on 
     the interest in land is avoided or minimized to the extent 
     practicable; and
       ``(ii) the modification or exchange--

       ``(I) results in equal or increased conservation values;
       ``(II) results in equal or greater economic value to the 
     United States;
       ``(III) is consistent with the original intent of the 
     easement;
       ``(IV) is consistent with the purposes of the program; and
       ``(V) is in the public interest or furthers the practical 
     administration of the program.

       ``(B) Limitation.--In modifying or exchanging an interest 
     in land, or portion of such interest, under this paragraph, 
     the Secretary may not increase any payment to an eligible 
     entity.
       ``(3) Termination.--The Secretary may approve a termination 
     of any interest in land, or portion of such interest, 
     administered by the Secretary, directly or on behalf of the 
     Commodity Credit Corporation under the program if the 
     Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) termination is in the interest of the Federal 
     Government;
       ``(B) the United States will be fully compensated for--

[[Page H9850]]

       ``(i) the fair market value of the interest in land;
       ``(ii) any costs relating to the termination; and
       ``(iii) any damages determined appropriate by the 
     Secretary; and
       ``(C) the termination will--
       ``(i) address a compelling public need for which there is 
     no practicable alternative even with avoidance and 
     minimization; and
       ``(ii) further the practical administration of the program.
       ``(4) Consent.--The Secretary shall obtain consent from the 
     landowner and eligible entity, if applicable, for any 
     subordination, exchange, modification, or termination of 
     interest in land, or portion of such interest, under this 
     subsection.
       ``(5) Notice.--At least 90 days before taking any 
     termination action described in paragraph (3), the Secretary 
     shall provide written notice of such action to the Committee 
     on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate.''; and
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``transferred into the 
     program'' and inserting ``enrolled in an easement under 
     section 1265C(b)''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Agricultural land easements.--A farmer or rancher who 
     owns eligible land subject to an agricultural land easement 
     may enter into a contract under subchapter B of chapter 1 of 
     subtitle D.''.

         Subtitle G--Regional Conservation Partnership Program

     SEC. 2701. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.

       Section 1271 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including 
     partnership agreements funded through alternative funding 
     arrangements or grant agreements under section 1271C(d),'' 
     after ``partnership agreements''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``contracts with 
     producers'' and inserting ``program contracts with 
     producers''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``use covered programs'' and inserting 
     ``carry out eligible activities'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) To further the conservation, protection, restoration, 
     and sustainable use of soil, water (including sources of 
     drinking water and groundwater), wildlife, agricultural land, 
     and related natural resources on eligible land on a regional 
     or watershed scale.'';
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, including through 
     alignment of partnership projects with other national, State, 
     and local agencies and programs addressing similar natural 
     resource or environmental concerns'' after ``eligible land''; 
     and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``installation'' and 
     inserting ``adoption, installation,''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) To encourage the flexible and streamlined delivery of 
     conservation assistance to producers through partnership 
     agreements.
       ``(5) To engage producers and eligible partners in 
     conservation projects to achieve greater conservation 
     outcomes and benefits for producers than would otherwise be 
     achieved.''.

     SEC. 2702. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 1271A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, not including the 
     grassland conservation initiative under section 1240L-1'' 
     before the period at the end; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) The conservation reserve program established under 
     subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D.
       ``(F) The programs established by the Secretary to carry 
     out the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), except for any program established by 
     the Secretary to carry out section 14 (16 U.S.C. 1012) of 
     that Act.'';
       (2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) Eligible activity.--The term `eligible activity' 
     means a practice, activity, agreement, easement, or related 
     conservation measure that is available under the statutory 
     authority for a covered program.
       ``(3) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land' means any 
     agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land or 
     associated land on which the Secretary determines an eligible 
     activity would help achieve conservation benefits.'';
       (3) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``acequia,'' after 
     ``irrigation district,''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(I) An organization described in section 1265A(3)(B).
       ``(J) A conservation district.'';
       (4) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
       ``(5) Partnership agreement.--The term `partnership 
     agreement' means the programmatic agreement entered into 
     between the Secretary and an eligible partner, subject to the 
     terms and conditions under section 1271B.''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) Program contract.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `program contract' means the 
     contract between the Secretary and a producer entered into 
     under this subtitle.
       ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `program contract' does not 
     include a contract under a covered program.''.

     SEC. 2703. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS.

       Section 1271B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871b) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Length.--
       ``(1) In general.--A partnership agreement shall be--
       ``(A) for a period not to exceed 5 years; or
       ``(B) for a period that is longer than 5 years, if the 
     longer period is necessary to meet the objectives of the 
     program, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(2) Renewal.--A partnership agreement may be renewed 
     under subsection (e)(5) for a period not to exceed 5 years.
       ``(3) Extension.--A partnership agreement, or any renewal 
     of a partnership agreement, may each be extended 1 time for a 
     period not longer than 12 months, as determined by the 
     Secretary.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) 
     and (v), respectively; and
       (II) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the 
     following:

       ``(i) 1 or more conservation benefits that the project 
     shall achieve;
       ``(ii) the eligible activities on eligible land to be 
     conducted under the project to achieve conservation benefits;
       ``(iii) the implementation timeline for carrying out the 
     project, including any interim milestones;'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``funds'' and 
     inserting ``contributions''; and
       (iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``of the project's 
     effects; and'' and inserting the following: ``of--
       ``(i) the progress made by the project in achieving each 
     conservation benefit defined in the partnership agreement, 
     including in a quantified form to the extent practicable; and
       ``(ii) as appropriate, other outcomes of the project; 
     and''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``An eligible'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Form.--A contribution of an eligible partner under 
     this paragraph may be in the form of--
       ``(i) direct funding;
       ``(ii) in-kind support; or
       ``(iii) a combination of direct funding and in-kind 
     support.
       ``(C) Treatment.--Any amounts expended during the period 
     beginning on the date on which the Secretary announces the 
     approval of an application under subsection (e) and ending on 
     the day before the effective date of the partnership 
     agreement by an eligible partner for staff salaries or 
     development of the partnership agreement may be considered to 
     be a part of the contribution of the eligible partner under 
     this paragraph.'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
       (4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) establish a timeline for carrying out the duties of 
     the Secretary under a partnership agreement, including--
       ``(A) entering into program contracts with producers;
       ``(B) providing financial assistance to producers; and
       ``(C) in the case of a partnership agreement that is funded 
     through an alternative funding arrangement or grant agreement 
     under section 1271C(d), providing the payments to the 
     eligible partner for carrying out eligible activities;
       ``(2) identify in each State a program coordinator for the 
     State, who shall be responsible for providing assistance to 
     eligible partners under the program;
       ``(3) establish guidance to assist eligible partners with 
     carrying out the assessment required under subsection 
     (c)(1)(E);
       ``(4) provide to each eligible partner that has entered 
     into a partnership agreement that is not funded through an 
     alternative funding arrangement or grant agreement under 
     section 1271C(d)--
       ``(A) a semiannual report describing the status of each 
     pending and obligated contract under the project of the 
     eligible partner; and
       ``(B) an annual report describing how the Secretary used 
     amounts reserved by the Secretary for that year for technical 
     assistance under section 1271D(f); and
       ``(5) ensure that any eligible activity effectively 
     achieves the conservation benefits identified in the 
     partnership agreement under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i).'';
       (5) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``simplified'' after 
     ``conduct a'';
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking the paragraph designation and heading and 
     all that follows through ``description of--'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(3) Contents.--The Secretary shall develop a simplified 
     application that includes a description of--'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``, including the 
     covered programs to be used''; and
       (iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``financial'';
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) by striking subparagraph (D);
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
     subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
       (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

[[Page H9851]]

       ``(D) build new partnerships with local, State, and private 
     entities to include a diversity of stakeholders in the 
     project;
       ``(E) deliver a high percentage of applied conservation--
       ``(i) to achieve conservation benefits; or
       ``(ii) in the case of a project in a critical conservation 
     area under section 1271F, to address the priority resource 
     concern for that critical conservation area;
       ``(F) implement the project consistent with existing 
     watershed, habitat, or other area restoration plans;''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Renewals.--If the Secretary determines that a project 
     that is the subject of a partnership agreement has met or 
     exceeded the objectives of the project, the Secretary may 
     renew the partnership agreement through an expedited 
     noncompetitive process if the 1 or more eligible partners 
     that are parties to the partnership agreement request the 
     renewal in order--
       ``(A) to continue to implement the project under a renewal 
     of the partnership agreement; or
       ``(B) to expand the scope of the project under a renewal of 
     the partnership agreement, as long as the expansion is within 
     the objectives and purposes of the original partnership 
     agreement.''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Nonapplicability of Adjusted Gross Income 
     Limitation.--The adjusted gross income limitation described 
     in section 1001D(b)(1) shall not apply to an eligible partner 
     under the program.''.

     SEC. 2704. ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCERS.

       Section 1271C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871c) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--A producer may receive financial or 
     technical assistance to conduct eligible activities on 
     eligible land through a program contract entered into with 
     the Secretary.
       ``(b) Program Contracts.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
     contract to be entered into with a producer to conduct 
     eligible activities on eligible land, subject to such terms 
     and conditions as the Secretary may establish.
       ``(2) Application bundles.--
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible partner may submit to the 
     Secretary, on behalf of producers, a bundle of applications 
     for assistance under the program through program contracts to 
     address a substantial portion of the conservation benefits to 
     be achieved by the project, as defined in the partnership 
     agreement.
       ``(B) Priority.--The Secretary may give priority to 
     applications described in subparagraph (A).'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``In accordance with 
     statutory requirements of the covered programs involved, the 
     Secretary may make payments to a producer'' and inserting 
     ``Subject to section 1271D, the Secretary may make payments 
     to a producer''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``participating''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Funding Through Alternative Funding Arrangements or 
     Grant Agreements.--
       ``(1) In general.--A partnership agreement entered into 
     with an eligible partner may be funded through an alternative 
     funding arrangement or grant in accordance with this 
     subsection.
       ``(2) Duties of the secretary.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) under a funding agreement under paragraph (1)--
       ``(i) use funding made available to carry out this subtitle 
     to provide funding directly to the eligible partner; and
       ``(ii) provide technical and administrative assistance, as 
     mutually agreed by the parties; and
       ``(B) enter into not more than 15 alternative funding 
     arrangements or grant agreements with 1 or more eligible 
     partners each fiscal year.
       ``(3) Duties of eligible partners.--Under a funding 
     agreement under paragraph (1), the eligible partner shall--
       ``(A) carry out eligible activities on eligible land in 
     agreement with producers to achieve conservation benefits on 
     a regional or watershed scale, such as--
       ``(i) infrastructure investments relating to agricultural 
     or nonindustrial private forest production that would--

       ``(I) benefit multiple producers; and
       ``(II) address natural resource concerns such as drought, 
     wildfire, or water quality impairment on the land covered by 
     the project;

       ``(ii) projects addressing natural resources concerns in 
     coordination with producers, including the development and 
     implementation of watershed, habitat, or other area 
     restoration plans;
       ``(iii) projects that use innovative approaches to 
     leveraging the Federal investment in conservation with 
     private financial mechanisms, in conjunction with 
     agricultural production or forest resource management, such 
     as--

       ``(I) the provision of performance-based payments to 
     producers; and
       ``(II) support for an environmental market; or

       ``(iv) other projects for which the Secretary determines 
     that the goals and objectives of the program would be easier 
     to achieve through the funding agreement under paragraph (1); 
     and
       ``(B) submit to the Secretary, in addition to any 
     information that the Secretary requires to prepare the report 
     under section 1271E(b), an annual report that describes the 
     status of the project, including a description of--
       ``(i) the use of the funds awarded under paragraph (1);
       ``(ii) any subcontracts awarded;
       ``(iii) the producers receiving funding through the funding 
     agreement under paragraph (1);
       ``(iv)(I) the progress made by the project in addressing 
     each natural resource concern defined in the funding 
     agreement under paragraph (1), including in a quantified form 
     to the extent practicable; and
       ``(II) as appropriate, other outcomes of the project; and
       ``(v) any other reporting data the Secretary determines are 
     necessary to ensure compliance with the program rules.''.

     SEC. 2705. FUNDING.

       Section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871d) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``$100,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$300,000,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
     through 2023'';
       (2) by striking subsection (c);
       (3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively;
       (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``and acres''; and
       (ii) by striking ``and reserved for the program under 
     subsection (c)'';
       (B) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``25 percent of the funds and acres to 
     projects based on a State competitive process administered by 
     the State Conservationist, with the advice of the State 
     technical committee'' and inserting ``50 percent of the funds 
     to projects based on a State or multistate competitive 
     process administered by the Secretary at the local level with 
     the advice of the applicable State technical committees''; 
     and
       (ii) by adding ``and'' after the semicolon;
       (C) by striking paragraph (2);
       (D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and
       (E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking ``35 
     percent of the funds and acres'' and inserting ``50 percent 
     of the funds'';
       (5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) by striking ``None of the funds made available or 
     reserved for the program'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     none of the funds made available for the program, including 
     for a partnership agreement funded through an alternative 
     funding arrangement or grant agreement under section 
     1271C(d),''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Project development and outreach.--Under a 
     partnership agreement that is not funded through an 
     alternative funding arrangement or grant agreement under 
     section 1271C(d), the Secretary may advance reasonable 
     amounts of funding for not longer than 90 days for technical 
     assistance to eligible partners to conduct project 
     development and outreach activities in a project area, 
     including--
       ``(A) providing outreach and education to producers for 
     potential participation in the project;
       ``(B) establishing baseline metrics to support the 
     development of the assessment required under section 
     1271B(c)(1)(E); or
       ``(C) providing technical assistance to producers.''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Technical Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--At the time of project selection, the 
     Secretary shall identify and make publicly available the 
     amount that the Secretary shall use to provide technical 
     assistance under the terms of the partnership agreement.
       ``(2) Limitation.--The Secretary shall limit costs of the 
     Secretary for technical assistance to costs specific and 
     necessary to carry out the objectives of the program.
       ``(3) Third-party providers.--The Secretary shall develop 
     and implement strategies to encourage third-party technical 
     service providers to provide technical assistance to eligible 
     partners pursuant to a partnership agreement.''.

     SEC. 2706. ADMINISTRATION.

       Section 1271E of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871e) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1271B(d)'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``1271B(e)'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2019'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively;
       (C) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(1) a summary of--
       ``(A) the progress made towards achieving the conservation 
     benefits defined for the projects; and
       ``(B) any other related outcomes of the projects;'';
       (D) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``and'' at the end;
       (E) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``1271C(b)(2)'' and inserting ``1271C(d)''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (F) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) in the case of a project within a critical 
     conservation area under section 1271F, the status of each 
     priority resource concern for each designated critical 
     conservation area, including--
       ``(A) the priority resource concerns for which each 
     critical conservation area is designated;
       ``(B) conservation goals and outcomes sufficient to 
     demonstrate that progress is being made to address the 
     priority resource concerns;
       ``(C) the partnership agreements selected to address each 
     conservation goal and outcome; and
       ``(D) the extent to which each conservation goal and 
     outcome is being addressed by the partnership agreements.''; 
     and

[[Page H9852]]

       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Compliance With Certain Requirements.--The Secretary 
     may not provide assistance under the program to a producer 
     unless the producer agrees, during the program year for which 
     the assistance is provided--
       ``(1) to comply with applicable conservation requirements 
     under subtitle B; and
       ``(2) to comply with applicable wetland protection 
     requirements under subtitle C.
       ``(d) Historically Underserved Producers.--To the maximum 
     extent practicable, in carrying out the program, the 
     Secretary and eligible partners shall conduct outreach to 
     beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, 
     socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited 
     resource farmers and ranchers to encourage participation by 
     those producers in a project subject to a partnership 
     agreement or funding agreement under 1271C(d).
       ``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue regulations 
     to carry out the program.''.

     SEC. 2707. CRITICAL CONSERVATION AREAS.

       Section 1271F of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3871f) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), and (c) as 
     subsections (b), (c), and (e), respectively;
       (2) by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Critical conservation area.--The term `critical 
     conservation area' means a geographical area that contains a 
     critical conservation condition that can be addressed through 
     the program.
       ``(2) Priority resource concern.--The term `priority 
     resource concern' means a natural resource concern located in 
     a critical conservation area that can be addressed through--
       ``(A) water quality improvement, including through reducing 
     erosion, promoting sediment control, and addressing nutrient 
     management activities affecting large bodies of water of 
     regional, national, or international significance;
       ``(B) water quantity improvement, including improvement 
     relating to--
       ``(i) drought;
       ``(ii) groundwater, surface water, aquifer, or other water 
     sources; or
       ``(iii) water retention and flood prevention;
       ``(C) wildlife habitat restoration to address species of 
     concern at a Federal, State, or local level; and
       ``(D) other natural resource improvements, as determined by 
     the Secretary, within the critical conservation area.'';
       (3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) by striking ``(b) In General.--'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(b) Applications.--'';
       (B) by striking ``1271D(d)(3)'' and inserting 
     ``1271D(d)(2)'';
       (C) by striking ``producer'' and inserting ``program''; and
       (D) by inserting ``that address 1 or more priority resource 
     concerns for which the critical conservation area is 
     designated'' before the period at the end;
       (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively;
       (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall identify 1 or more 
     priority resource concerns that apply to each critical 
     conservation area designated under this section after the 
     date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 
     113-79; 128 Stat. 649), including the conservation goals and 
     outcomes sufficient to demonstrate that progress is being 
     made to address the priority resource concern.'';
       (C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) contains 1 or more priority resource concerns; or''; 
     and
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (D) by striking paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(3) Review and withdrawal.--The Secretary may--
       ``(A) review designations of critical conservation areas 
     under this section not more frequently than once every 5 
     years; and
       ``(B) withdraw designation of a critical conservation area 
     only if the Secretary determines that the area is no longer a 
     critical conservation area.'';
       (5) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(d) Outreach to Eligible Partners and Producers.--The 
     Secretary shall provide outreach and education to eligible 
     partners and producers in critical conservation areas 
     designated under this section to encourage the development of 
     projects to address each priority resource concern identified 
     by the Secretary for that critical conservation area.''; and
       (6) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``producer'' and 
     inserting ``program''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (3).

              Subtitle H--Repeals and Technical Amendments

                            PART I--REPEALS

     SEC. 2811. REPEAL OF CONSERVATION CORRIDOR DEMONSTRATION 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle G of title II of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3801 
     note; Public Law 107-171) is repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 5059 of the Water 
     Resources Development Act of 2007 (16 U.S.C. 3801 note; 
     Public Law 110-114) is repealed.

     SEC. 2812. REPEAL OF CRANBERRY ACREAGE RESERVE PROGRAM.

       Section 10608 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3801 note; Public Law 107-171) is 
     repealed.

     SEC. 2813. REPEAL OF NATIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION.

       Subtitle F of title III of the Federal Agriculture 
     Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) 
     is repealed.

     SEC. 2814. REPEAL OF FLOOD RISK REDUCTION.

       Section 385 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
     Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7334) is repealed.

     SEC. 2815. REPEAL OF STUDY OF LAND USE FOR EXPIRING CONTRACTS 
                   AND EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY.

       Section 1437 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 3831 note; Public Law 101-624) 
     is repealed.

     SEC. 2816. REPEAL OF INTEGRATED FARM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 
                   OPTION.

       Section 1451 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5822) is repealed.

     SEC. 2817. REPEAL OF CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF 
                   AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

       Section 325 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
     Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 992) is 
     repealed.

                     PART II--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

     SEC. 2821. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.--Section 
     5(4) of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1005(4)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``goodwater'' and inserting ``floodwater''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``Secretary of Health, Education, and 
     Welfare'' each place it appears and inserting ``Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services''.
       (b) Delineation of Wetlands; Exemptions.--Section 1222(j) 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3822(j)) is 
     amended by striking ``National Resources Conservation 
     Service'' and inserting ``Natural Resources Conservation 
     Service''.
       (c) Farmable Wetland Program.--Section 1231B(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b(b)(2)(A)(i)) 
     is amended by adding a semicolon at the end.
       (d) Terminal Lakes Assistance.--Section 2507 of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-
     6) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1); and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) No additional funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--Nothing in this section authorizes any 
     additional funds to carry out this section.
       ``(B) Availability of funds.--Any funds made available to 
     carry out this section before the date of enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 may remain available 
     until expended.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Termination of Authority.--The authority provided by 
     this section shall terminate on October 1, 2023.''.
       (e) Delivery of Technical Assistance.--Section 1242 of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended by 
     striking ``third party'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``third-party''.
       (f) Administrative Requirements for Conservation 
     Programs.--Section 1244(b)(4)(B) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(b)(4)(B)) is amended by striking 
     ``General Accounting Office'' and inserting ``Government 
     Accountability Office''.

     SEC. 2822. STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES.

       (a) Standards.--Section 1261(b)(2) of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``under 
     section 1262(b)''.
       (b) Composition.--Section 1261(c) of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(c)) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(14) The State Cooperative Extension Service and land 
     grant university in the State.''.

                            TITLE III--TRADE

                     Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act

     SEC. 3101. LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 202(g) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(g)) 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(g) Labeling of Assistance.--Agricultural commodities and 
     other assistance provided under this title shall, to the 
     extent practicable, be clearly identified with appropriate 
     markings on the package or container of such agricultural 
     commodities or food procured outside of the United States, or 
     on printed material that accompanies other assistance, in the 
     language of the locality in which such commodities and other 
     assistance are distributed, as being furnished by the people 
     of the United States of America.''.

     SEC. 3102. FOOD AID QUALITY ASSURANCE.

       Section 202(h)(3) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1722(h)(3)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 3103. LOCAL SALE AND BARTER OF COMMODITIES.

       Section 203 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1723) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``to generate proceeds 
     to be used as provided in this section'' before the period at 
     the end;
       (2) by striking subsection (b); and
       (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
     (b) and (c), respectively.

     SEC. 3104. MINIMUM LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE.

       Section 204(a) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1724(a)) 
     is amended in paragraphs (1) and (2) by striking ``2018'' 
     both places it appears and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 3105. FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP.

       Section 205 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725) is 
     amended--

[[Page H9853]]

       (1) in subsection (d)(1), in the first sentence, by 
     striking ``45'' and inserting ``30''; and
       (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 3106. ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS.

       Section 207(c)(1) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1726a(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``the Agricultural Act of 
     2014''and inserting ``the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
     2018''.

     SEC. 3107. OVERSIGHT, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION.

       Section 207(f)(4) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1726a(f)(4)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking ``$17,000,000'' and inserting ``1.5 
     percent, but not less than $17,000,000,''; and
       (B) by striking ``2018'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``2023''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``chapter 1 of part I of''.

     SEC. 3108. ASSISTANCE FOR STOCKPILING AND RAPID 
                   TRANSPORTATION, DELIVERY, AND DISTRIBUTION OF 
                   SHELF-STABLE PREPACKAGED FOODS.

       Section 208 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726b) is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows: 
     ``international food relief partnership.''; and
       (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 3109. CONSIDERATION OF IMPACT OF PROVISION OF 
                   AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE 
                   ON LOCAL FARMERS AND ECONOMY.

       (a) Inclusion of All Modalities.--Section 403(a) of the 
     Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733(a)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``, 
     food procured outside of the United States, food voucher, or 
     cash transfer for food'' after ``agricultural commodity'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``in the case of the 
     provision of an agricultural commodity,'' before 
     ``adequate''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``commodity'' and 
     inserting ``agricultural commodity or use of the food 
     procured outside of the United States, food voucher, or cash 
     transfer for food''.
       (b) Avoidance of Disruptive Impact.--Section 403(b) of the 
     Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733(b)) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by inserting ``, the use of food 
     procured outside of the United States, food vouchers, and 
     cash transfers for food,'' after ``agricultural 
     commodities''; and
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``of sales of 
     agricultural commodities''.

     SEC. 3110. ALLOWANCE FOR DISTRIBUTION COSTS.

       Section 406(b)(6) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1736(b)(6)) is amended by striking ``and distribution costs'' 
     and inserting ``, distribution, and program implementation 
     costs to use the commodities''.

     SEC. 3111. PREPOSITIONING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.

       Section 407(c)(4)(A) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1736a(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``2018'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 3112. ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING FOOD AID PROGRAMS AND 
                   ACTIVITIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 407(f) of the Food for Peace Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 1736a(f)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(f) Annual Report Regarding Food Aid Programs and 
     Activities.--
       ``(1) Annual report.--Not later than April 1 of each fiscal 
     year, the Administrator and the Secretary shall jointly, or 
     each separately, prepare and submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report regarding each program and 
     activity carried out under this Act by the Administrator, the 
     Secretary, or both, as applicable, during the prior fiscal 
     year.
       ``(2) Contents.--An annual report described in paragraph 
     (1) shall include, with respect to the prior fiscal year, the 
     following:
       ``(A) A list that contains a description of each country 
     and organization that receives food and other assistance 
     under this Act (including the quantity of food and assistance 
     provided to each country and organization).
       ``(B) A general description of each project and activity 
     implemented under this Act (including each activity funded 
     through the use of local currencies) and the total number of 
     beneficiaries of the project.
       ``(C) A statement describing the quantity of agricultural 
     commodities made available to, and the total number of 
     beneficiaries in, each country pursuant to--
       ``(i) this Act;
       ``(ii) section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 
     U.S.C. 1431(b));
       ``(iii) the Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o); 
     and
       ``(iv) the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education 
     and Child Nutrition Program established by section 3107 of 
     the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
     1736o-1).
       ``(D) An assessment of the progress made through programs 
     under this Act towards reducing food insecurity in the 
     populations receiving food assistance from the United States.
       ``(E) A description of efforts undertaken by the Food Aid 
     Consultative Group under section 205 to achieve an integrated 
     and effective food assistance program.
       ``(F) An assessment of--
       ``(i) each program oversight, monitoring, and evaluation 
     system implemented under section 207(f); and
       ``(ii) the impact of each program oversight, monitoring, 
     and evaluation system on the effectiveness and efficiency of 
     assistance provided under this title.
       ``(G) An assessment of the progress made by the 
     Administrator in addressing issues relating to quality with 
     respect to the provision of food assistance.
       ``(H) A statement of the amount of funds (including funds 
     for administrative costs, indirect cost recovery, internal 
     transportation, storage and handling, and associated 
     distribution costs) provided to each eligible organization 
     that received assistance under this Act, that further 
     describes the following:
       ``(i) How such funds were used by the eligible 
     organization.
       ``(ii) The actual rate of return for each commodity made 
     available under this Act, including factors that influenced 
     the rate of return, and, for the commodity, the costs of 
     bagging or further processing, ocean transportation, inland 
     transportation in the recipient country, storage costs, and 
     any other information that the Administrator and the 
     Secretary determine to be necessary.
       ``(iii) For each instance in which a commodity was made 
     available under this Act at a rate of return less than 70 
     percent, the reasons for the rate of return realized.
       ``(I) For funds expended for purposes of section 202(e), 
     406(b)(6), and 407(c)(1)(B), a detailed accounting of the 
     expenditures and purposes of such expenditures with respect 
     to each such section.
       ``(3) Rate of return described.--For purposes of applying 
     subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2), the rate of return for a 
     commodity shall be equal to the proportion that--
       ``(A) the proceeds the implementing partners generate 
     through monetization; bears to
       ``(B) the cost to the Federal Government to procure and 
     ship the commodity to a recipient country for 
     monetization.''.
       (b) Conforming Repeal.--Subsection (m) of section 403 of 
     the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733) is repealed.

     SEC. 3113. DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENTS TO FINANCE SALES OR TO 
                   PROVIDE OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       Section 408 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 3114. MINIMUM LEVEL OF NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.

       Section 412(e) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1736f(e)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(e) Minimum Level of Nonemergency Food Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023, not less than $365,000,000 of the amounts made 
     available to carry out emergency and nonemergency food 
     assistance programs under title II, nor more than 30 percent 
     of such amounts, shall be expended for nonemergency food 
     assistance programs under such title.
       ``(2) Community development funds.--Funds appropriated each 
     year to carry out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) that are made available through 
     grants or cooperative agreements to strengthen food security 
     in developing countries and that are consistent with section 
     202(e)(1)(C) may be considered amounts expended for 
     nonemergency food assistance programs for purposes of 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Farmer-to-farmer program.--In determining the amount 
     expended for a fiscal year for nonemergency food assistance 
     programs under paragraph (1), amounts expended for that year 
     to carry out programs under section 501 may be considered 
     amounts expended for nonemergency food assistance 
     programs.''.

     SEC. 3115. TERMINATION DATE FOR MICRONUTRIENT FORTIFICATION 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Section 415(c) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736g-
     2(c)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 3116. JOHN OGONOWSKI AND DOUG BEREUTER FARMER-TO-FARMER 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 501 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1737) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, or'' after 
     ``Notwithstanding'';
       (B) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``technical'' before 
     ``assistance''; and
       (C) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``employees or staff of a State cooperative institution (as 
     such term is defined in paragraph 18 of section 1404 of the 
     National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
     Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103), except that subparagraphs 
     (E), (F), and (G) of such paragraph shall not apply),'' after 
     ``private corporations,''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) by striking ``; and'' at the end of clause (viii); and
       (II) by striking clause (ix) and inserting the following:

       ``(ix) agricultural education and extension;
       ``(x) selection of seed varieties and plant stocks;
       ``(xi) knowledge of insecticide and sanitation procedures 
     to prevent crop destruction;
       ``(xii) use and maintenance of agricultural equipment and 
     irrigation systems; and
       ``(xiii) selection of fertilizers and methods of soils 
     treatment; and'';
       (2) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'';
       (3) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Grant Program to Create New Partners and 
     Innovation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Agency for 
     International Development shall develop a grant program to be 
     carried out in fiscal

[[Page H9854]]

     years 2019 through 2023 to facilitate new and innovative 
     partnerships and activities under this title.
       ``(2) Use of funds.--A grant recipient under this 
     subsection shall use funds received under this subsection 
     to--
       ``(A) prioritize new implementing partners;
       ``(B) develop innovative volunteer models;
       ``(C) develop, improve, or maintain strategic partnerships 
     with other United States development programs; and
       ``(D) expand the footprint and impact of the programs and 
     activities under this title, and diversity among program 
     participants, including land-grant colleges and universities 
     and cooperative extension services (as such terms are defined 
     in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3103)).''.

               Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978

     SEC. 3201. AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION AND FACILITATION.

       (a) In General.--Section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act 
     of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 203. AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION AND FACILITATION.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out 
     activities under this section--
       ``(1) to access, develop, maintain, and expand markets for 
     United States agricultural commodities; and
       ``(2) to promote cooperation and the exchange of 
     information.
       ``(b) Market Access Program.--
       ``(1) Definition of eligible trade organization.--In this 
     subsection, the term `eligible trade organization' means--
       ``(A) a United States agricultural trade organization or 
     regional State-related organization that promotes the export 
     and sale of United States agricultural commodities and that 
     does not stand to profit directly from specific sales of 
     United States agricultural commodities;
       ``(B) a cooperative organization or State agency that 
     promotes the sale of United States agricultural commodities; 
     or
       ``(C) a private organization that promotes the export and 
     sale of United States agricultural commodities if the 
     Secretary determines that such organization would 
     significantly contribute to United States export market 
     development.
       ``(2) In general.--The Commodity Credit Corporation shall 
     establish and carry out a program, to be known as the `Market 
     Access Program', to encourage the development, maintenance, 
     and expansion of commercial export markets for United States 
     agricultural commodities (including commodities that are 
     organically produced (as defined in section 2103 of the 
     Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502))) 
     through cost-share assistance to eligible trade organizations 
     that implement a foreign market development program.
       ``(3) Participation requirements.--
       ``(A) Marketing plan and other requirements.--To be 
     eligible for cost-share assistance under this subsection, an 
     eligible trade organization shall--
       ``(i) prepare and submit a marketing plan to the Secretary 
     that meets the guidelines governing such a marketing plan 
     specified in this paragraph or otherwise established by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(ii) meet any other requirements established by the 
     Secretary; and
       ``(iii) enter into an agreement with the Secretary.
       ``(B) Purpose of marketing plan.--A marketing plan 
     submitted under this paragraph shall describe the advertising 
     or other market oriented export promotion activities to be 
     carried out by the eligible trade organization with respect 
     to which assistance under this subsection is being requested.
       ``(C) Specific elements.--To be approved by the Secretary, 
     a marketing plan submitted under this paragraph shall--
       ``(i) specifically describe the manner in which assistance 
     received by the eligible trade organization, in conjunction 
     with funds and services provided by the eligible trade 
     organization, will be expended in implementing the marketing 
     plan;
       ``(ii) establish specific market goals to be achieved under 
     the marketing plan; and
       ``(iii) contain whatever additional requirements are 
     determined by the Secretary to be necessary.
       ``(D) Branded promotion.--A marketing plan approved by the 
     Secretary may provide for the use of branded advertising to 
     promote the sale of United States agricultural commodities in 
     a foreign country under such terms and conditions as may be 
     established by the Secretary.
       ``(E) Amendments.--An approved marketing plan may be 
     amended by the eligible trade organization at any time, 
     subject to the approval of the amendment by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Level of assistance and cost-share requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall justify in writing 
     the level of assistance to be provided to an eligible trade 
     organization under this subsection and the level of cost 
     sharing required of the organization.
       ``(B) Limitation on branded promotion.--Assistance provided 
     under this subsection for activities described in paragraph 
     (3)(D) shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of 
     implementing the marketing plan, except that the Secretary 
     may determine not to apply such limitation in the case of 
     United States agricultural commodities with respect to which 
     there has been a favorable decision by the United States 
     Trade Representative under section 301 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411). Criteria used by the Secretary for 
     determining that the limitation shall not apply shall be 
     consistent and documented.
       ``(5) Other terms and conditions.--
       ``(A) Multiyear basis.--The Secretary may provide 
     assistance under this subsection on a multiyear basis, 
     subject to annual review by the Secretary for compliance with 
     the approved marketing plan.
       ``(B) Termination of assistance.--The Secretary may 
     terminate any assistance made, or to be made, available under 
     this subsection if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(i) the eligible trade organization is not adhering to 
     the terms and conditions applicable to the provision of the 
     assistance;
       ``(ii) the eligible trade organization is not implementing 
     the approved marketing plan or is not adequately meeting the 
     established goals of the plan;
       ``(iii) the eligible trade organization is not adequately 
     contributing its own resources to the implementation of the 
     plan; or
       ``(iv) the Secretary determines that termination of 
     assistance in a particular instance is in the best interests 
     of the Market Access Program.
       ``(C) Evaluations.--Beginning not later than 15 months 
     after the initial provision of assistance under this 
     subsection to an eligible trade organization, the Secretary 
     shall monitor the expenditures by the eligible trade 
     organization of such assistance, including the following:
       ``(i) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the marketing 
     plan of the eligible trade organization in developing or 
     maintaining markets for United States agricultural 
     commodities.
       ``(ii) An evaluation of whether assistance provided under 
     this subsection is necessary to maintain such markets.
       ``(iii) A thorough accounting of the expenditure by the 
     eligible trade organization of the assistance provided under 
     this subsection.
       ``(6) Restrictions on use of funds.--Assistance provided 
     under this subsection to an eligible trade organization may 
     not be used--
       ``(A) to provide direct assistance to any foreign for-
     profit corporation for the corporation's use in promoting 
     foreign-produced products; or
       ``(B) to provide direct assistance to any for-profit 
     corporation that is not recognized as a small business 
     concern (as described in section 3(a) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a))), excluding--
       ``(i) a cooperative;
       ``(ii) an association described in the first section of the 
     Act entitled `An Act To authorize association of producers of 
     agricultural products', approved February 18, 1922 (7 U.S.C. 
     291); or
       ``(iii) a nonprofit trade association.
       ``(7) Permissive use of funds.--Assistance provided under 
     this subsection to a United States agricultural trade 
     association, cooperative, or small business may be used for 
     individual branded promotional activity related to a United 
     States branded product, if the beneficiaries of the activity 
     have provided funds for the activity in an amount that is at 
     least equivalent to the amount of such assistance.
       ``(8) Priority.--In providing assistance for branded 
     promotion, the Secretary should give priority to small-sized 
     entities.
       ``(9) Contribution level.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary should require a minimum 
     contribution level of 10 percent from an eligible trade 
     organization that receives assistance for nonbranded 
     promotion.
       ``(B) Increases in contribution level.--The Secretary may 
     increase the contribution level in any subsequent year that 
     an eligible trade organization receives assistance for 
     nonbranded promotion.
       ``(10) Additionality.--The Secretary should require each 
     participant in the Market Access Program to certify that any 
     Federal funds received supplement, but do not supplant, 
     private or third party participant funds or other 
     contributions to Program activities.
       ``(11) Independent audits.--If as a result of an evaluation 
     or audit of activities of a participant under the Market 
     Access Program, the Secretary determines that a further 
     review is justified in order to ensure compliance with the 
     requirements of the Program, the Secretary should require the 
     participant to contract for an independent audit of the 
     Program activities, including activities of any 
     subcontractor.
       ``(12) Tobacco.--No funds made available under the Market 
     Access Program may be used for activities to develop, 
     maintain, or expand foreign markets for tobacco.
       ``(c) Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program.--
       ``(1) Definition of eligible trade organization.--In this 
     subsection, the term `eligible trade organization' means a 
     United States trade organization that--
       ``(A) promotes the export of 1 or more United States 
     agricultural commodities; and
       ``(B) does not have a business interest in or receive 
     remuneration from specific sales of agricultural commodities.
       ``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and, in 
     cooperation with eligible trade organizations, carry out a 
     program to be known as the `Foreign Market Development 
     Cooperator Program' to maintain and develop foreign markets 
     for United States agricultural commodities.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--Funds made available to carry out this 
     subsection shall be used only to provide--
       ``(A) cost-share assistance to an eligible trade 
     organization under a contract or agreement with the eligible 
     trade organization; and
       ``(B) assistance for other costs that are appropriate to 
     carry out the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program, 
     including contingent liabilities that are not otherwise 
     funded.
       ``(d) E (Kika) De La Garza Emerging Markets Program.--
       ``(1) Definition of emerging market.--In this subsection, 
     the term `emerging market' means any country, foreign 
     territory, customs union, or other economic market that the 
     Secretary determines--
       ``(A) is taking steps toward a market-oriented economy 
     through the food, agriculture, or rural business sectors of 
     its economy; and

[[Page H9855]]

       ``(B) has the potential to provide a viable and significant 
     market for United States agricultural commodities.
       ``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and 
     carry out a program, to be known as the `E (Kika) de la Garza 
     Emerging Markets Program'--
       ``(A) to develop agricultural markets in emerging markets; 
     and
       ``(B) to promote cooperation and exchange of information 
     between agricultural institutions and agribusinesses in the 
     United States and emerging markets.
       ``(3) Development of agricultural systems.--
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Implementation.--To develop, maintain, or expand 
     markets for exports of United States agricultural 
     commodities, the Secretary shall make available to emerging 
     markets the expertise of the United States--

       ``(I) to make assessments of food and rural business 
     systems needs;
       ``(II) to make recommendations on measures necessary to 
     enhance the effectiveness of the food and rural business 
     systems described in subclause (I), including potential 
     reductions in trade barriers; and
       ``(III) to identify and carry out specific opportunities 
     and projects to enhance the effectiveness of the food and 
     rural business systems described in subclause (I).

       ``(ii) Extent of program.--The Secretary shall implement 
     this subparagraph with respect to at least 3 emerging markets 
     in each fiscal year.
       ``(B) Experts from the united states.--The Secretary may 
     implement subparagraph (A) by providing--
       ``(i) assistance to teams (consisting primarily of 
     agricultural consultants, agricultural producers, other 
     persons from the private sector, and government officials 
     expert in assessing the food and rural business systems of 
     other countries) to enable those teams to conduct the 
     assessments, make the recommendations, and identify the 
     opportunities and projects described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
     in emerging markets;
       ``(ii) for necessary subsistence and transportation 
     expenses of--

       ``(I) United States food and rural business system experts, 
     including United States agricultural producers and other 
     United States individuals knowledgeable in agricultural and 
     agribusiness matters, to enable such United States food and 
     rural business system experts to assist in transferring 
     knowledge and expertise to entities from emerging markets; 
     and
       ``(II) individuals designated by emerging markets to enable 
     such designated individuals to consult with such United 
     States experts to enhance food and rural business systems of 
     such emerging markets and to transfer knowledge and expertise 
     to such emerging markets.

       ``(C) Cost-sharing.--The Secretary shall encourage the 
     nongovernmental experts described in subparagraph (B) to 
     share the costs of, and otherwise assist in, the 
     participation of those experts in the E (Kika) de la Garza 
     Emerging Markets Program.
       ``(D) Technical assistance.--The Secretary is authorized to 
     provide, or pay the necessary costs for, technical assistance 
     (including the establishment of extension services) to enable 
     individuals or other entities to carry out recommendations, 
     projects, and opportunities in emerging markets, including 
     recommendations, projects, and opportunities described in 
     subclauses (II) and (III) of subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(E) Reports to secretary.--A team that receives 
     assistance under subparagraph (B)(i) shall prepare and submit 
     to the Secretary such reports as the Secretary may require.
       ``(F) Advisory committee.--To provide the Secretary with 
     information that may be useful to the Secretary in carrying 
     out this subsection, the Secretary may establish an advisory 
     committee composed of representatives of the various sectors 
     of the food and rural business systems of the United States.
       ``(G) Effect.--The authority provided under this subsection 
     shall be in addition to and not in place of any other 
     authority of the Secretary or the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation.
       ``(e) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     establish an export assistance program, in this subsection 
     referred to as the `program', to address existing or 
     potential unique barriers that prohibit or threaten the 
     export of United States specialty crops.
       ``(2) Purpose.--The program shall provide direct assistance 
     through public and private sector projects and technical 
     assistance, including through the program under section 2(e) 
     of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(e)), to remove, resolve, or mitigate 
     existing or potential sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical 
     barriers to trade.
       ``(3) Priority.--The program shall address time sensitive 
     and strategic market access projects based on--
       ``(A) trade effect on market retention, market access, and 
     market expansion; and
       ``(B) trade impact.
       ``(4) Multiyear projects.--The Secretary may provide 
     assistance under the program to a project for longer than a 
     5-year period if the Secretary determines that further 
     assistance would effectively support the purpose described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(5) Outreach and technical assistance.--The Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(A) conduct outreach to inform eligible organizations of 
     the requirements of the program and the process by which such 
     organizations may submit proposals for funding;
       ``(B) provide technical assistance to eligible 
     organizations to assist in developing proposals and complying 
     with the requirements of the program; and
       ``(C) solicit input from eligible organizations on 
     improvements to streamline and facilitate the provision of 
     assistance under this subsection.
       ``(6) Regulations and procedures.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Secretary shall review program regulations, procedures, and 
     guidelines for assistance under this subsection and make 
     revisions to streamline, improve, and clarify the 
     application, approval and compliance processes for such 
     assistance, including revisions to implement the requirements 
     of paragraph (5).
       ``(B) Considerations.--In reviewing and making revisions 
     under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider--
       ``(i) establishing accountability standards that are 
     appropriate for the size and scope of a project; and
       ``(ii) establishing streamlined application and approval 
     processes, including for smaller-scale projects or projects 
     to address time-sensitive trade barriers.
       ``(7) Annual report.--Each year, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that 
     contains, for the period covered by the report, a description 
     of--
       ``(A) each factor that affects the export of specialty 
     crops, including each factor relating to any--
       ``(i) significant sanitary or phytosanitary issue;
       ``(ii) trade barrier; or
       ``(iii) emerging sanitary or phytosanitary issue or trade 
     barrier; and
       ``(B)(i) any funds provided under subsection (f)(3)(A)(iv) 
     that were not obligated in a fiscal year; and
       ``(ii) the reason such funds were not obligated.
       ``(f) Funding and Administration.--
       ``(1) Commodity credit corporation.--The Secretary shall 
     use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation to carry out this section.
       ``(2) Funding amount.--For each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023, of the funds of, or an equal value of 
     commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
     Secretary shall use to carry out this section $255,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended.
       ``(3) Allocation.--
       ``(A) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023, the Secretary shall allocate funds to carry out this 
     section in accordance with the following:
       ``(i) Market access program.--For market access activities 
     authorized under subsection (b), of the funds of, or an equal 
     value of commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, not less than $200,000,000 for each fiscal year.
       ``(ii) Foreign market development cooperator program.--To 
     carry out subsection (c), of the funds of, or an equal value 
     of commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
     not less than $34,500,000 for each fiscal year.
       ``(iii) E (kika) de la garza emerging markets program.--To 
     provide assistance under subsection (d), of the funds of, or 
     an equal value of commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, not more than $8,000,000 for each fiscal year.
       ``(iv) Technical assistance for specialty crops.--To carry 
     out subsection (e), of the funds of, or an equal value of the 
     commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
     $9,000,000 for each fiscal year.
       ``(v) Priority trade fund.--

       ``(I) In general.--In addition to the amounts allocated 
     under clauses (i) through (iv), and notwithstanding any 
     limitations in those clauses, as determined by the Secretary, 
     for 1 or more programs under this section for authorized 
     activities to access, develop, maintain, and expand markets 
     for United States agricultural commodities, $3,500,000 for 
     each fiscal year.
       ``(II) Considerations.--In allocating funds made available 
     under subclause (I), the Secretary may consider providing a 
     greater allocation to 1 or more programs under this section 
     for which the amounts requested under applications exceed 
     available funding for the 1 or more programs.

       ``(B) Reallocation.--Any funds allocated under clauses (i) 
     through (iv) of subparagraph (A) that remain unobligated one 
     year after the end of the fiscal year in which they are first 
     made available shall be reallocated to the priority trade 
     fund under subparagraph (A)(v). To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall allocate such reallocated 
     funds to support exports of those types of United States 
     agricultural commodities eligible for assistance under the 
     program for which the funds were originally allocated under 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(4) Cuba.--Notwithstanding section 908 of the Trade 
     Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 
     U.S.C. 7207) or any other provision of law, funds made 
     available under this section may be used to carry out the 
     programs authorized under subsections (b) and (c) in Cuba. 
     Funds may not be used as described in the previous sentence 
     in contravention with directives set forth under the National 
     Security Presidential Memorandum entitled `Strengthening the 
     Policy of the United States Toward Cuba' issued by the 
     President on June 16, 2017, during the period in which that 
     memorandum is in effect.
       ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to any 
     other amounts provided under this subsection, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
     carry out the programs and authorities under paragraph 
     (3)(A)(v) and subsections (b) through (e).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Market access program.--

[[Page H9856]]

       (A) Section 211 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 
     U.S.C. 5641) is amended by striking subsection (c).
       (B) Section 402(a)(1) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 
     (7 U.S.C. 5662(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``203'' and 
     inserting ``203(b)''.
       (C) Section 282(f)(2)(C) of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
     of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1638a(f)(2)(C)) is amended by striking 
     ``section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 
     5623)'' and inserting ``section 203(b) of the Agricultural 
     Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623(b))''.
       (D) Section 718 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
     and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
     Act, 1999 (7 U.S.C. 5623 note; Public Law 105-277) is amended 
     by striking ``section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 
     1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623)'' and inserting ``section 203(b) of the 
     Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623(b)''.
       (E) Section 1302 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
     of 1993 is repealed.
       (2) Foreign market development cooperator program.--Title 
     VII of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5721 et 
     seq.) is repealed.
       (3) E (kika) de la garza emerging markets program.--
       (A) Section 1542 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
     and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C 5622 note; Public Law 101-624) 
     is amended--
       (i) by striking subsection (d);
       (ii) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
     subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and
       (iii) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)--

       (I) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``country'' and inserting ``country, foreign territory, 
     customs union, or other economic market''; and
       (II) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the economy of the 
     country'' and inserting ``its economy''.

       (B) Section 1543(b)(5) of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3293(b)(5)) is 
     amended by striking ``section 1542(f)'' and inserting 
     ``section 1542(e)''.
       (C) Section 1543A(c)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5679(c)(2)) is 
     amended by inserting ``and section 203(d) of the Agricultural 
     Trade Act of 1978'' after ``section 1542''.
       (4) Technical assistance for specialty crops.--Section 3205 
     of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 
     U.S.C. 5680) is repealed.

               Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws

     SEC. 3301. GROWING AMERICAN FOOD EXPORTS.

       Section 1543A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5679) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting ``or new 
     agricultural production technologies'' after 
     ``biotechnology''; and
       (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``$6,000,000'' and all 
     that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     ``$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 3302. FOOD FOR PROGRESS ACT OF 1985.

       Section 1110 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (also known 
     as the Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``President'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``Secretary'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (5)--
       (i) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); 
     and
       (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(F) a college or university (as such terms are defined in 
     section 1404(4) of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3103(4)); and''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(10) Rate of return.--For purposes of applying subsection 
     (j)(3), the rate of return for an eligible commodity shall be 
     equal to the proportion that--
       ``(A) the proceeds eligible entities generate through 
     monetization of such commodity, bears to
       ``(B) the cost to the Federal Government to procure and 
     ship the commodity to the country where it is monetized.
       ``(11) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.'';
       (3) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (4) in subsection (g), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023'';
       (5) in subsection (j)(3)--
       (A) by striking ``December 1'' and inserting ``April 1'';
       (B) by striking ``of the Senate a list of programs'' and 
     inserting ``of the Senate--
       ``(A) a list of programs'';
       (C) by striking ``approved to date for the fiscal year'' 
     and inserting ``approved during the prior fiscal year'';
       (D) by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
     semicolon; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(B) a description of the actual rate of return for each 
     commodity made available under this section for the previous 
     fiscal year including--
       ``(i) factors that influenced the rate of return; and
       ``(ii) with respect to the commodity, the costs of bagging 
     or further processing, ocean transportation, inland 
     transportation, storage costs, and any other information that 
     the Secretary determines to be necessary; and
       ``(C) for each instance in which a commodity was made 
     available under this section at a rate of return less than 70 
     percent, an explanation for the rate of return realized.''.
       (6) in subsection (k), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023'';
       (7) in subsection (l)(1), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (8) in the heading of subsection (m), by striking 
     ``Presidential'' and inserting ``Secretarial'';
       (9) in subsection (o), by striking ``(acting through the 
     Secretary)'';
       (10) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ``subparagraphs (C) 
     and (F)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (C) and (G)''; and
       (11) by adding at the end the following new subsection:.
       ``(p) Pilot Agreements.--
       ``(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023, subject to the availability of appropriations pursuant 
     to the authorization in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall 
     enter into 1 or more pilot agreements with 1 or more eligible 
     entities through which the Secretary shall provide financial 
     assistance to the eligible entities to carry out activities 
     consistent with subsection (l)(4)(A).
       ``(2) Report required.--In each of fiscal years 2020 
     through 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives and Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     describing, with respect to the previous fiscal year--
       ``(A) the amount provided to eligible entities under each 
     pilot agreement pursuant to paragraph (1) and how the funds 
     were used;
       ``(B) the activities carried out under each pilot 
     agreement;
       ``(C) the number of direct and indirect beneficiaries of 
     those activities; and
       ``(D) the effectiveness of the pilot agreements, including 
     as applicable the impact on food security and agricultural 
     productivity.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out pilot agreements pursuant to 
     this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.''.

     SEC. 3303. BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST ACT.

       Section 302 of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1736f-1) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(i), by striking ``2018'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``2023''; and
       (2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2018'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 3304. PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO EMERGING 
                   MARKETS.

       Section 1542(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5622 note; Public Law 101-624) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 3305. COCHRAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

       Section 1543 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3293) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``for study in the 
     United States.'' and inserting the following: ``for study--
       ``(1) in the United States; or
       ``(2) at a college or university located in an eligible 
     country that the Secretary determines--
       ``(A) has sufficient scientific and technical facilities;
       ``(B) has established a partnership with at least one 
     college or university in the United States; and
       ``(C) has substantial participation by faculty members of 
     the United States college or university in the design of the 
     fellowship curriculum and classroom instruction under the 
     fellowship.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(which may include 
     agricultural extension services)'' after ``systems''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``enhance trade'' and inserting the 
     following: ``enhance--
       ``(A) trade'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated) by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) linkages between agricultural interests in the United 
     States and regulatory systems governing sanitary and 
     phytosanitary standards for agricultural products that--
       ``(i) may enter the United States; and
       ``(ii) may pose risks to human, animal, or plant life or 
     health.''; and
       (3) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$3,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$4,000,000'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$2,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$3,000,000''; and
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$5,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$6,000,000''.

     SEC. 3306. BORLAUG INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND 
                   TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

       Section 1473G of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319j) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``shall support'' and inserting ``support'';
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) the development of agricultural extension services in 
     eligible countries.''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Leveraging alumni engagement.--In carrying out the 
     purposes and programs under this section, the Secretary shall 
     encourage ongoing engagement with fellowship recipients who 
     have completed training under the program to provide advice 
     regarding, and participate in, new or ongoing agricultural 
     development projects, with a priority for capacity-building 
     projects.''.

[[Page H9857]]

  


     SEC. 3307. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Fellowship Program Establishment.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a fellowship program to be known as the 
     International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program to 
     provide fellowships to citizens of the United States to 
     assist eligible countries in developing school-based 
     agricultural education and youth extension programs.
       (b) Eligible Country Described.--For purposes of this 
     section, an eligible country is a developing country, as 
     determined by the Secretary using a gross national income per 
     capita test selected by the Secretary.
       (c) Purpose of Fellowships.--The goals of providing a 
     fellowship under this section are to--
       (1) develop globally minded United States agriculturists 
     with experience living abroad;
       (2) focus on meeting the food and fiber needs of the 
     domestic population of eligible countries; and
       (3) strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible 
     countries and the United States agricultural industry.
       (d) Eligible Candidates.--The Secretary may provide 
     fellowships to citizens of the United States who--
       (1) hold at least a bachelors degree in an agricultural 
     related field of study; and
       (2) have an understanding of United States school-based 
     agricultural education and youth extension programs, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       (e) Candidate Identification.--The Secretary shall consult 
     with the National FFA Organization, the National 4-H Council, 
     and other entities as the Secretary determines are 
     appropriate to identify candidates for fellowships.
       (f) Program Implementation.--The Secretary shall provide 
     for the management, coordination, evaluation, and monitoring 
     of the Fellowship Program, except that the Secretary may 
     contract out the management of the fellowship program to an 
     outside organization with experience in implementing 
     fellowship programs focused on building capacity for school-
     based agricultural education and youth extension programs in 
     developing countries.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023.
       (2) Duration.--Any funds made available under this 
     subsection shall remain available until expended.

     SEC. 3308. INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
     is amended by inserting after section 1543A (7 U.S.C. 5679) 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 1543B. INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY TECHNICAL 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       ``(a) Definition of International Food Security.--In this 
     section, the term `international food security' means access 
     by any person at any time to food and nutrition that is 
     sufficient for a healthy and productive life.
       ``(b) Collection of Information.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') 
     shall compile information from appropriate mission areas of 
     the Department of Agriculture (including the Food, Nutrition, 
     and Consumer Services mission area) relating to the 
     improvement of international food security.
       ``(c) Public Availability.--To benefit programs for the 
     improvement of international food security, the Secretary 
     shall organize the information described in subsection (b) 
     and make the information available in a format suitable for--
       ``(1) public education; and
       ``(2) use by--
       ``(A) a Federal, State, or local agency;
       ``(B) an agency or instrumentality of the government of a 
     foreign country;
       ``(C) a domestic or international organization, including a 
     domestic or international nongovernmental organization; and
       ``(D) an intergovernmental organization.
       ``(d) Technical Assistance.--On request by an entity 
     described in subsection (c)(2), the Secretary may provide 
     technical assistance to the entity to implement a program for 
     the improvement of international food security.
       ``(e) Program Priority.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to programs relating to the 
     development of food and nutrition safety net systems with a 
     focus on food insecure countries.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 3309. MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND 
                   CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM.

       Section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``that is'' and inserting the following: 
     ``that--
       ``(1) is'';
       (B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2)(A) is produced in and procured from--
       ``(i) a developing country that is a recipient country; or
       ``(ii) a developing country in the same region as a 
     recipient country; and
       ``(B) at a minimum, meets each nutritional, quality, and 
     labeling standard of the recipient country, as determined by 
     the Secretary.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)--
       (A) in clause (v)(IV), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii); and
       (C) by inserting after clause (v) the following:
       ``(vi) the costs associated with transporting the 
     commodities described in subsection (a)(2) from a developing 
     country described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of that subsection 
     to any designated point of entry within the recipient 
     country; and'';
       (3) in subsection (f)(1)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
     subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) ensure to the maximum extent practicable that 
     assistance--
       ``(i) is provided under this section in a timely manner; 
     and
       ``(ii) is available when needed throughout the applicable 
     school year;''; and
       (4) in subsection (l)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Purchase of commodities.--Of the funds made available 
     to carry out this section, not more than 10 percent shall be 
     used to purchase agricultural commodities described in 
     subsection (a)(2).''.

     SEC. 3310. GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST.

       Section 3202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (22 U.S.C. 2220a note; Public Law 110-246) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
       ``(b) United States Contribution Limit.--
       ``(1) In general.--The aggregate contributions of funds of 
     the Federal Government provided to the Trust shall not 
     exceed--
       ``(A) for the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, 25 
     percent of the total amount of funds contributed to the Trust 
     from all sources; and
       ``(B) subject to paragraph (2), effective beginning with 
     fiscal year 2019, 33 percent of the total amount of funds 
     contributed to the Trust from all sources.
       ``(2) Annual limitation.--The contributions of funds of the 
     Federal Government provided to the Trust shall not exceed 
     $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 3311. LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD AID PROCUREMENT PROJECTS.

       Section 3206(e)(1) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 1726c(e)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``to the Secretary'' after 
     ``appropriated''; and
       (2) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
     through 2023''.

     SEC. 3312. FOREIGN TRADE MISSIONS.

       (a) Tribal Representation on Trade Missions.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Tribal Advisory Committee established under subsection (b)(2) 
     of section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6921(b)(2)) (as added by section 12303(2)) (referred 
     to in this section as the ``Advisory Committee''), shall 
     seek--
       (A) to support the greater inclusion of Tribal agricultural 
     and food products in Federal trade-related activities; and
       (B) to increase the collaboration between Federal trade 
     promotion efforts and other Federal trade-related activities 
     in support of the greater inclusion sought under subparagraph 
     (A).
       (2) Interdepartmental coordination.--In carrying out 
     activities to increase the collaboration described in 
     paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall coordinate with--
       (A) the Secretary of Commerce;
       (B) the Secretary of State;
       (C) the Secretary of the Interior; and
       (D) the heads of any other relevant Federal agencies.
       (b) Report; Goals.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report 
     describing the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and 
     other Federal agencies under this section to--
       (A) the Advisory Committee;
       (B) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (D) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate;
       (E) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     of the Senate; and
       (F) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.
       (2) Goals.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish goals 
     for measuring, in an objective and quantifiable format, the 
     extent to which Indian Tribes and Tribal agricultural and 
     food products are included in the trade-related activities of 
     the Department of Agriculture.

                          TITLE IV--NUTRITION

         Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

     SEC. 4001. REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS.

       (a) Definition.--Section 3(o)(1) of the Food and Nutrition 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(o)(1)) is amended by striking ``or 
     house-to-house trade route'' and inserting ``, house-to-house 
     trade route, or online entity''.
       (b) Acceptance of Benefits.--Section 7(k) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(k)) is amended--
       (1) by striking the heading and inserting ``Acceptance of 
     Program Benefits Through Online Transactions'',
       (2) in paragraph (4) by striking subparagraph (C), and
       (3) by striking paragraph (5).

[[Page H9858]]

  


     SEC. 4002. RE-EVALUATION OF THRIFTY FOOD PLAN.

       Section 3(u) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2012(u)) is amended by inserting after the 1st 
     sentence the following:
     ``By 2022 and at 5-year intervals thereafter, the Secretary 
     shall re-evaluate and publish the market baskets of the 
     thrifty food plan based on current food prices, food 
     composition data, consumption patterns, and dietary 
     guidance.''.

     SEC. 4003. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
     of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) Administrative costs.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
     Secretary shall pay not less than 80 percent of 
     administrative costs and distribution costs on Indian 
     reservations as the Secretary determines necessary for 
     effective administration of such distribution by a State 
     agency or tribal organization.
       ``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary shall waive up to 100 percent 
     of the non-Federal share of the costs described in 
     subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(i) the tribal organization is financially unable to 
     provide a greater non-Federal share of the costs; or
       ``(ii) providing a greater non-Federal share of the costs 
     would be a substantial burden for the tribal organization.
       ``(C) Limitation.--The Secretary may not reduce any 
     benefits or services under the food distribution program on 
     Indian reservations under this subsection to any tribal 
     organization that is granted a waiver under subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Tribal contribution.--The Secretary may allow a 
     tribal organization to use funds provided to the tribal 
     organization through a Federal agency or other Federal 
     benefit to satisfy all or part of the non-Federal share of 
     the costs described in subparagraph (A) if that use is 
     otherwise consistent with the purpose of the funds.'',
       (2) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) in the heading by striking ``locally-grown'' and 
     inserting ``locally- and regionally-grown'',
       (B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``locally-grown'' and 
     inserting ``locally- and regionally-grown'',
       (C) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) in the heading by striking ``locally grown'' and 
     inserting ``locally- and regionally-grown'', and
       (ii) by striking ``locally-grown'' and inserting ``locally- 
     and regionally-grown'',
       (D) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
       ``(D) Purchase of foods.--In carrying out this paragraph, 
     the Secretary shall purchase or offer to purchase those 
     traditional foods that may be procured cost-effectively.'',
       (E) by striking subparagraph (E), and
       (F) in subparagraph (F)--
       (i) by striking ``(F)'' and inserting ``(E)'', and
       (ii) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'', and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) Availability of funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--Funds made available for a fiscal year 
     to carry out this subsection shall remain available for 
     obligation for a period of 2 fiscal years.
       ``(B) Administrative costs.--Funds made available for a 
     fiscal year to carry out paragraph (4) shall remain available 
     for obligation by the State agency or tribal organization for 
     a period of 2 fiscal years.''.
       (b) Demonstration Project for Tribal Organizations.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Demonstration project.--The term ``demonstration 
     project'' means the demonstration project established under 
     paragraph (2).
       (B) Food distribution program.--The term ``food 
     distribution program'' means the food distribution program on 
     Indian reservations carried out under section 4(b) of the 
     Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)).
       (C) Indian reservation.--The term ``Indian reservation'' 
     has the meaning given the term ``reservation'' in section 3 
     of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012).
       (D) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
       (E) Self-determination contract.--The term ``self-
     determination contract'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
       (F) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012).
       (2) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration 
     project under which 1 or more tribal organizations may enter 
     into self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural 
     commodities under the food distribution program for the 
     Indian reservation of that tribal organization.
       (3) Eligibility.--
       (A) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Secretary of the Interior and Indian tribes to determine the 
     process and criteria under which a tribal organization may 
     participate in the demonstration project.
       (B) Criteria.--The Secretary shall select for participation 
     in the demonstration project tribal organizations that--
       (i) are successfully administering the food distribution 
     program of the tribal organization under section 4(b)(2)(B) 
     of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2013(b)(2)(B)),
       (ii) have the capacity to purchase agricultural commodities 
     in accordance with paragraph (4) for the food distribution 
     program of the tribal organization, and
       (iii) meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and Indian 
     tribes.
       (4) Procurement of agricultural commodities.--Any 
     agricultural commodities purchased by a tribal organization 
     under the demonstration project shall--
       (A) be domestically produced,
       (B) supplant, not supplement, the type of agricultural 
     commodities in existing food packages for that tribal 
     organization,
       (C) be of similar or higher nutritional value as the type 
     of agricultural commodities that would be supplanted in the 
     existing food package for that tribal organization, and
       (D) meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary.
       (5) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
     funds are appropriated under paragraph (6) and annually 
     thereafter, 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 describing the activities carried out under the 
     demonstration project during the preceding year.
       (6) Funding.--
       (A) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
     subsection $5,000,000, to remain available until expended.
       (B) Appropriations in advance.--Only funds appropriated 
     under subparagraph (A) in advance specifically to carry out 
     this subsection shall be available to carry out this 
     subsection.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3(v) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(v)) is amended by 
     striking ``the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b(b))'' and inserting ``section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304)''.

     SEC. 4004. SIMPLIFIED HOMELESS HOUSING COSTS.

       Section 5(e)(6)(D) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(D)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii), and
       (2) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
       ``(i) Alternative deduction.--The State agency shall allow 
     a deduction of $143 a month for households--

       ``(I) in which all members are homeless individuals;
       ``(II) that are not receiving free shelter throughout the 
     month; and
       ``(III) that do not opt to claim an excess shelter expense 
     deduction under subparagraph (A).

       ``(ii) Adjustment.--For fiscal year 2019 and each 
     subsequent fiscal year the amount of the homeless shelter 
     deduction specified in clause (i) shall be 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.''.

     SEC. 4005. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) Employment and Training Programs That Meet State and 
     Local Workforce Needs.--Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) in clause (i)--
       (i) by inserting ``, in consultation with the State 
     workforce development board, or, if the State demonstrates 
     that consultation with private employers or employer 
     organizations would be more effective or efficient, in 
     consultation with private employers or employer 
     organizations,'' after ``designed by the State agency'', and
       (ii) by striking ``that will increase their ability to 
     obtain regular employment.'' and inserting the following: 
     ``that will--

       ``(I) increase the ability of the household members to 
     obtain regular employment; and
       ``(II) meet State or local workforce needs.'', and

       (B) in clause (ii) by inserting ``and implemented to meet 
     the purposes of clause (i)'' after ``under this paragraph'',
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``case 
     management services such as comprehensive intake assessments, 
     individualized service plans, progress monitoring, or 
     coordination with service providers and'' after ``contains'',
       (B) in clause (iv) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) 
     as items (aa) and (bb), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately,
       (C) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vii) and clause 
     (viii) as subclauses (I) through (VII) and subclause (IX), 
     respectively, and indenting appropriately,
       (D) by striking subclause (I), as so redesignated, and 
     inserting the following:

       ``(I) Supervised job search programs that occur at State-
     approved locations at which the activities of participants 
     shall be directly supervised and the timing and activities of 
     participants tracked in accordance with guidelines issued by 
     the State.'',

       (E) in subclause (II), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``jobs skills assessments, job finding clubs, training in 
     techniques for'' and inserting ``employability assessments, 
     training in techniques to increase'',
       (F) in subclause (IV), as so redesignated, in the first 
     sentence, by inserting ``, including subsidized employment 
     and apprenticeships'' before the period at the end,
       (G) in subclause (VII), as so redesignated, by inserting 
     ``not less than 30 days but'' after ``period of'',
       (H) by inserting after subclause (VII), as so redesignated, 
     the following:

[[Page H9859]]

       ``(VIII) Programs and activities under clause (iv) of 
     section 16(h)(1)(F) that the Secretary determines, based on 
     results from the independent evaluations conducted under 
     clause (vii)(I) of such section, have the most demonstrable 
     impact on the ability of participants to find and retain 
     employment that leads to increased household income and 
     reduced reliance on public assistance.'',

       (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as so 
     redesignated--
       (i) by striking ``this subparagraph'' and inserting ``this 
     clause'', and
       (ii) by striking ``(B) For purposes of this Act, an'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(B) Definitions.--In this Act:
       ``(i) Employment and training program.--The term'', and
       (J) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Workforce partnership.--

       ``(I) In general.--The term `workforce partnership' means a 
     program that--

       ``(aa) is operated by--
       ``(AA) a private employer, an organization representing 
     private employers, or a nonprofit organization providing 
     services relating to workforce development; or
       ``(BB) an entity identified as an eligible provider of 
     training services under section 122(d) of the Workforce 
     Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d));
       ``(bb) the Secretary certifies, or the State agency 
     certifies to the Secretary--
       ``(AA) subject to subparagraph (N)(ii), would assist 
     participants who are members of households participating in 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program in gaining 
     high-quality, work-relevant skills, training, work, or 
     experience that will increase the ability of the participants 
     to obtain regular employment;
       ``(BB) subject to subparagraph (N)(ii), would provide 
     participants with not less than 20 hours per week of 
     training, work, or experience under subitem (AA);
       ``(CC) would not use any funds authorized to be 
     appropriated by this Act;
       ``(DD) would provide sufficient information, on request by 
     the State agency, for the State agency to determine that 
     participants who are members of households participating in 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program are fulfilling 
     any applicable work requirement under this subsection or 
     subsection (o);
       ``(EE) would be willing to serve as a reference for 
     participants who are members of households participating in 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program for future 
     employment or work-related programs; and
       ``(FF) meets any other criteria established by the 
     Secretary, on the condition that the Secretary shall not 
     establish any additional criteria that would impose 
     significant paperwork burdens on the workforce partnership; 
     and
       ``(cc) is in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act 
     of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), if applicable.

       ``(II) Inclusion.--The term `workforce partnership' 
     includes a multistate program.'',

       (3) in subparagraph (E)--
       (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such 
     requirements'' and inserting the following:
       ``(ii) Variation.--The requirements under clause (i)'',
       (B) by striking ``(E) Each State'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(E) Requirements for participation for certain 
     individuals.--
       ``(i) In general.--Each State'', and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) Application to workforce partnerships.--To the 
     extent that a State agency requires an individual to 
     participate in an employment and training program, the State 
     agency shall consider an individual participating in a 
     workforce partnership to be in compliance with the employment 
     and training requirements.'',
       (4) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``(B)(v)'' and 
     inserting ``(B)(i)(V)'', and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(N) Workforce partnerships.--
       ``(i) Certification.--In certifying that a program meets 
     the requirements of subitems (AA) and (BB) of subparagraph 
     (B)(ii)(I)(bb) to be certified as a workforce partnership, 
     the Secretary or the State agency shall require that the 
     program submit to the Secretary or State agency sufficient 
     information that describes--

       ``(I) the services and activities of the program that would 
     provide participants with not less than 20 hours per week of 
     training, work, or experience under those subitems; and
       ``(II) how the program would provide services and 
     activities described in subclause (I) that would directly 
     enhance the employability or job readiness of the 
     participant.

       ``(ii) Supplement, not supplant.--A State agency may use a 
     workforce partnership to supplement, not to supplant, the 
     employment and training program of the State agency.
       ``(iii) Participation.--A State agency--

       ``(I) shall--

       ``(aa) maintain a list of workforce partnerships certified 
     under subparagraph (B)(ii)(I)(bb); and
       ``(bb) not less frequently than at certification and 
     recertification, provide to a household member subject to 
     work requirements under subsection (d)(1) or subsection (o), 
     electronically or by other means, the list described in item 
     (aa); but

       ``(II) may not require any member of a household 
     participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
     program to participate in a workforce partnership.

       ``(iv) Effect.--

       ``(I) In general.--A workforce partnership shall not 
     replace the employment or training of an individual not 
     participating in the workforce partnership.
       ``(II) Selection.--Nothing in this subsection or subsection 
     (o) affects the criteria or screening process for selecting 
     participants by a workforce partnership.

       ``(v) Limitation on reporting requirements.--In carrying 
     out this subparagraph, the Secretary and each applicable 
     State agency shall limit the reporting requirements of a 
     workforce partnership to--

       ``(I) on notification that an individual is receiving 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, notifying 
     the applicable State agency that the individual is 
     participating in the workforce partnership;
       ``(II) identifying participants who have completed or are 
     no longer participating in the workforce partnership;
       ``(III) identifying changes to the workforce partnership 
     that result in the workforce partnership no longer meeting 
     the certification requirements of the Secretary or the State 
     agency under subparagraph (B)(ii)(I)(bb); and
       ``(IV) providing sufficient information, on request by the 
     State agency, for the State agency to verify that a 
     participant is fulfilling any applicable work requirements 
     under this subsection or subsection (o).

       ``(O) Referral of certain individuals.--
       ``(i) In general.--In accordance with such regulations as 
     may be issued by the Secretary, with respect to any 
     individual who is not eligible for an exemption under 
     paragraph (2) and who is determined by the operator of an 
     employment and training program component to be ill-suited to 
     participate in that employment and training program 
     component, the State agency shall--

       ``(I) refer the individual to an appropriate employment and 
     training program component;
       ``(II) refer the individual to an appropriate workforce 
     partnership, if available;
       ``(III) reassess the physical and mental fitness of the 
     individual under paragraph (1)(A); or
       ``(IV) to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate with 
     other Federal, State, or local workforce or assistance 
     programs to identify work opportunities or assistance for the 
     individual.

       ``(ii) Process.--In carrying out clause (i), the State 
     agency shall ensure that an individual undergoing and 
     complying with the process established under that clause 
     shall not be found to have refused without good cause to 
     participate in an employment and training program.''.
       (b) Work Requirements.--Section 6(o) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the end,
       (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``job search program or 
     a job search training program.'' and inserting ``supervised 
     job search program or job search training program;'', and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) a program of employment and training for veterans 
     operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and approved by the Secretary; and
       ``(E) a workforce partnership under subsection 
     (d)(4)(N).'',
       (2) in paragraph (4)(A) by inserting ``and with the support 
     of the chief executive officer of the State'' after 
     ``agency'', and
       (3) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) in the heading by striking ``15-percent exemption'' and 
     inserting ``Exemptions'',
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``(G)'' and inserting 
     ``(H)'',
       (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``(E) and (G)'' and 
     inserting ``(F) and (H)'' ,
       (D) in subparagraph (D)--
       (i) in the heading by striking ``Subsequent fiscal years'' 
     and inserting ``Fiscal years 1999 through 2019'',
       (ii) by striking ``(E) through (G)'' and inserting ``(F) 
     through (H)'', and
       (iii) by striking ``year,'' and inserting ``year through 
     fiscal year 2019,'',
       (E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``or (D)'' and 
     inserting ``, (D), or (E)'',
       (F) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) as 
     subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), respectively, and
       (G) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) Subsequent fiscal years.--Subject to subparagraphs 
     (F) through (H), for fiscal year 2020 and each subsequent 
     fiscal year, a State agency may provide a number of 
     exemptions such that the average monthly number of exemptions 
     in effect during the fiscal year does not exceed 12 percent 
     of the number of covered individuals in the State, as 
     estimated by the Secretary under subparagraph (C), adjusted 
     by the Secretary to reflect changes in the State's caseload 
     and the Secretary's estimate of changes in the proportion of 
     members of households that receive supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program benefits covered by waivers granted under 
     paragraph (4).''.
       (c) State Plans.--Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act 
     of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)(19) by inserting ``the extent to 
     which such programs will be carried out in coordination with 
     the activities carried out under title I of the Workforce 
     Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.),'' 
     before ``and the basis,'', and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(w) For households containing at least one adult, with no 
     elderly or disabled members and with no earned income at 
     their last certification or required report, a State agency 
     shall, at the time of recertification, be required to advise 
     members of the household not exempt under section 6(d)(2) 
     regarding available employment and training services.''.
       (d) Funding of Employment and Training Programs.--Section 
     16(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2025(h)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``$90,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$103,900,000'',

[[Page H9860]]

       (B) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) in clause (i) by inserting ``, subject to clauses (ii) 
     through (v),'' after ``(B), the Secretary'', and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) Priority.--The Secretary shall reallocate funds 
     under this subparagraph as follows:

       ``(I)(aa) Subject to items (bb) and (cc), not less than 50 
     percent shall be reallocated to State agencies requesting 
     such funds to conduct employment and training programs and 
     activities for which such State agencies had previously 
     received funding under subparagraph (F)(viii) that the 
     Secretary determines have the most demonstrable impact on the 
     ability of participants to find and retain employment that 
     leads to increased household income and reduced reliance on 
     public assistance.
       ``(bb) The Secretary shall base the determination under 
     item (aa) on--

       ``(AA) project results from the independent evaluations 
     conducted under subparagraph (F)(vii)(I); or
       ``(BB) if the project results from the independent 
     evaluations conducted under subparagraph (F)(vii)(I) are not 
     yet available, the reports under subparagraph (F)(vii)(II) or 
     other information relating to performance of the programs and 
     activities funded under subparagraph (F)(viii).

       ``(cc) Employment and training activities funded under this 
     subclause are not subject to subparagraph (F)(vii), but are 
     subject to monitoring under paragraph (h)(5).
       ``(II) Not less than 30 percent shall be reallocated to 
     State agencies requesting such funds to implement or continue 
     employment and training programs and activities under section 
     6(d)(4)(B)(i) that the Secretary determines have the most 
     demonstrable impact on the ability of participants to find 
     and retain employment that leads to increased household 
     income and reduced reliance on public assistance, including 
     programs and activities that are targeted to--

       ``(aa) individuals 50 years of age or older;
       ``(bb) formerly incarcerated individuals;
       ``(cc) individuals participating in a substance abuse 
     treatment program;
       ``(dd) homeless individuals;
       ``(ee) people with disabilities seeking to enter the 
     workforce;
       ``(ff) other individuals with substantial barriers to 
     employment; or
       ``(gg) households facing multi-generational poverty, to 
     support employment and workforce participation through an 
     integrated and family-focused approach in providing 
     supportive services.

       ``(III) The Secretary shall reallocate any remaining funds 
     available under this subparagraph, to State agencies 
     requesting such funds to use for employment and training 
     programs and activities that the Secretary determines have 
     the most demonstrable impact on the ability of participants 
     to find and retain employment that leads to increased 
     household income and reduced reliance on public assistance 
     under section 6(d)(4)(B)(i).

       ``(v) Consideration.--In reallocating funds under this 
     subparagraph, a State agency that receives reallocated funds 
     under clause (iv)(I) may also be considered for reallocated 
     funding under clause (iv)(II).'', and
       (C) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``$50,000'' and 
     inserting ``$100,000'', and
       (2) in paragraph (5)(B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(v) State option.--The State agency may report relevant 
     data from a workforce partnership carried out under section 
     6(d)(4)(N) to demonstrate the number of program participants 
     served by the workforce partnership.''.
       (e) Expired Authority.--Section 17(b) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2), and
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).

     SEC. 4006. IMPROVEMENTS TO ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER 
                   SYSTEM.

       (a) EBT Portability.--Section 7(f)(5) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(f)(5)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Operation of individual point of sale device by 
     farmers' markets and direct marketing farmers.--A farmers' 
     market or direct marketing farmer that is exempt under 
     paragraph (2)(B)(i) shall be allowed to operate an individual 
     electronic benefit transfer point of sale device at more than 
     1 location under the same supplemental nutrition assistance 
     program authorization, if--
       ``(i) the farmers' market or direct marketing farmer 
     provides to the Secretary information on location and hours 
     of operation at each location; and
       ``(ii)(I) the point of sale device used by the farmers' 
     market or direct marketing farmer is capable of providing 
     location information of the device through the electronic 
     benefit transfer system; or
       ``(II) if the Secretary determines that the technology is 
     not available for a point of sale device to meet the 
     requirement under subclause (I), the farmers' market or 
     direct marketing farmer provides to the Secretary any other 
     information, as determined by the Secretary, necessary to 
     ensure the integrity of transactions processed using the 
     point of sale device.''.
       (b) Modernization of Electronic Benefit Transfer 
     Regulations.--The 1st sentence of section 7(h)(2) of the Food 
     and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(2)) is amended by 
     inserting ``and shall periodically review such regulations 
     and modify such regulations to take into account evolving 
     technology and comparable industry standards'' before the 
     period at the end.
       (c) Benefit Recovery.--Section 7(h)(12) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(12)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, or due to the 
     death of all members of the household'' after ``inactivity'', 
     and
       (2) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) Benefit storage.--
       ``(i) In general.--A State agency may store recovered 
     electronic benefits off-line in accordance with clause (ii), 
     if the household has not accessed the account after 3 months.
       ``(ii) Notice of benefit storage.--A State agency shall--

       ``(I) send notice to a household the benefits of which are 
     stored under clause (i); and
       ``(II) not later than 48 hours after request by the 
     household, make the stored benefits available to the 
     household.

       ``(C) Benefit expunging.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), a State agency 
     shall expunge benefits that have not been accessed by a 
     household after a period of 9 months, or upon verification 
     that all members of the household are deceased.
       ``(ii) Notice of benefit expunging.--Not later than 30 days 
     before benefits are to be expunged under clause (i), a State 
     agency shall--

       ``(I) provide sufficient notice to the household that 
     benefits will be expunged due to inactivity, and the date 
     upon which benefits will be expunged;
       ``(II) for benefits stored off-line in accordance with 
     subparagraph (B), provide the household an opportunity to 
     request that such benefits be restored to the household; and
       ``(III) not later than 48 hours after request by the 
     household, make the benefits available to the household.''.

       (d) Prohibited Fees.--Section 7 of the Food and Nutrition 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (h)(13) to read as follows:
       ``(13) Fees.--
       ``(A) Interchange fees.--No interchange fees shall apply to 
     electronic benefit transfer transactions under this 
     subsection.
       ``(B) Other fees.--Effective through fiscal year 2023, 
     neither a State, nor any agent, contractor, or subcontractor 
     of a State who facilitates the provision of supplemental 
     nutrition assistance program benefits in such State may 
     impose a fee for switching (as defined in subsection 
     (j)(1)(H)) or routing such benefits.'', and
       (2) by amending subsection (j)(1)(H) to read as follows:
       ``(H) Switching.--The term `switching' means the routing of 
     an intrastate or interstate transaction that consists of 
     transmitting the details of a transaction electronically 
     recorded through the use of an electronic benefit transfer 
     card in one State to the issuer of the card that may be in 
     the same or different State.''.
       (e) Mobile Technologies.--Section 7(h)(14) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(14)) is amended--
       (1) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
     Secretary shall authorize the use of mobile technologies for 
     the purpose of accessing supplemental nutrition assistance 
     program benefits.'',
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking the heading and inserting ``Demonstration 
     projects on access of benefits through mobile technologies'',
       (B) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
       ``(i) Demonstration projects.--Before authorizing 
     implementation of subparagraph (A) in all States, the 
     Secretary shall approve not more than 5 demonstration project 
     proposals submitted by State agencies that will pilot the use 
     of mobile technologies for supplemental nutrition assistance 
     program benefits access.'',
       (C) in clause (ii)--
       (i) in the heading by striking ``Demonstration projects'' 
     and inserting ``Project requirements'',
       (ii) by striking ``retail food store'' the first place it 
     appears and inserting ``State agency'',
       (iii) by striking ``includes'',
       (iv) by striking subclauses (I), (II), (III), and (IV), and 
     inserting the following:

       ``(I) provides recipient protections regarding privacy, 
     ease of use, household access to benefits, and support 
     similar to the protections provided under existing methods;
       ``(II) ensures that all recipients, including those without 
     access to mobile payment technology and those who shop across 
     State borders, have a means of benefit access;
       ``(III) requires retail food stores, unless exempt under 
     section 7(f)(2)(B), to bear the costs of acquiring and 
     arranging for the implementation of point-of-sale equipment 
     and supplies for the redemption of benefits that are accessed 
     through mobile technologies;
       ``(IV) requires that foods purchased with benefits issued 
     under this section through mobile technologies are purchased 
     at a price not higher than the price of the same food 
     purchased by other methods used by the retail food store, as 
     determined by the Secretary;
       ``(V) ensures adequate documentation for each authorized 
     transaction, adequate security measures to deter fraud, and 
     adequate access to retail food stores that accept benefits 
     accessed through mobile technologies, as determined by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(VI) provides for an evaluation of the demonstration 
     project, including, but not limited to, an evaluation of 
     household access to benefits;
       ``(VII) requires that the State demonstration projects are 
     voluntary for all retail food stores and that all recipients 
     are able to use benefits in non-participating retail food 
     stores; and
       ``(VIII) meets other criteria as established by the 
     Secretary.'',

       (D) by amending clause (iii) to read as follows:
       ``(iv) Date of project approval.--The Secretary shall 
     solicit and approve the qualifying demonstration projects 
     required under subparagraph (B)(i) not later than January 1, 
     2021.'', and

[[Page H9861]]

       (E) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
       ``(iii) Priority.--The Secretary may prioritize 
     demonstration project proposals that would--

       ``(I) reduce fraud;
       ``(II) encourage positive nutritional outcomes; and
       ``(III) meet such other criteria as determined by the 
     Secretary.'', and

       (3) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
       (A) by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2022'', and
       (B) by inserting ``requires further study by way of an 
     extended pilot period or'' after ``States'' the 2d place it 
     appears.
       (f) Approval of Retail Food Stores.--Section 9 of the Food 
     and Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2018) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) in the 4th sentence by striking ``No retail food 
     store'' and inserting the following:
       ``(D) Visit required.--No retail food store'',
       (B) in the 3d sentence by striking ``Approval'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(C) Certificate.--Approval'',
       (C) in the 2d sentence--
       (i) by striking ``food; and (D) the'' and inserting the 
     following: ``food;
       ``(iv) any information, if available, about the ability of 
     the anticipated or existing electronic benefit transfer 
     equipment and service provider of the applicant to provide 
     sufficient information through the electronic benefit 
     transfer system to minimize the risk of fraudulent 
     transactions; and
       ``(v) the'',
       (ii) by striking ``concern; (C) whether'' and inserting the 
     following: ``concern;
       ``(iii) whether'',
       (iii) by striking ``applicant; (B) the'' and inserting the 
     following: ``applicant;
       ``(ii) the'',
       (iv) by striking ``following: (A) the nature'' and 
     inserting the following: ``following:
       ``(i) the nature'', and
       (v) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so designated, 
     by striking ``In determining'' and inserting the following:
       ``(B) Factors for consideration.--In determining'', and
       (D) in the 1st sentence by striking ``(a)(1) Regulations'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Authorization to Accept and Redeem Benefits.--
       ``(1) Applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--Regulations'',
       (2) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Electronic benefit transfer equipment and service 
     providers.--Before implementing clause (iv) of paragraph 
     (1)(B), the Secretary shall issue guidance for retail food 
     stores on how to select electronic benefit transfer equipment 
     and service providers that are able to meet the requirements 
     of that clause.'', and
       (3) in the 1st sentence of subsection (c) by inserting 
     ``records relating to electronic benefit transfer equipment 
     and related services, transaction and redemption data 
     provided through the electronic benefit transfer system,'' 
     after ``purchase invoices,''.

     SEC. 4007. REVIEW OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE 
                   PROGRAM OPERATIONS.

       Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2018) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Review of Program Operations.--
       ``(1) Review by the secretary.--The Secretary--
       ``(A) shall review a representative sample of currently 
     authorized facilities referred to in section 3(k)(3) to 
     determine whether benefits are properly used by or on behalf 
     of participating households residing in such facilities and 
     whether such facilities are using more than 1 source of 
     Federal or State funding to meet the food needs of residents;
       ``(B) may carry out similar reviews for currently 
     participating residential drug and alcohol treatment and 
     rehabilitation programs, and group living arrangements for 
     the blind and disabled, referred to in section 3(k);
       ``(C) shall gather information, and such facilities, 
     programs, and arrangements shall be required to submit 
     information deemed necessary for a full and thorough review; 
     and
       ``(D) shall report the results of these reviews to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate not later than 18 months after the date of the 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, along 
     with recommendations regarding--
       ``(i) any additional requirements or oversight that would 
     be appropriate for such facilities, programs, and 
     arrangements; and
       ``(ii) whether such facilities, programs, and arrangements 
     should continue to be authorized to participate in the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program.
       ``(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
     authorize the Secretary to deny any application for continued 
     authorization, any application for authorization, or any 
     request to withdraw the authorization of any such facility, 
     program, or arrangement based on a determination that 
     residents of any such facility or entity are residents of an 
     institution for a period of 18 months from the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.''.

     SEC. 4008. RETAIL INCENTIVES.

       Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2018), as amended by section 4007, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(j) Incentives.--
       ``(1) Definition of eligible incentive food.--In this 
     subsection, the term `eligible incentive food' means--
       ``(A) a staple food that is identified for increased 
     consumption, consistent with the most recent dietary 
     recommendations; and
       ``(B) a fruit, vegetable, dairy, whole grain, or product 
     thereof.
       ``(2) Guidance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall issue guidance to 
     clarify the process by which an approved retail food store 
     may seek a waiver to offer an incentive, which may be used 
     only for the purchase of an eligible incentive food at the 
     point of purchase, to a household purchasing food with 
     benefits issued under this Act.
       ``(B) Guidance.--The guidance under subparagraph (A) shall 
     establish a process under which an approved retail food 
     store, prior to carrying out an incentive program under this 
     subsection, shall provide to the Secretary information 
     describing the incentive program, including--
       ``(i) the types of incentives that will be offered;
       ``(ii) the types of foods that will be incentivized for 
     purchase; and
       ``(iii) an explanation of how the incentive program intends 
     to support meeting dietary intake goals.
       ``(3) No limitation on benefits.--A waiver granted under 
     this subsection shall not be used to carry out any activity 
     that limits the use of benefits under this Act or any other 
     Federal nutrition law.
       ``(4) Effect.--Guidance provided under this subsection 
     shall not affect any requirements under section 4405 of the 
     Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517), 
     including the eligibility of a retail food store to 
     participate in a project funded under such section.
       ``(5) Report.--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 an annual report describing the types of incentives 
     approved under this subsection.''.

     SEC. 4009. REQUIRED ACTION ON DATA MATCH INFORMATION.

       Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2020(e)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (24) by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon,
       (2) in paragraph (25) by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and'', and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(26) that for a household participating in the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program, the State agency 
     shall pursue clarification and verification, if applicable, 
     of information relating to the circumstances of the household 
     received from data matches for the purpose of ensuring an 
     accurate eligibility and benefit determination, only if the 
     information--
       ``(A) appears to present significantly conflicting 
     information from the information that was used by the State 
     agency at the time of certification of the household;
       ``(B) is obtained from data matches carried out under 
     subsection (q), (r), or (x); or
       ``(C)(i) is less than 60 days old relative to the current 
     month of participation of the household; and
       ``(ii) if accurate, would have been required to be reported 
     by the household based on the reporting requirements assigned 
     to the household by the State agency under section 6(c).''.

     SEC. 4010. INCENTIVIZING TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION.

       Section 11(t) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2020(t)) is amended--
       (1) by striking the heading and inserting ``Grants for 
     Simplified Application and Eligibility Determination Systems 
     and Improved Access to Benefits'',
       (2) in paragraph (1) by striking ``implement--'' and all 
     that follows through the period at the end, and inserting 
     ``implement supplemental nutrition assistance program 
     simplified application and eligibility determination 
     systems.'', and
       (3) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) establishing enhanced technological methods that 
     improve the administrative infrastructure used in processing 
     applications and determining eligibility; or'',
       (B) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D), and
       (C) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (C).

     SEC. 4011. INTERSTATE DATA MATCHING TO PREVENT MULTIPLE 
                   ISSUANCES.

       Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2020), as amended by section 4005(c), is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(x) National Accuracy Clearinghouse.--
       ``(1) Definition of indication of multiple issuance.--In 
     this subsection, the term `indication of multiple issuance' 
     means an indication, based on a computer match, that 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits are being 
     issued to an individual by more than 1 State agency 
     simultaneously.
       ``(2) Establishment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
     interstate data system, to be known as the `National Accuracy 
     Clearinghouse', to prevent multiple issuances of supplemental 
     nutrition assistance program benefits to an individual by 
     more than 1 State agency simultaneously.
       ``(B) Data matching.--The Secretary shall require that 
     State agencies make available to the National Accuracy 
     Clearinghouse only such information as is necessary for the 
     purpose described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) Data protection.--The information made available by 
     State agencies under subparagraph (B)--
       ``(i) shall be used only for the purpose described in 
     subparagraph (A);
       ``(ii) shall be exempt from the disclosure requirements of 
     section 552(a) of title 5 of the United States Code pursuant 
     to section 552(b)(3) of title 5 of the United States Code, to 
     the extent such information is obtained or received by the 
     Secretary;

[[Page H9862]]

       ``(iii) shall not be retained for longer than is necessary 
     to accomplish the purpose in subparagraph (A);
       ``(iv) shall be used in a manner that protects the identity 
     and location of a vulnerable individual (including a victim 
     of domestic violence) that is an applicant for, or recipient 
     of, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and
       ``(v) shall meet security standards as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(3) Issuance of interim final regulations.--Not later 
     than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations (which shall include interim final regulations) 
     to carry out this subsection that--
       ``(A) incorporate best practices and lessons learned from 
     the pilot program under section 4032(c) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2036c(c));
       ``(B) require a State agency to take appropriate action, as 
     determined by the Secretary, with respect to each indication 
     of multiple issuance of supplemental nutrition assistance 
     program benefits, or each indication that an individual 
     receiving such benefits in 1 State has applied to receive 
     such benefits in another State, while ensuring timely and 
     fair service to applicants for, and recipients of, such 
     benefits;
       ``(C) establish standards to limit and protect the 
     information submitted through or retained by the National 
     Accuracy Clearinghouse consistent with paragraph (2)(C);
       ``(D) establish safeguards to protect--
       ``(i) the information submitted through or retained by the 
     National Accuracy Clearinghouse, including by limiting the 
     period of time that information is retained to the period 
     necessary to accomplish the purpose described in paragraph 
     (2)(A); and
       ``(ii) the privacy of information that is submitted through 
     or retained by the National Accuracy Clearinghouse consistent 
     with subsection (e)(8); and
       ``(E) include such other rules and standards the Secretary 
     determines appropriate to carry out this subsection.
       ``(4) Timing.--The initial match and corresponding actions 
     required by paragraph (3)(B) shall occur within 3 years after 
     the date of the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
     of 2018.''.

     SEC. 4012. REQUIREMENT OF LIVE-PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS FOR 
                   CERTAIN PILOT PROJECTS RELATING TO COST SHARING 
                   FOR COMPUTERIZATION.

       Section 16(g)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2025(g)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (F) by redesignating clauses (i) and 
     (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as 
     clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (3) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so 
     redesignated--
       (A) by striking ``paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraph (2)''; and
       (B) by striking ``in the planning'' and inserting the 
     following: ``in the--
       ``(A) planning'',
       (4) in clause (v), as so redesignated, of subparagraph (A), 
     as so designated, by striking ``implementation, including 
     through pilot projects in limited areas for major systems 
     changes as determined under rules promulgated by the 
     Secretary, data from which'' and inserting the following: 
     ``implementation, including a requirement that--

       ``(I) such testing shall be accomplished through pilot 
     projects in limited areas for major systems changes (as 
     determined under rules promulgated by the Secretary);
       ``(II) each pilot project described in subclause (I) that 
     is carried out before the implementation of a system shall be 
     conducted in a live-production environment; and
       ``(III) the data resulting from each pilot project carried 
     out under this clause'';

       (5) in clause (vi), as so redesignated, by striking the 
     period at end and inserting ``; and'', and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) operation of 1 or more automatic data processing and 
     information retrieval systems that the Secretary determines 
     may continue to be operated in accordance with clauses (i) 
     through (vii) of subparagraph (A).''.

     SEC. 4013. QUALITY CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS.

       (a) Records.--Section 11(a)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutrition 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(a)(3)(B)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Records described'' and inserting ``All 
     records, and the entire information systems in which records 
     are contained, that are covered'', and
       (2) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
       ``(i) be made available for inspection and audit by the 
     Secretary, subject to data and security protocols agreed to 
     by the State agency and Secretary;''.
       (b) Quality Control System.--Section 16(c)(1)(B) of the 
     Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(1)(B)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) Quality control system integrity.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Secretary shall issue interim final regulations that--

       ``(I) ensure that the quality control system established 
     under this subsection produces valid statistical results;
       ``(II) provide for oversight of contracts entered into by a 
     State agency for the purpose of improving payment accuracy;
       ``(III) ensure the accuracy of data collected under the 
     quality control system established under this subsection; and
       ``(IV) for each fiscal year, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, provide for the evaluation of the integrity of 
     the quality control process of not fewer than 2 State 
     agencies, selected in accordance with criteria determined by 
     the Secretary.

       ``(ii) Debarment.--In accordance with the nonprocurement 
     debarment procedures under part 417 of title 2, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or successor regulations, the Secretary 
     shall debar any person that, in carrying out the quality 
     control system established under this subsection, knowingly 
     submits, or causes to be submitted, false information to the 
     Secretary.''.
       (c) Reporting Requirements.--The 1st sentence of section 
     16(c)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2025(c)(4)) is amended by inserting ``, including providing 
     access to applicable State records and the entire information 
     systems in which the records are contained,'' after 
     ``necessary''.
       (d) State Performance Indicators.--Section 16(d) of the 
     Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(d)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking the heading and inserting ``State 
     Performance Indicators'',
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the heading by striking ``and thereafter'' and 
     inserting ``through 2017'',
       (B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and each fiscal year 
     thereafter'' and inserting ``through fiscal year 2017'', and
       (C) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and each fiscal year 
     thereafter'' and inserting ``through fiscal year 2017'', and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Fiscal year 2018 and fiscal years thereafter.--
       ``(A) With respect to fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall establish, by regulation, 
     performance criteria relating to--
       ``(i) actions taken to correct errors, reduce rates of 
     error, and improve eligibility determinations; and
       ``(ii) other indicators of effective administration 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(B) The Secretary shall not award performance bonus 
     payments to State agencies in fiscal year 2019 for fiscal 
     year 2018 performance.''.
       (e) Cost Sharing for Computerization.--Section 16(g)(1)(A) 
     of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2025(g)(1)(A)), as amended by section 4012, is amended--
       (1) in clause (v)(III) by striking ``and'', and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(vii) would be accessible by the Secretary for inspection 
     and audit under section 11(a)(3)(B); and''.

     SEC. 4014. EVALUATION OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT 
                   COOPERATION REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2026) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) Evaluation of Child Support Enforcement Cooperation 
     Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct an 
     independent evaluation of a representative sample of States--
       ``(A) to assess the implementation and impact of the 
     eligibility requirements described in subsections (l) through 
     (n) of section 6 in States that have formerly implemented or 
     continue to implement those requirements, and the feasibility 
     of implementing those requirements in other States;
       ``(B) to assess the factors that contributed to the 
     decision of States that formerly implemented the eligibility 
     requirements described in each of subsections (l) through (n) 
     of section 6 to cease such implementation;
       ``(C) to review alternatives to the eligibility 
     requirements described in each of subsections (l) through (n) 
     of section 6 that are used by other States to assist 
     participants in the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
     to make or receive child support payments and the 
     effectiveness of those alternatives; and
       ``(D) to evaluate the costs and benefits to households and 
     to State agencies, of requiring State agencies to implement 
     each of the eligibility requirements described in subsections 
     (l) through (n) of section 6.
       ``(2) Evaluation.--The evaluation under paragraph (1) shall 
     include, to the maximum extent practicable, an assessment 
     of--
       ``(A) the manner in which applicable State agencies 
     implement and enforce the eligibility requirements described 
     in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, including--
       ``(i) the procedures used by each State to determine 
     cooperation, to sanction participants for failure to 
     cooperate, and to determine good cause for noncooperation 
     under each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 6; and
       ``(ii) the manner in which each State aligns the procedures 
     for implementing those eligibility requirements with 
     procedures for implementing other Federal programs that 
     require cooperation with child support enforcement, including 
     the program of block grants to States for temporary 
     assistance for needy families established under part A of 
     title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), 
     the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), and programs carried out under 
     the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
     U.S.C. 9857 et seq.);
       ``(B) the Federal, State, and local costs associated with 
     implementing those eligibility requirements, including costs 
     incurred under this Act and by child support enforcement 
     agencies for personnel, technology upgrades, and other costs;
       ``(C) the effect of those eligibility requirements on the 
     establishment of new child support orders, the establishment 
     of paternity, changes in child support payments to custodial 
     households, and changes in arrears owed on child support 
     orders;
       ``(D) with respect to the eligibility requirements under 
     each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 6--

[[Page H9863]]

       ``(i) the number of individuals subject to those 
     requirements;
       ``(ii) the number of individuals in each State who meet 
     those requirements; and
       ``(iii) the number of individuals in each State who fail to 
     meet those requirements;
       ``(E) the number of individuals in each State for whom good 
     cause for noncooperation has been found under section 
     6(l)(2);
       ``(F) the impact of those eligibility requirements on the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program eligibility, 
     benefit levels, food security, income, and economic stability 
     of--
       ``(i) individuals subject to those requirements;
       ``(ii) the household members of those individuals, 
     including children; and
       ``(iii) households with nontraditional family structures, 
     including a household in which a grandparent is the primary 
     caretaker of a grandchild of the grandparent.
       ``(3) State agency cooperation.--Each State agency selected 
     under paragraph (1) shall provide information to the 
     Secretary necessary to conduct the evaluation under such 
     paragraph.
       ``(4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 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 describing the 
     findings from the evaluation conducted under paragraph 
     (1).''.

     SEC. 4015. LONGITUDINAL DATA FOR RESEARCH.

       (a) Longitudinal Data.--Section 17 of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026), as amended by section 
     4014, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(n) Longitudinal Data for Research.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), a 
     State agency may, on approval by the Secretary, establish a 
     longitudinal database that contains information about 
     households and members of households that receive benefits 
     under the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the 
     State.
       ``(2) Purpose.--Each longitudinal database established 
     under paragraph (1) shall be used solely to conduct research 
     on participation in and the operation of the supplemental 
     nutrition assistance program, including duration of 
     participation in the program.
       ``(3) Requirements for databases.--Prior to the approval of 
     State agencies to establish longitudinal databases under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) identify features that shall be standard across 
     States such as database format to facilitate use of 
     longitudinal databases established under paragraph (1) for 
     research purposes;
       ``(B) identify features of longitudinal databases 
     established under paragraph (1) that may vary across States;
       ``(C) identify a procedure for States operating 
     longitudinal databases under paragraph (1) to use a unique 
     identifier to provide relevant information on household 
     members who receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program for the purpose of comparing participation 
     data in multiple participating States over time while 
     protecting participant privacy;
       ``(D) establish the manner in which data security and 
     privacy protections, as required by Federal law and 
     consistent with other appropriate practices, shall be 
     implemented and maintained;
       ``(E) provide direction to State agencies on the 
     responsibilities of and funding arrangements for State 
     agencies and any State contractors (including entities 
     providing technical assistance) relating to the establishment 
     and operation of a longitudinal database;
       ``(F) provide a description of the documentation that 
     States shall submit to the Secretary prior to allowing 
     researchers access to a longitudinal database;
       ``(G) consult with other Federal research agencies, 
     including the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(H) consult with States that have already established 
     databases used for purposes similar to the purposes outlined 
     in this subsection; and
       ``(I) identify any other requirements determined 
     appropriate by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Included data.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), each 
     longitudinal database established under paragraph (1)--
       ``(i) shall include monthly information about households 
     and members of households that receive benefits under the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program in the 
     participating State taken from existing information collected 
     by the State agency including, if available,--

       ``(I) demographic characteristics;
       ``(II) income and financial resources (as described in 
     section 5(g));
       ``(III) employment status;
       ``(IV) household circumstances, such as deductible 
     expenses; and
       ``(V) the amount of the monthly allotment received under 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and

       ``(ii) may include information from other State data 
     sources such as--

       ``(I) earnings and employment data from the State 
     department of labor;
       ``(II) health insurance program data; or
       ``(III) data from participation in other programs 
     administered by the State.

       ``(B) Data protection.--Any State that establishes a 
     longitudinal database under paragraph (1) shall, in 
     accordance with all applicable Federal and State privacy 
     standards and requirements--
       ``(i) protect the privacy of information about each member 
     of each household that receives benefits under the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program in such State by 
     ensuring that no personally identifiable information 
     (including social security number, home address, or contact 
     information) is included in the longitudinal database; and
       ``(ii) make the data under this paragraph available to 
     researchers and the Secretary.
       ``(5) Approval.--The Secretary shall approve the 
     establishment of longitudinal databases under paragraph (1) 
     in States that--
       ``(A) meet the requirements for databases under paragraph 
     (3) and (4)(B);
       ``(B) reflect a range of participant numbers, demographics, 
     operational structures, and geographic regions; and
       ``(C) have the capacity to provide on a periodic and 
     ongoing basis household and participant data derived from the 
     eligibility system and other data sources of the State.
       ``(6) Grants.--
       ``(A) In general.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
     Secretary may provide grants to States that have been 
     approved by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (5) 
     out of funds made available under paragraph (9).
       ``(B) Method of awarding grants.--Grants awarded under this 
     paragraph shall be made in such amounts and under such terms 
     and conditions as the Secretary determines necessary to carry 
     out the purposes of this subsection.
       ``(7) Report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the 
     effective date of this subsection, 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 feasibility of 
     expanding implementation of longitudinal databases to every 
     State.
       ``(B) Contents.--The report required under subparagraph (A) 
     shall describe--
       ``(i) the cost of expanding implementation of longitudinal 
     databases with consistent data to every State;
       ``(ii) the challenges and benefits of using State 
     longitudinal databases with consistent data; and
       ``(iii) alternatives to expanding implementation of 
     longitudinal databases with consistent data to every State 
     that may achieve similar research outcomes and the advantages 
     and disadvantages of those alternatives.
       ``(8) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
     construed to prevent or limit the ability of State agencies 
     to establish or continue operating databases used for 
     purposes similar to the purposes outlined in this subsection.
       ``(9) Funding.--Of the funds made available under section 
     18, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection--
       ``(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to remain available 
     through fiscal year 2021; and
       ``(B) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The 1st sentence of section 
     16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and (8)'' and inserting ``(8)''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, and (9) establishing and operating a 
     longitudinal database in accordance with section 17(n)'' 
     before ``: Provided''.

     SEC. 4016. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       The 1st sentence of section 18(a)(1) of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 4017. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS.

       Section 25(b)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2034(b)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the end,
       (2) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``fiscal year 2015 and 
     each fiscal year thereafter.'' and inserting ``each of fiscal 
     years 2015 through 2018; and'', and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.''.

     SEC. 4018. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) State Plan.--Section 202A(b) of the Emergency Food 
     Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7503(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) at the option of the State agency, describe a plan of 
     operation for 1 or more projects in partnership with 1 or 
     more emergency feeding organizations located in the State to 
     harvest, process, package, or transport donated commodities 
     received under section 203D(d); and
       ``(6) describe a plan, which may include the use of a State 
     advisory board established under subsection (c), that 
     provides emergency feeding organizations or eligible 
     recipient agencies within the State an opportunity to provide 
     input on the commodity preferences and needs of the emergency 
     feeding organization or eligible recipient agency.''.
       (b) State and Local Supplementation of Commodities.--
     Section 203D of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 
     U.S.C. 7507) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Projects to Harvest, Process, Package, or Transport 
     Donated Commodities.--
       ``(1) Definition of project.--In this subsection, the term 
     `project' means the harvesting, processing, packaging, or 
     transportation of unharvested, unprocessed, or unpackaged 
     commodities donated by agricultural producers, processors, or 
     distributors for use by emergency feeding organizations under 
     subsection (a).
       ``(2) Federal funding for projects.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C) and 
     paragraph (3), using funds made available under paragraph 
     (5), the Secretary may provide funding to States to pay for 
     the costs of carrying out a project.
       ``(B) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed 50 percent of 
     the total cost of the project.
       ``(C) Allocation.--
       ``(i) In general.--Each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     allocate the funds made available

[[Page H9864]]

     under subparagraph (A), based on a formula determined by the 
     Secretary, to States that have submitted a State plan 
     describing a plan of operation for a project under section 
     202A(b)(5).
       ``(ii) Reallocation.--If the Secretary determines that a 
     State will not expend all of the funds allocated to the State 
     for a fiscal year under clause (i), the Secretary shall 
     reallocate the unexpended funds to other States that have 
     submitted under section 202A(b)(5) a State plan describing a 
     plan of operation for a project during that fiscal year or 
     the subsequent fiscal year, as the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.
       ``(iii) Reports.--Each State to which funds are allocated 
     for a fiscal year under this subparagraph shall, on a regular 
     basis, submit to the Secretary financial reports describing 
     the use of the funds.
       ``(3) Project purposes.--A State may only use Federal funds 
     received under paragraph (2) for a project the purposes of 
     which are--
       ``(A) to reduce food waste at the agricultural production, 
     processing, or distribution level through the donation of 
     food;
       ``(B) to provide food to individuals in need; and
       ``(C) to build relationships between agricultural 
     producers, processors, and distributors and emergency feeding 
     organizations through the donation of food.
       ``(4) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may encourage 
     a State agency that carries out a project using Federal funds 
     received under paragraph (2) to enter into cooperative 
     agreements with State agencies of other States under section 
     203B(d) to maximize the use of commodities donated under the 
     project.
       ``(5) Funding.--Out of funds not otherwise appropriated, 
     the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary 
     to carry out this subsection $4,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until the end of 
     the subsequent fiscal year.''.
       (c) Food Waste.--Section 203D of the Emergency Food 
     Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7507), as amended by 
     subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) Food Waste.--The Secretary shall issue guidance 
     outlining best practices to minimize the food waste of the 
     commodities donated under subsection (a).''.
       (d) Emergency Food Program Infrastructure Grants.--Section 
     209(d) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 
     7511a(d)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (e) Availability of Commodities for the Emergency Food 
     Assistance Program.--Section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023'';
       (B) in subparagraph (D)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'';
       (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (iii) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(v) for fiscal year 2019, $23,000,000;
       ``(vi) for fiscal year 2020, $35,000,000;
       ``(vii) for fiscal year 2021, $35,000,000;
       ``(viii) for fiscal year 2022, $35,000,000; and
       ``(ix) for fiscal year 2023, $35,000,000; and''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (E)--
       (i) by striking ``2019'' and inserting ``2024'';
       (ii) by striking ``(D)(iv)'' and inserting ``(D)(ix)''; and
       (iii) by striking ``June 30, 2017'' and inserting ``June 
     30, 2023''.

     SEC. 4019. NUTRITION EDUCATION.

       Section 28(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2036a(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``Except as provided in subparagraph (C), a'' and inserting 
     ``A'',
       (ii) in clause (ii) by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon,
       (iii) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv), and
       (iv) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
       ``(iii) describe how the State agency shall use an 
     electronic reporting system to--

       ``(I) measure and evaluate the projects; and
       ``(II) account for the allowable State agency 
     administrative costs including for--

       ``(aa) salaries and benefits of State agency personnel;
       ``(bb) office supplies and equipment;
       ``(cc) travel costs;
       ``(dd) development and production of nutrition education 
     materials;
       ``(ee) memberships, subscriptions, and professional 
     activities;
       ``(ff) lease or rental costs;
       ``(gg) maintenance and repair expenses;
       ``(hh) indirect costs; and
       ``(ii) cost of using publicly-owned building space; and'', 
     and
       (B) by striking subparagraph (C),
       (2) in paragraph (3)(B) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
     by inserting ``, the Director of the National Institute of 
     Food and Agriculture,'' before ``and outside stakeholders'',
       (3) in paragraph (5) by inserting ``the expanded food and 
     nutrition education program or'' before ``other health 
     promotion'', and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Information clearinghouse.--The Secretary shall 
     establish an online clearinghouse that makes available to 
     State agencies, local agencies, institutions of higher 
     education, and community organizations best practices for 
     planning, implementing, and evaluating nutrition education 
     and obesity prevention services to ensure that projects 
     carried out with funds received under this section are 
     appropriate for the target population.
       ``(7) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance to a State agency in developing and 
     implementing a nutrition education State plan, including--
       ``(A) by identifying common challenges faced by entities 
     described in paragraph (6) that participate in projects 
     carried out with funds received under this section;
       ``(B) by coordinating efforts to address those common 
     challenges;
       ``(C) by collecting and disseminating information on 
     evidence-based practices relating to nutrition education and 
     obesity prevention;
       ``(D) by facilitating communication between and among 
     grantees and subgrantees of funds received under this 
     section;
       ``(E) by assisting State agencies in creating or 
     maintaining systems to compile program data; and
       ``(F) by performing or assisting with other activities, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(8) Annual state report.--Each State agency that delivers 
     nutrition education and obesity prevention services under 
     this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual 
     report, which shall be made publicly available by the 
     Secretary, that includes--
       ``(A) the use of funds on the State agency's program, 
     including for each category of allowable State agency 
     administrative costs identified in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II);
       ``(B) a description of each project carried out by that 
     agency under this subsection, including, with respect to the 
     project, the target population, interventions, educational 
     materials used, key performance indicators used, and 
     evaluations made;
       ``(C) a comprehensive analysis of the impacts and 
     outcomes--
       ``(i) of the project, including with respect to the 
     elements described in subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) to the extent practicable, of completed multiyear 
     projects; and
       ``(D) the status of any ongoing multiyear project.
       ``(9) Annual federal report.--The Administrator of the Food 
     and Nutrition Service, in consultation with the Director of 
     the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall 
     annually submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that--
       ``(A) evaluates the level of coordination between--
       ``(i) the nutrition education and obesity prevention grant 
     program under this section;
       ``(ii) the expanded food and nutrition education program 
     under section 1425 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175); 
     and
       ``(iii) any other nutrition education program administered 
     by the Department of Agriculture; and
       ``(B) includes the use of funds on such programs including 
     State agency administrative costs reported by States under 
     paragraph (8)(A).''.

     SEC. 4020. RETAIL FOOD STORE AND RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING.

       Section 29(c)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2036b(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 4021. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

       The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 30. PILOT PROJECTS TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF PUBLIC-
                   PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING 
                   FOOD INSECURITY.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may, on application of 
     eligible entities, approve not more than 10 pilot projects to 
     support public-private partnerships that address food 
     insecurity and poverty.
       ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(A) a nonprofit organization;
       ``(B) a community-based organization;
       ``(C) an institution of higher education; or
       ``(D) a private entity, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(2) the term `public agency' means a department, agency, 
     other unit, or instrumentality of Federal, State, or local 
     government.
       ``(c) Project Requirements.--Projects approved under this 
     section shall--
       ``(1) be limited to 2 years in length; and
       ``(2) include a collaboration between one or more public 
     agencies and one or more eligible entities that--
       ``(A) improves the effectiveness and impact of the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program;
       ``(B) develops food security solutions that are specific to 
     the needs of a community or region; and
       ``(C) strengthens the capacity of communities to address 
     food insecurity and poverty.
       ``(d) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
     independent evaluation of pilot projects approved under this 
     section that includes--
       ``(1) a summary of the activities conducted under the pilot 
     projects;
       ``(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot 
     projects; and
       ``(3) best practices regarding the use of public-private 
     partnerships to improve the effectiveness of public benefit 
     programs to address food insecurity and poverty.
       ``(e) Funding.--
       ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 to 
     remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Appropriation in advance.--Only funds appropriated 
     under paragraph (1) in advance

[[Page H9865]]

     specifically to carry out this section shall be available to 
     carry out this section.''.

     SEC. 4022. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 3--
       (A) in subsections (d) and (i) by striking ``7(i)'' and 
     inserting ``7(h)'', and
       (B) in subsection (o)(1)(A) by striking ``(r)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``(q)(1)'',
       (2) in section 5(a) by striking ``and section'' each place 
     it appears and all that follows through ``households'' the 
     respective next place it appears, and inserting ``and section 
     3(m)(4), households'',
       (3) in subsections (e)(1) and (f)(1)(A)(i) of section 8 by 
     striking ``3(n)(5)'' and inserting ``3(m)(5)'',
       (4) in the 1st sentence of section 10--
       (A) by striking ``or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance 
     Corporation'' each place it appears, and
       (B) by striking ``3(p)(4)'' and inserting ``3(o)(4)'',
       (5) in section 11--
       (A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ``3(t)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``3(s)(1)'', and
       (B) in subsection (d)--
       (i) by striking ``3(t)(1)'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``3(s)(1)'', and
       (ii) by striking ``3(t)(2)'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``3(s)(2)'', and
       (C) in subsection (e)--
       (i) in paragraph (17) by striking ``3(t)(1)'' inserting 
     ``3(s)(1)'', and
       (ii) in paragraph (23) by striking ``Simplified 
     Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program'' and inserting 
     ``simplified supplemental nutrition assistance program'',
       (6) in section 15(e) by striking ``exchange'' and all that 
     follows through ``anything'', and inserting ``exchange for 
     benefits, or anything'',
       (7) in section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(aa) by striking 
     ``3(n)'' and inserting ``3(m)'',
       (8) in section 25(a)(1)(B)(i)(I) by striking the 2d 
     semicolon at the end, and
       (9) in section 26(b) by striking ``out'' and all that 
     follows through ``(referred'', and inserting ``out a 
     simplified supplemental nutrition assistance program 
     (referred''.

              Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs

     SEC. 4101. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.

       The 1st sentence of section 4(a) of the Agriculture and 
     Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 4102. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.

       Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 
     1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023'', and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'',
       (2) in subsection (d)(2), in the 1st sentence, by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'', and
       (3) in subsection (g)--
       (A) by striking ``Except'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Except'', and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Certification.--
       ``(A) Definition of certification period.--In this 
     paragraph, the term `certification period' means the period 
     during which a participant in the commodity supplemental food 
     program in a State may continue to receive benefits under the 
     commodity supplemental food program without a formal review 
     of the eligibility of the participant.
       ``(B) Minimum certification period.--Subject to 
     subparagraphs (C) and (D), a State shall establish for the 
     commodity supplemental food program of the State a 
     certification period of--
       ``(i) not less than 1 year; but
       ``(ii) not more than 3 years.
       ``(C) Temporary certification.--An eligible applicant for 
     the commodity supplemental food program in a State may be 
     provided with a temporary monthly certification to fill any 
     caseload slot resulting from nonparticipation by certified 
     participants.
       ``(D) Approvals.--A certification period of more than 1 
     year established by a State under subparagraph (B) shall be 
     subject to the approval of the Secretary, who shall approve 
     such a certification period on the condition that, with 
     respect to each participant receiving benefits under the 
     commodity supplemental food program of the State, the local 
     agency in the State administering the commodity supplemental 
     food program, on an annual basis during the certification 
     period applicable to the participant--
       ``(i) verifies the address and continued interest of the 
     participant; and
       ``(ii) has sufficient reason to determine that the 
     participant still meets the income eligibility standards 
     under paragraph (1), which may include a determination that 
     the participant has a fixed income.''.

     SEC. 4103. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES TO SPECIAL 
                   NUTRITION PROJECTS.

       Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 
     1981 (7 U.S.C. 1431e(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 4104. FOOD DONATION STANDARDS.

       Section 203D of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 
     (7 U.S.C. 7507), as amended by section 4018(c), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Food Donation Standards.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Apparently wholesome food.--The term `apparently 
     wholesome food' has the meaning given the term in section 
     22(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1791(b)).
       ``(B) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1002).
       ``(C) Qualified direct donor.--The term `qualified direct 
     donor' means a retail food store, wholesaler, agricultural 
     producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or 
     institution of higher education.
       ``(2) Guidance.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Secretary shall issue guidance to promote awareness of 
     donations of apparently wholesome food protected under 
     section 22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
     1791(c)) by qualified direct donors in compliance with 
     applicable State and local health, food safety, and food 
     handling laws (including regulations).
       ``(B) Issuance.--The Secretary shall encourage State 
     agencies and emergency feeding organizations to share the 
     guidance issued under subparagraph (A) with qualified direct 
     donors.''.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

     SEC. 4201. SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

       Section 4402(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(a)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 4202. PURCHASE OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR 
                   DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS AND SERVICE 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 10603(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c-4(b)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 4203. SERVICE OF TRADITIONAL FOODS IN PUBLIC FACILITIES.

       Section 4033(d)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (128 
     Stat. 818) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' the 1st place it appears,
       (2) by inserting ``, a State, a county or county 
     equivalent, a local educational agency, and an entity or 
     person authorized to facilitate the donation, storage, 
     preparation, or serving of traditional food by the operator 
     of a food service program'' after ``organization'', and
       (3) by inserting ``storage, preparation, or'' after 
     ``donation to or''.

     SEC. 4204. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.

       Section 243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``and enterprises'' 
     after ``retailers'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(3)(B)(iii), by inserting ``and 
     enterprises'' after ``retailers''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii), by inserting ``as 
     applicable,'' before ``to accept''.

     SEC. 4205. THE GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

       (a) Amendment to Program.--Section 4405 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking the heading and inserting ``the gus 
     schumacher nutrition incentive program'',
       (2) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
     governmental agency or nonprofit organization.'',
       (B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``means the'' and all that 
     follows through the period at the end, and inserting the 
     following:
     ``means--
       ``(A) the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
     established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); and
       ``(B) the programs for nutrition assistance under section 
     19 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2028).'', and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Healthcare partner.--The term `healthcare partner' 
     means a healthcare provider, including--
       ``(A) a hospital;
       ``(B) a Federally-qualified health center (as defined in 
     section 1905(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396d(l)));
       ``(C) a hospital or clinic operated by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs; or
       ``(D) a healthcare provider group.
       ``(5) Member.--The term `member' means, as determined by 
     the applicable eligible entity or healthcare partner carrying 
     out a project under subsection (c) in accordance with 
     procedures established by the Secretary--
       ``(A) an individual eligible for--
       ``(i) benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or
       ``(ii) medical assistance under a State plan or a waiver of 
     such a plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and enrolled under such plan or waiver; 
     and
       ``(B) a member of a low-income household that suffers from, 
     or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health 
     condition.'',
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``The'' and inserting 
     ``Except as provided in subparagraph (D)(iii), the'',
       (ii) in subparagraph (C) by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(iii) Tribal agencies.--The Secretary may allow a Tribal 
     agency to use funds provided to the Indian Tribe of the 
     Tribal agency through a Federal agency (including the Indian 
     Health Service) or other Federal benefit to satisfy all or 
     part of the non-Federal share described in clause (i) if such 
     use is otherwise consistent with the purpose of such 
     funds.'',
       (iii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (C) and (D), and

[[Page H9866]]

       (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) Partners and collaborators.--An eligible entity that 
     receives a grant under this subsection may partner with, or 
     make subgrants to, public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit 
     entities, including--
       ``(i) an emergency feeding organization;
       ``(ii) an agricultural cooperative;
       ``(iii) a producer network or association;
       ``(iv) a community health organization;
       ``(v) a public benefit corporation;
       ``(vi) an economic development corporation;
       ``(vii) a farmers' market;
       ``(viii) a community-supported agriculture program;
       ``(ix) a buying club;
       ``(x) a retail food store participating in the supplemental 
     nutrition assistance program;
       ``(xi) a State, local, or tribal agency;
       ``(xii) another eligible entity that receives a grant under 
     this subsection; and
       ``(xiii) any other entity the Secretary designates.'',
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
       ``(A) In general.--To receive a grant under this 
     subsection, an eligible entity shall--
       ``(i) meet the application criteria set forth by the 
     Secretary; and
       ``(ii) propose a project that, at a minimum--

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

       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) by striking clause (v),
       (II) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (x), and
       (III) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:

       ``(v) include a project design--

       ``(I) that provides incentives when fruits or vegetables 
     are purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program 
     benefits; and
       ``(II) in which the incentives earned may be used only to 
     purchase fruits or vegetables;

       ``(vi) have demonstrated the ability to provide services to 
     underserved communities;
       ``(vii) include coordination with multiple stakeholders, 
     such as farm organizations, nutrition education programs, 
     cooperative extension services, public health departments, 
     health providers, private and public health insurance 
     agencies, cooperative grocers, grocery associations, and 
     community-based and nongovernmental organizations;
       ``(viii) offer supplemental services in high-need 
     communities, including online ordering, transportation 
     between home and store, and delivery services;
       ``(ix) include food retailers that are open--

       ``(I) for extended hours; and
       ``(II) most or all days of the year; or'', and

       (C) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4),
       (4) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``subsection (b) 
     $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and 
     inserting ``this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2014 through 2023'', and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``this section'',
       (ii) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the end,
       (iii) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon, and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
       ``(D) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       ``(E) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(F) $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
       ``(G) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--With respect to funds made available 
     under this section for fiscal years 2019 through 2023--
       ``(A) for each fiscal year the Secretary shall use not more 
     than 10 percent of such funds available for such fiscal year 
     for the produce prescription program described in subsection 
     (c);
       ``(B) for each fiscal year not more than 8 percent of such 
     funds available for such fiscal year shall be used by the 
     National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Food and 
     Nutrition Service for administration; and
       ``(C) the Secretary shall use for the Nutrition Incentive 
     Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and 
     Information Centers established under subsection (e) not more 
     than--
       ``(i) $17,000,000 in the aggregate for fiscal years 2019 
     and 2020; and
       ``(ii) $7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 
     2023.'',
       (5) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (f), and
       (6) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Produce Prescription Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a grant 
     program under which the Secretary shall award grants to 
     eligible entities to conduct projects that demonstrate and 
     evaluate the impact of the projects on--
       ``(A) the improvement of dietary health through increased 
     consumption of fruits and vegetables;
       ``(B) the reduction of individual and household food 
     insecurity; and
       ``(C) the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs.
       ``(2) Healthcare partners.--In carrying out a project using 
     a grant received under paragraph (1), an eligible entity 
     shall partner with 1 or more healthcare partners.
       ``(3) Grant applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     paragraph (1), an eligible entity--
       ``(i) shall--

       ``(I) prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to members;
       ``(II) submit to the Secretary an application containing 
     such information as the Secretary may require, including the 
     information described in subparagraph (B); and

       ``(ii) may--

       ``(I) provide financial or non-financial incentives for 
     members to purchase or procure fresh fruits and vegetables;
       ``(II) provide educational resources on nutrition to 
     members; and
       ``(III) establish additional accessible locations for 
     members to procure fresh fruits and vegetables.

       ``(B) Application.--An application shall--
       ``(i) identify the 1 or more healthcare partners with which 
     the eligible entity is partnering under paragraph (2); and
       ``(ii) include--

       ``(I) a description of the methods by which an eligible 
     entity shall--

       ``(aa) screen and verify eligibility for members for 
     participation in a produce prescription project, in 
     accordance with procedures established under subsection 
     (a)(5);
       ``(bb) implement an effective produce prescription project, 
     including the role of each healthcare partner in implementing 
     the produce prescription project;
       ``(cc) evaluate members participating in a produce 
     prescription project with respect to the matters described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1);
       ``(dd) provide educational opportunities relating to 
     nutrition to members participating in a produce prescription 
     project; and
       ``(ee) inform members of the availability of the produce 
     prescription project, including locations at which produce 
     prescriptions may be redeemed;

       ``(II) a description of any additional nonprofit or 
     emergency feeding organizations that shall be involved in the 
     project and the role of each additional nonprofit or 
     emergency feeding organization in implementing and evaluating 
     an effective produce prescription project;
       ``(III) documentation of a partnership agreement with a 
     relevant State Medicaid agency or other appropriate entity, 
     as determined by the Secretary, to evaluate the effectiveness 
     of the produce prescription project in reducing healthcare 
     use and associated costs;
       ``(IV) adequate plans to collect data for reporting and 
     agreement to provide that information for the report 
     described in subsection (e)(2)(B)(iii); and
       ``(V) agreement to share information with the Nutrition 
     Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, 
     and Information Centers established under subsection (e).

       ``(4) Coordination.--In carrying out the grant program 
     established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies that 
     carry out activities relating to healthcare partners.
       ``(5) Partnerships.--
       ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the grant program under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary may enter into 1 or more 
     memoranda of understanding with a Federal agency, a State, or 
     a private entity to ensure the effective implementation and 
     evaluation of each project.
       ``(B) Memorandum of understanding.--A memorandum of 
     understanding entered into under subparagraph (A) shall 
     include--
       ``(i) a description of a plan to provide educational 
     opportunities relating to nutrition to members participating 
     in produce prescription projects;
       ``(ii) a description of the role of the Federal agency, 
     State, or private entity, as applicable, in implementing and 
     evaluating an effective produce prescription project; and
       ``(iii) documentation of a partnership agreement with a 
     relevant State Medicaid agency or other appropriate entity, 
     as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(d) Applicability.--
       ``(1) In general.--The value of any benefit provided to a 
     participant in any activity funded under subsections (b) or 
     (c) shall be treated as supplemental nutrition benefits under 
     section 8(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     2017(b)).
       ``(2) Prohibition on collection of sales taxes.--Each State 
     shall ensure that no State or local tax is collected on a 
     purchase of food with assistance provided under subsections 
     (b) and (c).
       ``(3) No limitation on benefits.--Grants made available 
     under subsections (b) and (c)

[[Page H9867]]

     shall not be used to carry out any project that limits the 
     use of benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) or any other Federal nutrition law.
       ``(4) Household allotment.--Assistance provided under 
     subsections (b) and (c) to households receiving benefits 
     under the supplemental nutrition assistance program shall 
     not--
       ``(A) be considered part of the supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program benefits of the household; or
       ``(B) be used in the collection or disposition of claims 
     under section 13 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2022).
       ``(e) Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical 
     Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) establish 1 or more Nutrition Incentive Program 
     Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information 
     Centers, in consultation with the Director of the National 
     Institute of Food and Agriculture; and
       ``(B) to the extent practicable, consult on the design and 
     scope of such Centers with grocers, farmers, health 
     professionals, researchers, incentive program managers, and 
     employees of the Department of Agriculture with direct 
     experience with implementation of existing incentive programs 
     or projects.
       ``(2) Establishment.--The Centers shall be capable of 
     providing services related to grants under subsections (b) 
     and (c), including--
       ``(A) offering incentive program training and technical 
     assistance to applicants and grantees to the extent 
     practicable, including--
       ``(i) collecting and providing information on best 
     practices that may include communications, signage, record-
     keeping, incentive instruments, development and integration 
     of point of sale systems, and reporting;
       ``(ii) disseminating information and assisting with 
     collaboration among grantee projects, applicable State 
     agencies, and nutrition education programs;
       ``(iii) facilitating communication between grantees and the 
     Department of Agriculture and applicable State agencies; and
       ``(iv) providing support for the development of best 
     practices for produce prescription projects and the sharing 
     of information among eligible entities and healthcare 
     providers that participate in a produce prescription project 
     under subsection (c); and
       ``(v) other services identified by the Secretary; and
       ``(B) creating a system to collect and compile core data 
     sets from eligible entities that--
       ``(i) uses standard metrics with consideration of outcome 
     measures for existing projects;
       ``(ii) includes to the extent practicable grocers, farmers, 
     health professionals, researchers, incentive program 
     managers, and employees of the Department of Agriculture with 
     direct experience with implementation of existing incentive 
     programs in the design of the instrument through which data 
     will be collected and the mechanism for reporting;
       ``(iii) compiles project data from grantees, and beginning 
     in fiscal year 2020 generates an annual report to Congress on 
     grant outcomes, including--

       ``(I) the results of the project; and
       ``(II) the amount of grant funds used for the project; and

       ``(iv) creates and maintains a publicly accessible online 
     site that makes annual reports and incentive program 
     information available in an anonymized format that protects 
     confidential, personal, or other sensitive data.
       ``(3) Cooperative agreement.--
       ``(A) In general.--To carry out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary may, on a competitive basis, enter into 1 or more 
     cooperative agreements with 1 or more organizations with 
     expertise in developing outcome-based reporting, at least 1 
     of which has expertise in the food insecurity nutrition 
     incentive program and at least 1 of which has expertise in 
     produce prescription projects.
       ``(B) Inclusion.--The organizations referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) may include--
       ``(i) nongovernmental organizations;
       ``(ii) State cooperative extension services;
       ``(iii) regional food system centers;
       ``(iv) Federal, State, or Tribal agencies;
       ``(v) institutions of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001(a))); or
       ``(vi) other appropriate entities as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the 
     Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 113-
     188) is amended by striking the item relating to section 4405 
     and inserting the following:

``Sec. 4405. The Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program.''.

     SEC. 4206. MICRO-GRANTS FOR FOOD SECURITY.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to increase 
     the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-
     scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food 
     insecure communities in areas of the United States that have 
     significant levels of food insecurity and import a 
     significant quantity of food.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an 
     entity that--
       (A) is--
       (i) an individual;
       (ii) an Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 
     section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304);
       (iii) a nonprofit organization engaged in increasing food 
     security, as determined by the Secretary, including--

       (I) a religious organization;
       (II) a food bank; or
       (III) a food pantry;

       (iv) a federally funded educational facility, including--

       (I) a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program 
     carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et 
     seq.);
       (II) a public elementary school or public secondary school;
       (III) a public institution of higher education (as defined 
     in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001));
       (IV) a Tribal College or University (as defined in section 
     316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059c(b))); or
       (V) a job training program; or

       (v) a local or Tribal government that may not levy local 
     taxes under State or Federal law; and
       (B) is located in an eligible State.
       (2) Eligible state.--The term ``eligible State'' means--
       (A) the State of Alaska;
       (B) the State of Hawaii;
       (C) American Samoa;
       (D) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
       (E) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
       (F) the Federated States of Micronesia;
       (G) Guam;
       (H) the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
       (I) the Republic of Palau; and
       (J) the United States Virgin Islands.
       (c) Establishment.--The Secretary shall distribute funds to 
     the agricultural department or agency of each eligible State 
     for the competitive distribution of subgrants to eligible 
     entities to increase the quantity and quality of locally 
     grown food in food insecure communities, including through 
     small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations.
       (d) Distribution of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Of the amount made available under 
     subsection (g), the Secretary shall distribute--
       (A) 40 percent to the State of Alaska;
       (B) 40 percent to the State of Hawaii; and
       (C) 2.5 percent to each eligible State described in any of 
     subparagraphs (C) through (J) of subsection (b)(2).
       (2) Carryover of funds.--Funds distributed under paragraph 
     (1) shall remain available until expended.
       (3) Administrative funds.--An eligible State that receives 
     funds under paragraph (1) may use not more than 3 percent of 
     those funds--
       (A) to administer the competition for providing subgrants 
     to eligible entities in that eligible State;
       (B) to provide oversight of the subgrant recipients in that 
     eligible State; and
       (C) to collect data and submit a report to the Secretary 
     under subsection (f)(2).
       (e) Subgrants to Eligible Entities.--
       (1) Amount of subgrants.--
       (A) In general.--The amount of a subgrant to an eligible 
     entity under this section shall be--
       (i) in the case of an eligible entity that is an 
     individual, not greater than $5,000 per year; and
       (ii) in the case of an eligible entity described in any of 
     clauses (ii) through (v) of subsection (b)(1)(A), not greater 
     than $10,000 per year.
       (B) Matching requirement.--As a condition of receiving a 
     subgrant under this section, an eligible entity shall provide 
     funds equal to 10 percent of the amount received by the 
     eligible entity under the subgrant, to be derived from non-
     Federal sources. A State may waive the matching requirement 
     for an individual who otherwise meets the requirements to 
     receive a subgrant by the eligible State.
       (C) Project period.--Funds received by an eligible entity 
     that is awarded a subgrant under this section shall remain 
     available for expenditure not later than 3 years after the 
     date the funds are received.
       (2) Priority.--In carrying out the competitive distribution 
     of subgrants under subsection (c), an eligible State may give 
     priority to an eligible entity that--
       (A) has not previously received a subgrant under this 
     section; or
       (B) is located in a community or region in that eligible 
     State with the highest degree of food insecurity, as 
     determined by the agricultural department or agency of the 
     eligible State.
       (3) Projects.--An eligible State may provide subgrants to 2 
     or more eligible entities to carry out the same project.
       (4) Use of subgrant funds by eligible entities.--An 
     eligible entity that receives a subgrant under this section 
     shall use the funds to engage in activities that will 
     increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food for 
     food insecure individuals, families, neighborhoods, and 
     communities, including by--
       (A) purchasing gardening tools or equipment, soil, soil 
     amendments, seeds, plants, animals, canning equipment, 
     refrigeration, or other items necessary to grow and store 
     food;
       (B) purchasing or building composting units;
       (C) purchasing or building towers designed to grow leafy 
     green vegetables;
       (D) expanding an area under cultivation or engaging in 
     other activities necessary to be eligible to receive funding 
     under the environmental quality incentives program 
     established under chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) for a 
     high tunnel;
       (E) engaging in an activity that extends the growing 
     season;
       (F) starting or expanding hydroponic and aeroponic farming 
     of any scale;
       (G) building, buying, erecting, or repairing fencing for 
     livestock, poultry, or reindeer;
       (H) purchasing and equipping a slaughter and processing 
     facility approved by the Secretary;
       (I) traveling to participate in agricultural education 
     provided by--
       (i) a State cooperative extension service;
       (ii) a land-grant college or university (as defined in 
     section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
       (iii) a Tribal College or University (as defined in section 
     316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059c(b)));

[[Page H9868]]

       (iv) an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native 
     Hawaiian-serving institution (as such terms are defined in 
     section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059d(b))); or
       (v) a Federal or State agency;
       (J) paying for shipping of purchased items relating to 
     growing or raising food for local consumption or purchase;
       (K) creating or expanding avenues for--
       (i) the sale of food commodities, specialty crops, and 
     meats that are grown by the eligible entity for sale in the 
     local community; or
       (ii) increasing the availability of fresh, locally grown, 
     and nutritious food; and
       (L) engaging in other activities relating to increasing 
     food security (including subsistence), as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (5) Eligibility for other financial assistance.--An 
     eligible entity shall not be ineligible to receive financial 
     assistance under another program administered by the 
     Secretary as a result of receiving a subgrant under this 
     section.
       (f) Reporting Requirement.--
       (1) Subgrant recipients.--As a condition of receiving a 
     subgrant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree 
     to submit to the eligible State in which the eligible entity 
     is located a report--
       (A) not later than 60 days after the end of the project 
     funded by the subgrant; and
       (B) that describes the use of the subgrants by eligible 
     entities, the quantity of food grown through small-scale 
     gardening, herding, and livestock operations, and the number 
     of food insecure individuals fed as a result of the subgrant.
       (2) Report to the secretary.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date on which an eligible State receives a report from 
     each eligible entity in that State under paragraph (1), the 
     eligible State shall submit to the Secretary a report that 
     describes, in the aggregate, the information and data 
     contained in the reports received from those eligible 
     entities.
       (g) Funding.--
       (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
     $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, to remain available until expended.
       (2) Appropriations in advance.--Only funds appropriated 
     under paragraph (1) in advance specifically to carry out this 
     section shall be available to carry out this section.

     SEC. 4207. BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Enforcement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall--
       (1) enforce full compliance with the requirements of 
     section 12(n) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(n)) for purchases of agricultural 
     commodities, including fish, meats, vegetables, and fruits, 
     and the products thereof, and
       (2) ensure that States and school food authorities fully 
     understand their responsibilities under such Act.
       (b) Requirement.--The products of the agricultural 
     commodities described in subsection (a)(1) shall be processed 
     in the United States and substantially contain--
       (1) meats, vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural 
     commodities produced in--
       (A) a State,
       (B) the District of Columbia,
       (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or
       (D) any territory or possession of the United States, or
       (2) fish harvested--
       (A) within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United 
     States, as described in Presidential Proclamation 5030 (48 
     Fed. Reg. 10605; March 10, 1983), or
       (B) by a United States flagged vessel.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report on the actions the Secretary has taken, and plans to 
     take, to comply with this section.

     SEC. 4208. HEALTHY FLUID MILK INCENTIVES PROJECTS.

       (a) Definition of Fluid Milk.--In this section the term 
     ``fluid milk'' means all varieties of pasteurized cow's milk 
     that--
       (1) is without flavoring or sweeteners,
       (2) is consistent with the most recent dietary 
     recommendations,
       (3) is packaged in liquid form, and
       (4) contains vitamins A and D at levels consistent with the 
     Food and Drug Administration, State, and local standards for 
     fluid milk.
       (b) Projects.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry 
     out, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers to be appropriate, healthy fluid milk incentive 
     projects to develop and test methods to increase the purchase 
     and consumption of fluid milk by members of households that 
     receive supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits by 
     providing an incentive for the purchase of fluid milk at the 
     point of purchase to members of households purchasing food 
     with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.
       (c) Grants or Cooperative Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--To carry out this section, the Secretary, 
     on a competitive basis, shall enter into cooperative 
     agreements with, or provide grants to, governmental entities 
     or nonprofit organizations for projects that meet the purpose 
     and selection criteria specified in this subsection.
       (2) Application.--To be eligible to enter into a 
     cooperative agreement or receive a grant under this 
     subsection, a government entity or nonprofit organization 
     shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such 
     information as the Secretary may require.
       (3) Selection criteria.--Projects proposed in applications 
     shall be evaluated against publicly disseminated criteria 
     that shall incorporate a scientifically based strategy that 
     is designed to improve diet quality and nutritional outcomes 
     through the increased purchase of fluid milk by members of 
     households that participate in the supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program.
       (4) Use of funds.--Funds made available to carry out this 
     section shall not be used for any project that limits the use 
     of benefits provided under the Food and Nutrition Act of 
     2008.
       (d) Evaluation and Reporting.--
       (1) Evaluation.--
       (A) Independent evaluation.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
     independent evaluation of projects selected under this 
     section that measures, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
     impact on health and nutrition.
       (ii) Requirement.--The independent evaluation under this 
     subparagraph shall use rigorous methodologies, particularly 
     random assignment or other methods that are capable of 
     producing scientifically valid information regarding which 
     activities are effective.
       (B) Costs.--The Secretary may use funds not to exceed 7 
     percent of the funding provided to carry out this section to 
     pay costs associated with evaluating the outcomes of the 
     healthy fluid milk incentive projects.
       (2) Reporting.--Not later than December 31 of 2020, and 
     biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report that includes a description of--
       (A) the status of each healthy fluid milk incentives 
     project, and
       (B) the results of any completed evaluation that--
       (i) include, to the maximum extent practicable, the impact 
     of the healthy fluid milk incentive projects on health and 
     nutrition outcomes among households participating in such 
     projects, and
       (ii) have not been submitted in a previous report under 
     this paragraph.
       (3) Public dissemination.--In addition to the reporting 
     requirements under paragraph (2), evaluation results shall be 
     shared publicly to promote wide use of successful strategies.
       (e) Funding.--
       (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $20,000,000 to carry out and evaluate the 
     outcomes of projects under this section, to remain available 
     until expended.
       (2) Appropriations in advance.--Only funds appropriated 
     under paragraph (1) in advance specifically to carry out this 
     section shall be available to carry out this section.

                            TITLE V--CREDIT

                    Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans

     SEC. 5101. MODIFICATION OF THE 3-YEAR EXPERIENCE ELIGIBILITY 
                   REQUIREMENT FOR FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS.

       Section 302(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(b)) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(4) Waiver authority.--In the case of a qualified 
     beginning farmer or rancher, the Secretary may--
       ``(A) reduce the 3-year requirement in paragraph (1) to 1 
     or 2 years, if the farmer or rancher has--
       ``(i) not less than 16 credit hours of post-secondary 
     education in a field related to agriculture;
       ``(ii) successfully completed a farm management curriculum 
     offered by a cooperative extension service, a community 
     college, an adult vocational agriculture program, a nonprofit 
     organization, or a land-grant college or university;
       ``(iii) at least 1 year of experience as hired farm labor 
     with substantial management responsibilities;
       ``(iv) successfully completed a farm mentorship, 
     apprenticeship, or internship program with an emphasis on 
     management requirements and day-to-day farm management 
     decisions;
       ``(v) significant business management experience;
       ``(vi) been honorably discharged from the armed forces of 
     the United States;
       ``(vii) successfully repaid a youth loan made under section 
     311(b); or
       ``(viii) an established relationship with an individual who 
     has experience in farming or ranching, or is a retired farmer 
     or rancher, and is participating as a counselor in a Service 
     Corps of Retired Executives program authorized under section 
     8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     637(b)(1)(B)), or with a local farm or ranch operator or 
     organization, approved by the Secretary, that is committed to 
     mentoring the farmer or rancher; or
       ``(B) waive the 3-year requirement in paragraph (1) if the 
     farmer or rancher meets the requirements of clauses (iii) and 
     (viii) of subparagraph (A).''.

     SEC. 5102. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

       Section 304(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(h)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 5103. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS.

       Section 305 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1925) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)--
       (A) by striking ``$300,000'' and inserting ``$600,000'';
       (B) by striking ``$700,000'' and inserting ``$1,750,000''; 
     and
       (C) by striking ``2000'' and inserting ``2019''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``August'' and inserting 
     ``July''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``ending on August 31, 
     1996'' and inserting ``that immediately precedes the 12-month 
     period described in paragraph (1)''.

[[Page H9869]]

  


     SEC. 5104. RELENDING PROGRAM TO RESOLVE OWNERSHIP AND 
                   SUCCESSION ON FARMLAND.

       Subtitle A of title III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 310I. RELENDING PROGRAM TO RESOLVE OWNERSHIP AND 
                   SUCCESSION ON FARMLAND.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make loans to eligible 
     entities described in subsection (b) so that the eligible 
     entities may relend the funds to individuals and entities for 
     the purposes described in subsection (c).
       ``(b) Eligible Entities.--Entities eligible for loans 
     described in subsection (a) are cooperatives, credit unions, 
     and nonprofit organizations with--
       ``(1) certification under section 1805.201 of title 12, 
     Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), to 
     operate as a lender;
       ``(2) experience assisting socially disadvantaged farmers 
     and ranchers (as defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 of 
     the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 2279)) or limited resource or new and beginning 
     farmers and ranchers, rural businesses, cooperatives, or 
     credit unions, including experience in making and servicing 
     agricultural and commercial loans; and
       ``(3) the ability to provide adequate assurance of the 
     repayment of a loan.
       ``(c) Eligible Purposes.--The proceeds from loans made by 
     the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) shall be re-lent by 
     eligible entities for projects that assist heirs with 
     undivided ownership interests to resolve ownership and 
     succession on farmland that has multiple owners.
       ``(d) Preference.--In making loans under subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities--
       ``(1) with not less than 10 years of experience serving 
     socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and
       ``(2) in States that have adopted a statute consisting of 
     an enactment or adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs 
     Property Act, as approved and recommended for enactment in 
     all States by the National Conference of Commissioners on 
     Uniform State Laws in 2010, that relend to owners of heirs 
     property (as defined in that Act).
       ``(e) Loan Terms and Conditions.--The following terms and 
     conditions shall apply to loans made under this section:
       ``(1) The interest rate at which intermediaries may borrow 
     funds under this section shall be determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(2) The rates, terms, and payment structure for borrowers 
     to which intermediaries lend shall be--
       ``(A) determined by the intermediary in an amount 
     sufficient to cover the cost of operating and sustaining the 
     revolving loan fund; and
       ``(B) clearly and publicly disclosed to qualified ultimate 
     borrowers.
       ``(3) Borrowers to which intermediaries lend shall be--
       ``(A) required to complete a succession plan as a condition 
     of the loan; and
       ``(B) be offered the opportunity to borrow sufficient funds 
     to cover costs associated with the succession plan under 
     subparagraph (A) and other associated legal and closing 
     costs.
       ``(f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, 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 describing the operation and outcomes of the 
     program under this section, with recommendations on how to 
     strengthen the program.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

                      Subtitle B--Operating Loans

     SEC. 5201. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF OPERATING LOANS.

       Section 313 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1943) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``$300,000'' and inserting ``$400,000'';
       (B) by striking ``$700,000'' and inserting ``$1,750,000''; 
     and
       (C) by striking ``2000'' and inserting ``2019''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``August'' and inserting 
     ``July''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``ending on August 31, 
     1996'' and inserting ``that immediately precedes the 12-month 
     period described in paragraph (1)''.

     SEC. 5202. MICROLOANS.

       Section 313(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(c)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``title'' and inserting ``subsection''.

     SEC. 5203. COOPERATIVE LENDING PILOT PROJECTS.

       Section 313(c)(4)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(c)(4)(A)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

                 Subtitle C--Administrative Provisions

     SEC. 5301. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER INDIVIDUAL 
                   DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS PILOT PROGRAM.

       Section 333B(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b(h)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 5302. LOAN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS.

       Section 346(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``$4,226,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' 
     and inserting ``$10,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023''; and
       (2) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) $3,000,000,000 shall be for direct loans, of which--
       ``(i) $1,500,000,000 shall be for farm ownership loans 
     under subtitle A; and
       ``(ii) $1,500,000,000 shall be for operating loans under 
     subtitle B; and
       ``(B) $7,000,000,000 shall be for guaranteed loans, of 
     which--
       ``(i) $3,500,000,000 shall be for farm ownership loans 
     under subtitle A; and
       ``(ii) $3,500,000,000 shall be for operating loans under 
     subtitle B.''.

     SEC. 5303. LOAN FUND SET-ASIDES.

       Section 346(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 5304. USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR DIRECT OPERATING 
                   MICROLOANS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

       Section 346(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(5) Use of additional funds for direct operating 
     microloans under certain conditions.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary determines that the 
     amount needed for a fiscal year for direct operating loans 
     (including microloans) under subtitle B is greater than the 
     aggregate principal amount authorized for that fiscal year by 
     this Act, an appropriations Act, or any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary shall make additional microloans under 
     subtitle B using amounts made available under subparagraph 
     (C).
       ``(B) Notice.--Not later than 15 days before the date on 
     which the Secretary uses the authority under subparagraph 
     (A), the Secretary shall submit a notice of the use of that 
     authority to--
       ``(i) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       ``(iii) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(iv) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry of the Senate.
       ``(C) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $5,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 5305. EQUITABLE RELIEF.

       The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended 
     by inserting after section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008) the following:

     ``SEC. 366. EQUITABLE RELIEF.

       ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary 
     may provide a form of relief described in subsection (c) to 
     any farmer or rancher who--
       ``(1) received a direct farm ownership, operating, or 
     emergency loan under this title; and
       ``(2) the Secretary determines is not in compliance with 
     the requirements of this title with respect to the loan.
       ``(b) Limitation.--The Secretary may only provide relief to 
     a farmer or rancher under subsection (a) if the Secretary 
     determines that the farmer or rancher--
       ``(1) acted in good faith; and
       ``(2) relied on an action of, or the advice of, the 
     Secretary (including any authorized representative of the 
     Secretary) to the detriment of the farming or ranching 
     operation of the farmer or rancher.
       ``(c) Forms of Relief.--The Secretary may provide to a 
     farmer or rancher under subsection (a) any of the following 
     forms of relief:
       ``(1) The farmer or rancher may retain loans or other 
     benefits received in association with the loan with respect 
     to which the farmer or rancher was determined to be 
     noncompliant under subsection (a)(2).
       ``(2) The farmer or rancher may receive such other 
     equitable relief as the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.
       ``(d) Condition.--As a condition of receiving relief under 
     this section, the Secretary may require the farmer or rancher 
     to take actions designed to remedy the noncompliance.
       ``(e) Administrative Appeal; Judicial Review.--A 
     determination or action of the Secretary under this section--
       ``(1) shall be final; and
       ``(2) shall not be subject to administrative appeal or 
     judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5, United States 
     Code.''.

     SEC. 5306. SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS; 
                   QUALIFIED BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

       The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended 
     by inserting after section 366 (as added by section 5305) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 367. SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS; 
                   QUALIFIED BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

       ``In the case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary under 
     subtitle A or B to a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher 
     (as defined in section 355(e)) or a qualified beginning 
     farmer or rancher, the Secretary may provide for a standard 
     guarantee plan, which shall cover an amount equal to 95 
     percent of the outstanding principal of the loan.''.

     SEC. 5307. EMERGENCY LOAN ELIGIBILITY.

       Section 373(b)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008h(b)(2)(B)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) 
     and (II), respectively, and indenting appropriately;

[[Page H9870]]

       (2) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Restructured loans.--For purposes of clause (i), a 
     borrower who was restructured with a write-down or 
     restructuring under section 353 shall not be considered to 
     have received debt forgiveness on a loan made or guaranteed 
     under this title.''.

                       Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

     SEC. 5401. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE CONSOLIDATED FARM AND 
                   RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT.

       (a)(1) Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961(a)) is amended in the second 
     sentence by striking ``and limited liability companies'' and 
     inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal 
     entities''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 5201(2)(C) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79) in lieu of the 
     amendment made by such section.
       (b)(1) Section 331D(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981d(e)) is amended by inserting 
     after ``within 60 days after receipt of the notice required 
     in this section'' the following: ``or, in extraordinary 
     circumstances as determined by the applicable State director, 
     after the 60-day period''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 10 of the 
     Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-
     554).
       (c)(1) Section 333A(f)(1)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a(f)(1)(A)) is amended by 
     striking ``114'' and inserting ``339''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 14 of the 
     Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-
     554).
       (d) Section 339(d)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C.1989(d)(3)) is amended by striking 
     ``preferred certified lender'' and inserting ``Preferred 
     Certified Lender''.
       (e)(1) Section 343(a)(11)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)(C)) is amended by 
     striking ``or joint operators'' and inserting ``joint 
     operator, or owners''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as of the effective date of section 5303(a)(2) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79).
       (f)(1) Section 343(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(b)) is amended by striking 
     ``307(e)'' and inserting ``307(d)''.
       (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 
     as of the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
     (Public Law 113-79).
       (g) Section 346(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C.1994(a)) is amended by striking the 
     last comma.

     SEC. 5402. STATE AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Issues Covered by State Mediation Programs.--Section 
     501(c) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 
     5101(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``under 
     the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture'';
       (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ``and the national 
     organic program established under the Organic Foods 
     Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.)'' before the 
     period at the end; and
       (iii) by striking clause (vii) and inserting the following:
       ``(vii) Lease issues, including land leases and equipment 
     leases.
       ``(viii) Family farm transition.
       ``(ix) Farmer-neighbor disputes.
       ``(x) Such other issues as the Secretary or the head of the 
     department of agriculture of each participating State 
     considers appropriate for better serving the agricultural 
     community and persons eligible for mediation.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Mediation services.--Funding provided for the 
     mediation program of a qualifying State may also be used to 
     provide credit counseling to persons described in paragraph 
     (2)--
       ``(i) prior to the initiation of any mediation involving 
     the Department of Agriculture; or
       ``(ii) unrelated to any ongoing dispute or mediation in 
     which the Department of Agriculture is a party.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)(A)--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) any other persons involved in an issue for which 
     mediation services are provided by a mediation program 
     described in paragraph (1)(B).''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3)(F), by striking ``that persons'' and 
     inserting the following: ``that--
       ``(i) the Department of Agriculture receives adequate 
     notification of those issues; and
       ``(ii) persons''.
       (b) Report Required.--Section 505 of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5105) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 505. REPORT.

       ``Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall 
     submit to Congress a report describing--
       ``(1) the effectiveness of the State mediation programs 
     receiving matching grants under this subtitle;
       ``(2) recommendations for improving the delivery of 
     mediation services to producers;
       ``(3) the steps being taken to ensure that State mediation 
     programs receive timely funding under this subtitle; and
       ``(4) the savings to the States as a result of having a 
     mediation program.''.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 506 of the 
     Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5106) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 5403. COMPENSATION OF BANK DIRECTORS.

       Section 4.21 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2209) is repealed.

     SEC. 5404. SHARING OF PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL 
                   INFORMATION.

       Section 5.19 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2254) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Sharing of Privileged and Confidential Information.--
     A System institution shall not be considered to have waived 
     the confidentiality of a privileged communication with an 
     attorney or an accountant if the System institution provides 
     the content of the communication to the Farm Credit 
     Administration pursuant to the supervisory or regulatory 
     authorities of the Farm Credit Administration.''.

     SEC. 5405. FACILITY HEADQUARTERS.

       Section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2251) is amended by striking all that precedes ``to the 
     rental of quarters'' and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 5.16. QUARTERS AND FACILITIES FOR THE FARM CREDIT 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       ``(a) The Farm Credit Administration shall maintain its 
     principal office within the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia 
     standard metropolitan statistical area, and such other 
     offices within the United States as in its judgment are 
     necessary.
       ``(b) As an alternate''.

     SEC. 5406. REMOVAL AND PROHIBITION AUTHORITY; INDUSTRY-WIDE 
                   PROHIBITION.

       Part C of title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended 
     by inserting after section 5.29 (12 U.S.C. 2265) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 5.29A. REMOVAL AND PROHIBITION AUTHORITY; INDUSTRY-
                   WIDE PROHIBITION.

       ``(a) Definition of Person.--In this section, the term 
     `person' means--
       ``(1) an individual; and
       ``(2) in the case of a specific determination by the Farm 
     Credit Administration, a legal entity.
       ``(b) Industry-wide Prohibition.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (c), any person who, pursuant to an order issued 
     under section 5.28 or 5.29, has been removed or suspended 
     from office at a System institution or prohibited from 
     participating in the conduct of the affairs of a System 
     institution shall not, during the period of effectiveness of 
     the order, continue or commence to hold any office in, or 
     participate in any manner in the conduct of the affairs of--
       ``(1) any insured depository institution subject to section 
     8(e)(7)(A)(i) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1818(e)(7)(A)(i));
       ``(2) any institution subject to section 8(e)(7)(A)(ii) of 
     the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1818(e)(7)(A)(ii));
       ``(3) any insured credit union under the Federal Credit 
     Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
       ``(4) any Federal home loan bank;
       ``(5) any institution chartered under this Act;
       ``(6) any appropriate Federal financial institutions 
     regulatory agency (as defined in section 8(e)(7)(D) of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(7)(D)));
       ``(7) the Federal Housing Finance Agency; or
       ``(8) the Farm Credit Administration.
       ``(c) Exception for Institution-affiliated Party That 
     Receives Written Consent.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Affiliated parties.--If, on or after the date on 
     which an order described in subsection (b) is issued that 
     removes or suspends an institution-affiliated party from 
     office at a System institution or prohibits an institution-
     affiliated party from participating in the conduct of the 
     affairs of a System institution, that party receives written 
     consent described in subparagraph (B), subsection (b) shall 
     not apply to that party--
       ``(i) to the extent provided in the written consent 
     received; and
       ``(ii) with respect to the institution described in each 
     written consent.
       ``(B) Written consent described.--The written consent 
     referred to in subparagraph (A) is written consent received 
     from--
       ``(i) the Farm Credit Administration; and
       ``(ii) each appropriate Federal financial institutions 
     regulatory agency (as defined in section 8(e)(7)(D) of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(7)(D))) of 
     the applicable institution described in any of paragraphs 
     (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (b) with respect to which 
     the party proposes to be become an affiliated party.
       ``(2) Disclosure.--Any agency described in clause (i) or 
     (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) that provides a written consent 
     under that paragraph shall--
       ``(A) report the action to the Farm Credit Administration; 
     and
       ``(B) publicly disclose the action.
       ``(3) Consultation between agencies.--The agencies 
     described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) shall 
     consult with each other before providing any written consent 
     under that paragraph.
       ``(d) Violations.--A violation of subsection (b) by any 
     person who is subject to an order described in that 
     subsection shall be treated as violation of that order.''.

     SEC. 5407. JURISDICTION OVER INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTIES.

       Part C of title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended 
     by inserting after section 5.31 (12 U.S.C. 2267) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 5.31A. JURISDICTION OVER INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED 
                   PARTIES.

       ``(a) In General.--For purposes of sections 5.25, 5.26, and 
     5.32, the jurisdiction of the Farm

[[Page H9871]]

     Credit Administration over parties, and the authority of the 
     Farm Credit Administration to initiate actions, shall include 
     enforcement authority over institution-affiliated parties.
       ``(b) Effect of Separation on Jurisdiction and Authority.--
     Subject to subsection (c), the resignation, termination of 
     employment or participation, or separation of an institution-
     affiliated party (including a separation caused by the 
     merger, consolidation, conservatorship, or receivership of a 
     Farm Credit System institution) shall not affect the 
     jurisdiction and authority of the Farm Credit Administration 
     to issue any notice or order and proceed under this part 
     against that party.
       ``(c) Limitation.--To proceed against a party under 
     subsection (b), the notice or order described in that 
     subsection shall be served not later than 6 years after the 
     date on which the party ceased to be an institution-
     affiliated party with respect to the applicable Farm Credit 
     System institution.
       ``(d) Applicability.--The date on which a party ceases to 
     be an institution-affiliated party described in subsection 
     (c) may occur before, on, or after the date of enactment of 
     this section.''.

     SEC. 5408. DEFINITION OF INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTY.

       Section 5.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2271) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) the term `institution-affiliated party' means--
       ``(A) a director, officer, employee, shareholder, or agent 
     of a System institution;
       ``(B) an independent contractor (including an attorney, 
     appraiser, or accountant) who knowingly or recklessly 
     participates in--
       ``(i) a violation of law (including regulations) that is 
     associated with the operations and activities of 1 or more 
     System institutions;
       ``(ii) a breach of fiduciary duty; or
       ``(iii) an unsafe practice that causes or is likely to 
     cause more than a minimum financial loss to, or a significant 
     adverse effect on, a System institution; and
       ``(C) any other person, as determined by the Farm Credit 
     Administration (by regulation or on a case-by-case basis) who 
     participates in the conduct of the affairs of a System 
     institution; and''.

     SEC. 5409. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS.

       Section 5.65 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2277a-14) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Prohibition on Uses of Funds Related to Federal 
     Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.--No funds from 
     administrative accounts or from the Farm Credit System 
     Insurance Fund may be used by the Corporation to provide 
     assistance to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation 
     or to support any activities related to the Federal 
     Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.''.

     SEC. 5410. EXPANSION OF ACREAGE EXCEPTION TO LOAN AMOUNT 
                   LIMITATION.

       (a) In General.--Section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm Credit Act 
     of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279aa-8(c)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``1,000'' and inserting ``2,000''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect 1 year after the date a report submitted in 
     accordance with section 5414 of this Act indicates that it is 
     feasible to increase the acreage limitation in section 
     8.8(c)(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to 2,000 acres.

     SEC. 5411. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISIONS; TECHNICAL 
                   CORRECTIONS.

       (1) Section 1.1(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2001(c)) is amended in the first sentence by striking 
     ``including any costs of defeasance under section 4.8(b),''.
       (2) Section 1.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2002) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) Composition.--The Farm Credit System shall include 
     the Farm Credit Banks, the bank for cooperatives, 
     Agricultural Credit Banks, the Federal Land Bank 
     Associations, the Federal Land Credit Associations, the 
     Production Credit Associations, the agricultural credit 
     associations, the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding 
     Corporation, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, 
     service corporations established pursuant to section 4.25, 
     and such other institutions as may be made a part of the Farm 
     Credit System, all of which shall be chartered by and subject 
     to regulation by the Farm Credit Administration.''.
       (3) Section 2.4 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2075) is amended by striking subsection (d).
       (4) Section 3.0(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2121(a)) is amended--
       (A) in the third sentence, by striking ``and a Central Bank 
     for Cooperatives''; and
       (B) by striking the fifth sentence.
       (5) Section 3.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2123) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``not merged into the 
     United Bank for Cooperatives or the National Bank for 
     Cooperatives''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2)(A), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by striking ``(other than the National Bank for 
     Cooperatives)'';
       (B) by striking subsection (b);
       (C) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking ``(a)(1) Each bank'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--Each bank''; and
       (ii) by striking ``(2)(A) If approved'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(b) Nomination and Election.--
       ``(1) In general.--If approved'';
       (D) in subsection (b)(1) (as so designated)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(B) The total'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Number of votes.--The total''; and
       (ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs 
     (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting appropriately; and
       (E) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``paragraph'' and inserting ``subsection''.
       (6) Section 3.5 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2126) is amended in the third sentence by striking 
     ``district''.
       (7) Section 3.7(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2128(a)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
       (8) Section 3.8(b)(1)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2129(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``(or any 
     successor agency)'' after ``Rural Electrification 
     Administration''.
       (9) Section 3.9(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2130(a)) is amended by striking the third sentence.
       (10) Section 3.10 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2131) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (c), by striking the second sentence; and
       (B) in subsection (d)--
       (i) by striking ``district'' each place it appears; and
       (ii) by inserting ``for cooperatives (or any successor 
     bank)'' before ``on account''.
       (11) Section 3.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2132) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by striking 
     ``subsections (b) and (c) of this section'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (b)'';
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) in the first sentence, by striking ``district''; and
       (ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``Except as 
     provided in subsection (c) below, all'' and inserting 
     ``All'';
       (C) by striking subsection (c); and
       (D) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as 
     subsections (c) through (e), respectively.
       (12) Part B of title III of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2141 et seq.) is amended in the part heading by 
     striking ``United and''.
       (13) Section 3.20 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2141) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``or the United Bank for 
     Cooperatives, as the case may be''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``the district banks for 
     cooperatives and the Central Bank for Cooperatives'' and 
     inserting ``the constituent banks described in section 413(b) 
     of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (12 U.S.C. 2121 note; 
     Public Law 100-233)''.
       (14) Section 3.21 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2142) is repealed.
       (15) Section 3.28 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2149) is amended by striking ``a district bank for 
     cooperatives and the Central Bank for Cooperatives'' and 
     inserting ``the constituent banks described in section 413(b) 
     of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (12 U.S.C. 2121 note; 
     Public Law 100-233)''.
       (16) Section 3.29 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2149a) is repealed.
       (17) Section 4.0 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2151) is repealed.
       (18) Section 4.8 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2159) is amended--
       (A) by striking the section designation and heading and all 
     that follows through ``Each bank'' in subsection (a) and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 4.8. PURCHASE AND SALE OF OBLIGATIONS.

       ``Each bank''; and
       (B) by striking subsection (b).
       (19) Section 4.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2160) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (d)--
       (i) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) Representation of board.--The Farm Credit System 
     Insurance Corporation shall not have representation on the 
     board of directors of the Corporation.'';
       (ii) in the undesignated matter following paragraph (1)(D), 
     by striking ``In selecting'' and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Considerations.--In selecting''; and
       (iii) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by inserting 
     ``of paragraph (1)'' after ``(A) and (B)'';
       (B) by striking subsection (e); and
       (C) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e).
       (20) Section 4.9A(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2162(c)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``institution, and--'' in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through the 
     period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting 
     ``institution.'';
       (B) by striking ``If an institution'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--If an institution'';
       (C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking ``the 
     receiver of the institution'' and inserting ``the Farm Credit 
     System Insurance Corporation, acting as receiver,''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Funding.--The Farm Credit System Insurance 
     Corporation shall use such funds from the Farm Credit 
     Insurance Fund as are sufficient to carry out this 
     section.''.
       (21) Section 4.12A(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2184(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--A Farm Credit System bank or association 
     shall provide to a stockholder of the bank or association a 
     current list of stockholders of the bank or association not 
     later than 7 calendar days after the date on which the bank 
     or association receives a written request for the stockholder 
     list from the stockholder.''.
       (22) Section 4.14A of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2202a) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``and section 4.36'' before the colon at the end; and

[[Page H9872]]

       (ii) in paragraph (5)(B)(ii)(I), by striking ``4.14C,'';
       (B) by striking subsection (h);
       (C) by redesignating subsections (i) through (l) as 
     subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and
       (D) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``production credit''.
       (23) Section 4.14C of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2202c) is repealed.
       (24) Section 4.17 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2205) is amended in the third sentence by striking ``Federal 
     intermediate credit banks and''.
       (25) Section 4.19(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2207(a)) is amended--
       (A) in the first sentence--
       (i) by striking ``district''; and
       (ii) by striking ``Federal land bank association and 
     production credit''; and
       (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``units'' and 
     inserting ``institutions''.
       (26) Section 4.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2219c) is amended by striking ``The Assistance Board 
     established under section 6.0 and all'' and inserting 
     ``All''.
       (27) Section 4.39 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2219d) is amended by striking ``8.0(7))'' and inserting 
     ``8.0)''.
       (28) Section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2251) is amended in the undesignated matter following 
     paragraph (5) of subsection (b) (as designated by section 
     5405)--
       (A) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``In actions 
     undertaken by the banks pursuant to the foregoing provisions 
     of this section'' and inserting the following:
       ``(5) Agent for banks.--In actions undertaken by the banks 
     pursuant to this section'';
       (B) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``The plans'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(4) Approval of board.--The plans'';
       (C) in the third sentence, by striking ``The powers'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(3) Powers of banks.--The powers'';
       (D) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such advances'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Advances.--The advances of funds described in 
     paragraph (1)''; and
       (E) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Board'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(c) Financing.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Board''.
       (29) Section 5.17(a)(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2252(a)(2)) is amended by striking the second and 
     third sentences.
       (30) Section 5.18 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2253) is repealed.
       (31) Section 5.19 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2254) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in the first sentence, by striking ``Except for Federal 
     land bank associations, each'' and inserting ``Each''; and
       (ii) by striking the second sentence; and
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``(b)(1) Each'' and inserting ``(b) Each'';
       (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (2) (as so 
     designated)--

       (I) in the second sentence, by striking ``, except with 
     respect to any actions taken by any banks of the System under 
     section 4.8(b),''; and
       (II) by striking the third sentence; and

       (iii) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3).
       (32) Section 5.31 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2267) is amended in the second sentence by striking 
     ``4.14A(i)'' and inserting ``4.14A(h)''.
       (33) Section 5.32(h) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2268(h)) is amended by striking ``4.14A(i)'' and 
     inserting ``4.14A(h)''.
       (34) Section 5.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2271) is amended in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by section 
     5408(2))--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by striking subparagraph (B);
       (C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B); 
     and
       (D) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) by striking ``after December 31, 1992,''; and
       (ii) by striking ``by the Farm Credit System Assistance 
     Board under section 6.6 or''.
       (35) Section 5.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2274) is amended by striking ``a farm'' and all that follows 
     through ``land bank'' and inserting ``a Farm Credit Bank 
     board, officer, or employee shall not remove any director or 
     officer of any''.
       (36) Section 5.44 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2275) is repealed.
       (37) Section 5.58(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2277a-7(2)) is amended by striking the second 
     sentence.
       (38) Section 5.60 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2277a-9) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection 
     designation and heading and all that follows through ``The 
     Corporation'' in paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Amounts in Fund.--The Corporation''; and
       (B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``Insurance Fund to--
     '' in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that 
     follows through ``ensure'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
     ``Insurance Fund to ensure''.
       (39) Title VI of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2278a et seq.) is repealed.
       (40) Section 7.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279c-2) is amended by striking subsection (c).
       (41) Section 7.10(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2279d(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(4) the institution pays to the Farm Credit Insurance 
     Fund the amount by which the total capital of the institution 
     exceeds 6 percent of the assets;''.
       (42) Section 8.0 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279aa) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``means--'' in the matter 
     preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows through the 
     period at the end of the undesignated matter following 
     subparagraph (B) and inserting ``means the board of directors 
     established under section 8.2.'';
       (B) by striking paragraphs (6) and (8);
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (9), and (10) as 
     paragraphs (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and
       (D) in subparagraph (B)(i) of paragraph (7) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``(b) through (d)'' and inserting 
     ``(b) and (c)''.
       (43) Section 8.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279aa-2) is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (a);
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection 
     designation and heading and all that follows through the 
     period at the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Corporation shall be under the 
     management of the board of directors.'';
       (C) in subsection (a) (as so designated)--
       (i) by striking ``permanent board'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``Board'';
       (ii) by striking paragraph (3);
       (iii) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (10) as 
     paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively; and
       (iv) in paragraph (3)(A) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``(6)'' and inserting ``(5)''; and
       (D) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
       (44) Section 8.4(a)(1) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2279aa-4(a)(1)) is amended--
       (A) in the sixth sentence--
       (i) by striking ``Class B'' and inserting the following:
       ``(iii) Class b stock.--Class B''; and
       (ii) by striking ``8.2(b)(2)(B)'' and inserting 
     ``8.2(a)(2)(B)'';
       (B) in the fifth sentence--
       (i) by striking ``Class A'' and inserting the following:
       ``(ii) Class a stock.--Class A''; and
       (ii) by striking ``8.2(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting 
     ``8.2(a)(2)(A)'';
       (C) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``The stock'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(D) Classes of stock.--
       ``(i) In general.--The stock'';
       (D) by striking the third sentence and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) Offers.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Board shall offer the voting common 
     stock to banks, other financial institutions, insurance 
     companies, and System institutions under such terms and 
     conditions as the Board may adopt.
       ``(ii) Requirements.--The voting common stock shall be 
     fairly and broadly offered to ensure that--

       ``(I) no institution or institutions acquire a 
     disproportionate share of the total quantity of the voting 
     common stock outstanding of a class of stock; and
       ``(II) capital contributions and issuances of voting common 
     stock for the contributions are fairly distributed between 
     entities eligible to hold class A stock and class B stock.'';

       (E) in the second sentence, by striking ``Each share'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(B) Number of votes.--Each share''; and
       (F) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Corporation'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation''.
       (45) Section 8.6 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279aa-6) is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (d);
       (B) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d); and
       (C) in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``8.0(9))'' and inserting 
     ``8.0)''.
       (46) Section 8.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279aa-9) is amended by striking ``4.14C,'' each place it 
     appears.
       (47) Section 8.11(e) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2279aa-11(e)) is amended by striking ``8.0(7))'' and 
     inserting ``8.0)''.
       (48) Section 8.32(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
     U.S.C. 2279bb-1(a)) is amended--
       (A) in the first sentence of the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``Not sooner than the expiration of the 3-
     year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Farm 
     Credit System Reform Act of 1996, the'' and inserting 
     ``The''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``8.0(9)(C)'' and 
     inserting ``8.0(7)(C)''.
       (49) Section 8.33(b)(2)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
     (12 U.S.C. 2279bb-2(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking 
     ``8.6(e)'' and inserting ``8.6(d)''.
       (50) Section 8.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279bb-4) is amended by striking subsection (e).
       (51) Section 8.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
     2279bb-7) is repealed.
       (52) Section 4 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1141b) is repealed.
       (53) Section 5 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1141c) is repealed.
       (54) Section 6 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1141d) is repealed.
       (55) Section 7 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1141e) is repealed.
       (56) Section 8 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1141f) is repealed.
       (57) Section 14 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1141i) is repealed.
       (58) The Act of June 22, 1939 (53 Stat. 853, chapter 239; 
     12 U.S.C. 1141d-1), is repealed.
       (59) Section 201(e) of the Emergency Relief and 
     Construction Act of 1932 (12 U.S.C. 1148) is repealed.
       (60) Section 2 of the Act of July 14, 1953 (67 Stat. 150, 
     chapter 192; 12 U.S.C. 1148a-4), is repealed.

[[Page H9873]]

       (61) Section 32 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 U.S.C. 
     1148b) is repealed.
       (62) Section 33 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 U.S.C. 
     1148c) is repealed.
       (63) Section 34 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 U.S.C. 
     1148d) is repealed.
       (64) The Joint Resolution of March 3, 1932 (47 Stat. 60, 
     chapter 70; 12 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), is repealed.

     SEC. 5412. CORPORATION AS CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER; CERTAIN 
                   OTHER POWERS.

       Part E of title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended 
     by inserting after section 5.61B (12 U.S.C. 2277a-10b) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 5.61C. CORPORATION AS CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER; CERTAIN 
                   OTHER POWERS.

       ``(a) Definition of Institution.--In this section, the term 
     `institution' includes any System institution for which the 
     Corporation has been appointed as conservator or receiver.
       ``(b) Certain Powers and Duties of Corporation as 
     Conservator or Receiver.--In addition to the powers inherent 
     in the express grant of corporate authority under section 
     5.58(9), and other powers exercised by the Corporation under 
     this part, the Corporation shall have the following express 
     powers to act as a conservator or receiver:
       ``(1) Rulemaking authority of corporation.--The Corporation 
     may prescribe such regulations as the Corporation determines 
     to be appropriate regarding the conduct of conservatorships 
     or receiverships.
       ``(2) General powers.--
       ``(A) Successor to system institution.--The Corporation 
     shall, as conservator or receiver, and by operation of law, 
     succeed to--
       ``(i) all rights, titles, powers, and privileges of the 
     System institution, and of any stockholder, member, officer, 
     or director of such System institution with respect to the 
     System institution and the assets of the System institution; 
     and
       ``(ii) title to the books, records, and assets of any 
     previous conservator or other legal custodian of such System 
     institution.
       ``(B) Operate the system institution.--The Corporation may, 
     as conservator or receiver--
       ``(i) take over the assets of and operate the System 
     institution with all the powers of the stockholders or 
     members, the directors, and the officers of the System 
     institution and conduct all business of the System 
     institution;
       ``(ii) collect all obligations and money due the System 
     institution;
       ``(iii) perform all functions of the System institution in 
     the name of the System institution which are consistent with 
     the appointment as conservator or receiver;
       ``(iv) preserve and conserve the assets and property of 
     such System institution; and
       ``(v) provide by contract for assistance in fulfilling any 
     function, activity, action, or duty of the Corporation as 
     conservator or receiver.
       ``(C) Functions of system institution's officers, 
     directors, members, and stockholders.--The Corporation may, 
     by regulation or order, provide for the exercise of any 
     function by any stockholder, member, director, or officer of 
     any System institution for which the Corporation has been 
     appointed conservator or receiver.
       ``(D) Powers as conservator.--Subject to any Farm Credit 
     Administration approvals required under this Act, the 
     Corporation may, as conservator, take such action as may be--
       ``(i) necessary to put the System institution in a sound 
     and solvent condition; and
       ``(ii) appropriate to carry on the business of the System 
     institution and preserve and conserve the assets and property 
     of the System institution.
       ``(E) Additional powers as receiver.--The Corporation may, 
     as receiver, liquidate the System institution and proceed to 
     realize upon the assets of the System institution, in such 
     manner as the Corporation determines to be appropriate.
       ``(F) Organization of new system bank.--The Corporation 
     may, as receiver with respect to any System bank, organize a 
     bridge System bank under subsection (h).
       ``(G) Merger; transfer of assets and liabilities.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the Corporation 
     may, as conservator or receiver--

       ``(I) merge the System institution with another System 
     institution; and
       ``(II) transfer or sell any asset or liability of the 
     System institution in default without any approval, 
     assignment, or consent with respect to such transfer.

       ``(ii) Approval.--No merger or transfer under clause (i) 
     may be made to another System institution (other than a 
     bridge System bank under subsection (h)) without the approval 
     of the Farm Credit Administration.
       ``(H) Payment of valid obligations.--The Corporation, as 
     conservator or receiver, shall, to the extent that proceeds 
     are realized from the performance of contracts or the sale of 
     the assets of a System institution, pay all valid obligations 
     of the System institution in accordance with the 
     prescriptions and limitations of this section.
       ``(I) Incidental powers.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Corporation may, as conservator or 
     receiver--

       ``(I) exercise all powers and authorities specifically 
     granted to conservators or receivers, respectively, under 
     this section and such incidental powers as shall be necessary 
     to carry out such powers; and
       ``(II) take any action authorized by this section, which 
     the Corporation determines is in the best interests of--

       ``(aa) the System institution in receivership or 
     conservatorship;
       ``(bb) System institutions;
       ``(cc) System institution stockholders or investors; or
       ``(dd) the Corporation.
       ``(ii) Termination of rights and claims.--

       ``(I) In general.--Except as provided in subclause (II), 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, the appointment 
     of the Corporation as receiver for a System institution and 
     the succession of the Corporation, by operation of law, to 
     the rights, titles, powers, and privileges described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall terminate all rights and claims that 
     the stockholders and creditors of the System institution may 
     have, arising as a result of their status as stockholders or 
     creditors, against the assets or charter of the System 
     institution or the Corporation.
       ``(II) Exceptions.--Subclause (I) shall not terminate the 
     right to payment, resolution, or other satisfaction of the 
     claims of stockholders and creditors described in that 
     subclause, as permitted under paragraphs (10) and (11) and 
     subsection (d).

       ``(iii) Charter.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, for purposes of this section, the charter of a System 
     institution shall not be considered to be an asset of the 
     System institution.
       ``(J) Utilization of private sector.--In carrying out its 
     responsibilities in the management and disposition of assets 
     from System institutions, as conservator, receiver, or in its 
     corporate capacity, the Corporation may utilize the services 
     of private persons, including real estate and loan portfolio 
     asset management, property management, auction marketing, 
     legal, and brokerage services, if the Corporation determines 
     utilization of such services is practicable, efficient, and 
     cost effective.
       ``(3) Authority of receiver to determine claims.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation may, as receiver, 
     determine claims in accordance with the requirements of this 
     subsection and regulations prescribed under paragraph (4).
       ``(B) Notice requirements.--The receiver, in any case 
     involving the liquidation or winding up of the affairs of a 
     closed System institution, shall--
       ``(i) promptly publish a notice to the System institution's 
     creditors to present their claims, together with proof, to 
     the receiver by a date specified in the notice which shall be 
     not less than 90 days after the publication of such notice; 
     and
       ``(ii) republish such notice approximately 1 month and 2 
     months, respectively, after the publication under clause (i).
       ``(C) Mailing required.--The receiver shall mail a notice 
     similar to the notice published under subparagraph (B)(i) at 
     the time of such publication to any creditor shown on the 
     System institution's books--
       ``(i) at the creditor's last address appearing in such 
     books; or
       ``(ii) upon discovery of the name and address of a claimant 
     not appearing on the System institution's books within 30 
     days after the discovery of such name and address.
       ``(4) Rulemaking authority relating to determination of 
     claims.--The Corporation may prescribe regulations regarding 
     the allowance or disallowance of claims by the receiver and 
     providing for administrative determination of claims and 
     review of such determination.
       ``(5) Procedures for determination of claims.--
       ``(A) Determination period.--
       ``(i) In general.--Before the end of the 180-day period 
     beginning on the date any claim against a System institution 
     is filed with the Corporation as receiver, the Corporation 
     shall determine whether to allow or disallow the claim and 
     shall notify the claimant of any determination with respect 
     to such claim.
       ``(ii) Extension of time.--The period described in clause 
     (i) may be extended by a written agreement between the 
     claimant and the Corporation.
       ``(iii) Mailing of notice sufficient.--The requirements of 
     clause (i) shall be deemed to be satisfied if the notice of 
     any determination with respect to any claim is mailed to the 
     last address of the claimant which appears--

       ``(I) on the System institution's books;
       ``(II) in the claim filed by the claimant; or
       ``(III) in documents submitted in proof of the claim.

       ``(iv) Contents of notice of disallowance.--If any claim 
     filed under clause (i) is disallowed, the notice to the 
     claimant shall contain--

       ``(I) a statement of each reason for the disallowance; and
       ``(II) the procedures available for obtaining agency review 
     of the determination to disallow the claim or judicial 
     determination of the claim.

       ``(B) Allowance of proven claims.--The receiver shall allow 
     any claim received on or before the date specified in the 
     notice published under paragraph (3)(B)(i) by the receiver 
     from any claimant which is proved to the satisfaction of the 
     receiver.
       ``(C) Disallowance of claims filed after end of filing 
     period.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), 
     claims filed after the date specified in the notice published 
     under paragraph (3)(B)(i) shall be disallowed and such 
     disallowance shall be final.
       ``(ii) Certain exceptions.--Clause (i) shall not apply with 
     respect to any claim filed by any claimant after the date 
     specified in the notice published under paragraph (3)(B)(i) 
     and such claim may be considered by the receiver if--

       ``(I) the claimant did not receive notice of the 
     appointment of the receiver in time to file such claim before 
     such date; and
       ``(II) such claim is filed in time to permit payment of 
     such claim.

       ``(D) Authority to disallow claims.--
       ``(i) In general.--The receiver may disallow any portion of 
     any claim by a creditor or claim of security, preference, or 
     priority which is not proved to the satisfaction of the 
     receiver.
       ``(ii) Payments to less than fully secured creditors.--In 
     the case of a claim of a creditor against a System 
     institution which is secured by

[[Page H9874]]

     any property or other asset of such System institution, any 
     receiver appointed for any System institution--

       ``(I) may treat the portion of such claim which exceeds an 
     amount equal to the fair market value of such property or 
     other asset as an unsecured claim against the System 
     institution; and
       ``(II) may not make any payment with respect to such 
     unsecured portion of the claim other than in connection with 
     the disposition of all claims of unsecured creditors of the 
     System institution.

       ``(iii) Exceptions.--No provision of this paragraph shall 
     apply with respect to--

       ``(I) any extension of credit from any Federal Reserve bank 
     or the United States Treasury to any System institution; or
       ``(II) any security interest in the assets of the System 
     institution securing any such extension of credit.

       ``(E) No judicial review of determination pursuant to 
     subparagraph (d).--No court may review the Corporation's 
     determination pursuant to subparagraph (D) to disallow a 
     claim.
       ``(F) Legal effect of filing.--
       ``(i) Statute of limitation tolled.--For purposes of any 
     applicable statute of limitations, the filing of a claim with 
     the receiver shall constitute a commencement of an action.
       ``(ii) No prejudice to other actions.--Subject to paragraph 
     (12) and the determination of claims by a receiver, the 
     filing of a claim with the receiver shall not prejudice any 
     right of the claimant to continue any action which was filed 
     before the appointment of the receiver.
       ``(6) Provision for judicial determination of claims.--
       ``(A) In general.--Before the end of the 60-day period 
     beginning on the earlier of--
       ``(i) the end of the period described in paragraph 
     (5)(A)(i) with respect to any claim against a System 
     institution for which the Corporation is receiver; or
       ``(ii) the date of any notice of disallowance of such claim 
     pursuant to paragraph (5)(A)(i),
     the claimant may request administrative review of the claim 
     in accordance with paragraph (7) or file suit on such claim 
     (or continue an action commenced before the appointment of 
     the receiver) in the district or territorial court of the 
     United States for the district within which the System 
     institution's principal place of business is located or the 
     United States District Court for the District of Columbia 
     (and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear such claim).
       ``(B) Statute of limitations.--If any claimant fails to 
     file suit on such claim (or continue an action commenced 
     before the appointment of the receiver), before the end of 
     the 60-day period described in subparagraph (A), the claim 
     shall be deemed to be disallowed (other than any portion of 
     such claim which was allowed by the receiver) as of the end 
     of such period, such disallowance shall be final, and the 
     claimant shall have no further rights or remedies with 
     respect to such claim.
       ``(7) Review of claims; administrative hearing.--If any 
     claimant requests review under this paragraph in lieu of 
     filing or continuing any action under paragraph (6) and the 
     Corporation agrees to such request, the Corporation shall 
     consider the claim after opportunity for a hearing on the 
     record. The final determination of the Corporation with 
     respect to such claim shall be subject to judicial review 
     under chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(8) Expedited determination of claims.--
       ``(A) Establishment required.--The Corporation shall 
     establish a procedure for expedited relief outside of the 
     routine claims process established under paragraph (5) for 
     claimants who--
       ``(i) allege the existence of legally valid and enforceable 
     or perfected security interests in assets of any System 
     institution for which the Corporation has been appointed 
     receiver; and
       ``(ii) allege that irreparable injury will occur if the 
     routine claims procedure is followed.
       ``(B) Determination period.--Before the end of the 90-day 
     period beginning on the date any claim is filed in accordance 
     with the procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (A), 
     the Corporation shall--
       ``(i) determine--

       ``(I) whether to allow or disallow such claim; or
       ``(II) whether such claim should be determined pursuant to 
     the procedures established pursuant to paragraph (5); and

       ``(ii) notify the claimant of the determination, and if the 
     claim is disallowed, provide a statement of each reason for 
     the disallowance and the procedure for obtaining agency 
     review or judicial determination.
       ``(C) Period for filing or renewing suit.--Any claimant who 
     files a request for expedited relief shall be permitted to 
     file a suit, or to continue a suit filed before the 
     appointment of the receiver, seeking a determination of the 
     claimant's rights with respect to such security interest 
     after the earlier of--
       ``(i) the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of 
     the filing of a request for expedited relief; or
       ``(ii) the date the Corporation denies the claim.
       ``(D) Statute of limitations.--If an action described in 
     subparagraph (C) is not filed, or the motion to renew a 
     previously filed suit is not made, before the end of the 30-
     day period beginning on the date on which such action or 
     motion may be filed in accordance with subparagraph (B), the 
     claim shall be deemed to be disallowed as of the end of such 
     period (other than any portion of such claim which was 
     allowed by the receiver), such disallowance shall be final, 
     and the claimant shall have no further rights or remedies 
     with respect to such claim.
       ``(E) Legal effect of filing.--
       ``(i) Statute of limitation tolled.--For purposes of any 
     applicable statute of limitations, the filing of a claim with 
     the receiver shall constitute a commencement of an action.
       ``(ii) No prejudice to other actions.--Subject to paragraph 
     (12), the filing of a claim with the receiver shall not 
     prejudice any right of the claimant to continue any action 
     which was filed before the appointment of the receiver.
       ``(9) Agreement as basis of claim.--
       ``(A) Requirements.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
     (B), any agreement which does not meet the requirements set 
     forth in section 5.61(d) shall not form the basis of, or 
     substantially comprise, a claim against the receiver or the 
     Corporation.
       ``(B) Exception to contemporaneous execution requirement.--
     Notwithstanding section 5.61(d), any agreement relating to an 
     extension of credit between a Federal Reserve bank or the 
     United States Treasury and any System institution which was 
     executed before such extension of credit to such System 
     institution shall be treated as having been executed 
     contemporaneously with such extension of credit for purposes 
     of subparagraph (A).
       ``(10) Payment of claims.--
       ``(A) In general.--The receiver may, in the receiver's 
     discretion and to the extent funds are available from the 
     assets of the System institution, pay creditor claims which 
     are allowed by the receiver, approved by the Corporation 
     pursuant to a final determination pursuant to paragraph (7) 
     or (8), or determined by the final judgment of any court of 
     competent jurisdiction in such manner and amounts as are 
     authorized under this Act.
       ``(B) Liquidation payments.--The receiver may, in the 
     receiver's sole discretion, pay from the assets of the System 
     institution portions of proved claims at any time, and no 
     liability shall attach to the Corporation (in such 
     Corporation's corporate capacity or as receiver), by reason 
     of any such payment, for failure to make payments to a 
     claimant whose claim is not proved at the time of any such 
     payment.
       ``(C) Rulemaking authority of corporation.--The Corporation 
     may prescribe such rules, including definitions of terms, as 
     it deems appropriate to establish a single uniform interest 
     rate for or to make payments of post insolvency interest to 
     creditors holding proven claims against the receivership 
     estates of System institutions following satisfaction by the 
     receiver of the principal amount of all creditor claims.
       ``(11) Priority of expenses and claims.--
       ``(A) In general.--Amounts realized from the liquidation or 
     other resolution of any System institution by any receiver 
     appointed for such System institution shall be distributed to 
     pay claims (other than secured claims to the extent of any 
     such security) in the following order of priority:
       ``(i) Administrative expenses of the receiver.
       ``(ii) If authorized by the Corporation, wages, salaries, 
     or commissions, including vacation, severance, and sick leave 
     pay earned by an individual--

       ``(I) in an amount that is not more than $11,725 for each 
     individual (as indexed for inflation, by regulation of the 
     Corporation); and
       ``(II) that is earned 180 days or fewer before the date of 
     appointment of the Corporation as receiver.

       ``(iii) In the case of the resolution of a System bank, all 
     claims of holders of consolidated and System-wide bonds and 
     all claims of the other System banks arising from the 
     payments of the System banks pursuant to--

       ``(I) section 4.4 on consolidated and System-wide bonds 
     issued under subsection (c) or (d) of section 4.2; or
       ``(II) an agreement, in writing and approved by the Farm 
     Credit Administration, among the System banks to reallocate 
     the payments.

       ``(iv) In the case of the resolution of a production credit 
     association or other association making direct loans under 
     section 7.6, all claims of a System bank based on the 
     financing agreement between the association and the System 
     bank--

       ``(I) including interest accrued before and after the 
     appointment of the receiver; and
       ``(II) not including any setoff for stock or other equity 
     of that System bank owned by the association, on that 
     condition that, prior to making that setoff, that System bank 
     shall obtain the approval of the Farm Credit Administration 
     Board for the retirement of that stock or equity.

       ``(v) Any general or senior liability of the System 
     institution (which is not a liability described in clause 
     (vi) or (vii)).
       ``(vi) Any obligation subordinated to general creditors 
     (which is not an obligation described in clause (vii)).
       ``(vii) Any obligation to stockholders or members arising 
     as a result of their status as stockholders or members.
       ``(B) Payment of claims.--
       ``(i) In general.--

       ``(I) Payment.--All claims of each priority described in 
     clauses (i) through (vii) of subparagraph (A) shall be paid 
     in full, or provisions shall be made for that payment, prior 
     to the payment of any claim of a lesser priority.
       ``(II) Insufficient funds.--If there are insufficient funds 
     to pay in full all claims in any priority described clauses 
     (i) through (vii) of subparagraph (A), distribution on that 
     priority of claims shall be made on a pro rata basis.

       ``(ii) Distribution of remaining assets.--Following the 
     payment of all claims in accordance with subparagraph (A), 
     the receiver shall distribute the remainder of the assets of 
     the System institution to the owners of stock, participation 
     certificates, and other equities in accordance with the 
     priorities for impairment under the bylaws of the System 
     institution.
       ``(iii) Eligible borrower stock.--Notwithstanding 
     subparagraph (C) or any other provision of this section, 
     eligible borrower stock shall be retired in accordance with 
     section 4.9A.
       ``(C) Effect of state law.--
       ``(i) In general.--The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall 
     not supersede the law of any

[[Page H9875]]

     State except to the extent such law is inconsistent with the 
     provisions of such subparagraph, and then only to the extent 
     of the inconsistency.
       ``(ii) Procedure for determination of inconsistency.--Upon 
     the Corporation's own motion or upon the request of any 
     person with a claim described in subparagraph (A) or any 
     State which is submitted to the Corporation in accordance 
     with procedures which the Corporation shall prescribe, the 
     Corporation shall determine whether any provision of the law 
     of any State is inconsistent with any provision of 
     subparagraph (A) and the extent of any such inconsistency.
       ``(iii) Judicial review.--The final determination of the 
     Corporation under clause (ii) shall be subject to judicial 
     review under chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(D) Accounting report.--Any distribution by the 
     Corporation in connection with any claim described in 
     subparagraph (A)(vii) shall be accompanied by the accounting 
     report required under paragraph (15)(B).
       ``(12) Suspension of legal actions.--
       ``(A) In general.--After the appointment of a conservator 
     or receiver for a System institution, the conservator or 
     receiver may request a stay for a period not to exceed--
       ``(i) 45 days, in the case of any conservator; and
       ``(ii) 90 days, in the case of any receiver,
     in any judicial action or proceeding to which such System 
     institution is or becomes a party.
       ``(B) Grant of stay by all courts required.--Upon receipt 
     of a request by any conservator or receiver pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) for a stay of any judicial action or 
     proceeding in any court with jurisdiction of such action or 
     proceeding, the court shall grant such stay as to all 
     parties.
       ``(13) Additional rights and duties.--
       ``(A) Prior final adjudication.--The Corporation shall 
     abide by any final unappealable judgment of any court of 
     competent jurisdiction which was rendered before the 
     appointment of the Corporation as conservator or receiver.
       ``(B) Rights and remedies of conservator or receiver.--In 
     the event of any appealable judgment, the Corporation as 
     conservator or receiver shall--
       ``(i) have all the rights and remedies available to the 
     System institution (before the appointment of such 
     conservator or receiver) and the Corporation in its corporate 
     capacity, including removal to Federal court and all 
     appellate rights; and
       ``(ii) not be required to post any bond in order to pursue 
     such remedies.
       ``(C) No attachment or execution.--No attachment or 
     execution may issue by any court on--
       ``(i) assets in the possession of the receiver; or
       ``(ii) the charter of a System institution for which the 
     Corporation has been appointed receiver.
       ``(D) Limitation on judicial review.--Except as otherwise 
     provided in this subsection, no court shall have jurisdiction 
     over--
       ``(i) any claim or action for payment from, or any action 
     seeking a determination of rights with respect to, the assets 
     of any System institution for which the Corporation has been 
     appointed receiver, including assets which the Corporation 
     may acquire from itself as such receiver; or
       ``(ii) any claim relating to any act or omission of such 
     System institution or the Corporation as receiver.
       ``(E) Disposition of assets.--In exercising any right, 
     power, privilege, or authority as receiver in connection with 
     any sale or disposition of assets of any System institution 
     for which the Corporation is acting as receiver, the 
     Corporation shall, to the maximum extent practicable, conduct 
     its operations in a manner which--
       ``(i) maximizes the net present value return from the sale 
     or disposition of such assets;
       ``(ii) minimizes the amount of any loss realized in the 
     resolution of cases;
       ``(iii) ensures adequate competition and fair and 
     consistent treatment of offerors;
       ``(iv) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, 
     or ethnic groups in the solicitation and consideration of 
     offers; and
       ``(v) mitigates the potential for serious adverse effects 
     to the rest of the System.
       ``(14) Statute of limitations for actions brought by 
     conservator or receiver.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of any 
     contract, the applicable statute of limitations with regard 
     to any action brought by the Corporation as conservator or 
     receiver shall be--
       ``(i) in the case of any contract claim, the longer of--

       ``(I) the 6-year period beginning on the date the claim 
     accrues; or
       ``(II) the period applicable under State law; and

       ``(ii) in the case of any tort claim, the longer of--

       ``(I) the 3-year period beginning on the date the claim 
     accrues; or
       ``(II) the period applicable under State law.

       ``(B) Determination of the date on which a claim accrues.--
     For purposes of subparagraph (A), the date on which the 
     statute of limitations begins to run on any claim described 
     in such subparagraph shall be the later of--
       ``(i) the date of the appointment of the Corporation as 
     conservator or receiver; or
       ``(ii) the date on which the cause of action accrues.
       ``(C) Revival of expired state causes of action.--
       ``(i) In general.--In the case of any tort claim described 
     in clause (ii) for which the statute of limitation applicable 
     under State law with respect to such claim has expired not 
     more than 5 years before the appointment of the Corporation 
     as conservator or receiver, the Corporation may bring an 
     action as conservator or receiver on such claim without 
     regard to the expiration of the statute of limitation 
     applicable under State law.
       ``(ii) Claims described.--A tort claim referred to in 
     clause (i) is a claim arising from fraud, intentional 
     misconduct resulting in unjust enrichment, or intentional 
     misconduct resulting in substantial loss to the System 
     institution.
       ``(15) Accounting and recordkeeping requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation as conservator or 
     receiver shall, consistent with the accounting and reporting 
     practices and procedures established by the Corporation, 
     maintain a full accounting of each conservatorship and 
     receivership or other disposition of System institutions in 
     default.
       ``(B) Annual accounting or report.--With respect to each 
     conservatorship or receivership to which the Corporation was 
     appointed, the Corporation shall make an annual accounting or 
     report, as appropriate, available to the Farm Credit 
     Administration Board.
       ``(C) Availability of reports.--Any report prepared 
     pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be made available by the 
     Corporation upon request to any stockholder of the System 
     institution for which the Corporation was appointed 
     conservator or receiver or any other member of the public.
       ``(D) Recordkeeping requirement.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), after 
     the end of the 6-year period beginning on the date the 
     Corporation is appointed as receiver of a System institution, 
     the Corporation may destroy any records of such System 
     institution which the Corporation, in the Corporation's 
     discretion, determines to be unnecessary unless directed not 
     to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or governmental 
     agency, or prohibited by law.
       ``(ii) Old records.--Notwithstanding clause (i), the 
     Corporation may destroy records of a System institution which 
     are at least 10 years old as of the date on which the 
     Corporation is appointed as the receiver of such System 
     institution in accordance with clause (i) at any time after 
     such appointment is final, without regard to the 6-year 
     period of limitation contained in clause (i).
       ``(16) Fraudulent transfers.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation, as conservator or 
     receiver for any System institution, may avoid a transfer of 
     any interest of a System institution-affiliated party, or any 
     person who the Corporation determines is a debtor of the 
     System institution, in property, or any obligation incurred 
     by such party or person, that was made within 5 years of the 
     date on which the Corporation was appointed conservator or 
     receiver if such party or person voluntarily or involuntarily 
     made such transfer or incurred such liability with the intent 
     to hinder, delay, or defraud the System institution, the Farm 
     Credit Administration, or the Corporation.
       ``(B) Right of recovery.--To the extent a transfer is 
     avoided under subparagraph (A), the Corporation may recover, 
     for the benefit of the System institution, the property 
     transferred, or, if a court so orders, the value of such 
     property (at the time of such transfer) from--
       ``(i) the initial transferee of such transfer or the System 
     institution-affiliated party or person for whose benefit such 
     transfer was made; or
       ``(ii) any immediate or mediate transferee of any such 
     initial transferee.
       ``(C) Rights of transferee or obligee.--The Corporation may 
     not recover under subparagraph (B) from--
       ``(i) any transferee that takes for value, including 
     satisfaction or securing of a present or antecedent debt, in 
     good faith; or
       ``(ii) any immediate or mediate good faith transferee of 
     such transferee.
       ``(D) Rights under this paragraph.--The rights under this 
     paragraph of the Corporation shall be superior to any rights 
     of a trustee or any other party (other than any party which 
     is a Federal agency) under title 11, United States Code.
       ``(17) Attachment of assets and other injunctive relief.--
     Subject to paragraph (18), any court of competent 
     jurisdiction may, at the request of the Corporation (in the 
     Corporation's capacity as conservator or receiver for any 
     System institution or in the Corporation's corporate capacity 
     with respect to any asset acquired or liability assumed by 
     the Corporation under section 5.61), issue an order in 
     accordance with Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil 
     Procedure, including an order placing the assets of any 
     person designated by the Corporation under the control of the 
     court and appointing a trustee to hold such assets.
       ``(18) Standards.--
       ``(A) Showing.--Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil 
     Procedure shall apply with respect to any proceeding under 
     paragraph (17) without regard to the requirement of such rule 
     that the applicant show that the injury, loss, or damage is 
     irreparable and immediate.
       ``(B) State proceeding.--If, in the case of any proceeding 
     in a State court, the court determines that rules of civil 
     procedure available under the laws of such State provide 
     substantially similar protections to such party's right to 
     due process as Rule 65 (as modified with respect to such 
     proceeding by subparagraph (A)), the relief sought by the 
     Corporation pursuant to paragraph (17) may be requested under 
     the laws of such State.
       ``(19) Treatment of claims arising from breach of contracts 
     executed by the receiver or conservator.--Notwithstanding any 
     other provision of this subsection, any final and 
     unappealable judgment for monetary damages entered against a 
     receiver or conservator for a System institution for the 
     breach of an agreement executed or approved by such receiver 
     or conservator after the date of its appointment shall be 
     paid as an administrative expense of

[[Page H9876]]

     the receiver or conservator. Nothing in this paragraph shall 
     be construed to limit the power of a receiver or conservator 
     to exercise any rights under contract or law, including 
     terminating, breaching, canceling, or otherwise discontinuing 
     such agreement.
       ``(c) Provisions Relating to Contracts Entered Into Before 
     Appointment of Conservator or Receiver.--
       ``(1) Authority to repudiate contracts.--In addition to any 
     other rights a conservator or receiver may have, the 
     conservator or receiver for a System institution may 
     disaffirm or repudiate any contract or lease--
       ``(A) to which such System institution is a party;
       ``(B) the performance of which the conservator or receiver, 
     in the conservator's or receiver's discretion, determines to 
     be burdensome; and
       ``(C) the disaffirmance or repudiation of which the 
     conservator or receiver determines, in the conservator's or 
     receiver's discretion, will promote the orderly 
     administration of the System institution's affairs.
       ``(2) Timing of repudiation.--The Corporation as 
     conservator or receiver for any System institution shall 
     determine whether or not to exercise the rights of 
     repudiation under this subsection within a reasonable period 
     following such appointment.
       ``(3) Claims for damages for repudiation.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in 
     subparagraph (C) and paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), the 
     liability of the conservator or receiver for the 
     disaffirmance or repudiation of any contract pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall be--
       ``(i) limited to actual direct compensatory damages; and
       ``(ii) determined as of--

       ``(I) the date of the appointment of the conservator or 
     receiver; or
       ``(II) in the case of any contract or agreement referred to 
     in paragraph (8), the date of the disaffirmance or 
     repudiation of such contract or agreement.

       ``(B) No liability for other damages.--For purposes of 
     subparagraph (A), the term `actual direct compensatory 
     damages' does not include--
       ``(i) punitive or exemplary damages;
       ``(ii) damages for lost profits or opportunity; or
       ``(iii) damages for pain and suffering.
       ``(C) Measure of damages for repudiation of financial 
     contracts.--In the case of any qualified financial contract 
     or agreement to which paragraph (8) applies, compensatory 
     damages shall be--
       ``(i) deemed to include normal and reasonable costs of 
     cover or other reasonable measures of damages utilized in the 
     industries for such contract and agreement claims; and
       ``(ii) paid in accordance with this subsection and 
     subsection (j), except as otherwise specifically provided in 
     this section.
       ``(4) Leases under which the system institution is the 
     lessee.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the conservator or receiver 
     disaffirms or repudiates a lease under which the System 
     institution was the lessee, the conservator or receiver shall 
     not be liable for any damages (other than damages determined 
     pursuant to subparagraph (B)) for the disaffirmance or 
     repudiation of such lease.
       ``(B) Payments of rent.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
     the lessor under a lease to which such subparagraph applies 
     shall--
       ``(i) be entitled to the contractual rent accruing before 
     the later of the date--

       ``(I) the notice of disaffirmance or repudiation is mailed; 
     or
       ``(II) the disaffirmance or repudiation becomes effective, 
     unless the lessor is in default or breach of the terms of the 
     lease; and

       ``(ii) have no claim for damages under any acceleration 
     clause or other penalty provision in the lease; and
       ``(iii) have a claim for any unpaid rent, subject to all 
     appropriate offsets and defenses, due as of the date of the 
     appointment, which shall be paid in accordance with this 
     subsection and subsection (j).
       ``(5) Leases under which the system institution is the 
     lessor.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the conservator or receiver 
     repudiates an unexpired written lease of real property of the 
     System institution under which the System institution is the 
     lessor and the lessee is not, as of the date of such 
     repudiation, in default, the lessee under such lease may 
     either--
       ``(i) treat the lease as terminated by such repudiation; or
       ``(ii) remain in possession of the leasehold interest for 
     the balance of the term of the lease, unless the lessee 
     defaults under the terms of the lease after the date of such 
     repudiation.
       ``(B) Provisions applicable to lessee remaining in 
     possession.--If any lessee under a lease described in 
     subparagraph (A) remains in possession of a leasehold 
     interest pursuant to clause (ii) of such subparagraph--
       ``(i) the lessee--

       ``(I) shall continue to pay the contractual rent pursuant 
     to the terms of the lease after the date of the repudiation 
     of such lease; and
       ``(II) may offset against any rent payment which accrues 
     after the date of the repudiation of the lease, any damages 
     which accrue after such date due to the nonperformance of any 
     obligation of the System institution under the lease after 
     such date; and

       ``(ii) the conservator or receiver shall not be liable to 
     the lessee for any damages arising after such date as a 
     result of the repudiation, other than the amount of any 
     offset allowed under clause (i)(II).
       ``(6) Contracts for the sale of real property.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the conservator or receiver 
     repudiates any contract that meets the requirements of 
     paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 5.61(d) for the sale of 
     real property, and the purchaser of such real property under 
     such contract is in possession and is not, as of the date of 
     such repudiation, in default, such purchaser may either--
       ``(i) treat the contract as terminated by such repudiation; 
     or
       ``(ii) remain in possession of such real property.
       ``(B) Provisions applicable to purchaser remaining in 
     possession.--If any purchaser of real property under any 
     contract described in subparagraph (A) remains in possession 
     of such property pursuant to clause (ii) of such 
     subparagraph--
       ``(i) the purchaser--

       ``(I) shall continue to make all payments due under the 
     contract after the date of the repudiation of the contract; 
     and
       ``(II) may offset against any such payments any damages 
     which accrue after such date due to the nonperformance (after 
     such date) of any obligation of the System institution under 
     the contract; and

       ``(ii) the conservator or receiver shall--

       ``(I) not be liable to the purchaser for any damages 
     arising after that date as a result of the repudiation, other 
     than the amount of any offset allowed under clause (i)(II);
       ``(II) deliver title to the purchaser in accordance with 
     the contract; and
       ``(III) have no obligation under the contract, other than 
     the performance required under subclause (II).

       ``(C) Assignment and sale allowed.--
       ``(i) In general.--No provision of this paragraph shall be 
     construed as limiting the right of the conservator or 
     receiver to assign the contract described in subparagraph (A) 
     and sell the property subject to the contract and this 
     paragraph.
       ``(ii) No liability after assignment and sale.--If an 
     assignment and sale described in clause (i) is consummated, 
     the Corporation, acting as conservator or receiver, shall 
     have no further liability under the applicable contract 
     described in subparagraph (A) or with respect to the real 
     property which was the subject of such contract.
       ``(7) Provisions applicable to service contracts.--
       ``(A) Services performed before appointment.--In the case 
     of any contract for services between any person and any 
     System institution for which the Corporation has been 
     appointed conservator or receiver, any claim of such person 
     for services performed before the appointment of the 
     conservator or the receiver shall be--
       ``(i) a claim to be paid in accordance with subsections (b) 
     and (d); and
       ``(ii) deemed to have arisen as of the date the conservator 
     or receiver was appointed.
       ``(B) Services performed after appointment and prior to 
     repudiation.--If, in the case of any contract for services 
     described in subparagraph (A), the conservator or receiver 
     accepts performance by the other person before the 
     conservator or receiver makes any determination to exercise 
     the right of repudiation of such contract under this 
     section--
       ``(i) the other party shall be paid under the terms of the 
     contract for the services performed; and
       ``(ii) the amount of such payment shall be treated as an 
     administrative expense of the conservatorship or 
     receivership.
       ``(C) Acceptance of performance no bar to subsequent 
     repudiation.--The acceptance by any conservator or receiver 
     of services referred to in subparagraph (B) in connection 
     with a contract described in such subparagraph shall not 
     affect the right of the conservator or receiver, to repudiate 
     such contract under this section at any time after such 
     performance.
       ``(8) Certain qualified financial contracts.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Commodity contract.--The term `commodity contract' 
     means--

       ``(I) with respect to a futures commission merchant, a 
     contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future 
     delivery on, or subject to the rules of, a contract market or 
     board of trade;
       ``(II) with respect to a foreign futures commission 
     merchant, a foreign future;
       ``(III) with respect to a leverage transaction merchant, a 
     leverage transaction;
       ``(IV) with respect to a clearing organization, a contract 
     for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery 
     on, or subject to the rules of, a contract market or board of 
     trade that is cleared by such clearing organization, or 
     commodity option traded on, or subject to the rules of, a 
     contract market or board of trade that is cleared by such 
     clearing organization;
       ``(V) with respect to a commodity options dealer, a 
     commodity option;
       ``(VI) any other agreement or transaction that is similar 
     to any agreement or transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(VII) any combination of the agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this clause;
       ``(VIII) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(IX) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in any of subclauses (I) through 
     (VIII), together with all supplements to any such master 
     agreement, without regard to whether the master agreement 
     provides for an agreement or transaction that is not a 
     commodity contract under this clause, except that the master 
     agreement shall be considered to be a commodity contract 
     under this clause only with respect to each agreement or 
     transaction under the master agreement that is referred to in 
     subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), or 
     (VIII); or
       ``(X) any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to any agreement or transaction referred 
     to in this

[[Page H9877]]

     clause, including any guarantee or reimbursement obligation 
     in connection with any agreement or transaction referred to 
     in this clause.

       ``(ii) Forward contract.--The term `forward contract' 
     means--

       ``(I) a contract (other than a commodity contract) for the 
     purchase, sale, or transfer of a commodity or any similar 
     good, article, service, right, or interest which is presently 
     or in the future becomes the subject of dealing in the 
     forward contract trade, or product or byproduct thereof, with 
     a maturity date more than 2 days after the date the contract 
     is entered into, including a repurchase or reverse repurchase 
     transaction (whether or not such repurchase or reverse 
     repurchase transaction is a repurchase agreement), 
     consignment, lease, swap, hedge transaction, deposit, loan, 
     option, allocated transaction, unallocated transaction, or 
     any other similar agreement;
       ``(II) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in subclauses (I) and (III);
       ``(III) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclause (I) or (II);
       ``(IV) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclauses (I) through (III), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     without regard to whether the master agreement provides for 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a forward contract 
     under this clause, except that the master agreement shall be 
     considered to be a forward contract under this clause only 
     with respect to each agreement or transaction under the 
     master agreement that is referred to in subclause (I), (II), 
     or (III); or
       ``(V) any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to any agreement or transaction referred 
     to in subclause (I), (II), (III), or (IV), including any 
     guarantee or reimbursement obligation in connection with any 
     agreement or transaction referred to in any such subclause.

       ``(iii) Person.--The term `person'--

       ``(I) has the meaning given the term in section 1 of title 
     1, United States Code; and
       ``(II) includes any governmental entity.

       ``(iv) Qualified financial contract.--The term `qualified 
     financial contract' means any securities contract, commodity 
     contract, forward contract, repurchase agreement, swap 
     agreement, and any similar agreement that the Corporation 
     determines by regulation, resolution, or order to be a 
     qualified financial contract for purposes of this paragraph.
       ``(v) Repurchase agreement.--

       ``(I) In general.--The term `repurchase agreement' 
     (including with respect to a reverse repurchase agreement)--

       ``(aa) means--
       ``(AA) an agreement, including related terms, which 
     provides for the transfer of one or more certificates of 
     deposit, mortgage-related securities (as such term is defined 
     in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
     U.S.C. 78c(a))), mortgage loans, interests in mortgage-
     related securities or mortgage loans, eligible bankers' 
     acceptances, qualified foreign government securities or 
     securities that are direct obligations of, or that are fully 
     guaranteed by, the United States or any agency of the United 
     States against the transfer of funds by the transferee of 
     such certificates of deposit, eligible bankers' acceptances, 
     securities, mortgage loans, or interests with a simultaneous 
     agreement by such transferee to transfer to the transferor 
     thereof certificates of deposit, eligible bankers' 
     acceptances, securities, mortgage loans, or interests as 
     described above, at a date certain not later than 1 year 
     after such transfers or on demand, against the transfer of 
     funds, or any other similar agreement;
       ``(BB) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in subitems (AA) and (CC);
       ``(CC) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subitem (AA) or (BB);
       ``(DD) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subitem (AA), (BB), or (CC), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     without regard to whether the master agreement provides for 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a repurchase 
     agreement under this item, except that the master agreement 
     shall be considered to be a repurchase agreement under this 
     item only with respect to each agreement or transaction under 
     the master agreement that is referred to in subitem (AA), 
     (BB), or (CC); and
       ``(EE) any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in any of subitems (AA) through (DD), including 
     any guarantee or reimbursement obligation in connection with 
     any agreement or transaction referred to in any such subitem; 
     and
       ``(bb) does not include any repurchase obligation under a 
     participation in a commercial mortgage, loan unless the 
     Corporation determines by regulation, resolution, or order to 
     include any such participation within the meaning of such 
     term.

       ``(II) Related definition.--For purposes of subclause 
     (I)(aa), the term `qualified foreign government security' 
     means a security that is a direct obligation of, or that is 
     fully guaranteed by, the central government of a member of 
     the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (as 
     determined by regulation or order adopted by the appropriate 
     Federal banking authority).

       ``(vi) Securities contract.--The term `securities 
     contract'--

       ``(I) means--

       ``(aa) a contract for the purchase, sale, or loan of a 
     security, a certificate of deposit, a mortgage loan, any 
     interest in a mortgage loan, a group or index of securities, 
     certificates of deposit, or mortgage loans or interests 
     therein (including any interest therein or based on the value 
     thereof) or any option on any of the foregoing, including any 
     option to purchase or sell any such security, certificate of 
     deposit, mortgage loan, interest, group or index, or option, 
     and including any repurchase or reverse repurchase 
     transaction on any such security, certificate of deposit, 
     mortgage loan, interest, group or index, or option (whether 
     or not the repurchase or reverse repurchase transaction is a 
     repurchase agreement);
       ``(bb) any option entered into on a national securities 
     exchange relating to foreign currencies;
       ``(cc) the guarantee (including by novation) by or to any 
     securities clearing agency of any settlement of cash, 
     securities, certificates of deposit, mortgage loans or 
     interests therein, group or index of securities, certificates 
     of deposit, or mortgage loans or interests therein (including 
     any interest therein or based on the value thereof) or option 
     on any of the foregoing, including any option to purchase or 
     sell any such security, certificate of deposit, mortgage 
     loan, interest, group or index, or option (whether or not the 
     settlement is in connection with any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in any of items (aa), (bb), and (dd) through 
     (kk));
       ``(dd) any margin loan;
       ``(ee) any extension of credit for the clearance or 
     settlement of securities transactions;
       ``(ff) any loan transaction coupled with a securities 
     collar transaction, any prepaid securities forward 
     transaction, or any total return swap transaction coupled 
     with a securities sale transaction;
       ``(gg) any other agreement or transaction that is similar 
     to any agreement or transaction referred to in this 
     subclause;
       ``(hh) any combination of the agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this subclause;
       ``(ii) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this subclause;
       ``(jj) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in any of items (aa) through (ii), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     without regard to whether the master agreement provides for 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a securities contract 
     under this subclause, except that the master agreement shall 
     be considered to be a securities contract under this 
     subclause only with respect to each agreement or transaction 
     under the master agreement that is referred to in item (aa), 
     (bb), (cc), (dd), (ee), (ff), (gg), (hh), or (ii); and
       ``(kk) any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in this subclause, including any guarantee or 
     reimbursement obligation in connection with any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this subclause; and

       ``(II) does not include any purchase, sale, or repurchase 
     obligation under a participation in a commercial mortgage 
     loan unless the Corporation determines by regulation, 
     resolution, or order to include any such agreement within the 
     meaning of such term.

       ``(vii) Swap agreement.--The term `swap agreement' means--

       ``(I) any agreement, including the terms and conditions 
     incorporated by reference in any such agreement, that is--

       ``(aa) an interest rate swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement, including a rate floor, rate cap, rate collar, 
     cross-currency rate swap, and basis swap;
       ``(bb) a spot, same day-tomorrow, tomorrow-next, forward, 
     or other foreign exchange precious metals or other commodity 
     agreement;
       ``(cc) a currency swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement;
       ``(dd) an equity index or equity swap, option, future, or 
     forward agreement;
       ``(ee) a debt index or debt swap, option, future, or 
     forward agreement;
       ``(ff) a total return, credit spread or credit swap, 
     option, future, or forward agreement;
       ``(gg) a commodity index or commodity swap, option, future, 
     or forward agreement;
       ``(hh) a weather swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement;
       ``(ii) an emissions swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement; or
       ``(jj) an inflation swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement;

       ``(II) any agreement or transaction that is similar to any 
     other agreement or transaction referred to in this clause and 
     that is of a type that has been, is presently, or in the 
     future becomes, the subject of recurrent dealings in the swap 
     or other derivatives markets (including terms and conditions 
     incorporated by reference in such agreement) and that is a 
     forward, swap, future, option or spot transaction on one or 
     more rates, currencies, commodities, equity securities or 
     other equity instruments, debt securities or other debt 
     instruments, quantitative measures associated with an 
     occurrence, extent of an occurrence, or contingency 
     associated with a financial, commercial, or economic 
     consequence, or economic or financial indices or measures of 
     economic or financial risk or value;
       ``(III) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this clause;
       ``(IV) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(V) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in any of subclauses (I) through 
     (IV), together with all supplements to any such master 
     agreement, without regard to whether the master agreement 
     contains an agreement or transaction that is not a swap 
     agreement under this clause, except that the master agreement 
     shall be considered to be a swap agreement under this clause 
     only with respect to each agreement or transaction under the 
     master agreement that is referred to in subclause (I), (II), 
     (III), or (IV); and
       ``(VI) any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreements or transactions 
     referred to in any of subclauses (I) through (V), including 
     any guarantee or reimbursement obligation in connection

[[Page H9878]]

     with any agreement or transaction referred to in any such 
     subclause.

       ``(viii) Transfer.--The term `transfer' means every mode, 
     direct or indirect, absolute or conditional, voluntary or 
     involuntary, of disposing of or parting with property or with 
     an interest in property, including retention of title as a 
     security interest and foreclosure of the equity of redemption 
     of a System institution.
       ``(ix) Treatment of master agreement as 1 agreement.--For 
     purposes of this subparagraph--

       ``(I) any master agreement for any contract or agreement 
     described in this subparagraph (or any master agreement for 
     such a master agreement or agreements), together with all 
     supplements to the master agreement, shall be treated as a 
     single agreement and a single qualified financial contact; 
     and
       ``(II) if a master agreement contains provisions relating 
     to agreements or transactions that are not qualified 
     financial contracts, the master agreement shall be deemed to 
     be a qualified financial contract only with respect to those 
     transactions that are themselves qualified financial 
     contracts.

       ``(B) Rights of parties to contracts.--Subject to 
     paragraphs (9) and (10), and notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this Act (other than subsection (b)(9) and 
     section 5.61(d)) or any other Federal or State law, no person 
     shall be stayed or prohibited from exercising--
       ``(i) any right such person has to cause the termination, 
     liquidation, or acceleration of any qualified financial 
     contract with a System institution which arises upon the 
     appointment of the Corporation as receiver for such System 
     institution at any time after such appointment;
       ``(ii) any right under any security agreement or 
     arrangement or other credit enhancement related to one or 
     more qualified financial contracts described in clause (i); 
     or
       ``(iii) any right to offset or net out any termination 
     value, payment amount, or other transfer obligation arising 
     under, or in connection with, 1 or more contracts and 
     agreements described in clause (i), including any master 
     agreement for such contracts or agreements.
       ``(C) Applicability of other provisions.--Subsection 
     (b)(12) shall apply in the case of any judicial action or 
     proceeding brought against any receiver referred to in 
     subparagraph (A), or the System institution for which such 
     receiver was appointed, by any party to a contract or 
     agreement described in subparagraph (B)(i) with such System 
     institution.
       ``(D) Certain transfers not avoidable.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph (11) or any 
     other Federal or State law relating to the avoidance of 
     preferential or fraudulent transfers, the Corporation, 
     whether acting as such or as conservator or receiver of a 
     System institution, may not avoid any transfer of money or 
     other property in connection with any qualified financial 
     contract with a System institution.
       ``(ii) Exception for certain transfers.--Clause (i) shall 
     not apply to any transfer of money or other property in 
     connection with any qualified financial contract with a 
     System institution if the Corporation determines that the 
     transferee had actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud 
     such System institution, the creditors of such System 
     institution, or any conservator or receiver appointed for 
     such System institution.
       ``(E) Certain protections in event of appointment of 
     conservator.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act 
     (other than subparagraph (G), paragraph (10), subsection 
     (b)(9), and section 5.61(d)) or any other Federal or State 
     law, no person shall be stayed or prohibited from 
     exercising--
       ``(i) any right such person has to cause the termination, 
     liquidation, or acceleration of any qualified financial 
     contract with a System institution in a conservatorship based 
     upon a default under such financial contract which is 
     enforceable under applicable noninsolvency law;
       ``(ii) any right under any security agreement or 
     arrangement or other credit enhancement related to one or 
     more qualified financial contracts described in clause (i); 
     and
       ``(iii) any right to offset or net out any termination 
     values, payment amounts, or other transfer obligations 
     arising under or in connection with such qualified financial 
     contracts.
       ``(F) Clarification.--No provision of law shall be 
     construed as limiting the right or power of the Corporation, 
     or authorizing any court or agency to limit or delay, in any 
     manner, the right or power of the Corporation to transfer any 
     qualified financial contract in accordance with paragraphs 
     (9) and (10) or to disaffirm or repudiate any such contract 
     in accordance with paragraph (1).
       ``(G) Walkaway clauses not effective.--
       ``(i) Definition of walkaway clause.--In this subparagraph, 
     the term `walkaway clause' means any provision in a qualified 
     financial contract that suspends, conditions, or extinguishes 
     a payment obligation of a party, in whole or in part, or does 
     not create a payment obligation of a party that would 
     otherwise exist--

       ``(I) solely because of--

       ``(aa) the status of the party as a nondefaulting party in 
     connection with the insolvency of a System institution that 
     is a party to the contract; or
       ``(bb) the appointment of, or the exercise of rights or 
     powers by, the Corporation as a conservator or receiver of 
     the System institution; and

       ``(II) not as a result of the exercise by a party of any 
     right to offset, setoff, or net obligations that exist 
     under--

       ``(aa) the contract;
       ``(bb) any other contract between those parties; or
       ``(cc) applicable law.
       ``(ii) Treatment.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 
     subparagraphs (B) and (E), no walkaway clause shall be 
     enforceable in a qualified financial contract of a System 
     institution in default.
       ``(iii) Limited suspension of certain obligations.--In the 
     case of a qualified financial contract referred to in clause 
     (ii), any payment or delivery obligations otherwise due from 
     a party pursuant to the qualified financial contract shall be 
     suspended from the time the receiver is appointed until the 
     earlier of--

       ``(I) the time such party receives notice that such 
     contract has been transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B); 
     or
       ``(II) 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business day 
     following the date of the appointment of the receiver.

       ``(H) Recordkeeping requirements.--The Corporation, in 
     consultation with the Farm Credit Administration, may 
     prescribe regulations requiring more detailed recordkeeping 
     by any System institution with respect to qualified financial 
     contracts (including market valuations), only if such System 
     institution is subject to subclause (I), (III), or (IV) of 
     section 5.61B(a)(1)(A)(ii).
       ``(9) Transfer of qualified financial contracts.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Clearing organization.--The term `clearing 
     organization' has the meaning given the term in section 402 
     of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act 
     of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4402).
       ``(ii) Financial institution.--The term `financial 
     institution' means a System institution, a broker or dealer, 
     a depository institution, a futures commission merchant, or 
     any other institution, as determined by the Corporation by 
     regulation to be a financial institution.
       ``(B) Requirement.--In making any transfer of assets or 
     liabilities of a System institution in default which includes 
     any qualified financial contract, the conservator or receiver 
     for such System institution shall either--
       ``(i) transfer to one financial institution, other than a 
     financial institution for which a conservator, receiver, 
     trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been 
     appointed, or that is otherwise the subject of a bankruptcy 
     or insolvency proceeding--

       ``(I) all qualified financial contracts between any person 
     or any affiliate of such person and the System institution in 
     default;
       ``(II) all claims of such person or any affiliate of such 
     person against such System institution under any such 
     contract (other than any claim which, under the terms of any 
     such contract, is subordinated to the claims of general 
     unsecured creditors of such System institution);
       ``(III) all claims of such System institution against such 
     person or any affiliate of such person under any such 
     contract; and
       ``(IV) all property securing or any other credit 
     enhancement for any contract described in subclause (I) or 
     any claim described in subclause (II) or (III) under any such 
     contract; or

       ``(ii) transfer none of the qualified financial contracts, 
     claims, property or other credit enhancement referred to in 
     clause (i) (with respect to such person and any affiliate of 
     such person).
       ``(C) Transfer to foreign bank, foreign financial 
     institution, or branch or agency of a foreign bank or 
     financial institution.--In transferring any qualified 
     financial contracts and related claims and property under 
     subparagraph (B)(i), the conservator or receiver for the 
     System institution shall not make such transfer to a foreign 
     bank, financial institution organized under the laws of a 
     foreign country, or a branch or agency of a foreign bank or 
     financial institution unless, under the law applicable to 
     such bank, financial institution, branch or agency, to the 
     qualified financial contracts, and to any netting contract, 
     any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to one or more qualified financial 
     contracts, the contractual rights of the parties to such 
     qualified financial contracts, netting contracts, security 
     agreements or arrangements, or other credit enhancements are 
     enforceable substantially to the same extent as permitted 
     under this section.
       ``(D) Transfer of contracts subject to the rules of a 
     clearing organization.--In the event that a conservator or 
     receiver transfers any qualified financial contract and 
     related claims, property, and credit enhancements pursuant to 
     subparagraph (B)(i) and such contract is cleared by or 
     subject to the rules of a clearing organization, the clearing 
     organization shall not be required to accept the transferee 
     as a member by virtue of the transfer.
       ``(10) Notification of transfer.--
       ``(A) Definition of business day.--In this paragraph, the 
     term `business day' means any day other than any Saturday, 
     Sunday, or any day on which either the New York Stock 
     Exchange or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed.
       ``(B) Notification.--If--
       ``(i) the conservator or receiver for a System institution 
     in default makes any transfer of the assets and liabilities 
     of such System institution; and
       ``(ii) the transfer includes any qualified financial 
     contract, the conservator or receiver shall notify any person 
     who is a party to any such contract of such transfer by 5:00 
     p.m. (eastern time) on the business day following the date of 
     the appointment of the receiver in the case of a 
     receivership, or the business day following such transfer in 
     the case of a conservatorship.
       ``(C) Certain rights not enforceable.--
       ``(i) Receivership.--A person who is a party to a qualified 
     financial contract with a System institution may not exercise 
     any right that such person has to terminate, liquidate, or 
     net such contract under paragraph (8)(B) of this subsection, 
     solely by reason of or incidental to the appointment of a 
     receiver for the System institution (or the insolvency or 
     financial condition of

[[Page H9879]]

     the System institution for which the receiver has been 
     appointed)--

       ``(I) until 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business day 
     following the date of the appointment of the receiver; or
       ``(II) after the person has received notice that the 
     contract has been transferred pursuant to paragraph (9)(B).

       ``(ii) Conservatorship.--A person who is a party to a 
     qualified financial contract with a System institution may 
     not exercise any right that such person has to terminate, 
     liquidate, or net such contract under paragraph (8)(E) of 
     this subsection, solely by reason of or incidental to the 
     appointment of a conservator for the System institution (or 
     the insolvency or financial condition of the System 
     institution for which the conservator has been appointed).
       ``(iii) Notice.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     Corporation as receiver or conservator of a System 
     institution shall be deemed to have notified a person who is 
     a party to a qualified financial contract with such System 
     institution if the Corporation has taken steps reasonably 
     calculated to provide notice to such person by the time 
     specified in subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Treatment of bridge system institutions.--The 
     following System institutions shall not be considered to be a 
     financial institution for which a conservator, receiver, 
     trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been 
     appointed or which is otherwise the subject of a bankruptcy 
     or insolvency proceeding for purposes of paragraph (9):
       ``(i) A bridge System bank.
       ``(ii) A System institution organized by the Corporation or 
     the Farm Credit Administration, for which a conservator is 
     appointed either--

       ``(I) immediately upon the organization of the System 
     institution; or
       ``(II) at the time of a purchase and assumption transaction 
     between the System institution and the Corporation as 
     receiver for a System institution in default.

       ``(11) Disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified financial 
     contracts.--In exercising the rights of disaffirmance or 
     repudiation of a conservator or receiver with respect to any 
     qualified financial contract to which a System institution is 
     a party, the conservator or receiver for such System 
     institution shall either--
       ``(A) disaffirm or repudiate all qualified financial 
     contracts between--
       ``(i) any person or any affiliate of such person; and
       ``(ii) the System institution in default; or
       ``(B) disaffirm or repudiate none of the qualified 
     financial contracts referred to in subparagraph (A) (with 
     respect to such person or any affiliate of such person).
       ``(12) Certain security interests not avoidable.--No 
     provision of this subsection shall be construed as permitting 
     the avoidance of any legally enforceable or perfected 
     security interest in any of the assets of any System 
     institution except where such an interest is taken in 
     contemplation of the System institution's insolvency or with 
     the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud the System 
     institution or the creditors of such System institution.
       ``(13) Authority to enforce contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--The conservator or receiver may enforce 
     any contract, other than a director's or officer's liability 
     insurance contract or a System institution bond, entered into 
     by the System institution notwithstanding any provision of 
     the contract providing for termination, default, 
     acceleration, or exercise of rights upon, or solely by reason 
     of, insolvency or the appointment of or the exercise of 
     rights or powers by a conservator or receiver.
       ``(B) Certain rights not affected.--No provision of this 
     paragraph may be construed as impairing or affecting any 
     right of the conservator or receiver to enforce or recover 
     under a director's or officer's liability insurance contract 
     or institution bond under other applicable law.
       ``(C) Consent requirement.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as otherwise provided by this 
     section, no person may exercise any right or power to 
     terminate, accelerate, or declare a default under any 
     contract to which the System institution is a party, or to 
     obtain possession of or exercise control over any property of 
     the System institution or affect any contractual rights of 
     the System institution, without the consent of the 
     conservator or receiver, as appropriate, during the 45-day 
     period beginning on the date of the appointment of the 
     conservator, or during the 90-day period beginning on the 
     date of the appointment of the receiver, as applicable.
       ``(ii) Certain exceptions.--No provision of this 
     subparagraph shall apply to a director or officer liability 
     insurance contract or an institution bond, to the rights of 
     parties to certain qualified financial contracts pursuant to 
     paragraph (8), or shall be construed as permitting the 
     conservator or receiver to fail to comply with otherwise 
     enforceable provisions of such contract.
       ``(14) Exception for federal reserve and the united states 
     treasury.--No provision of this subsection shall apply with 
     respect to--
       ``(A) any extension of credit from any Federal Reserve bank 
     or the United States Treasury to any System institution; or
       ``(B) any security interest in the assets of the System 
     institution securing any such extension of credit.
       ``(15) Savings clause.--The meanings of terms used in this 
     subsection--
       ``(A) are applicable for purposes of this subsection only; 
     and
       ``(B) shall not be construed or applied so as to challenge 
     or affect the characterization, definition, or treatment of 
     any similar terms under any other law, regulation, or rule, 
     including--
       ``(i) the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 note; 
     Public Law 106-102);
       ``(ii) the Legal Certainty for Bank Products Act of 2000 (7 
     U.S.C. 27 et seq.);
       ``(iii) the securities laws (as that term is defined in 
     section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
     U.S.C. 78c(a))); and
       ``(iv) the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
       ``(d) Valuation of Claims in Default.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     Federal law or the law of any State and regardless of the 
     method which the Corporation determines to utilize with 
     respect to a System institution in default or in danger of 
     default, including transactions authorized under subsection 
     (h) and section 5.61(a), this subsection shall govern the 
     rights of the creditors of such System institution.
       ``(2) Maximum liability.--The maximum liability of the 
     Corporation, acting as receiver or in any other capacity, to 
     any person having a claim against the receiver or the System 
     institution for which such receiver is appointed shall equal 
     the amount such claimant would have received if the 
     Corporation had liquidated the assets and liabilities of such 
     System institution without exercising the Corporation's 
     authority under subsection (h) or section 5.61(a).
       ``(3) Additional payments authorized.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation may, in its discretion 
     and in the interests of minimizing its losses, use its own 
     resources to make additional payments or credit additional 
     amounts to or with respect to or for the account of any 
     claimant or category of claimants. Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of Federal or State law, or the constitution of any 
     State, the Corporation shall not be obligated, as a result of 
     having made any such payment or credited any such amount to 
     or with respect to or for the account of any claimant or 
     category of claimants, to make payments to any other claimant 
     or category of claimants.
       ``(B) Manner of payment.--The Corporation may make the 
     payments or credit the amounts specified in subparagraph (A) 
     directly to the claimants or may make such payments or credit 
     such amounts to an open System institution to induce such 
     System institution to accept liability for such claims.
       ``(e) Limitation on Court Action.--Except as provided in 
     this section, no court may take any action, except at the 
     written request of the Board of Directors, to restrain or 
     affect the exercise of powers or functions of the Corporation 
     as a conservator or a receiver.
       ``(f) Liability of Directors and Officers.--
       ``(1) In general.--A director or officer of a System 
     institution may be held personally liable for monetary 
     damages in any civil action--
       ``(A) brought by, on behalf of, or at the request or 
     direction of the Corporation;
       ``(B) prosecuted wholly or partially for the benefit of the 
     Corporation--
       ``(i) acting as conservator or receiver of that System 
     institution;
       ``(ii) acting based on a suit, claim, or cause of action 
     purchased from, assigned by, or otherwise conveyed by that 
     receiver or conservator; or
       ``(iii) acting based on a suit, claim, or cause of action 
     purchased from, assigned by, or otherwise conveyed in whole 
     or in part by a System institution or an affiliate of a 
     System institution in connection with assistance provided 
     under section 5.61(a); and
       ``(C) for, as determined under the applicable State law--
       ``(i) gross negligence; or
       ``(ii) any similar conduct, including conduct that 
     demonstrates a greater disregard of a duty of care than gross 
     negligence, such as intentional tortious conduct.
       ``(2) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph (1) impairs or affects 
     any right of the Corporation under any other applicable law.
       ``(g) Damages.--In any proceeding related to any claim 
     against a System institution's director, officer, employee, 
     agent, attorney, accountant, appraiser, or any other party 
     employed by or providing services to a System institution, 
     recoverable damages determined to result from the improvident 
     or otherwise improper use or investment of any System 
     institution's assets shall include principal losses and 
     appropriate interest.
       ``(h) Bridge Farm Credit System Banks.--
       ``(1) Organization.--
       ``(A) Purpose.--
       ``(i) In general.--When 1 or more System banks are in 
     default, or when the Corporation anticipates that 1 or more 
     System banks may become in default, the Corporation may, in 
     its discretion, organize, and the Farm Credit Administration 
     may, in its discretion, charter, 1 or more System banks, with 
     the powers and attributes of System banks, subject to the 
     provisions of this subsection, to be referred to as `bridge 
     System banks'.
       ``(ii) Intent of congress.--It is the intent of the 
     Congress that, in order to prevent unnecessary hardship or 
     losses to the customers of any System bank in default with 
     respect to which a bridge System bank is chartered, the 
     Corporation should--

       ``(I) continue to honor commitments made by the System bank 
     in default to creditworthy customers; and
       ``(II) not interrupt or terminate adequately secured loans 
     which are transferred under this subsection and are being 
     repaid by the debtor in accordance with the terms of the loan 
     instrument.

       ``(B) Authorities.--Once chartered by the Farm Credit 
     Administration, the bridge System bank may--
       ``(i) assume such liabilities of the System bank or banks 
     in default or in danger of default as the Corporation may, in 
     its discretion, determine to be appropriate;
       ``(ii) purchase such assets of the System bank or banks in 
     default or in danger of default as the Corporation may, in 
     its discretion, determine to be appropriate; and
       ``(iii) perform any other temporary function which the 
     Corporation may, in its discretion, prescribe in accordance 
     with this Act.

[[Page H9880]]

       ``(C) Articles of association.--The articles of association 
     and organization certificate of a bridge System bank as 
     approved by the Corporation shall be executed by 3 
     representatives designated by the Corporation.
       ``(D) Interim directors.--A bridge System bank shall have 
     an interim board of directors consisting of not fewer than 5 
     nor more than 10 members appointed by the Corporation.
       ``(2) Chartering.--
       ``(A) Conditions.--The Farm Credit Administration may 
     charter a bridge System bank only if the Board of Directors 
     determines that--
       ``(i) the amount which is reasonably necessary to operate 
     such bridge System bank will not exceed the amount which is 
     reasonably necessary to save the cost of liquidating 1 or 
     more System banks in default or in danger of default with 
     respect to which the bridge System bank is chartered;
       ``(ii) the continued operation of such System bank or banks 
     in default or in danger of default with respect to which the 
     bridge System bank is chartered is essential to provide 
     adequate farm credit services in the 1 or more communities 
     where each such System bank in default or in danger of 
     default is or was providing those farm credit services; or
       ``(iii) the continued operation of such System bank or 
     banks in default or in danger of default with respect to 
     which the bridge System bank is chartered is in the best 
     interest of the Farm Credit System or the public.
       ``(B) Bridge system bank treated as being in default for 
     certain purposes.--A bridge System bank shall be treated as 
     being in default at such times and for such purposes as the 
     Corporation may, in its discretion, determine.
       ``(C) Management.--A bridge System bank, upon the granting 
     of its charter, shall be under the management of a board of 
     directors consisting of not fewer than 5 nor more than 10 
     members appointed by the Corporation, in consultation with 
     the Farm Credit Administration.
       ``(D) Bylaws.--The board of directors of a bridge System 
     bank shall adopt such bylaws as may be approved by the 
     Corporation.
       ``(3) Transfer of assets and liabilities.--
       ``(A) Transfer upon grant of charter.--Upon the granting of 
     a charter to a bridge System bank pursuant to this 
     subsection, the Corporation, as receiver, may transfer any 
     assets and liabilities of the System bank to the bridge 
     System bank in accordance with paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Subsequent transfers.--At any time after a charter is 
     granted to a bridge System bank, the Corporation, as 
     receiver, may transfer any assets and liabilities of such 
     System bank in default as the Corporation may, in its 
     discretion, determine to be appropriate in accordance with 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(C) Effective without approval.--The transfer of any 
     assets or liabilities of a System bank in default or danger 
     of default transferred to a bridge System bank shall be 
     effective without any further approval under Federal or State 
     law, assignment, or consent with respect thereto.
       ``(4) Powers of bridge system banks.--Each bridge System 
     bank chartered under this subsection shall, to the extent 
     described in the charter of the System bank in default with 
     respect to which the bridge System bank is chartered, have 
     all corporate powers of, and be subject to the same 
     provisions of law as, any System bank, except that--
       ``(A) the Corporation may--
       ``(i) remove the interim directors and directors of a 
     bridge System bank;
       ``(ii) fix the compensation of members of the interim board 
     of directors and the board of directors and senior 
     management, as determined by the Corporation in its 
     discretion, of a bridge System bank; and
       ``(iii) waive any requirement established under Federal or 
     State law which would otherwise be applicable with respect to 
     directors of a bridge System bank, on the condition that the 
     waiver of any requirement established by the Farm Credit 
     Administration shall require the concurrence of the Farm 
     Credit Administration;
       ``(B) the Corporation may indemnify the representatives for 
     purposes of paragraph (1)(B) and the interim directors, 
     directors, officers, employees, and agents of a bridge System 
     bank on such terms as the Corporation determines to be 
     appropriate;
       ``(C) no requirement under any provision of law relating to 
     the capital of a System institution shall apply with respect 
     to a bridge System bank;
       ``(D) the Farm Credit Administration Board may establish a 
     limitation on the extent to which any person may become 
     indebted to a bridge System bank without regard to the amount 
     of the bridge System bank's capital or surplus;
       ``(E)(i) the board of directors of a bridge System bank 
     shall elect a chairperson who may also serve in the position 
     of chief executive officer, except that such person shall not 
     serve either as chairperson or as chief executive officer 
     without the prior approval of the Corporation; and
       ``(ii) the board of directors of a bridge System bank may 
     appoint a chief executive officer who is not also the 
     chairperson, except that such person shall not serve as chief 
     executive officer without the prior approval of the 
     Corporation;
       ``(F) the Farm Credit Administration may waive any 
     requirement for a fidelity bond with respect to a bridge 
     System bank at the request of the Corporation;
       ``(G) any judicial action to which a bridge System bank 
     becomes a party by virtue of its acquisition of any assets or 
     assumption of any liabilities of a System bank in default 
     shall be stayed from further proceedings for a period of up 
     to 45 days at the request of the bridge System bank;
       ``(H) no agreement which tends to diminish or defeat the 
     right, title or interest of a bridge System bank in any asset 
     of a System bank in default acquired by it shall be valid 
     against the bridge System bank unless such agreement--
       ``(i) is in writing;
       ``(ii) was executed by such System bank in default and the 
     person or persons claiming an adverse interest thereunder, 
     including the obligor, contemporaneously with the acquisition 
     of the asset by such System bank in default;
       ``(iii) was approved by the board of directors of such 
     System bank in default or its loan committee, which approval 
     shall be reflected in the minutes of said board or committee; 
     and
       ``(iv) has been, continuously from the time of its 
     execution, an official record of such System bank in default;
       ``(I) notwithstanding subsection 5.61(d)(2), any agreement 
     relating to an extension of credit between a System bank, 
     Federal Reserve bank, or the United States Treasury and any 
     System institution which was executed before the extension of 
     credit by such lender to such System institution shall be 
     treated as having been executed contemporaneously with such 
     extension of credit for purposes of subparagraph (H); and
       ``(J) except with the prior approval of the Corporation and 
     the concurrence of the Farm Credit Administration, a bridge 
     System bank may not, in any transaction or series of 
     transactions, issue capital stock or be a party to any 
     merger, consolidation, disposition of substantially all of 
     the assets or liabilities of the bridge System bank, sale or 
     exchange of capital stock, or similar transaction, or change 
     its charter.
       ``(5) Capital.--
       ``(A) No capital required.--The Corporation shall not be 
     required to--
       ``(i) issue any capital stock on behalf of a bridge System 
     bank chartered under this subsection; or
       ``(ii) purchase any capital stock of a bridge System bank, 
     except that notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or 
     State law, the Corporation may purchase and retain capital 
     stock of a bridge System bank in such amounts and on such 
     terms as the Corporation, in its discretion, determines to be 
     appropriate.
       ``(B) Operating funds in lieu of capital.--Upon the 
     organization of a bridge System bank, and thereafter, as the 
     Corporation may, in its discretion, determine to be necessary 
     or advisable, the Corporation may make available to the 
     bridge System bank, upon such terms and conditions and in 
     such form and amounts as the Corporation may in its 
     discretion determine, funds for the operation of the bridge 
     System bank in lieu of capital.
       ``(C) Authority to issue capital stock.--Whenever the Farm 
     Credit Administration Board determines it is advisable to do 
     so, the Corporation shall cause capital stock of a bridge 
     System bank to be issued and offered for sale in such amounts 
     and on such terms and conditions as the Corporation may, in 
     its discretion, determine.
       ``(6) Employee status.--Representatives for purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(C), interim directors, directors, officers, 
     employees, or agents of a bridge System bank are not, solely 
     by virtue of service in any such capacity, officers or 
     employees of the United States. Any employee of the 
     Corporation, the Farm Credit Administration, or any Federal 
     instrumentality who serves at the request of the Corporation 
     as a representative for purposes of paragraph (1)(C), interim 
     director, director, officer, employee, or agent of a bridge 
     System bank shall not--
       ``(A) solely by virtue of service in any such capacity lose 
     any existing status as an officer or employee of the United 
     States for purposes of any provision of law; or
       ``(B) receive any salary or benefits for service in any 
     such capacity with respect to a bridge System bank in 
     addition to such salary or benefits as are obtained through 
     employment with the Corporation or such Federal 
     instrumentality.
       ``(7) Assistance authorized.--The Corporation may, in its 
     discretion, provide assistance under section 5.61(a) to 
     facilitate any merger or consolidation of a bridge System 
     bank in the same manner and to the same extent as such 
     assistance may be provided to a qualifying insured System 
     bank (as defined in section 5.61(a)(2)(B)) or to facilitate a 
     bridge System bank's acquisition of any assets or the 
     assumption of any liabilities of a System bank in default or 
     in danger of default.
       ``(8) Duration of bridge system banks.--Subject to 
     paragraphs (10) and (11), the status of a bridge System bank 
     as such shall terminate at the end of the 2-year period 
     following the date it was granted a charter. The Farm Credit 
     Administration Board may, in its discretion, extend the 
     status of the bridge System bank as such for 3 additional 1-
     year periods.
       ``(9) Termination of bridge system banks status.--The 
     status of any bridge System bank as such shall terminate upon 
     the earliest of--
       ``(A) the merger or consolidation of the bridge System bank 
     with a System institution that is not a bridge System bank, 
     on the condition that the merger or consolidation shall be 
     subject to the approval of the Farm Credit Administration;
       ``(B) at the election of the Corporation and with the 
     approval of the Farm Credit Administration, the sale of a 
     majority or all of the capital stock of the bridge System 
     bank to a System institution or another bridge System bank;
       ``(C) at the election of the Corporation, and with the 
     approval of the Farm Credit Administration, either the 
     assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities of 
     the bridge System bank, or the acquisition of all or 
     substantially all of the assets of the bridge System bank, by 
     a System institution that is not a bridge System bank or 
     other entity as permitted under applicable law; and
       ``(D) the expiration of the period provided in paragraph 
     (8), or the earlier dissolution of the bridge System bank as 
     provided in paragraph (11).
       ``(10) Effect of termination events.--

[[Page H9881]]

       ``(A) Merger or consolidation.--A bridge System bank that 
     participates in a merger or consolidation as provided in 
     paragraph (9)(A) shall be for all purposes a System 
     institution, with all the rights, powers, and privileges 
     thereof, and such merger or consolidation shall be conducted 
     in accordance with, and shall have the effect provided in, 
     the provisions of applicable law.
       ``(B) Charter conversion.--Following the sale of a majority 
     or all of the capital stock of the bridge System bank as 
     provided in paragraph (9)(B), the Farm Credit Administration 
     Board may amend the charter of the bridge System bank to 
     reflect the termination of the status of the bridge System 
     bank as such, whereupon the System bank shall remain a System 
     bank, with all of the rights, powers, and privileges thereof, 
     subject to all laws and regulations applicable thereto.
       ``(C) Assumption of liabilities and sale of assets.--
     Following the assumption of all or substantially all of the 
     liabilities of the bridge System bank, or the sale of all or 
     substantially all of the assets of the bridge System bank, as 
     provided in paragraph (9)(C), at the election of the 
     Corporation, the bridge System bank may retain its status as 
     such for the period provided in paragraph (8).
       ``(D) Amendments to charter.--Following the consummation of 
     a transaction described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of 
     paragraph (9), the charter of the resulting System 
     institution shall be amended by the Farm Credit 
     Administration to reflect the termination of bridge System 
     bank status, if appropriate.
       ``(11) Dissolution of bridge system bank.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     State or Federal law, if the bridge System bank's status as 
     such has not previously been terminated by the occurrence of 
     an event specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of 
     paragraph (9)--
       ``(i) the Corporation, after consultation with the Farm 
     Credit Administration, may, in its discretion, dissolve a 
     bridge System bank in accordance with this paragraph at any 
     time; and
       ``(ii) the Corporation, after consultation with the Farm 
     Credit Administration, shall promptly commence dissolution 
     proceedings in accordance with this paragraph upon the 
     expiration of the 2-year period following the date the bridge 
     System bank was chartered, or any extension thereof, as 
     provided in paragraph (8).
       ``(B) Procedures.--The Farm Credit Administration Board 
     shall appoint the Corporation as receiver for a bridge System 
     bank upon determining to dissolve the bridge System bank. The 
     Corporation as such receiver shall wind up the affairs of the 
     bridge System bank in conformity with the provisions of law 
     relating to the liquidation of closed System banks. With 
     respect to any such bridge System bank, the Corporation as 
     such receiver shall have all the rights, powers, and 
     privileges and shall perform the duties related to the 
     exercise of such rights, powers, or privileges granted by law 
     to a receiver of any insured System bank and, notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law in the exercise of such rights, 
     powers, and privileges, the Corporation shall not be subject 
     to the direction or supervision of any State agency or other 
     Federal agency.
       ``(12) Multiple bridge system banks.--The Corporation may, 
     in the Corporation's discretion, organize, and the Farm 
     Credit Administration may, in its discretion, charter, 2 or 
     more bridge System banks under this subsection to assume any 
     liabilities and purchase any assets of a single System 
     institution in default.
       ``(i) Certain Sales of Assets Prohibited.--
       ``(1) Persons who engaged in improper conduct with, or 
     caused losses to, system institutions.--The Corporation shall 
     prescribe regulations which, at a minimum, shall prohibit the 
     sale of assets of a failed System institution by the 
     Corporation to--
       ``(A) any person who--
       ``(i) has defaulted, or was a member of a partnership or an 
     officer or director of a corporation that has defaulted, on 1 
     or more obligations the aggregate amount of which exceed 
     $1,000,000, to such failed System institution;
       ``(ii) has been found to have engaged in fraudulent 
     activity in connection with any obligation referred to in 
     clause (i); and
       ``(iii) proposes to purchase any such asset in whole or in 
     part through the use of the proceeds of a loan or advance of 
     credit from the Corporation or from any System institution 
     for which the Corporation has been appointed as conservator 
     or receiver;
       ``(B) any person who participated, as an officer or 
     director of such failed System institution or of any 
     affiliate of such System institution, in a material way in 
     transactions that resulted in a substantial loss to such 
     failed System institution;
       ``(C) any person who has been removed from, or prohibited 
     from participating in the affairs of, such failed System 
     institution pursuant to any final enforcement action by the 
     Farm Credit Administration;
       ``(D) any person who has demonstrated a pattern or practice 
     of defalcation regarding obligations to such failed System 
     institution; or
       ``(E) any person who is in default on any loan or other 
     extension of credit from such failed System institution 
     which, if not paid, will cause substantial loss to the System 
     institution or the Corporation.
       ``(2) Defaulted debtors.--Except as provided in paragraph 
     (3), any person who is in default on any loan or other 
     extension of credit from the System institution, which, if 
     not paid, will cause substantial loss to the System 
     institution or the Corporation, may not purchase any asset 
     from the conservator or receiver.
       ``(3) Settlement of claims.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
     to the sale or transfer by the Corporation of any asset of 
     any System institution to any person if the sale or transfer 
     of the asset resolves or settles, or is part of the 
     resolution or settlement, of--
       ``(A) 1 or more claims that have been, or could have been, 
     asserted by the Corporation against the person; or
       ``(B) obligations owed by the person to any System 
     institution, or the Corporation.
       ``(4) Definition of default.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term `default' means a failure to comply with 
     the terms of a loan or other obligation to such an extent 
     that the property securing the obligation is foreclosed upon.
       ``(j) Expedited Procedures for Certain Claims.--
       ``(1) Time for filing notice of appeal.--The notice of 
     appeal of any order, whether interlocutory or final, entered 
     in any case brought by the Corporation against a System 
     institution's director, officer, employee, agent, attorney, 
     accountant, or appraiser or any other person employed by or 
     providing services to a System institution shall be filed not 
     later than 30 days after the date of entry of the order. The 
     hearing of the appeal shall be held not later than 120 days 
     after the date of the notice of appeal. The appeal shall be 
     decided not later than 180 days after the date of the notice 
     of appeal.
       ``(2) Scheduling.--A court of the United States shall 
     expedite the consideration of any case brought by the 
     Corporation against a System institution's director, officer, 
     employee, agent, attorney, accountant, or appraiser or any 
     other person employed by or providing services to a System 
     institution. As far as practicable the court shall give such 
     case priority on its docket.
       ``(3) Judicial discretion.--The court may modify the 
     schedule and limitations stated in paragraphs (1) and (2) in 
     a particular case, based on a specific finding that the ends 
     of justice that would be served by making such a modification 
     would outweigh the best interest of the public in having the 
     case resolved expeditiously.
       ``(k) Bond Not Required; Agents; Fee.--The Corporation as 
     conservator or receiver of a System institution shall not be 
     required to furnish bond and may appoint an agent or agents 
     to assist in its duties as such conservator or receiver. All 
     fees, compensation, and expenses of liquidation and 
     administration shall be fixed by the Corporation and may be 
     paid by it out of funds coming into its possession as such 
     conservator or receiver.
       ``(l) Consultation Regarding Conservatorships and 
     Receiverships.--To the extent practicable--
       ``(1) the Farm Credit Administration shall consult with the 
     Corporation prior to taking a preresolution action concerning 
     a System institution that may result in a conservatorship or 
     receivership; and
       ``(2) the Corporation, acting in the capacity of the 
     Corporation as a conservator or receiver, shall consult with 
     the Farm Credit Administration prior to taking any 
     significant action impacting System institutions or service 
     to System borrowers.
       ``(m) Applicability.--This section shall become applicable 
     with respect to the power of the Corporation to act as a 
     conservator or receiver on the date on which the Farm Credit 
     Administration appoints the Corporation as a conservator or 
     receiver under section 4.12 or 8.41.''.

     SEC. 5413. REPORTING.

       (a) Definition of Farm Loan.--In this section, the term 
     ``farm loan'' means--
       (1) a farm ownership loan under subtitle A of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et 
     seq.); and
       (2) an operating loan under subtitle B of that Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1941 et seq.).
       (b) Reports.--
       (1) Preparation.--For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     prepare a report that includes--
       (A) aggregate data based on a review of each outstanding 
     farm loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary describing, for 
     the United States and for each State and county in the United 
     States--
       (i) the age of the recipient producer;
       (ii) the duration that the recipient producer has engaged 
     in agricultural production;
       (iii) the size of the farm or ranch of the recipient 
     producer;
       (iv) the race, ethnicity, and gender of the recipient 
     producer;
       (v) the agricultural commodity or commodities, or type of 
     enterprise, for which the loan was secured;
       (vi) the amount of the farm loan made or guaranteed;
       (vii) the type of the farm loan made or guaranteed; and
       (viii) the default rate of the farm loan made or 
     guaranteed;
       (B) for each State and county in the United States, data 
     demonstrating the number of outstanding farm loans made or 
     guaranteed, according to loan size cohort; and
       (C) an assessment of actual loans made or guaranteed as 
     measured against target participation rates for beginning and 
     socially disadvantaged farmers, broken down by State, as 
     described in sections 346(b)(2) and 355 of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(2), 2003).
       (2) Submission of report.--The report described in 
     paragraph (1) shall be--
       (A) submitted--
       (i) to--

       (I) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (II) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (III) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate; and
       (IV) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

       (ii) not later than December 30, 2019, and annually 
     thereafter; and

[[Page H9882]]

       (B) made publicly available not later than 90 days after 
     the date described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
       (c) Comprehensive Review.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act (and every 5 years thereafter), the 
     Secretary shall--
       (A) prepare a comprehensive review of all reports submitted 
     under subsection (b)(2);
       (B) identify trends within data outlined in subsection 
     (b)(1), including the extent to which target annual 
     participation rates for beginning and socially disadvantaged 
     farmers (as defined by the Secretary) are being met for each 
     loan type; and
       (C) provide specific actions the Department will take to 
     improve the performance of direct and guaranteed loans with 
     respect to underserved producers and any recommendations the 
     Secretary may make for further congressional action.
       (2) Submission of comprehensive review.--The comprehensive 
     review described in paragraph (1) shall be--
       (A) submitted to--
       (i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (iii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate; and
       (iv) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
       (B) made publicly available not later than 90 days after 
     the date of submission under subparagraph (A).
       (d) Privacy.--In preparing any report or review under this 
     section, the Secretary shall aggregate or de-identify the 
     data in a manner sufficient to ensure that the identity of a 
     recipient producer associated with the data cannot be 
     ascertained.

     SEC. 5414. STUDY ON LOAN RISK.

       (a) Study.--The Farm Credit Administration shall conduct a 
     study that--
       (1) analyzes and compares the financial risks inherent in 
     loans made, held, securitized, or purchased by Farm Credit 
     banks, associations, and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage 
     Corporation and how such risks are required to be capitalized 
     under statute and regulations in effect as of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (2) assesses the feasibility of increasing the acreage 
     exception provided in section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm Credit 
     Act of 1971 to 2,000 acres.
       (b) Timeline.--The Farm Credit Administration shall provide 
     the results of the study required by subsection (a) to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate no later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.

     SEC. 5415. GAO REPORT ON ABILITY OF THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM TO 
                   MEET THE AGRICULTURAL CREDIT NEEDS OF INDIAN 
                   TRIBES AND THEIR MEMBERS.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall--
       (1) study the agricultural credit needs of farms, ranches, 
     and related agricultural businesses that are owned or 
     operated by--
       (A) Indian tribes on tribal lands; or
       (B) enrolled members of Indian tribes on Indian allotments; 
     and
       (2) determine whether the institutions of the Farm Credit 
     System have sufficient authority and resources to meet the 
     needs.
       (b) Definition of Indian Tribe.--In subsection (a), the 
     term ``Indian tribe'' means an Indian tribal entity that is 
     eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs by virtue of the status of the entity as an Indian 
     tribe.
       (c) Report to the Congress.--Within 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall prepare and submit to the Committees on 
     Agriculture and on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives a written report that contains the findings 
     of the study conducted under subsection (a). If the 
     Comptroller General finds that the institutions of the Farm 
     Credit System do not have sufficient authority or resources 
     to meet the needs referred to in subsection (a), the report 
     shall include such legislative and other recommendations as 
     the Comptroller General determines would result in a system 
     under which the needs are met in an equitable and effective 
     manner.

     SEC. 5416. GAO REPORT ON CREDIT SERVICE TO SOCIALLY 
                   DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Agricultural credit provider.--The term ``agricultural 
     credit provider'' means--
       (A) a Farm Credit System institution;
       (B) a commercial bank;
       (C) the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation;
       (D) a life insurance company; and
       (E) any other individual or entity, as determined by the 
     Comptroller General of the United States.
       (2) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--The term 
     ``socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher'' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)).
       (b) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall--
       (1) conduct a study--
       (A) to assess the credit and related services provided by 
     agricultural credit providers to socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers;
       (B) to review the overall participation of socially 
     disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the services described 
     in subparagraph (A); and
       (C) to identify barriers that limit the availability of 
     agricultural credit to socially disadvantaged farmers and 
     ranchers; and
       (2) provide recommendations on how agricultural credit 
     providers may improve outreach to socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers relating to the availability of credit 
     and related services.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall prepare and submit to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
     report that contains the findings of the study conducted 
     under subsection (b)(1) and the recommendations described in 
     subsection (b)(2).

                      TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

         Subtitle A--Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America

     SEC. 6101. COMBATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN RURAL AMERICA; 
                   PRIORITIZATIONS.

       (a) Combating Substance Use Disorder in Rural America.--
       (1) Prioritizations.--The Secretary shall make the 
     following prioritizations and set asides for fiscal years 
     2019 through 2025:
       (A) Distance learning and telemedicine.--
       (i) Substance use disorder set-aside.--Subject to clause 
     (ii), the Secretary shall make available not less than 20 
     percent of amounts made available under section 2335A of the 
     Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 950aaa-2) for financial assistance under chapter 1 of 
     subtitle D of title XXIII of such Act for telemedicine 
     projects that provide substance use disorder treatment 
     services.
       (ii) Exception.--In the case of a fiscal year for which the 
     Secretary determines that there are not sufficient qualified 
     applicants to receive financial assistance for projects 
     providing substance use disorder treatment services to reach 
     the 20-percent requirement under clause (i), the Secretary 
     may make available less than 20 percent of amounts made 
     available under such section 2335A for those services.
       (B) Community facilities direct loans and grants.--
       (i) Substance use disorder selection priority.--In 
     selecting recipients of direct loans or grants for the 
     development of essential community facilities under section 
     306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1926(a)), the Secretary shall give priority to 
     entities eligible for those direct loans or grants--

       (I) to develop facilities to provide substance use disorder 
     (including opioid substance use disorder)--

       (aa) prevention services;
       (bb) treatment services;
       (cc) recovery services; or
       (dd) any combination of those services; and

       (II) that employ staff that have appropriate expertise and 
     training in how to identify and treat individuals with 
     substance use disorders.

       (ii) Use of funds.--An eligible entity described in clause 
     (i) that receives a direct loan or grant described in that 
     clause may use the direct loan or grant funds for the 
     development of telehealth facilities and systems to provide 
     telehealth services for substance use disorder treatment.
       (C) Rural health and safety education programs; substance 
     use disorder selection priority.--In making grants under 
     section 502(i) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 
     2662(i)), the Secretary shall give priority to an applicant 
     that will use the grant for substance use disorder education 
     and treatment and the prevention of substance use disorder.
       (2) Limitation on other reprioritizations.--For fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2025, the Secretary shall not make any 
     national reprioritizations within the Rural Health and Safety 
     Education Programs, the Community Facilities direct loan and 
     grant programs, or the Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
     programs under section 608 of the Rural Development Act of 
     1972.
       (3) Technical amendments.--Title V of the Rural Development 
     Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2661 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 502, in the matter preceding subsection (a), 
     by inserting ``(referred to in this title as the 
     `Secretary')'' after ``Agriculture''; and
       (B) by striking ``Secretary of Agriculture'' each place it 
     appears (other than in section 502 in the matter preceding 
     subsection (a)) and inserting ``Secretary''.
       (b) Temporary Prioritization of Rural Health Assistance.--
     Title VI of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 
     2204a-2204b) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 608. TEMPORARY PRIORITIZATION OF RURAL HEALTH 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       ``(a) Authority to Temporarily Prioritize Certain Rural 
     Development Applications.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary, after consultation with such 
     public health officials as may be necessary, may announce 
     through a Federal Register notice pursuant to section 
     553(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, a temporary 
     reprioritization, on a national or multistate basis, for 
     certain rural development loan and grant applications to 
     assist rural communities in responding to a significant 
     public health disruption.
       ``(b) Public Health Disruption.--For the purposes of this 
     section, the term `public health disruption' means an 
     unanticipated increase in mortality or morbidity in rural 
     communities, when compared to non-rural communities, caused 
     by identifiable events, actions, or behavioral trends, which 
     can be remediated by the programs of the Rural Development 
     mission area. When measuring a public health disruption, the 
     Secretary may analyze data on a national or multi-state 
     basis.
       ``(c) Content of Announcement.--In the announcement, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) describe the nature of the public health disruption, 
     including the causes, effects, affected populations, and 
     affected States;
       ``(2) explain how the programs of the Department of 
     Agriculture will work in remedying the public health 
     disruption;

[[Page H9883]]

       ``(3) identify the services, treatments, or infrastructure 
     best suited to address the public health disruption;
       ``(4) establish--
       ``(A) the start and end dates of the reprioritization;
       ``(B) the programs subject to reprioritization and the 
     modifications to the application process;
       ``(C) the process for making reprioritizations for 
     applicable programs;
       ``(D) the amount of funds set-aside for applicable 
     programs, except that a set-aside for such a program shall 
     not be greater than 20 percent of the amounts appropriated 
     for the program for the fiscal year involved; and
       ``(E) the region in which the reprioritization is in 
     effect; and
       ``(5) instruct program administrators to implement the 
     reprioritization during the application window or 
     announcement after the announcement takes effect.
       ``(d) Limitations on Reprioritizations.--When announcing 
     the reprioritization, the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) establish an initial total time period of less than 4 
     years, except as provided for in subsection (e);
       ``(2) implement only 1 nationally applicable 
     reprioritization at a time;
       ``(3) implement only 1 regionally applicable 
     reprioritization per State at a time; and
       ``(4) not use reprioritizations to allocate additional 
     funds to an affected State.
       ``(e) Extension.--The Secretary may extend an announcement 
     under subsection (a) for no more than 6 years in total, 
     except that nothing shall prevent the Secretary from renewing 
     reprioritizations by making a new announcement under 
     subsection (a).
       ``(f) Rescinding the Announcement.--The Secretary may 
     rescind a reprioritization announcement made under subsection 
     (a) at any time the Secretary determines that the temporary 
     reprioritizations are no longer needed or effective.
       ``(g) Notice.--Not later than 48 hours after making, 
     extending, or rescinding an announcement under this section, 
     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, and 
     transmit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a 
     written notice of the declaration, extension, or 
     rescission.''.

     SEC. 6102. DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2335A of the 
     Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 950aaa-5) is amended by striking ``$75,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting 
     ``$82,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of Public Law 102-
     551 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa note) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6103. REFINANCING OF CERTAIN RURAL HOSPITAL DEBT.

       Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
     section 341 the following:

     ``SEC. 342. REFINANCING OF CERTAIN RURAL HOSPITAL DEBT.

       ``Assistance under section 306(a) for a community facility, 
     or under section 310B, may include the refinancing of a debt 
     obligation of a rural hospital as an eligible loan or loan 
     guarantee purpose if the assistance would help preserve 
     access to a health service in a rural community, meaningfully 
     improve the financial position of the hospital, and otherwise 
     meet the financial feasibility and adequacy of security 
     requirements of the Rural Development Agency.''.

     Subtitle B--Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband

     SEC. 6201. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN 
                   RURAL AREAS.

       Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 950bb) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``provide loans and loan 
     guarantees'' and inserting ``provide grants, provide loans, 
     and provide loan guarantees'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii), by inserting ``in the case 
     of a grant or direct loan,'' before ``a city'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Loans and'' 
     and inserting ``Grants, Loans, and'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``shall make or guarantee 
     loans'' and inserting ``shall make grants, shall make loans, 
     and shall guarantee loans'';
       (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Priority.--
       ``(A) In general.--In making grants, making loans, and 
     guaranteeing loans under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) give the highest priority to applications for 
     projects to provide broadband service to unserved rural 
     communities that do not have any residential broadband 
     service of at least--

       ``(I) a 10-Mbps downstream transmission capacity; and
       ``(II) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission capacity;

       ``(ii) give priority to applications for projects to 
     provide the maximum level of broadband service to the 
     greatest proportion of rural households in the proposed 
     service area identified in the application;
       ``(iii) provide equal consideration to all eligible 
     entities, including those that have not previously received 
     grants, loans, or loan guarantees under paragraph (1); and
       ``(iv) with respect to 2 or more applications that are 
     given the same priority under clause (i), give priority to an 
     application that requests less grant funding than loan 
     funding.
       ``(B) Other.--After giving priority to the applications 
     described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall then give priority to applications--
       ``(i) for projects to provide broadband service to rural 
     communities--

       ``(I) with a population of less than 10,000 permanent 
     residents;
       ``(II) that are experiencing outmigration and have adopted 
     a strategic community investment plan under section 379H(d) 
     that includes considerations for improving and expanding 
     broadband service;
       ``(III) with a high percentage of low income families or 
     persons (as defined in section 501(b) of the Housing Act of 
     1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471(b));
       ``(IV) that are isolated from other significant population 
     centers; or
       ``(V) that provide rapid and expanded deployment of fixed 
     and mobile broadband on cropland and ranchland within a 
     service territory for use in various applications of 
     precision agriculture; and

       ``(ii) that were developed with the participation of, and 
     will receive a substantial portion of the funding for the 
     project from, 2 or more stakeholders, including--

       ``(I) State, local, and tribal governments;
       ``(II) nonprofit institutions;
       ``(III) community anchor institutions, such as--

       ``(aa) public libraries;
       ``(bb) elementary schools and secondary schools (as defined 
     in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
       ``(cc) institutions of higher education; and
       ``(dd) health care facilities;

       ``(IV) private entities;
       ``(V) philanthropic organizations; and
       ``(VI) cooperatives.

       ``(3) Grant amounts.--
       ``(A) Definition of development costs.--In this paragraph, 
     the term `development costs' means costs of--
       ``(i) construction, including labor and materials;
       ``(ii) project applications; and
       ``(iii) other development activities, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under this 
     section, in addition to the requirements of subsection (d), 
     the project that is the subject of the grant shall--
       ``(i) be carried out in a proposed service territory in 
     which not less than 90 percent of the households are 
     unserved; and
       ``(ii) not concurrently receive any other broadband grant 
     administered by the Rural Utilities Service.
       ``(C) Maximum.--Except as provided in subparagraph (D), the 
     amount of any grant made under this section shall not 
     exceed--
       ``(i) 75 percent of the total project cost with respect to 
     an area with a density of fewer than 7 people per square 
     mile;
       ``(ii) 50 percent of the total project cost with respect to 
     an area with a density of 7 or more and fewer than 12 people 
     per square mile; and
       ``(iii) 25 percent of the total project cost with respect 
     to an area with a density of 12 or more and 20 or fewer 
     people per square mile.
       ``(D) Secretarial authority to adjust.--The Secretary may--
       ``(i) make grants of up to 75 percent of the development 
     costs of the project for which the grant is provided to an 
     eligible entity if the Secretary determines that the project 
     serves--

       ``(I) an area of rural households described in paragraph 
     (2)(A)(i); or
       ``(II) a rural community described in any of subclauses (I) 
     through (IV) of paragraph (2)(B)(i); and

       ``(ii) make modifications of the density thresholds 
     described in subparagraph (C), in order to ensure that funds 
     provided under this section are best utilized to provide 
     broadband service in communities that are the most rural in 
     character.
       ``(E) Applications.--The Secretary shall establish an 
     application process for grants under this section that--
       ``(i) permits a single application for a grant and a loan 
     under title I, II, or this title that is associated with such 
     grant; and
       ``(ii) provides a single decision to award such grant and 
     such loan.
       ``(F) Density determinations.--When determining population 
     density under this section, the Secretary shall prescribe a 
     calculation method which--
       ``(i) utilizes publicly available data; and
       ``(ii) includes only those areas in which the applicant is 
     able to meet the service requirements under this section, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Fees.--In the case of loan guarantees issued or 
     modified under this section, the Secretary shall charge and 
     collect from the lender fees in such amounts as to bring down 
     the costs of subsidies for guaranteed loans, except that such 
     fees shall not act as a bar to participation in the programs 
     nor be inconsistent with current practices in the 
     marketplace.'';
       (4) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``loan 
     or'' and inserting ``grant, loan, or'';
       (II) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:

       ``(i) demonstrate the ability to furnish or improve service 
     in order to meet the broadband buildout requirements 
     established under subsection (e)(4) in all or part of an 
     unserved or underserved rural area;''.

       (III) in clause (ii), by striking ``a loan application'' 
     and inserting ``an application''; and

[[Page H9884]]

       (IV) in clause (iii)--

       (aa) by striking ``service'' and inserting 
     ``infrastructure'';
       (bb) by striking ``loan'' the first place it appears;
       (cc) by striking ``3'' and inserting ``5''; and
       (dd) by striking ``proceeds from the loan made or 
     guaranteed under this section are'' and inserting 
     ``assistance under this section is''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(k)'' and inserting 
     ``(j)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i)--

       (I) by striking ``the proceeds of a loan made or 
     guaranteed'' and inserting ``assistance''; and
       (II) by striking ``for the loan or loan guarantee'' and 
     inserting ``of the eligible entity''; and

       (ii) in clause (i)--

       (I) by striking ``15 percent'' and inserting ``50 percent 
     (in the case of loans or loan guarantees provided in 
     accordance with subsection (g)(1)(A))''; and
       (II) by striking ``level of broadband service'' and 
     inserting ``level of fixed broadband service, whether 
     terrestrial or wireless,'';

       (C) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``loan or'' and 
     inserting ``grant, loan, or'';
       (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``a loan or loan 
     guarantee'' and inserting ``assistance''; and
       (E) by striking paragraphs (5) through (10) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(5) Technical assistance and training.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may provide to eligible 
     entities described in paragraph (1) that are applying for 
     assistance under this section for a project described in 
     subsection (c)(2)(A)(i) technical assistance and training--
       ``(i) to prepare reports and surveys necessary to request 
     grants, loans, and loan guarantees under this section for 
     broadband deployment;
       ``(ii) to improve management, including financial 
     management, relating to the proposed broadband deployment;
       ``(iii) to prepare applications for grants, loans, and loan 
     guarantees under this section; or
       ``(iv) to assist with other areas of need identified by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(B) Funding.--Not less than 3 percent and not more than 5 
     percent of amounts appropriated to carry out this section for 
     a fiscal year shall be used for technical assistance and 
     training under this paragraph.'';
       (5) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``4-Mbps'' and 
     inserting ``25-Mbps''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``1-Mbps'' and 
     inserting ``3-Mbps'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by--

       (I) striking the following:

       ``(2) Adjustments.--
       ``(A) In general.--At''; and

       (II) inserting the following:

       ``(2) Adjustments.--At'';
       (ii) by inserting ``and broadband buildout requirements 
     under paragraph (4)'' after ``(1)''; and
       (iii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Broadband buildout requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `broadband buildout 
     requirement' means the level of internet service an applicant 
     receiving assistance under this section must agree, at the 
     time the application is finalized, to provide for the 
     duration of any project-related agreement between the 
     applicant and the Department.
       ``(B) Broadband buildout requirements further defined.--
     Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall establish 
     broadband buildout requirements for projects with agreement 
     lengths of--
       ``(i) 5 to 10 years;
       ``(ii) 11 to 15 years;
       ``(iii) 16 to 20 years; and
       ``(iv) more than 20 years.
       ``(C) Requirements.--In establishing the broadband buildout 
     requirements under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) utilize the same metrics used to define the minimum 
     acceptable level of broadband service under paragraph (1);
       ``(ii) establish such requirements to reasonably ensure--

       ``(I) the repayment of all loans and loan guarantees; and
       ``(II) the financed network is technically capable of 
     providing broadband service for the lifetime of any project-
     related agreement.

       ``(D) Substitute service standards for unique service 
     territories.--If an applicant shows that it would be cost 
     prohibitive to meet the broadband buildout requirements 
     established under this paragraph for the entirety of a 
     proposed service territory due to the unique characteristics 
     of the proposed service territory, the Secretary and the 
     applicant may agree to utilize substitute standards for any 
     unserved portion of the project. Any substitute service 
     standards should continue to consider the best technology 
     available to meet the needs of the residents in the unserved 
     area.'';
       (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``make a loan or loan 
     guarantee'' and inserting ``provide assistance'';
       (7) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2) and 
     redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);
       (8) by striking subsections (i) and (j) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) Payment Assistance for Certain Loan and Grant 
     Recipients.--
       ``(1) Use of grant funds.--The Secretary may use the funds 
     appropriated for a grant under this title for the cost (as 
     defined by section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974) of providing assistance under paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Payment assistance.--When providing a grant under 
     this title, the Secretary, at the sole discretion of the 
     Secretary, may make--
       ``(A) a subsidized loan, which shall bear a reduced 
     interest rate at such a rate as the Secretary determines 
     appropriate to meet the objectives of the program; or
       ``(B) a payment assistance loan, which shall--
       ``(i) require no interest and principal payments while the 
     borrower is--

       ``(I) in material compliance with the loan agreement; and
       ``(II) meeting the milestones and objectives of the project 
     agreed to under paragraph (3); and

       ``(ii) require such nominal periodic payments as the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       ``(3) Agreement on milestones and objectives.--With respect 
     to payment assistance provided under paragraph (2), before 
     entering into the agreement under which the payment 
     assistance will be provided, the applicant and the Secretary 
     shall agree to milestones and objectives of the project.
       ``(4) Amendment of milestones and objectives.--The 
     Secretary and the applicant may jointly agree to amend the 
     milestones and objectives agreed to under paragraph (3).
       ``(5) Considerations.--When deciding to utilize the payment 
     assistance authority under paragraph (2) the Secretary shall 
     consider whether or not the payment assistance will--
       ``(A) improve the compliance of the grantee with any 
     commitments made through the grant agreement;
       ``(B) promote the completion of the broadband project;
       ``(C) protect taxpayer resources; and
       ``(D) support the integrity of the broadband programs 
     administered by the Secretary.
       ``(6) Limitations on payment assistance.--The Secretary may 
     not make a payment assistance loan under paragraph (2)(B) to 
     an entity receiving a grant under this section that is also 
     the recipient of a loan under title I or II that is 
     associated with such grant.'';
       (9) in subsection (k)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``$25,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$350,000,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``2008 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
     through 2023'';
       (10) in subsection (l)--
       (A) by striking ``loan or'' and inserting ``grant, or loan, 
     or''; and
       (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
       (11) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as 
     subsections (j) and (k), respectively.

     SEC. 6202. EXPANSION OF MIDDLE MILE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO RURAL 
                   AREAS.

       Section 602 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 950bb-1) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 602. EXPANSION OF MIDDLE MILE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO 
                   RURAL AREAS.

       ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage 
     the expansion and extension of middle mile broadband 
     infrastructure to connect underserved rural areas to the 
     backbone of the Internet.
       ``(b) Middle Mile Infrastructure.--For the purposes of this 
     section, the term `middle mile infrastructure' means any 
     broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to 
     end-user locations (including anchor institutions) and may 
     include interoffice transport, backhaul, Internet 
     connectivity, data centers, or special access transport to 
     rural areas.
       ``(c) Grants, Loans, and Loan Guarantees.--The Secretary 
     shall make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to eligible 
     applicants described in subsection (d) to provide funds for 
     the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile 
     infrastructure to serve rural areas.
       ``(d) Eligibility.--
       ``(1) Eligible applicants.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to obtain assistance 
     under this section, an eligible entity shall--
       ``(i) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, 
     in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Secretary may require;
       ``(ii) agree to complete build-out of the middle mile 
     infrastructure described in the application by not later than 
     5 years after the initial date on which proceeds from the 
     assistance provided under this section are made available; 
     and
       ``(iii) submit to the Secretary a plan to ensure the 
     viability of the project by--

       ``(I) connecting, assisting with connecting, or enabling 
     the connection of retail broadband systems that serve rural 
     areas within the proposed service territory to the middle 
     mile infrastructure project in an affordable and economically 
     competitive manner;
       ``(II) leasing or selling sufficient capacity prior to 
     project approval; and
       ``(III) complying with any other requirements imposed by 
     the Secretary.

       ``(B) Additional end user broadband programs.--Entities 
     that receive assistance to construct, improve, or acquire 
     middle mile infrastructure under this section shall be 
     eligible to apply for additional funds under this title to 
     provide for retail broadband service to end users.
       ``(2) Eligible service territories.--The proceeds of 
     assistance provided under this section may be used to carry 
     out a project in a proposed service territory only if, as of 
     the date the application for assistance under this section is 
     submitted, there is not adequate middle mile infrastructure 
     available to support broadband service for eligible rural 
     communities that would be provided access to the middle mile 
     infrastructure.
       ``(3) Eligible projects.--A project shall be eligible for 
     assistance under this section if at the time of the 
     application--
       ``(A) at least 75 percent of the interconnection points 
     serve such eligible rural areas; and
       ``(B) the Secretary determines that the proposed middle 
     mile network will be capable of supporting retail broadband 
     service meeting the

[[Page H9885]]

     maximum broadband buildout requirement established under 
     section 601(e)(4) for the residents within the proposed 
     service territory.
       ``(e) Limitation on Grants.--In making grants under this 
     section, the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) not provide any grant in excess of 20 percent of the 
     total project cost; and
       ``(2) provide grants only to those projects which serve 
     rural areas where population density or geographic 
     characteristics make it infeasible to construct middle mile 
     broadband systems without grant assistance.
       ``(f) Terms, Conditions, and Adequacy of Security.--All 
     loans and loan guarantees provided under this section shall 
     be made subject to such terms, conditions, and adequacy of 
     security requirements as may be imposed by the Secretary. If 
     the middle mile infrastructure would not provide adequate 
     security due to long-term leasing arrangements, the Secretary 
     shall require substitute security in such form and substance 
     as are acceptable to the Secretary.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 6203. MODIFICATIONS TO THE RURAL GIGABIT PROGRAM.

       Section 603 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 950bb-2) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``rural gigabit 
     network pilot'' and inserting ``innovative broadband 
     advancement'';
       (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' 
     and inserting ``2019 through 2023'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
       (4) by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
     to be known as the `Innovative Broadband Advancement 
     Program', under which the Secretary may provide a grant, a 
     loan, or both to an eligible entity for the purpose of 
     demonstrating innovative broadband technologies or methods of 
     broadband deployment that significantly decrease the cost of 
     broadband deployment, and provide substantially faster 
     broadband speeds than are available, in a rural area.
       ``(b) Rural Area.--In this section, the term `rural area' 
     has the meaning provided in section 601(b)(3).
       ``(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to obtain assistance 
     under this section for a project, an entity shall--
       ``(1) submit to the Secretary an application--
       ``(A) that describes a project designed to decrease the 
     cost of broadband deployment, and substantially increase 
     broadband speed to not less than the maximum broadband 
     buildout requirements established under section 601(e)(4), in 
     a rural area to be served by the project; and
       ``(B) at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     other information as the Secretary may require;
       ``(2) demonstrate that the entity is able to carry out the 
     project; and
       ``(3) agree to complete the project build-out within 5 
     years after the date the assistance is first provided for the 
     project.
       ``(d) Prioritization.--In awarding assistance under this 
     section, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals for 
     projects that--
       ``(1) involve partnerships between or among multiple 
     entities;
       ``(2) would provide broadband service to the greatest 
     number of rural entities at or above the broadband 
     requirements referred to in subsection (c)(1)(A); and
       ``(3) the Secretary determines could be replicated in rural 
     areas described in paragraph (2).''.

     SEC. 6204. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM.

       Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
     950bb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 604. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible broadband service.--The term `eligible 
     broadband service' means broadband service that has the 
     capability to transmit data at a speed specified by the 
     Secretary, which may not be less than the applicable minimum 
     download and upload speeds established by the Federal 
     Communications Commission in defining the term `advanced 
     telecommunications capability' for purposes of section 706 of 
     the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302).
       ``(2) Eligible service area.--The term `eligible service 
     area' means an area in which broadband service capacity is 
     less than--
       ``(A) a 10-Mbps downstream transmission capacity; and
       ``(B) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission capacity.
       ``(3) Eligible entity.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
     legally organized entity that--
       ``(i) is--

       ``(I) an incorporated organization;
       ``(II) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization;
       ``(III) a State;
       ``(IV) a unit of local government; or
       ``(V) any other legal entity, including a cooperative, a 
     private corporation, or a limited liability company, that is 
     organized on a for-profit or a not-for-profit basis; and

       ``(ii) has the legal capacity and authority to enter into a 
     contract, to comply with applicable Federal laws, and to own 
     and operate broadband facilities, as proposed in the 
     application submitted by the entity for a grant under the 
     Program.
       ``(B) Exclusions.--The term `eligible entity' does not 
     include--
       ``(i) an individual; or
       ``(ii) a partnership.
       ``(4) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 601(b)(3)(A).
       ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     program, to be known as the `Community Connect Grant 
     Program', to provide grants to eligible entities to finance 
     broadband transmission in rural areas.
       ``(c) Eligible Projects.--An eligible entity that receives 
     a grant under the Program shall use the grant to carry out a 
     project that--
       ``(1) provides eligible broadband service to, within the 
     proposed eligible service area described in the application 
     submitted by the eligible entity--
       ``(A) each essential community facility as defined pursuant 
     to section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)); and
       ``(B) any required facilities necessary to offer that 
     eligible broadband service to each residential and business 
     customer within such proposed eligible service area; and
       ``(2) for not less than 2 years--
       ``(A) furnishes free eligible broadband service to a 
     community center described in subsection (d)(1)(B);
       ``(B) provides not fewer than 2 computer access points for 
     that free eligible broadband service; and
       ``(C) covers the cost of bandwidth to provide free eligible 
     broadband service to each essential community facility that 
     requests broadband services within the proposed eligible 
     service area described in the application submitted by the 
     eligible entity.
       ``(d) Uses of Grant Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
     under the Program may use the grant for--
       ``(A) the construction, acquisition, or leasing of 
     facilities (including spectrum), land, or buildings to deploy 
     eligible broadband service; and
       ``(B) the improvement, expansion, construction, or 
     acquisition of a community center within the proposed 
     eligible service area described in the application submitted 
     by the eligible entity.
       ``(2) Ineligible uses.--An eligible entity that receives a 
     grant under the Program shall not use the grant for--
       ``(A) the duplication of any existing eligible broadband 
     service provided by another entity in the eligible service 
     area; or
       ``(B) operating expenses, except as provided in--
       ``(i) subsection (c)(2)(C) with respect to free eligible 
     broadband service; and
       ``(ii) paragraph (1)(A) with respect to spectrum.
       ``(3) Free access for community centers.--Of the amounts 
     provided to an eligible entity under a grant under the 
     Program, the eligible entity shall use to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(B) not greater than the lesser of--
       ``(A) 10 percent; and
       ``(B) $150,000.
       ``(e) Matching Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
     under the Program shall provide a cash contribution in an 
     amount that is not less than 15 percent of the amount of the 
     grant.
       ``(2) Requirements.--A cash contribution described in 
     paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) shall be used solely for the project for which the 
     eligible entity receives a grant under the Program; and
       ``(B) shall not include any Federal funds, unless a Federal 
     statute specifically provides that those Federal funds may be 
     considered to be from a non-Federal source.
       ``(f) Applications.--
       ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary 
     an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
     such information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(2) Requirement.--An application submitted by an eligible 
     entity under paragraph (1) shall include documentation 
     sufficient to demonstrate the availability of funds to 
     satisfy the requirement of subsection (e).
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 6205. OUTDATED BROADBAND SYSTEMS.

       (a) In General.--Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act 
     of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is further amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 605. OUTDATED BROADBAND SYSTEMS.

       ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     the Secretary shall consider any portion of a service 
     territory that is subject to an outstanding grant agreement 
     between the Secretary and a broadband provider to be unserved 
     for the purposes of all broadband assistance programs under 
     this Act, if the broadband service in that portion of a 
     service territory is less than 10 Mbps downstream 
     transmission capacity or less than 1 Mbps upstream 
     transmission capacity.
       ``(b) Exception.--The Secretary shall not consider a 
     portion of a service territory described in subsection (a) to 
     be unserved if the broadband service provider has constructed 
     or begun to construct broadband facilities that meet the 
     minimum acceptable level of service established under section 
     601(e), in that portion of the service territory.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall not take effect until October 1, 2020.

     SEC. 6206. DEFAULT AND DEOBLIGATION; DEFERRAL.

       Title VI of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 606. DEFAULT AND DEOBLIGATION; DEFERRAL.

       ``(a) Default and Deobligation.--In addition to other 
     authority under applicable law, the Secretary shall establish 
     written procedures for all broadband programs so that, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, the programs are administered 
     to--

[[Page H9886]]

       ``(1) recover funds from loan and grant defaults;
       ``(2) deobligate any awards, less allowable costs that 
     demonstrate an insufficient level of performance (including 
     metrics determined by the Secretary) or fraudulent spending, 
     to the extent funds with respect to the award are available 
     in the account relating to the program established by this 
     title;
       ``(3) award those funds, on a competitive basis, to new or 
     existing applicants consistent with this title; and
       ``(4) minimize overlap among the programs.
       ``(b) Deferral Period.--In determining the terms and 
     conditions of assistance provided under this title, the 
     Secretary may establish a deferral period of not shorter than 
     the buildout period established for the project involved in 
     order to support the financial feasibility and long-term 
     sustainability of the project.''.

     SEC. 6207. PUBLIC NOTICE, ASSESSMENTS, AND REPORTING 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     title:

           ``TITLE VII--GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

     ``SEC. 701. PUBLIC NOTICE, ASSESSMENTS, AND REPORTING 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Notice Requirements.--The Secretary shall promptly 
     make available to the public, a fully searchable database on 
     the website of the Rural Utilities Service that contains 
     information on all retail broadband projects provided 
     assistance or for which assistance is sought that are 
     administered by the Secretary, including, at a minimum--
       ``(1) notice of each application for assistance describing 
     the application, including--
       ``(A) the identity of the applicant;
       ``(B) a description of each application, including--
       ``(i) a map of the proposed service area of the applicant; 
     and
       ``(ii) the amount and type of support requested by each 
     applicant;
       ``(C) the status of each application; and
       ``(D) the estimated number and proportion of service points 
     in the proposed service territory without fixed broadband 
     service, whether terrestrial or wireless;
       ``(2) notice of each entity receiving assistance 
     administered by the Secretary, including--
       ``(A) the name of the entity;
       ``(B) the type of assistance being received;
       ``(C) the purpose for which the entity is receiving the 
     assistance; and
       ``(D) each annual report submitted under subsection (c) 
     (redacted to protect any proprietary information in the 
     report); and
       ``(3) such other information as is sufficient to allow the 
     public to understand assistance provided.
       ``(b) Service Area Assessment.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, with respect to a 
     retail broadband application for assistance, which is outside 
     an area in which the applicant receives Federal universal 
     service support--
       ``(A) after giving notice required by subsection (a)(1), 
     afford service providers not less than 45 days to voluntarily 
     submit information required by the Secretary onto the 
     agency's online mapping tool with respect to areas that are 
     coterminous with the proposed service area of the application 
     (or any parts thereof), such that the Secretary may assess 
     whether the application submitted meets the eligibility 
     requirements under this title; and
       ``(B) if no broadband service provider submits information 
     under paragraph (1), consider the number of providers in the 
     proposed service area to be established by using any other 
     data regarding the availability of broadband service that the 
     Secretary may collect or obtain through reasonable efforts.
       ``(2) Assessment of unserved communities.--In the case of 
     an application given the highest priority under section 
     601(c)(2)(A)(i), the Secretary shall confirm that each 
     unserved rural community identified in the application is 
     eligible for funding by--
       ``(A) conferring with, and obtaining data from, the Chair 
     of the Federal Communications Commission and the 
     Administrator of the National Telecommunications and 
     Information Administration with respect to the service level 
     in the service area proposed in the application;
       ``(B) reviewing any other source that is relevant to 
     service data validation, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(C) performing site-specific testing to verify the 
     unavailability of any retail broadband service.
       ``(3) FOIA exemption.--For purposes of section 552 of title 
     5, United States Code, information received by the Secretary 
     pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection shall be 
     exempt from disclosure pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B) of 
     such section 552.
       ``(c) Reporting Broadband Improvements to USDA.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require any entity 
     receiving assistance for a project which provides retail 
     broadband service to submit an annual report for 3 years 
     after completion of the project, in a format specified by the 
     Secretary, that describes--
       ``(A) the use by the entity of the assistance, including 
     new equipment and capacity enhancements that support high-
     speed broadband access for educational institutions, health 
     care providers, and public safety service providers 
     (including the estimated number of end users who are 
     currently using or forecasted to use the new or upgraded 
     infrastructure); and
       ``(B) the progress towards fulfilling the objectives for 
     which the assistance was granted, including--
       ``(i) the number of service points that will receive new 
     broadband service, existing network service improvements, and 
     facility upgrades resulting from the Federal assistance;
       ``(ii) the speed of broadband service;
       ``(iii) the average price of the most subscribed tier of 
     broadband service in a proposed service area;
       ``(iv) new subscribers generated from the project; and
       ``(v) any metrics the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.
       ``(2) Additional reporting.--
       ``(A) Broadband buildout data.--As a condition of receiving 
     assistance under section 601, a recipient of assistance shall 
     provide to the Secretary complete, reliable, and precise 
     geolocation information that indicates the location of new 
     broadband service that is being provided or upgraded within 
     the service territory supported by the grant, loan, or loan 
     guarantee not later than 30 days after the earlier of--
       ``(i) the date of completion of any project milestone 
     established by the Secretary; or
       ``(ii) the date of completion of the project.
       ``(B) Reporting for middle mile projects.--The Secretary 
     shall require any entity receiving assistance under section 
     602 to submit a semiannual report for 5 years after 
     completion of the project, in a format specified by the 
     Secretary, that describes--
       ``(i) the use by the entity of the assistance to construct, 
     improve, or acquire middle mile infrastructure;
       ``(ii) the progress towards meeting the end-user connection 
     plan submitted under section 602(d)(1)(A)(iii); and
       ``(iii) any additional metrics the Secretary determines to 
     be appropriate.
       ``(C) Additional reporting.--The Secretary may require any 
     additional reporting and information by any recipient of any 
     broadband assistance under this act so as to ensure 
     compliance with this section.
       ``(d) Annual Report on Broadband Projects and Service to 
     Congress.--Each year, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Congress a report that describes the extent of participation 
     in the broadband assistance programs administered by the 
     Secretary for the preceding fiscal year, including a 
     description of--
       ``(1) the number of applications received and accepted, 
     including any special loan terms or conditions for which the 
     Secretary provided additional assistance to unserved areas;
       ``(2)(A) the communities proposed to be served in each 
     application submitted for the fiscal year; and
       ``(B) the communities served by projects funded by 
     broadband assistance programs;
       ``(3) the period of time required to approve each loan 
     application under broadband programs;
       ``(4) any outreach activities carried out by the Secretary 
     to encourage entities in rural areas without broadband 
     service to submit applications under this Act;
       ``(5) the method by which the Secretary determines that a 
     service enables a subscriber to originate and receive high-
     quality voice, data, graphics, and video for purposes of 
     providing broadband service under this Act;
       ``(6) each broadband service, including the type and speed 
     of broadband service, for which assistance was sought, and 
     each broadband service for which assistance was provided, 
     under this Act; and
       ``(7) the overall progress towards fulfilling the goal of 
     improving the quality of rural life by expanding rural 
     broadband access, as demonstrated by metrics, including--
       ``(A) the number of residences and businesses receiving new 
     broadband services;
       ``(B) network improvements, including facility upgrades and 
     equipment purchases;
       ``(C) average broadband speeds and prices on a local and 
     statewide basis;
       ``(D) any changes in broadband adoption rates; and
       ``(E) any specific activities that increased high speed 
     broadband access for educational institutions, health care 
     providers, and public safety service providers.
       ``(e) Limitations on Reservation of Funds.--Not less than 3 
     but not more than 5 percent of program level amounts 
     available pursuant to amounts appropriated to carry out title 
     VI shall be set aside to be used for--
       ``(1) conducting oversight under such title;
       ``(2) implementing accountability measures and related 
     activities authorized under such title; and
       ``(3) carrying out this section.''.

     SEC. 6208. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

       Title VII of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as 
     added by section 6207 of this Act, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``SEC. 702. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

       ``The Secretary may obligate, but not disperse, funds under 
     this Act before the completion of otherwise required 
     environmental, historical, or other types of reviews if the 
     Secretary determines that a subsequent site-specific review 
     shall be adequate and easily accomplished for the location of 
     towers, poles, or other broadband facilities in the service 
     area of the borrower without compromising the project or the 
     required reviews.''.

     SEC. 6209. USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS TO REFINANCE LOANS FOR 
                   DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICE.

       Title VII of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as 
     added by section 6207 and amended by section 6208 of this 
     Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 703. USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS TO REFINANCE LOANS FOR 
                   DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICE.

       ``Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the 
     proceeds of any loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary 
     under this Act may be used by the recipient of the loan for 
     the purpose of refinancing an outstanding obligation of the 
     recipient on another telecommunications loan

[[Page H9887]]

     made under this Act, or on any other loan if that loan would 
     have been for an eligible telecommunications purpose under 
     this Act.''.

     SEC. 6210. SMART UTILITY AUTHORITY FOR BROADBAND.

       (a) Section 331 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary 
     may allow a recipient of a grant, loan, or loan guarantee 
     provided by the Office of Rural Development under this title 
     to use not more than 10 percent of the amount so provided--
       ``(A) for any activity for which assistance may be provided 
     under section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936; 
     or
       ``(B) to construct other broadband infrastructure.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to a 
     recipient who is seeking to provide retail broadband service 
     in any area where retail broadband service is available at 
     the minimum broadband speeds, as defined under section 601(e) 
     of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall not provide funding under 
     paragraph (1) if the funding would result in competitive harm 
     to any grant, loan, or loan guarantee provided under the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936.''.
       (b) Title I of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 901-918a) is amended by inserting after section 7 the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 8. LIMITATIONS ON USE OF ASSISTANCE.

       ``(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, 
     the Secretary may allow a recipient of a grant, loan, or loan 
     guarantee under this title to set aside not more than 10 
     percent of the amount so received to provide retail broadband 
     service.
       ``(b) A recipient who sets aside funds under subsection (a) 
     of this section may use the funds only in an area that is not 
     being provided with the minimum acceptable level of broadband 
     service established under section 601(e), unless the 
     recipient meets the requirements of section 601(d).
       ``(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit 
     the ability of any borrower to finance or deploy services 
     authorized under this Act.
       ``(d) The Secretary shall not provide funding under 
     subsection (a) if the funding would result in competitive 
     harm to any grant, loan, or loan guarantee referred to in 
     subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 6211. REFINANCING OF TELEPHONE LOANS.

       Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 922) is amended, in the fifth sentence, by striking 
     ``furnishing telephone service in rural areas:'' and all that 
     follows through ``40 per centum of any loan made under this 
     title.'' and inserting ``furnishing telephone service in 
     rural areas, including indebtedness of recipients on another 
     telecommunications loan made under this Act.''.

     SEC. 6212. FEDERAL BROADBAND PROGRAM COORDINATION.

       (a) Consultation Between USDA and NTIA.--The Secretary 
     shall consult with the Assistant Secretary to assist in the 
     verification of eligibility of the broadband loan and grant 
     programs of the Department of Agriculture. In providing 
     assistance under the preceding sentence, the Assistant 
     Secretary shall make available the broadband assessment and 
     mapping capabilities of the National Telecommunications and 
     Information Administration.
       (b) Consultation Between USDA and FCC.--
       (1) By usda.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Commission before providing broadband assistance for a 
     project to serve an area with respect to which another entity 
     is receiving Connect America Fund or Mobility Fund support 
     under the Federal universal service support mechanisms 
     established under section 254 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 254).
       (2) By fcc.--The Commission shall consult with the 
     Secretary before offering or providing Connect America Fund 
     or Mobility Fund support under the Federal universal service 
     support mechanisms established under section 254 of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254) to serve an area 
     with respect to which another entity has received broadband 
     assistance under a loan or grant program of the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, the 
     Commission, and the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
     on how best to coordinate federally supported broadband 
     programs and activities in order to achieve the following 
     objectives:
       (1) Promote high-quality broadband service that meets the 
     long-term needs of rural residents and businesses, by 
     evaluating the broadband service needs in rural areas for 
     each decade through 2050.
       (2) Support the long-term viability, sustainability, and 
     utility of federally supported rural broadband 
     infrastructure, by analyzing the technical capabilities of 
     the technologies currently available and reasonably expected 
     to be available by 2035 to meet the broadband service needs 
     of rural residents identified under paragraph (1), including 
     by analyzing the following:
       (A) The real-world performance of such technologies, 
     including data rates, latency, data usage restrictions, and 
     other aspects of service quality, as defined by the 
     Commission.
       (B) The suitability of each such technology for 
     residential, agricultural, educational, healthcare, 
     commercial, and industrial purposes in rural areas.
       (C) The cost to deploy and support such technologies in 
     several rural geographies.
       (D) The costs associated with online platforms, 
     specifically the resulting constraints on rural network 
     bandwidth.
       (3) Identify and quantify the availability of broadband 
     service and ongoing broadband deployment in rural areas, 
     including ways to do the following:
       (A) Harmonize broadband notification and reporting 
     requirements and develop common verification procedures 
     across all federally supported broadband programs.
       (B) Consolidate and utilize the existing broadband service 
     data.
       (C) Collect and share data on those projects in rural areas 
     where Federal programs are currently supporting broadband 
     deployment, including areas with respect to which an entity 
     is receiving--
       (i) support under a broadband assistance program of the 
     Department of Agriculture; or
       (ii) Connect America Fund or Mobility Fund support under 
     the Federal universal service support mechanisms established 
     under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
     U.S.C. 254).
       (D) Leverage support technologies and services from online 
     platforms for providers of broadband service in rural areas.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary'' 
     means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications 
     and Information.
       (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
     Communications Commission.
       (3) Rural area.--The term ``rural area'' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 601(b)(3) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936.

     SEC. 6213. TRANSITION RULE.

       For the period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act and ending on the date that is one year after such 
     date of enactment, with respect to the implementation of the 
     rural broadband access program under section 601 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) and the 
     Community Connect Grant Program under section 604 of such 
     Act, as added by section 6204 of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall use the regulations in existence as of the day before 
     the date of enactment of this Act that are applicable to the 
     program involved, until the Secretary issues a final rule 
     implementing the provisions of, and amendments made by, this 
     title that apply to that program.

     SEC. 6214. RURAL BROADBAND INTEGRATION WORKING GROUP.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Establishment.--There is established the Rural 
     Broadband Integration Working Group (referred to in this 
     subsection as the ``Working Group'').
       (2) Membership.--The membership of the Working Group shall 
     be composed of the heads, or their designees, of--
       (A) the Department of Agriculture, acting through the 
     Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service;
       (B) the Department of Commerce, acting through the 
     Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information;
       (C) the Department of Defense;
       (D) the Department of State;
       (E) the Department of the Interior;
       (F) the Department of Labor;
       (G) the Department of Health and Human Services;
       (H) the Department of Homeland Security;
       (I) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
       (J) the Department of Justice;
       (K) the Department of Transportation;
       (L) the Department of the Treasury;
       (M) the Department of Energy;
       (N) the Department of Education;
       (O) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
       (P) the Environmental Protection Agency;
       (Q) the General Services Administration;
       (R) the Small Business Administration;
       (S) the Institute of Museum and Library Services;
       (T) the National Science Foundation;
       (U) the Council on Environmental Quality;
       (V) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
       (W) the Office of Management and Budget;
       (X) the Council of Economic Advisers;
       (Y) the Domestic Policy Council;
       (Z) the National Economic Council; and
       (AA) such other Federal agencies or entities as are 
     determined appropriate by the co-chairs.
       (3) Co-chairs.--The following individuals, or their 
     designees, shall serve as co-chairs of the Working Group:
       (A) The Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.
       (B) The Assistant Secretary for Communications and 
     Information.
       (C) The Director of the National Economic Council.
       (D) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy.
       (4) Consultation; coordination.--The Working Group shall 
     consult, as appropriate, with other relevant agencies, 
     including the Federal Communications Commission. The Working 
     Group shall coordinate with existing Federal working groups 
     and committees involved with broadband.
       (5) Membership changes.--The Director of the National 
     Economic Council and the Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall review, on a periodic basis, the 
     membership of the Working Group to ensure that the Working 
     Group--
       (A) includes necessary Federal Government entities; and
       (B) is an effective mechanism for coordinating among 
     agencies on the policy described in subsection (b).
       (b) Functions of Working Group.--
       (1) Consultation.--The Working Group shall consult with 
     State, local, Tribal, and territorial

[[Page H9888]]

     governments, telecommunications companies, utilities, trade 
     associations, philanthropic entities, policy experts, and 
     other interested parties to identify, assess, and determine 
     possible actions relating to barriers and opportunities for 
     broadband deployment in rural areas.
       (2) Point of contact.--Not later than 15 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, each member of the Working 
     Group shall--
       (A) designate a representative to serve as the main point 
     of contact for matters relating to the Working Group; and
       (B) notify the co-chairs of the Working Group of that 
     designee.
       (3) Survey.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, based on information provided by the 
     members of the Working Group, the Working Group shall publish 
     a comprehensive survey of--
       (A) Federal programs, including the allocated funding 
     amounts, that currently support or could reasonably be 
     modified to support broadband deployment and adoption; and
       (B) all Federal agency-specific policies and rules with the 
     direct or indirect effect of facilitating or regulating 
     investment in, or deployment of, wired and wireless broadband 
     networks.
       (4) List of actions.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the members of the Working 
     Group shall submit to the Working Group an initial list of 
     actions that each of the agencies could take to identify and 
     address regulatory barriers to, incentivize investment in, 
     promote best practices within, align funding decisions with 
     respect to, and otherwise support, wired broadband deployment 
     and adoption.
       (5) Report.--Not later than 150 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit to the 
     President an agreed-to and prioritized list of 
     recommendations of the Working Group on actions that Federal 
     agencies can take to support broadband deployment and 
     adoption, including--
       (A) a list of priority actions and rulemakings; and
       (B) timelines to complete the priority actions and 
     rulemakings.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

     SEC. 6301. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN POPULATIONS FROM DEFINITION 
                   OF RURAL AREA.

       (a) In General.--Section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(G)'' and inserting 
     ``(I)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) Exclusion of incarcerated populations.--Populations 
     of individuals incarcerated on a long-term or regional basis 
     shall not be included in determining whether an area is 
     `rural' or a `rural area'.
       ``(I) Limited exclusion of military base populations.--The 
     first 1,500 individuals who reside in housing located on a 
     military base shall not be included in determining whether an 
     area is `rural' or a `rural area'.''.
       (b) Broadband.--Section 601(b)(3) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(3)) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Exclusion of certain populations.--Such term does not 
     include any population described in subparagraph (H) or (I) 
     of section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)).''.
       (c) Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants.--
     Section 2332 of the Food Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
     Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-1) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(4) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 601(b)(3) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936.''.

     SEC. 6302. ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term `tribally 
     designated housing entity' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
     Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
       (b) In General.--The Secretary shall, in coordination with 
     the Office of Tribal Relations established under section 309 
     of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
     (7 U.S.C. 6921), provide technical assistance to improve 
     access by Tribal entities to rural development programs 
     funded by the Department of Agriculture through available 
     cooperative agreement authorities of the Secretary.
       (c) Technical Assistance.--Technical assistance provided 
     under subsection (b) shall address the unique challenge of 
     Tribal governments, Tribal producers, Tribal businesses, 
     Tribal business entities, and tribally designated housing 
     entities in accessing Department of Agriculture-supported 
     rural infrastructure, rural cooperative development, rural 
     business and industry, rural housing, and other rural 
     development activities.

     SEC. 6303. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM.

       Section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``efficiency.'' and 
     inserting ``efficiency (including cost-effective on- or off-
     grid renewable energy or energy storage systems).'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as 
     paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively;
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) Eligibility for other loans.--The Secretary shall not 
     include any debt incurred by a borrower under this section in 
     the calculation of the debt-equity ratio of the borrower for 
     purposes of eligibility for loans under the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.).'';
       (C) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``(6)'' and inserting ``(7)''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) Accounting.--The Secretary shall take appropriate 
     steps to streamline the accounting requirements on borrowers 
     under this section while maintaining adequate assurances of 
     the repayment of the loans.'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``3 percent'' and 
     inserting ``5 percent''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``electric'' and 
     inserting ``recurring service'';
       (4) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i);
       (5) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
       ``(h) Publication.--Not later than 120 days after the end 
     of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish a 
     description of--
       ``(1) the number of applications received under this 
     section for that fiscal year;
       ``(2) the number of loans made to eligible entities under 
     this section for that fiscal year; and
       ``(3) the recipients of the loans described in paragraph 
     (2).''; and
       (6) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6304. NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION 
                   REAUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Administrative Expenses of Regional Commissions.--
     Section 15304(c)(3)(A) of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``unanimous'' and inserting ``majority''.
       (b) Economic and Infrastructure Development Grants.--
     Section 15501 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
       ``(8) to grow the capacity for successful community 
     economic development in its region; and'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``paragraphs (1) through 
     (3)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (7)''; and
       (3) in subsection (f), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``, except that financial assistance may be 
     used as otherwise authorized by this subtitle to attract 
     businesses to the region from outside the United States.''.
       (c) State Capacity Building Grant Program.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Northern 
     Border Regional Commission established by section 15301(a)(3) 
     of title 40, United States Code.
       (B) Commission state.--The term ``Commission State'' means 
     each of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and 
     Vermont.
       (C) Eligible county.--The term ``eligible county'' means a 
     county described in section 15733 of title 40, United States 
     Code.
       (D) Program.--The term ``program'' means the State capacity 
     building grant program established under paragraph (2).
       (2) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish a 
     State capacity building grant program to provide grants to 
     Commission States to carry out the purpose under paragraph 
     (3).
       (3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to support the 
     efforts of the Commission--
       (A) to better support business retention and expansion in 
     eligible counties;
       (B) to create programs to encourage job creation and 
     workforce development in eligible counties;
       (C) to prepare economic and infrastructure plans for 
     eligible counties;
       (D) to expand access to high-speed broadband in eligible 
     counties;
       (E) to provide technical assistance that results in 
     Commission investments in transportation, water, wastewater, 
     and other critical infrastructure;
       (F) to create initiatives to increase the effectiveness of 
     local development districts in eligible counties; and
       (G) to implement new or innovative economic development 
     practices that will better position the eligible counties of 
     Commission States to compete in the global economy.
       (4) Use of funds.--
       (A) In general.--Funds from a grant under the program may 
     be used to support a project, program, or related expense of 
     the Commission State in an eligible county.
       (B) Limitation.--Funds from a grant under the program shall 
     not be used for--
       (i) the purchase of furniture, fixtures, or equipment;
       (ii) the compensation of--

       (I) any State member of the Commission (as described in 
     section 15301(b)(1)(B) of title 40, United States Code); or
       (II) any State alternate member of the Commission (as 
     described in section 15301(b)(2)(B) of title 40, United 
     States Code); or

       (iii) the cost of supplanting existing State programs.
       (5) Annual work plan.--
       (A) In general.--For each fiscal year, before providing a 
     grant under the program, each Commission State shall provide 
     to the Commission an annual work plan that includes the 
     proposed use of the grant.
       (B) Approval.--No grant under the program shall be provided 
     to a Commission State unless the Commission has approved the 
     annual work plan of the State.
       (6) Amount of grant.--

[[Page H9889]]

       (A) In general.--The amount of a grant provided to a 
     Commission State under the program for a fiscal year shall be 
     based on the proportion that--
       (i) the amount paid by the Commission State (including any 
     amounts paid on behalf of the Commission State by a nonprofit 
     organization) for administrative expenses for the applicable 
     fiscal year (as determined under section 15304(c) of title 
     40, United States Code); bears to
       (ii) the amount paid by all Commission States (including 
     any amounts paid on behalf of a Commission State by a 
     nonprofit organization) for administrative expenses for that 
     fiscal year (as determined under that section).
       (B) Requirement.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     the program for a fiscal year, a Commission State (or a 
     nonprofit organization on behalf of the Commission State) 
     shall pay the amount of administrative expenses of the 
     Commission State for the applicable fiscal year (as 
     determined under section 15304(c) of title 40, United States 
     Code).
       (C) Approval.--For each fiscal year, a grant provided under 
     the program shall be approved and made available as part of 
     the approval of the annual budget of the Commission.
       (7) Grant availability.--Funds from a grant under the 
     program shall be available only during the fiscal year for 
     which the grant is provided.
       (8) Report.--Each fiscal year, each Commission State shall 
     submit to the Commission and make publicly available a report 
     that describes the use of the grant funds and the impact of 
     the program in the State.
       (9) Funding.--
       (A) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023.
       (B) Supplement, not supplant.--Funds made available to 
     carry out this subsection shall supplement and not supplant 
     funds made available for the Commission and other activities 
     of the Commission.
       (d) Northern Border Regional Commission.--Section 15733 of 
     title 40, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by inserting ``Belknap,'' before ``Carroll,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``Cheshire,'' before ``Coos,'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(3) New york.--The counties of Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, 
     Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, 
     Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, 
     Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, 
     Seneca, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, 
     and Yates in the State of New York.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) by inserting ``Addison, Bennington,'' before 
     ``Caledonia,'';
       (B) by inserting ``Chittenden,'' before ``Essex,'';
       (C) by striking ``and'' and inserting ``Orange,'' and
       (D) by inserting ``, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and 
     Windsor'' after ``Orleans''.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 15751(a) of 
     title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' 
     and inserting ``$33,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023''.
       (f) Vacancies.--Section 15301 of title 40, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Succession.--Subject to the time limitations under 
     section 3346 of title 5, the Federal Cochairperson may 
     designate a Federal employee of the Commission to perform the 
     functions and duties of the office of the Federal 
     Cochairperson temporarily in an acting capacity if both the 
     Federal Cochairperson and the alternate Federal Cochairperson 
     die, resign, or otherwise are unable to perform the functions 
     and duties of their offices.''.
       (g) Technical Amendments.--Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of 
     subtitle V of title 40, United States Code, are redesignated 
     as chapters 151, 153, 155, and 157, respectively.

     SEC. 6305. DEFINITION OF RURAL AREA FOR PURPOSES OF THE 
                   HOUSING ACT OF 1949.

       The second sentence of section 520 of the Housing Act of 
     1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or 2010 decennial census'' and inserting 
     ``2010, or 2020 decennial census'';
       (2) by striking ``December 31, 2010,'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2020,'' ; and
       (3) by striking ``year 2020'' and inserting ``year 2030''.

     SEC. 6306. COUNCIL ON RURAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enhance the 
     efforts of the Federal Government to address the needs of 
     rural areas in the United States by--
       (1) establishing a council to better coordinate Federal 
     programs directed to rural communities;
       (2) maximizing the impact of Federal investment to promote 
     economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities 
     in the United States; and
       (3) using innovation to resolve local and regional 
     challenges faced by rural communities.
       (b) Establishment.--
       (1) There is established a Council on Rural Community 
     Innovation and Economic Development (referred to in this 
     section as the ``Council'').
       (2) The Council shall be the successor to the Interagency 
     Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity established by 
     Executive Order 13790.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The membership of the Council shall be 
     composed of the heads of the following executive branch 
     departments, agencies, and offices:
       (A) The Department of Agriculture.
       (B) The Department of the Treasury.
       (C) The Department of Defense.
       (D) The Department of Justice.
       (E) The Department of the Interior.
       (F) The Department of Commerce.
       (G) The Department of Labor.
       (H) The Department of Health and Human Services.
       (I) The Department of Housing and Urban Development.
       (J) The Department of Transportation.
       (K) The Department of Energy.
       (L) The Department of Education.
       (M) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (N) The Department of Homeland Security.
       (O) The Environmental Protection Agency.
       (P) The Federal Communications Commission.
       (Q) The Office of Management and Budget.
       (R) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
       (S) The Office of National Drug Control Policy.
       (T) The Council of Economic Advisers.
       (U) The Domestic Policy Council.
       (V) The National Economic Council.
       (W) The Small Business Administration.
       (X) The Council on Environmental Quality.
       (Y) The White House Office of Public Engagement.
       (Z) The White House Office of Cabinet Affairs.
       (AA) Such other executive branch departments, agencies, and 
     offices as the President or the Secretary may, from time to 
     time, designate.
       (2) Chair.--The Secretary shall serve as the Chair of the 
     Council.
       (3) Designees.--A member of the Council may designate, to 
     perform the Council functions of the member, a senior-level 
     official who is--
       (A) part of the department, agency, or office of the 
     member; and
       (B) a full-time officer or employee of the Federal 
     Government.
       (4) Administration.--The Council shall coordinate policy 
     development through the rural development mission area.
       (d) Funding.--The Secretary shall provide funding and 
     administrative support for the Council to the extent 
     permitted by law and within existing appropriations.
       (e) Mission and Function of the Council.--The Council shall 
     work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to 
     coordinate development of policy recommendations--
       (1) to maximize the impact of Federal investment on rural 
     communities;
       (2) to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in 
     rural communities; and
       (3) to use innovation to resolve local and regional 
     challenges faced by rural communities.
       (f) Duties.--The Council shall--
       (1) make recommendations to the President, acting through 
     the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Director 
     of the National Economic Council, on streamlining and 
     leveraging Federal investments in rural areas, where 
     appropriate, to increase the impact of Federal dollars and 
     create economic opportunities to improve the quality of life 
     in rural areas in the United States;
       (2) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of Federal 
     engagement with rural stakeholders, including agricultural 
     organizations, small businesses, education and training 
     institutions, health-care providers, telecommunications 
     services providers, electric service providers, 
     transportation providers, research and land grant 
     institutions, law enforcement, State, local, and tribal 
     governments, and nongovernmental organizations regarding the 
     needs of rural areas in the United States;
       (3) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the growth 
     and development of rural geographic regions that encompass 
     both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas;
       (4) identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities 
     associated with energy development, outdoor recreation, and 
     other conservation related activities; and
       (5) identify common economic and social challenges faced by 
     rural communities that could be served through--
       (A) better coordination of existing Federal and non-Federal 
     resources; and
       (B) innovative solutions utilizing governmental and 
     nongovernmental resources.
       (g) Executive Departments and Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--The heads of executive departments and 
     agencies shall assist and provide information to the Council, 
     consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry 
     out the functions of the Council.
       (2) Expenses.--Each executive department or agency shall be 
     responsible for paying any expenses of the executive 
     department or agency for participating in the Council.
       (h) Council Working Groups.--
       (1) In general.--The Council may establish, in addition to 
     the working groups established under paragraph (3), such 
     other working groups as necessary.
       (2) Membership.--The Secretary shall include as members of 
     each working group such Council members, other heads of 
     Federal agencies (or their designees as defined in (d)(3)), 
     and non-Federal partners as determined appropriate to the 
     subject matter.
       (3) Required working groups.--The working groups specified 
     in this paragraph are each of the following:
       (A) The rural smart communities working group.--
       (i) Establishment.--The Council shall establish a Rural 
     Smart Communities Working Group.
       (ii) Duties.--The Rural Smart Communities Working Group 
     shall--

[[Page H9890]]

       (I) not later than 1 year after the establishment of such 
     Working Group, submit to Congress a report describing efforts 
     of rural areas to integrate smart technology into their 
     communities to solve challenges relating to governance, 
     economic development, quality of life, or other relevant 
     rural issues, as determined by the Secretary; and
       (II) create, publish, and maintain a resource guide 
     designed to assist States and other rural communities in 
     developing and implementing rural smart community programs.

       (iii) Smart community defined.--For the purposes of this 
     subparagraph, the term ``smart community'' means a community 
     that has the ability to integrate multiple technological 
     solutions, in a secure fashion, to manage a community's 
     assets, including local government information systems, 
     schools, libraries, transportation systems, hospitals, power 
     plants, law enforcement, and other community services with 
     the goal of promoting quality of life through the use of 
     technology in ways that improve the efficiency of services 
     and meet residents' needs.
       (B) Jobs accelerator working group.--
       (i) Establishment.--The Council shall establish a Jobs 
     Accelerator Working Group.
       (ii) Goals.--The Jobs Accelerator Working Group shall 
     support rural jobs accelerators (as defined in section 
     379I(a)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act)--

       (I) to improve the ability of rural communities to create 
     high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses 
     with high-growth potential, and strengthen regional 
     economies, including by helping to build capacity in the 
     applicable region to achieve those goals; and
       (II) to help rural communities identify and maximize local 
     assets and connect to regional opportunities, networks, and 
     industry clusters that demonstrate high growth potential.

       (iii) Duties.--The Jobs Accelerator Working Group shall--

       (I) provide the public with available information and 
     technical assistance on Federal resources relevant to a 
     project and region;
       (II) establish a Federal support team comprised of staff 
     from participating agencies in the working group that shall 
     provide coordinated and dedicated support services to rural 
     jobs accelerators; and
       (III) provide opportunities for rural jobs accelerators to 
     share best practices and further collaborate with one 
     another.

 Subtitle D--Additional Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
                            Development Act

     SEC. 6401. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 379H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 2008v) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 379H. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

       ``(a) In General.--In the case of any program under this 
     title or administered by the Secretary, acting through the 
     rural development mission area, as determined by the 
     Secretary (referred to in this section as a `covered 
     program'), the Secretary shall give priority to an 
     application for a project that, as determined and approved by 
     the Secretary--
       ``(1) meets the applicable eligibility requirements of this 
     title or the other applicable authorizing law;
       ``(2) will be carried out in a rural area; and
       ``(3) supports the implementation of a strategic community 
     investment plan described in subsection (d) on a 
     multisectoral and multijurisdictional basis, to include 
     considerations for improving and expanding broadband services 
     as needed.
       ``(b) Reserve.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
     shall reserve not more than 15 percent of the funds made 
     available for a fiscal year for covered programs for projects 
     that support the implementation of a strategic community 
     investment plan described in subsection (d) on a 
     multisectoral and multijurisdictional basis.
       ``(2) Period.--Any funds reserved under paragraph (1) shall 
     only be reserved for the 1-year period beginning on the date 
     on which the funds were first made available, as determined 
     by the Secretary.
       ``(c) Approved Applications.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), any applicant 
     who submitted an application under a covered program that was 
     approved before the date of enactment of this section may 
     amend the application to qualify for the funds reserved under 
     subsection (b).
       ``(2) Rural utilities.--Any applicant who submitted an 
     application under paragraph (2), (14), or (24) of section 
     306(a), or section 306A or 310B(b), that was approved by the 
     Secretary before the date of enactment of this section shall 
     be eligible for the funds reserved under subsection (b)--
       ``(A) on the same basis as an application submitted under 
     this section; and
       ``(B) until September 30, 2019.
       ``(d) Strategic Community Investment Plans.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide assistance 
     to rural communities in developing strategic community 
     investment plans.
       ``(2) Plans.--A strategic community investment plan 
     described in paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) a variety of activities designed to facilitate the 
     vision of a rural community for the future, including 
     considerations for improving and expanding broadband services 
     as needed;
       ``(B) participation by multiple stakeholders, including 
     local and regional partners;
       ``(C) leverage of applicable regional resources;
       ``(D) investment from strategic partners, such as--
       ``(i) private organizations;
       ``(ii) cooperatives;
       ``(iii) other government entities;
       ``(iv) Indian Tribes; and
       ``(v) philanthropic organizations;
       ``(E) clear objectives with the ability to establish 
     measurable performance metrics;
       ``(F) action steps for implementation; and
       ``(G) any other elements necessary to ensure that the plan 
     results in a comprehensive and strategic approach to rural 
     economic development, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with 
     Indian Tribes and local, State, regional, and Federal 
     partners to develop strategic community investment plans 
     under this subsection.
       ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain 
     available until expended.''.

     SEC. 6402. EXPANDING ACCESS TO CREDIT FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

       (a) Certain Programs Under the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act.--Section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm 
     and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``and guaranteed''; and
       (B) in the text--
       (i) by striking ``and guaranteed''; and
       (ii) by striking ``(1), (2), and (24)'' and inserting ``(1) 
     and (2)''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by striking ``and guaranteed''; and
       (B) by striking ``(21), and (24)'' and inserting ``and 
     (21)''.
       (b) Population Caps for Guaranteed Lending.--Section 
     306(a)(24) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(24)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Priority.--
       ``(i) Water or waste facility.--The Secretary shall 
     prioritize water and waste facility projects under this 
     paragraph in rural areas with a population of not more than 
     10,000 people.
       ``(ii) Community facility.--Of the funds made available to 
     carry out this paragraph for community facility loan 
     guarantees for a fiscal year the following amounts shall be 
     reserved for projects in rural areas with a population of not 
     more than 20,000 inhabitants:

       ``(I) 100 percent of the first $200,000,000 so made 
     available;
       ``(II) 50 percent of the next $200,000,000 so made 
     available; and
       ``(III) 25 percent of all amounts exceeding $400,000,000 so 
     made available,

     except that, to the extent that the Secretary demonstrates 
     that the funds so reserved are not needed to finance a 
     community facility project in such a rural area, the 
     Secretary may use the funds for other community facility 
     projects in accordance with this paragraph.''.

     SEC. 6403. WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND WASTEWATER FACILITY 
                   GRANTS.

       Section 306(a)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)(B)) is amended--
       (1) in clause (iii), by striking ``$100,000'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``$200,000''; and
       (2) in clause (vii), by striking ``$30,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' and inserting ``$15,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 6404. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
                   AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.

       Section 306(a)(14) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(14)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period and inserting a 
     semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) identify options to enhance the long-term 
     sustainability of rural water and waste systems, including 
     operational practices, revenue enhancements, partnerships, 
     consolidation, regionalization, or contract services; and
       ``(v) address the contamination of drinking water and 
     surface water supplies by emerging contaminants, including 
     per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by striking ``1 nor more than 3'' and inserting ``3 
     percent and not more than 5''; and
       (B) by striking ``1 per centum'' and inserting ``3 
     percent''.

     SEC. 6405. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM.

       Section 306(a)(22)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)(B)) is amended by 
     striking ``$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter'' and inserting ``$25,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 6406. TRIBAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY 
                   FACILITIES.

       Section 306(a)(25)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(25)(C)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6407. EMERGENCY AND IMMINENT COMMUNITY WATER ASSISTANCE 
                   GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 306A of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting the following: ``, particularly to projects to 
     address contamination that--
       ``(A) poses a threat to human health or the environment; 
     and
       ``(B) was caused by circumstances beyond the control of the 
     applicant for a grant, including circumstances that occurred 
     over a period of time; and'';

[[Page H9891]]

       (2) in subsection (d)(1)(D), by inserting ``, other than 
     those covered above for not to exceed 120 days when a more 
     permanent solution is not feasible in a shorter time frame. 
     Where drinking water supplies are inadequate due to an event, 
     as determined by the Secretary, including drought, severe 
     weather, or contamination, the Secretary may provide potable 
     water for an additional period of time not to exceed an 
     additional 120 days in order to protect public health'' 
     before the period;
       (3) in subsection (e)(1)(B), by striking ``according to the 
     most recent decennial census of the United States'';
       (4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``$500,000'' and 
     inserting ``$1,000,000''; and
       (5) in subsection (i)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``3 nor more than 5'' 
     and inserting ``5 percent and not more than 7''; and
       (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) Release.--
       ``(i) In general.--Funds reserved under subparagraph (A) 
     for a fiscal year shall be reserved only until July 1 of the 
     fiscal year.
       ``(ii) Exception.--Notwithstanding clause (i), in response 
     to an eligible community where the drinking water supplies 
     are inadequate, as determined by the Secretary, due to an 
     event, including drought, severe weather, or contamination, 
     the Secretary may use funds described in subparagraph (A) 
     from July 1 through September 30 each fiscal year to provide 
     potable water under this section in order to protect public 
     health.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$35,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' and inserting ``$50,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.
       (b) Interagency Task Force on Rural Water Quality.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary shall coordinate an 
     interagency task force to examine drinking water and surface 
     water contamination in rural communities, particularly rural 
     communities that are in close proximity to active or 
     decommissioned military installations in the United States.
       (2) Membership.--The interagency task force shall consist 
     of--
       (A) the Secretary;
       (B) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of 
     Engineers;
       (C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting 
     through--
       (i) the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
     Disease Registry; and
       (ii) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention;
       (D) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
       (E) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through--
       (i) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service; and
       (ii) the Director of the United States Geological Survey;
       (F) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency; and
       (G) representatives from rural drinking and wastewater 
     entities, State and community regulators, and appropriate 
     scientific experts that reflect a diverse cross-section of 
     the rural communities described in paragraph (1).
       (3) Report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 360 days after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the task force shall submit to the 
     committees described in subparagraph (B) a report that--
       (i) examines, and identifies issues relating to, water 
     contamination in rural communities, particularly rural 
     communities that are in close proximity to active or 
     decommissioned military installations in the United States;
       (ii) reviews the extent to which Federal, State, and local 
     government agencies coordinate with one another to address 
     the issues identified under clause (i);
       (iii) recommends how Federal, State, and local government 
     agencies can work together in the most effective, efficient, 
     and cost-effective manner practicable, to address the issues 
     identified under clause (i); and
       (iv) recommends changes to existing statutory requirements, 
     regulatory requirements, or both, to improve interagency 
     coordination and responsiveness to address the issues 
     identified under clause (i).
       (B) Committees described.--The committees referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) are--
       (i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate;
       (iii) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (iv) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the 
     Senate;
       (v) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (vi) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate.

     SEC. 6408. WATER SYSTEMS FOR RURAL AND NATIVE VILLAGES IN 
                   ALASKA.

       Section 306D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1926d) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Alaska for'' and 
     inserting ``Alaska, a consortium formed pursuant to section 
     325 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-83; 111 Stat. 1597), 
     and Native villages (as defined in section 3 of the Alaska 
     Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)) for'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``for any grant awarded 
     under subsection (a)'' before the period at the end; and
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Alaska'' and inserting 
     ``Alaska, and not more than 2 percent of the amount made 
     available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year may be used 
     by a consortium formed pursuant to section 325 of the 
     Department of the Interior and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-83; 111 Stat. 
     1597),''.

     SEC. 6409. RURAL DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS.

       Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1926e) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and inserting ``rural 
     decentralized water systems'';
       (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``100'' and inserting 
     ``60'';
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``and subgrants'' after ``loans''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``and individually owned household 
     decentralized wastewater systems'' after ``well systems'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Terms and amounts.--
       ``(A) Terms of loans.--A loan made with grant funds under 
     this section--
       ``(i) shall have an interest rate of 1 percent; and
       ``(ii) shall have a term not to exceed 20 years.
       ``(B) Amounts.--A loan or subgrant made with grant funds 
     under this section shall not exceed $15,000 for each water 
     well system or decentralized wastewater system described in 
     paragraph (1).''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Ground well water contamination.--In the event of 
     ground well water contamination, the Secretary shall allow a 
     loan or subgrant to be made with grant funds under this 
     section for the installation of water treatment where needed 
     beyond the point of entry, with or without the installation 
     of a new water well system.'';
       (4) in subsection (c), by striking ``productive use of 
     individually-owned household water well systems'' and 
     inserting ``effective use of individually owned household 
     water well systems, individually owned household 
     decentralized wastewater systems,''; and
       (5) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``$5,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$20,000,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
     through 2023''.

     SEC. 6410. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS.

       Section 310B(b)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6411. RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

       Section 310B(c)(4)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(4)(A)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6412. RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm 
     and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``(including research 
     and analysis based on data from the latest available Economic 
     Census conducted by the Bureau of the Census)'' after 
     ``conduct research''; and
       (2) in paragraph (13), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (b) Technical Correction.--Section 310B(e)(11)(B)(i) of 
     such Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)(11)(B)(i)) is amended by striking 
     ``(12)'' and inserting ``(13)''.

     SEC. 6413. LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL FOOD 
                   PRODUCTS.

       Section 310B(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6414. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 310B(i)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)(4)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6415. RURAL ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP ZONES.

       Section 310B(j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(j)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6416. INTEMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM.

       Section 310H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1936b) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (i);
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Limitation on Loan Amounts.--The maximum amount of a 
     loan by an eligible entity described in subsection (b) to 
     individuals and entities for a project under subsection (c), 
     including the unpaid balance of any existing loans, shall be 
     the lesser of--
       ``(1) $400,000; and
       ``(2) 50 percent of the loan to the eligible entity under 
     subsection (a).
       ``(f) Applications.--
       ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a loan or loan 
     guarantee under subsection (a), an eligible entity described 
     in subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary an 
     application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(2) Evaluation.--In evaluating applications submitted 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--

[[Page H9892]]

       ``(A)(i) take into consideration the previous performance 
     of an eligible entity in carrying out projects under 
     subsection (c); and
       ``(ii) in the case of satisfactory performance under clause 
     (i), require the eligible entity to contribute less equity 
     for subsequent loans without modifying the priority given to 
     subsequent applications; and
       ``(B) in assigning priorities to applications, require an 
     eligible entity to demonstrate that it has a governing or 
     advisory board made up of business, civic, and community 
     leaders who are representative of the communities of the 
     service area, without limitation to the size of the service 
     area.
       ``(g) Return of Equity.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     schedule that is consistent with the amortization schedules 
     of the portfolio of loans made or guaranteed under subsection 
     (a) for the return of any equity contribution made under this 
     section by an eligible entity described in subsection (b), if 
     the eligible entity is--
       ``(1) current on all principal and interest payments; and
       ``(2) in compliance with loan covenants.
       ``(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations and establish procedures reducing the 
     administrative requirements on eligible entities described in 
     subsection (b), including regulations to carry out the 
     amendments made to this section by the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018.''; and
       (3) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6417. ACCESS TO INFORMATION TO VERIFY INCOME FOR 
                   PARTICIPANTS IN CERTAIN RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.

       Section 331 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1981), as amended by section 6210(a) of this 
     Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Access to Information to Verify Income for 
     Participants in Certain Rural Housing Programs.--The 
     Secretary and the designees of the Secretary are hereby 
     granted the same access to information and subject to the 
     same requirements applicable to the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development as provided in section 453 of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653) and section 6103(l)(7)(D)(ix) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 
     6103(l)(7)(D)(ix)) to verify income for individuals 
     participating in sections 502, 504, 521, and 542 of the 
     Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472, 1474, 1490a, and 1490r), 
     notwithstanding section 453(l) of the Social Security Act.''.

     SEC. 6418. PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL FEES FOR GUARANTEED LOANS 
                   UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED FARM AND RURAL 
                   DEVELOPMENT ACT.

       Section 333 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1983) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) in the case of an insured or guaranteed loan issued 
     or modified under section 306(a), charge and collect from the 
     lender fees in such amounts as to bring down the costs of 
     subsidies for the insured or guaranteed loan, except that the 
     fees shall not act as a bar to participation in the programs 
     nor be inconsistent with current practices in the 
     marketplace.''.

     SEC. 6419. RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS 
                   TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

       The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended 
     by inserting after section 367, as added by section 5306 of 
     this Act, the following:

     ``SEC. 368. RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS 
                   TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to public 
     bodies, private nonprofit corporations, economic development 
     authorities, institutions of higher education, federally 
     recognized Indian Tribes, and rural cooperatives for the 
     purpose of providing or obtaining technical assistance and 
     training to support funding applications for programs carried 
     out by the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the 
     Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
       ``(b) Purposes.--A grant under subsection (a) may be used--
       ``(1) to assist communities in identifying and planning for 
     business and economic development needs;
       ``(2) to identify public and private resources to finance 
     business and small and emerging business needs;
       ``(3) to prepare reports and surveys necessary to request 
     financial assistance for businesses in rural communities; and
       ``(4) to prepare applications for financial assistance.
       ``(c) Selection Priority.--In selecting recipients of 
     grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority 
     to grants serving persistent poverty counties and high 
     poverty communities, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(d) Funding.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Availability.--Any amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year that are 
     not appropriated for that fiscal year may be appropriated for 
     the immediately succeeding fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 6420. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.

       Section 378 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 2008m) is amended in each of subsections (g)(1) 
     and (h), by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'' each 
     place it appears.

     SEC. 6421. GRANTS FOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTERS.

       Section 379B(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008p(d)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6422. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       Section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(4)(B)(ii)--
       (A) in the clause heading, by striking ``Maximum amount'' 
     and inserting ``Amount'';
       (B) by inserting ``not less than 20 percent and'' before 
     ``not more than 25 percent''; and
       (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting the 
     following: ``, subject to--

       ``(I) satisfactory performance by the microenterprise 
     development organization under this section, and
       ``(II) the availability of funding.''; and

       (2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
     $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 6423. HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

       Section 379G(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u(e)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6424. RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY GRANT PROGRAM.

       Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 379I. RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
     rural jobs accelerator partnership established after the date 
     of enactment of this section that--
       ``(A) organizes key community and regional stakeholders 
     into a working group that--
       ``(i) focuses on the shared goals and needs of the industry 
     clusters that are objectively identified as existing, 
     emerging, or declining;
       ``(ii) represents a region defined by the partnership in 
     accordance with subparagraph (B);
       ``(iii) includes 1 or more representatives of--

       ``(I) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001));
       ``(II) a private entity; or
       ``(III) a government entity; and

       ``(iv) has, as a lead applicant--

       ``(I) a District Organization (as defined in section 300.3 
     of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
     regulation));
       ``(II) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304)), or a consortium of Indian tribes;
       ``(III) a State or a political subdivision of a State, 
     including a special purpose unit of a State or local 
     government engaged in economic development activities, or a 
     consortium of political subdivisions;
       ``(IV) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001)) or a consortium of institutions of higher education; 
     or
       ``(V) a public or private nonprofit organization; and

       ``(B) subject to approval by the Secretary, may--
       ``(i) serve a region that is--

       ``(I) a single jurisdiction; or
       ``(II) if the region is a rural area, multijurisdictional; 
     and

       ``(ii) define the region that the partnership represents, 
     if the region--

       ``(I) is large enough to contain critical elements of the 
     industry cluster prioritized by the partnership;
       ``(II) is small enough to enable close collaboration among 
     members of the partnership;
       ``(III) includes a majority of communities that are located 
     in--

       ``(aa) a nonmetropolitan area that qualifies as a low-
     income community (as defined in section 45D(e) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and
       ``(bb) an area that has access to or has a plan to achieve 
     broadband service (within the meaning of title VI of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.)); 
     and

       ``(IV)(aa) has a population of 50,000 or fewer inhabitants; 
     or
       ``(bb) for a region with a population of more than 50,000 
     inhabitants, is the subject of a positive determination by 
     the Secretary with respect to a rural-in-character petition, 
     including such a petition submitted concurrently with the 
     application of the partnership for a grant under this 
     section.

       ``(2) Industry cluster.--The term `industry cluster' means 
     a broadly defined network of interconnected firms and 
     supporting institutions in related industries that accelerate 
     innovation, business formation, and job creation by taking 
     advantage of assets and strengths of a region in the business 
     environment.
       ``(3) High-wage job.--The term `high-wage job' means a job 
     that provides a wage that is greater than the median wage for 
     the applicable region, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Jobs accelerator.--The term `jobs accelerator' means 
     a jobs accelerator center or program located in or serving a 
     low-income rural community that may provide co-working space, 
     in-demand skills training, entrepreneurship support, and any 
     other services described in subsection (d)(1)(B).
       ``(5) Small and disadvantaged business.--The term `small 
     and disadvantaged business' has the meaning given the term 
     `small business concern owned and controlled by socially and 
     economically disadvantaged individuals' in section 8(d)(3)(C) 
     of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)(C)).

[[Page H9893]]

       ``(b) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a grant 
     program under which the Secretary shall award grants, on a 
     competitive basis, to eligible entities to establish jobs 
     accelerators, including related programming, that--
       ``(A) improve the ability of distressed rural communities 
     to create high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new 
     businesses with high-growth potential, and strengthen 
     regional economies, including by helping to build capacity in 
     the applicable region to achieve those goals; and
       ``(B) help rural communities identify and maximize local 
     assets and connect to regional opportunities, networks, and 
     industry clusters that demonstrate high growth potential.
       ``(2) Cost-sharing.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Federal share of the cost of any 
     activity carried out using a grant made under paragraph (1) 
     shall be not greater than 80 percent.
       ``(B) In-kind contributions.--The non-Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity carried out using a grant made 
     under paragraph (1) may be in the form of donations or in-
     kind contributions of goods or services fairly valued.
       ``(3) Selection criteria.--In selecting eligible entities 
     to receive grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     consider--
       ``(A) the commitment of participating core stakeholders in 
     the jobs accelerator partnership, including a demonstration 
     that--
       ``(i) investment organizations, including venture 
     development organizations, venture capital firms, revolving 
     loan funders, angel investment groups, community lenders, 
     community development financial institutions, rural business 
     investment companies, small business investment companies (as 
     defined in section 103 of the Small Business Investment Act 
     of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 662)), philanthropic organizations, and 
     other institutions focused on expanding access to capital, 
     are committed partners in the jobs accelerator partnership 
     and willing to potentially invest in projects emerging from 
     the jobs accelerator; and
       ``(ii) institutions of higher education, applied research 
     institutions, workforce development entities, and community-
     based organizations are willing to partner with the jobs 
     accelerator to provide workers with skills relevant to the 
     industry cluster needs of the region, with an emphasis on the 
     use of on-the-job training, registered apprenticeships, 
     customized training, classroom occupational training, or 
     incumbent worker training;
       ``(B) the ability of the eligible entity to provide the 
     non-Federal share as required under paragraph (2);
       ``(C) the identification of a targeted industry cluster;
       ``(D) the ability of the partnership to link rural 
     communities to markets, networks, industry clusters, and 
     other regional opportunities and assets;
       ``(E) other grants or loans of the Secretary and other 
     Federal agencies that the jobs accelerator would be able to 
     leverage; and
       ``(F) prospects for the proposed center and related 
     programming to have sustainability beyond the full maximum 
     length of assistance under this subsection, including the 
     maximum number of renewals.
       ``(4) Grant term and renewals.--
       ``(A) Term.--The initial term of a grant under paragraph 
     (1) shall be 4 years.
       ``(B) Renewal.--The Secretary may extend the term of a 
     grant under paragraph (1) for an additional period of not 
     longer than 2 years if the Secretary is satisfied, using the 
     evaluation under subsection (e)(2), that the grant recipient 
     has successfully established a jobs accelerator and related 
     programming.
       ``(5) Geographic distribution.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall provide grants under 
     paragraph (1) for jobs accelerators and related programming 
     in not fewer than 25 States at any time.
       ``(c) Grant Amount.--A grant awarded under subsection (b) 
     may be in an amount equal to--
       ``(1) not less than $500,000; and
       ``(2) not more than $2,000,000.
       ``(d) Use of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), funds from a 
     grant awarded under subsection (b) may be used--
       ``(A) to construct, purchase, or equip a building to serve 
     as an innovation center;
       ``(B) to support programs to be carried out at, or in 
     direct partnership with, the jobs accelerator that support 
     the objectives of the jobs accelerator, including--
       ``(i) linking rural communities and entrepreneurs to 
     markets, networks, industry clusters, and other regional 
     opportunities to support high-wage job creation, new business 
     formation, business expansion, and economic growth;
       ``(ii) integrating small businesses into a supply chain;
       ``(iii) creating or expanding commercialization activities 
     for new business formation;
       ``(iv) identifying and building assets in rural communities 
     that are crucial to supporting regional economies;
       ``(v) facilitating the repatriation of high-wage jobs to 
     the United States;
       ``(vi) supporting the deployment of innovative processes, 
     technologies, and products;
       ``(vii) enhancing the capacity of small businesses in 
     regional industry clusters, including small and disadvantaged 
     businesses;
       ``(viii) increasing United States exports and business 
     interaction with international buyers and suppliers;
       ``(ix) developing the skills and expertise of local 
     workforces, entrepreneurs, and institutional partners to meet 
     the needs of employers and prepare workers for high-wage jobs 
     in the identified industry clusters, including the upskilling 
     of incumbent workers;
       ``(x) ensuring rural communities have the capacity and 
     ability to carry out projects relating to housing, community 
     facilities, infrastructure, or community and economic 
     development to support regional industry cluster growth; or
       ``(xi) any other activities that the Secretary may 
     determine to be appropriate.
       ``(2) Requirement.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not more 
     than 10 percent of a grant awarded under subsection (b) shall 
     be used for indirect costs associated with administering the 
     grant.
       ``(B) Increase.--The Secretary may increase the percentage 
     described in subparagraph (A) on a case-by-case basis.
       ``(e) Annual Activity Report and Evaluation.--Not later 
     than 1 year after receiving a grant under this section, and 
     annually thereafter for the duration of the grant, an 
     eligible entity shall--
       ``(1) report to the Secretary on the activities funded with 
     the grant; and
       ``(2)(A) evaluate the progress that the eligible entity has 
     made toward the strategic objectives identified in the 
     application for the grant; and
       ``(B) measure that progress using performance measures 
     during the project period, which may include--
       ``(i) high-wage jobs created;
       ``(ii) high-wage jobs retained;
       ``(iii) private investment leveraged;
       ``(iv) businesses improved;
       ``(v) new business formations;
       ``(vi) new products or services commercialized;
       ``(vii) improvement of the value of existing products or 
     services under development;
       ``(viii) regional collaboration, as measured by such 
     metrics as--
       ``(I) the number of organizations actively engaged in the 
     industry cluster;
       ``(II) the number of symposia held by the industry cluster, 
     including organizations that are not located in the immediate 
     region defined by the partnership; and
       ``(III) the number of further cooperative agreements;
       ``(ix) the number of education and training activities 
     relating to innovation;
       ``(x) the number of jobs relocated from outside of the 
     United States to the region;
       ``(xi) the amount and number of new equity investments in 
     industry cluster firms;
       ``(xii) the amount and number of new loans to industry 
     cluster firms;
       ``(xiii) the dollar increase in exports resulting from the 
     project activities;
       ``(xiv) the percentage of employees for which training was 
     provided;
       ``(xv) improvement in sales of participating businesses;
       ``(xvi) improvement in wages paid at participating 
     businesses;
       ``(xvii) improvement in income of participating workers; or
       ``(xviii) any other measure the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 6425. DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 382M(a) of 
     the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
     2009aa-12(a)) is amended by striking ``2008 through 2018'' 
     and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.
       (b) Termination of Authority.--Section 382N of such Act (7 
     U.S.C. 2009aa-13) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 6426. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``venture''; and
       (B) by striking ``venture''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) Equity capital.--The term `equity capital' means--
       ``(A) common or preferred stock or a similar instrument, 
     including subordinated debt with equity features; and
       ``(B) any other type of equity-like financing that might be 
     necessary to facilitate the purposes of this Act, excluding 
     financing such as senior debt or other types of financing 
     that competes with routine loanmaking of commercial 
     lenders.''.
       (b) Purposes.--Section 384B of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-1) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``venture''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``venture''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``venture''.
       (c) Selection of Rural Business Investment Companies.--
     Section 384D(b)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-3(b)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``developmental venture'' and inserting 
     ``developmental''.
       (d) Fees.--Section 384G of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-6) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``a fee that 
     does not exceed $500'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``such fees as the Secretary considers appropriate, so long 
     as those fees are proportionally equal for each rural 
     business investment company,''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``solely to cover the 
     costs of licensing examinations'' and inserting ``as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate''; and
       (B) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) shall be in such amounts as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.''.
       (e) Limitation on Rural Business Investment Companies 
     Controlled by Farm Credit

[[Page H9894]]

     System Institutions.--Section 384J(c) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
     2009cc-9(c)) is amended by striking ``25'' and inserting 
     ``50''.
       (f) Flexibility on Sources of Investment or Capital.--
     Section 384J(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-9(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (2) by striking the subsection designation and heading and 
     all that follows through ``Except as'' in the matter 
     preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(a) Investment.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Limitation on requirements.--The Secretary may not 
     require that an entity described in paragraph (1) provide 
     investment or capital that is not required of other companies 
     eligible to apply to operate as a rural business investment 
     company under section 384D(a).''.

     SEC. 6427. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM.

       Section 384S of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-18) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

 Subtitle E--Additional Amendments to the Rural Electrification Act of 
                                  1936

     SEC. 6501. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 2 OF THE RURAL 
                   ELECTRIFICATION ACT OF 1936.

       (a) Electric Loan Refinancing.--Section 2(a) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 902(a)) is amended by 
     striking ``loans in'' and inserting ``loans, or refinance 
     loans made by the Secretary under this Act, in''.
       (b) Technical Assistance for Rural Electrification Loans.--
     Section 2 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 902) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(c) Technical Assistance.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
     enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary 
     of Energy under which the Secretary of Energy shall provide 
     technical assistance to the Rural Utilities Service on loans 
     to be made under subsection (a) of this section and section 
     4(a).''.

     SEC. 6502. LOANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE.

       Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 922) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section designation and all that 
     follows through ``From such sums'' and inserting the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 201. LOANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE.

       ``From such sums'';
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``associations:'' 
     and all that follows through ``same subscribers.'' and 
     inserting ``associations.''; and
       (3) in the sixth sentence, by striking ``, nor shall such 
     loan be made in any State'' and all that follows through 
     ``writing)'' in the seventh sentence and inserting the 
     following: ``and''.

     SEC. 6503. CUSHION OF CREDIT PAYMENTS PROGRAM.

       Section 313(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 940c(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``(1) In general.--The'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Development and promotion of program.--The''; and
       (B) by adding after and below the end the following:
       ``(B) Termination.--Effective on the date of enactment of 
     this subparagraph, no deposits may be made under subparagraph 
     (A).'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``(2) Interest.--Amounts'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(2) Interest.--
       ``(A) In general.--Amounts''; and
       (B) by adding after and below the end the following:
       ``(B) Reduction.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), amounts 
     in each cushion of credit account shall accrue interest to 
     the borrower at a rate equal to--
       ``(i) 4 percent per annum in fiscal year 2021; and
       ``(ii) the then applicable 1-year Treasury rate 
     thereafter.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``(3) Balance.--A'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) Balance.--
       ``(A) In general.--A''; and
       (B) by after and below the end the following:
       ``(B) Prepayment.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) and 
     subject to subparagraph (C), beginning on the date of the 
     enactment of this subparagraph and ending with September 30, 
     2020, a borrower may, at the sole discretion of the borrower, 
     reduce the balance of its cushion of credit account if the 
     amount obtained from the reduction is used to prepay loans 
     made or guaranteed under this Act.
       ``(C) No prepayment premium.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this Act, no prepayment premium shall be imposed 
     or collected with respect to that portion of a loan that is 
     prepaid by a borrower in accordance with subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Mandatory funding.--Notwithstanding section 504 of 
     the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, out of any funds in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall make available such sums as necessary to cover 
     any loan modification costs as defined in section 502 of such 
     Act.''.

     SEC. 6504. EXTENSION OF THE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN 
                   AND GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Section 12(b)(3)(D) of the Rural Electrification Act of 
     1936 (7 U.S.C. 912(b)(3)(D)) is amended by striking 
     ``313(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``313(b)(2)''.
       (b) Section 313(b)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 940c(b)(2)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking all that precedes ``shall maintain'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Rural economic development subaccount.--The 
     Secretary''; and
       (2) by striking ``the 5 percent'' and all that follows 
     through subparagraph (E) and inserting ``5 percent.''.
       (c) Title III of such Act (7 U.S.C. 931-940h) is amended by 
     inserting after section 313A the following:

     ``SEC. 313B. RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOANS AND GRANTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide grants or 
     zero interest loans to borrowers under this Act for the 
     purpose of promoting rural economic development and job 
     creation projects, including funding for project feasibility 
     studies, start-up costs, incubator projects, and other 
     reasonable expenses for the purpose of fostering rural 
     development.
       ``(b) Repayments.--In the case of zero interest loans, the 
     Secretary shall establish such reasonable repayment terms as 
     will encourage borrower participation.
       ``(c) Proceeds.--All proceeds from the repayment of such 
     loans made under this section shall be returned to the 
     subaccount that the Secretary shall maintain in accordance 
     with sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f).
       ``(d) Number of Grants.--Loans and grants required under 
     this section shall be made to the full extent of the amounts 
     made available under subsection (e).
       ``(e) Funding.--
       ``(1) Discretionary funding.--In addition to other funds 
     that are available to carry out this section, there is 
     authorized to be appropriated not more than $10,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out this 
     section, to remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall credit to the 
     subaccount to use for the cost of grants and loans under this 
     section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, to 
     remain available until expended.
       ``(3) Other funds.--In addition to the funds described in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall use, without 
     fiscal year limitation, to provide grants and loans under 
     this section--
       ``(A) the interest differential sums credited to the 
     subaccount described in subsection (c); and
       ``(B) subject to section 313A(e)(2), the fees described in 
     subsection (c)(4) of such section.
       ``(f) Maintenance of Account.--The Secretary shall maintain 
     the subaccount described in section 313(b)(2), as in effect 
     in fiscal year 2017, for purposes of carrying out this 
     section.''.
       (d) Section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
     (7 U.S.C. 940c-1) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``maintained under 
     section 313(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``that shall be 
     maintained as required by sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f)''; 
     and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``313(b)(2)(B)'' and 
     inserting ``313(b)(2)''; and
       (2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``maintained under 
     section 313(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``required to be 
     maintained by sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f)''.
       (e)(1) Subject to section 313B(e) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (as added by this section), the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out the loan and grant 
     program required under such section in the same manner as the 
     loan and grant program under section 313(b)(2) of such Act is 
     carried out on the day before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, until such time as any regulations necessary to 
     carry out the amendments made by this section are fully 
     implemented.
       (2) Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 6505. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED FOR 
                   ELECTRIFICATION OR TELEPHONE PURPOSES.

       (a) In General.--Section 313A of the Rural Electrification 
     Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c-1) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``Subject to'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Guarantees.--Subject to'';
       (B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``basis'' and all that follows through the period at the end 
     and inserting ``basis, if the proceeds of the bonds or notes 
     are used to make utility infrastructure loans, or refinance 
     bonds or notes issued for those purposes, to a borrower that 
     has at any time received, or is eligible to receive, a loan 
     under this Act.''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Terms.--A bond or note guaranteed under this section 
     shall, by agreement between the Secretary and the borrower--
       ``(A) be for a term of 30 years (or another term of years 
     that the Secretary determines is appropriate); and
       ``(B) be repaid by the borrower--
       ``(i) in periodic installments of principal and interest;
       ``(ii) in periodic installments of interest and, at the end 
     of the term of the bond or note, as applicable, by the 
     repayment of the outstanding principal; or
       ``(iii) through a combination of the methods described in 
     clauses (i) and (ii).'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``electrification'' and 
     all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     ``purposes described in subsection (a)(1).'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (2);
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), respectively; and
       (D) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``for electrification 
     or telephone purposes'' and inserting ``for eligible purposes 
     described in subsection (a)(1)''; and

[[Page H9895]]

       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``subsection (a)'' 
     and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)''; and
       (3) in subsection (f), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.
       (b) Administration.--Beginning on the date of enactment of 
     the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall 
     continue to carry out section 313A of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c-1) (as amended by 
     subsection (a)) under a Notice of Solicitation of 
     Applications until the date on which any regulations 
     necessary to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a) 
     are fully implemented.

     SEC. 6506. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.

       Section 315 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 940e) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``commercial or 
     transportation'' and inserting ``critical transportation-
     related''; and
       (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 6507. CYBERSECURITY AND GRID SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

       Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 931 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 319. CYBERSECURITY AND GRID SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

       ``(a) Definition of Cybersecurity and Grid Security 
     Improvements.--In this section, the term `cybersecurity and 
     grid security improvements' means investment in the 
     development, expansion, and modernization of rural utility 
     infrastructure that addresses known cybersecurity and grid 
     security risks.
       ``(b) Loans and Loan Guarantees.--The Secretary may make or 
     guarantee loans under this title and title I for 
     cybersecurity and grid security improvements.''.

                      Subtitle F--Program Repeals

     SEC. 6601. ELIMINATION OF UNFUNDED PROGRAMS.

       (a) Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.--
       (1) Repealers.--The following provisions of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act are hereby 
     repealed:
       (A) Section 306(a)(23) (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(23)).
       (B) Section 310B(f) (7 U.S.C. 1932(f)).
       (C) Section 379 (7 U.S.C. 2008n).
       (D) Section 379A (7 U.S.C. 2008o).
       (E) Section 379C (7 U.S.C. 2008q).
       (F) Section 379D (7 U.S.C. 2008r).
       (G) Section 379F (7 U.S.C. 2008t).
       (H) Subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 2009dd-2009dd-7).
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 333A(h) of such Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1983a(h)) is amended by striking ``310B(f),''.
       (b) Rural Electrification Act of 1936.--Section 314 of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940d) is hereby 
     repealed.

     SEC. 6602. REPEAL OF RURAL TELEPHONE BANK.

       (a) Repeal.--Title IV of the Rural Electrification Act of 
     1936 (7 U.S.C. 941-950b) is repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 18 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 918) is amended in 
     each of subsections (a) and (b) by striking ``and the 
     Governor of the telephone bank''.
       (2) Section 204 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 925) is amended by 
     striking ``and the Governor of the telephone bank''.
       (3) Section 205(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 926) is amended--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``and the Governor of the telephone bank''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or the Governor of the 
     telephone bank''.
       (4) Section 206(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 927(a)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``and the Governor of the telephone bank'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (1);
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or 408''; and
       (D) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
     paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively.
       (5) Section 206(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 927(b)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``and the Governor of the telephone bank'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, or a Rural Telephone 
     Bank loan,''; and
       (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, the Rural Telephone 
     Bank,''.
       (6) Section 207(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 928(1)) is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``305,'' and inserting ``305 or''; and
       (B) by striking ``, or a loan under section 408,''.
       (7) Section 301 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 931) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``except for net 
     collection proceeds previously appropriated for the purchase 
     of class A stock in the Rural Telephone Bank,'';
       (B) by adding ``or'' at the end of paragraph (4);
       (C) by striking ``; and'' at the end of paragraph (5) and 
     inserting a period; and
       (D) by striking paragraph (6).
       (8) Section 305(d)(2)(B) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
     935(d)(2)(B)) is amended--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and a loan under section 
     408''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``and under section 408'' 
     each place it appears.
       (9) Section 305(d)(3)(C) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
     935(d)(3)(C)) is amended by striking ``and section 
     408(b)(4)(C), the Secretary and the Governor of the telephone 
     bank'' and inserting ``the Secretary''.
       (10) Section 306 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 936) is amended by 
     striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank, National Rural Utilities 
     Cooperative Finance Corporation,'' and inserting ``the 
     National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation''.
       (11) Section 309 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 739) is amended by 
     striking the last sentence.
       (12) Section 2352(b) of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 901 note) is 
     amended by striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank and''.
       (13) The first section of Public Law 92-12 (7 U.S.C. 921a) 
     is repealed.
       (14) The first section of Public Law 92-324 (7 U.S.C. 921b) 
     is repealed.
       (15) Section 1414 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
     of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 944a) is repealed.
       (16) Section 1411 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
     of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 948 notes) is amended by striking 
     subsections (a) and (b).
       (17) Section 3.8(b)(1)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
     (12 U.S.C. 2129(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``or a loan 
     or loan commitment from the Rural Telephone Bank,''.
       (18) Section 105(d) of the National Consumer Cooperative 
     Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 3015(d)) is amended by striking ``the 
     Rural Telephone Bank,''.
       (19) Section 9101 of title 31, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (H) and 
     redesignating subparagraphs (I), (J), and (K) as 
     subparagraphs (H), (I), and (J), respectively; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking subparagraphs (K) and (O) 
     and redesignating subparagraphs (L) through (N) and (P) 
     through (R) as subparagraphs (K) through (P), respectively.
       (20) Section 9108(d)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank (when the 
     ownership, control, and operation of the Bank are converted 
     under section 410(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
     (7 U.S.C. 950(a))),''.

     SEC. 6603. AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL TV ACT.

       The Launching Our Communities' Access to Local Television 
     Act of 2000 (title X of H.R. 5548 of the 106th Congress, as 
     enacted by section 1(a)(2) of Public Law 106-553; 114 Stat. 
     2762A-128) is amended--
       (1) by striking the title heading and inserting the 
     following:

       ``TITLE X--SATELLITE CARRIER RETRANSMISSION ELIGIBILITY'';

       (2) by striking sections 1001 through 1007 and 1009 through 
     1012; and
       (3) by redesignating section 1008 as section 1001.

                   Subtitle G--Technical Corrections

     SEC. 6701. CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATED FARM AND 
                   RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT.

       (a)(1) Section 306(a)(19)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)(A)) is amended by 
     inserting after ``nonprofit corporations'' the following: ``, 
     Indian Tribes (as defined in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act)''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in section 773 of the Agriculture, Rural 
     Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (H.R. 5426 of the 106th 
     Congress, as enacted by Public Law 106-387 (114 Stat. 1549A-
     45)) in lieu of the amendment made by such section.
       (b)(1) Section 309A(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1929a(b)) is amended by striking 
     ``and section 308''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 661(c)(2) of the 
     Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
     (Public Law 104-127).
       (c) Section 310B(c)(3)(A)(v) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(3)(A)(v)) is amended 
     by striking ``and'' after the semicolon and inserting ``or''.
       (d)(1) Section 310B(e)(5)(F) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)(5)(F)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, except that the Secretary shall not require 
     non-Federal financial support in an amount that is greater 
     than 5 percent in the case of a 1994 institution (as defined 
     in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382))'' before 
     the period at the end.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 6015 of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-
     171).
       (e)(1) Section 381E(d)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009d(d)(3)) is amended by 
     striking subparagraph (A) and redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
     and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively.
       (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 6012(b) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79).
       (f)(1) Section 382A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State 
     of Alabama shall be a full member of the Delta Regional 
     Authority and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges 
     that said membership affords to all other participating 
     States in the Delta Regional Authority.''.
       (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
     as if included in the enactment of section 153(b) of division 
     B of H.R. 5666, as introduced in the 106th Congress, and as 
     enacted by section 1(4) of the Consolidated Appropriations 
     Act, 2001 (Appendix D of Public Law 106-554; 114 Stat. 2763A-
     252).
       (g) Section 382E(a)(1)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.2009aa-4(a)(1)(B)) is amended 
     by moving clause (iv) 2 ems to the right.

[[Page H9896]]

       (h) Section 383G(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-5(c)) is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading by striking 
     ``Telecommunication Renewable Energy,,'' and inserting 
     ``Telecommunication, Renewable Energy,''; and
       (2) in the text, by striking ``,,'' and inserting a comma.

     SEC. 6702. CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION 
                   ACT OF 1936.

       Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
     U.S.C. 922) is amended--
       (1) in the 3rd sentence by striking ``wildest'' and 
     inserting ``widest''; and
       (2) in the 6th sentence, by striking ``centifies'' and 
     inserting ``certifies''.

          TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS

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

     SEC. 7101. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
                   EDUCATION.

       Section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) support international collaboration that leverages 
     resources and advances priority food and agricultural 
     interests of the United States, such as--
       ``(A) addressing emerging plant and animal diseases;
       ``(B) improving crop varieties and animal breeds; and
       ``(C) developing safe, efficient, and nutritious food 
     systems.''.

     SEC. 7102. MATTERS RELATED TO CERTAIN SCHOOL DESIGNATIONS AND 
                   DECLARATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1404(14) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(14)) is amended--
       (1) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Definition.--The terms `NLGCA Institution' and `non-
     land-grant college of agriculture' mean a public college or 
     university offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the 
     study of agricultural sciences, forestry, or both in any area 
     of study specified in clause (ii).
       ``(ii) Clarification.--For purposes of clause (i), an area 
     of study specified in this clause is any of the following:

       ``(I) Agriculture.
       ``(II) Agricultural business and management.
       ``(III) Agricultural economics.
       ``(IV) Agricultural mechanization.
       ``(V) Agricultural production operations.
       ``(VI) Aquaculture.
       ``(VII) Agricultural and food products processing.
       ``(VIII) Agricultural and domestic animal services.
       ``(IX) Equestrian or equine studies.
       ``(X) Applied horticulture or horticulture operations.
       ``(XI) Ornamental horticulture.
       ``(XII) Greenhouse operations and management.
       ``(XIII) Turf and turfgrass management.
       ``(XIV) Plant nursery operations and management.
       ``(XV) Floriculture or floristry operations and management.
       ``(XVI) International agriculture.
       ``(XVII) Agricultural public services.
       ``(XVIII) Agricultural and extension education services.
       ``(XIX) Agricultural communication or agricultural 
     journalism.
       ``(XX) Animal sciences.
       ``(XXI) Food science.
       ``(XXII) Plant sciences.
       ``(XXIII) Soil sciences.
       ``(XXIV) Forestry.
       ``(XXV) Forest sciences and biology.
       ``(XXVI) Natural resources or conservation.
       ``(XXVII) Natural resources management and policy.
       ``(XXVIII) Natural resource economics.
       ``(XXIX) Urban forestry.
       ``(XXX) Wood science and wood products or pulp or paper 
     technology.
       ``(XXXI) Range science and management.
       ``(XXXII) Agricultural engineering.
       ``(XXXIII) Any other area, as determined appropriate by the 
     Secretary.''; and

       (2) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``any 
     institution designated under'' after ``include'';
       (B) by striking clause (i); and
       (C) in clause (ii)--
       (i) by striking ``(ii) any institution designated under--
     '';
       (ii) by striking subclause (IV);
       (iii) in subclause (II), by adding ``or'' at the end;
       (iv) in subclause (III), by striking ``; or'' at the end 
     and inserting a period; and
       (v) by redesignating subclauses (I), (II), and (III) (as so 
     amended) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and 
     by moving the margins of such clauses (as so redesignated) 
     two ems to the left.
       (b) Designation Review.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     process to review each designated NLGCA Institution (as 
     defined in section 1404(14)(A) of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3103(14)(A))) to ensure compliance with such section, 
     as amended by this subsection.
       (2) Revocation.--An NLGCA Institution that the Secretary 
     determines under subparagraph (A) to be not in compliance 
     shall have the designation of such institution revoked.

     SEC. 7103. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, 
                   EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

       Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``25'' and inserting 
     ``15''; and
       (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) Membership categories.--The Advisory Board shall 
     consist of members from each of the following categories:
       ``(A) 3 members representing national farm or producer 
     organizations, which may include members--
       ``(i) representing farm cooperatives;
       ``(ii) who are producers actively engaged in the production 
     of a food animal commodity and who are recommended by a 
     coalition of national livestock organizations;
       ``(iii) who are producers actively engaged in the 
     production of a plant commodity and who are recommended by a 
     coalition of national crop organizations; or
       ``(iv) who are producers actively engaged in aquaculture 
     and who are recommended by a coalition of national 
     aquacultural organizations.
       ``(B) 2 members representing academic or research 
     societies, which may include members representing--
       ``(i) a national food animal science society;
       ``(ii) a national crop, soil, agronomy, horticulture, plant 
     pathology, or weed science society;
       ``(iii) a national food science organization;
       ``(iv) a national human health association; or
       ``(v) a national nutritional science society.
       ``(C) 5 members representing agricultural research, 
     extension, and education, which shall include each of the 
     following:
       ``(i) 1 member representing the land-grant colleges and 
     universities eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 
     2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).
       ``(ii) 1 member representing the land-grant colleges and 
     universities eligible to receive funds under the Act of 
     August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee 
     University.
       ``(iii) 1 member representing the 1994 Institutions (as 
     defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-
     Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-
     382)).
       ``(iv) 1 member representing NLGCA Institutions or 
     Hispanic-serving institutions.
       ``(v) 1 member representing American colleges of veterinary 
     medicine.
       ``(D) 5 members representing industry, consumer, or rural 
     interests, including members representing--
       ``(i) entities engaged in transportation of food and 
     agricultural products to domestic and foreign markets;
       ``(ii) food retailing and marketing interests;
       ``(iii) food and fiber processors;
       ``(iv) rural economic development interests;
       ``(v) a national consumer interest group;
       ``(vi) a national forestry group;
       ``(vii) a national conservation or natural resource group;
       ``(viii) a national social science association;
       ``(ix) private sector organizations involved in 
     international development; or
       ``(x) a national association of agricultural economists.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``review and'' and inserting ``make recommendations, review, 
     and'';
       (ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(A) long-term and short-term national policies and 
     priorities consistent with the--
       ``(i) purposes specified in section 1402 for agricultural 
     research, extension, education, and economics; and
       ``(ii) priority areas of the Agriculture and Food Research 
     Initiative specified in subsection (b)(2) of the Competitive, 
     Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
     3157(b)(2));''; and
       (iii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) the annual establishment of national priorities that 
     are in accordance with the priority areas of the Agriculture 
     and Food Research Initiative specified in subsection (b)(2) 
     of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2)).'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and make 
     recommendations to the Secretary based on such evaluation'' 
     after ``priorities''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and make 
     recommendations on'' after ``review''; and
       (3) in subsection (h), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7104. SPECIALTY CROP COMMITTEE.

       Section 1408A(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3123a(a)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``speciality'' and 
     inserting ``specialty'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``9'' 
     and inserting ``11''; and
       (B) in clause (i), by striking ``Three'' and inserting 
     ``Five''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7105. RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE DISCONTINUED.

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

[[Page H9897]]

     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is amended by striking section 
     1408B. 

     SEC. 7106. VETERINARY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 1415B of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151b) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(1), by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(F) To expose students in grades 11 and 12 to education 
     and career opportunities in food animal medicine.''; and
       (2) in subsection (h)--
       (A) by striking the subsection designation and heading and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Priority.--From amounts made available for grants 
     under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize grant 
     awards for programs or activities with a focus on the 
     practice of food animal medicine. ''.

     SEC. 7107. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
                   SCIENCES EDUCATION.

       Section 1417(m)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3152(m)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7108. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

       Section 1419A(e) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(e)) 
     is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7109. EDUCATION GRANTS TO ALASKA NATIVE SERVING 
                   INSTITUTIONS AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN SERVING 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 1419B of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3156) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7110. NEXT GENERATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE.

       Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 1419C. NEXT GENERATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY 
                   CHALLENGE.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a next 
     generation agriculture technology challenge competition to 
     provide an incentive for the development of innovative mobile 
     technology that removes barriers to entry in the marketplace 
     for beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in subsection 
     (a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
     and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)).
       ``(b) Amount.--The Secretary may award not more than 
     $1,000,000 in the aggregate to 1 or more winners of the 
     competition under subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 7111. LAND-GRANT DESIGNATION.

       Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151 et 
     seq.), as amended by section 7110, is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1419D. LAND-GRANT DESIGNATION.

       ``(a) Prohibition on Designation.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law and except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, no 
     additional entity may be designated as eligible to receive 
     funds under a covered program.
       ``(2) 1994 institutions.--The prohibition under paragraph 
     (1) with respect to the designation of an entity eligible to 
     receive funds under a covered program shall not apply in the 
     case of the certification of a 1994 Institution under section 
     2 of Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the ``McIntire-
     Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act'') (16 U.S.C. 582a-1).
       ``(3) Extraordinary circumstances.--In the case of 
     extraordinary circumstances or a situation that would lead to 
     an inequitable result, as determined by the Secretary, the 
     Secretary may determine that an entity designated after the 
     date of enactment of this section is eligible to receive 
     funds under a covered program.
       ``(b) State Funding.--No State shall receive an increase in 
     funding under a covered program as a result of the State's 
     designation of additional entities as eligible to receive 
     such funding.
       ``(c) Covered Program Defined.--For purposes of this 
     section, the term `covered program' means agricultural 
     research, extension, education, and related programs or 
     grants established or available under any of the following:
       ``(1) Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 3 of the 
     Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343).
       ``(2) The Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.).
       ``(3) Sections 1444, 1445, and 1447.
       ``(4) Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the McIntire-
     Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.).
       ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed as limiting eligibility for a capacity and 
     infrastructure program specified in section 251(f)(1)(C) of 
     the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)) that is not a covered program.''.

     SEC. 7112. NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

       Section 1425 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f) Coordination.--Projects carried out with funds made 
     available under section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914 (7 
     U.S.C. 343(d)), to carry out the program established under 
     subsection (b) may be coordinated with the nutrition 
     education and obesity prevention grant program under section 
     28 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036a) or 
     another health promotion or nutrition improvement strategy, 
     whether publicly or privately funded, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''; and
       (3) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7113. CONTINUING ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Section 1433(c)(1) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3195(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7114. CARRYOVER OF FUNDS FOR EXTENSION AT 1890 LAND-
                   GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

       Section 1444(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)) 
     is amended by striking paragraph (4).

     SEC. 7115. EXTENSION AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND-
                   GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

       (a) Extension.--Section 1444(b) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(b)) is amended--
       (1) in the undesignated matter following paragraph (2)(B)--
       (A) by striking ``paragraph (2) of this subsection'' and 
     inserting ``this paragraph''; and
       (B) by striking ``In computing'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) In computing'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``Of the remainder'' 
     and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (4), of the 
     remainder''; and
       (B) by striking ``(2) any funds'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) Additional amount.--Any funds'';
       (3) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``are allocated'' and inserting ``were 
     allocated''; and
       (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``, as so 
     designated as of that date.'';
       (4) by striking ``(b) Beginning'' in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) and all that follows through ``any funds'' in 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Distribution of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--Funds made available under this section 
     shall be distributed among eligible institutions in 
     accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Base amount.--Any funds''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Special amounts.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Covered fiscal year.--The term `covered fiscal year' 
     means the fiscal year for which the qualified eligible 
     institution first received an allocation of $3,000,000 under 
     subparagraph (B)(i).
       ``(ii) Other eligible institution.--The term `other 
     eligible institution' means an eligible institution, other 
     than the qualified eligible institution, receiving an 
     allocation of funds under this section.
       ``(iii) Qualified eligible institution.--The term 
     `qualified eligible institution' means the eligible 
     institution described in subparagraph (B)(i).
       ``(B) Fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), for 1 of fiscal 
     year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022, if the calculation under 
     paragraph (3)(B) would result in a distribution for a fiscal 
     year of less than $3,000,000 to an eligible institution that 
     first received funds under this section on a date occurring 
     after the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
     (Public Law 113-79; 128 Stat. 649) and before September 30, 
     2018, that institution shall receive an allocation of 
     $3,000,000 for that fiscal year.
       ``(ii) Limitation.--Clause (i) shall apply only if amounts 
     are appropriated under this section in an amount sufficient 
     to provide that each other eligible institution receiving an 
     allocation of funds under this section for fiscal year 2019, 
     2020, 2021, or 2022, as applicable, receives not less than 
     the amount of funds received by that other eligible 
     institution under this section for the preceding fiscal year.
       ``(C) Subsequent fiscal years.--
       ``(i) Minimum additional funding amounts.--Subject to 
     clauses (ii) and (iii), for each fiscal year following the 
     covered fiscal year--

       ``(I) the qualified eligible institution shall receive an 
     allocation under this subsection of at least $3,000,000; and
       ``(II) each other eligible institution shall receive an 
     allocation under this subsection of at least the amount 
     received by such other eligible institution under this 
     subsection for the covered fiscal year.

       ``(ii) Shortfall of special amounts.--

       ``(I) Applicability.--This clause shall apply to any fiscal 
     year following the covered fiscal year and for which the 
     total amount appropriated under this section is insufficient 
     to provide for the minimum additional funding amounts 
     described in clause (i).
       ``(II) Reductions in allocations.--In the case of a fiscal 
     year to which this clause applies, reductions in allocations 
     shall be made proportionally from the qualified eligible 
     institution and from each other eligible institution based on 
     the increased amounts (if any) that the qualified eligible 
     institution and each other eligible institution were 
     allocated for the covered fiscal year as compared to the 
     fiscal year immediately preceding the covered fiscal year.

       ``(iii) Effect of census.--Clauses (i) and (ii) shall not 
     apply in any fiscal year for which a

[[Page H9898]]

     shortfall in the minimum additional funding amounts described 
     in clause (i) is attributable to the incorporation of new 
     census data into the calculation under paragraph (3), as 
     determined by the Secretary.''.
       (b) Research.--Section 1445(b) of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3222(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Special amounts.--
       ``(i) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:

       ``(I) Covered fiscal year.--The term `covered fiscal year' 
     means the fiscal year for which the qualified eligible 
     institution first received an allocation of $3,000,000 under 
     clause (ii)(I).
       ``(II) Other eligible institution.--The term `other 
     eligible institution' means an eligible institution, other 
     than the qualified eligible institution, receiving an 
     allocation of funds under this section.
       ``(III) Qualified eligible institution.--The term 
     `qualified eligible institution' means the eligible 
     institution described in clause (ii)(I).

       ``(ii) Fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022.--

       ``(I) In general.--Subject to subclause (II), for 1 of 
     fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022, if the calculation 
     under subparagraph (C) would result in a distribution for a 
     fiscal year of less than $3,000,000 to an eligible 
     institution that first received funds under this section on a 
     date occurring after the date of enactment of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79; 128 Stat. 649) 
     and before September 30, 2018, that institution shall receive 
     an allocation of $3,000,000 for that fiscal year.
       ``(II) Limitation.--Subclause (I) shall apply only if 
     amounts are appropriated under this section in an amount 
     sufficient to provide that each other eligible institution 
     receiving an allocation of funds under this section for 
     fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022, as applicable, 
     receives not less than the amount of funds received by that 
     other eligible institution under this section for the 
     preceding fiscal year.

       ``(iii) Subsequent fiscal years.--

       ``(I) Minimum additional funding amounts.--Subject to 
     subclauses (II) and (III), for each fiscal year following the 
     covered fiscal year--

       ``(aa) the qualified eligible institution shall receive an 
     allocation under this paragraph of at least $3,000,000; and
       ``(bb) each other eligible institution shall receive an 
     allocation under this paragraph of at least the amount 
     received by such other eligible institution under this 
     subsection for the covered fiscal year.

       ``(II) Shortfall of special amounts.--

       ``(aa) Applicability.--This subclause shall apply to any 
     fiscal year following the covered fiscal year and for which 
     the total amount appropriated under this subsection is 
     insufficient to provide for the minimum additional funding 
     amounts described in subclause (I).
       ``(bb) Reductions in allocations.--In the case of a fiscal 
     year to which this subclause applies, reductions in 
     allocations shall be made proportionally from the qualified 
     eligible institution and from each other eligible institution 
     based on the increased amounts (if any) that the qualified 
     eligible institution and each other eligible institution were 
     allocated for the covered fiscal year as compared to the 
     fiscal year immediately preceding the covered fiscal year.

       ``(III) Effect of census.--Subclauses (I) and (II) shall 
     not apply in any fiscal year for which a shortfall in the 
     minimum additional funding amounts described in subclause (I) 
     is attributable to the incorporation of new census data into 
     the calculation under paragraph (3)(C), as determined by the 
     Secretary.'';

       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(B) Of funds'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(C) Additional amount.--Except as provided in 
     subparagraph (D), of funds'';
       (C) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``are allocated'' and inserting ``were 
     allocated'';
       (ii) by inserting ``, as so designated as of that date'' 
     before the period at the end; and
       (iii) by striking ``(A) Funds'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) Base amount.--Funds''; and
       (D) in the matter preceding subparagraph (B) (as so 
     designated), by striking ``(2) The'' and all that follows 
     through ``follows:'' and inserting the following:
       ``(3) Distributions.--
       ``(A) In general.--After allocating amounts under paragraph 
     (2), the remainder shall be allotted among the eligible 
     institutions in accordance with this paragraph.'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) Three per centum'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Administration.--3 percent''; and
       (3) in the matter preceding paragraph (2) (as so 
     designated), by striking ``(b) Beginning'' and all that 
     follows through ``follows:'' and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Distribution of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--Funds made available under this section 
     shall be distributed among eligible institutions in 
     accordance with this subsection.''.

     SEC. 7116. REPORTS ON DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AT 1862 AND 1890 LAND-
                   GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

       Not later than September 30, 2019, and each year 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a 
     report describing the allocations made to, and matching funds 
     received by, 1890 Institutions and 1862 Institutions (as 
     those terms are defined in section 2 of the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
     U.S.C. 7601) for each of the agricultural research, 
     extension, education, and related programs established 
     under--
       (1) section 1444 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221);
       (2) section 1445 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222);
       (3) subsections (b) and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 343); and
       (4) the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.).

     SEC. 7117. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.

       Subtitle G of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1445 (7 U.S.C. 3222) the following 
     new section:

     ``SEC. 1446. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Scholarship grant program established.--The Secretary 
     shall make grants to each college or university eligible to 
     receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (commonly 
     known as the Second Morrill Act; 7 U.S.C. 322 et seq.), 
     including Tuskegee University, for purposes of awarding 
     scholarships to individuals who--
       ``(A) have been accepted for admission at such college or 
     university;
       ``(B) will be enrolled at such college or university not 
     later than one year after the date of such acceptance; and
       ``(C) intend to pursue a career in the food and 
     agricultural sciences, including a career in--
       ``(i) agribusiness;
       ``(ii) energy and renewable fuels; or
       ``(iii) financial management.
       ``(2) Condition.--The Secretary may only award a grant 
     under this subsection to a college or university described in 
     paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such college 
     or university has established a competitive scholarship 
     awards process for the award of scholarships to individuals 
     described in such paragraph.
       ``(3) Annual limitation.--Of the funds made available under 
     subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may use not more than 
     $10,000,000 to award grants under this subsection for the 
     academic year beginning on July 1, 2020, and each of the 
     three succeeding academic years.
       ``(4) Amount of grant.--Each grant made under this section 
     shall be in an amount of not less than $500,000.
       ``(b) Funding.--
       ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to 
     carry out this section $40,000,000 not later than October 1, 
     2019, to remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Discretionary funding.--In addition to amounts made 
     available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2020 through 2023.
       ``(3) Administrative expenses.--Of the funds made available 
     under paragraphs (1) and (2) to carry out this section for a 
     fiscal year, not more than 4 percent may be used for expenses 
     related to administering the program under this section.
       ``(c) Report.--Beginning on the date that is two years 
     after the date on which the first grant is awarded under 
     subsection (a), and every two years thereafter, 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 detailing--
       ``(1) the amount of funds provided to each eligible college 
     or university under this section;
       ``(2) the number of scholarships awarded under each grant 
     each fiscal year; and
       ``(3) the amount of each such scholarship.''.

     SEC. 7118. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES 
                   FACILITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, 
                   INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

       Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3222b(b)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7119. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES 
                   FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AT INSULAR AREA LAND-
                   GRANT INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 1447B(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-
     2(d)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7120. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS.

       Subtitle G of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 1450. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).
       ``(2) Land-grant college or university.--The term `land-
     grant college or university' includes a 1994 Institution (as 
     defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-
     Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 
     note)).
       ``(3) Tribal student.--The term `Tribal student' means a 
     student at a land-grant college or university that is a 
     member of an Indian tribe.
       ``(b) New Beginning Initiative.--
       ``(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may make competitive 
     grants to land-grant colleges and universities to provide 
     identifiable support specifically targeted for Tribal 
     students.
       ``(2) Application.--A land-grant college or university that 
     desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
     and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
     require.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--A land-grant college or university 
     that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant 
     funds to support Tribal students through--

[[Page H9899]]

       ``(A) recruiting;
       ``(B) tuition and related fees;
       ``(C) experiential learning; and
       ``(D) student services, including--
       ``(i) tutoring;
       ``(ii) counseling;
       ``(iii) academic advising; and
       ``(iv) other student services that would increase the 
     retention and graduation rate of Tribal students enrolled at 
     the land-grant college or university, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(4) Matching funds.--A land-grant college or university 
     that receives a grant under this section shall provide 
     matching funds toward the cost of carrying out the activities 
     described in this section in an amount equal to not less than 
     100 percent of the grant award.
       ``(5) Maximum amount per state.--No State shall receive, 
     through grants made under this section to land-grant colleges 
     and universities located in the State, more than $500,000 per 
     year.
       ``(c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the 
     Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate a report that 
     includes an itemized list of grant funds distributed under 
     this section, including the specific form of assistance 
     provided under subsection (b)(3), and the number of Tribal 
     students assisted and the graduation rate of Tribal students 
     at land-grant colleges and universities receiving grants 
     under this section.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriation.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 7121. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)) 
     is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7122. BINATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 1458(e) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Full Payment 
     of Funds Made Available for Certain'' and inserting 
     ``Certain'' ;
       (2) by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) Full payment of funds.--Notwithstanding'';
       (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--
       (A) by striking ``Israel-United States'' and inserting 
     ``United States-Israel''; and
       (B) by inserting ``(referred to in this subsection as the 
     `BARD Fund')'' after ``Development Fund''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Activities.--Activities under the BARD Fund to 
     promote and support agricultural research and development 
     that are of mutual benefit to the United States and Israel 
     shall--
       ``(A) accelerate the demonstration, development, and 
     application of agricultural solutions resulting from or 
     relating to BARD Fund programs, including BARD Fund-sponsored 
     research and innovations in drip irrigation, pesticides, 
     aquaculture, livestock, poultry, disease control, and farm 
     equipment; and
       ``(B) encourage research carried out by governmental, 
     nongovernmental, and private entities, including through 
     collaboration with colleges and universities, research 
     institutions, and the private sector.''.

     SEC. 7123. PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN INTERNATIONAL 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

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

     ``SEC. 1458A. PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN INTERNATIONAL 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) 1862 institution; 1890 institution; 1994 
     institution.--The terms `1862 Institution', `1890 
     Institution', and `1994 Institution' have the meanings given 
     the terms in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601).
       ``(2) Covered institution.--The term `covered Institution' 
     means--
       ``(A) an 1862 Institution;
       ``(B) an 1890 Institution;
       ``(C) a 1994 Institution;
       ``(D) an NLGCA Institution;
       ``(E) a Hispanic-serving agricultural college or 
     university; and
       ``(F) a cooperating forestry school.
       ``(3) Developing country.--The term `developing country' 
     means a country, as determined by the Secretary using a gross 
     national income per capita test selected by the Secretary.
       ``(4) International partner institution.--The term 
     `international partner institution' means an agricultural 
     higher education institution in a developing country that is 
     performing, or desiring to perform, activities similar to 
     agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities 
     carried out through covered Institutions in the United 
     States.
       ``(b) Authority of the Secretary.--The Secretary may 
     promote cooperation and coordination between covered 
     Institutions and international partner institutions through--
       ``(1) improving extension by--
       ``(A) encouraging the exchange of research materials and 
     results between covered Institutions and international 
     partner institutions;
       ``(B) facilitating the broad dissemination of agricultural 
     research through extension; and
       ``(C) assisting with efforts to plan and initiate extension 
     services in developing countries;
       ``(2) improving agricultural research by--
       ``(A) in partnership with international partner 
     institutions, encouraging research that addresses problems 
     affecting food production and security, human nutrition, 
     agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries, including 
     local challenges; and
       ``(B) supporting and strengthening national agricultural 
     research systems in developing countries;
       ``(3) supporting the participation of covered Institutions 
     in programs of international organizations, such as the 
     United Nations, the World Bank, regional development banks, 
     and international agricultural research centers;
       ``(4) improving agricultural teaching and education by--
       ``(A) in partnership with international partner 
     institutions, supporting education and teaching relating to 
     food and agricultural sciences, including technical 
     assistance, degree training, research collaborations, 
     classroom instruction, workforce training, and education 
     programs; and
       ``(B) assisting with efforts to increase student capacity, 
     including to encourage equitable access for women and other 
     underserved populations, at international partner 
     institutions by promoting partnerships with, and improving 
     the capacity of, covered Institutions;
       ``(5) assisting covered Institutions in strengthening their 
     capacity for food, agricultural, and related research, 
     extension, and teaching programs relevant to agricultural 
     development activities in developing countries to promote the 
     application of new technology to improve education delivery;
       ``(6) providing support for the internationalization of 
     resident instruction programs of covered Institutions;
       ``(7) establishing a program, to be coordinated by the 
     Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
     and the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, to 
     place interns from covered Institutions in, or in service to 
     benefit, developing countries; and
       ``(8) establishing a program to provide fellowships to 
     students at covered Institutions to study at foreign 
     agricultural colleges and universities.
       ``(c) Enhancing Linkages.--The Secretary shall enhance the 
     linkages among covered Institutions, the Federal Government, 
     international research centers, counterpart research, 
     extension, and teaching agencies and institutions in 
     developed countries and developing countries--
       ``(1) to carry out the activities described in subsection 
     (b); and
       ``(2) to make a substantial contribution to the cause of 
     improved food and agricultural progress throughout the world.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 7124. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
                   SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       Section 1459A(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3292b(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7125. LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS FOR AGRICULTURAL 
                   RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS.

       Section 1462 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``22 percent'' and 
     inserting ``30 percent''; 
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Subsection (a)'' and 
     inserting ``Subsections (a) and (c)''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Treatment of Subgrants.--In the case of a grant 
     described in subsection (a), the limitation on indirect costs 
     specified in such subsection shall be applied to both the 
     initial grant award and any subgrant of the Federal funds 
     provided under the initial grant award so that the total of 
     all indirect costs charged against the total of the Federal 
     funds provided under the initial grant award does not exceed 
     such limitation.''.

     SEC. 7126. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS.

       The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
     Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1462 
     (7 U.S.C. 3310) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1462A. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make competitive 
     grants for the acquisition of special purpose scientific 
     research equipment for use in the food and agricultural 
     sciences programs of eligible institutions.
       ``(b) Maximum Amount.--The amount of a grant made to an 
     eligible institution under this section may not exceed 
     $500,000.
       ``(c) Prohibition on Charge or Equipment as Indirect 
     Costs.--The cost of acquisition or depreciation of equipment 
     purchased with a grant under this section shall not be--
       ``(1) charged as an indirect cost against another Federal 
     grant; or
       ``(2) included as part of the indirect cost pool for 
     purposes of calculating the indirect cost rate of an eligible 
     institution.
       ``(d) Eligible Institutions Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `eligible institution' means--
       ``(1) a college or university; or
       ``(2) a State cooperative institution.
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 7127. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH.

       Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' each place it appears in 
     subsections (a) and (b) and inserting ``2023''.

[[Page H9900]]

  


     SEC. 7128. EXTENSION SERVICE.

       Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7129. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS; HEMP.

       Section 1473D of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
       (B) by striking ``crops,'' and inserting ``crops (including 
     canola),'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``for agronomic rotational purposes and as 
     a habitat for honey bees and other pollinators'' after 
     ``alternative crops''; and
       (B) by striking ``commodities whose'' and all that follows 
     through the period at the end and inserting ``commodities.'';
       (3) in subsection (c)(3)(E), by inserting ``(including hemp 
     (as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
     of 1946))'' after ``material''; and
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.''.

     SEC. 7130. NEW ERA RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

       Section 1473E of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1)(B)--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) precision agriculture.''; and
       (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2008 through 2012'' 
     and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 7131. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 1473F(b) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3319i(b)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7132. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   AUTHORITY PILOT.

       Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 1473H. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   AUTHORITY PILOT.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Advanced research and development.--The term 
     `advanced research and development' means research and 
     development activities used to address research challenges in 
     agriculture and food through--
       ``(A) targeted acceleration of novel, early stage 
     innovative agricultural research with promising technology 
     applications and products; or
       ``(B) development of qualified products and projects, 
     agricultural technologies, or innovative research tools, 
     which may include--
       ``(i) prototype testing, preclinical development, or field 
     experimental use;
       ``(ii) assessing and assisting with product approval, 
     clearance, or need for a license under an applicable law, as 
     determined by the Director; or
       ``(iii) manufacturing and commercialization of a product.
       ``(2) Agricultural technology.--The term `agricultural 
     technology' means machinery and other equipment engineered 
     for an applicable and novel use in agriculture, natural 
     resources, and food relating to the research and development 
     of qualified products and projects.
       ``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
     the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority 
     established under subsection (b)(1).
       ``(4) Other transaction.--The term `other transaction' 
     means a transaction other than a procurement contract, grant, 
     or cooperative agreement, including a transaction described 
     in subsection (b)(6)(A).
       ``(5) Person.--The term `person' means--
       ``(A) an individual;
       ``(B) a partnership;
       ``(C) a corporation;
       ``(D) an association;
       ``(E) an entity;
       ``(F) a public or private corporation;
       ``(G) a Federal, State, or local government agency or 
     department; and
       ``(H) an institution of higher education, including a land-
     grant college or university and a non-land-grant college of 
     agriculture.
       ``(6) Qualified product or project.--The term `qualified 
     product or project' means--
       ``(A) engineering, mechanization, or technology 
     improvements that will address challenges relating to 
     growing, harvesting, handling, processing, storing, packing, 
     and distribution of agricultural products;
       ``(B) plant disease or plant pest recovery countermeasures 
     to intentional or unintentional biological threats (including 
     naturally occurring threats), including--
       ``(i) replacement or resistant plant cultivars or 
     varieties;
       ``(ii) other enhanced management strategies, including 
     novel chemical, biological, or cultural approaches; or
       ``(iii) diagnostic or surveillance technology; and
       ``(C) veterinary countermeasures to intentional or 
     unintentional biological threats (including naturally 
     occurring threats), including--
       ``(i) animal vaccine or therapeutic products (including 
     anti-infective products); or
       ``(ii) diagnostic or surveillance technology.
       ``(7) Research tool.--The term `research tool' means a 
     device, technology, procedure, biological material, reagent, 
     computer system, computer software, or analytical technique 
     that is developed to assist in the discovery, development, or 
     manufacture of a qualified product or project.
       ``(b) Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
     Authority.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Department of Agriculture a pilot program that shall be known 
     as the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
     Authority (referred to in this section as the `AGARDA') to 
     carry out advanced research and development.
       ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the AGARDA are--
       ``(A) to develop and deploy advanced solutions to prevent, 
     prepare, and protect against unintentional and intentional 
     threats to agriculture and food in the United States;
       ``(B) to overcome barriers in the development of 
     agricultural technologies, research tools, and qualified 
     products and projects that enhance export competitiveness, 
     environmental sustainability, and resilience to extreme 
     weather;
       ``(C) to ensure that the United States maintains and 
     enhances its position as a leader in developing and deploying 
     agricultural technologies, research tools, and qualified 
     projects and products that increase economic opportunities 
     and security for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; 
     and
       ``(D) to undertake advanced research and development in 
     areas in which industry by itself is not likely to do so 
     because of the technological or financial uncertainty.
       ``(3) Leadership.--
       ``(A) In general.--The AGARDA shall be a component of the 
     Office of the Chief Scientist.
       ``(B) Director.--
       ``(i) In general.--The AGARDA shall be headed by a 
     Director, who shall be appointed by the Chief Scientist.
       ``(ii) Qualifications.--The Director shall be an individual 
     who, by reason of professional background and experience, is 
     exceptionally qualified to advise the Chief Scientist on, and 
     manage advanced research and development programs and other 
     matters pertaining to--

       ``(I) qualified products and projects;
       ``(II) agricultural technologies;
       ``(III) research tools; and
       ``(IV) challenges relating to the matters described in 
     subclauses (I) through (III).

       ``(iii) Relationship within the department of 
     agriculture.--The Director shall report to the Chief 
     Scientist.
       ``(4) Duties.--To achieve the goals described in paragraph 
     (2), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall 
     accelerate advanced research and development by--
       ``(A) identifying and promoting advances in basic sciences;
       ``(B) translating scientific discoveries and inventions 
     into technological innovations;
       ``(C) collaborating with other agencies, relevant 
     industries, academia, international agencies, the Foundation 
     for Food and Agriculture Research, and other relevant persons 
     to carry out the goals described in paragraph (2), including 
     convening, at a minimum, annual meetings or working groups to 
     demonstrate the operation and effectiveness of advanced 
     research and development of qualified products and projects, 
     agricultural technologies, and research tools;
       ``(D) conducting ongoing searches for, and support calls 
     for, potential advanced research and development of 
     agricultural technologies, qualified products and projects, 
     and research tools;
       ``(E) awarding grants and entering into contracts, 
     cooperative agreements, or other transactions under paragraph 
     (6) for advanced research and development of agricultural 
     technology, qualified products and projects, and research 
     tools;
       ``(F) establishing issue-based multidisciplinary teams to 
     reduce the time and cost of solving specific problems that--
       ``(i) are composed of representatives from Federal and 
     State agencies, professional groups, academia, and industry;
       ``(ii) seek novel and effective solutions; and
       ``(iii) encourage data sharing and translation of research 
     to field use; and
       ``(G) serving as a resource for interested persons 
     regarding requirements under relevant laws that impact the 
     development, commercialization, and technology transfer of 
     qualified products and projects, agricultural technologies, 
     and research tools.
       ``(5) Priority.--In awarding grants and entering into 
     contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions 
     under paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary shall give priority to 
     projects that accelerate the advanced research and 
     development of qualified products and projects that--
       ``(A) address critical research and development needs for 
     technology for specialty crops; or
       ``(B) prevent, protect, and prepare against intentional and 
     unintentional threats to agriculture and food.
       ``(6) Other transaction authorities.--
       ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program under 
     this section, the Secretary shall have the authority to enter 
     into other transactions in the same manner and subject to the 
     same terms and conditions as transactions that the Secretary 
     of Defense may enter into under section 2371 of title 10, 
     United States Code.
       ``(B) Scope.--The authority of the Secretary to enter into 
     contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions 
     under this subsection shall be in addition to the authorities 
     under this

[[Page H9901]]

     Act and title I of the Department of Agriculture and Related 
     Agencies Appropriation Act, 1964 (7 U.S.C. 3318a), to use 
     contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants in carrying out 
     the pilot program under this section.
       ``(C) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall establish guidelines 
     regarding the use of the authority under subparagraph (A).
       ``(D) Technology transfer.--In entering into other 
     transactions, the Secretary may negotiate terms for 
     technology transfer in the same manner as a Federal 
     laboratory under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 12(b) 
     of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
     U.S.C. 3710a(b)).
       ``(7) Availability of data.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall require that, as a 
     condition of being awarded a contract or grant or entering 
     into a cooperative agreement or other transaction under 
     paragraph (4)(E), a person shall make available to the 
     Secretary on an ongoing basis, and submit to the Secretary on 
     request of the Secretary, all data relating to or resulting 
     from the activities carried out by the person pursuant to 
     this section.
       ``(B) Exemption from disclosure.--
       ``(i) In general.--This subparagraph shall be considered a 
     statute described in section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       ``(ii) Exemption.--The following information shall be 
     exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United 
     States Code, and withheld from the public:

       ``(I) Specific technical data or scientific information 
     that is created or obtained under this section that reveals 
     significant and not otherwise publicly known vulnerabilities 
     of existing agriculture and food defenses against biological, 
     chemical, nuclear, or radiological threats.
       ``(II) Trade secrets or commercial or financial information 
     that is privileged or confidential (within the meaning of 
     section 552(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code) and 
     obtained in the conduct of research or as a result of 
     activities under this section from a non-Federal party 
     participating in a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or 
     other transaction under this section.

       ``(iii) Limitation.--Information that results from research 
     and development activities conducted under this section and 
     that would be a trade secret or commercial or financial 
     information that is privileged or confidential if the 
     information had been obtained from a non-Federal party 
     participating in a cooperative agreement or other transaction 
     shall be withheld from disclosure under subchapter II of 
     chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, for 5 years.
       ``(8) Milestone-based payments allowed.--In awarding 
     contracts and grants and entering into cooperative agreements 
     or other transactions under paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary 
     may--
       ``(A) use milestone-based awards and payments; and
       ``(B) terminate a project for not meeting technical 
     milestones.
       ``(9) Use of existing personnel authorities.--In carrying 
     out this subsection, the Secretary may appoint highly 
     qualified individuals to scientific or professional positions 
     on the same terms and conditions as provided in subsections 
     (b)(3), (b)(4), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 620 of the 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
     1998 (7 U.S.C. 7657).
       ``(10) Report and evaluation.--
       ``(A) Report.--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 an annual report examining the actions undertaken and 
     results generated by the AGARDA.
       ``(B) Evaluation.--After the date on which the AGARDA has 
     been in operation for 3 years, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall conduct an evaluation--
       ``(i) to be completed and submitted to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate not 
     later than 1 year after the date on which the Comptroller 
     General began conducting the evaluation;
       ``(ii) describing the extent to which the AGARDA is 
     achieving the goals described in paragraph (2); and
       ``(iii) including a recommendation on whether the AGARDA 
     should be continued, terminated, or expanded.
       ``(c) Strategic Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 360 days after the date 
     of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop and 
     make publicly available a strategic plan describing the 
     strategic vision that the AGARDA shall use--
       ``(A) to make determinations for future investments during 
     the period of effectiveness of this section; and
       ``(B) to achieve the goals described in subsection (b)(2).
       ``(2) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate the 
     information contained in the strategic plan under paragraph 
     (1) to persons who may have the capacity to substantially 
     contribute to the activities described in that strategic 
     plan.
       ``(3) Coordination; consultation.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) update and coordinate the strategic coordination plan 
     under section 221(d)(7) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 with the strategic plan developed 
     under paragraph (1) for activities relating to agriculture 
     and food defense countermeasure development and procurement; 
     and
       ``(B) in developing the strategic plan under paragraph (1), 
     consult with--
       ``(i) the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     Education, and Economics Advisory Board established under 
     section 1408(a);
       ``(ii) the specialty crops committee established under 
     section 1408A(a)(1);
       ``(iii) relevant agriculture research agencies of the 
     Federal Government;
       ``(iv) the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
     Medicine;
       ``(v) the National Veterinary Stockpile Intra-Government 
     Advisory Committee for Strategic Steering; and
       ``(vi) other appropriate parties, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(d) Funds.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury 
     the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Fund, which 
     shall be administered by the Secretary, acting through the 
     Director--
       ``(A) for the purpose of carrying out this section; and
       ``(B) in the same manner and subject to the same terms and 
     conditions as are applicable to the Secretary of Defense 
     under section 2371 of title 10, United States Code.
       ``(2) Deposits into fund.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Director, may accept and deposit into the Fund monies 
     received pursuant to cost recovery, contribution, or royalty 
     payments under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or 
     other transaction under this section.
       ``(B) Availability of amounts in fund.--Amounts deposited 
     into the fund shall remain available until expended, without 
     further appropriation, and may be used to carry out the 
     purposes of this section.
       ``(C) Clarification.--Nothing in this paragraph authorizes 
     the use of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to 
     carry out this section.
       ``(3) Funding.--In addition to funds otherwise deposited in 
     the Fund under paragraph (1) or (2), there is authorized to 
     be appropriated to the Fund $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
       ``(e) Termination of Effectiveness.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph (2), 
     the authority provided by this section terminates on the date 
     that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
       ``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with 
     respect to--
       ``(A) subsection (b)(7)(B); and
       ``(B) grants awarded or contracts, cooperative agreements, 
     or other transactions entered into before the end of the 5-
     year period referred to in such clause.''.

     SEC. 7133. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

       Section 1477(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3324(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7134. RANGELAND RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

       Section 1483(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3336(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7135. SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR BIOSECURITY PLANNING AND 
                   RESPONSE.

       Section 1484 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``and cooperative agreements'' after ``competitive grants'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``make competitive 
     grants'' and inserting ``award competitive grants and 
     cooperative agreements''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) To coordinate the tactical science activities of the 
     Research, Education, and Economics mission area of the 
     Department that protect the integrity, reliability, 
     sustainability, and profitability of the food and 
     agricultural system of the United States against biosecurity 
     threats from pests, diseases, contaminants, and disasters.''.

     SEC. 7136. DISTANCE EDUCATION AND RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS 
                   PROGRAM FOR INSULAR AREA INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
                   EDUCATION.

       (a) Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas.--Section 
     1490(f)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362(f)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas.--Section 
     1491(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363(c)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

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

     SEC. 7201. BEST UTILIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS.

       Section 1624 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5814) is amended in the first 
     sentence by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7202. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

       Section 1627(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821(d)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7203. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND 
                   TRANSFER PROGRAM.

       Section 1628(f)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
     and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831(f)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

[[Page H9902]]

  


     SEC. 7204. NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM.

       Section 1629(i) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832(i)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7205. NATIONAL STRATEGIC GERMPLASM AND CULTIVAR 
                   COLLECTION ASSESSMENT AND UTILIZATION PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Section 1632(d) of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5841(d)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) develop and implement a national strategic germplasm 
     and cultivar collection assessment and utilization plan that 
     takes into consideration the resources and research necessary 
     to address the significant backlog of characterization and 
     maintenance of existing accessions considered to be critical 
     to preserve the viability of, and public access to, germplasm 
     and cultivars; and''.
       (b) Plan Publication.--Section 1633 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     5842) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Plan Publication.--On completion of the development 
     of the plan described in section 1632(d)(6), the Secretary 
     shall make the plan available to the public.''.

     SEC. 7206. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

       (a) Advisory Council.--Section 1634 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     5843) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Secretary'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary'';
       (B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1) (as so 
     designated), by striking ``The advisory'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) Membership.--The advisory'';
       (C) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``nine'' and inserting ``13''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Recommendations.--
       ``(A) In general.--In making recommendations under 
     paragraph (1), the advisory council shall include 
     recommendations on--
       ``(i) the state of public cultivar development, including--

       ``(I) an analysis of existing cultivar research 
     investments;
       ``(II) the research gaps relating to the development of 
     cultivars across a diverse range of crops; and
       ``(III) an assessment of the state of commercialization of 
     federally funded cultivars;

       ``(ii) the training and resources needed to meet future 
     breeding challenges;
       ``(iii) the appropriate levels of Federal funding for 
     cultivar development for underserved crops and geographic 
     areas; and
       ``(iv) the development of the plan described in section 
     1632(d)(6).''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``Two-thirds'' and inserting ``6''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``economics and policy,'' after 
     ``agricultural sciences,'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``One-third'' and inserting ``3''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``community development,'' after ``public 
     policy,''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) 4 of the members shall be appointed from among 
     individuals with expertise in public cultivar and animal 
     breed development.
       ``(4) 4 of the members shall be appointed from among 
     individuals representing--
       ``(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
     1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
       ``(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
     1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
       ``(C) Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 
     1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); or
       ``(D) 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the 
     Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
     301 note; Public Law 103-382)).''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1635(b)(2) of 
     the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 5844(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7207. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.

       Section 1641(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5855(c)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7208. AGRICULTURAL GENOME TO PHENOME INITIATIVE.

       Section 1671 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``to phenome'' 
     after ``genome'';
       (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Goals.--The goals of this section are--
       ``(1) to expand knowledge concerning genomes and phenomes 
     of crops and animals of importance to the agriculture sector 
     of the United States;
       ``(2) to understand how variable weather, environments, and 
     production systems impact the growth and productivity of 
     specific varieties of crops and species of animals in order 
     to provide greater accuracy in predicting crop and animal 
     performance under variable conditions;
       ``(3) to support research that leverages plant and animal 
     genomic information with phenotypic and environmental data 
     through an interdisciplinary framework, leading to a novel 
     understanding of plant and animal processes that affect 
     growth, productivity, and the ability to predict performance, 
     which will result in the deployment of superior varieties and 
     species to producers and improved crop and animal management 
     recommendations for farmers and ranchers;
       ``(4) to catalyze and coordinate research that links 
     genomics and predictive phenomics at different sites across 
     the United States to achieve advances in crops and animals 
     that generate societal benefits;
       ``(5) to combine fields such as genetics, genomics, plant 
     physiology, agronomy, climatology, and crop modeling with 
     computation and informatics, statistics, and engineering;
       ``(6) to combine fields such as genetics, genomics, animal 
     physiology, meat science, animal nutrition, and veterinary 
     science with computation and informatics, statistics, and 
     engineering;
       ``(7) to focus on crops and animals that will yield 
     scientifically important results that will enhance the 
     usefulness of many other crops and animals;
       ``(8) to build on genomic research, such as the Plant 
     Genome Research Project and the National Animal Genome 
     Research Program, to understand gene function in production 
     environments that is expected to have considerable returns 
     for crops and animals of importance to the agriculture of the 
     United States;
       ``(9) to develop improved data analytics to enhance 
     understanding of the biological function of genes;
       ``(10) to allow resources developed under this section, 
     including data, software, germplasm, and other biological 
     materials, to be openly accessible to all persons, subject to 
     any confidentiality requirements imposed by law; and
       ``(11) to encourage international partnerships with each 
     partner country responsible for financing its own 
     research.'';
       (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall 
     conduct a research initiative, to be known as the 
     `Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative', for the purpose 
     of--
       ``(1) studying agriculturally significant crops and animals 
     in production environments to achieve sustainable and secure 
     agricultural production;
       ``(2) ensuring that current gaps in existing knowledge of 
     agricultural crop and animal genetics and phenomics are 
     filled;
       ``(3) identifying and developing a functional understanding 
     of relevant genes from animals and agronomically relevant 
     genes from crops that are of importance to the agriculture 
     sector of the United States;
       ``(4) ensuring future genetic improvement of crops and 
     animals of importance to the agriculture sector of the United 
     States;
       ``(5) studying the relevance of diverse germplasm as a 
     source of unique genes that may be of importance in the 
     future;
       ``(6) enhancing genetics to reduce the economic impact of 
     pathogens on crops and animals of importance to the 
     agriculture sector of the United States;
       ``(7) disseminating findings to relevant audiences; and
       ``(8) otherwise carrying out this section.'';
       (4) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``, acting through 
     the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,'' after ``The 
     Secretary'';
       (5) in subsection (e), by inserting ``to Phenome'' after 
     ``Genome''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 7209. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES.

       Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (8)--
       (i) in the heading, by striking ``Alfalfa and forage'' and 
     inserting ``Alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems'';
       (ii) by striking ``alfalfa and forage'' and inserting 
     ``alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems''; and
       (iii) by striking ``alfalfa and other forages, and'' and 
     inserting ``alfalfa seed and other alfalfa forage''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(11) Macadamia tree health initiative.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purposes of--
       ``(A) developing and disseminating science-based tools and 
     treatments to combat the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus 
     ironsidei); and
       ``(B) establishing an areawide integrated pest management 
     program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being 
     affected by, the macadamia felted coccid.
       ``(12) National turfgrass research initiative.--Research 
     and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purposes of--
       ``(A) carrying out or enhancing research related to 
     turfgrass and sod issues;
       ``(B) enhancing production and uses of turfgrass for the 
     general public;
       ``(C) identifying new turfgrass varieties with superior 
     drought, heat, cold, and pest tolerance to reduce water, 
     fertilizer, and pesticide use;
       ``(D) selecting genetically superior turfgrasses and 
     developing improved technologies for managing commercial, 
     residential, and recreational turfgrass areas;
       ``(E) producing turfgrasses that--
       ``(i) aid in mitigating soil erosion;
       ``(ii) protect against pollutant runoff into waterways; or

[[Page H9903]]

       ``(iii) provide other environmental benefits;
       ``(F) investigating, preserving, and protecting native 
     plant species, including grasses not currently utilized in 
     turfgrass systems;
       ``(G) creating systems for more economical and viable 
     turfgrass seed and sod production throughout the United 
     States; and
       ``(H) investigating the turfgrass phytobiome and developing 
     biologic products to enhance soil, enrich plants, and 
     mitigate pests.
       ``(13) Fertilizer management initiative.--
       ``(A) In general.--Research and extension grants may be 
     made under this section for the purpose of carrying out 
     research to improve fertilizer use efficiency in crops--
       ``(i) to maximize crop yield; and
       ``(ii) to minimize nutrient losses to surface and 
     groundwater and the atmosphere.
       ``(B) Priority.--In awarding grants under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary shall give priority to research examining the 
     impact of the source, rate, timing, and placement of plant 
     nutrients.
       ``(14) Cattle fever tick program.--Research and extension 
     grants may be made under this section to study cattle fever 
     ticks--
       ``(A) to facilitate the understanding of the role of 
     wildlife in the persistence and spread of cattle fever ticks;
       ``(B) to develop advanced methods for eradication of cattle 
     fever ticks, including--
       ``(i) alternative treatment methods for cattle and other 
     susceptible species;
       ``(ii) field treatment for premises, including corral pens 
     and pasture loafing areas;
       ``(iii) methods for treatment and control on infested 
     wildlife;
       ``(iv) biological control agents; and
       ``(v) new and improved vaccines;
       ``(C) to evaluate rangeland vegetation that impacts the 
     survival of cattle fever ticks;
       ``(D) to improve management of diseases relating to cattle 
     fever ticks that are associated with wildlife, livestock, and 
     human health;
       ``(E) to improve diagnostic detection of tick-infested or 
     infected animals and pastures; and
       ``(F) to conduct outreach to impacted ranchers, hunters, 
     and landowners to integrate tactics and document 
     sustainability of best practices.
       ``(15) Laying hen and turkey research program.--Research 
     grants may be made under this section for the purpose of 
     improving the efficiency and sustainability of laying hen and 
     turkey production through integrated, collaborative research 
     and technology transfer. Emphasis may be placed on laying hen 
     and turkey disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, 
     nutrition, gut health, and alternative housing systems under 
     extreme seasonal weather conditions.
       ``(16) Chronic wasting disease.--Research and extension 
     grants may be made under this section for the purposes of 
     supporting research projects at land-grant colleges and 
     universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) with established deer research programs 
     for the purposes of treating, mitigating, or eliminating 
     chronic wasting disease.
       ``(17) Algae agriculture research program.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     development and testing of algae and algae systems (including 
     micro- and macro-algae systems).
       ``(18) Nutrient management.--Research and extension grants 
     may be made under this section for the purposes of examining 
     nutrient management based on the source, rate, timing, and 
     placement of crop nutrients.
       ``(19) Dryland farming agricultural systems.--Research and 
     extension grants may be made under this section for the 
     purposes of carrying out or enhancing research on the 
     utilization of big data for more precise management of 
     dryland farming agricultural systems.
       ``(20) Hop plant health initiative.--Research and extension 
     grants may be made under this section for the purposes of 
     developing and disseminating science-based tools and 
     treatments to combat diseases of hops caused by the plant 
     pathogens Podosphaera macularis and Pseudoperonospora 
     humuli.'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(5), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (3) in subsection (f)(5), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (4) in subsection (g)--
       (A) in paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3), by striking 
     ``2018'' each place it appears and inserting ``2023'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (5) and (6), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) Enhanced coordination of honeybee and pollinator 
     research.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Chief Scientist of the Department of 
     Agriculture shall coordinate research, extension, education, 
     and economic activities in the Department of Agriculture 
     relating to native and managed pollinator health and habitat.
       ``(B) Duties.--In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Chief 
     Scientist shall--
       ``(i) assign an individual to serve in the Office of the 
     Chief Scientist as a Honeybee and Pollinator Research 
     Coordinator who shall be responsible for leading the efforts 
     of the Chief Scientist in carrying out such subparagraph;
       ``(ii) implement and coordinate pollinator health research 
     efforts of the Department, as recommended by the Pollinator 
     Health Task Force;
       ``(iii) establish annual strategic priorities and goals for 
     the Department for native and managed pollinator research;
       ``(iv) communicate such priorities and goals to each agency 
     or office of the Department of Agriculture, the managed 
     pollinator industry, and relevant grant recipients under 
     programs administered by the Secretary; and
       ``(v) coordinate and identify all research on native and 
     managed pollinator health needed and conducted by the 
     Department of Agriculture and relevant grant recipients under 
     programs administered by the Secretary to ensure consistency 
     and reduce unintended duplication of effort.
       ``(C) Research.--In coordinating research activities under 
     subparagraph (A), the Chief Scientist shall ensure that such 
     research--
       ``(i) identifies and addresses the multiple stressors on 
     pollinator health, including pests and pathogens, reduced 
     habitat, lack of nutritional resources, and exposure to 
     pesticides;
       ``(ii) evaluates stewardship and management practices of 
     managed pollinators that would impact managed pollinator 
     health;
       ``(iii) documents the prevalence of major pests, such as 
     varroa destructor (commonly referred to as the varroa mite), 
     and diseases that are transported between States through 
     practices involving managed pollinators;
       ``(iv) evaluates the impact of overcrowding of colonies for 
     pollination services and the impact of such overcrowding on 
     pollinator health status and pollinator health recovery;
       ``(v) evaluates and reports on the health differences of 
     managed pollinators in--

       ``(I) crops not requiring contract pollination;
       ``(II) crops requiring contract pollination; and
       ``(III) native habitat;

       ``(vi) evaluates the impact of horticultural and 
     agricultural pest management practices on native and managed 
     pollinator colonies in diverse agroecosystems;
       ``(vii) documents pesticide residues that are--

       ``(I) found in native and managed pollinator colonies; and
       ``(II) associated with typical localized commercial crop 
     pest management practices;

       ``(viii) with respect to native and managed pollinator 
     colonies visiting crops for crop pollination or honey 
     production purposes, documents--

       ``(I) the strength and health of such colonies;
       ``(II) the survival, growth, reproduction, and production 
     of such colonies;
       ``(III) pests, pathogens, and viruses that affect such 
     colonies;
       ``(IV) environmental conditions of such colonies;
       ``(V) beekeeper practices; and
       ``(VI) any other relevant information, as determined by the 
     Chief Scientist;

       ``(ix) documents, with respect to healthy populations of 
     managed pollinators, best management practices and other 
     practices for managed pollinators and crop managers;
       ``(x) evaluates the effectiveness of--

       ``(I) conservation practices that target the specific needs 
     of native and managed pollinator habitats;
       ``(II) incentives that allow for the expansion of native 
     and managed pollinator forage acreage; and
       ``(III) managed pollinator breeding practices and efforts 
     to, with respect to managed pollinators, avoid creating a 
     genetic bottleneck and improve genetic diversity;

       ``(xi) in the case of commercially managed pollinator 
     colonies, continues to gather data--

       ``(I) on an annual basis with respect to losses of such 
     colonies, splits of such colonies, and the total number of 
     pollinator colonies;
       ``(II) on rising input costs; and
       ``(III) overall economic value to the food economy; and

       ``(xii) addresses any other issue relating to native and 
     managed pollinators, as determined by the Chief Scientist, in 
     consultation with scientific experts.
       ``(D) Publication.--The Chief Scientist, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, shall--
       ``(i) make publicly available the results of the research 
     described in subparagraph (C); and
       ``(ii) in the case of the research described in 
     subparagraph (C)(vi), publish any data or reports that were 
     produced by the Department of Agriculture but not made 
     publicly available during the period beginning on January 1, 
     2008, and ending on the date of the enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.''; and
       (5) in subsection (h), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 7210. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
                   INITIATIVE.

       Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``using funds made available under 
     subsection (e),'' after ``Board,''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``in each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023'' after ``grants''; and
       (B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``, soil health,'' after 
     ``conservation''; and
       (2) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(D) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2020;
       ``(E) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(F) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
       ``(G) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``for fiscal 
     years 2014 through 2018''; and
       (ii) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7211. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.

       Section 1672D of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925f) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

[[Page H9904]]

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make competitive 
     research and extension grants for the purpose of improving 
     the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural 
     producers by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly 
     available farm financial management database to support 
     improved farm management.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and producer'' and 
     inserting ``educational programs and''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``use and support'' and 
     inserting ``contribute data to''; and
       (3) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7212. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL 
                   PRODUCTION RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   INITIATIVE.

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

     ``SEC. 1672E. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL 
                   PRODUCTION RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   INITIATIVE.

       ``(a) Competitive Research and Extension Grants 
     Authorized.--In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and 
     Innovative Production Advisory Committee established under 
     section 222(b) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994, the Secretary may make 
     competitive grants to support research, education, and 
     extension activities for the purposes of facilitating the 
     development of urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural 
     production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, 
     packaging, distribution, and markets, including by--
       ``(1) assessing and developing strategies to remediate 
     contaminated sites;
       ``(2) determining and developing the best production 
     management and integrated pest management practices;
       ``(3) identifying and promoting the horticultural, social, 
     and economic factors that contribute to successful urban, 
     indoor, and other emerging agricultural production;
       ``(4) analyzing the means by which new agricultural sites 
     are determined, including an evaluation of soil quality, 
     condition of a building, or local community needs;
       ``(5) exploring new technologies that minimize energy, 
     lighting systems, water, and other inputs for increased food 
     production;
       ``(6) examining building material efficiencies and 
     structural upgrades for the purpose of optimizing growth of 
     agricultural products;
       ``(7) developing new crop varieties and agricultural 
     products to connect to new markets; or
       ``(8) examining the impacts of crop exposure to urban 
     elements on environmental quality and food safety.
       ``(b) Grant Types and Process.--Subparagraphs (A) through 
     (E) of paragraph (4), paragraph (7), and paragraph (11)(B) of 
     subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
     Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) shall apply with respect 
     to the making of grants under this section.
       ``(c) Priority.--The Secretary may give priority to grant 
     proposals that involve--
       ``(1) the cooperation of multiple entities; or
       ``(2) States or regions with a high concentration of or 
     significant interest in urban farms, rooftop farms, and 
     indoor production facilities.
       ``(d) Funding.--
       ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
     section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available 
     until expended.
       ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to 
     amounts made available under paragraph (1), there is 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
     $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.
       (b) Data Collection on Urban, Indoor, and Emerging 
     Agricultural Production.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct as a 
     follow-on study to the census of agriculture conducted in the 
     calendar year 2017 under section 2 of the Census of 
     Agriculture Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) a census of urban, 
     indoor, and other emerging agricultural production, including 
     information about--
       (A) community gardens and farms located in urban areas, 
     suburbs, and urban clusters;
       (B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green 
     walls;
       (C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical 
     technology farms;
       (D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; 
     and
       (E) other innovations in agricultural production, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $14,000,000 
     for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2021.

     SEC. 7213. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(d) Centers of Excellence at 1890s Institutions.--
       ``(1) Recognition.--The Secretary shall recognize not less 
     than 3 centers of excellence, each led by an 1890 Institution 
     (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), 
     to focus on 1 or more of the areas described in paragraph 
     (2).
       ``(2) Areas of focus.--
       ``(A) Student success and workforce development.--A center 
     of excellence established under paragraph (1) may engage in 
     activities to ensure that students have the skills and 
     education needed to work in agriculture and food industries, 
     agriculture science, technology, engineering, mathematics, 
     and related fields of study.
       ``(B) Nutrition, health, wellness, and quality of life.--A 
     center of excellence established under paragraph (1) may 
     carry out research, education, and extension programs that 
     increase access to healthy food, improve nutrition, mitigate 
     preventive disease, and develop strategies to assist limited 
     resource individuals in accessing health and nutrition 
     resources.
       ``(C) Farming systems, rural prosperity, and economic 
     sustainability.--A center of excellence established under 
     paragraph (1) may share best practices with farmers to 
     improve agricultural production, processing, and marketing, 
     reduce urban food deserts, examine new uses for traditional 
     and nontraditional crops, animals, and natural resources, and 
     continue activities carried out by the Center for Innovative 
     and Sustainable Small Farms, Ranches, and Forest Lands.
       ``(D) Global food security and defense.--A center of 
     excellence established under paragraph (1) may engage in 
     international partnerships that strengthen agricultural 
     development in developing countries, partner with 
     international researchers regarding new and emerging animal 
     and plant pests and diseases, engage in agricultural disaster 
     recovery, and continue activities carried out by the Center 
     for International Engagement.
       ``(E) Natural resources, energy, and environment.--A center 
     of excellence established under paragraph (1) may focus on 
     protecting and managing domestic natural resources for 
     current and future production of food and agricultural 
     products.
       ``(F) Emerging technologies.--A center of excellence 
     established under paragraph (1) may focus on the development 
     of emerging technologies to increase agricultural 
     productivity, enhance small farm economic viability, and 
     improve rural communities by developing genetic and sensor 
     technologies for food and agriculture and providing 
     technology training to farmers.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
       ``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and 
     every year thereafter, 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 describing--
       ``(A) the resources invested in the centers of excellence 
     established under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) the work being done by those centers of 
     excellence.''.

     SEC. 7214. CLARIFICATION OF VETERAN ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTIVE 
                   TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES.

       Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(7) Clarification of application of provisions to 
     veterans with disabilities.--This subsection shall apply with 
     respect to veterans with disabilities, and their families, 
     who--
       ``(A) are engaged in farming or farm-related occupations; 
     or
       ``(B) are pursuing new farming opportunities.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``(including veterans)'' after 
     ``individuals''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or, in the case of veterans with 
     disabilities, who are pursuing new farming opportunities'' 
     before the period at the end; and
       (3) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7215. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

       Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

Subtitle C--Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
                                of 1998

     SEC. 7301. NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, 
                   EXTENSION, OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Ending Limitation on Funding.--Section 405(e)(3) of the 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, And Education Reform Act of 
     1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(e)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(3) Term of grant.--A grant under this section shall have 
     a term that is not more than 3 years.''.
       (b) National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, 
     Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program.--Section 405(j) 
     of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
     Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(j)) is amended by striking ``there 
     are authorized'' and all that follows through the period at 
     the end and inserting ``there is authorized to be 
     appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.''.

     SEC. 7302. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM.

       Section 406(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626(e)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7303. SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH REGARDING DISEASES OF WHEAT, 
                   TRITICALE, AND BARLEY CAUSED BY FUSARIUM 
                   GRAMINEARUM OR BY TILLETIA INDICA.

       Section 408 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;

[[Page H9905]]

       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f) Limitation on Indirect Costs.--A recipient of a grant 
     under this section may not use more than 10 percent of the 
     funds provided by the grant for the indirect costs of 
     carrying out the initiatives described in subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 7304. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS.

       Section 410(d)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630(d)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7305. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

       (a) Industry Needs.--Section 412(b) of the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
     U.S.C. 7632(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as 
     subparagraphs (C) through (F); and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) size-controlling rootstock systems for perennial 
     crops;'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``including threats to 
     specialty crop pollinators;'' and inserting the following: 
     ``including--
       ``(A) threats to specialty crop pollinators;
       ``(B) emerging and invasive species; and
       ``(C) a more effective understanding and utilization of 
     existing natural enemy complexes;'';
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``efforts to improve'' and inserting the 
     following: ``efforts--
       ``(A) to improve'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by adding 
     ``and'' at the end; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) to achieve a better understanding of--
       ``(i) the soil rhizosphere microbiome;
       ``(ii) pesticide application systems and certified drift-
     reduction technologies; and
       ``(iii) systems to improve and extend the storage life of 
     specialty crops;''; and
       (4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``including improved 
     mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit 
     ripening; and'' and inserting the following: ``including--
       ``(A) mechanization and automation of labor-intensive tasks 
     in production and processing;
       ``(B) technologies that delay or inhibit ripening;
       ``(C) decision support systems driven by phenology and 
     environmental factors;
       ``(D) improved monitoring systems for agricultural pests; 
     and
       ``(E) effective systems for preharvest and postharvest 
     management of quarantine pests; and''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 412(k)(2) of 
     the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
     Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(k)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''; and
       (2) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7306. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.

       Section 604(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642(e)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7307. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.

       Section 614(f)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7653(f)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7308. FORESTRY PRODUCTS ADVANCED UTILIZATION RESEARCH.

       Section 617(f)(1) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7655b(f)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

         Subtitle D--Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008

                     PART I--AGRICULTURAL SECURITY

     SEC. 7401. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY COMMUNICATION CENTER.

       Section 14112(c)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8912(c)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7402. ASSISTANCE TO BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY IN AGRICULTURAL 
                   BIOSECURITY PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND 
                   RESPONSE.

       Section 14113 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (7 U.S.C. 8913) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7403. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL 
                   COUNTERMEASURES.

       Section 14121(b)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8921(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7404. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 14122(e)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8922(e)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

                         PART II--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 7411. GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY.

       Section 7502 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 2019) is amended by 
     striking ``10-year period'' and inserting ``15-year period''.

     SEC. 7412. FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK.

       Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (7 U.S.C. 5936) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``to support cooperative 
     programs between State cooperative extension services and 
     nonprofit organizations'' and inserting ``to eligible 
     entities described in subsection (c)'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (5);
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
     subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and indenting 
     the subparagraphs appropriately;
       (C) by striking subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(B) training, including training programs and workshops, 
     for--
       ``(i) advocates for individuals who are engaged in farming, 
     ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; and
       ``(ii) other individuals and entities that may assist 
     individuals who--

       ``(I) are engaged in farming, ranching, and other 
     occupations relating to agriculture; and
       ``(II) are in crisis;'';

       (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by adding 
     ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
       (E) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``activities; and'' and inserting ``activities, including the 
     dissemination of information and materials; or'';
       (F) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``be used to initiate'' and 
     inserting the following: ``be used--
       ``(1) to initiate''; and
       (G) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) to enter into contracts, on a multiyear basis, with 
     community-based, direct-service organizations to initiate, 
     expand, or sustain programs described in paragraph (1) and 
     subsection (a).''; and
       (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(c) Eligible Recipients.--The Secretary may award a grant 
     under this section to--
       ``(1) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304));
       ``(2) a State department of agriculture;
       ``(3) a State cooperative extension service;
       ``(4) a qualified nonprofit organization, as determined by 
     the Secretary;
       ``(5) an entity providing appropriate services, as 
     determined by the Secretary, in 1 or more States; or
       ``(6) a partnership carried out by 2 or more entities 
     described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
     $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
       ``(e) Report to Congress.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in coordination 
     with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit 
     to Congress and any other relevant Federal department or 
     agency, and make publicly available, a report describing the 
     state of behavioral and mental health of individuals who are 
     engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating 
     to agriculture.
       ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       ``(A) an inventory and assessment of efforts to support the 
     behavioral and mental health of individuals who are engaged 
     in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to 
     agriculture by--
       ``(i) the Federal Government, States, and units of local 
     government;
       ``(ii) communities comprised of those individuals;
       ``(iii) health care providers;
       ``(iv) State cooperative extension services; and
       ``(v) other appropriate entities, as determined by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(B) a description of the challenges faced by individuals 
     who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations 
     relating to agriculture that may impact the behavioral and 
     mental health of farmers and ranchers;
       ``(C) a description of how the Department of Agriculture 
     can improve coordination and cooperation with Federal health 
     departments and agencies, including the Department of Health 
     and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
     Services Administration, the Health Resources and Services 
     Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health, to best 
     address the behavioral and mental health of individuals who 
     are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations 
     relating to agriculture;
       ``(D) a long-term strategy for responding to the challenges 
     described under subparagraph (B) and recommendations based on 
     best practices for further action to be carried out by 
     appropriate Federal departments or agencies to improve 
     Federal Government response and seek to prevent suicide among 
     individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other 
     occupations relating to agriculture; and
       ``(E) an evaluation of the impact that behavioral and 
     mental health challenges and outcomes (including suicide) 
     among individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and 
     other agriculture related occupations have on--
       ``(i) the agricultural workforce;
       ``(ii) agricultural production;
       ``(iii) rural families and communities; and
       ``(iv) succession planning.
       ``(f) State Defined.--For purposes of this section, the 
     term `State' has the meaning given such term in section 1404 
     of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).''.

     SEC. 7413. NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       Section 7525(e) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
     of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 5937(e)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.

[[Page H9906]]

  


     SEC. 7414. SUN GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 7526(g) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
     of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8114(g)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.

                  Subtitle E--Amendments to Other Laws

     SEC. 7501. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT.

       (a) Hemp Research.--Section 5(b)(9) of the Critical 
     Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178c(b)(9)) is amended 
     by inserting ``, and including hemp (as defined in section 
     297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)'' after 
     ``hydrocarbon-containing plants''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 16(a)(2) of 
     the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178n(a)(2)) 
     is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7502. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 
                   1994.

       (a) 1994 Institution Defined.--
       (1) In general.--Section 532 of the Equity in Educational 
     Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 
     103-382) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 532. DEFINITION OF 1994 INSTITUTION.

       ``In this part, the term `1994 Institution' means any of 
     the following colleges:
       ``(1) Aaniiih Nakoda College.
       ``(2) Bay Mills Community College.
       ``(3) Blackfeet Community College.
       ``(4) Cankdeska Cikana Community College.
       ``(5) Chief Dull Knife College.
       ``(6) College of Menominee Nation.
       ``(7) College of the Muscogee Nation.
       ``(8) D-Q University.
       ``(9) Dine College.
       ``(10) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
       ``(11) Fort Peck Community College.
       ``(12) Haskell Indian Nations University.
       ``(13) Ilisagvik College.
       ``(14) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native 
     Culture and Arts Development.
       ``(15) Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College.
       ``(16) Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College.
       ``(17) Leech Lake Tribal College.
       ``(18) Little Big Horn College.
       ``(19) Little Priest Tribal College.
       ``(20) Navajo Technical University.
       ``(21) Nebraska Indian Community College.
       ``(22) Northwest Indian College.
       ``(23) Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College.
       ``(24) Oglala Lakota College.
       ``(25) Red Lake Nation College.
       ``(26) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.
       ``(27) Salish Kootenai College.
       ``(28) Sinte Gleska University.
       ``(29) Sisseton Wahpeton College.
       ``(30) Sitting Bull College.
       ``(31) Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.
       ``(32) Stone Child College.
       ``(33) Tohono O'odham Community College.
       ``(34) Turtle Mountain Community College.
       ``(35) United Tribes Technical College.
       ``(36) White Earth Tribal and Community College.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (b) Endowment for 1994 Institutions.--Section 533(b) of the 
     Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
     301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended in the first 
     sentence by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (c) Institutional Capacity Building Grants.--Section 535 of 
     the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' each place it appears in subsections (b)(1) and (c) 
     and inserting ``2023''.
       (d) Research Grants.--Section 536(c) of the Equity in 
     Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
     Public Law 103-382) is amended in the first sentence by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7503. RESEARCH FACILITIES ACT.

       (a) Agricultural Research Facility Defined.--The Research 
     Facilities Act is amended--
       (1) in section 2(1) (7 U.S.C. 390(1)) by striking ``a 
     college, university, or nonprofit institution'' and inserting 
     ``an entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity and 
     infrastructure program (as defined in section 251(f)(1)(C) of 
     the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)))''; and
       (2) in section 3(c)(2)(D) (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(D)), by 
     striking ``recipient college, university, or nonprofit 
     institution'' and inserting ``recipient entity''.
       (b) Long-term Support.--Section 3(c)(2)(D) of the Research 
     Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(D)), as amended by 
     subsection (a), is further amended by striking ``operating 
     costs'' and inserting ``operating and maintenance costs''.
       (c) Competitive Grant Program.--The Research Facilities Act 
     is amended by inserting after section 3 (7 U.S.C. 390a) the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 4. COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``The Secretary shall establish a program to make 
     competitive grants to assist in the construction, alteration, 
     acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of 
     agricultural research facilities.''.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations and Funding 
     Limitations.--Section 6 of the Research Facilities Act (7 
     U.S.C. 390d) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``subsection (b),'' and inserting 
     ``subsections (b), (c), and (d),'';
       (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
     ``Funds appropriated pursuant to the preceding sentence shall 
     be available until expended.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(c) Maximum Amount.--Not more than 25 percent of the 
     funds made available pursuant to subsection (a) for any 
     fiscal year shall be used for any single agricultural 
     research facility project.
       ``(d) Project Limitation.--An entity eligible to receive 
     funds under this Act may receive funds for only one project 
     at a time.''.

     SEC. 7504. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

       Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
     Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (D)--
       (i) by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vii) as clauses 
     (iv) through (viii), respectively; and
       (ii) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new 
     clause:
       ``(iii) soil health;'';
       (B) in subparagraph (E)--
       (i) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(v) tools that accelerate the use of automation or 
     mechanization for labor-intensive tasks in the production and 
     distribution of crops.''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (F)--
       (i) in clause (vi), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (vii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(viii) barriers and bridges to entry and farm viability 
     for young, beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, and 
     immigrant farmers and ranchers, including farm succession, 
     transition, transfer, entry, and profitability issues.'';
       (2) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) to an institution to carry out collaboration in 
     biomedical and agricultural research using existing research 
     models.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (11)(A)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``4'' and inserting ``5''.

     SEC. 7505. EXTENSION DESIGN AND DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
     Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is amended by inserting 
     after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) Extension Design and Demonstration Initiative.--
       ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to 
     encourage the design of adaptive prototype systems for 
     improving extension and education that seek to advance the 
     application, translation, and demonstration of scientific 
     discoveries and other agricultural research for the adoption 
     and understanding of food, agricultural, and natural 
     resources practices, techniques, methods, and technologies 
     using digital or other novel platforms.
       ``(2) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants each fiscal 
     year on a competitive basis--
       ``(A) for the design of 1 or more extension and education 
     prototype systems--
       ``(i) that leverage digital platforms or other novel means 
     of translating, delivering, or demonstrating agricultural 
     research; and
       ``(ii) to adapt, apply, translate, or demonstrate 
     scientific findings, data, technology, and other research 
     outcomes to producers, the agricultural industry, and other 
     interested persons or organizations; and
       ``(B) to demonstrate, by incorporating analytics and 
     specific metrics, the value, impact, and return on the 
     Federal investment of a prototype system designed under 
     subparagraph (A) as a model for use by other eligible 
     entities described in paragraph (3) for improving, 
     modernizing, and adapting applied research, demonstration, 
     and extension services.
       ``(3) Eligible entities.--An entity that is eligible to 
     receive a grant under paragraph (2) is--
       ``(A) a State agricultural experiment station (as defined 
     in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
       ``(B) a cooperative extension service (as defined in such 
     section); and
       ``(C) a land-grant college or university (as defined in 
     such section) .
       ``(4) Requirement.--The Secretary shall award grants under 
     paragraph (2) to not fewer than 2 and not more than 5 
     eligible entities described in paragraph (3) that represent a 
     diversity of regions, commodities, and agricultural or food 
     production issues.
       ``(5) Term.--The term of a grant awarded under paragraph 
     (2) shall be not longer than 5 years.
       ``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain 
     available until expended.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Competitive, 
     Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(2), in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection--'' and all that 
     follows through ``for the planning'' in subparagraph (B) and 
     inserting ``subsection for the planning''; and
       (2) in subsection (h), by inserting ``, (d),'' after 
     ``subsections (b)''.

[[Page H9907]]

  


     SEC. 7506. REPEAL OF REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE.

       Section 7404 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3101 note; Public Law 107-171) is repealed.

     SEC. 7507. BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) carbon dioxide that--
       ``(i) is intended for permanent sequestration or 
     utilization; and
       ``(ii) is a byproduct of the production of the products 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(2)(A)--
       (A) in clause (xii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by redesignating clause (xiii) as clause (xiv); and
       (C) by inserting after clause (xii) the following:
       ``(xiii) an individual with expertise in carbon dioxide 
     capture, utilization, and sequestration; and'';
       (3) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(B)--
       (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) to permanently sequester or utilize carbon dioxide 
     described in subsection (a)(1)(C); and''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3)(B)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) the development of technologies to permanently 
     sequester or utilize carbon dioxide described in subsection 
     (a)(1)(C).''; and
       (4) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7508. REINSTATEMENT OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR FEDERAL 
                   FUNDS USED IN EXTENSION WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY 
                   OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

       (a) In General.--Section 209(c) of the District of Columbia 
     Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act (Public Law 
     93-471; sec. 38-1202.09(c), D.C. Official Code) is amended by 
     inserting after the first sentence the following: ``Such sums 
     may be used to pay not more than \1/2\ of the total cost of 
     providing such extension work.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 7509. RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 6 of the 
     Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1675) is 
     amended in the first sentence by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Termination Date.--Section 8 of the Renewable Resources 
     Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 note; Public Law 95-
     306) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7510. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE ACT OF 1980.

       Section 10 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 
     U.S.C. 2809) is amended by striking ``2018'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 7511. FEDERAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES.

       Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (title 
     XIV of Public Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 1556) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

                       Subtitle F--Other Matters

     SEC. 7601. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PROGRAM.

       (a) Transition to Permanent Program.--Section 308 of the 
     Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``pilot''; and
       (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``pilot''.
       (b) Termination of Authority Extended.--Section 
     308(b)(6)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended by striking ``on the date that 
     is 10 years after the date of enactment of this section'' and 
     inserting ``on September 30, 2023''.
       (c) Reports.--Section 308(d)(2) of the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended by striking 
     ``Not later than 6, 8, and 10 years after the date of 
     enactment of this section'' and inserting ``Not later than 
     September 30, 2021''.

     SEC. 7602. TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER 
                   PORTION OF HENRY A. WALLACE BELTSVILLE 
                   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, BELTSVILLE, 
                   MARYLAND.

       (a) Transfer Authorized.--Subject to subsection (e), the 
     Secretary may transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury 
     administrative jurisdiction over a parcel of real property at 
     the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center 
     consisting of approximately 100 acres, which was originally 
     acquired by the United States through land acquisitions in 
     1910 and 1925, and is generally located off of Poultry Road 
     lying between Powder Mill Road and Odell Road in Beltsville, 
     Maryland, for the purpose of facilitating the establishment 
     of Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities on the parcel.
       (b) Legal Description and Map.--
       (1) Preparation.--The Secretary shall prepare a legal 
     description and map of the parcel of real property to be 
     transferred under subsection (a).
       (2) Force of law.--The legal description and map prepared 
     under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as 
     if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may 
     correct errors in the legal description and map.
       (c) Terms and Conditions.--The transfer of administrative 
     jurisdiction under subsection (a) shall be subject to 
     easements, valid existing rights, and such other 
     reservations, terms, and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers to be necessary.
       (d) Waiver.--The parcel of real property under subsection 
     (a) is exempt from Federal screening for other possible use 
     due to an identified Federal need for the parcel as the site 
     of Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities.
       (e) Conditions for Transfer.--As a condition of the 
     transfer of administrative jurisdiction under subsection (a) 
     with respect to the parcel described in such subsection--
       (1) the Secretary of the Treasury shall agree to pay the 
     Secretary the costs incurred to carry out such transfer, 
     including the costs for--
       (A) any environmental or administrative analysis required 
     by law with respect to the parcel to be so transferred;
       (B) a survey of such parcel, if necessary; and
       (C) any hazardous substances assessment of the parcel to be 
     so transferred; and
       (2) except as provided in subsection (d), the Secretary 
     shall enter into a binding memorandum of agreement with the 
     Secretary of the Treasury regarding the responsibilities, 
     including financial responsibilities, of each party for 
     evaluating and, if necessary, remediating or otherwise 
     addressing hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants 
     found at the parcel described in subsection (a).
       (f) Hazardous Materials.--Nothing in this section, or the 
     amendments made by this section, amends, alters, or affects 
     the relevant Federal and State environmental laws, including 
     the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), or the 
     application of such laws to the parcel of real property 
     transferred under subsection (a).

     SEC. 7603. FOUNDATION FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH.

       Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     5939) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``conflicts;'' and 
     inserting ``conflicts, specifically at the Department of 
     Agriculture; and''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) document the consultation process and include a 
     summary of the results in the annual report required in 
     subsection (f)(3)(B)''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``and agriculture 
     stakeholders'' after ``community'';
       (2) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(C)(ii)(I), by inserting ``agriculture 
     or'' before ``agricultural research''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4)(A)--
       (i) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and
       (iii) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
       ``(iv) actively solicit and accept funds, gifts, grants, 
     devises, or bequests of real or personal property made to the 
     Foundation, including from private entities; and'';
       (3) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking ``any''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3)(B)--
       (i) in clause (i)(I)--

       (I) in the matter preceding item (aa), by inserting ``and 
     post online'' before ``a report'';
       (II) in item (aa), by striking ``accomplishments; and'' and 
     inserting ``accomplishments and how those activities align to 
     the challenges identified in the strategic plan under clause 
     (iv);'';
       (III) in item (bb), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (IV) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(cc) a description of available agricultural research 
     programs and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) Stakeholder notice.--The Foundation shall publish 
     an annual notice with a description of agricultural research 
     priorities under this section for the upcoming fiscal year, 
     including--

       ``(I) a schedule for funding competitions;
       ``(II) a discussion of how applications for funding will be 
     evaluated; and
       ``(III) how the Foundation will communicate information 
     about funded awards to the public to ensure that grantees and 
     partners understand the objectives of the Foundation.

       ``(iv) Strategic plan.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
     the Foundation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
     strategic plan describing a path for the Foundation to become 
     self-sustaining, including--

       ``(I) a forecast of major agricultural challenge 
     opportunities identified by the scientific advisory councils 
     of the Foundation and approved by the Board, including short- 
     and long-term objectives;
       ``(II) an overview of the efforts that the Foundation will 
     take to be transparent in each of the processes of the 
     Foundation, including--

[[Page H9908]]

       ``(aa) processes relating to grant awards, including the 
     selection, review, and notification processes;
       ``(bb) communication of past, current, and future research 
     priorities; and
       ``(cc) plans to solicit and respond to public input on the 
     opportunities identified in the strategic plan;

       ``(III) a description of financial goals and benchmarks for 
     the next 10 years, including a detailed plan for--

       ``(aa) raising funds in amounts greater than the amounts 
     required under subsection (g)(1)(B);
       ``(bb) soliciting additional resources pursuant to 
     subsections (e)(4)(A)(iv) and (f)(2)(A)(iii); and
       ``(cc) managing and leveraging such resources pursuant to 
     subsection (f)(2)(A)(vii); and

       ``(IV) other related issues, as determined by the Board.''; 
     and

       (4) in subsection (g)(1)--
       (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Mandatory 
     funding'' and inserting ``Funding'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``On the date'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) Establishment funding.--On the date''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Enhanced funding.--On the date on which the 
     strategic plan described in subsection (f)(3)(B)(iv) is 
     submitted, of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
     the Secretary shall transfer to the Foundation to carry out 
     this section $185,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended.''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``The Foundation'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) In general.--The Foundation'';
       (ii) in clause (i) (as so designated)--

       (I) by striking ``purposes'' and inserting ``purposes, 
     duties, and powers''; and
       (II) by striking ``non-Federal matching funds for each 
     expenditure'' and inserting ``matching funds from a non-
     Federal source, including an agricultural commodity 
     promotion, research, and information program''; and

       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Effect.--Nothing in this section requires the 
     Foundation to require a matching contribution from an 
     individual grantee as a condition of receiving a grant under 
     this section.''.

     SEC. 7604. ASSISTANCE FOR FORESTRY RESEARCH UNDER THE 
                   MCINTIRE-STENNIS COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ACT.

       Section 2 of Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the 
     ``McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act'') (16 U.S.C. 
     582a-1) is amended in the second sentence--
       (1) by striking ``and'' before ``1890 Institutions''; and
       (2) by inserting ``and 1994 Institutions (as defined in 
     section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382)) that 
     offer an associate's degree or a baccalaureate degree in 
     forestry,'' before ``and (b)''.

     SEC. 7605. LEGITIMACY OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (a) and (b) as subsections 
     (b) and (a), respectively, and moving the subsections so as 
     to appear in alphabetical order;
       (2) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) State.--The term `State' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
     1946.'';
       (3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), in the 
     subsection heading, by striking ``In General'' and inserting 
     ``Industrial Hemp Research''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Study and Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of 
     agricultural pilot programs--
       ``(A) to determine the economic viability of the domestic 
     production and sale of industrial hemp; and
       ``(B) that shall include a review of--
       ``(i) each agricultural pilot program; and
       ``(ii) any other agricultural or academic research relating 
     to industrial hemp.
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report describing the results of the study 
     conducted under paragraph (1).''.
       (b) Repeal.--Effective on the date that is 1 year after the 
     date on which the Secretary establishes a plan under section 
     297C of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, section 7606 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is repealed.

     SEC. 7606. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO BARLEY AREA PLANTED 
                   AND HARVESTED.

       For all acreage reports published after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the 
     Administrator of the National Agricultural Statistics 
     Service, shall include the State of New York in the States 
     surveyed to produce the table entitled ``Barley Area Planted 
     and Harvested'' in those reports.

     SEC. 7607. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO THE SIZE AND 
                   LOCATION OF DAIRY FARMS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
     which the 2017 Census of Agriculture is released, the 
     Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Economic 
     Research Service, shall update the report entitled ``Changes 
     in the Size and Location of US Dairy Farms'' contained in the 
     report of the Economic Research Service entitled ``Profits, 
     Costs, and the Changing Structure of Dairy Farming'' and 
     published in September 2007.
       (b) Requirement.--In updating the report described in 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, use the same unit of measurement for reporting 
     the full range of herd sizes in Table 1 and Table 2 of the 
     report while maintaining confidentiality of individual 
     producers.

     SEC. 7608. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 6402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``representatives of each of the following groups'' and 
     inserting ``a diverse group of representatives of public and 
     private entities, including the following:'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``The 2'' and 
     inserting ``Two'';
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or a State 
     legislator,'' after ``agency,''; and
       (D) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
       ``(C) Four entities representing commodities produced in 
     the State.'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``subsection (i)'' 
     and inserting ``subsection (g)''; and
       (3) by striking subsections (g), (h), and (i) and inserting 
     the following new subsection:
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
     $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 7609. SMITH-LEVER COMMUNITY EXTENSION PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
     U.S.C. 343(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``A 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 
     of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382)) may compete for and 
     receive funds directly from the Secretary of Agriculture for 
     the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk funding program and 
     the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 533(a)(2)(A) of the 
     Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
     301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended by striking clause 
     (ii) and inserting the following:
       ``(ii) the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), except 
     as provided under--

       ``(I) section 3(b)(3) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)); or
       ``(II) the third sentence of section 3(d) of that Act (7 
     U.S.C. 343(d)); or''.

     SEC. 7610. MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review 
     of the programs of the Department of Agriculture that affect 
     the production or processing of specialty crops.
       (b) Requirements.--The review under subsection (a) shall 
     identify--
       (1) programs that currently are, or previously have been, 
     effectively used to accelerate the development and use of 
     automation or mechanization in the production or processing 
     of specialty crops; and
       (2) programs that may be more effectively used to 
     accelerate the development and use of automation or 
     mechanization in the production or processing of specialty 
     crops.
       (c) Strategy.--With respect to programs identified under 
     subsection (b), the Secretary shall develop and implement a 
     strategy to accelerate the development and use of automation 
     and mechanization in the production or processing of 
     specialty crops.

     SEC. 7611. EXPERIENCED SERVICES PROGRAM.

       Section 1252 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
     3851) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``agriculture 
     conservation'';
       (2) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the first sentence--
       (i) by striking ``a conservation'' and inserting ``an'';
       (ii) by striking ``(in this section referred to as the 
     `ACES Program')'' and inserting ``(referred to in this 
     section as the `program')''; and
       (iii) by striking ``provide technical'' and inserting the 
     following: ``provide--
       ``(1) technical''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--
       (i) by striking ``Secretary. Such technical services may 
     include'' and inserting ``Secretary, including'';
       (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
     and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) technical, professional, and administrative services 
     to support the research, education, and economics mission 
     area of the Department of Agriculture (including the 
     Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, 
     the National Agricultural Library, the National Agricultural 
     Statistics Service, the Office of the Chief Scientist, and 
     the National Institute of Food and Agriculture), including--
       ``(A) supporting agricultural research and information;
       ``(B) advancing scientific knowledge relating to 
     agriculture;
       ``(C) enhancing access to agricultural information;
       ``(D) providing statistical information and research 
     results to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, and public 
     officials; and
       ``(E) assisting research, education, and extension programs 
     in land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in 
     section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3103)).'';
       (3) by striking ``ACES'' each place it appears;
       (4) by striking ``technical services'' each place it 
     appears (other than in subsection (a)) and inserting 
     ``technical, professional, or administrative services, as 
     applicable,''; and

[[Page H9909]]

       (5) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting 
     ``Conservation technical services.--''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``with respect to subsection (a)(1),'' 
     before ``the Secretary''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Research, education, and economics services.--With 
     respect to services referred to in subsection (a)(2), the 
     Secretary may carry out the program under the mission area 
     referred to in such subsection to the extent that funds are 
     specifically appropriated to provide such services under such 
     mission area.''.

     SEC. 7612. SIMPLIFIED PLAN OF WORK.

       (a) Smith-Lever Act.--The Smith-Lever Act is amended--
       (1) in section 3(h)(2) (7 U.S.C. 343(h)(2)), by striking 
     subparagraph (D); and
       (2) in section 4(c) (7 U.S.C. 344(c)), by striking 
     paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(1) A summary of planned projects or programs in the 
     State using formula funds.
       ``(2) A description of the manner in which the State will 
     meet the requirements of section 3(h).
       ``(3) A description of the manner in which the State will 
     meet the requirements of section 3(i)(2) of the Hatch Act of 
     1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(i)(2)).
       ``(4) A description of matching funds provided by the State 
     with respect to the previous fiscal year.''.
       (b) Hatch Act.--The Hatch Act of 1887 is amended--
       (1) in section 3 (7 U.S.C. 361c)--
       (A) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
       ``(h) Peer Review.--Research carried out under subsection 
     (c)(3) shall be subject to scientific peer review. The review 
     of a project conducted under this subsection shall be 
     considered to satisfy the merit review requirements of 
     section 103(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(e)).''; and
       (B) in subsection (i)(2), by striking subparagraph (D); and
       (2) in section 7(e) (7 U.S.C. 361g(e)), by striking 
     paragraphs (1) through (4) and inserting the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(1) A summary of planned projects or programs in the 
     State using formula funds.
       ``(2) A description of the manner in which the State will 
     meet the requirements of subsections (c)(3) and (i)(2) of 
     section 3.
       ``(3) A description of matching funds provided by the State 
     with respect to the previous fiscal year.''.
       (c) Extension and Research at 1890 Institutions.--
       (1) Extension.--Section 1444(d)(3) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(d)(3)) is amended by striking 
     subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(A) A summary of planned projects or programs in the 
     State using formula funds.
       ``(B) A description of matching funds provided by the State 
     with respect to the previous fiscal year.''.
       (2) Research.--Section 1445(c)(3) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222(c)(3)) is amended by striking 
     subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(A) A summary of planned projects or programs in the 
     State using formula funds.
       ``(B) A description of matching funds provided by the State 
     with respect to the previous fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 7613. REVIEW OF LAND-GRANT TIME AND EFFORT REPORTING 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Office of Management and Budget, shall review and revise 
     current reporting requirements related to compensation 
     charges, documentation of personnel expenses, and other 
     requirements that are commonly referred to as time and effort 
     reporting for entities that receive funds under a program 
     referred to in clause (iii), (iv), (vii), (viii), or (xii) of 
     section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)).
       (b) Revisions.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
     revision made pursuant to subsection (a)--
       (1) is developed in collaboration with entities described 
     in subsection (a); and
       (2) reduces the amount of paperwork and time required by 
     the requirements referred to in such subsection, as such 
     requirements are in effect on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 7614. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.

       (a) Repeal.--Subtitle P of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 3371) is repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) National agricultural research, extension, and teaching 
     policy act of 1977.--
       (A) Grants to enhance research capacity in schools of 
     veterinary medicine.--Section 1415(a) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151(a)) is amended--
       (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Matching requirement.--A State receiving a grant 
     under paragraph (1) shall provide State matching funds equal 
     to not less than the amount of the grant.''.
       (B) Aquaculture assistance grant program.--Section 1475(b) 
     of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322(b)) is amended by 
     striking ``The Secretary'' and all that follows through the 
     period at the end and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary 
     may make competitive grants to entities eligible for grants 
     under paragraph (2) for research and extension to facilitate 
     or expand promising advances in the production and marketing 
     of aquacultural food species and products and to enhance the 
     safety and wholesomeness of those species and products, 
     including the development of reliable supplies of seed stock 
     and therapeutic compounds.
       ``(2) Eligible entities.--The Secretary may make a 
     competitive grant under paragraph (1) to--
       ``(A) a land-grant or seagrant college or university;
       ``(B) a State agricultural experiment station;
       ``(C) a college, university, or Federal laboratory having a 
     demonstrable capacity to conduct aquacultural research, as 
     determined by the Secretary; or
       ``(D) a nonprofit private research institution.
       ``(3) Matching state grants.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary shall not make a grant under paragraph (1) 
     unless the State in which the grant recipient is located 
     makes a grant to that recipient in an amount equal to not 
     less than the amount of the grant under paragraph (1) (of 
     which State amount an in-kind contribution shall not exceed 
     50 percent).
       ``(B) Federal laboratories.--Subparagraph (A) shall not 
     apply to a grant to a Federal laboratory.''.
       (C) Rangeland research.--Section 1480 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3333) is amended--
       (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(a) In 
     General.--The Secretary''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Matching Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     this grant program shall be based on a matching formula of 50 
     percent Federal and 50 percent non-Federal funding (including 
     funding from an agricultural commodity promotion, research, 
     and information program).
       ``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a grant 
     to a Federal laboratory or a grant under subsection 
     (a)(2).''.
       (2) Food, agriculture, conservation, and trade act of 
     1990.--
       (A) Federal-state matching grant program.--Section 
     1623(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
     Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5813(d)(2)) is amended by striking the 
     second sentence.
       (B) Agricultural genome initiative.--Section 1671 of the 
     Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 5924) (as amended by section 7208) is amended--
       (i) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (ii) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f) Matching Funds Requirement.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), with respect 
     to a grant or cooperative agreement under this section that 
     provides a particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
     commodity, the recipient of funds under the grant or 
     cooperative agreement shall provide non-Federal matching 
     funds (including funds from an agricultural commodity 
     promotion, research, and information program) equal to not 
     less than the amount provided under the grant or cooperative 
     agreement.
       ``(2) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
     described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support.
       ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
     requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a research 
     project if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) the results of the project are of a particular 
     benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, but those 
     results are likely to be applicable to agricultural 
     commodities generally; or
       ``(B)(i) the project--
       ``(I) involves a minor commodity; and
       ``(II) deals with scientifically important research; and
       ``(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
     funds requirement.''.
       (C) High-priority research and extension initiatives.--
     Section 1672(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(a)) is amended--
       (i) by striking ``The Secretary of Agriculture'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture'';
       (ii) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the second 
     sentence, by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall''; and
       (iii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Matching funds requirement.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (C), an entity 
     receiving a grant under paragraph (1) shall provide non-
     Federal matching funds (including funds from an agricultural 
     commodity promotion, research, and information program) equal 
     to not less than the amount of the grant.
       ``(B) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
     described in subparagraph (A) may include in-kind support.
       ``(C) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
     requirement under subparagraph (A) with respect to a research 
     project if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(i) the results of the project are of a particular 
     benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, but those 
     results are likely to be applicable to agricultural 
     commodities generally; or

[[Page H9910]]

       ``(ii)(I) the project--

       ``(aa) involves a minor commodity; and
       ``(bb) deals with scientifically important research; and

       ``(II) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
     funds requirement.''.
       (D) Organic agriculture research and extension 
     initiative.--Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) (as 
     amended by section 7210) is amended--
       (i) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as 
     subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and
       (ii) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Matching Requirement.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), an entity 
     receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall provide non-
     Federal matching funds (including funds from an agricultural 
     commodity promotion, research, and information program) equal 
     to not less than the amount of the grant.
       ``(2) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
     described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support.
       ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
     requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a research 
     project if the Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) the results of the project are of a particular 
     benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, but those 
     results are likely to be applicable to agricultural 
     commodities generally; or
       ``(B)(i) the project--
       ``(I) involves a minor commodity; and
       ``(II) deals with scientifically important research; and
       ``(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
     funds requirement.''.
       (3) Agricultural research, extension, and education reform 
     act of 1998.--
       (A) Integrated research, education, and extension 
     competitive grants program.--Section 406 of the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
     U.S.C. 7626) is amended--
       (i) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (e) and (f), respectively; and
       (ii) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) Matching Funds Requirement.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), with respect 
     to a grant under this section that provides a particular 
     benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, the recipient 
     of the grant shall provide non-Federal matching funds 
     (including funds from an agricultural commodity promotion, 
     research, and information program) equal to not less than the 
     amount of the grant.
       ``(2) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
     described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support.
       ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
     requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a grant if 
     the Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) the results of the grant are of a particular benefit 
     to a specific agricultural commodity, but those results are 
     likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities 
     generally; or
       ``(B)(i) the grant--
       ``(I) involves a minor commodity; and
       ``(II) deals with scientifically important research; and
       ``(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
     funds requirement.''.
       (B) Specialty crop research initiative.--Section 412(g) of 
     the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
     Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(g)) is amended--
       (i) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (ii) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) Matching requirement.--
       ``(A) In general.--An entity receiving a grant under this 
     section shall provide non-Federal matching funds (including 
     funds from an agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
     information program) equal to not less than the amount of the 
     grant.
       ``(B) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
     described in subparagraph (A) may include in-kind support.''.
       (4) Other laws.--
       (A) Sun grant program.--Section 7526(c)(1)(C)(iv) of the 
     Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
     8114(c)(1)(C)(iv)) is amended by striking subclause (IV).
       (B) Agriculture and food research initiative.--Subsection 
     (b)(9) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
     Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(9)) is amended--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking clause (iii);
       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) in clause (i), by striking ``clauses (ii) and (iii),'' 
     and inserting ``clause (ii),''; and
       (II) by striking clause (iii); and

       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Applied research.--An entity receiving a grant under 
     paragraph (5)(B) for applied research that is commodity-
     specific and not of national scope shall provide non-Federal 
     matching funds equal to not less than the amount of the 
     grant.''.
       (c) Application of Amendments.--
       (1) Awards made after date of enactment.--The amendments 
     made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to 
     grants, cooperative agreements, or other awards described in 
     subsection (b) that are made after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
       (2) Awards made on or before date of enactment.--
     Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsections (a) and 
     (b), a matching funds requirement in effect on the day before 
     the date of enactment of this Act under a provision of law 
     amended by subsection (a) or (b) shall continue to apply to a 
     grant, cooperative agreement, or other award described in 
     subsection (b) that is made on or before the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

                          TITLE VIII--FORESTRY

        Subtitle A--Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978

     SEC. 8101. SUPPORT FOR STATE ASSESSMENTS AND STRATEGIES FOR 
                   FOREST RESOURCES.

       Section 2A(f)(1) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act 
     of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a(f)(1)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 8102. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE 
                   RESTORATION PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 13A of the Cooperative Forestry 
     Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 13A. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE 
                   RESTORATION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage 
     collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest 
     landscapes.
       ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
       ``(2) Nonindustrial private forest land.--The term 
     `nonindustrial private forest land' means land that--
       ``(A) is rural, as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(B) has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing 
     trees; and
       ``(C) is owned by any private individual, group, 
     association, corporation, Indian tribe, or other private 
     legal entity.
       ``(3) State forest land.--The term `State forest land' 
     means land that--
       ``(A) is rural, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(B) is under State or local governmental ownership and 
     considered to be non-Federal forest land.
       ``(c) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     State foresters or appropriate State agencies, shall 
     establish a competitive grant program to provide financial 
     and technical assistance to encourage collaborative, science-
     based restoration of priority forest landscapes.
       ``(d) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary, 
     through the State forester or appropriate State agency, a 
     State and private forest landscape-scale restoration proposal 
     based on a restoration strategy that--
       ``(1) is complete or substantially complete;
       ``(2) is for a multiyear period;
       ``(3) covers nonindustrial private forest land or State 
     forest land;
       ``(4) is accessible by wood-processing infrastructure; and
       ``(5) is based on the best available science.
       ``(e) Plan Criteria.--A State and private forest landscape-
     scale restoration proposal submitted under this section shall 
     include plans--
       ``(1) to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires;
       ``(2) to improve fish and wildlife habitats, including the 
     habitats of threatened and endangered species;
       ``(3) to maintain or improve water quality and watershed 
     function;
       ``(4) to mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and 
     disease;
       ``(5) to improve important forest ecosystems;
       ``(6) to measure ecological and economic benefits, 
     including air quality and soil quality and productivity; and
       ``(7) to take other relevant actions, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(f) Priorities.--In making grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to plans that--
       ``(1) further a statewide forest assessment and resource 
     strategy;
       ``(2) promote cross boundary landscape collaboration; and
       ``(3) leverage public and private resources.
       ``(g) Collaboration and Consultation.--The Chief of the 
     Forest Service, the Chief of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service, and relevant stakeholders shall 
     collaborate and consult on an ongoing basis regarding--
       ``(1) administration of the program established under this 
     section; and
       ``(2) identification of other applicable resources for 
     landscape-scale restoration.
       ``(h) Matching Funds Required.--As a condition of receiving 
     a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require the 
     recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support 
     from non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal 
     to the amount of Federal funds.
       ``(i) Coordination and Proximity Encouraged.--In making 
     grants under this section, the Secretary may consider 
     coordination with and proximity to other landscape-scale 
     projects on other land under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, or a Governor of a 
     State, including under--
       ``(1) the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration 
     Program established under section 4003 of the Omnibus Public 
     Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303);
       ``(2) landscape areas designated for insect and disease 
     treatments under section 602 of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591a);
       ``(3) good neighbor authority under section 19;
       ``(4) stewardship end result contracting projects 
     authorized under section 604 of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591c);
       ``(5) appropriate State-level programs; and
       ``(6) other relevant programs, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(j) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such 
     regulations as the Secretary determines necessary to carry 
     out this section.
       ``(k) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary

[[Page H9911]]

     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--
       ``(1) the status of development, execution, and 
     administration of selected projects;
       ``(2) the accounting of program funding expenditures; and
       ``(3) specific accomplishments that have resulted from 
     landscape-scale projects.
       ``(l) Fund.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury a 
     fund, to be known as the `State and Private Forest Landscape-
     Scale Restoration Fund' (referred to in this subsection as 
     the `Fund'), to be used by the Secretary to make grants under 
     this section.
       ``(2) Contents.--The Fund shall consist of such amounts as 
     are appropriated to the Fund under paragraph (3).
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Fund $20,000,000 for each fiscal 
     year beginning with the first full fiscal year after the date 
     of enactment of this subsection through fiscal year 2023, to 
     remain available until expended.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 13B of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act 
     of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109b) is repealed.
       (2) Section 19(a)(4)(C) of the Cooperative Forestry 
     Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2113(a)(4)(C)) is amended 
     by striking ``sections 13A and 13B'' and inserting ``section 
     13A''.

 Subtitle B--Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
                                  1978

     SEC. 8201. REPEAL OF RECYCLING RESEARCH.

       Section 9 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
     Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1648) is repealed.

     SEC. 8202. REPEAL OF FORESTRY STUDENT GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 10 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
     Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1649) is repealed.

        Subtitle C--Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990

     SEC. 8301. REPEALS RELATING TO BIOMASS.

       (a) Biomass Energy Demonstration Projects.--Section 2410 of 
     the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     6708) is repealed.
       (b) Interagency Cooperation to Maximize Biomass Growth.--
     Section 2411 of the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 
     1990 (7 U.S.C. 6709) is amended in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) by striking ``to--'' and all that follows 
     through ``such forests and lands'' in paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``to develop a program to manage forests and land 
     on Department of Defense military installations''.

          Subtitle D--Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003

     SEC. 8401. PROMOTING CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE MITIGATION.

       Section 103 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
     (16 U.S.C. 6513) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) Cross-boundary Hazardous Fuel Reduction Projects.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Hazardous fuel reduction project.--The term 
     `hazardous fuel reduction project' means a hazardous fuel 
     reduction project described in paragraph (2).
       ``(B) Non-federal land.--The term `non-Federal land' 
     includes--
       ``(i) State land;
       ``(ii) county land;
       ``(iii) Tribal land;
       ``(iv) private land; and
       ``(v) other non-Federal land.
       ``(2) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants to State 
     foresters to support hazardous fuel reduction projects that 
     incorporate treatments in landscapes across ownership 
     boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land, particularly in 
     areas identified as priorities in applicable State-wide 
     forest resource assessments or strategies under section 2A(a) 
     of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
     2101a(a)), as mutually agreed to by the State forester and 
     the Regional Forester.
       ``(3) Land treatments.--To conduct and fund treatments for 
     hazardous fuel reduction projects carried out by State 
     foresters using grants under paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
     use the authorities of the Secretary relating to cooperation 
     and technical and financial assistance, including the good 
     neighbor authority under--
       ``(A) section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 
     U.S.C. 2113a); and
       ``(B) section 331 of the Department of the Interior and 
     Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (16 U.S.C. 1011 
     note; Public Law 106-291).
       ``(4) Cooperation.--In carrying out a hazardous fuel 
     reduction project using a grant under paragraph (2) on non-
     Federal land, the State forester, in consultation with the 
     Secretary--
       ``(A) shall consult with any applicable owners of the non-
     Federal land; and
       ``(B) shall not implement the hazardous fuel reduction 
     project on non-Federal land without the consent of the owner 
     of the non-Federal land.
       ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 8402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HAZARDOUS FUEL 
                   REDUCTION ON FEDERAL LAND.

       Section 108 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
     (16 U.S.C. 6518) is amended by striking ``$760,000,000 for 
     each fiscal year'' and inserting ``$660,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 8403. REPEAL OF BIOMASS COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION GRANT 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 203 of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6531) is repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
     Public Law 108-148) is amended by striking the item relating 
     to section 203.

     SEC. 8404. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6541 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 303. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) End water user.--The term `end water user' means a 
     non-Federal entity, including--
       ``(A) a State;
       ``(B) a political subdivision of a State;
       ``(C) an Indian tribe;
       ``(D) a utility;
       ``(E) a municipal water system;
       ``(F) an irrigation district;
       ``(G) a nonprofit organization; and
       ``(H) a corporation.
       ``(2) Forest management activity.--The term `forest 
     management activity' means a project carried out by the 
     Secretary on National Forest System land.
       ``(3) Forest plan.--The term `forest plan' means a land 
     management plan prepared by the Forest Service for a unit of 
     the National Forest System pursuant to section 6 of the 
     Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 
     (16 U.S.C. 1604).
       ``(4) Non-federal partner.--The term `non-Federal partner' 
     means an end water user with whom the Secretary has entered 
     into a partnership agreement under subsection (c)(1).
       ``(5) Program.--The term `Program' means the Water Source 
     Protection Program established under subsection (b).
       ``(6) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service.
       ``(7) Water source management plan.--The term `water source 
     management plan' means the water source management plan 
     developed under subsection (d)(1).
       ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and 
     maintain a program, to be known as the `Water Source 
     Protection Program', to carry out watershed protection and 
     restoration projects on National Forest System land.
       ``(c) Water Source Investment Partnerships.--
       ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
     Secretary may enter into water source investment partnership 
     agreements with end water users to protect and restore the 
     condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water to 
     the end water users.
       ``(2) Form.--A partnership agreement described in paragraph 
     (1) may take the form of--
       ``(A) a memorandum of understanding;
       ``(B) a cost-share or collection agreement;
       ``(C) a long-term funding matching commitment; or
       ``(D) another appropriate instrument, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(d) Water Source Management Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
     Secretary, in cooperation with the non-Federal partners and 
     applicable State, local, and Tribal governments, may develop 
     a water source management plan that describes the proposed 
     implementation of watershed protection and restoration 
     projects under the Program.
       ``(2) Requirement.--A water source management plan shall be 
     conducted in a manner consistent with the forest plan 
     applicable to the National Forest System land on which the 
     watershed protection and restoration project is carried out.
       ``(3) Environmental analysis.--The Secretary may conduct a 
     single environmental impact statement or similar analysis 
     required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
     (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)--
       ``(A) for each watershed protection and restoration project 
     included in the water source management plan; or
       ``(B) as part of the development of, or after the 
     finalization of, the water source management plan.
       ``(e) Forest Management Activities.--
       ``(1) In general.--To the extent that forest management 
     activities are necessary to protect, maintain, or enhance 
     water quality, and in accordance with paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall carry out forest management activities as 
     part of watershed protection and restoration projects carried 
     out on National Forest System land, with the primary purpose 
     of--
       ``(A) protecting a municipal water supply system;
       ``(B) restoring forest health from insect infestations and 
     disease; or
       ``(C) any combination of the purposes described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B).
       ``(2) Compliance.--The Secretary shall carry out forest 
     management activities under paragraph (1) in accordance 
     with--
       ``(A) this Act;
       ``(B) the applicable water source management plan;
       ``(C) the applicable forest plan; and
       ``(D) other applicable laws.
       ``(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973.--In carrying out the 
     Program, the Secretary may use the Manual on Adaptive 
     Management of the Department of the Interior, including any 
     associated guidance, to comply with the Endangered Species 
     Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
       ``(g) Funds and Services.--
       ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
     Secretary may accept and use funding, services, and other 
     forms of investment and assistance from non-Federal partners 
     to implement the water source management plan.

[[Page H9912]]

       ``(2) Matching funds required.--The Secretary shall require 
     the contribution of funds or in-kind support from non-Federal 
     partners to be in an amount that is at least equal to the 
     amount of Federal funds.
       ``(3) Manner of use.--The Secretary may accept and use 
     investments described in paragraph (1) directly or indirectly 
     through the National Forest Foundation.
       ``(4) Water source protection fund.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary may establish a Water Source 
     Protection Fund to match funds or in-kind support contributed 
     by non-Federal partners under paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Use of appropriated funds.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
       ``(C) Partnership agreements.--The Secretary may make 
     multiyear commitments, if necessary, to implement 1 or more 
     partnership agreements under subsection (c).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
     Public Law 108-148) is amended by striking the item relating 
     to section 303 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 303. Water Source Protection Program.''.

     SEC. 8405. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6541 et seq.) (as amended 
     by section 8404(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 304. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
     through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this 
     section as the `Secretary'), may establish and maintain a 
     Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System 
     land--
       ``(1) to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, 
     taking into consideration--
       ``(A) water quality and quantity;
       ``(B) aquatic habitat and biota;
       ``(C) riparian and wetland vegetation;
       ``(D) the presence of roads and trails;
       ``(E) soil type and condition;
       ``(F) groundwater-dependent ecosystems;
       ``(G) relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, 
     risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, 
     invasive species, and insects and disease; and
       ``(H) other significant factors, as determined by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(2) to identify for protection and restoration up to 5 
     priority watersheds in each National Forest, and up to 2 
     priority watersheds in each national grassland, taking into 
     consideration the impact of the condition of the watershed 
     condition on--
       ``(A) wildfire behavior;
       ``(B) flood risk;
       ``(C) fish and wildlife;
       ``(D) drinking water supplies;
       ``(E) irrigation water supplies;
       ``(F) forest-dependent communities; and
       ``(G) other significant impacts, as determined by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(3) to develop a watershed protection and restoration 
     action plan for each priority watershed that--
       ``(A) takes into account existing restoration activities 
     being implemented in the watershed; and
       ``(B) includes, at a minimum--
       ``(i) the major stressors responsible for the impaired 
     condition of the watershed;
       ``(ii) a set of essential projects that, once completed, 
     will address the identified stressors and improve watershed 
     conditions;
       ``(iii) a proposed implementation schedule;
       ``(iv) potential partners and funding sources; and
       ``(v) a monitoring and evaluation program;
       ``(4) to prioritize protection and restoration activities 
     for each watershed restoration action plan;
       ``(5) to implement each watershed protection and 
     restoration action plan; and
       ``(6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and 
     restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.
       ``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and 
     State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant 
     watershed; and
       ``(2) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement 
     process.
       ``(c) Emergency Designation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2) 
     of subsection (a), the Secretary may identify a watershed as 
     a priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition 
     Framework without using the process described in that 
     subsection if a Forest Supervisor determines that--
       ``(1) a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition 
     of the watershed; and
       ``(2) the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned 
     Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the 
     watershed to proper function.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
     Public Law 108-148) (as amended by section 8404(b)) is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 
     the following:

``Sec. 304. Watershed Condition Framework.''.

     SEC. 8406. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO COMBAT INSECT 
                   INFESTATIONS AND RELATED DISEASES.

       (a) In General.--Section 406 of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6556) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 406. TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.

       ``The authority provided by this title terminates effective 
     October 1, 2023.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
     Public Law 108-148) is amended by striking the item relating 
     to section 406 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 406. Termination of effectiveness.''.

     SEC. 8407. HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Healthy Forests Reserve Program.--
       (1) Additional purpose of program.--Section 501(a) of the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571(a)) 
     is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) to conserve forest land that provides habitat for 
     species described in section 502(b); and''.
       (2) Eligibility for enrollment.--Subsection (b) of section 
     502 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
     6572) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible for enrollment in the 
     healthy forests reserve program, land shall be private forest 
     land, or private land being restored to forest land, the 
     enrollment of which will maintain, restore, enhance, or 
     otherwise measurably--
       ``(1) increase the likelihood of recovery of a species that 
     is listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); or
       ``(2) improve the well-being of a species that--
       ``(A) is--
       ``(i) not listed as endangered or threatened under such 
     section; and
       ``(ii) a candidate for such listing, a State-listed 
     species, or a special concern species; or
       ``(B) is deemed a species of greatest conservation need by 
     a State wildlife action plan.''.
       (3) Other enrollment considerations.--Section 502(c) of the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(c)) 
     is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(2) conserve forest land that provides habitat for 
     species described in subsection (b); and''.
       (4) Elimination of limitation on use of easements.--Section 
     502(e) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 
     U.S.C. 6572(e)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and 
     redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
       (5) Enrollment of acreage owned by an indian tribe.--
     Paragraph (2) of section 502(e) of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(e)) (as redesignated 
     by paragraph (4)) is amended, in subparagraph (B), by 
     striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and inserting the following 
     new clauses:
       ``(ii) a 10-year cost-share agreement;
       ``(iii) a permanent easement; or
       ``(iv) any combination of the options described in clauses 
     (i) through (iii).''.
       (6) Enrollment priority.--Section 502(f)(1)(B) of the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
     6572(f)(1)(B)) is amended by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(ii)(I) are candidates for such listing, State-listed 
     species, or special concern species; or
       ``(II) are deemed a species of greatest conservation need 
     under a State wildlife action plan.''.
       (7) Restoration plans.--Subsection (b) of section 503 of 
     the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6573) 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Practices.--The restoration plan shall require such 
     restoration practices and measures as are necessary to 
     restore and enhance habitat for species described in section 
     502(b), including the following:
       ``(1) Land management practices.
       ``(2) Vegetative treatments.
       ``(3) Structural practices and measures.
       ``(4) Practices to increase carbon sequestration.
       ``(5) Practices to improve biological diversity.
       ``(6) Other practices and measures.''.
       (8) Funding.--Section 508(b) of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6578(b)) is amended--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Fiscal Years 
     2014 Through 2018'' and inserting ``Authorization of 
     Appropriations''; and
       (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (9) Technical correction.--Section 503(a) of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6573(a)) is 
     amended by striking ``Secretary of Interior'' and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the Interior''.
       (b) Insect and Disease Infestation.--
       (1) Treatment of areas.--Section 602(d)(1) of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591a(d)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``subsection (b) to reduce the risk or 
     extent of, or increase the resilience to, insect or disease 
     infestation in the areas.'' and inserting the following: 
     ``subsection (b)--
       ``(A) to reduce the risk or extent of, or increase the 
     resilience to, insect or disease infestation; or
       ``(B) to reduce hazardous fuels.''.
       (2) Extension of authority.--Section 602(d)(2) of the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
     6591a(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 8408. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DESIGNATION OF 
                   TREATMENT AREAS.

       Section 602 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
     (16 U.S.C. 6591a) is amended by striking subsection (f).

[[Page H9913]]

  


    Subtitle E--Repeal or Reauthorization of Miscellaneous Forestry 
                                Programs

     SEC. 8501. REPEAL OF REVISION OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FOREST 
                   INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS.

       Section 8301 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
     1642 note; Public Law 113-79) is repealed.

     SEC. 8502. SEMIARID AGROFORESTRY RESEARCH CENTER.

       Section 1243(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law 101-624) 
     is amended by striking ``annually'' and inserting ``for each 
     of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 8503. NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT.

       (a) Matching Funds.--Section 405(b) of the National Forest 
     Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-3(b)) is amended by striking 
     ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 410(b) of the 
     National Forest Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-8(b)) is 
     amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 8504. CONVEYANCE OF FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE SITES.

       Section 503(f) of the Forest Service Facility Realignment 
     and Enhancement Act of 2005 (16 U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 
     109-54) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

                     Subtitle F--Forest Management

     SEC. 8601. DEFINITION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM.

       In this subtitle, the term ``National Forest System'' has 
     the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and 
     Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 
     1609(a)).

     PART I--EXPEDITED ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND AVAILABILITY OF 
    CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS TO EXPEDITE FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

     SEC. 8611. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE AND 
                   MULE DEER HABITAT.

       (a) In General.--Title VI of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 606. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE AND 
                   MULE DEER HABITAT.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Covered vegetation management activity.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `covered vegetation management 
     activity' means any activity described in subparagraph (B) 
     that--
       ``(i)(I) is carried out on National Forest System land 
     administered by the Forest Service; or
       ``(II) is carried out on public land administered by the 
     Bureau of Land Management;
       ``(ii) with respect to public land, meets the objectives of 
     the order of the Secretary of the Interior numbered 3336 and 
     dated January 5, 2015;
       ``(iii) conforms to an applicable forest plan or land use 
     plan;
       ``(iv) protects, restores, or improves greater sage-grouse 
     or mule deer habitat in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem as 
     described in--

       ``(I) Circular 1416 of the United States Geological Survey 
     entitled `Restoration Handbook for Sagebrush Steppe 
     Ecosystems with Emphasis on Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat--Part 
     1. Concepts for Understanding and Applying Restoration' 
     (2015); or
       ``(II) the habitat guidelines for mule deer published by 
     the Mule Deer Working Group of the Western Association of 
     Fish and Wildlife Agencies;

       ``(v) will not permanently impair--

       ``(I) the natural state of the treated area;
       ``(II) outstanding opportunities for solitude;
       ``(III) outstanding opportunities for primitive, unconfined 
     recreation;
       ``(IV) economic opportunities consistent with multiple-use 
     management; or
       ``(V) the identified values of a unit of the National 
     Landscape Conservation System;

       ``(vi)(I) restores native vegetation following a natural 
     disturbance;
       ``(II) prevents the expansion into greater sage-grouse or 
     mule deer habitat of--

       ``(aa) juniper, pinyon pine, or other associated conifers; 
     or
       ``(bb) nonnative or invasive vegetation;

       ``(III) reduces the risk of loss of greater sage-grouse or 
     mule deer habitat from wildfire or any other natural 
     disturbance; or
       ``(IV) provides emergency stabilization of soil resources 
     after a natural disturbance; and
       ``(vii) provides for the conduct of restoration treatments 
     that--

       ``(I) maximize the retention of old-growth and large trees, 
     as appropriate for the forest type;
       ``(II) consider the best available scientific information 
     to maintain or restore the ecological integrity, including 
     maintaining or restoring structure, function, composition, 
     and connectivity;
       ``(III) are developed and implemented through a 
     collaborative process that--

       ``(aa) includes multiple interested persons representing 
     diverse interests; and
       ``(bb)(AA) is transparent and nonexclusive; or
       ``(BB) meets the requirements for a resource advisory 
     committee under subsections (c) through (f) of section 205 of 
     the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act 
     of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125); and

       ``(IV) may include the implementation of a proposal that 
     complies with the eligibility requirements of the 
     Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program under 
     section 4003(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 
     2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(b)).

       ``(B) Description of activities.--An activity referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) is--
       ``(i) manual cutting and removal of juniper trees, pinyon 
     pine trees, other associated conifers, or other nonnative or 
     invasive vegetation;
       ``(ii) mechanical mastication, cutting, or mowing, 
     mechanical piling and burning, chaining, broadcast burning, 
     or yarding;
       ``(iii) removal of cheat grass, medusa head rye, or other 
     nonnative, invasive vegetation;
       ``(iv) collection and seeding or planting of native 
     vegetation using a manual, mechanical, or aerial method;
       ``(v) seeding of nonnative, noninvasive, ruderal vegetation 
     only for the purpose of emergency stabilization;
       ``(vi) targeted use of an herbicide, subject to the 
     condition that the use shall be in accordance with applicable 
     legal requirements, Federal agency procedures, and land use 
     plans;
       ``(vii) targeted livestock grazing to mitigate hazardous 
     fuels and control noxious and invasive weeds;
       ``(viii) temporary removal of wild horses or burros in the 
     area in which the activity is being carried out to ensure 
     treatment objectives are met;
       ``(ix) in coordination with the affected permit holder, 
     modification or adjustment of permissible usage under an 
     annual plan of use of a grazing permit issued by the 
     Secretary concerned to achieve restoration treatment 
     objectives;
       ``(x) installation of new, or modification of existing, 
     fencing or water sources intended to control use or improve 
     wildlife habitat; or
       ``(xi) necessary maintenance of, repairs to, rehabilitation 
     of, or reconstruction of an existing permanent road or 
     construction of temporary roads to accomplish the activities 
     described in this subparagraph.
       ``(C) Exclusions.--The term `covered vegetation management 
     activity' does not include--
       ``(i) any activity conducted in a wilderness area or 
     wilderness study area;
       ``(ii) any activity for the construction of a permanent 
     road or permanent trail;
       ``(iii) any activity conducted on Federal land on which, by 
     Act of Congress or Presidential proclamation, the removal of 
     vegetation is restricted or prohibited;
       ``(iv) any activity conducted in an area in which 
     activities under subparagraph (B) would be inconsistent with 
     the applicable land and resource management plan; or
       ``(v) any activity conducted in an inventoried roadless 
     area.
       ``(2) Secretary concerned.--The term `Secretary concerned' 
     means--
       ``(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
     National Forest System land; and
       ``(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public 
     land.
       ``(3) Temporary road.--The term `temporary road' means a 
     road that is--
       ``(A) authorized--
       ``(i) by a contract, permit, lease, other written 
     authorization; or
       ``(ii) pursuant to an emergency operation;
       ``(B) not intended to be part of the permanent 
     transportation system of a Federal department or agency;
       ``(C) not necessary for long-term resource management;
       ``(D) designed in accordance with standards appropriate for 
     the intended use of the road, taking into consideration--
       ``(i) safety;
       ``(ii) the cost of transportation; and
       ``(iii) impacts to land and resources; and
       ``(E) managed to minimize--
       ``(i) erosion; and
       ``(ii) the introduction or spread of invasive species.
       ``(b) Categorical Exclusion.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary concerned shall 
     develop a categorical exclusion (as defined in section 1508.4 
     of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
     regulation)) for covered vegetation management activities 
     carried out to protect, restore, or improve habitat for 
     greater sage-grouse or mule deer.
       ``(2) Administration.--In developing and administering the 
     categorical exclusion under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     concerned shall--
       ``(A) comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
     1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
       ``(B) with respect to National Forest System land, apply 
     the extraordinary circumstances procedures under section 
     220.6 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
     regulations), in determining whether to use the categorical 
     exclusion;
       ``(C) with respect to public land, apply the extraordinary 
     circumstances procedures under section 46.215 of title 43, 
     Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), in 
     determining whether to use the categorical exclusion; and
       ``(D) consider--
       ``(i) the relative efficacy of landscape-scale habitat 
     projects;
       ``(ii) the likelihood of continued declines in the 
     populations of greater sage-grouse and mule deer in the 
     absence of landscape-scale vegetation management; and
       ``(iii) the need for habitat restoration activities after 
     wildfire or other natural disturbances.
       ``(c) Implementation of Covered Vegetative Management 
     Activities Within the Range of Greater Sage-grouse and Mule 
     Deer.--If the categorical exclusion developed under 
     subsection (b) is used to implement a covered vegetative 
     management activity in an area within the range of both 
     greater sage-grouse and mule deer, the covered vegetative 
     management activity shall protect, restore, or improve 
     habitat concurrently for both greater sage-grouse and mule 
     deer.
       ``(d) Long-term Monitoring and Maintenance.--Before 
     commencing any covered vegetation management activity that is 
     covered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b), 
     the Secretary concerned shall develop a long-term monitoring 
     and maintenance plan, covering at least the 20-year period 
     beginning on the date of commencement, to ensure that 
     management of

[[Page H9914]]

     the treated area does not degrade the habitat gains secured 
     by the covered vegetation management activity.
       ``(e) Disposal of Vegetative Material.--Subject to 
     applicable local restrictions, any vegetative material 
     resulting from a covered vegetation management activity that 
     is covered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b) 
     may be--
       ``(1) used for--
       ``(A) fuel wood; or
       ``(B) other products; or
       ``(2) piled or burned, or both.
       ``(f) Treatment for Temporary Roads.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection 
     (a)(1)(B)(xi), any temporary road constructed in carrying out 
     a covered vegetation management activity that is covered by 
     the categorical exclusion under subsection (b)--
       ``(A) shall be used by the Secretary concerned for the 
     covered vegetation management activity for not more than 2 
     years; and
       ``(B) shall be decommissioned by the Secretary concerned 
     not later than 3 years after the earlier of the date on 
     which--
       ``(i) the temporary road is no longer needed; and
       ``(ii) the project is completed.
       ``(2) Requirement.--A treatment under paragraph (1) shall 
     include reestablishing native vegetative cover--
       ``(A) as soon as practicable; but
       ``(B) not later than 10 years after the date of completion 
     of the applicable covered vegetation management activity.
       ``(g) Limitations.--
       ``(1) Project size.--A covered vegetation management 
     activity that is covered by the categorical exclusion under 
     subsection (b) may not exceed 4,500 acres.
       ``(2) Location.--A covered vegetation management activity 
     carried out on National Forest System land that is covered by 
     the categorical exclusion under subsection (b) shall be 
     limited to areas designated under section 602(b), as of the 
     date of enactment of this section.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents for the 
     Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
     Public Law 108-148) is amended by adding at the end of the 
     items relating to title VI the following:

``Sec. 602. Designation of treatment areas.
``Sec. 603. Administrative review.
``Sec. 604. Stewardship end result contracting projects.
``Sec. 605. Wildfire resilience projects.
``Sec. 606. Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer 
              habitat.''.

          PART II--MISCELLANEOUS FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

     SEC. 8621. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE OF SMALL 
                   PARCELS OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.

       (a) Increase in Maximum Value of Small Parcels.--Section 3 
     of Public Law 97-465 (commonly known as the ``Small Tract Act 
     of 1983'') (16 U.S.C. 521e) is amended in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``$150,000'' and 
     inserting ``$500,000''.
       (b) Additional Conveyance Purposes.--Section 3 of Public 
     Law 97-465 (16 U.S.C. 521e) (as amended by subsection (a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) parcels of 40 acres or less that are determined by 
     the Secretary--
       ``(A) to be physically isolated from other Federal land;
       ``(B) to be inaccessible; or
       ``(C) to have lost National Forest character;
       ``(5) parcels of 10 acres or less that are not eligible for 
     conveyance under paragraph (2) but are encroached on by a 
     permanent habitable improvement for which there is no 
     evidence that the encroachment was intentional or negligent; 
     or
       ``(6) parcels used as a cemetery (including a parcel of not 
     more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), 
     a landfill, or a sewage treatment plant under a special use 
     authorization issued or otherwise authorized by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (c) Disposition of Proceeds.--Section 2 of Public Law 97-
     465 (16 U.S.C. 521d) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``The Secretary is authorized'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Conveyance Authority; Consideration.--The Secretary 
     is authorized'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by striking 
     ``The Secretary shall insert'' and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Inclusion of Terms, Covenants, Conditions, and 
     Reservations.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall insert'';
       (3) in subsection (b) (as so designated)--
       (A) by striking ``convenants'' and inserting ``covenants''; 
     and
       (B) in the second sentence by striking ``The preceding 
     sentence shall not'' and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) shall not''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Disposition of Proceeds.--
       ``(1) Deposit in sisk fund.--The net proceeds derived from 
     any sale or exchange conducted under paragraph (4), (5), or 
     (6) of section 3 shall be deposited in the fund established 
     under Public Law 90-171 (commonly known as the `Sisk Act') 
     (16 U.S.C. 484a).
       ``(2) Use.--Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) shall be 
     available to the Secretary until expended for--
       ``(A) the acquisition of land or interests in land for 
     administrative sites for the National Forest System in the 
     State from which the amounts were derived;
       ``(B) the acquisition of land or interests in land for 
     inclusion in the National Forest System in that State, 
     including land or interests in land that enhance 
     opportunities for recreational access; or
       ``(C) the reimbursement of the Secretary for costs incurred 
     in preparing a sale conducted under the authority of section 
     3 if the sale is a competitive sale.''.

     SEC. 8622. FOREST SERVICE PARTICIPATION IN ACES PROGRAM.

       Section 8302 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
     3851a) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Termination of Effectiveness.--The authority provided 
     to the Secretary to carry out this section terminates 
     effective October 1, 2023.''.

     SEC. 8623. AUTHORIZATION FOR LEASE OF FOREST SERVICE SITES.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Administrative site.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``administrative site'' means--
       (i) any facility or improvement, including curtilage, that 
     was acquired or is used specifically for purposes of 
     administration of the National Forest System;
       (ii) any Federal land that--

       (I) is associated with a facility or improvement described 
     in clause (i) that was acquired or is used specifically for 
     purposes of administration of Forest Service activities; and
       (II) underlies or abuts the facility or improvement; and

       (iii) for each fiscal year, not more than 10 isolated, 
     undeveloped parcels of not more than 40 acres each.
       (B) Exclusions.--The term ``administrative site'' does not 
     include--
       (i) any land within a unit of the National Forest System 
     that is exclusively designated for natural area or 
     recreational purposes;
       (ii) any land within--

       (I) a component of the National Wilderness Preservation 
     System;
       (II) a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
     System; or
       (III) a National Monument; or

       (iii) any Federal land that the Secretary determines--

       (I) is needed for resource management purposes or to 
     provide access to other land or water; or
       (II) would be in the public interest not to lease.

       (2) Facility or improvement.--The term ``facility or 
     improvement'' includes--
       (A) a forest headquarters;
       (B) a ranger station;
       (C) a research station or laboratory;
       (D) a dwelling;
       (E) a warehouse;
       (F) a scaling station;
       (G) a fire-retardant mixing station;
       (H) a fire-lookout station;
       (I) a guard station;
       (J) a storage facility;
       (K) a telecommunication facility; and
       (L) any other administrative installation for conducting 
     Forest Service activities.
       (3) Market analysis.--The term ``market analysis'' means 
     the identification and study of the market for a particular 
     economic good or service.
       (b) Authorization.--The Secretary may lease an 
     administrative site that is under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary in accordance with this section.
       (c) Identification of Eligible Sites.--A regional forester, 
     in consultation with forest supervisors in the region, may 
     submit to the Secretary a recommendation for administrative 
     sites in the region that the regional forester considers 
     eligible for leasing under this section.
       (d) Consultation With Local Government and Public Notice.--
     Before making an administrative site available for lease 
     under this section, the Secretary shall--
       (1) consult with government officials of the community and 
     of the State in which the administrative site is located; and
       (2) provide public notice of the proposed lease.
       (e) Lease Requirements.--
       (1) Size.--An administrative site or compound of 
     administrative sites under a single lease under this section 
     may not exceed 40 acres.
       (2) Configuration of administrative sites.--
       (A) In general.--To facilitate the lease of an 
     administrative site under this section, the Secretary may 
     configure the administrative site--
       (i) to maximize the marketability of the administrative 
     site; and
       (ii) to achieve management objectives.
       (B) Separate treatment of facility or improvement.--A 
     facility or improvement on an administrative site to be 
     leased under this section may be severed from the land and 
     leased under a separate lease under this section.
       (3) Consideration.--
       (A) In general.--A person to which a lease of an 
     administrative site is made under this section shall provide 
     to the Secretary consideration described in subparagraph (B) 
     in an amount that is not less than the market value of the 
     administrative site, as determined in accordance with 
     subparagraph (C).
       (B) Form of consideration.--The consideration referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) may be--
       (i) cash;
       (ii) in-kind, including--

       (I) the construction of new facilities or improvements, the 
     title to which shall be transferred by the lessee to the 
     Secretary;
       (II) the maintenance, repair, improvement, or restoration 
     of existing facilities or improvements; and

[[Page H9915]]

       (III) other services relating to activities that occur on 
     the administrative site, as determined by the Secretary; or

       (iii) any combination of the consideration described in 
     clauses (i) and (ii).
       (C) Determination of market value.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary shall determine the market 
     value of an administrative site to be leased under this 
     section--

       (I) by conducting an appraisal in accordance with--

       (aa) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
     Acquisitions established in accordance with the Uniform 
     Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies 
     Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.); and
       (bb) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal 
     Practice; or

       (II) by competitive lease.

       (ii) In-kind consideration.--The Secretary shall determine 
     the market value of any in-kind consideration under 
     subparagraph (B)(ii).
       (4) Conditions.--The lease of an administrative site under 
     this section shall be subject to such conditions, including 
     bonding, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       (5) Right of first refusal.--Subject to terms and 
     conditions that the Secretary determines to be necessary, the 
     Secretary shall offer to lease an administrative site to the 
     municipality or county in which the administrative site is 
     located before seeking to lease the administrative site to 
     any other person.
       (f) Relation to Other Laws.--
       (1) Federal property disposal.--Chapter 5 of title 40, 
     United States Code, shall not apply to the lease of an 
     administrative site under this section.
       (2) Lead-based paint and asbestos abatement.--
       (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of law 
     relating to the mitigation or abatement of lead-based paint 
     or asbestos-containing building materials, the Secretary 
     shall not be required to mitigate or abate lead-based paint 
     or asbestos-containing building materials with respect to an 
     administrative site to be leased under this section.
       (B) Procedures.--With respect to an administrative site to 
     be leased under this section that has lead-based paint or 
     asbestos-containing building materials, the Secretary shall--
       (i) provide notice to the person to which the 
     administrative site will be leased of the presence of the 
     lead-based paint or asbestos-containing building material; 
     and
       (ii) obtain written assurance from that person that the 
     person will comply with applicable Federal, State, and local 
     laws relating to the management of lead-based paint and 
     asbestos-containing building materials.
       (3) Environmental review.--The National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall apply to 
     the lease of an administrative site under this section, 
     except that, in any environmental review or analysis required 
     under that Act for the lease of an administrative site under 
     this section, the Secretary shall be required only--
       (A) to analyze the most reasonably foreseeable use of the 
     administrative site, as determined through a market analysis;
       (B) to determine whether to include any conditions under 
     subsection (e)(4); and
       (C) to evaluate the alternative of not leasing the 
     administrative site in accordance with the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
       (4) Compliance with local laws.--A person that leases an 
     administrative site under this section shall comply with all 
     applicable State and local zoning laws, building codes, and 
     permit requirements for any construction activities that 
     occur on the administrative site.
       (g) Prohibition.--No agency of the Federal Government shall 
     make any cash payments to a leaseholder relating to the use 
     or occupancy of any administrative site or facility that has 
     been improved under this section.
       (h) Congressional Notifications.--
       (1) Anticipated use of authority.--As part of the annual 
     budget justification documents provided to the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Secretary 
     shall include--
       (A) a list of the anticipated leases to be made, including 
     the anticipated revenue that may be obtained, under this 
     section;
       (B) a description of the intended use of any revenue 
     obtained under a lease under this section, including a list 
     of any projects that cost more than $500,000; and
       (C) a description of accomplishments during previous years 
     using the authority of the Secretary under this section.
       (2) Changes to lease list.--If the Secretary desires to 
     lease an administrative site under this section that is not 
     included on a list provided under paragraph (1)(A), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the congressional committees 
     described in paragraph (3) a notice of the proposed lease, 
     including the anticipated revenue that may be obtained from 
     the lease.
       (3) Use of authority.--Not less frequently than once each 
     year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, the Committee on Appropriations, and the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry, the Committee on Appropriations, and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
     report describing each lease made by the Secretary under this 
     section during the period covered by the report.
       (i) Expiration of Authority.--
       (1) In general.--The authority of the Secretary to make a 
     lease of an administrative site under this section expires on 
     October 1, 2023.
       (2) Effect on lease agreement.--Paragraph (1) shall not 
     affect the authority of the Secretary to carry out this 
     section in the case of any lease agreement that was entered 
     into by the Secretary before October 1, 2023.

     SEC. 8624. GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY.

       (a) Inclusion of Indian Tribes.--Section 8206(a) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``land and non-Federal 
     land'' and inserting ``land, non-Federal land, and land owned 
     by an Indian tribe'';
       (2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or Indian tribe'' 
     after ``affected State'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as 
     paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(6) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304).''.
       (b) Inclusion of Counties.--Section 8206 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``or county, as 
     applicable,'' after ``Governor'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) (as amended 
     by subsection (a)) as paragraphs (3) through (10), 
     respectively;
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) County.--The term `county' means--
       ``(A) the appropriate executive official of an affected 
     county; or
       ``(B) in any case in which multiple counties are affected, 
     the appropriate executive official of a compact of the 
     affected counties.''; and
       (D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``or county, as applicable,'' after ``Governor''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``or county'' after 
     ``Governor'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``cooperative 
     agreement or contract entered into under subsection (a)'' and 
     inserting ``good neighbor agreement'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or county'' after 
     ``Governor''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Receipts.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, any payment made by a county to the Secretary under a 
     project conducted under a good neighbor agreement shall not 
     be considered to be monies received from National Forest 
     System land or Bureau of Land Management land, as 
     applicable.''.
       (c) Treatment of Revenue From Timber Sale Contracts.--
     Section 8206(b)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
     2113a(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Treatment of revenue.--
       ``(i) In general.--Funds received from the sale of timber 
     by a Governor of a State under a good neighbor agreement 
     shall be retained and used by the Governor--

       ``(I) to carry out authorized restoration services on 
     Federal land under the good neighbor agreement; and
       ``(II) if there are funds remaining after carrying out 
     subclause (I), to carry out authorized restoration services 
     on Federal land within the State under other good neighbor 
     agreements.

       ``(ii) Termination of effectiveness.--The authority 
     provided by this subparagraph terminates effective October 1, 
     2023.''.

     SEC. 8625. CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST LAND 
                   ADJUSTMENT.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) certain National Forest System land in the State of 
     Georgia consists of isolated tracts that are inefficient to 
     manage or have lost their principal value for National Forest 
     purposes;
       (2) the disposal of that National Forest System land would 
     be in the public interest; and
       (3) proceeds from the sale of National Forest System land 
     under subsection (b)(1) would be used best by the Forest 
     Service to purchase land for National Forest purposes in the 
     State of Georgia.
       (b) Land Conveyance Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Under such terms and conditions as the 
     Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may sell or exchange 
     any or all rights, title, and interest of the United States 
     in and to the National Forest System land described in 
     paragraph (2)(A).
       (2) Land authorized for disposal.--
       (A) In general.--The National Forest System land referred 
     to in paragraph (1) is the 30 tracts of land totaling 
     approximately 3,841 acres that are generally depicted on the 
     2 maps entitled ``Priority Land Adjustments, State of 
     Georgia, U.S. Forest Service-Southern Region, Oconee and 
     Chattahoochee National Forests, U.S. Congressional Districts-
     8, 9, 10 & 14'' and dated September 24, 2013.
       (B) Maps.--The maps described in subparagraph (A) shall be 
     on file and available for public inspection in the Office of 
     the Forest Supervisor, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, 
     until such time as the land is sold or exchanged.
       (C) Modification of boundaries.--The Secretary may modify 
     the boundaries of the National Forest System land described 
     in subparagraph (A) based on land management considerations.
       (3) Form of conveyance.--
       (A) Quitclaim deed.--The Secretary shall convey National 
     Forest System land sold or exchanged under paragraph (1) by 
     quitclaim deed.
       (B) Reservations.--The Secretary may reserve any rights-of-
     way or other rights or interests in National Forest System 
     land sold or exchanged under paragraph (1) that the Secretary 
     considers necessary for management purposes or to protect the 
     public interest.
       (4) Valuation.--
       (A) Market value.--The Secretary may not sell or exchange 
     National Forest System land under paragraph (1) for less than 
     market value,

[[Page H9916]]

     as determined by appraisal or through competitive bid.
       (B) Appraisal requirements.--Any appraisal under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be--
       (i) consistent with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for 
     Federal Land Acquisitions or the Uniform Standards of 
     Professional Appraisal Practice; and
       (ii) subject to the approval of the Secretary.
       (5) Consideration.--
       (A) Cash.--Consideration for a sale of National Forest 
     System land or equalization of an exchange under paragraph 
     (1) shall be paid in cash.
       (B) Exchange.--Notwithstanding section 206(b) of the 
     Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 
     1716(b)), the Secretary may accept a cash equalization 
     payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of any National 
     Forest System land exchanged under paragraph (1).
       (6) Method of sale.--
       (A) Options.--The Secretary may sell National Forest System 
     land under paragraph (1) at public or private sale, including 
     competitive sale by auction, bid, or otherwise, in accordance 
     with such terms, conditions, and procedures as the Secretary 
     determines are in the best interest of the United States.
       (B) Solicitations.--The Secretary may--
       (i) make public or private solicitations for the sale or 
     exchange of National Forest System land under paragraph (1); 
     and
       (ii) reject any offer that the Secretary determines is not 
     adequate or not in the public interest.
       (7) Brokers.--The Secretary may--
       (A) use brokers or other third parties in the sale or 
     exchange of National Forest System land under paragraph (1); 
     and
       (B) from the proceeds of a sale, pay reasonable commissions 
     or fees.
       (c) Treatment of Proceeds.--
       (1) Deposit.--Subject to subsection (b)(7)(B), the 
     Secretary shall deposit the proceeds of a sale or a cash 
     equalization payment received from the sale or exchange of 
     National Forest System land under subsection (b)(1) in the 
     fund established under Public Law 90-171 (commonly known as 
     the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
       (2) Availability.--Subject to paragraph (3), amounts 
     deposited under paragraph (1) shall be available to the 
     Secretary until expended, without further appropriation, for 
     the acquisition of land for National Forest purposes in the 
     State of Georgia.
       (3) Private property protection.--Nothing in this section 
     authorizes the use of funds deposited under paragraph (1) to 
     be used to acquire land without the written consent of the 
     owner of the land.

     SEC. 8626. TENNESSEE WILDERNESS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Proposed Wilderness Areas and Additions-Cherokee National 
     Forest'' and dated January 20, 2010.
       (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
     Tennessee.
       (b) Additions to Cherokee National Forest.--
       (1) Designation of wilderness.--In accordance with the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following 
     parcels of Federal land in the Cherokee National Forest in 
     the State are designated as wilderness and as additions to 
     the National Wilderness Preservation System:
       (A) Certain land comprising approximately 9,038 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Upper Bald River Wilderness'' on 
     the Map and which shall be known as the ``Upper Bald River 
     Wilderness''.
       (B) Certain land comprising approximately 348 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Big Frog Addition'' on the Map 
     and which shall be incorporated in, and shall be considered 
     to be a part of, the Big Frog Wilderness.
       (C) Certain land comprising approximately 630 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Little Frog Mountain Addition 
     NW'' on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
     be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog Mountain 
     Wilderness.
       (D) Certain land comprising approximately 336 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Little Frog Mountain Addition 
     NE'' on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
     be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog Mountain 
     Wilderness.
       (E) Certain land comprising approximately 2,922 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Sampson Mountain Addition'' on 
     the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
     considered to be a part of, the Sampson Mountain Wilderness.
       (F) Certain land comprising approximately 4,446 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Big Laurel Branch Addition'' on 
     the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
     considered to be a part of, the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness.
       (G) Certain land comprising approximately 1,836 acres, as 
     generally depicted as the ``Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Addition'' 
     on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
     considered to be a part of, the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock 
     Wilderness.
       (2) Maps and legal descriptions.--
       (A) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file maps and 
     legal descriptions of the wilderness areas designated by 
     paragraph (1) with the appropriate committees of Congress.
       (B) Public availability.--The maps and legal descriptions 
     filed under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available 
     for public inspection in the office of the Chief of the 
     Forest Service and the office of the Supervisor of the 
     Cherokee National Forest.
       (C) Force of law.--The maps and legal descriptions filed 
     under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force and effect 
     as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may 
     correct typographical errors in the maps and descriptions.
       (3) Administration.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     Federal land designated as wilderness by paragraph (1) shall 
     be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any 
     reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall 
     be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (B) Fish and wildlife management.--In accordance with 
     section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), 
     nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction of the State 
     with respect to fish and wildlife management, including the 
     regulation of hunting, fishing, and trapping, in the 
     wilderness areas designated by paragraph (1).

     SEC. 8627. KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE.

       (a) Finding.--Congress finds that it is in the public 
     interest to authorize the conveyance of certain Federal land 
     in the Kisatchie National Forest in the State of Louisiana 
     for market value consideration.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Collins camp properties.--The term ``Collins Camp 
     Properties'' means Collins Camp Properties, Inc., a 
     corporation incorporated under the laws of the State.
       (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
     Louisiana.
       (c) Authorization of Conveyances, Kisatchie National 
     Forest, Louisiana.--
       (1) Authorization.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights and 
     paragraph (2), the Secretary may convey the Federal land 
     described in subparagraph (B) by quitclaim deed at public or 
     private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, or 
     other methods.
       (B) Description of land.--The Federal land referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) consists of--
       (i) all Federal land within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn 
     Parish, Louisiana; and
       (ii) a 2.16-acre parcel of Federal land located in the 
     SW\1/4\ of sec. 4, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, Louisiana, 
     as depicted on a certificate of survey dated March 7, 2007, 
     by Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436.
       (2) First right of purchase.--Subject to valid existing 
     rights and subsection (e), during the 1-year period beginning 
     on the date of enactment of this Act, on the provision of 
     consideration by the Collins Camp Properties to the 
     Secretary, the Secretary shall convey, by quitclaim deed, to 
     Collins Camp Properties all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to--
       (A) the not more than 47.92 acres of Federal land 
     comprising the Collins Campsites within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 
     5 W., in Winn Parish, Louisiana, as generally depicted on a 
     certificate of survey dated February 28, 2007, by Glen L. 
     Cannon, P.L.S. 4436; and
       (B) the parcel of Federal land described in paragraph 
     (1)(B)(ii).
       (3) Terms and conditions.--The Secretary may--
       (A) configure the Federal land to be conveyed under this 
     section--
       (i) to maximize the marketability of the conveyance; or
       (ii) to achieve management objectives; and
       (B) establish any terms and conditions for the conveyances 
     under this section that the Secretary determines to be in the 
     public interest.
       (4) Consideration.--Consideration for a conveyance of 
     Federal land under this section shall be--
       (A) in the form of cash; and
       (B) in an amount equal to the market value of the Federal 
     land being conveyed, as determined under paragraph (5).
       (5) Market value.--The market value of the Federal land 
     conveyed under this section shall be determined--
       (A) in the case of Federal land conveyed under paragraph 
     (2), by an appraisal that is--
       (i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal 
     Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and
       (ii) approved by the Secretary; or
       (B) if conveyed by a method other than the methods 
     described in paragraph (2), by competitive sale.
       (6) Hazardous substances.--
       (A) In general.--In any conveyance of Federal land under 
     this section, the Secretary shall meet disclosure 
     requirements for hazardous substances, but shall otherwise 
     not be required to remediate or abate the substances.
       (B) Effect.--Except as provided in subparagraph (A), 
     nothing in this subsection affects the application of the 
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) to the 
     conveyances of Federal land.
       (d) Proceeds From the Sale of Land.--The Secretary shall 
     deposit the proceeds of a conveyance of Federal land under 
     subsection (c) in the fund established under Public Law 90-
     171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
       (e) Administration.--
       (1) Costs.--As a condition of a conveyance of Federal land 
     to Collins Camp Properties under subsection (c), the 
     Secretary shall require Collins Camp Properties to pay at 
     closing--
       (A) reasonable appraisal costs; and
       (B) the cost of any administrative and environmental 
     analyses required by law (including regulations).
       (2) Permits.--
       (A) In general.--An offer by Collins Camp Properties for 
     the acquisition of the Federal land under subsection (c) 
     shall be accompanied by a written statement from each holder 
     of a Forest Service special use authorization with respect to 
     the Federal land that specifies that the

[[Page H9917]]

     holder agrees to relinquish the special use authorization on 
     the conveyance of the Federal land to Collins Camp 
     Properties.
       (B) Special use authorizations.--If any holder of a special 
     use authorization described in subparagraph (A) fails to 
     provide a written authorization in accordance with that 
     subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, as a condition of 
     the conveyance, that Collins Camp Properties administer the 
     special use authorization according to the terms of the 
     special use authorization until the date on which the special 
     use authorization expires.

     SEC. 8628. PURCHASE OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE 
                   PROPERTY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Since 1935, the United States has owned a parcel of 
     land in Riverside, California, consisting of approximately 
     8.75 acres, more specifically described in subsection (b)(1) 
     (in this section referred to as the ``property'').
       (2) The property is under the jurisdiction of the 
     Department of Agriculture and has been variously used for 
     research and plant materials purposes.
       (3) Since 1998, the property has been administered by the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       (4) Since 2002, the property has been co-managed under a 
     cooperative agreement between the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service and the Riverside Corona Resource 
     Conservation District, which is a legal subdivision of the 
     State of California under section 9003 of the California 
     Public Resources Code.
       (5) The Conservation District wishes to purchase the 
     property and use it for conservation, environmental, and 
     related educational purposes.
       (6) As provided in subsection (b), the purchase of the 
     property by the Conservation District would promote the 
     conservation education and related activities of the 
     Conservation District and result in savings to the Federal 
     Government.
       (b) Land Purchase, Natural Resources Conservation Service 
     Property, Riverside County, California.--
       (1) Purchase authorized.--The Secretary shall sell and 
     quitclaim to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation 
     District (in this section referred to as the ``Conservation 
     District'') all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to a parcel of real property, including 
     improvements thereon, that is located at 4500 Glenwood Drive 
     in Riverside, California, consists of approximately 8.75 
     acres, and is administered by the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture. As 
     necessary or desirable to facilitate the purchase of the 
     property under this subsection, the Secretary or the 
     Conservation District may survey all or portions of the 
     property.
       (2) Consideration.--As consideration for the purchase of 
     the property under this subsection, the Conservation District 
     shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the appraised 
     value of the property.
       (3) Prohibition on reservation of interest.--The Secretary 
     shall not reserve any future interest in the property to be 
     conveyed under this subsection, except such interest as may 
     be acceptable to the Conservation District.
       (4) Hazardous substances.--Notwithstanding section 120(h) 
     of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
     and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)) or the Solid 
     Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), in the case of 
     the property purchased by the Conservation District under 
     this subsection, the Secretary shall be only required to meet 
     the disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, 
     pollutants, or contaminants, but shall otherwise not be 
     required to remediate or abate any such releases of hazardous 
     substances, pollutants, or contaminants, including petroleum 
     and petroleum derivatives.
       (5) Cooperative authority.--
       (A) Leases, contracts, and cooperative agreements 
     authorized.--In conjunction with, or in addition to, the 
     purchase of the property by the Conservation District under 
     this subsection, the Secretary may enter into leases, 
     contracts and cooperative agreements with the Conservation 
     District.
       (B) Sole source.--Notwithstanding sections 3105, 3301, and 
     3303 to 3305 of title 41, United States Code, or any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary may lease real property from 
     the Conservation District on a noncompetitive basis.
       (C) Non-exclusive authority.--The authority provided by 
     this subsection is in addition to any other authority of the 
     Secretary.

     SEC. 8629. COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Waiver Authority.--Section 4003(d) of the Omnibus 
     Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(d)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Waiver.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), after 
     consulting with the advisory panel established under 
     subsection (e), if the Secretary determines that a proposal 
     that has been selected under paragraph (1) and is being 
     carried out continues to meet the eligibility criteria 
     established by subsection (b), the Secretary, on a case-by-
     case basis, may issue for the proposal a 1-time extension of 
     the 10-year period requirement under paragraph (1)(B) of that 
     subsection.
       ``(B) Limitation.--The extension described in subparagraph 
     (A)--
       ``(i) shall be for the shortest period of time practicable 
     to complete implementation of the proposal, as determined by 
     the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) shall not exceed 10 years.''.
       (b) Waiver Limitation.--Section 4003(f)(4) of the Omnibus 
     Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(4)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Exception.--The limitation described in subparagraph 
     (B)(i) shall not apply to a proposal for which a 1-time 
     extension is granted under subsection (d)(4).''.
       (c) Reauthorization.--Section 4003(f)(6) of the Omnibus 
     Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(6)) is 
     amended by striking ``$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2009 through 2019'' and inserting ``$80,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.
       (d) Reporting Requirements.--Section 4003(h) of the Omnibus 
     Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(h)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
     (4) and (5), respectively;
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate;''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives.''.

     SEC. 8630. UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHTS-OF-WAY VEGETATION 
                   MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) National forest system land.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``National Forest System land'' 
     means land within the National Forest System, as defined in 
     section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
     Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
       (B) Exclusions.--The term ``National Forest System land'' 
     does not include--
       (i) a National Grassland; or
       (ii) a land utilization project on land designated as a 
     National Grassland and administered pursuant to sections 31, 
     32, and 33 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1010, 1011, 1012).
       (2) Passing wildfire.--The term ``passing wildfire'' means 
     a wildfire that originates outside of a right-of-way.
       (3) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the 
     pilot program established by the Secretary under subsection 
     (b).
       (4) Right-of-way.--The term ``right-of-way'' means a 
     special use authorization issued by the Forest Service 
     allowing the placement of utility infrastructure.
       (5) Utility infrastructure.--The term ``utility 
     infrastructure'' means electric transmission lines, natural 
     gas infrastructure, or related structures.
       (b) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--To encourage owners or operators of 
     rights-of-way on National Forest System land to partner with 
     the Forest Service to voluntarily conduct vegetation 
     management projects on a proactive basis to better protect 
     utility infrastructure from potential passing wildfires, the 
     Secretary may establish a limited, voluntary pilot program, 
     in the manner described in this section, to conduct 
     vegetation management projects on National Forest System land 
     adjacent to those rights-of-way.
       (2) Application.--The pilot program shall not apply in a 
     right-of-way described in paragraph (1).
       (c) Eligible Participants.--
       (1) In general.--A participant in the pilot program shall 
     be the owner or operator of a right-of-way on National Forest 
     System land.
       (2) Selection priority.--In selecting participants for the 
     pilot program, the Secretary shall give priority to an owner 
     or operator of a right-of-way that has developed the utility 
     infrastructure protection prescriptions of the owner or 
     operator in coordination with Forest Service fire scientists 
     or fire managers.
       (d) Vegetation Management Projects.--
       (1) In general.--A vegetation management project conducted 
     under the pilot program shall involve only limited vegetation 
     management activities that--
       (A) shall create the least ground disturbance and least 
     disturbance to wildlife reasonably necessary to protect 
     utility infrastructure from passing wildfires based on 
     applicable models, including Forest Service fuel models;
       (B) may include thinning and treatment of surface fuels, 
     ladder fuels, and activity fuels to create or maintain shaded 
     fuel breaks or other appropriate measures recommended by 
     Forest Service fire scientists or fire managers;
       (C)(i) shall only be conducted on National Forest System 
     land; and
       (ii) shall not--
       (I) extend for more than 150 feet from the electric 
     transmission line for which the applicable participant has a 
     right-of-way; or
       (II) comprise an overall width, for both sides of that 
     electric transmission line, that totals more than 200 feet; 
     and
       (D) shall not be conducted on--
       (i) a component of the National Wilderness Preservation 
     System;
       (ii) a designated wilderness study area;
       (iii) an inventoried roadless area; or
       (iv) Federal land on which, by Act of Congress or 
     Presidential proclamation, the removal of vegetation is 
     restricted or prohibited.
       (2) Approval.--Each vegetation management project described 
     in paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the Forest 
     Service in accordance with this section.
       (3) Fire prevention.--In carrying out a vegetation 
     management project under the pilot program, a participant 
     shall adhere to--
       (A) Forest Service regulations relating to spark arresting 
     devices;
       (B) Forest Service regulations limiting and prohibiting 
     certain activities conducted by contractors in an area, based 
     on weather conditions and fire danger;
       (C) Forest Service regulations that apply to contractors 
     removing vegetation on National Forest System land pursuant 
     to a timber sale or

[[Page H9918]]

     stewardship contract, including regulations relating to--
       (i) protection of residual trees and timber damaged by 
     contractors;
       (ii) protection measures needed for plants, animals, 
     cultural resources, and cave resources;
       (iii) streamcourse protection and erosion control;
       (iv) fire plans, precautions, and precautionary periods;
       (v) fire suppression costs; and
       (vi) employment of eligible workers; and
       (D) State regulations relating to the prevention of 
     wildfires and contractors removing vegetation.
       (4) Treatment of slash.--In carrying out a vegetation 
     management project under the pilot program, a participant 
     shall treat any activity fuels in a manner that--
       (A) is satisfactory to the Forest Service;
       (B) does not result in a fire hazard; and
       (C) reduces the risk of an insect or disease outbreak.
       (e) Project Costs.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
     subsection (f)(2), a participant in the pilot program shall 
     be responsible for all costs, as determined by the Secretary, 
     incurred in participating in the pilot program.
       (2) Federal funding.--The Secretary may contribute funds 
     for a vegetation management project conducted under the pilot 
     program if the Secretary determines that the contribution is 
     in the public interest.
       (f) Liability.--
       (1) Activities within rights-of-way.--Participation in the 
     pilot program shall not affect any legal obligations or 
     liability standards that arise under the right-of-way for 
     activities in the right-of-way.
       (2) Wildfires.--
       (A) Operations fires.--
       (i) In general.--With respect to fire suppression costs for 
     a wildfire caused by the operations of a participant in the 
     pilot program (other than an operation or activity of a 
     participant described in subparagraph (B) or (C)), the 
     participant shall reimburse the Forest Service for those 
     costs, subject to a maximum dollar amount to which the Forest 
     Service and the participant shall agree prior to the 
     commencement of the project.
       (ii) Credit for actions by participants.--

       (I) In general.--If a participant in the pilot program 
     provides actions, supplies, or equipment for use to suppress 
     a wildfire described in clause (i) or at the request of the 
     Forest Service, the cost of those actions, supplies, or 
     equipment shall be credited toward the maximum dollar amount 
     described in that clause.
       (II) Reimbursement.--If the actual cost of a participant 
     described in subclause (I) exceeds the maximum dollar amount 
     described in clause (i), the Forest Service shall reimburse 
     the participant for the excess.

       (B) Negligent fires.--
       (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), if a wildfire is 
     caused by the negligence of a participant in the pilot 
     program, or an agent of the participant, including a wildfire 
     caused by smoking by persons engaged in the operations of the 
     participant, the participant shall bear the cost of damages 
     to Forest Service resources and the fire suppression costs 
     resulting from the wildfire.
       (ii) Limitation.--Except as provided in clause (iii), the 
     costs borne by a participant under clause (i) shall not 
     exceed $500,000.
       (iii) Failure to comply.--If the start or spread of a 
     wildfire described in clause (i) is caused by the failure of 
     the participant to comply with specific safety requirements 
     expressly imposed by the Forest Service as a condition of 
     conducting a vegetation management project under the pilot 
     program or by this section, the participant shall bear the 
     cost of damages to Forest Service resources and the fire 
     suppression costs resulting from the wildfire.
       (C) Exceptions.--This paragraph shall not apply in the case 
     of a wildfire caused by the felling of a tree by a 
     participant in the pilot program, or an agent of the 
     participant, onto an electric transmission line.
       (3) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection relieves a 
     participant in the pilot program of any liabilities to which 
     the participant is subject--
       (A) under State laws; or
       (B) with regard to damages to property other than Forest 
     Service property.
       (g) Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary shall use the authority of the Secretary under 
     other laws (including regulations) to carry out the pilot 
     program.
       (2) Compliance with existing laws.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (3), a vegetation management project under the 
     pilot program shall be--
       (A) consistent with the applicable land management plan for 
     the area in which the project is located; and
       (B) carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, 
     including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
       (3) Modification of regulations.--In order to implement the 
     pilot program in an efficient and expeditious manner, the 
     Secretary may waive or modify specific provisions of the 
     Federal Acquisition Regulation, including waivers or 
     modifications to allow for the formation of contracts or 
     agreements on a noncompetitive basis.
       (h) Treatment of Proceeds.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary may--
       (1) retain any funds provided to the Forest Service by a 
     participant in the pilot program; and
       (2) use funds retained under paragraph (1), in such amounts 
     as may be appropriated, to carry out the pilot program.
       (i) Report to Congress.--Not later than December 31, 2020, 
     and 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
     describing the status of the pilot program and vegetation 
     management projects conducted under the pilot program to--
       (1) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (j) Duration.--The authority to carry out the pilot 
     program, including any vegetation management project 
     conducted under the pilot program, expires on October 1, 
     2023.

     SEC. 8631. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND 
                   CONVEYANCE.

       (a) Definition of Alliance.--In this section, the term 
     ``Alliance'' means the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance.
       (b) Request.--Subject to the requirements of this section, 
     if the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by 
     not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act and the Secretary determines that it is in the public 
     interest to convey the National Forest System Land described 
     in subsection (c), the Secretary shall convey to the Alliance 
     all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
     the National Forest System land described in subsection (c) 
     by quitclaim deed through a public or private sale, including 
     a competitive sale by auction or bid.
       (c) Description of National Forest System Land.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the National 
     Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is the 
     approximately 150 acres of real property located in sec. 6, 
     T. 5 N. R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, and further 
     described as--
       (A) the portion of the NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ lying south of the 
     south boundary of Berrytown Road;
       (B) the portion of the W\1/2\ NE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ lying south 
     of the south boundary of Berrytown Road;
       (C) the portion of the SW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ lying east of the 
     east boundary of U.S. Highway 98;
       (D) the W\1/2\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\;
       (E) the portion of the NW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ lying east of the 
     east boundary of U.S. Highway 98;
       (F) the portion of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ commencing at the 
     southwest corner of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\, said point being the 
     point of beginning, thence running east 330 feet along the 
     south boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to a point in Lake 
     Okhissa, thence running northeasterly to a point in Lake 
     Okhissa on the east boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 330 feet 
     south of the northeast corner thereof, thence running north 
     330 feet along the east boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to 
     the northeast corner thereof, thence running west along the 
     north boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to the NW corner 
     thereof; thence running south along the west boundary of the 
     NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to the point of beginning; and
       (G) the portion of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ commencing 
     at the southeast corner of the SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\, said point 
     being the point of beginning, and running northwesterly to 
     the northwest corner of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\, thence 
     running south along the west boundary of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 
     NW\1/4\ to the southwest corner thereof, thence running east 
     along the south boundary of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ to 
     the point of beginning.
       (2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     National Forest System land to be conveyed under this section 
     shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
     Secretary.
       (d) Consideration.--
       (1) In general.--The consideration for the conveyance of 
     any National Forest System land under this section shall be--
       (A) provided in the form of cash; and
       (B) in an amount equal to the fair market value of the 
     National Forest System land being conveyed, as determined 
     under paragraph (2).
       (2) Fair market value determination.--The fair market value 
     of the National Forest System land conveyed under this 
     section shall be determined--
       (A) in the case of a method of conveyance described in 
     subsection (b), by an appraisal that is--
       (i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal 
     Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and
       (ii) approved by the Secretary; or
       (B) in the case of a conveyance by a method other than a 
     method described in subsection (b), by competitive sale.
       (e) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under this 
     section shall be subject to--
       (1) valid existing rights; and
       (2) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the 
     United States.
       (f) Proceeds From Sale.--The Secretary shall deposit the 
     proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land 
     under this section in the fund established under Public Law 
     90-171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
       (g) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under this 
     section, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at 
     closing--
       (1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and
       (2) the costs of any administrative or environmental 
     analysis required by applicable law (including regulations).

     SEC. 8632. REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES.

       The Chief of the Forest Service shall--
       (1) continue to find efficiencies in the operations of the 
     forest inventory and analysis program under section 3(e) of 
     the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
     1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) through the improved use and 
     integration of advanced remote sensing technologies to 
     provide estimates for State- and national-level inventories, 
     where appropriate; and
       (2) partner with States and other interested stakeholders 
     to carry out the program described in paragraph (1).

[[Page H9919]]

  


                      PART III--TIMBER INNOVATION

     SEC. 8641. DEFINITIONS.

       In this part:
       (1) Innovative wood product.--The term ``innovative wood 
     product'' means a type of building component or system that 
     uses large panelized wood construction, including mass 
     timber.
       (2) Mass timber.--The term ``mass timber'' includes--
       (A) cross-laminated timber;
       (B) nail laminated timber;
       (C) glue laminated timber;
       (D) laminated strand lumber; and
       (E) laminated veneer lumber.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary, 
     acting through the Research and Development deputy area and 
     the State and Private Forestry deputy area of the Forest 
     Service.
       (4) Tall wood building.--The term ``tall wood building'' 
     means a building designed to be--
       (A) constructed with mass timber; and
       (B) more than 85 feet in height.

     SEC. 8642. CLARIFICATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 
                   FOR WOOD BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct performance-
     driven research and development, education, and technical 
     assistance for the purpose of facilitating the use of 
     innovative wood products in wood building construction in the 
     United States.
       (b) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall--
       (1) after receipt of input and guidance from, and 
     collaboration with, the wood products industry, conservation 
     organizations, and institutions of higher education, conduct 
     research and development, education, and technical assistance 
     at the Forest Products Laboratory or through the State and 
     Private Forestry deputy area that meets measurable 
     performance goals for the achievement of the priorities 
     described in subsection (c); and
       (2) after coordination and collaboration with the wood 
     products industry and conservation organizations, make 
     competitive grants to institutions of higher education to 
     conduct research and development, education, and technical 
     assistance that meets measurable performance goals for the 
     achievement of the priorities described in subsection (c).
       (c) Priorities.--The research and development, education, 
     and technical assistance conducted under subsection (a) shall 
     give priority to--
       (1) ways to improve the commercialization of innovative 
     wood products;
       (2) analyzing the safety of tall wood building materials;
       (3) calculations by the Forest Products Laboratory of the 
     lifecycle environmental footprint, from extraction of raw 
     materials through the manufacturing process, of tall wood 
     building construction;
       (4) analyzing methods to reduce the lifecycle environmental 
     footprint of tall wood building construction;
       (5) analyzing the potential implications of the use of 
     innovative wood products in building construction on 
     wildlife; and
       (6) 1 or more other research areas identified by the 
     Secretary, in consultation with conservation organizations, 
     institutions of higher education, and the wood products 
     industry.
       (d) Timeframe.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     measurable performance goals for the research and 
     development, education, and technical assistance conducted 
     under subsection (a) shall be achievable within a 5-year 
     timeframe.

     SEC. 8643. WOOD INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (A) an individual;
       (B) a public or private entity (including a center of 
     excellence that consists of 1 or more partnerships between 
     forestry, engineering, architecture, or business schools at 1 
     or more institutions of higher education); or
       (C) a State, local, or Tribal government.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary, 
     acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
       (b) Grant Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, in carrying out the wood 
     innovation grant program of the Secretary described in the 
     notice of the Secretary entitled ``Request for Proposals: 
     2016 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity'' (80 Fed. Reg. 
     63498 (October 20, 2015)), may make a wood innovation grant 
     to 1 or more eligible entities each year for the purpose of 
     advancing the use of innovative wood products.
       (2) Proposals.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the 
     Secretary a proposal at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require.
       (c) Incentivizing Use of Existing Milling Capacity.--In 
     selecting among proposals of eligible entities under 
     subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall give priority to 
     proposals that include the use or retrofitting (or both) of 
     existing sawmill facilities located in counties in which the 
     average annual unemployment rate exceeded the national 
     average unemployment rate by more than 1 percent in the 
     previous calendar year.
       (d) Matching Requirement.--As a condition of receiving a 
     grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall provide 
     funds equal to the amount received by the eligible entity 
     under the grant, to be derived from non-Federal sources.

     SEC. 8644. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PROGRAM.

       Section 9013 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8113) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 9013. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION 
                   PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Community wood energy system.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `community wood energy system' 
     means an energy system that--
       ``(i) produces thermal energy or combined thermal energy 
     and electricity where thermal is the primary energy output;
       ``(ii) services public facilities owned or operated by 
     State or local governments (including schools, town halls, 
     libraries, and other public buildings) or private or 
     nonprofit facilities (including commercial and business 
     facilities, such as hospitals, office buildings, apartment 
     buildings, and manufacturing and industrial buildings); and
       ``(iii) uses woody biomass, including residuals--

       ``(I) that have not been adulterated with glue or other 
     chemical treatments from wood processing facilities, as the 
     primary fuel; and
       ``(II) for which the use of that biomass for energy 
     production does not cause conversion of forests to nonforest 
     use.

       ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `community wood energy system' 
     includes single-facility central heating, district heating 
     systems serving multiple buildings, combined heat and 
     electric systems where thermal energy is the primary energy 
     output, and other related biomass energy systems.
       ``(2) Innovative wood product facility.--The term 
     `innovative wood product facility' means a manufacturing or 
     processing plant or mill that produces--
       ``(A) building components or systems that use large 
     panelized wood construction, including mass timber;
       ``(B) wood products derived from nanotechnology or other 
     new technology processes, as determined by the Secretary; or
       ``(C) other innovative wood products that use low-value, 
     low-quality wood, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Mass timber.--The term `mass timber' includes--
       ``(A) cross-laminated timber;
       ``(B) nail-laminated timber;
       ``(C) glue-laminated timber;
       ``(D) laminated strand lumber; and
       ``(E) laminated veneer lumber.
       ``(4) Program.--The term `Program' means the Community Wood 
     Energy and Wood Innovation Program established under 
     subsection (b).
       ``(b) Competitive Grant Program.--The Secretary, acting 
     through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a 
     competitive grant program to be known as the `Community Wood 
     Energy and Wood Innovation Program'.
       ``(c) Matching Grants.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary shall 
     make grants to cover not more than 35 percent of the capital 
     cost for installing a community wood energy system or 
     building an innovative wood product facility.
       ``(2) Special circumstances.--The Secretary may establish 
     special circumstances, such as in the case of a community 
     wood energy system project or innovative wood product 
     facility project involving a school or hospital in a low-
     income community, under which grants under the Program may 
     cover up to 50 percent of the capital cost.
       ``(3) Source of matching funds.--Matching funds required 
     pursuant to this subsection from a grant recipient shall be 
     derived from non-Federal funds.
       ``(d) Project Cap.--The total amount of grants under the 
     Program for a community wood energy system project or 
     innovative wood product facility project may not exceed--
       ``(1) in the case of grants under the general authority 
     provided under subsection (c)(1), $1,000,000; and
       ``(2) in the case of grants for which the special 
     circumstances apply under subsection (c)(2), $1,500,000.
       ``(e) Selection Criteria.--In selecting applicants for 
     grants under the Program, the Secretary shall consider the 
     following:
       ``(1) The energy efficiency of the proposed community wood 
     energy system or innovative wood product facility.
       ``(2) The cost effectiveness of the proposed community wood 
     energy system or innovative wood product facility.
       ``(3) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
     energy system or innovative wood product facility represents 
     the best available commercial technology.
       ``(4) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
     energy system uses the most stringent control technology that 
     has been required or achieved in practice for a wood-fired 
     boiler of similar size and type.
       ``(5)(A) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
     energy system will displace conventional fossil fuel 
     generation.
       ``(B) Whether the proposed community wood energy system 
     minimizes emission increases to the greatest extent possible.
       ``(6) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
     energy system will increase delivered thermal efficiency of 
     the systems replaced.
       ``(7) The extent to which the applicant has demonstrated a 
     high likelihood of project success by completing detailed 
     engineering and design work in advance of the grant 
     application.
       ``(8) Other technical, economic, conservation, and 
     environmental criteria that the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(f) Grant Priorities.--In selecting applicants for grants 
     under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to 
     proposals that use the most stringent control technology that 
     has been required or achieved in practice for a wood-fired 
     boiler and--
       ``(1) would be carried out in a location where markets are 
     needed for the low-value, low-quality wood;
       ``(2) would be carried out in a location with limited 
     access to natural gas pipelines;

[[Page H9920]]

       ``(3) would include the use or retrofitting (or both) of 
     existing sawmill facilities located in a location where the 
     average annual unemployment rate exceeded the national 
     average unemployment rate by more than 1 percent during the 
     previous calendar year; or
       ``(4) would be carried out in a location where the project 
     will aid with forest restoration.
       ``(g) Limitations.--
       ``(1) Capacity of community wood energy systems.--A 
     community wood energy system acquired with grant funds under 
     the Program shall not exceed nameplate capacity of 5 
     megawatts of thermal energy or combined thermal and electric 
     energy.
       ``(2) Funding for innovative wood product facilities.--Not 
     more than 25 percent of funds provided as grants under the 
     Program for a fiscal year may go to applicants proposing 
     innovative wood product facilities, unless the Secretary has 
     received an insufficient number of qualified proposals for 
     community wood energy systems.
       ``(h) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out the Program $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023.''.

                       Subtitle G--Other Matters

     SEC. 8701. RURAL REVITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES.

       Section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
     and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601(d)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 8702. RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

       Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
     Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Each'' and inserting 
     ``Except as provided in paragraph (6), each'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``Committee'' and inserting ``Except as 
     provided in paragraph (6), committee''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Committee composition waiver authority.--
       ``(A) Notice.--On notice from the applicable regional 
     forester that an adequate number of qualified candidates are 
     not interested or available to serve on a resource advisory 
     committee, the Secretary concerned shall publish a notice in 
     the Federal Register seeking candidates for the resource 
     advisory committee.
       ``(B) Modification of membership requirements.--If, by the 
     date that is 30 days after the date of publication of notice 
     under subparagraph (A), an inadequate number of qualified 
     candidates have applied to serve on a resource advisory 
     committee, the Secretary concerned may reduce--
       ``(i) the membership requirement under paragraph (1) to not 
     fewer than 9; and
       ``(ii) the membership requirements under subparagraphs (A), 
     (B), and (C) of paragraph (2) to 3 in each category described 
     in that paragraph, except that where a vacancy exists on a 
     resource advisory committee, the Secretary concerned may not 
     reject a qualified applicant from any category.
       ``(C) Termination of authority.--The authority provided 
     under this paragraph terminates on October 1, 2023.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Regional Appointment Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) Definition of applicable designee.--In this 
     subsection, the term `applicable designee' means the 
     applicable regional forester.
       ``(2) Pilot program.--The Secretary concerned shall carry 
     out a pilot program (referred to in this subsection as the 
     `pilot program') to allow an applicable designee to appoint 
     members of resource advisory committees.
       ``(3) Geographic limitation.--The pilot program shall only 
     apply to resource advisory committees chartered in--
       ``(A) the State of Montana; and
       ``(B) the State of Arizona.
       ``(4) Responsibilities of applicable designee.--
       ``(A) Review.--Before appointing a member of a resource 
     advisory committee under the pilot program, an applicable 
     designee shall conduct the review and analysis that would 
     otherwise be conducted for an appointment to a resource 
     advisory committee if the pilot program was not in effect, 
     including any review and analysis with respect to civil 
     rights and budgetary requirements.
       ``(B) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection relieves 
     an applicable designee from any requirement developed by the 
     Secretary concerned for making an appointment to a resource 
     advisory committee that is in effect on the date of enactment 
     of this subsection, including any requirement for advertising 
     a vacancy.
       ``(5) Termination of effectiveness.--The authority provided 
     under this subsection terminates on October 1, 2023.
       ``(6) Report to congress.--Not later than the date that is 
     180 days after the date described in paragraph (5), the 
     Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a report that 
     includes--
       ``(A) with respect to appointments made under the pilot 
     program compared to appointments to resource advisory 
     committees not made under the pilot program, a description of 
     the extent to which--
       ``(i) appointments were faster or slower; and
       ``(ii) the requirements described in paragraph (4) differ; 
     and
       ``(B) a recommendation with respect to whether Congress 
     should terminate, continue, modify, or expand the pilot 
     program.''.

     SEC. 8703. TRIBAL FOREST MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior and the 
     Secretary may carry out demonstration projects by which 
     federally recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations 
     may contract to perform administrative, management, and other 
     functions of programs of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 
     2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115a et seq.) through contracts entered into 
     under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
     Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.).
       (b) Requirements.--With respect to any contract or project 
     carried out under subsection (a)--
       (1) on National Forest System land, the Secretary shall 
     carry out all functions delegated to the Secretary of the 
     Interior under the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.);
       (2) the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, as 
     applicable, shall make any decisions required to be made 
     under--
       (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
       (B) the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 
     3115a et seq.); and
       (3) the contract or project shall be entered into under, 
     and in accordance with, section 403(b)(2) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5363(b)(2)).

     SEC. 8704. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management 
     Activities Act.--
       (1) In general.--The Wildfire Suppression Funding and 
     Forest Management Activities Act (Public Law 115-141) is 
     amended--
       (A) in section 102(a)(2), by striking ``the date of 
     enactment'' and inserting ``the date of the enactment''; and
       (B) in section 401(a)(1), by inserting ``of 2000'' after 
     ``Self-Determination Act''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Wildfire 
     Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act 
     (Public Law 115-141).
       (b) Agricultural Act of 2014.--Section 8206(a) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) (as amended by 
     section 8624(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4)(B)(i)(II), by striking ``Good Neighbor 
     Authority Improvement Act'' and inserting ``Wildfire 
     Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act''; 
     and
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking ``Good Neighbor Authority 
     Improvement Act'' and inserting ``Wildfire Suppression 
     Funding and Forest Management Activities Act''.

     SEC. 8705. STREAMLINING THE FOREST SERVICE PROCESS FOR 
                   CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY 
                   LOCATION APPLICATIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Communications facility.--The term ``communications 
     facility'' includes--
       (A) any infrastructure, including any transmitting device, 
     tower, or support structure, and any equipment, switches, 
     wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets, 
     associated with the licensed or permitted unlicensed wireless 
     or wireline transmission of writings, signs, signals, data, 
     images, pictures, and sounds of all kinds; and
       (B) any antenna or apparatus that--
       (i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio 
     frequency;
       (ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, from a 
     fixed location pursuant to authorization by the Federal 
     Communications Commission or is using duly authorized devices 
     that do not require individual licenses; and
       (iii) is added to a tower, building, or other structure.
       (2) Communications site.--The term ``communications site'' 
     means an area of covered land designated for communications 
     uses.
       (3) Communications use.--The term ``communications use'' 
     means the placement and operation of a communications 
     facility.
       (4) Communications use authorization.--The term 
     ``communications use authorization'' means an easement, 
     right-of-way, lease, license, or other authorization to 
     locate or modify a communications facility on covered land by 
     the Forest Service for the primary purpose of authorizing the 
     occupancy and use of the covered land for communications use.
       (5) Covered land.--The term ``covered land'' means National 
     Forest System land.
       (6) Forest service.--The term ``Forest Service'' means the 
     United States Forest Service of the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       (7) Organizational unit.--The term ``organizational unit'' 
     means, within the Forest Service--
       (A) a regional office;
       (B) the headquarters;
       (C) a management unit; or
       (D) a ranger district office.
       (b) Regulations.--Notwithstanding section 6409 of the 
     Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 
     U.S.C. 1455) or section 606 of the Repack Airwaves Yielding 
     Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 
     (Public Law 115-141), not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
     regulations--
       (1) to streamline the process for considering applications 
     to locate or modify communications facilities on covered 
     land;
       (2) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the 
     process is uniform and standardized across the organizational 
     units of the Forest Service; and
       (3) to require that the applications described in paragraph 
     (1) be considered and granted on a competitively neutral, 
     technology neutral, and non-discriminatory basis.
       (c) Requirements.--The regulations issued under subsection 
     (b) shall include the following:
       (1) Procedures for the tracking of applications described 
     in subsection (b)(1), including--
       (A) identifying the number of applications--
       (i) received;
       (ii) approved; and
       (iii) denied;

[[Page H9921]]

       (B) in the case of an application that is denied, 
     describing the reasons for the denial; and
       (C) describing the amount of time between the receipt of an 
     application and the issuance of a final decision on an 
     application.
       (2) Provision for minimum lease terms of not less than 15 
     years for leases with respect to the location of 
     communications facilities on covered land.
       (3) A structure of fees for--
       (A) submitting an application described in subsection 
     (b)(1), based on the cost to the Forest Service of 
     considering such an application; and
       (B) issuing communications use authorizations, based on the 
     cost to the Forest Service of any maintenance or other 
     activities required to be performed by the Forest Service as 
     a result of the location or modification of the 
     communications facility.
       (4) Provision for prioritization or streamlining of the 
     consideration of applications to locate or modify 
     communications facilities on covered land in a previously 
     disturbed right-of-way.
       (d) Additional Considerations.--In issuing regulations 
     under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider--
       (1) how discrete reviews in considering an application 
     described in subsection (b)(1) can be conducted 
     simultaneously, rather than sequentially, by any 
     organizational units of the Forest Service that must approve 
     the location or modification; and
       (2) how to eliminate overlapping requirements among the 
     organizational units of the Forest Service with respect to 
     the location or modification of a communications facility on 
     covered land administered by those organizational units.
       (e) Communication of Streamlined Process to Organizational 
     Units.--The Secretary shall, with respect to the regulations 
     issued under subsection (b)--
       (1) communicate the regulations to the organizational units 
     of the Forest Service; and
       (2) ensure that the organizational units of the Forest 
     Service follow the regulations.
       (f) Deposit and Availability of Fees.--
       (1) Special account.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     establish a special account in the Treasury for the Forest 
     Service for the deposit of fees collected by the Forest 
     Service under subsection (c)(3) for communications use 
     authorizations on covered land granted, issued, or executed 
     by the Forest Service.
       (2) Requirements for fees collected.--Fees collected by the 
     Forest Service under subsection (c)(3) shall be--
       (A) based on the costs described in subsection (c)(3); and
       (B) competitively neutral, technology neutral, and 
     nondiscriminatory with respect to other users of the 
     communications site.
       (3) Deposit of fees.--Fees collected by the Forest Service 
     under subsection (c)(3) shall be deposited in the special 
     account established for the Forest Service under paragraph 
     (1).
       (4) Availability of fees.--Amounts deposited in the special 
     account for the Forest Service shall be available, to the 
     extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in 
     appropriation Acts, to the Secretary to cover costs incurred 
     by the Forest Service described in subsection (c)(3), 
     including the following:
       (A) Preparing needs assessments or other programmatic 
     analyses necessary to designate communications sites and 
     issue communications use authorizations.
       (B) Developing management plans for communications sites.
       (C) Training for management of communications sites.
       (D) Obtaining or improving access to communications sites.
       (5) No additional appropriations authorized.--Except as 
     provided in paragraph (4), no other amounts are authorized to 
     be appropriated to carry out this section.
       (g) Savings Provisions.--
       (1) Real property authorities.--Nothing in this section, or 
     the amendments made by this section, shall be construed as 
     providing any executive agency with any new leasing or other 
     real property authorities not existing prior to the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (2) Effect on other laws.--Nothing in this section, or the 
     amendments made by this section, and no actions taken 
     pursuant to this section, or the amendments made by this 
     section, shall impact a decision or determination by any 
     executive agency to sell, dispose of, declare excess or 
     surplus, lease, reuse, or redevelop any Federal real property 
     pursuant to title 40, United States Code, the Federal Assets 
     Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public 
     Law 114-287), or any other law governing real property 
     activities of the Federal Government. No agreement entered 
     into pursuant to this section, or the amendments made by this 
     section, may obligate the Federal Government to hold, 
     control, or otherwise retain or use real property that may 
     otherwise be deemed as excess, surplus, or that could 
     otherwise be sold, leased, or redeveloped.

     SEC. 8706. REPORT ON WILDFIRE, INSECT INFESTATION, AND 
                   DISEASE PREVENTION ON FEDERAL LAND.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act and every year thereafter, the Secretary and the 
     Secretary of Interior shall submit to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
     Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
     the Senate a jointly written report on--
       (1) the number of acres of Federal land treated by the 
     Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior for wildfire, 
     insect infestation, or disease prevention;
       (2) the number of acres of Federal land categorized as a 
     high or extreme fire risk;
       (3) the total timber production from Federal land;
       (4) the number of acres and average fire intensity of 
     wildfires affecting Federal land treated for wildfire, insect 
     infestation, or disease prevention;
       (5) the number of acres and average fire intensity of 
     wildfires affecting Federal land not treated for wildfire, 
     insect infestation, or disease prevention;
       (6) the Federal response time for each fire on greater than 
     25,000 acres;
       (7) the number of miles of roads and trails on Federal land 
     in need of maintenance;
       (8) the number of miles of roads on Federal land in need of 
     decommissioning;
       (9) the maintenance backlog, as of the date of the report, 
     for roads, trails, and recreational facilities on Federal 
     land;
       (10) other measures needed to maintain, improve, or restore 
     water quality on Federal land; and
       (11) other measures needed to improve ecosystem function or 
     resiliency on Federal land.

     SEC. 8707. WEST FORK FIRE STATION.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) County.--The term ``County'' means Dolores County, 
     Colorado.
       (2) West fork fire station conveyance parcel.--The term 
     ``West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel'' means the parcel 
     of approximately 3.61 acres of National Forest System land in 
     the County, as depicted on the map entitled ``Map for West 
     Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel'' and dated November 21, 
     2017.
       (b) Conveyance of West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel, 
     Dolores County, Colorado.--
       (1) In general.--On receipt of a request from the County 
     and subject to such terms and conditions as are mutually 
     satisfactory to the Secretary and the County, including such 
     additional terms as the Secretary determines to be necessary, 
     the Secretary shall convey to the County without 
     consideration all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the West Fork Fire Station Conveyance 
     Parcel.
       (2) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance under 
     paragraph (1), including processing and transaction costs, 
     shall be paid by the County.
       (3) Use of land.--The land conveyed to the County under 
     paragraph (1) shall be used by the County only for a fire 
     station, related infrastructure, and roads to facilitate 
     access to and through the West Fork Fire Station Conveyance 
     Parcel.
       (4) Reversion.--If any portion of the land conveyed under 
     paragraph (1) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with 
     the use described in paragraph (3), the land shall, at the 
     discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.

     SEC. 8708. COMPETITIVE FORESTRY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND 
                   ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS PROGRAM.

       Section 1232 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 582a-8) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``or forest 
     restoration'' after ``research''; and
       (2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
       ``(c) Priorities.--
       ``(1) Research.--In awarding the initial grants under 
     subsection (a) the Secretary shall give priority to 
     applicants who will use such grants for research concerning--
       ``(A) the biology of forest organisms, including 
     physiology, genetic mechanisms, and biotechnology;
       ``(B) ecosystem function and management, including forest 
     ecosystem research, biodiversity, forest productivity, pest 
     management, water resources, and alternative silvicultural 
     systems;
       ``(C) wood as a raw material, including forest products and 
     harvesting;
       ``(D) human forest interactions, including outdoor 
     recreation, public policy formulation, economics, sociology, 
     and administrative behavior;
       ``(E) international trade, competition, and cooperation 
     related to forest products;
       ``(F) alternative native crops, products, and services that 
     can be produced from renewable natural resources associated 
     with privately held forest lands;
       ``(G) viable economic production and marketing systems for 
     alternative natural resource products and services;
       ``(H) economic and environmental benefits of various 
     conservation practices on forest lands;
       ``(I) genetic tree improvement; and
       ``(J) market expansion.
       ``(2) Forest restoration.--Grants may be used to support 
     programs that restore forest tree species native to American 
     forests that may have suffered severe levels of mortality 
     caused by non-native insects, plant pathogens, or others 
     pests.
       ``(A) Required component of forest restoration strategy.--
     To receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible 
     institution shall demonstrate that it offers a program with a 
     forest restoration strategy that incorporates not less than 
     one of the following components:
       ``(i) Collection and conservation of native tree genetic 
     material.
       ``(ii) Production of propagules of native trees in numbers 
     large enough for landscape scale restoration.
       ``(iii) Site preparation of former of native tree habitat.
       ``(iv) Planting of native tree seedlings.
       ``(v) Post-planting maintenance of native trees.
       ``(B) Award of grants.--The Secretary shall award 
     competitive grants under this subsection based on the degree 
     to which the applicant addresses the following criteria:
       ``(i) Risk posed to the forests of that State by non-native 
     pests, as measured by such factors as the number of such 
     pests present in the State.
       ``(ii) The proportion of the State's forest composed of 
     species vulnerable to non-native pests present in the United 
     States.

[[Page H9922]]

       ``(iii) The pests' rate of spread via natural or human-
     assisted means.''.

                            TITLE IX--ENERGY

     SEC. 9001. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``agricultural 
     materials'' and inserting ``agricultural materials, renewable 
     chemicals,'';
       (2) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``into biofuels and 
     biobased products; and'' and inserting the following: ``or an 
     intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass 
     into any 1 or more, or a combination, of--
       ``(i) biofuels;
       ``(ii) renewable chemicals; or
       ``(iii) biobased products; and''; and
       (3) in paragraph (16)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``(B)'' 
     and inserting ``(C)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``that--'' in the matter preceding clause 
     (i) and all that follows through the period at the end of 
     clause (ii) and inserting ``that produces usable energy from 
     a renewable energy source.'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); 
     and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `renewable energy system' 
     includes--
       ``(i) distribution components necessary to move energy 
     produced by a system described in subparagraph (A) to the 
     initial point of sale; and
       ``(ii) other components and ancillary infrastructure of a 
     system described in subparagraph (A), such as a storage 
     system.''.

     SEC. 9002. BIOBASED MARKETS PROGRAM.

       Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(iii) Renewable chemicals.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this clause, the Secretary shall 
     update the criteria issued under clause (i) to provide 
     criteria for determining which renewable chemicals may 
     qualify to receive the label under paragraph (1).'';
       (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
       ``(f) Manufacturers of Renewable Chemicals and Biobased 
     Products.--
       ``(1) NAICS codes.--The Secretary and the Secretary of 
     Commerce shall jointly develop North American Industry 
     Classification System codes for--
       ``(A) renewable chemicals manufacturers; and
       ``(B) biobased products manufacturers.
       ``(2) National testing center registry.--The Secretary 
     shall establish a national registry of testing centers for 
     biobased products that will serve biobased product 
     manufacturers.'';
       (3) by redesignating subsections (h) through (j) as 
     subsections (j) through (l), respectively;
       (4) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
       ``(h) Streamlining.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish 
     guidelines for an integrated process under which biobased 
     products may be, in 1 expedited approval process--
       ``(A) determined to be eligible for a Federal procurement 
     preference under subsection (a); and
       ``(B) approved to use the `USDA Certified Biobased Product' 
     label under subsection (b).
       ``(2) Initiation.--The Secretary shall ensure that a review 
     of a biobased product under the integrated qualification 
     process established pursuant to paragraph (1) may be 
     initiated on receipt of a recommendation or petition from a 
     manufacturer, vendor, or other interested party.
       ``(3) Product designations.--The Secretary may issue a 
     product designation pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B), or 
     approve the use of the `USDA Certified Biobased Product' 
     label under subsection (b), through streamlined procedures, 
     which shall not be subject to chapter 7 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       ``(i) Requirement of Procuring Agencies.--A procuring 
     agency (as defined in subsection (a)(1)) shall not establish 
     regulations, guidance, or criteria regarding the procurement 
     of biobased products, pursuant to this section or any other 
     law, that impose limitations on that procurement that are 
     more restrictive than the limitations established by the 
     Secretary under the regulations to implement this section.'';
       (5) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$2,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``$3,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) Rural Development Mission Area.--In carrying out this 
     section, except as provided in subsection (g), the Secretary 
     shall act through the rural development mission area.''.

     SEC. 9003. BIOREFINERY ASSISTANCE.

       Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``produces an advanced 
     biofuel; and'' and inserting the following: ``produces any 1 
     or more, or a combination, of--
       ``(i) an advanced biofuel;
       ``(ii) a renewable chemical; or
       ``(iii) a biobased product; and''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``produces an advanced 
     biofuel.'' and inserting the following: ``produces any 1 or 
     more, or a combination, of--
       ``(i) an advanced biofuel;
       ``(ii) a renewable chemical; or
       ``(iii) a biobased product.''; and
       (2) in subsection (g)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
       ``(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 9004. REPOWERING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       Section 9004 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8104) is repealed.

     SEC. 9005. BIOENERGY PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS.

       Section 9005 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``The Secretary may'' and inserting the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(1) Amount.--The Secretary shall''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Feedstock.--The total amount of payments made in a 
     fiscal year under this section to one or more eligible 
     producers for the production of advanced biofuels derived 
     from a single eligible commodity, including intermediate 
     ingredients of that single commodity or use of that single 
     commodity and its intermediate ingredients in combination 
     with another commodity, shall not exceed one-third of the 
     total amount of funds made available under subsection (g).''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (g)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and 
     inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 9006. BIODIESEL FUEL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

       Section 9006(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 9007. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.

       Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Assistance.--In addition to any similar authority, 
     the Secretary shall provide--
       ``(i) loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers 
     and rural small businesses--

       ``(I) to purchase renewable energy systems, including 
     systems that may be used to produce and sell electricity; and
       ``(II) to make energy efficiency improvements; and

       ``(ii) loan guarantees to agricultural producers to 
     purchase and install energy efficient equipment or systems 
     for agricultural production or processing that exceed--

       ``(I) energy efficiency building codes, if applicable;
       ``(II) Federal or State energy efficiency standards, if 
     applicable; and
       ``(III) other energy efficiency standards determined 
     appropriate by the Secretary.

       ``(B) Limitations.--With respect to loan guarantees under 
     subparagraph (A)(ii)--
       ``(i) if no codes or standards described in such 
     subparagraph apply to the energy efficient equipment or 
     system to be purchased or installed pursuant to such 
     subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, such equipment or system to meet the same 
     efficiency measurements as the most efficient available 
     equipment or system in the market; and
       ``(ii) the Secretary shall not provide such a loan 
     guarantee for the purchase or installation of any energy 
     efficient equipment or system unless more than one type of 
     such equipment or system is available in the market.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Loan guarantees for energy efficient equipment to 
     agricultural producers.--Using funds made available under 
     paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (f), in each fiscal year 
     the Secretary may use for loan guarantees under paragraph 
     (1)(A)(ii) an amount that does not exceed 15 percent of such 
     funds.'';
       (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection (g)'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``subsection (f)'';
       (3) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating subsection 
     (g) as subsection (f); and
       (4) in subsection (f)(3) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 9008. RURAL ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY INITIATIVE.

       Section 9009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8109) is repealed.

     SEC. 9009. FEEDSTOCK FLEXIBILITY.

       Section 9010(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110(b)) is amended--

[[Page H9923]]

       (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 9010. BIOMASS CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       Section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8111) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(6)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) algae.''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) by striking clause (iv); and
       (ii) by redesignating clauses (v) through (vii) as clauses 
     (iv) through (vi), respectively; and
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''; and
       (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) Technical assistance.--Effective for fiscal year 2014 
     and each subsequent fiscal year, funds made available under 
     this subsection shall be available for the provision of 
     technical assistance with respect to activities authorized 
     under this section.''.

     SEC. 9011. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM.

       Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
     2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 9014. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Carbon dioxide.--The term `carbon dioxide' means 
     carbon dioxide that is produced as a byproduct of the 
     production of a biobased product.
       ``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an 
     entity that--
       ``(A) is--
       ``(i) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 
     section 501(a) of that Code; or
       ``(ii) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001(a)));
       ``(B) has demonstrated knowledge about--
       ``(i) sequestration and utilization of carbon dioxide; or
       ``(ii) aggregation of organic waste from multiple sources 
     into a single biogas system; and
       ``(C) has a demonstrated ability to conduct educational and 
     technical support programs.
       ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Energy, shall make competitive grants to 
     eligible entities--
       ``(1) to provide education to the public about the economic 
     and emissions benefits of permanent sequestration or 
     utilization of carbon dioxide with a primary objective of 
     providing benefits and opportunities for rural businesses, 
     rural communities, and utilities serving rural communities; 
     or
       ``(2) to provide education to agricultural producers and 
     other stakeholders about opportunities for aggregation of 
     organic waste from multiple sources into a single biogas 
     system.
       ``(c) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023--
       ``(1) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(1); and
       ``(2) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(2).''.

                         TITLE X--HORTICULTURE

     SEC. 10101. SPECIALTY CROPS MARKET NEWS ALLOCATION.

       Section 10107(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
     of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 1622b(b)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 10102. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to combine the 
     purposes and coordinate the functions, as in effect on the 
     day before the date of enactment of this Act, of--
       (1) the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program 
     established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
     Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005); and
       (2) the value-added agricultural product market development 
     grants under section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk 
     Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)).
       (b) Local Agriculture Market Program.--Subtitle A of the 
     Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 210A. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term `beginning 
     farmer or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 
     343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1991(a)).
       ``(2) Direct producer-to-consumer marketing.--The term 
     `direct producer-to-consumer marketing' has the meaning given 
     the term `direct marketing from farmers to consumers' in 
     section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 
     1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002).
       ``(3) Family farm.--The term `family farm' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk 
     Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
       ``(4) Food council.--The term `food council' means a food 
     policy council or food and farm system network, as determined 
     by the Secretary, that--
       ``(A) represents--
       ``(i) multiple organizations involved in the production, 
     processing, and consumption of food; and
       ``(ii) local, Tribal, or State governments; and
       ``(B) addresses food and farm-related issues and needs 
     within city, county, State, Tribal region, multicounty 
     region, or other region designated by the food council or 
     food system network.
       ``(5) Majority-controlled producer-based business 
     venture.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `majority-controlled producer-
     based business venture' means a venture greater than 50 
     percent of the ownership and control of which is held by--
       ``(i) 1 or more producers; or
       ``(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 percent of the ownership and 
     control of which is held by 1 or more producers.
       ``(B) Entity described.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), 
     the term `entity' means--
       ``(i) a partnership;
       ``(ii) a limited liability corporation;
       ``(iii) a limited liability partnership; and
       ``(iv) a corporation.
       ``(6) Mid-tier value chain.--The term `mid-tier value 
     chain' means a local or regional supply network that links 
     independent producers with businesses and cooperatives that 
     market value-added agricultural products in a manner that--
       ``(A) targets and strengthens the profitability and 
     competitiveness of small and medium-sized farms and ranches 
     that are structured as a family farm; and
       ``(B) obtains agreement from an eligible agricultural 
     producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority-
     controlled producer-based business venture that is engaged in 
     the value chain on a marketing strategy.
       ``(7) Partnership.--The term `partnership' means a 
     partnership entered into under an agreement between--
       ``(A) 1 or more eligible partners (as defined in subsection 
     (e)(1)); and
       ``(B) 1 or more eligible entities (as defined in subsection 
     (e)(1)).
       ``(8) Program.--The term `Program' means the Local 
     Agriculture Market Program established under subsection (b).
       ``(9) Regional food chain coordination.--The term `regional 
     food chain coordination' means coordination and collaboration 
     along the supply chain to increase connections between 
     producers and markets.
       ``(10) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       ``(11) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--The term 
     `socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)).
       ``(12) Value-added agricultural product.--The term `value-
     added agricultural product' means any agricultural commodity 
     or product that--
       ``(A)(i) has undergone a change in physical state;
       ``(ii) was produced in a manner that enhances the value of 
     the agricultural commodity or product, as demonstrated 
     through a business plan that shows the enhanced value, as 
     determined by the Secretary;
       ``(iii) is physically segregated in a manner that results 
     in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural commodity 
     or product;
       ``(iv) is a source of farm- or ranch-based renewable 
     energy, including E-85 fuel; or
       ``(v) is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced 
     agricultural food product; and
       ``(B) as a result of the change in physical state or the 
     manner in which the agricultural commodity or product was 
     produced, marketed, or segregated--
       ``(i) the customer base for the agricultural commodity or 
     product is expanded; and
       ``(ii) a greater portion of the revenue derived from the 
     marketing, processing, or physical segregation of the 
     agricultural commodity or product is available to the 
     producer of the commodity or product.
       ``(13) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term `veteran farmer 
     or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 2501(a) 
     of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
     (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).
       ``(b) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a program, to be known as the `Local Agriculture 
     Market Program', that--
       ``(1) supports the development, coordination, and expansion 
     of--
       ``(A) direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
       ``(B) local and regional food markets and enterprises; and
       ``(C) value-added agricultural products;
       ``(2) connects and cultivates regional food economies 
     through public-private partnerships;
       ``(3) supports the development of business plans, 
     feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added 
     agricultural production and local and regional food system 
     infrastructure;
       ``(4) strengthens capacity and regional food system 
     development through community collaboration and expansion of 
     mid-tier value chains;
       ``(5) improves income and economic opportunities for 
     producers and food businesses through job creation; and
       ``(6) simplifies the application processes and the 
     reporting processes for the Program.
       ``(c) Administration.--In administering the Program, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) streamline the Program to better support the 
     activities carried out by the recipient of a grant under the 
     Program;
       ``(2) connect producers with local food markets and value-
     added agricultural product opportunities;
       ``(3) partner with cooperative extension services, as 
     appropriate, to provide Program technical assistance and 
     outreach to Program stakeholders; and
       ``(4) ensure that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
     and Agricultural Marketing Service

[[Page H9924]]

     provide Program technical assistance and outreach to Program 
     stakeholders.
       ``(d) Grants.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary may, 
     using funds made available under subsection (i), provide 
     grants for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, in 
     accordance with the purposes of the Program described in 
     subsection (b), for the conduct of activities described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Eligible activities.--The recipient of a grant may 
     use a grant provided under paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) to support and promote--
       ``(i) domestic direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
       ``(ii) farmers' markets;
       ``(iii) roadside stands;
       ``(iv) agritourism activities,
       ``(v) community-supported agriculture programs; or
       ``(vi) online sales;
       ``(B) to support local and regional food business 
     enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect 
     producer-to-consumer marketing;
       ``(C) to support the processing, aggregation, distribution, 
     and storage of--
       ``(i) local and regional food products that are marketed 
     locally or regionally; and
       ``(ii) value-added agricultural products;
       ``(D) to encourage the development of value-added 
     agricultural products;
       ``(E) to assist with business development plans and 
     feasibility studies;
       ``(F) to develop marketing strategies for producers of 
     local food products and value-added agricultural products in 
     new and existing markets;
       ``(G) to facilitate regional food chain coordination and 
     mid-tier value chain development;
       ``(H) to promote new business opportunities and marketing 
     strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
       ``(I) to respond to changing technology needs in direct 
     producer-to-consumer marketing; or
       ``(J) to cover expenses relating to costs incurred in--
       ``(i) obtaining food safety certification; and
       ``(ii) making changes and upgrades to practices and 
     equipment to improve food safety.
       ``(3) Criteria and guidelines.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish criteria 
     and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of 
     proposed projects under paragraph (1) as the Secretary 
     determines are appropriate.
       ``(B) Producer or food business benefits.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), an 
     application submitted for a grant under paragraph (1) shall 
     include a description of the direct or indirect producer or 
     food business benefits intended by the applicant to result 
     from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time 
     after the receipt of the grant.
       ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not apply to a planning 
     or feasibility project.
       ``(4) Amount.--Unless otherwise determined by the 
     Secretary, the amount of a grant under this subsection shall 
     be not more than $500,000.
       ``(5) Value-added producer grants.--In the case of a grant 
     provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible entity described 
     in subparagraph (B), the following shall apply:
       ``(A) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out this 
     subsection through the Administrator of the Rural Business-
     Cooperative Service, in coordination with the Administrator 
     of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
       ``(B) Eligible entities.--An entity shall be eligible for a 
     grant under this paragraph if the entity is--
       ``(i) an independent producer (as determined by the 
     Secretary) of a value-added agricultural product; or
       ``(ii) an agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher 
     cooperative, or majority-controlled producer-based business 
     venture (as determined by the Secretary).
       ``(C) Priorities.--The Secretary shall give priority to 
     applications--
       ``(i) in the case of an application submitted by a 
     producer, that are submitted by, or serve--

       ``(I) beginning farmers or ranchers;
       ``(II) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
       ``(III) operators of small or medium sized farms or ranches 
     that are structured as family farms; or
       ``(IV) veteran farmers or ranchers; and

       ``(ii) in the case of an application submitted by an 
     eligible entity described in subparagraph (B)(ii), that 
     provide the greatest contribution to creating or increasing 
     marketing opportunities for producers described in subclauses 
     (I) through (IV) of clause (i).
       ``(D) Limitation on use of funds.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), an 
     eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may not use a 
     grant for the purchase or construction of a building, general 
     purpose equipment, or structure.
       ``(ii) Exception.--An eligible entity described in 
     subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of the amount 
     of a grant for an eligible activity described in paragraph 
     (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment to improve food 
     safety.
       ``(E) Matching funds.--An eligible entity described in 
     subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall contribute an amount 
     of non-Federal funds that is at least equal to the amount of 
     Federal funds received.
       ``(6) Farmers' markets and local food promotion program.--
     In the case of a grant provided under paragraph (1) to an 
     eligible entity described in subparagraph (B), the following 
     shall apply:
       ``(A) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out this 
     subsection through the Administrator of the Agricultural 
     Marketing Service, in coordination with the Administrator of 
     the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
       ``(B) Eligible entities.--An entity shall be eligible to 
     receive a grant under this paragraph if the entity is--
       ``(i) an agricultural cooperative or other agricultural 
     business entity or a producer network or association, 
     including a community-supported agriculture network or 
     association;
       ``(ii) a local or Tribal government;
       ``(iii) a nonprofit corporation;
       ``(iv) a public benefit corporation;
       ``(v) an economic development corporation;
       ``(vi) a regional farmers' market authority;
       ``(vii) a food council; or
       ``(viii) such other entity as the Secretary may designate.
       ``(C) Priorities.--The Secretary shall give priority to 
     applications that--
       ``(i) benefit underserved communities, including 
     communities that are located in areas of concentrated poverty 
     with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown 
     food; or
       ``(ii) are used to carry out eligible activities under a 
     partnership agreement under subsection (e) and have not 
     received benefits from the Program in the recent past.
       ``(D) Limitation on use of funds.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), an 
     eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may not use a 
     grant for the purchase or construction of a building, general 
     purpose equipment, or structure.
       ``(ii) Exception.--An eligible entity described in 
     subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of the amount 
     of a grant for an eligible activity described in paragraph 
     (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment to improve food 
     safety.
       ``(E) Matching funds.--An eligible entity described in 
     subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall provide matching 
     funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an 
     amount that is equal to 25 percent of the total amount of the 
     Federal portion of the grant.
       ``(e) Partnerships.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(i) a producer;
       ``(ii) a producer network or association;
       ``(iii) a farmer or rancher cooperative;
       ``(iv) a majority-controlled producer-based business 
     venture;
       ``(v) a food council;
       ``(vi) a local or Tribal government;
       ``(vii) a nonprofit corporation;
       ``(viii) an economic development corporation;
       ``(ix) a public benefit corporation;
       ``(x) a community-supported agriculture network or 
     association; and
       ``(xi) a regional farmers' market authority.
       ``(B) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible partner' 
     means--
       ``(i) a State agency or regional authority;
       ``(ii) a philanthropic organization;
       ``(iii) a private corporation;
       ``(iv) an institution of higher education;
       ``(v) a commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System lending 
     institution; and
       ``(vi) another entity, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(2) Grants to support partnerships.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in 
     accordance with the purposes of the Program described in 
     subsection (b), shall, using funds made available under 
     subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023 to support partnerships to plan and develop a 
     local or regional food system.
       ``(B) Geographical diversity.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographical 
     diversity in selecting partnerships to receive grants under 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(3) Authorities of partnerships.--A partnership receiving 
     a grant under paragraph (2) may--
       ``(A) determine the scope of the regional food system to be 
     developed, including goals, outreach objectives, and eligible 
     activities to be carried out;
       ``(B) determine the local, regional, State, multi-State, or 
     other geographic area covered;
       ``(C) create and conduct a feasibility study, 
     implementation plan, and assessment of eligible activities 
     under the partnership agreement;
       ``(D) conduct outreach and education to other eligible 
     entities and eligible partners for potential participation in 
     the partnership agreement and eligible activities;
       ``(E) describe measures to be taken through the partnership 
     agreement to obtain funding for the eligible activities to be 
     carried out under the partnership agreement;
       ``(F) at the request of a producer or eligible entity 
     desiring to participate in eligible activities under the 
     partnership agreement, act on behalf of the producer or 
     eligible entity in applying for a grant under subsection (d);
       ``(G) monitor, evaluate, and periodically report to the 
     Secretary on progress made toward achieving the objectives of 
     eligible activities under the partnership agreement; or
       ``(H) at the conclusion of the partnership agreement, 
     submit to the Secretary a report describing--
       ``(i) the results and effects of the partnership agreement; 
     and
       ``(ii) funds provided under paragraph (4).
       ``(4) Contribution.--A partnership receiving a grant under 
     paragraph (2) shall provide funding in an amount equal to not 
     less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal 
     portion of the grant.
       ``(5) Applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     paragraph (2), a partnership shall submit to the Secretary an 
     application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Secretary considers necessary to evaluate 
     and select applications.
       ``(B) Competitive process.--The Secretary--

[[Page H9925]]

       ``(i) shall conduct a competitive process to select 
     applications submitted under subparagraph (A);
       ``(ii) may assess and rank applications with similar 
     purposes as a group; and
       ``(iii) shall make public the criteria to be used in 
     evaluating applications prior to accepting applications.
       ``(C) Priority to certain applications.--The Secretary may 
     give priority to applications submitted under subparagraph 
     (A) that--
       ``(i)(I) leverage significant non-Federal financial and 
     technical resources; and
       ``(II) coordinate with other local, State, Tribal, or 
     national efforts;
       ``(ii) cover an area that includes distressed low-income 
     rural or urban communities, including areas with persistent 
     poverty; or
       ``(iii) have multiple entities and partners in a 
     partnership.
       ``(D) Producer or food business benefits.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), an 
     application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include a 
     description of the direct or indirect producer or food 
     business benefits intended by the eligible entity to result 
     from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time 
     after the receipt of a grant.
       ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not apply to a planning 
     or feasibility project.
       ``(6) Technical assistance.--On request of an eligible 
     entity, an eligible partner, or a partnership, the Secretary 
     may provide technical assistance in carrying out a 
     partnership agreement.
       ``(f) Simplification of Application and Reporting 
     Processes.--
       ``(1) Applications.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     simplified application form for eligible entities that--
       ``(A) request less than $50,000 under subsection (d); or
       ``(B) apply for grants under subsection (d) under a single 
     application through partnership agreements under subsection 
     (e).
       ``(2) Reporting.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) streamline and simplify the reporting process for 
     eligible entities; and
       ``(B) obtain from eligible entities and maintain such 
     information as the Secretary determines is necessary to 
     administer and evaluate the Program.
       ``(g) Interdepartmental Coordination.--In carrying out the 
     Program, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary 
     shall ensure coordination among Federal agencies.
       ``(h) Evaluation.--
       ``(1) In general.--Using amounts made available under 
     subsection (i)(3)(E), the Secretary shall conduct an 
     evaluation of the Program that--
       ``(A) measures the economic impact of the Program on new 
     and existing market outcomes;
       ``(B) measures the effectiveness of the Program in 
     improving and expanding--
       ``(i) the regional food economy through public and private 
     partnerships;
       ``(ii) the production of value-added agricultural products;
       ``(iii) producer-to-consumer marketing, including direct 
     producer-to-consumer marketing;
       ``(iv) local and regional food systems, including regional 
     food chain coordination and business development;
       ``(v) new business opportunities and marketing strategies 
     to reduce on-farm food waste;
       ``(vi) the use of new technologies in producer-to-consumer 
     marketing, including direct producer-to-consumer marketing; 
     and
       ``(vii) the workforce and capacity of regional food 
     systems; and
       ``(C) provides a description of--
       ``(i) each partnership agreement; and
       ``(ii) each grant provided under subsection (d).
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
     enactment of this section, 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 describing the evaluation conducted under 
     paragraph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes 
     of the evaluation.
       ``(i) Funding.--
       ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
     section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, to remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain 
     available until expended.
       ``(3) Allocation of funds.--
       ``(A) Value-added producer grants.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), of the funds 
     made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 
     35 percent shall be used for grants under subsection (d)(5).
       ``(ii) Reservation of funds.--

       ``(I) Majority-controlled producer-based business 
     ventures.--The total amount of grants under subsection (d)(5) 
     provided to majority-controlled producer-based business 
     ventures for a fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the 
     amount allocated under clause (i).
       ``(II) Beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers.--Of the funds made available for grants 
     under subsection (d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for 
     grants provided to beginning, veteran, and socially 
     disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
       ``(III) Mid-tier value chains.--Of the funds made available 
     for grants under subsection (d)(5), 10 percent shall be 
     reserved for grants to develop mid-tier value chains.
       ``(IV) Food safety assistance.--Of the funds made available 
     for grants under subsection (d)(5), not more than 25 percent 
     shall be reserved for grants for eligible activities 
     described in subsection (d)(2)(J).

       ``(B) Farmers' market and local food promotion grants.--Of 
     the funds made available to carry out this section for a 
     fiscal year, 47 percent shall be used for grants under 
     subsection (d)(6).
       ``(C) Regional partnerships.--Of the funds made available 
     to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 10 percent shall 
     be used to provide grants to support partnerships under 
     subsection (e).
       ``(D) Unobligated funds.--Any funds under subparagraph (A), 
     (B), or (C) that are not obligated for the uses described in 
     that subparagraph, as applicable, by September 30 of the 
     fiscal year for which the funds were made available--
       ``(i) shall be available to the agency carrying out the 
     Program with the unobligated funds to carry out any function 
     of the Program, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) may carry over to the next fiscal year.
       ``(E) Administrative expenses.--Not greater than 8 percent 
     of amounts made available to provide grants under subsections 
     (d) and (e) for a fiscal year may be used for administrative 
     expenses.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Agricultural marketing resource center pilot project.--
     Section 231 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
     (7 U.S.C. 1632a) is amended--
       (A) by striking the section heading and inserting 
     ``agricultural marketing resource center pilot project.'';
       (B) by striking subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e);
       (C) in subsection (c)--
       (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subsections 
     (a) and (b), respectively, and indenting appropriately; and
       (ii) by striking the subsection designation and heading;
       (D) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``Notwithstanding'' and all that follows through ``paragraph 
     (2)'' and inserting the following: ``The Secretary shall not 
     use more than 2.5 percent of the funds made available to 
     carry out the Local Agriculture Market Program established 
     under section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 
     to establish a pilot project (to be known as the 
     `Agricultural Marketing Resource Center') at an eligible 
     institution described in subsection (b)''; and
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
     paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately; and
       (E) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as 
     paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately; and
       (ii) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``paragraph (1)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)''.
       (2) Agriculture innovation center demonstration program.--
     Section 6402(f) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(f)) is amended in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``section 231(d) of the 
     Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; 
     Public Law 106-224))'' and inserting ``section 210A(d)(2) of 
     the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946''.
       (3) Local food production and program evaluation.--Section 
     10016(b)(3)(B) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     2204h(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``Farmers' Market and 
     Local Food Promotion Program established under section 6 of 
     the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 
     3005)'' and inserting ``Local Agriculture Market Program 
     established under section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing 
     Act of 1946''.
       (4) Program metrics.--Section 6209(a) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2207b(a)) is amended by striking 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
     1946;''.
       (5) Farmer-to-consumer direct marketing act of 1976.--
       (A) Section 4 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing 
     Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3003) is amended--
       (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
     carry out this section.''.
       (B) Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
     Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005, 3006; 90 Stat. 1983) 
     are repealed.

     SEC. 10103. ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MARKET DATA INITIATIVES.

       Section 7407(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5925c(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``through fiscal 
     year 2012''; and
       (B) by striking ``$5,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended.'' and inserting the following: ``, to remain 
     available until expended--
       ``(A) $5,000,000 for each of the periods of fiscal years 
     2008 through 2012 and 2014 through 2018; and
       ``(B) $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (2);
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and
       (4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (2)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraph (1)''; and
       (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 10104. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION.

       (a) Exclusions From Certification.--Not later than 1 year 
     after the date of enactment of

[[Page H9926]]

     this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations to limit the 
     type of organic operations that are excluded from 
     certification under section 205.101 of title 7, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, and from certification under any other 
     related sections under part 205 of title 7, Code of Federal 
     Regulations.
       (b) Definitions.--Section 2103 of the Organic Foods 
     Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``The term'' and inserting the following:
       ``(A) In general.--The term''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Foreign operations.--When used in the context of a 
     certifying agent operating in a foreign country, the term 
     `certifying agent' includes any person (including a private 
     entity)--
       ``(i) accredited in accordance with section 2115(d); or
       ``(ii) accredited by a foreign government that acted under 
     an equivalency agreement negotiated between the United States 
     and the foreign government from which the agricultural 
     product is imported.'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (21) as 
     paragraphs (14) through (22), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
       ``(13) National organic program import certificate.--The 
     term `national organic program import certificate' means a 
     form developed for purposes of the program under this title--
       ``(A) to provide documentation sufficient to verify that an 
     agricultural product imported for sale in the United States 
     satisfies the requirement under section 2115(c);
       ``(B) which shall include, at a minimum, information 
     sufficient to indicate, with respect to the agricultural 
     product--
       ``(i) the origin;
       ``(ii) the destination;
       ``(iii) the certifying agent issuing the national organic 
     program import certificate;
       ``(iv) the harmonized tariff code, if a harmonized tariff 
     code exists for the agricultural product;
       ``(v) the total weight; and
       ``(vi) the organic standard to which the agricultural 
     product is certified; and
       ``(C) that is not more than otherwise required under an 
     equivalency agreement negotiated between the United States 
     and the foreign government.''.
       (c) Accreditation Program.--Section 2115 of the Organic 
     Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6514) is amended by 
     striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Additional Documentation and Verification.--The 
     Secretary, acting through the Deputy Administrator of the 
     national organic program established under this title, has 
     the authority, and shall grant a certifying agent the 
     authority, to require producers and handlers to provide 
     additional documentation or verification before granting a 
     certification under section 2104, in the case of a compliance 
     risk with respect to meeting the national standards for 
     organic production established under section 2105, as 
     determined by the Secretary or the certifying agent.
       ``(d) Accreditation of Foreign Organic Certification 
     Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--For an agricultural product being 
     imported into the United States to be represented as 
     organically produced, the Secretary shall require the 
     agricultural product to be accompanied by a complete and 
     valid national organic import certificate, which shall be 
     available as an electronic record.
       ``(2) Tracking system.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a system 
     to track national organic import certificates.
       ``(B) Integration.--In establishing the system under 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary may integrate the system into 
     any existing information tracking systems for imports of 
     agricultural products.
       ``(e) Duration of Accreditation.--An accreditation made 
     under this section--
       ``(1) subject to paragraph (2), shall be for a period of 
     not more than 5 years, as determined appropriate by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(2) in the case of a certifying agent operating in a 
     foreign country, shall be for a period of time that is 
     consistent with the certification of a domestic certifying 
     agent, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
       ``(3) may be renewed.''.
       (d) Requirements of Certifying Agents.--Section 2116 of the 
     Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6515) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (i)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or an entity acting as 
     an agent of the certifying agent'' after ``a certifying 
     agent'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Oversight of certifying offices and foreign 
     operations.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary determines that an 
     office of a certifying agent or entity described in paragraph 
     (1) is not complying with the provisions of this title, the 
     Secretary may suspend the operations of the certifying agent 
     or the noncompliant office, including--
       ``(i) an office operating in a foreign country; and
       ``(ii) an office operating in the United States, including 
     an office acting on behalf of a foreign-domiciled entity.
       ``(B) Process for resuming operations following 
     suspension.--The Secretary shall provide for a process that 
     is otherwise consistent with this section that authorizes a 
     suspended office to resume operations.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Notice.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
     which a new certifying office performing certification 
     activities opens, an accredited certifying agent shall notify 
     the Secretary of the opening.''.
       (e) Certain Employees Eligible to Serve as National Organic 
     Standards Board Members.--Section 2119(b) of the Organic 
     Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, or employees of such 
     individuals'' after ``operation'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, or employees of such 
     individuals'' after ``operation''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, or an employee of 
     such individual'' after ``products''.
       (f) National Organic Standards Board.--Section 2119(i) of 
     the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(i)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Two-thirds'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--\2/3\''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) National list.--Any vote on a motion proposing to 
     amend the national list shall be considered to be a decisive 
     vote that requires \2/3\ of the votes cast at a meeting of 
     the Board at which a quorum is present to prevail.''.
       (g) Investigations.--Section 2120(b) of the Organic Foods 
     Production Act (7 U.S.C. 6519(b)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(3) Information sharing during active investigation.--In 
     carrying out this title, all parties to an active 
     investigation (including certifying agents, State organic 
     certification programs, and the national organic program) 
     shall share confidential business information with Federal 
     Government officers and employees involved in the 
     investigation as necessary to fully investigate and enforce 
     potential violations of this title.''.
       (h) Data Organization and Access.--Section 2122 of the 
     Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6521) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Access to Data Documentation Systems.--The Secretary 
     shall have access to available data from cross-border 
     documentation systems administered by other Federal agencies, 
     including the Automated Commercial Environment system of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection.
       ``(d) Reports.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than March 1, 2020, and 
     annually thereafter through March 1, 2023, the Secretary 
     shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the 
     website of the Department of Agriculture, a report describing 
     national organic program activities with respect to all 
     domestic and overseas investigations and compliance actions 
     taken pursuant to this title during the preceding year.
       ``(2) Requirements.--The data described in paragraph (1) 
     shall be broken down by agricultural product, quantity, 
     value, and month.
       ``(3) Exception.--Any data determined by the Secretary to 
     be confidential business information shall not be provided in 
     the report under paragraph (1).''.
       (i) Organic Agricultural Product Imports Interagency 
     Working Group.--The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 is 
     amended by inserting after section 2122 (7 U.S.C. 6521) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 2122A. ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IMPORTS 
                   INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.

       ``(a) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary and the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall jointly establish a working group to 
     facilitate coordination and information sharing between the 
     Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection relating to imports of organically produced 
     agricultural products (referred to in this section as the 
     `working group').
       ``(2) Members.--The working group--
       ``(A) shall include--
       ``(i) the Secretary (or a designee); and
       ``(ii) the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee); 
     and
       ``(B) shall not include any non-Federal officer or 
     employee.
       ``(3) Duties.--The working group shall facilitate 
     coordination and information sharing between the Department 
     of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the 
     purposes of--
       ``(A) identifying imports of organically produced 
     agricultural products;
       ``(B) verifying the authenticity of organically produced 
     agricultural product import documentation, such as national 
     organic program import certificates;
       ``(C) ensuring imported agricultural products represented 
     as organically produced meet the requirements under this 
     title;
       ``(D) collecting and organizing quantitative data on 
     imports of organically produced agricultural products; and
       ``(E) requesting feedback from stakeholders on how to 
     improve the oversight of imports of organically produced 
     agricultural products.
       ``(4) Designated employees and officials.--An employee or 
     official designated to carry out the duties of the Secretary 
     or the Secretary of Homeland Security on the working group 
     under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) shall be an 
     employee or official compensated at a rate of pay not less 
     than the minimum annual rate of basic pay for GS-12 under 
     section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(b) Reports.--On an annual basis, the working group shall 
     submit to Congress and make publicly available on the 
     websites of the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs 
     and Border Protection the following reports:
       ``(1) Organic trade enforcement interagency coordination 
     report.--A report--

[[Page H9927]]

       ``(A) identifying existing barriers to cooperation between 
     the agencies involved in agricultural product import 
     inspection, trade data collection and organization, and 
     organically produced agricultural product trade enforcement, 
     including--
       ``(i) U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       ``(ii) the Agricultural Marketing Service; and
       ``(iii) the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service;
       ``(B) assessing progress toward integrating organic trade 
     enforcement into import inspection procedures of U.S. Customs 
     and Border Protection and the Animal and Plant Health 
     Inspection Service, including an assessment of--
       ``(i) the status of the development of systems for--

       ``(I) tracking the fumigation of imports of organically 
     produced agricultural products into the United States; and
       ``(II) electronically verifying national organic program 
     import certificate authenticity; and

       ``(ii) training of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
     personnel on--

       ``(I) the use of the systems described in clause (i); and
       ``(II) requirements and protocols under this title;

       ``(C) establishing methodology for ensuring imports of 
     agricultural products represented as organically produced 
     meet the requirements under this title;
       ``(D) recommending steps to improve the documentation and 
     traceability of imported organically produced agricultural 
     products;
       ``(E) recommending and describing steps for--
       ``(i) improving compliance with the requirements of this 
     title for all agricultural products imported into the United 
     States and represented as organically produced; and
       ``(ii) ensuring accurate labeling and marketing of imported 
     agricultural products represented as organically produced by 
     the exporter; and
       ``(F) describing staffing needs and additional resources at 
     U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of 
     Agriculture needed to ensure compliance.
       ``(2) Report on enforcement actions taken on organic 
     imports.--A report--
       ``(A) providing detailed quantitative data (broken down by 
     agricultural product, quantity, value, month, and origin) on 
     imports of agricultural products represented as organically 
     produced found to be fraudulent or lacking any documentation 
     required under this title at the port of entry during the 
     report year;
       ``(B) providing data on domestic enforcement actions taken 
     on imported agricultural products represented as organically 
     produced, including the number and type of actions taken by 
     United States officials at ports of entry in response to 
     violations of this title;
       ``(C) providing data on fumigation of agricultural products 
     represented as organically produced at ports of entry and 
     notifications of fumigation actions to shipment owners, 
     broken down by product variety and country of origin; and
       ``(D) providing information on enforcement activities under 
     this title involving overseas investigations and compliance 
     actions taken within that year, including--
       ``(i) the number of investigations by country; and
       ``(ii) a descriptive summary of compliance actions taken by 
     certifying agents in each country.''.
       (j) Authorization of Appropriations for National Organic 
     Program.--Section 2123 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 
     1990 (7 U.S.C. 6522) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
     ``funding'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
     (7) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
       ``(2) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2019;
       ``(3) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       ``(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(5) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
       ``(6) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Modernization and Improvement of International Trade 
     Technology Systems and Data Collection.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a new 
     system or modify an existing data collection and organization 
     system to collect and organize in a single system 
     quantitative data on imports of each organically produced 
     agricultural product accepted into the United States.
       ``(2) Activities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall modernize trade and transaction certificates 
     to ensure full traceability to the port of entry without 
     unduly hindering trade or commerce, such as through an 
     electronic trade document exchange system.
       ``(3) Access.--The single system established under 
     paragraph (1) shall be accessible by any agency with the 
     direct authority to engage in--
       ``(A) inspection of imports of agricultural products;
       ``(B) trade data collection and organization; or
       ``(C) enforcement of trade requirements for organically 
     produced agricultural products.
       ``(4) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, the Secretary shall make available $5,000,000 
     for fiscal year 2019 for the purposes of--
       ``(A) carrying out this subsection; and
       ``(B) maintaining the database and technology upgrades 
     previously carried out under this subsection, as in effect on 
     the day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018.
       ``(5) Availability.--The amounts made available under 
     paragraph (4) are in addition to any other funds made 
     available for the purposes described in that paragraph and 
     shall remain available until expended.''.
       (k) Trade Savings Provision.--The amendments made by 
     subsection (i) shall be carried out in a manner consistent 
     with United States obligations under international 
     agreements.

     SEC. 10105. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Elimination of Directed Delegation.--Section 10606(a) 
     of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 
     U.S.C. 6523(a)) is amended by striking ``(acting through the 
     Agricultural Marketing Service)''.
       (b) Funding.--Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended by striking 
     subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Mandatory Funding.--
       ``(1) In general.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
     this section--
       ``(A) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020;
       ``(B) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
       ``(C) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
       ``(2) Availability.--Amounts made available under paragraph 
     (1) shall remain available until expended.''.

     SEC. 10106. FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION INITIATIVES.

       Section 10105(c) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
     of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7655a(c)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
     and inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 10107. SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS.

       Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 
     2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108-465) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
       (B) by striking ``solely to enhance the competitiveness of 
     specialty crops.'' and inserting the following: ``to enhance 
     the competitiveness of specialty crops, including--
       ``(1) by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty 
     crops;
       ``(2) by assisting producers with research and development 
     relevant to specialty crops;
       ``(3) by expanding availability and access to specialty 
     crops;
       ``(4) by addressing local, regional, and national 
     challenges confronting specialty crop producers; and
       ``(5) for such other purposes determined to be appropriate 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with 
     specialty crop stakeholders and relevant State departments of 
     agriculture.'';
       (2) in subsection (j)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
     subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``Not later'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--Not later''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Administration of multistate projects from 
     nonparticipating states.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
     directly administer all aspects of multistate projects under 
     this subsection for applicants in a nonparticipating 
     State.'';
       (3) in subsection (k), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Evaluation.--
       ``(A) Performance measures and review.--
       ``(i) Development.--The Secretary of Agriculture and the 
     State departments of agriculture, in consultation with 
     specialty crop stakeholders, shall develop performance 
     measures to be used as the sole means of performing any 
     evaluation of the grant program established under this 
     section.
       ``(ii) Review.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in 
     consultation with the State departments of agriculture, shall 
     periodically evaluate the performance of the grant program 
     established under this section.
       ``(B) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     may enter into cooperative agreements--
       ``(i) to develop the performance measures under 
     subparagraph (A)(i); or
       ``(ii) to evaluate the overall performance of the grant 
     program established under this section.''; and
       (4) in subsection (l)(2)(E), by inserting ``and each fiscal 
     year thereafter'' after ``2018''.

     SEC. 10108. AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT.

       (a) Asexually Reproduced Defined.--Section 41(a) of the 
     Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2401(a)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), 
     (6), (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), 
     (7), (8), (9), and (10), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
     the following new paragraph:
       ``(1) Asexually reproduced.--The term `asexually 
     reproduced' means produced by a method of plant propagation 
     using vegetative material (other than seed) from a single 
     parent, including cuttings, grafting, tissue culture, and 
     propagation by root division.''.
       (b) Right to Plant Variety Protection; Plant Varieties 
     Protectable.--Section 42(a) of the Plant Variety Protection 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 2402(a)) is amended by striking ``or tuber 
     propagated'' and inserting ``, tuber propagated, or asexually 
     reproduced''.
       (c) Infringement of Plant Variety Protection.--Section 
     111(a)(3) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
     2541(a)(3)) is amended by inserting ``or asexually'' after 
     ``sexually''.
       (d) False Marketing; Cease and Desist Orders.--Section 
     128(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2568(a)) 
     is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
     inserting ``or asexually'' after ``sexually''.

[[Page H9928]]

  


     SEC. 10109. MULTIPLE CROP AND PESTICIDE USE SURVEY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director 
     of the Office of Pest Management Policy, shall conduct a 
     multiple crop and pesticide use survey of farmers to collect 
     data for risk assessment modeling and mitigation for an 
     active ingredient.
       (b) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and make 
     publicly available the survey described in subsection (a).
       (c) Funding.--
       (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
     section $500,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available 
     until expended.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,500,000, to 
     remain available until expended.
       (d) Confidentiality of Information.--Section 1770 of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``(a) In the case'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--In the case''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``subsection (d)(12)'' 
     and inserting ``paragraph (12) or (13) of subsection (d)''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``(d) For purposes'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(d) Provisions of Law References.--For purposes'';
       (B) in paragraph (11), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(13) section 10109 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
     2018.''.

     SEC. 10110. REPORT ON THE ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES OF 
                   FOREST PESTS THROUGH RESTRICTIONS ON THE 
                   IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN PLANTS FOR PLANTING.

       Not later than March 1, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report--
       (1) evaluating the effectiveness of the Federal Government 
     in intercepting pests in international shipping and on plants 
     for planting;
       (2) describing the geographic sources of intercepted pests 
     and the commodities or plant species most often associated 
     with infested shipments;
       (3) quantifying the detection of forest pests in the 
     national surveillance networks, including the Cooperative 
     Agricultural Pest Survey and the Early Detection and Rapid 
     Response network of the Forest Service;
       (4) describing new outbreaks of forest pests in the United 
     States and the spread of existing infestations;
       (5) describing how the numbers of such interceptions, 
     detections, and outbreaks described in a preceding paragraph 
     have changed since January 1, 2018;
       (6) containing proposed additional actions to further 
     reduce the rate of arrival for forest pests across the 
     borders of the United States;
       (7) identifying current challenges with intercepting, 
     detecting, and addressing outbreaks of tree and wood pests, 
     as well as challenges in achieving compliance with the Plant 
     Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) and recommendations 
     with respect to such challenges; and
       (8) describing the coordination and collaboration occurring 
     between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and 
     the Forest Service with respect to--
       (A) identifying and prioritizing critical detection, 
     surveillance, and eradication needs for tree and wood pests; 
     and
       (B) identifying the actions each agency takes within their 
     respective missions to address identified priorities.

     SEC. 10111. REPORT ON PLANT BIOSTIMULANTS.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to 
     the President and Congress that identifies any potential 
     regulatory, non-regulatory, and legislative recommendations, 
     including the appropriateness of any definitions for plant 
     biostimulant, to ensure the efficient and appropriate review, 
     approval, uniform national labeling, and availability of 
     plant biostimulant products to agricultural producers.
       (b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall prepare the report 
     required by subsection (a) in consultation with the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
     several States, industry stakeholders, and such other 
     stakeholders as the Secretary determines necessary.
       (c) Plant Biostimulant.--For the purposes of the report 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary--
       (1) shall consider ``plant biostimulant'' to be a substance 
     or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the 
     rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or 
     benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to 
     abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield; and
       (2) may modify the description of plant biostimulant, as 
     appropriate.

     SEC. 10112. CLARIFICATION OF USE OF FUNDS FOR TECHNICAL 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       Section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 714i) is amended in the last sentence by inserting 
     after ``activities'' the following: ``but excluding any 
     amounts used to provide technical assistance under title X of 
     the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 or an amendment made 
     by that title''.

     SEC. 10113. HEMP PRODUCTION.

       The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

                     ``Subtitle G--Hemp Production

     ``SEC. 297A. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this subtitle:
       ``(1) Hemp.--The term `hemp' means the plant Cannabis 
     sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds 
     thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, 
     acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, 
     with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more 
     than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
       ``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
       ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       ``(4) State.--The term `State' means--
       ``(A) a State;
       ``(B) the District of Columbia;
       ``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
       ``(D) any other territory or possession of the United 
     States.
       ``(5) State department of agriculture.--The term `State 
     department of agriculture' means the agency, commission, or 
     department of a State government responsible for agriculture 
     in the State.
       ``(6) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal government' 
     means the governing body of an Indian tribe.

     ``SEC. 297B. STATE AND TRIBAL PLANS.

       ``(a) Submission.--
       ``(1) In general.--A State or Indian tribe desiring to have 
     primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp in 
     the State or territory of the Indian tribe shall submit to 
     the Secretary, through the State department of agriculture 
     (in consultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement 
     officer of the State) or the Tribal government, as 
     applicable, a plan under which the State or Indian tribe 
     monitors and regulates that production as described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Contents.--A State or Tribal plan referred to in 
     paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) shall only be required to include--
       ``(i) a practice to maintain relevant information regarding 
     land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of 
     the Indian tribe, including a legal description of the land, 
     for a period of not less than 3 calendar years;
       ``(ii) a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation 
     or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 
     tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in 
     the State or territory of the Indian tribe;
       ``(iii) a procedure for the effective disposal of--

       ``(I) plants, whether growing or not, that are produced in 
     violation of this subtitle; and
       ``(II) products derived from those plants;

       ``(iv) a procedure to comply with the enforcement 
     procedures under subsection (e);
       ``(v) a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, at 
     a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to verify that 
     hemp is not produced in violation of this subtitle;
       ``(vi) a procedure for submitting the information described 
     in section 297C(d)(2), as applicable, to the Secretary not 
     more than 30 days after the date on which the information is 
     received; and
       ``(vii) a certification that the State or Indian tribe has 
     the resources and personnel to carry out the practices and 
     procedures described in clauses (i) through (vi); and
       ``(B) may include any other practice or procedure 
     established by a State or Indian tribe, as applicable, to the 
     extent that the practice or procedure is consistent with this 
     subtitle.
       ``(3) Relation to state and tribal law.--
       ``(A) No preemption.--Nothing in this subsection preempts 
     or limits any law of a State or Indian tribe that--
       ``(i) regulates the production of hemp; and
       ``(ii) is more stringent than this subtitle.
       ``(B) References in plans.--A State or Tribal plan referred 
     to in paragraph (1) may include a reference to a law of the 
     State or Indian tribe regulating the production of hemp, to 
     the extent that law is consistent with this subtitle.
       ``(b) Approval.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after receipt of 
     a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a), the Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(A) approve the State or Tribal plan if the State or 
     Tribal plan complies with subsection (a); or
       ``(B) disapprove the State or Tribal plan only if the State 
     or Tribal plan does not comply with subsection (a).
       ``(2) Amended plans.--If the Secretary disapproves a State 
     or Tribal plan under paragraph (1)(B), the State, through the 
     State department of agriculture (in consultation with the 
     Governor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or 
     the Tribal government, as applicable, may submit to the 
     Secretary an amended State or Tribal plan that complies with 
     subsection (a).
       ``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Attorney General in carrying out this subsection.
       ``(c) Audit of State Compliance.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may conduct an audit of 
     the compliance of a State or Indian tribe with a State or 
     Tribal plan approved under subsection (b).
       ``(2) Noncompliance.--If the Secretary determines under an 
     audit conducted under paragraph (1) that a State or Indian 
     tribe is not materially in compliance with a State or Tribal 
     plan--
       ``(A) the Secretary shall collaborate with the State or 
     Indian tribe to develop a corrective action plan in the case 
     of a first instance of noncompliance; and
       ``(B) the Secretary may revoke approval of the State or 
     Tribal plan in the case of a second or subsequent instance of 
     noncompliance.
       ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
     technical assistance to a State or Indian tribe in the 
     development of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a).

[[Page H9929]]

       ``(e) Violations.--
       ``(1) In general.--A violation of a State or Tribal plan 
     approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to enforcement 
     solely in accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Negligent violation.--
       ``(A) In general.--A hemp producer in a State or the 
     territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan 
     is approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to 
     subparagraph (B) of this paragraph if the State department of 
     agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, determines 
     that the hemp producer has negligently violated the State or 
     Tribal plan, including by negligently--
       ``(i) failing to provide a legal description of land on 
     which the producer produces hemp;
       ``(ii) failing to obtain a license or other required 
     authorization from the State department of agriculture or 
     Tribal government, as applicable; or
       ``(iii) producing Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9 
     tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of more than 0.3 percent 
     on a dry weight basis.
       ``(B) Corrective action plan.--A hemp producer described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall comply with a plan established by the 
     State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as 
     applicable, to correct the negligent violation, including--
       ``(i) a reasonable date by which the hemp producer shall 
     correct the negligent violation; and
       ``(ii) a requirement that the hemp producer shall 
     periodically report to the State department of agriculture or 
     Tribal government, as applicable, on the compliance of the 
     hemp producer with the State or Tribal plan for a period of 
     not less than the next 2 calendar years.
       ``(C) Result of negligent violation.--A hemp producer that 
     negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under 
     subparagraph (A) shall not as a result of that violation be 
     subject to any criminal enforcement action by the Federal 
     Government or any State government, Tribal government, or 
     local government.
       ``(D) Repeat violations.--A hemp producer that negligently 
     violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph (A) 3 
     times in a 5-year period shall be ineligible to produce hemp 
     for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the third 
     violation.
       ``(3) Other violations.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the State department of agriculture 
     or Tribal government in a State or the territory of an Indian 
     tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is approved under 
     subsection (b), as applicable, determines that a hemp 
     producer in the State or territory has violated the State or 
     Tribal plan with a culpable mental state greater than 
     negligence--
       ``(i) the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
     government, as applicable, shall immediately report the hemp 
     producer to--

       ``(I) the Attorney General; and
       ``(II) the chief law enforcement officer of the State or 
     Indian tribe, as applicable; and

       ``(ii) paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to 
     the violation.
       ``(B) Felony.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), any 
     person convicted of a felony relating to a controlled 
     substance under State or Federal law before, on, or after the 
     date of enactment of this subtitle shall be ineligible, 
     during the 10-year period following the date of the 
     conviction--

       ``(I) to participate in the program established under this 
     section or section 297C; and
       ``(II) to produce hemp under any regulations or guidelines 
     issued under section 297D(a).

       ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not apply to any person 
     growing hemp lawfully with a license, registration, or 
     authorization under a pilot program authorized by section 
     7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) before 
     the date of enactment of this subtitle.
       ``(C) False statement.--Any person who materially falsifies 
     any information contained in an application to participate in 
     the program established under this section shall be 
     ineligible to participate in that program.
       ``(f) Effect.--Nothing in this section prohibits the 
     production of hemp in a State or the territory of an Indian 
     tribe--
       ``(1) for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved 
     under this section, if the production of hemp is in 
     accordance with section 297C or other Federal laws (including 
     regulations); and
       ``(2) if the production of hemp is not otherwise prohibited 
     by the State or Indian tribe.

     ``SEC. 297C. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

       ``(a) Department of Agriculture Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of a State or Indian tribe 
     for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under 
     section 297B, the production of hemp in that State or the 
     territory of that Indian tribe shall be subject to a plan 
     established by the Secretary to monitor and regulate that 
     production in accordance with paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Content.--A plan established by the Secretary under 
     paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) a practice to maintain relevant information regarding 
     land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of 
     the Indian tribe, including a legal description of the land, 
     for a period of not less than 3 calendar years;
       ``(B) a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation 
     or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 
     tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in 
     the State or territory of the Indian tribe;
       ``(C) a procedure for the effective disposal of--
       ``(i) plants, whether growing or not, that are produced in 
     violation of this subtitle; and
       ``(ii) products derived from those plants;
       ``(D) a procedure to comply with the enforcement procedures 
     under subsection (c)(2);
       ``(E) a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, at 
     a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to verify that 
     hemp is not produced in violation of this subtitle; and
       ``(F) such other practices or procedures as the Secretary 
     considers to be appropriate, to the extent that the practice 
     or procedure is consistent with this subtitle.
       ``(b) Licensing.--The Secretary shall establish a procedure 
     to issue licenses to hemp producers in accordance with a plan 
     established under subsection (a).
       ``(c) Violations.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of a State or Indian tribe 
     for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under 
     section 297B, it shall be unlawful to produce hemp in that 
     State or the territory of that Indian tribe without a license 
     issued by the Secretary under subsection (b).
       ``(2) Negligent and other violations.--A violation of a 
     plan established under subsection (a) shall be subject to 
     enforcement in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
     section 297B(e), except that the Secretary shall carry out 
     that enforcement instead of a State department of agriculture 
     or Tribal government.
       ``(3) Reporting to attorney general.--In the case of a 
     State or Indian tribe covered by paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall report the production of hemp without a license issued 
     by the Secretary under subsection (b) to the Attorney 
     General.
       ``(d) Information Sharing for Law Enforcement.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) collect the information described in paragraph (2); 
     and
       ``(B) make the information collected under subparagraph (A) 
     accessible in real time to Federal, State, territorial, and 
     local law enforcement.
       ``(2) Content.--The information collected by the Secretary 
     under paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) contact information for each hemp producer in a State 
     or the territory of an Indian tribe for which--
       ``(i) a State or Tribal plan is approved under section 
     297B(b); or
       ``(ii) a plan is established by the Secretary under this 
     section;
       ``(B) a legal description of the land on which hemp is 
     grown by each hemp producer described in subparagraph (A); 
     and
       ``(C) for each hemp producer described in subparagraph 
     (A)--
       ``(i) the status of--

       ``(I) a license or other required authorization from the 
     State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as 
     applicable; or
       ``(II) a license from the Secretary; and

       ``(ii) any changes to the status.

     ``SEC. 297D. REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES; EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.

       ``(a) Promulgation of Regulations and Guidelines; Report.--
       ``(1) Regulations and guidelines.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations and guidelines to implement this subtitle as 
     expeditiously as practicable.
       ``(B) Consultation with attorney general.--The Secretary 
     shall consult with the Attorney General on the promulgation 
     of regulations and guidelines under subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall annually submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report containing updates on the implementation of 
     this subtitle.
       ``(b) Authority.--Subject to subsection (c)(3)(B), the 
     Secretary shall have sole authority to promulgate Federal 
     regulations and guidelines that relate to the production of 
     hemp, including Federal regulations and guidelines that 
     relate to the implementation of sections 297B and 297C.
       ``(c) Effect on Other Law.--Nothing in this subtitle shall 
     affect or modify--
       ``(1) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
     301 et seq.);
       ``(2) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 262); or
       ``(3) the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs 
     and the Secretary of Health and Human Services--
       ``(A) under--
       ``(i) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
     301 et seq.); or
       ``(ii) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 262); or
       ``(B) to promulgate Federal regulations and guidelines that 
     relate to the production of hemp under the Act described in 
     subparagraph (A)(i) or the section described in subparagraph 
     (A)(ii).

     ``SEC. 297E. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this subtitle.''.

     SEC. 10114. INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

       (a) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title or an 
     amendment made by this title prohibits the interstate 
     commerce of hemp (as defined in section 297A of the 
     Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by section 
     10113)) or hemp products.
       (b) Transportation of Hemp and Hemp Products.--No State or 
     Indian Tribe shall prohibit the transportation or shipment of 
     hemp or hemp products produced in accordance with subtitle G 
     of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by 
     section 10113) through the State or the territory of the 
     Indian Tribe, as applicable.

     SEC. 10115. FIFRA INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.

       Section 3(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
     Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 13a(c)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(11) Interagency working group.--
       ``(A) Definition of covered agency.--In this paragraph, the 
     term `covered agency' means any of the following:
       ``(i) The Department of Agriculture.
       ``(ii) The Department of Commerce.

[[Page H9930]]

       ``(iii) The Department of the Interior.
       ``(iv) The Council on Environmental Quality.
       ``(v) The Environmental Protection Agency.
       ``(B) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish an 
     interagency working group, to be comprised of representatives 
     from each covered agency, to provide recommendations 
     regarding, and to implement a strategy for improving, the 
     consultation process required under section 7 of the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) for pesticide 
     registration and registration review.
       ``(C) Duties.--The interagency working group established 
     under subparagraph (B) shall--
       ``(i) analyze relevant Federal law (including regulations) 
     and case law for purposes of providing an outline of the 
     legal and regulatory framework for the consultation process 
     referred to in that subparagraph, including--

       ``(I) requirements under this Act and the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
       ``(II) Federal case law regarding the intersection of this 
     Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
     seq.); and
       ``(III) Federal regulations relating to the pesticide 
     consultation process;

       ``(ii) provide advice regarding methods of--

       ``(I) defining the scope of actions of the covered agencies 
     that are subject to the consultation requirement referred to 
     in subparagraph (B); and
       ``(II) properly identifying and classifying effects of 
     actions of the covered agencies with respect to that 
     consultation requirement;

       ``(iii) identify the obligations and limitations under 
     Federal law of each covered agency for purposes of providing 
     a legal and regulatory framework for developing the 
     recommendations referred to in subparagraph (B);
       ``(iv) review practices for the consultation referred to in 
     subparagraph (B) to identify problem areas, areas for 
     improvement, and best practices for conducting that 
     consultation among the covered agencies;
       ``(v) develop scientific and policy approaches to increase 
     the accuracy and timeliness of the process for that 
     consultation, in accordance with requirements of this Act and 
     the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 
     including--

       ``(I) processes to efficiently share data and coordinate 
     analyses among the Department of Agriculture, the Department 
     of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and the 
     Environmental Protection Agency;
       ``(II) a streamlined process for identifying which actions 
     require no consultation, informal consultation, or formal 
     consultation;
       ``(III) an approach that will provide clarity with respect 
     to what constitutes the best scientific and commercial data 
     available in the fields of pesticide use and ecological risk 
     assessment, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)); and
       ``(IV) approaches that enable the Environmental Protection 
     Agency to better assist the Department of the Interior and 
     the Department of Commerce in carrying out obligations under 
     that section in a timely and efficient manner; and

       ``(vi) propose and implement a strategy to implement 
     approaches to consultations under the Endangered Species Act 
     of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and document that strategy 
     in a memorandum of understanding, revised regulations, or 
     another appropriate format to promote durable cooperation 
     among the covered agencies.
       ``(D) Reports.--
       ``(i) Progress reports.--

       ``(I) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator, in 
     coordination with the head of each other covered agency, 
     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 describing the progress 
     of the working group in developing the recommendations under 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(II) Requirements.--The report under this clause shall--

       ``(aa) reflect the perspectives of each covered agency; and
       ``(bb) identify areas of new consensus and continuing 
     topics of disagreement and debate.
       ``(ii) Results.--

       ``(I) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator, in 
     coordination with the head of each other covered agency, 
     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 describing--

       ``(aa) the recommendations developed under subparagraph 
     (B); and
       ``(bb) plans for implementation of those recommendations.

       ``(II) Requirements.--The report under this clause shall--

       ``(aa) reflect the perspectives of each covered agency; and
       ``(bb) identify areas of consensus and continuing topics of 
     disagreement and debate, if any.
       ``(iii) Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of submission of the report under clause (i), the 
     Administrator, in coordination with the head of each other 
     covered agency, 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 
     describing--

       ``(I) the implementation of the recommendations referred to 
     in that clause;
       ``(II) the extent to which that implementation improved the 
     consultation process referred to in subparagraph (B); and
       ``(III) any additional recommendations for improvements to 
     the process described in subparagraph (B).

       ``(iv) Other reports.--Not later than the date that is 180 
     days after the date of submission of the report under clause 
     (iii), and not less frequently than once every 180 days 
     thereafter during the 5-year period beginning on that date, 
     the Administrator, in coordination with the head of each 
     other covered agency, 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 describing--

       ``(I) the implementation of the recommendations referred to 
     in that clause;
       ``(II) the extent to which that implementation improved the 
     consultation process referred to in subparagraph (B); and
       ``(III) any additional recommendations for improvements to 
     the process described in subparagraph (B).

       ``(E) Consultation with private sector.--In carrying out 
     the duties under this paragraph, the working group shall, as 
     appropriate--
       ``(i) consult with, representatives of interested industry 
     stakeholders and nongovernmental organizations; and
       ``(ii) take into consideration factors, such as actual and 
     potential differences in interest between, and the views of, 
     those stakeholders and organizations.
       ``(F) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working 
     group established under this paragraph.
       ``(G) Savings clause.--Nothing in this paragraph supersedes 
     any provision of--
       ``(i) this Act; or
       ``(ii) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
     et seq.), including the requirements under section 7 of that 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1536).''.

     SEC. 10116. STUDY ON METHYL BROMIDE USE IN RESPONSE TO AN 
                   EMERGENCY EVENT.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Emergency event.--The term ``emergency event'' means a 
     situation--
       (A) that occurs at a location on which a plant or commodity 
     is grown or produced or facility providing for the storage 
     of, or other services with respect to, a plant or commodity;
       (B) for which the lack of availability of methyl bromide 
     for a particular use would result in significant economic 
     loss to the owner, lessee, or operator of the location or 
     facility or the owner, grower, or purchaser of the plant or 
     commodity; and
       (C) that, in light of the specific agricultural, 
     meteorological, or other conditions presented, requires the 
     use of methyl bromide to control a pest or disease in the 
     location or facility because there are no technically 
     feasible alternatives to methyl bromide easily accessible by 
     an entity referred to in subparagraph (B) at the time and 
     location of the event that--
       (i) are registered under the Federal Insecticide, 
     Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) for the 
     intended use or pest to be so controlled; and
       (ii) would adequately control the pest or disease presented 
     at the location or facility.
       (2) Pest.--The term ``pest'' has the meaning given the term 
     in section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
     Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136).
       (b) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, shall complete a study on the potential 
     use of methyl bromide in response to an emergency event.
       (2) Requirements.--The study under paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       (A) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing State, local, or 
     Tribal authorities, in accordance with appropriate 
     requirements and criteria, such as the recommendations 
     developed under subparagraph (E)--
       (i) to determine when the use of methyl bromide is 
     required; and
       (ii) to authorize such use;
       (B) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing the Secretary, 
     in accordance with appropriate requirements and criteria, 
     such as the recommendations developed under subparagraph 
     (E)--
       (i) to determine when the use of methyl bromide is 
     required; and
       (ii) to authorize such use;
       (C) a historic estimate of situations occurring on or after 
     September 15, 1997, that could have been deemed emergency 
     events;
       (D) a detailed assessment of the adherence of the United 
     States to international obligations of the United States with 
     respect to the prevention of ozone depletion; and
       (E) an assessment and recommendations on appropriate 
     requirements and criteria to be met to authorize the use of 
     methyl bromide in response to an emergency event (including 
     any recommendations for revising the definition of the term 
     ``emergency event'' in subsection (a)) in a manner that fully 
     complies with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that 
     Deplete the Ozone Layer, including Decision IX/7 of the Ninth 
     Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Montreal 
     Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on 
     the study under subsection (b) to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition of the Senate.

                        TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE

     SEC. 11101. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1502(b)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), 
     and (11) as paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), and (13) 
     respectively;

[[Page H9931]]

       (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) Cover crop termination.--The term `cover crop 
     termination' means a practice that historically and under 
     reasonable circumstances results in the termination of the 
     growth of a cover crop.''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(9) Hemp.--The term `hemp' has the meaning given the term 
     in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.''.

     SEC. 11102. DATA COLLECTION.

       Section 506(h)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1506(h)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) National agricultural statistics service.--Data 
     collected by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 
     whether published or unpublished, shall be--
       ``(i) provided in an aggregate form to the Corporation for 
     the purpose of providing insurance under this subtitle; and
       ``(ii) kept confidential by the Corporation in the same 
     manner and to the same extent as is required under--

       ``(I) section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 
     U.S.C. 2276); and
       ``(II) the Confidential Information Protection and 
     Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note; 
     Public Law 107-347).

       ``(C) Noninsured crop disaster assistance program.--In 
     collecting data under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
     ensure that--
       ``(i) appropriate data are collected through the noninsured 
     crop disaster assistance program established by section 196 
     of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
     (7 U.S.C. 7333); and
       ``(ii) not less frequently than annually, the Farm Service 
     Agency shares, and the Corporation considers, the data 
     described in clause (i).''.

     SEC. 11103. SHARING OF RECORDS.

       Section 506(h)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1506(h)(3)) is amended by inserting ``applicants who 
     have received payment under section 522(b)(2)(E),'' after 
     ``divisions,''.

     SEC. 11104. USE OF RESOURCES.

       Section 507(f) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1507(f)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) the Farm Service Agency, in assisting the Board in--
       ``(A) the determination of individual producer yields;
       ``(B) sharing information on beginning farmers and ranchers 
     and veteran farmers and ranchers;
       ``(C) investigating potential waste, fraud, or abuse;
       ``(D) sharing information to support the transition of 
     crops and counties from the noninsured crop disaster 
     assistance program established by section 196 of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
     7333) to insurance under this subtitle; and
       ``(E) serving as a local point of contact for the 
     dissemination of information on risk management options 
     available to farmers and ranchers; and
       ``(4) other Federal agencies, in assisting the Board in any 
     way the Board determines is necessary in carrying out this 
     subtitle.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(2) the'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(2) the''; and
       (3) by striking ``(f) The Board'' in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) and all that follows through the semicolon at 
     the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(f) Use of Resources, Data, Boards, and Committees of 
     Federal Agencies.--If the Board determines it is necessary, 
     the Board shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
     resources, data, boards, and the committees of--
       ``(1) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in 
     assisting the Board in--
       ``(A) the classification of land as to risk and production 
     capability; and
       ``(B) the consideration of acceptable conservation 
     practices, including good farming practices with respect to 
     conservation (such as cover crop termination);''.

     SEC. 11105. SPECIALTY CROPS.

       (a) Specialty Crops Coordinator.--Section 507(g) of the 
     Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1507(g)) is amended--
       (1) by striking the subsection designation and all that 
     follows through ``The Corporation'' in paragraph (1) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(g) Specialty Crops Coordinator.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Corporation''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Specialty crop liaisons.--The Specialty Crops 
     Coordinator shall--
       ``(A) designate a Specialty Crops Liaison in each regional 
     field office; and
       ``(B) share the contact information of the Specialty Crops 
     Liaisons with specialty crop producers.
       ``(5) Website.--The Specialty Crops Coordinator shall 
     establish a website focused on the efforts of the Corporation 
     to provide and expand crop insurance for specialty crop 
     producers.''.
       (b) Addition of Specialty Crops and Other Value-added 
     Crops.--Section 508(a)(6) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 1508(a)(6)) is amended--
       (1) in the paragraph heading, by adding at the end the 
     following: ``(including value-added crops)'';
       (2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) Annual review.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and 
     annually thereafter, the manager of the Corporation shall 
     prepare, to the maximum extent practicable, based on data 
     shared from the noninsured crop disaster assistance program 
     established by section 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
     Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333), written 
     agreements, or other data, and present to the Board not less 
     than 1 of each of the following:
       ``(i) Research and development for a policy or plan of 
     insurance for a commodity for which there is no existing 
     policy or plan of insurance.
       ``(ii) Expansion of an existing policy or plan of insurance 
     to additional counties or States, including malting barley 
     endorsements or contract options.
       ``(iii) Research and development for a new policy or plan 
     of insurance, or endorsement, for commodities with existing 
     policies or plans of insurance, such as dollar plans.'';
       (3) in subparagraph (B), in the subparagraph heading, by 
     striking ``Addition of new crops'' and inserting ``Report''; 
     and
       (4) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D).

     SEC. 11106. INSURANCE PERIOD.

       Section 508(a)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1508(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and sweet 
     potatoes'' and inserting ``sweet potatoes, and hemp''.

     SEC. 11107. COVER CROPS.

       Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1508(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3)(B), in the subparagraph heading, by 
     inserting ``determination review'' after ``practices''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(11) Cover crops.--
       ``(A) In general.--The voluntary practice of cover cropping 
     shall be considered a good farming practice under paragraph 
     (3)(A)(iii) if the cover crop is terminated in accordance 
     with subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) Termination.--
       ``(i) In general.--The termination of a cover crop shall be 
     carried out according to--

       ``(I) guidelines established by the Secretary; or
       ``(II) an exception to the guidelines approved under clause 
     (ii).

       ``(ii) Exception to guidelines.--The Corporation shall 
     approve an exception to the guidelines under clause (i)(I) if 
     that exception is recommended by--

       ``(I) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; or
       ``(II) an agricultural expert, as determined by the 
     Corporation, unless the exception is determined to be 
     unreasonable by the Corporation.

       ``(C) Insurability of subsequent crop.--Cover crop 
     termination shall not affect the insurability of a 
     subsequently planted insurable crop if the cover crop is 
     terminated in accordance with subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Summer fallow.--In a county in which summer fallow is 
     an insurable practice, a cover crop in that county that is 
     terminated in accordance with subparagraph (B) shall be 
     considered as summer fallow for the purpose of 
     insurability.''.

     SEC. 11108. UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS.

       Section 508(a)(7) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1508(a)(7)) is amended--
       (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``and 
     underserved producers'' after ``states'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking the designation and heading and all that 
     follows through ``the term'' and inserting the following:
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Adequately served.--The term'';
       (B) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``participation rate'' and inserting ``participation rate, by 
     crop,''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Underserved producer.--The term `underserved 
     producer' means an individual (including a member of an 
     Indian Tribe) that is--

       ``(I) a beginning farmer or rancher;
       ``(II) a veteran farmer or rancher; or
       ``(III) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.'';

       (3) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``The Board'' and inserting ``Using 
     resources and information available to the Board or the 
     Secretary, the Board''; and
       (B) by striking ``subtitle'' and inserting ``subtitle, 
     including policies and plans of insurance for underserved 
     producers,''; and
       (4) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) Report.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not later than 30 days after completion 
     of the review under subparagraph (B), and not less frequently 
     than once every 3 years thereafter, the Board shall make 
     publicly available and submit to the Committee on Agriculture 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     describing the results of the review.
       ``(ii) Recommendations.--The report under clause (i) shall 
     include recommendations to increase participation in States 
     and among underserved producers that are not adequately 
     served by the policies and plans of insurance, including any 
     plans for administrative action or recommendations for 
     Congressional action.''.

     SEC. 11109. TREATMENT OF FORAGE AND GRAZING.

       (a) Availability of Catastrophic Risk Protection for Crops 
     and Grasses Used for Grazing.--Section 508(b)(1) of the 
     Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
     subparagraph (B), the'' and inserting ``The''; and
       (2) by striking subparagraph (B).
       (b) Coverage for Forage and Grazing.--The Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act is amended by inserting after section 508C (7 
     U.S.C. 1508c) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 508D. COVERAGE FOR FORAGE AND GRAZING.

       ``Notwithstanding section 508A, and in addition to any 
     other available coverage, for crops

[[Page H9932]]

     that can be both grazed and mechanically harvested on the 
     same acres during the same growing season, producers shall be 
     allowed to purchase separate policies for each intended use, 
     as determined by the Corporation, and any indemnity paid 
     under those policies for each intended use shall not be 
     considered to be for the same loss for the purposes of 
     section 508(n).''.

     SEC. 11110. ADMINISTRATIVE BASIC FEE.

       Section 508(b)(5)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1508(b)(5)(A)) is amended by striking ``$300'' and 
     inserting ``$655''.

     SEC. 11111. ENTERPRISE UNITS.

       Section 508(e)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1508(e)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(E) Enterprise units across county lines.--The 
     Corporation may allow a producer to establish a single 
     enterprise unit by combining an enterprise unit with--
       ``(i) 1 or more other enterprise units in 1 or more other 
     counties; or
       ``(ii) all basic units and all optional units in 1 or more 
     other counties.''.

     SEC. 11112. CONTINUED AUTHORITY.

       Section 508(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1508(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(6) Continued authority.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall establish--
       ``(i) underwriting rules that limit the decrease in the 
     actual production history of a producer, at the election of 
     the producer, to not more than 10 percent of the actual 
     production history of the previous crop year provided that 
     the production decline was the result of drought, flood, 
     natural disaster, or other insurable loss (as determined by 
     the Corporation); and
       ``(ii) actuarially sound premiums to cover additional risk.
       ``(B) Other authority.--The authority provided under 
     subparagraph (A) is in addition to any other authority that 
     adjusts the actual production history of the producer under 
     this Act.
       ``(C) Effect.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed 
     to require a change in the administration of any provision of 
     this Act as the Act was administered for the 2018 reinsurance 
     year.''.

     SEC. 11113. SUBMISSION OF POLICIES AND MATERIALS TO BOARD.

       Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1508(h)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
       (A) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as 
     subclauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``The Corporation shall'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(i) In general.--The Corporation shall'';
       (C) in clause (i)(I) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``subject to clause (ii),'' before ``will likely''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Waiver for hemp.--The Corporation may waive the 
     viability and marketability requirement under clause (i)(I) 
     in the case of a policy or pilot program relating to the 
     production of hemp.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)(C)--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) in the case of reviewing policies and other 
     materials relating to the production of hemp, may waive the 
     viability and marketability requirement under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii)(I).''.

     SEC. 11114. CROP PRODUCTION ON NATIVE SOD.

       Section 508(o)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1508(o)(2)(A)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``During the'' and inserting the following:
       ``(i) First 4 crop years.--During the'';
       (2) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ``after 
     the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014'' and 
     inserting ``beginning on February 8, 2014, and ending on the 
     date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
     2018''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Subsequent crop years.--Native sod acreage that has 
     been tilled for the production of an insurable crop after the 
     date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
     shall be subject to a reduction in benefits under this 
     subtitle as described in this paragraph for not more than 4 
     cumulative years--

       ``(I) during the first 10 years after initial tillage; and
       ``(II) during each of which a crop on that acreage is 
     insured under subsection (c).''.

     SEC. 11115. USE OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 
                   DATA TO COMBAT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.

       Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1515) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) using published aggregate data from the National 
     Agricultural Statistics Service or any other data source to--
       ``(i) detect yield disparities or other data anomalies that 
     indicate potential fraud; and
       ``(ii) target the relevant counties, crops, regions, 
     companies, or agents associated with that potential fraud for 
     audits and other enforcement actions.''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by striking ``pursuant to'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``under''.

     SEC. 11116. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION TO CORPORATION.

       Section 515(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1515(g)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) The actual production history to be used to establish 
     insurable yields.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``The information required by paragraph 
     (1)'' and inserting the following:
       ``(A) In general.--The information required to be submitted 
     under subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1)''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Actual production history.--
       ``(i) In general.--The information required to be submitted 
     under paragraph (1)(D) with respect to an applicable policy 
     or plan of insurance for a covered commodity (as defined in 
     section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) 
     shall be submitted so as to ensure receipt by the Corporation 
     not later than the Saturday of the week containing the 
     calendar day that is 30 days after the applicable production 
     reporting date for the crop to be insured.
       ``(ii) Correction of errors.--Nothing in clause (i) limits 
     the ability of an approved insurance provider to correct any 
     error in the information submitted under paragraph (1)(D) 
     after receipt of the information by the Corporation in 
     accordance with clause (i).''.

     SEC. 11117. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LOSS ADJUSTERS AND 
                   AGENTS.

       Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1515) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following:
       ``(k) Continuing Education for Loss Adjusters and Agents.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Corporation shall establish 
     requirements for continuing education for loss adjusters and 
     agents of approved insurance providers.
       ``(2) Requirements.--The requirements for continuing 
     education described in paragraph (1) shall ensure that loss 
     adjusters and agents of approved insurance providers are 
     familiar with--
       ``(A) the policies and plans of insurance available under 
     this Act, including the regulations promulgated to carry out 
     this Act;
       ``(B) efforts to promote program integrity through the 
     elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse; and
       ``(C) other aspects of adjusting, delivering, and servicing 
     policies and plans of insurance by adjustors and agents, as 
     determined by the Secretary, including conservation 
     activities and agronomic practices (including organic and 
     sustainable practices) that are common and appropriate to the 
     area in which the insured crop being inspected is 
     produced.''.

     SEC. 11118. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

       Section 516(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 1516(b)(2)(C)(i)) is amended by striking 
     ``$9,000,000'' and inserting ``$7,000,000''.

     SEC. 11119. AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY.

       Section 518 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1518) is amended by inserting ``hemp,'' before ``aquacultural 
     species''.

     SEC. 11120. MAINTENANCE OF POLICIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by amending subparagraph (B) to read 
     as follows:
       ``(B) Reimbursement.--
       ``(i) In general.--An applicant who submits a policy under 
     section 508(h) shall be eligible for the reimbursement of 
     reasonable research and development costs if the policy is 
     approved by the Board for sale to producers.
       ``(ii) Reasonable costs.--For the purpose of reimbursing 
     research and development and maintenance costs under this 
     section, costs of the applicant shall be considered 
     reasonable costs if the costs are based on--

       ``(I) for any employees or contracted personnel, wage rates 
     equal to not more than 2 times the hourly wage rate plus 
     benefits, as provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 
     the year in which such costs are incurred, calculated using 
     the formula applied to an applicant by the Corporation in 
     reviewing proposed project budgets under this section on 
     October 1, 2016; and
       ``(II) other actual documented costs incurred by the 
     applicant.''; and

       (2) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``approved insurance 
     provider'' and inserting ``applicant''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (D)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``determined by the approved 
     insurance provider'' and inserting ``determined by the 
     applicant''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) Review.--After the Board approves the amount of a 
     fee under clause (ii), the fee shall remain in effect and not 
     be reviewed by the Board unless--

       ``(I) the applicant petitions the Board for reconsideration 
     of the fee;
       ``(II) a substantial change is made to the policy, as 
     determined by the Board; or
       ``(III) there is substantial evidence that the fee is 
     inhibiting sales or use of the policy, as determined by the 
     Board.''.

       (b) Applicability.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to reimbursement requests made on or after October 1, 
     2016.
       (2) Resubmission of denied request.--An applicant that was 
     denied all or a portion of a reimbursement request under 
     paragraph (1) of section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) during the period between October 1, 
     2016, and the date of the enactment of this Act shall be 
     given an opportunity to resubmit such request.

[[Page H9933]]

  


     SEC. 11121. REIMBURSEMENT OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
                   MAINTENANCE COSTS.

       Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1522(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(K) Waiver for hemp.--The Board may waive the viability 
     and marketability requirements under this paragraph in the 
     case of research and development relating to a policy to 
     insure the production of hemp.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
     Corporation''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Waiver for hemp.--The Corporation may waive the 
     marketability requirement under subparagraph (A) in the case 
     of research and development relating to a policy to insure 
     the production of hemp.''.

     SEC. 11122. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

       Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1522(c)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraphs (7) through (18) and (20) 
     through (23);
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (19) and (24) as paragraphs 
     (7) and (8), respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated) (entitled ``Whole 
     farm diversified risk management insurance plan''), by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(E) Review of modifications to improve effectiveness.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018--

       ``(I) the Corporation shall hold stakeholder meetings to 
     solicit producer and agent feedback; and
       ``(II) the Board shall--

       ``(aa) review procedures and paperwork requirements on 
     agents and producers; and
       ``(bb) modify procedures and requirements, as appropriate, 
     to decrease burdens and increase flexibility and 
     effectiveness.
       ``(ii) Factors.--In carrying out items (aa) and (bb) of 
     subclause (i)(II), the Board shall consider--

       ``(I) removing caps on nursery and livestock production;
       ``(II) allowing a waiver to expand operations, especially 
     for small and beginning farmers;
       ``(III) minimizing paperwork for producers and agents;
       ``(IV) implementing an option for producers with less than 
     $1,000,000 in gross revenue that requires significantly less 
     paperwork and recordkeeping;
       ``(V) developing and using alternative records such as 
     time-stamped photographs or technology applications to 
     document planting and production history;
       ``(VI) treating the different growth stages of aquaculture 
     species as separate crops to recognize the difference in 
     perils at different phases of growth;
       ``(VII) moderating the impacts of disaster years on 
     historic revenue, such as--

       ``(aa) using an average of the historic and projected 
     revenue;
       ``(bb) counting indemnities as historic revenue for loss 
     years;
       ``(cc) counting payments under section 196 of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
     7333) as historic revenue for loss years; or
       ``(dd) using an assigned yield floor similar to the 
     limitation described in section 508(g)(6)(A)(i), as 
     determined by the Secretary;

       ``(VIII) improving agent training and outreach to 
     underserved regions and sectors such as small dairy farms; 
     and
       ``(IX) providing coverage and indemnification of insurable 
     losses--

       ``(aa) after the losses exceed the deductible; and
       ``(bb) up to the maximum amount of total coverage.
       ``(F) Beginning farmer or rancher defined.--Notwithstanding 
     section 502(b)(3), with respect to plans described under this 
     paragraph, the term `beginning farmer or rancher' means a 
     farmer or rancher who has not actively operated and managed a 
     farm or ranch with a bona fide insurable interest in a crop 
     or livestock as an owner-operator, landlord, tenant, or 
     sharecropper for more than 10 crop years.''; and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(9) Tropical storm or hurricane insurance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development, regarding a policy to insure crops (including 
     tomatoes, peppers, and citrus) against losses due to a 
     tropical storm or hurricane.
       ``(B) Research and development.--Research and development 
     under subparagraph (A) shall--
       ``(i) evaluate the effectiveness of risk management tools 
     for a low frequency and catastrophic loss weather event; and
       ``(ii) result in a policy that provides protection for at 
     least 1 of the following:

       ``(I) Production loss.
       ``(II) Revenue loss.

       ``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under this paragraph; and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(10) Quality loss.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development, regarding the establishment of each of the 
     following alternative methods of adjusting for quality 
     losses:
       ``(i) A method that does not impact the actual production 
     history of a producer.
       ``(ii) A method that provides that, in circumstances in 
     which a producer has suffered a quality loss to the insured 
     crop of the producer that is insufficient to trigger an 
     indemnity payment, the producer may elect to exclude that 
     quality loss from the actual production history of the 
     producer.
       ``(iii) 1 or more methods that combine the methods 
     described in clauses (i) and (ii).
       ``(B) Requirements.--Notwithstanding subsections (g) and 
     (m) of section 508, any method developed under subparagraph 
     (A) that is used by the Corporation shall be--
       ``(i) optional for a producer to use; and
       ``(ii) offered at an actuarially sound premium rate.
       ``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(11) Citrus.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development, regarding the insurance of citrus fruit 
     commodities and commodity types, including research and 
     development of--
       ``(i) improvements to 1 or more existing policies, 
     including the whole-farm revenue protection pilot policy;
       ``(ii) alternative methods of insuring revenue for citrus 
     fruit commodities and commodity types; and
       ``(iii) the development of new, or expansion of existing, 
     revenue policies for citrus fruit commodities and commodity 
     types.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(12) Hops.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development, regarding a policy to insure the production of 
     hops or revenue derived from the production of hops.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(13) Subsurface irrigation practices.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development, regarding the creation of a separate practice 
     for subsurface irrigation, including the establishment of a 
     separate transitional yield within a county that is 
     reflective of the average gain in productivity and yield 
     associated with the installation of a subsurface irrigation 
     system.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(14) Grain sorghum.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development--
       ``(i) regarding improvements to 1 or more policies to 
     insure irrigated grain sorghum;
       ``(ii) regarding alternative methods for producers with not 
     more than 4 years of production history to insure irrigated 
     grain sorghum; and
       ``(iii) to assess, by county, the difference in the rate, 
     average yield, and coverage level of grain sorghum policies 
     compared to policies for other feed grains in that county.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under subparagraph (A); and

[[Page H9934]]

       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(15) Limited irrigation practices.--
       ``(A) Authority.--The Corporation shall--
       ``(i) consider expanding the availability of the limited 
     irrigation insurance program to neighboring and similarly 
     situated States (such as the States of Colorado and 
     Nebraska), as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(ii) carry out research, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
     contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
     research, on the marketability of the existing limited 
     irrigation insurance program; and
       ``(iii) make recommendations on how to improve 
     participation in that program.
       ``(B) Research.--In carrying out research under 
     subparagraph (A), a qualified person shall--
       ``(i) collaborate with researchers on the subjects of--

       ``(I) reduced irrigation practices or limited irrigation 
     practices; and
       ``(II) expected yield reductions following the application 
     of reduced irrigation;

       ``(ii) collaborate with State and Federal officials 
     responsible for the collection of water and the regulation of 
     water use for the purpose of irrigation;
       ``(iii) provide recommendations to encourage producers to 
     carry out limited irrigation practices or reduced irrigation 
     and water conservation practices; and
       ``(iv) develop web-based applications that will streamline 
     access to coverage for producers electing to conserve water 
     use on irrigated crops.
       ``(C) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research carried out under 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B);
       ``(ii) any recommendations to encourage producers to carry 
     out limited irrigation practices or reduced irrigation and 
     water conservation practices; and
       ``(iii) the actions taken by the Corporation to carry out 
     the recommendations described in clause (ii).
       ``(16) Insurable irrigation practices for rice.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out research 
     and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
     with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and 
     development, to include new and innovative irrigation 
     practices under the current rice policy or the development of 
     a distinct policy endorsement rated for rice produced using--
       ``(i) alternate wetting and drying practices (also referred 
     to as `intermittent flooding'); and
       ``(ii) furrow irrigation practices.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under paragraph (1); and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(17) Greenhouse policy.--
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Research and development.--The Corporation shall 
     carry out research and development, or offer to enter into 1 
     or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry 
     out research and development, regarding a policy to insure in 
     a controlled environment such as a greenhouse--

       ``(I) the production of floriculture, nursery, and bedding 
     plants;
       ``(II) the establishment of cuttings or tissue culture in a 
     growing medium; or
       ``(III) other similar production, as determined by the 
     Secretary.

       ``(ii) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the last 
     sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 508(a)(2), the 
     Corporation shall make a policy described in clause (i) 
     available if the requirements of section 508(h) are met.
       ``(B) Research and development described.--Research and 
     development described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate 
     the effectiveness of policies for the production of plants in 
     a controlled environment, including policies that--
       ``(i) are based on the risk of--

       ``(I) plant diseases introduced from the environment;
       ``(II) contaminated cuttings, seedlings, or tissue culture; 
     or
       ``(III) Federal or State quarantine or destruction orders 
     associated with the contaminated items described in subclause 
     (II);

       ``(ii) consider other causes of loss applicable to a 
     controlled environment, such as a loss of electricity due to 
     weather;
       ``(iii) consider appropriate best practices to minimize the 
     risk of loss;
       ``(iv) consider whether to provide coverage for various 
     types of plants under 1 policy or to provide coverage for 1 
     species or type of plant per policy;
       ``(v) have streamlined reporting and paperwork requirements 
     that take into account short propagation schedules, variable 
     crop years, and the variety of plants that may be produced in 
     a single facility; and
       ``(vi) provide protection for revenue losses.
       ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that describes--
       ``(i) the results of the research and development carried 
     out under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B); and
       ``(ii) any recommendations with respect to those results.
       ``(18) Local foods.--
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Feasibility study.--The Corporation shall carry out a 
     study to determine the feasibility of, or offer to enter into 
     1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry 
     out a study to determine the feasibility of, a policy to 
     insure production--

       ``(I) of floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, 
     livestock, or the products of floriculture, fruits, 
     vegetables, poultry, or livestock; and
       ``(II) that is targeted toward local consumers and markets.

       ``(ii) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the last 
     sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 508(a)(2), the 
     Corporation shall make available a policy described in clause 
     (i) if--

       ``(I) the results of the feasibility study under clause (i) 
     are viable; and
       ``(II) the requirements of section 508(h) are met.

       ``(B) Feasibility study described.--The feasibility study 
     described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate the 
     effectiveness of policies for production targeted toward 
     local consumers and markets, including policies that--
       ``(i) consider small-scale production in various areas, 
     including urban, suburban, and rural areas;
       ``(ii) consider a variety of marketing strategies;
       ``(iii) allow for production in soil and in alternative 
     systems such as vertical systems, greenhouses, rooftops, or 
     hydroponic systems;
       ``(iv) consider the price premium when accounting for 
     production or revenue losses;
       ``(v) consider whether to provide coverage--

       ``(I) for various types of production under 1 policy; and
       ``(II) for 1 species or type of plant per policy; and

       ``(vi) have streamlined reporting and paperwork 
     requirements.
       ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that--
       ``(i) examines whether a version of existing policies such 
     as the whole-farm revenue protection insurance plan may be 
     tailored to provide improved coverage for producers of local 
     foods;
       ``(ii) describes the results of the feasibility study 
     carried out under subparagraph (A)(i); and
       ``(iii) includes any recommendations with respect to those 
     results.
       ``(19) High-risk, highly productive batture land policy.--
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Research and development.--The Corporation shall 
     carry out research and development, or offer to enter into 1 
     or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry 
     out research and development, regarding a policy to insure 
     producers of corn, cotton, and soybeans--

       ``(I) with operations on highly productive batture land 
     within the Lower Mississippi River Valley;
       ``(II) that have a history of production of not less than 5 
     years; and
       ``(III) that have been impacted by more frequent flooding 
     over the past 10 years due to sedimentation or federally 
     constructed engineering improvements.

       ``(ii) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the last 
     sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 508(a)(2), the 
     Corporation shall make a policy described in clause (i) 
     available if the requirements of section 508(h) are met.
       ``(B) Research and development described.--Research and 
     development described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate 
     the feasibility of less cost-prohibitive policies for 
     batture-land producers in high risk areas, including policies 
     that--
       ``(i) consider premium rate adjustments;
       ``(ii) consider automatic yield exclusion for consecutive-
     year losses; and
       ``(iii) allow for flexibility of final plant dates and 
     prevent plant regulations.
       ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
     that--
       ``(i) examines whether a version of existing policies may 
     be tailored to provide improved coverage for batture-land 
     producers;
       ``(ii) describes the results of the research and 
     development carried out under subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
       ``(iii) includes any recommendations with respect to those 
     results.''.

     SEC. 11123. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 522(e)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1522(e)(2)(A)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``not more than $12,500,000 for fiscal year 
     2008 and each subsequent fiscal year.'' and inserting the 
     following: ``not more than--
       ``(i) $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 
     2018; and''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.''.

     SEC. 11124. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO PILOT PROGRAMS.

       Section 523(i)(3)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1523(i)(3)(A)) is amended by adding a period at the 
     end.

[[Page H9935]]

  


     SEC. 11125. EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Education Assistance.--Section 524(a) of the Federal 
     Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``paragraph (5)'' and all that follows through ``the 
     Secretary'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting ``paragraph 
     (4), the Secretary''; and
       (B) by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
     (2)'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (2);
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively;
       (4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
     (A)--
       (A) by striking ``about the full range of'' and inserting 
     ``and providing technical assistance to agricultural 
     producers on a full range of farm viability and'';
       (B) by inserting ``business planning, enterprise analysis, 
     transfer and succession planning, management coaching, market 
     assessment, cash flow analysis,'' after ``insurance,''; and
       (C) by inserting ``conservation activities,'' after 
     ``benchmarking,'';
       (5) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``programs established under paragraphs (2) 
     and (3)'' and inserting ``program established under paragraph 
     (2)'';
       (ii) by inserting ``farm viability and'' after ``emphasis 
     on''; and
       (iii) by inserting ``, business planning and technical 
     assistance, market assessment, transfer and succession 
     planning, and crop insurance participation'' after 
     ``benchmarking'';
       (B) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
     and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(iii) are converting production and marketing systems to 
     pursue new markets; and
       ``(E) producers that are underserved by the Federal crop 
     insurance program established under this subtitle, as 
     determined by the Corporation.''; and
       (6) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``transferred'' and all that follows through ``for the 
     partnerships'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
     ``transferred for the partnerships'';
       (B) by striking ``paragraph (3), $5,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2001'' and inserting ``paragraph (2), $10,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2019''; and
       (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, of 
     which not less than $5,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
     paragraph (3)(E).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 251(f)(1)(D)(ii) of the 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(D)(ii)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``section 524(a)(3)'' and inserting 
     ``section 524(a)''; and
       (2) by striking ``(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3))'' and inserting 
     ``(7 U.S.C. 1524(a))''.

     SEC. 11126. REPEAL OF CROPLAND REPORT ANNUAL UPDATES.

       Section 11014 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 
     113-79; 128 Stat. 963) is amended by striking subsection (c).

                        TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS

                         Subtitle A--Livestock

     SEC. 12101. ANIMAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT.

       (a) Definition.--Section 10403 of the Animal Health 
     Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(18) Veterinary countermeasure.--The term `veterinary 
     countermeasure' means any biological product (including an 
     animal vaccine or diagnostic), pharmaceutical product 
     (including a therapeutic), non-pharmaceutical product 
     (including a disinfectant), or other product or equipment to 
     prevent, detect, respond to, or mitigate harm to public or 
     animal health resulting from, animal pests or diseases.''.
       (b) Animal Disease Preparedness and Response.--Section 
     10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and inserting ``animal 
     disease prevention and management'';
       (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) Definition of 
     Eligible Laboratory.--In this section,'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) National Animal Health Laboratory Network.--
       ``(1) Definition of eligible laboratory.--In this 
     subsection,'';
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
     through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, and 
     moving the margins of such clauses (as so redesignated) 2 ems 
     to the right;
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
     subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving the 
     margins of such subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to 
     the right;
       (4) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), respectively, and moving the margins of such 
     paragraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response 
     Program.--
       ``(1) Program required.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     program, to be known as the National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness and Response Program (referred to in this 
     section as `the Program'), to address the increasing risk of 
     the introduction and spread within the United States of 
     animal pests and diseases affecting the economic interests of 
     the livestock and related industries of the United States, 
     including the maintenance and expansion of export markets.
       ``(2) Program activities.--Activities under the Program 
     shall include, to the extent practicable, the following:
       ``(A) Enhancing animal pest and disease analysis and 
     surveillance.
       ``(B) Expanding outreach and education.
       ``(C) Targeting domestic inspection activities at 
     vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum.
       ``(D) Enhancing and strengthening threat identification 
     technology.
       ``(E) Improving biosecurity.
       ``(F) Enhancing emergency preparedness and response 
     capabilities, including training additional emergency 
     response personnel.
       ``(G) Conducting technology development to enhance 
     electronic sharing of animal health data for risk analysis 
     between State and Federal animal health officials.
       ``(H) Enhancing the development and effectiveness of animal 
     health technologies to treat and prevent animal disease, 
     including--
       ``(i) veterinary biologics and diagnostics;
       ``(ii) animal drugs for minor uses and minor species;
       ``(iii) animal medical devices; and
       ``(iv) emerging veterinary countermeasures.
       ``(I) Such other activities as determined appropriate by 
     the Secretary, in consultation with eligible entities 
     specified in paragraph (3).
       ``(3) Eligible entities.--To carry out the Program, the 
     Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements or 
     other legal instruments, as authorized under section 10413 
     (referred to in this section as `agreements') with eligible 
     entities, to be selected by the Secretary, which may include 
     any of the following entities, either individually or in 
     combination:
       ``(A) A State department of agriculture.
       ``(B) The office of the chief animal health official of a 
     State.
       ``(C) An entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity 
     and infrastructure program (as defined in section 
     251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C))).
       ``(D) A college of veterinary medicine, including a 
     veterinary emergency team at such college.
       ``(E) A State or national livestock producer organization 
     with direct and significant economic interest in livestock 
     production.
       ``(F) A State emergency agency.
       ``(G) A State, national, allied, or regional veterinary 
     organization or specialty board recognized by the American 
     Veterinary Medical Association.
       ``(H) An Indian Tribe.
       ``(I) A Federal agency.
       ``(4) Special funding considerations.--In entering into 
     agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give 
     priority to applications submitted by--
       ``(A) a State department of agriculture or an office of the 
     chief animal health official of a State; or
       ``(B) an eligible entity that will carry out program 
     activities in a State or region in which--
       ``(i) an animal pest or disease is a Federal concern; or
       ``(ii) the Secretary determines a potential exists for the 
     spread of an animal pest or disease after taking into 
     consideration--

       ``(I) the agricultural industries in the State or region;
       ``(II) factors contributing to animal pest or disease in 
     the State or region, such as the climate, natural resources, 
     and geography of, and native and exotic wildlife species and 
     other disease vectors in, the State or region; and
       ``(III) the movement of animals in the State or region.

       ``(5) Consultation.--For purposes of setting priorities 
     under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with 
     eligible entities specified in paragraph (3). The Federal 
     Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to 
     consultation carried out under this paragraph.
       ``(6) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity specified in 
     paragraph (3) seeking to enter into an agreement under the 
     Program shall submit to the Secretary an application 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(B) Notification.--The Secretary shall notify each 
     applicant of--
       ``(i) the requirements to be imposed on the eligible entity 
     that is the recipient of funds under the Program for auditing 
     of, and reporting on, the use of such funds; and
       ``(ii) the criteria to be used to ensure activities 
     supported using such funds are based on sound scientific data 
     or thorough risk assessments.
       ``(C) Non-federal contributions.--When deciding whether to 
     enter into an agreement under the Program with an eligible 
     entity described in paragraph (3), the Secretary--
       ``(i) may take into consideration an eligible entity's 
     ability to contribute non-Federal funds to carry out such an 
     agreement; and
       ``(ii) shall not require such an eligible entity to make 
     such a contribution as a condition to enter into an 
     agreement.
       ``(7) Use of funds.--
       ``(A) Use consistent with terms of cooperative agreement.--
     The recipient of funds under the Program shall use the funds 
     for the purposes and in the manner provided in the agreement 
     under which the funds are provided.
       ``(B) Sub-agreement.--Nothing in this section prevents an 
     eligible entity from using funds received under the Program 
     to enter into sub-agreements with another eligible entity or 
     with a political subdivision of a State that has legal 
     responsibilities relating to animal disease prevention, 
     surveillance, or rapid response.
       ``(8) Reporting requirement.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of completion of an activity conducted using funds 
     provided under the Program, the recipient of such funds shall 
     submit to the Secretary a report that describes the purposes 
     and results of the activities.''.
       (c) National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures 
     Bank.--Section 10409A

[[Page H9936]]

     of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as 
     amended by subsection (b), is further amended by inserting 
     after subsection (b) (as added by subsection (b)(5) of this 
     section) the following:
       ``(c) National Animal Vaccine Bank.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures bank 
     (to be known as the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
     Countermeasures Bank and referred to in this subsection as 
     the `Vaccine Bank') to benefit the domestic interests of the 
     United States.
       ``(2) Elements of vaccine bank.--Through the Vaccine Bank, 
     the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) maintain sufficient quantities of veterinary 
     countermeasures to appropriately and rapidly respond to the 
     most damaging animal diseases affecting or with potential to 
     affect human health or the economy of the United States; and
       ``(B) leverage, when appropriate, the mechanisms and 
     infrastructure that have been developed for the management, 
     storage, and distribution of the National Veterinary 
     Stockpile.
       ``(3) Priority for response to foot and mouth disease.--The 
     Secretary shall prioritize the acquisition and maintenance of 
     sufficient quantities of foot and mouth disease vaccine and 
     accompanying diagnostic products for the Vaccine Bank. As 
     part of such prioritization, the Secretary may offer to enter 
     into one or more contracts with one or more entities that are 
     capable of producing foot and mouth disease vaccine and that 
     have surge production capacity of the vaccine.''.
       (d) Funding.--Section 10409A of the Animal Health 
     Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsections 
     (b) and (c), is further amended by striking subsection (d) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Funding.--
       ``(1) Mandatory funding.--
       ``(A) Fiscal years 2019 through 2022.--Of the funds of the 
     Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
     available to carry out this section $120,000,000 for the 
     period of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, of which not less 
     than $5,000,000 shall be made available for each of those 
     fiscal years to carry out subsection (b).
       ``(B) Subsequent fiscal years.--Of the funds of the 
     Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
     available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, of which not less 
     than $18,000,000 shall be made available for each of those 
     fiscal years to carry out subsection (b).
       ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--
       ``(A) National animal health laboratory network.--In 
     addition to the funds made available under paragraph (1), 
     there is authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out subsection 
     (a).
       ``(B) National animal disease preparedness and response 
     program; national animal vaccine and veterinary 
     countermeasures bank.--In addition to the funds made 
     available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be 
     appropriated such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023 to carry out subsections (b) and (c).
       ``(C) Additionality.--The funds authorized for 
     appropriation under this paragraph are in addition to any 
     funds authorized or otherwise made available under this 
     section or section 10417.
       ``(3) Administrative costs.--
       ``(A) Secretary.--Of the funds made available under this 
     section or section 10417 to carry out the National Animal 
     Health Laboratory Network under subsection (a) and the 
     National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program 
     under subsection (b), not more than 4 percent may be retained 
     by the Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(B) Eligible entities.--Of the funds made available under 
     this section or section 10417 to carry out the National 
     Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program under 
     subsection (b), not more than 10 percent may be retained by 
     an eligible entity that receives funds under any agreement 
     entered into under such subsection, including any sub-
     agreement under paragraph (7)(B) of such subsection to pay 
     administrative costs incurred by the eligible entity to carry 
     out activities under the Program.
       ``(4) Duration of availability.--Funds made available under 
     this subsection, including any proceeds credited under 
     paragraph (5), shall remain available until expended.
       ``(5) Proceeds from veterinary countermeasures sales.--Any 
     proceeds of a sale of veterinary countermeasures from the 
     Vaccine Bank shall be--
       ``(A) deposited into the Treasury of the United States; and
       ``(B) credited to the account for the operation of the 
     Vaccine Bank to be made available for expenditure without 
     further appropriation.
       ``(6) Limitations on use of funds for certain purposes.--
     Funds made available under the National Animal Health 
     Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness 
     and Response Program, and the Vaccine Bank shall not be used 
     for the construction of a new building or facility or the 
     acquisition or expansion of an existing building or facility, 
     including site grading and improvement and architect fees.
       ``(e) Availability and Purpose of Funding.--
       ``(1) In general.--Using the funds made available under 
     subsection (d), the Secretary of Agriculture shall offer to 
     enter into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or 
     other legal instruments under subsections (a) through (c) 
     during each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
       ``(2) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed 
     to terminate a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or 
     other legal instrument entered into during the period 
     specified in such paragraph.''.

     SEC. 12102. SHEEP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 209(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 
     U.S.C. 1627a(c)) is amended by striking ``$1,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2014'' and inserting ``$2,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2019''.

     SEC. 12103. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON LIVESTOCK DEALER STATUTORY 
                   TRUST.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to 
     determine the feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer 
     statutory trust.
       (b) Contents.--The study conducted under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       (1) analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
     statutory trust would affect buyer and seller behavior in 
     markets for livestock (as defined in section 2(a) of the 
     Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 182));
       (2) examine how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
     statutory trust would affect seller recovery in the event of 
     a livestock dealer payment default;
       (3) consider what potential effects a livestock dealer 
     statutory trust would have on credit availability, including 
     impacts on lenders and lending behavior and other industry 
     participants;
       (4) examine unique circumstances common to livestock 
     dealers and how those circumstances could impact the 
     functionality of a livestock dealer statutory trust;
       (5) study the feasibility of the industry-wide adoption of 
     electronic funds transfer or another expeditious method of 
     payment to provide sellers of livestock protection from 
     nonsufficient funds payments;
       (6) assess the effectiveness of statutory trusts in other 
     segments of agriculture, whether similar effects could be 
     experienced under a livestock dealer statutory trust, and 
     whether authorizing the Secretary to appoint an independent 
     trustee under the livestock dealer statutory trust would 
     improve seller recovery;
       (7) consider the effects of exempting dealers with average 
     annual purchases under a de minimis threshold from being 
     subject to the livestock dealer statutory trust; and
       (8) analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
     statutory trust would affect the treatment of sellers of 
     livestock as it relates to preferential transfer in 
     bankruptcy.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report describing the findings of the study 
     conducted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 12104. DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK.

       Section 602(2) of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance 
     Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471(2)) is amended in the matter 
     preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``fish'' and all that 
     follows through ``that--'' and inserting ``llamas, alpacas, 
     live fish, crawfish, and other animals that--''.

     SEC. 12105. NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH PLAN.

       Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (d); and
       (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).

     SEC. 12106. VETERINARY TRAINING.

       Section 10504 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
     of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8318) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and veterinary teams, including those 
     based at colleges of veterinary medicine,'' after 
     ``veterinarians''; and
       (2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``and who are capable of providing effective 
     services before, during, and after emergencies''.

     SEC. 12107. REPORT ON FSIS GUIDANCE AND OUTREACH TO SMALL 
                   MEAT PROCESSORS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into a 
     contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-
     land-grant college of agriculture (as those terms are defined 
     in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101)) 
     to review the effectiveness of existing Food Safety and 
     Inspection Service guidance materials and other tools used by 
     small and very small establishments, as defined by 
     regulations issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, 
     operating under Federal inspection, as in effect on the date 
     of enactment of this Act, including--
       (1) the effectiveness of the outreach conducted by the Food 
     Safety and Inspection Service to small and very small 
     establishments;
       (2) the effectiveness of the guidance materials and other 
     tools used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to 
     assist small and very small establishments; and
       (3) the responsiveness of Food Safety and Inspection 
     Service personnel to inquiries and issues from small and very 
     small establishments.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report that describes--
       (1) the results of the review conducted under subsection 
     (a); and
       (2) recommendations on measures the Food Safety and 
     Inspection Service should take to improve regulatory clarity 
     and consistency and ensure all guidance materials and other 
     tools take into account small and very small establishments.

     SEC. 12108. REGIONAL CATTLE AND CARCASS GRADING CORRELATION 
                   AND TRAINING CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish not more 
     than 3 regional centers, to be

[[Page H9937]]

     known as Cattle and Carcass Grading Correlation and Training 
     Centers (referred to in this section as the ``Centers''), to 
     provide education and training for cattle and carcass beef 
     graders of the Agricultural Marketing Service, cattle 
     producers, and other professionals involved in the reporting, 
     delivery, and grading of feeder cattle, live cattle, and 
     carcasses--
       (1) to limit the subjectivity in the application of beef 
     grading standards;
       (2) to provide producers with greater confidence in the 
     price of the producers' cattle; and
       (3) to provide investors with both long and short positions 
     more assurance in the cattle delivery system.
       (b) Location.--The Centers shall be located near cattle 
     feeding and slaughter populations and areas shall be 
     strategically identified in order to capture regional 
     variances in cattle production.
       (c) Administration.--Each Center shall be organized and 
     administered by offices of the Department of Agriculture in 
     operation on the date on which the respective Center is 
     established, or in coordination with other appropriate 
     Federal agencies or academic institutions.
       (d) Training Program.--The Centers shall offer intensive 
     instructional programs involving classroom and field training 
     work for individuals described in subsection (a).
       (e) Coordination of Resources.--Each Center, in carrying 
     out the functions of the Center, shall make use of 
     information generated by the Department of Agriculture, the 
     State agricultural extension and research stations, relevant 
     designated contract markets, and the practical experience of 
     area cattle producers, especially cattle producers 
     cooperating in on-farm demonstrations, correlations, and 
     research projects.
       (f) Prohibition on Construction.--Funds made available to 
     carry out this section shall not be used for the construction 
     of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, 
     remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility 
     (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees). 
     Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary may use 
     funds made available to carry out this section to provide a 
     Center with payment for the cost of the rental of a space 
     determined to be necessary by the Center for conducting 
     training under this section and may accept donations 
     (including in-kind contributions) to cover such cost.

                Subtitle B--Agriculture and Food Defense

     SEC. 12201. REPEAL OF OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

       Section 14111 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
     2008 (7 U.S.C. 8911) is repealed.

     SEC. 12202. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

       Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``SEC. 221. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

       ``(a) Definition of Agriculture and Food Defense.--In this 
     section, the term `agriculture and food defense' means any 
     action to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, 
     respond to, or recover from a naturally occurring, 
     unintentional, or intentional threat to the agriculture and 
     food system.
       ``(b) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department the Office of Homeland Security.
       ``(c) Executive Director.--The Office of Homeland Security 
     shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be known 
     as the Executive Director of Homeland Security.
       ``(d) Duties.--The Executive Director of Homeland Security 
     shall--
       ``(1) serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on 
     homeland security, including emergency management and 
     agriculture and food defense;
       ``(2) coordinate activities of the Department, including 
     policies, processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to 
     homeland security, including emergency management and 
     agriculture and food defense;
       ``(3) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the 
     Department with other Federal departments and agencies in 
     activities relating to homeland security, including emergency 
     management and agriculture and food defense, and provide for 
     interagency coordination and data sharing;
       ``(4)(A) coordinate in the Department the gathering of 
     information relevant to early warning and awareness of 
     threats and risks to the food and agriculture critical 
     infrastructure sector; and
       ``(B) share that information with, and provide assistance 
     with interpretation and risk characterization of that 
     information to, the intelligence community (as defined in 
     section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
     3003)), law enforcement agencies, the Secretary of Defense, 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in 
     section 210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
     U.S.C. 124h(j));
       ``(5) liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to 
     assist in the development of periodic assessments and 
     intelligence estimates, or other intelligence products, that 
     support the defense of the food and agriculture critical 
     infrastructure sector;
       ``(6) coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement 
     of exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness 
     and response;
       ``(7) produce a Department-wide centralized strategic 
     coordination plan to provide a high-level perspective of the 
     operations of the Department relating to homeland security, 
     including emergency management and agriculture and food 
     defense; and
       ``(8) carry out other appropriate duties, as determined by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(e) Agriculture and Food Threat Awareness Partnership 
     Program.--
       ``(1) Interagency exchange program.--The Secretary, in 
     partnership with the intelligence community (as defined in 
     section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
     3003)) and fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)) that 
     have analysis and intelligence capabilities relating to the 
     defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
     sector, shall establish and carry out an interagency exchange 
     program of personnel and information to improve communication 
     and analysis for the defense of the food and agriculture 
     critical infrastructure sector.
       ``(2) Collaboration with federal, state, and local 
     authorities.--To carry out the program established under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary may--
       ``(A) enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements or 
     contracts with Federal, State, or local authorities that have 
     analysis and intelligence capabilities and expertise relating 
     to the defense of the food and agriculture critical 
     infrastructure sector; and
       ``(B) carry out any other activity under any other 
     authority of the Secretary that is appropriate to engage the 
     authorities described in subparagraph (A) for the defense of 
     the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, as 
     determined by the Secretary.''.

     SEC. 12203. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Animal.--The term ``animal'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 
     U.S.C. 8302).
       (2) Disease or pest of concern.--The term ``disease or pest 
     of concern'' means a plant or animal disease or pest that--
       (A) is--
       (i) a transboundary disease; or
       (ii) an established disease; and
       (B) is likely to pose a significant risk to the food and 
     agriculture critical infrastructure sector that warrants 
     efforts at prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and 
     recovery.
       (3) Established disease.--The term ``established disease'' 
     means a plant or animal disease or pest that--
       (A)(i) if it becomes established, poses an imminent threat 
     to agriculture in the United States; or
       (ii) has become established, as defined by the Secretary, 
     within the United States; and
       (B) requires management.
       (4) High-consequence plant transboundary disease.--The term 
     ``high-consequence plant transboundary disease'' means a 
     transboundary disease that is--
       (A)(i) a plant disease; or
       (ii) a plant pest; and
       (B) of high consequence, as determined by the Secretary.
       (5) Pest.--The term ``pest''--
       (A) with respect to a plant, has the meaning given the term 
     ``plant pest'' in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 
     U.S.C. 7702); and
       (B) with respect to an animal, has the meaning given the 
     term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 
     U.S.C. 8302).
       (6) Plant.--The term ``plant'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
     7702).
       (7) Plant health management strategy.--The term ``plant 
     health management strategy'' means a strategy to timely 
     control and eradicate a plant disease or plant pest outbreak, 
     including through mitigation (such as chemical control), 
     surveillance, the use of diagnostic products and procedures, 
     and the use of existing resistant seed stock.
       (8) Transboundary disease.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``transboundary disease'' means a 
     plant or animal disease or pest that is within 1 or more 
     countries outside of the United States.
       (B) Inclusion.--The term ``transboundary disease'' includes 
     a plant or animal disease or pest described in subparagraph 
     (A) that--
       (i) has emerged within the United States; or
       (ii) has been introduced within the United States.
       (9) Veterinary countermeasure.--The term ``veterinary 
     countermeasure'' has the meaning given such term in section 
     10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).
       (b) Disease or Pest of Concern Response Planning.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
       (A) establish a list of diseases or pests of concern by--
       (i) developing a process to solicit and receive expert 
     opinion and evidence relating to the diseases or pests of 
     concern entered on the list; and
       (ii) reviewing all available evidence relating to the 
     diseases or pests of concern entered on the list, including 
     classified information; and
       (B) periodically update the list established under 
     subparagraph (A).
       (2) Response plans.--
       (A) Comprehensive strategic response plan or plans.--The 
     Secretary shall develop, in collaboration with appropriate 
     Federal, State, regional, and local officials, a 
     comprehensive strategic response plan or plans, as 
     appropriate, for the diseases or pests of concern that are 
     entered on the list established under paragraph (1).
       (B) State or region response plan or plans.--The Secretary 
     shall provide information to a State or region to assist in 
     producing a response plan or plans that shall include a 
     concept of operations for a disease or pest of concern or a 
     platform concept of operations for responses to similar 
     diseases or pests of concern that are determined to be a 
     priority to the State or region that shall, as appropriate--
       (i) describe the appropriate interactions among, and roles 
     of--

       (I) Federal, State, Tribal, and units of local government; 
     and
       (II) plant or animal industry partners;

       (ii) include a decision matrix or dynamic decision modeling 
     tools that, as appropriate, include--

[[Page H9938]]

       (I) information and timing requirements necessary for the 
     use of veterinary countermeasures;
       (II) plant health management strategies;
       (III) deployment of other key materials and resources; and
       (IV) parameters for transitioning from outbreak response to 
     disease management;

       (iii) identify key response performance metrics to 
     establish--

       (I) benchmarking to provide assessments of capabilities, 
     capacity, and readiness to achieve response goals and 
     objectives;
       (II) progressive exercise evaluation; and
       (III) continuing improvement of a response plan, including 
     by providing for--

       (aa) ongoing exercises;
       (bb) improvement planning and the implementation of 
     corrective actions to enhance a response plan over time; and
       (cc) strategic information to guide investment in any 
     appropriate research to mitigate the risk of a disease or 
     pest of concern; and
       (iv) be updated periodically, including in response to--

       (I) an exercise evaluation; or
       (II) new risk information becoming available regarding a 
     disease or pest of concern.

       (3) Coordination of plans.--Pursuant to section 221(d)(6) 
     of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, 
     as added by section 12202, the Secretary shall, as 
     appropriate, assist in coordinating with other appropriate 
     Federal, State, regional, or local officials in the 
     exercising of the plans developed under paragraph (2).
       (c) National Plant Diagnostic Network.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department of Agriculture a National Plant Diagnostic Network 
     to monitor and surveil through diagnostics threats to plant 
     health from diseases or pests of concern in the United 
     States.
       (2) Requirements.--The National Plant Diagnostic Network 
     established under paragraph (1) shall--
       (A) provide for increased awareness, surveillance, early 
     identification, rapid communication, warning, and diagnosis 
     of a threat to plant health from a disease or pest of concern 
     to protect natural and agricultural plant resources;
       (B) coordinate and collaborate with agencies of the 
     Department of Agriculture and State agencies and authorities 
     involved in plant health;
       (C) establish diagnostic laboratory standards;
       (D) establish regional hubs throughout the United States 
     that provide expertise, leadership, and support to diagnostic 
     labs relating to the agricultural crops and plants in the 
     covered regions of those hubs; and
       (E) establish a national repository for records of endemic 
     or emergent diseases and pests of concern.
       (3) Head of network.--
       (A) In general.--The Director of the National Institute of 
     Food and Agriculture shall serve as the head of the National 
     Plant Diagnostic Network.
       (B) Duties.--The head of the National Plant Diagnostic 
     Network shall--
       (i) coordinate and collaborate with land-grant colleges and 
     universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in carrying out the requirements under 
     paragraph (2), including through cooperative agreements 
     described in paragraph (4);
       (ii) partner with the Administrator of the Animal and Plant 
     Health Inspection Service for assistance with plant health 
     regulation and inspection; and
       (iii) coordinate with other Federal agencies, as 
     appropriate, in carrying out activities relating to the 
     National Plant Diagnostic Network, including the sharing of 
     biosurveillance information.
       (4) Collaboration with land-grant colleges and 
     universities.--The Secretary shall seek to establish 
     cooperative agreements with land-grant colleges and 
     universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) that have the appropriate level of 
     skill, experience, and competence with plant diseases or 
     pests of concern.
       (5) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to the 
     amount authorized to carry out this subtitle under section 
     12205, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subsection $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.
       (d) National Plant Disease Recovery System.--
       (1) Recovery system.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department of Agriculture a National Plant Disease Recovery 
     System to engage in strategic long-range planning to recover 
     from high-consequence plant transboundary diseases.
       (2) Requirements.--The National Plant Disease Recovery 
     System established under paragraph (1) shall--
       (A) coordinate with disease or pest of concern concept of 
     operations response plans;
       (B) make long-range plans for the initiation of future 
     research projects relating to high-consequence plant 
     transboundary diseases;
       (C) establish research plans for long-term recovery;
       (D) plan for the identification and use of specific 
     genotypes, cultivars, breeding lines, and other disease-
     resistant materials necessary for crop stabilization or 
     improvement; and
       (E) establish a watch list of high-consequence plant 
     transboundary diseases for the purpose of making long-range 
     plans under subparagraph (B).

     SEC. 12204. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS LIST.

       Section 212(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism 
     Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)(B)(i)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subclause (III), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause (V); and
       (3) by inserting after subclause (III) the following:

       ``(IV)(aa) whether such inclusion would have a substantial 
     negative impact on the research and development of solutions 
     for the animal or plant disease caused by the agent or toxin; 
     and
       ``(bb) whether the negative impact described in item (aa) 
     would substantially outweigh the risk posed by the agent or 
     toxin to animal or plant health if it is not included on the 
     list; and''.

     SEC. 12205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       In addition to other amounts made available under this 
     subtitle, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.

             Subtitle C--Historically Underserved Producers

     SEC. 12301. FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH.

       (a) Repeal.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7405 of the Farm Security and 
     Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is repealed.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Section 226B(e)(2)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(e)(2)(B)) is 
     amended by striking ``the beginning farmer and rancher 
     development program established under section 7405 of the 
     Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
     3319f).'' and inserting ``the beginning farmer and rancher 
     development grant program established under subsection (d) of 
     section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).''.
       (B) Section 251(f)(1)(D) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(D)) is 
     amended by striking clause (iv) and inserting the following:
       ``(iv) The beginning farmer and rancher development grant 
     program established under subsection (d) of section 2501 of 
     the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
     U.S.C. 2279).''.
       (C) Section 7506(e) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614c(e)) is amended--
       (i) in paragraph (2)(C)--

       (I) by striking clause (v);
       (II) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) as clauses 
     (ii) through (v), respectively;
       (III) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:

       ``(i) each grant and cooperative agreement awarded under 
     subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);'';

       (IV) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``450i(b)(2));'' and inserting ``3157(b)(2));''; and
       (V) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by adding ``and'' 
     at the end; and

       (ii) in paragraph (4)--

       (I) by striking subparagraph (E);
       (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as 
     subparagraphs (B) through (E), respectively;
       (III) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so 
     redesignated) the following:

       ``(A) subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     2279);'';

       (IV) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``450i(b));'' and inserting ``3157(b));'';
       (V) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by adding 
     ``or'' at the end; and
       (VI) in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``; or'' and inserting a period.

       (b) Outreach and Education for Socially Disadvantaged 
     Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, and 
     Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.--Section 2501 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     2279) is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and inserting ``farming 
     opportunities training and outreach'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (i) as paragraph (5) (and 
     moving the margins of such paragraph 2 ems to the right) and 
     moving such paragraph (as so redesignated) so as to follow 
     subsection (a)(4);
       (3) by redesignating subsections (a) (as amended by 
     paragraph (2)), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), and (h) as 
     subsections (c), (g), (k), (h), (a), (i), and (j), 
     respectively, and moving the subsections so as to appear in 
     alphabetical order;
       (4) by moving paragraph (5) of subsection (a) (as so 
     redesignated) so as to appear at the end of subsection (c) 
     (as so redesignated) and redesignating such paragraph as 
     paragraph (6);
       (5) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) by striking the subsection designation and heading and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) 
     as paragraphs (6), (5), (1), (3), and (4), respectively, and 
     moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;
       (C) in paragraphs (1), (5), and (6) (as so redesignated), 
     by striking ``As used in this section, the'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``The'';
       (D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``agriculture'' 
     and inserting ``agricultural''; and
       (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``agriculture'' and inserting ``agricultural''; and
       (E) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(2) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term `beginning 
     farmer or rancher' means a person that--
       ``(A)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; or

[[Page H9939]]

       ``(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 
     years; and
       ``(B) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may 
     establish.'';
       (6) by inserting after subsection (a) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(b) Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.--The 
     Secretary shall carry out this section to encourage and 
     assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran 
     farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers in 
     the ownership and operation of farms and ranches through--
       ``(1) education and training; and
       ``(2) equitable participation in all agricultural programs 
     of the Department.'';
       (7) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated and as amended by 
     paragraph (4))--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``for Socially 
     Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers'' after 
     ``Assistance'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (4);
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (6) as 
     paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (1), respectively, and moving 
     the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;
       (D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``The term'' and inserting ``In this subsection, the term'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``subsection 
     (a)'' and inserting ``this subsection''; and
       (iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``450b))'' and 
     inserting ``5304))'';
       (E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out'' and 
     inserting ``Using funds made available under subsection (l), 
     the Secretary of Agriculture shall, for the period of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023, carry out''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``agricultural'' and 
     inserting ``agricultural, forestry, and related'';
       (iii) by striking ``agricultural'' and inserting 
     ``agricultural, forestry, and related'';
       (F) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``(1)'' in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and 
     inserting ``(2)''; and
       (G) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) by striking the subparagraph heading and inserting 
     ``Outreach and technical assistance.--'';
       (II) by striking ``(2)'' and inserting ``(3)''; and
       (III) by inserting ``to socially disadvantaged farmers and 
     ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers'' after 
     ``assistance'';

       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``(1)'' and inserting 
     ``(2)'';
       (iii) in subparagraph (D), by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(v) The number of farms or ranches started, maintained, 
     or improved as a result of funds made available under the 
     program.
       ``(vi) Actions taken by the Secretary in partnership with 
     eligible entities to enhance participation in agricultural 
     programs by veteran farmers or ranchers and socially 
     disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
       ``(vii) The effectiveness of the actions described in 
     clause (vi).''; and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) Maximum term and amount of grant, contract, or 
     agreement.--A grant, contract, or agreement entered into 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be--
       ``(i) for a term of not longer than 3 years; and
       ``(ii) in an amount that is not more than $250,000 for each 
     year of the grant, contract, or agreement.
       ``(F) Priority.--In making grants and entering into 
     contracts and other agreements under subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental and 
     community-based organizations with an expertise in working 
     with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran 
     farmers and ranchers.
       ``(G) Regional balance.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
     the Secretary shall ensure the geographical diversity of 
     eligible entities to which grants are made and contracts and 
     other agreements are entered into under subparagraph (A).
       ``(H) Prohibition.--A grant, contract, or other agreement 
     under subparagraph (A) may not be used for the planning, 
     repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a 
     building or facility.
       ``(I) Peer review.--The Secretary shall establish a fair 
     and efficient external peer review process that--
       ``(i) the Secretary shall use in making grants and entering 
     into contracts and other agreements under subparagraph (A); 
     and
       ``(ii) shall include a broad representation of peers of the 
     eligible entity.
       ``(J) Input from eligible entities.--The Secretary shall 
     seek input from eligible entities providing technical 
     assistance under this subsection not less than once each year 
     to ensure that the program is responsive to the eligible 
     entities providing that technical assistance.'';
       (8) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(d) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant 
     Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--Using funds made available under 
     subsection (l), the Secretary, acting through the Director of 
     the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall, for 
     the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, make 
     competitive grants or enter into cooperative agreements to 
     support new and established local and regional training, 
     education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives to 
     increase opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.
       ``(2) Included programs and services.--Initiatives 
     described in paragraph (1) may include programs or services, 
     as appropriate, relating to--
       ``(A) basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming 
     practices;
       ``(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial 
     forest land transfer and succession strategies;
       ``(C) entrepreneurship and business training;
       ``(D) technical assistance to help beginning farmers or 
     ranchers acquire land from retiring farmers and ranchers;
       ``(E) financial and risk management training, including the 
     acquisition and management of agricultural credit;
       ``(F) natural resource management and planning;
       ``(G) diversification and marketing strategies;
       ``(H) curriculum development;
       ``(I) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
       ``(J) resources and referral;
       ``(K) farm financial benchmarking;
       ``(L) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training 
     for veteran farmers and ranchers;
       ``(M) farm safety and awareness;
       ``(N) food safety and recordkeeping; and
       ``(O) other similar subject areas of use to beginning 
     farmers and ranchers.
       ``(3) Eligibility.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection, the 
     recipient of the grant or participant in the cooperative 
     agreement shall be a collaborative State, Tribal, local, or 
     regionally-based network or partnership of public or private 
     entities.
       ``(B) Inclusions.--A recipient of a grant or a participant 
     that enters into a cooperative agreement described in 
     subparagraph (A) may include--
       ``(i) a State cooperative extension service;
       ``(ii) a Federal, State, municipal, or Tribal agency;
       ``(iii) a community-based or nongovernmental organization;
       ``(iv) a college or university (including an institution 
     awarding an associate's degree) or foundation maintained by a 
     college or university; or
       ``(v) any other appropriate partner, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(4) Terms of grants or cooperative agreement.--A grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this subsection shall--
       ``(A) be for a term of not longer than 3 years; and
       ``(B) provide not more than $250,000 for each year.
       ``(5) Matching requirement.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     to be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a cooperative 
     agreement under this subsection, a recipient or participant 
     shall provide a match in the form of cash or in-kind 
     contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the funds 
     provided by the grant or cooperative agreement.
       ``(B) Exception.--The Secretary may waive or reduce the 
     matching requirement in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary 
     determines such a waiver or modification is necessary to 
     effectively reach an underserved area or population.
       ``(6) Evaluation criteria.--In making grants or entering 
     into cooperative agreements under this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall evaluate, with respect to applications for 
     the grants or cooperative agreements--
       ``(A) relevancy;
       ``(B) technical merit;
       ``(C) achievability;
       ``(D) the expertise and track record of 1 or more 
     applicants;
       ``(E) the consultation of beginning farmers and ranchers in 
     design, implementation, and decisionmaking relating to an 
     initiative described in paragraph (1);
       ``(F) the adequacy of plans for--
       ``(i) a participatory evaluation process;
       ``(ii) outcome-based reporting; and
       ``(iii) the communication of findings and results beyond 
     the immediate target audience; and
       ``(G) other appropriate factors, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(7) Regional balance.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
     the Secretary shall ensure the geographical diversity of 
     recipients of grants or participants in cooperative 
     agreements under this subsection.
       ``(8) Priority.--In making grants or entering into 
     cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary 
     shall give priority to partnerships and collaborations that 
     are led by or include nongovernmental, community-based 
     organizations and school-based educational organizations with 
     expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach.
       ``(9) Prohibition.--A grant made or cooperative agreement 
     entered into under this subsection may not be used for the 
     planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or 
     construction of a building or facility.
       ``(10) Coordination permitted.--A recipient of a grant or 
     participant in a cooperative agreement under this subsection 
     may coordinate with a recipient of a grant or cooperative 
     agreement under section 1680 in addressing the needs of 
     veteran farmers and ranchers with disabilities.
       ``(11) Consecutive awards.--A grant or cooperative 
     agreement under this subsection may be made to a recipient or 
     participant for consecutive years.
       ``(12) Peer review.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a fair and 
     efficient external peer review process, which the Secretary 
     shall use in making grants or entering into cooperative 
     agreements under this subsection.
       ``(B) Requirement.--The peer review process under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include a review panel composed of a 
     broad representation of peers of the applicant for the grant 
     or cooperative agreement that are not applying for a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this subsection.
       ``(13) Participation by other farmers and ranchers.--
     Nothing in this subsection prohibits

[[Page H9940]]

     the Secretary from allowing a farmer or rancher who is not a 
     beginning farmer or rancher (including an owner or operator 
     that has ended, or expects to end within 5 years, active 
     labor in a farming or ranching operation as a producer, 
     retiring farmers, and non-farming landowners) from 
     participating in a program or service under this subsection, 
     to the extent that the Secretary determines that such 
     participation--
       ``(A) is appropriate; and
       ``(B) will not detract from the primary purpose of 
     increasing opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.
       ``(14) Education teams.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish beginning 
     farmer and rancher education teams to develop curricula, 
     conduct educational programs and workshops for beginning 
     farmers and ranchers in diverse geographical areas of the 
     United States, or provide training and technical assistance 
     initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers or for trainers 
     and service providers that work with beginning farmers or 
     ranchers.
       ``(B) Curriculum.--In promoting the development of 
     curricula, educational programs and workshops, or training 
     and technical assistance initiatives under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     include content tailored to specific audiences of beginning 
     farmers and ranchers, based on crop diversity or regional 
     diversity.
       ``(C) Composition.--In establishing an education team under 
     subparagraph (A) for a specific program or workshop, the 
     Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
       ``(i) obtain the short-term services of specialists with 
     knowledge and expertise in programs serving beginning farmers 
     and ranchers; and
       ``(ii) use officers and employees of the Department with 
     direct experience in programs of the Department that may be 
     taught as part of the curriculum for the program or workshop.
       ``(D) Cooperation.--
       ``(i) In general.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     with--

       ``(I) State cooperative extension services;
       ``(II) Federal, State, and Tribal agencies;
       ``(III) community-based and nongovernmental organizations;
       ``(IV) colleges and universities (including an institution 
     awarding an associate's degree) or foundations maintained by 
     a college or university; and
       ``(V) other appropriate partners, as determined by the 
     Secretary.

       ``(ii) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter 
     into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any 
     cooperation under subparagraph (A).
       ``(15) Curriculum and training clearinghouse.--The 
     Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes 
     available to beginning farmers and ranchers education 
     curricula and training materials and programs, which may 
     include online courses for direct use by beginning farmers 
     and ranchers.
       ``(e) Application Requirements.--In making grants and 
     entering into contracts and other agreements, as applicable, 
     under subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall make 
     available a simplified application process for an application 
     for a grant that requests less than $50,000.'';
       (9) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
       ``(f) Stakeholder Input.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall seek stakeholder input from--
       ``(1) beginning farmers and ranchers;
       ``(2) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
       ``(3) veteran farmers and ranchers;
       ``(4) national, State, Tribal, and local organizations and 
     other persons with expertise in operating programs for--
       ``(A) beginning farmers and ranchers;
       ``(B) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; or
       ``(C) veteran farmers and ranchers;
       ``(5) the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and 
     Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricultural 
     Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Public 
     Law 102-554);
       ``(6) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers 
     established under section 14008 of the Food, Conservation, 
     and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2279 note; Public Law 110-
     246); and
       ``(7) the Tribal Advisory Committee established under 
     subsection (b) of section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance 
     Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
     1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921).'';
       (10) in paragraph (3) of subsection (h) (as so 
     redesignated), by inserting ``and not later than March 1, 
     2020,'' after ``1991,''; and
       (11) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l) Funding.--
       ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
     section--
       ``(A) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020;
       ``(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
       ``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter.
       ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
       ``(3) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts made available 
     to carry out this section--
       ``(A) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection (c); 
     and
       ``(B) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection (d).
       ``(4) Allocation of funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not less than 5 percent of the amounts 
     made available to carry out subsection (d) for a fiscal year 
     shall be used to support programs and services that address 
     the needs of--
       ``(i) limited resource beginning farmers and ranchers, as 
     defined by the Secretary;
       ``(ii) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers that are 
     beginning farmers and ranchers; and
       ``(iii) farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers.
       ``(B) Veteran farmers and ranchers.--Not less than 5 
     percent of the amounts made available to carry out subsection 
     (d) for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and 
     services that address the needs of veteran farmers and 
     ranchers.
       ``(5) Interagency funding.--Any agency of the Department 
     may participate in any grant, contract, or agreement entered 
     into under this section by contributing funds, if the 
     contributing agency determines that the objectives of the 
     grant, contract, or agreement will further the authorized 
     programs of the contributing agency.
       ``(6) Administrative expenses.--Not more than 5 percent of 
     the amounts made available to carry out this section for a 
     fiscal year may be used for expenses relating to the 
     administration of this section.
       ``(7) Limitation on indirect costs.--A recipient of a grant 
     or a party to a contract or other agreement under subsection 
     (c) or (d) may not use more than 10 percent of the funds 
     received for the indirect costs of carrying out a grant, 
     contract, or other agreement.''.

     SEC. 12302. URBAN AGRICULTURE.

       Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) (as amended by section 
     12202) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 222. OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE 
                   PRODUCTION.

       ``(a) Office.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
     Production.
       ``(2) Director.--The Secretary shall appoint a senior 
     official to serve as the Director of the Office of Urban 
     Agriculture and Innovative Production (referred to in this 
     section as the `Director').
       ``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Urban 
     Agriculture and Innovative Production shall be to encourage 
     and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural 
     practices, including--
       ``(A) community gardens and farms located in urban areas, 
     suburbs, and urban clusters;
       ``(B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green 
     walls;
       ``(C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical 
     technology farms;
       ``(D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; 
     and
       ``(E) other innovations in agricultural production, as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Responsibilities.--The Director shall be responsible 
     for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described 
     in paragraph (3), including by--
       ``(A) managing programs, including for community gardens, 
     urban farms, rooftop agriculture, and indoor vertical 
     production;
       ``(B) advising the Secretary;
       ``(C) coordinating with the agencies and officials of the 
     Department to update relevant programs;
       ``(D) engaging in stakeholder relations and developing 
     external partnerships;
       ``(E) identifying common State and municipal best practices 
     for navigating local policies;
       ``(F) coordinating networks of community gardens and 
     facilitating connections to local food banks, in partnership 
     with the Food and Nutrition Service; and
       ``(G) collaborating with other Federal agencies.
       ``(b) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory 
     Committee.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish 
     an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory 
     Committee (referred to in this subsection as the `Committee') 
     to advise the Secretary on--
       ``(A) the development of policies and outreach relating to 
     urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production 
     practices; and
       ``(B) any other aspects of the implementation of this 
     section.
       ``(2) Membership.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of 12 
     members, of whom--
       ``(i) 4 shall be individuals who are agricultural 
     producers, of whom--

       ``(I) 2 individuals shall be agricultural producers located 
     in an urban area or urban cluster; and
       ``(II) 2 individuals shall be farmers that use innovative 
     technology;

       ``(ii) 2 shall be representatives from an institution of 
     higher education or extension program;
       ``(iii) 1 shall be an individual who represents a nonprofit 
     organization, which may include a public health, 
     environmental, or community organization;
       ``(iv) 1 shall be an individual who represents business and 
     economic development, which may include a business 
     development entity, a chamber of commerce, a city government, 
     or a planning organization;
       ``(v) 1 shall be an individual with supply chain 
     experience, which may include a food aggregator, wholesale 
     food distributor, food hub, or an individual who has direct-
     to-consumer market experience;
       ``(vi) 1 shall be an individual from a financing entity; 
     and
       ``(vii) 2 shall be individuals with related experience or 
     expertise in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture 
     production practices, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Initial appointments.--The Secretary shall appoint 
     the members of the Committee not

[[Page H9941]]

     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     section.
       ``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 
     years.
       ``(B) Initial appointments.--Of the members first appointed 
     to the Committee--
       ``(i) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, 
     shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;
       ``(ii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, 
     shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
       ``(iii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, 
     shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.
       ``(C) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Committee--
       ``(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and
       ``(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the same 
     manner as the original appointment.
       ``(D) Consecutive terms.--An initial appointee of the 
     committee may serve an additional consecutive term if the 
     member is reappointed by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Meetings.--
       ``(A) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet not fewer than 3 
     times per year.
       ``(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date on which the members are appointed under paragraph 
     (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the 
     Committee.
       ``(5) Duties.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Committee shall--
       ``(i) develop recommendations and advise the Director on 
     policies, initiatives, and outreach administered by the 
     Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production;
       ``(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research and extension 
     activities relating to urban, indoor, and other innovative 
     agricultural practices;
       ``(iii) identify new and existing barriers to successful 
     urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production 
     practices; and
       ``(iv) provide additional assistance and advice to the 
     Director as appropriate.
       ``(B) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
     which the Committee is established, and every 2 years through 
     2023, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary, the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report describing the recommendations developed 
     under subparagraph (A).
       ``(6) Personnel matters.--
       ``(A) Compensation.--A member of the Committee shall serve 
     without compensation.
       ``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, 
     United States Code.
       ``(7) Termination.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
     Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after 
     the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph 
     (2)(B).
       ``(B) Extensions.--Before the date on which the Committee 
     terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee for 1 or 
     more 2-year periods.
       ``(c) Grants.--The Director shall award competitive grants 
     to support the development of urban agriculture and 
     innovative production to any of the following eligible 
     entities:
       ``(1) A nonprofit organization.
       ``(2) A unit of local government.
       ``(3) A Tribal government.
       ``(4) Any school that serves any of grades kindergarten 
     through grade 12.
       ``(d) Pilot Projects.--
       ``(1) Urban and suburban county committees.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a 
     pilot program for not fewer than 5 years that establishes 10 
     county committees in accordance with section 
     8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
     Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II)) to operate in 
     counties located in urban or suburban areas with a high 
     concentration of urban or suburban farms.
       ``(B) Effect.--Nothing in this paragraph requires or 
     precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency office 
     in a county in which a county committee is established under 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) Report.--For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter through fiscal year 2023, 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 describing a summary of--
       ``(i) the status of the pilot program under subparagraph 
     (A);
       ``(ii) meetings and other activities of the committees 
     established under that subparagraph; and
       ``(iii) the types and volume of assistance and services 
     provided to farmers in counties in which county committees 
     are established under that subparagraph.
       ``(2) Increasing community compost and reducing food 
     waste.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Director, shall carry out pilot projects under which the 
     Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements 
     with local or municipal governments in not fewer than 10 
     States to develop and test strategies for planning and 
     implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction 
     plans.
       ``(B) Eligible entities and purposes of pilot projects.--
     Under a cooperative agreement entered into under this 
     paragraph, the Secretary shall provide assistance to 
     municipalities, counties, local governments, or city 
     planners, as appropriate, to carry out planning and 
     implementing activities that will--
       ``(i) generate compost;
       ``(ii) increase access to compost for agricultural 
     producers;
       ``(iii) reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, 
     fertilizer;
       ``(iv) improve soil quality;
       ``(v) encourage waste management and permaculture business 
     development;
       ``(vi) increase rainwater absorption;
       ``(vii) reduce municipal food waste; and
       ``(viii) divert food waste from landfills.
       ``(C) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--
       ``(i) Criteria.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish 
     criteria for the selection of pilot projects under this 
     paragraph.
       ``(ii) Consideration.--In selecting, undertaking, or 
     funding pilot projects under this paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall consider any commonly known significant impact on 
     existing food waste recovery and disposal by commercial, 
     marketing, or business relationships.
       ``(iii) Priority.--In selecting a pilot project under this 
     paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to an 
     application for a pilot project that--

       ``(I) anticipates or demonstrates economic benefits;
       ``(II) incorporates plans to make compost easily accessible 
     to agricultural producers, including community gardeners;
       ``(III) integrates other food waste strategies, including 
     food recovery efforts; and
       ``(IV) provides for collaboration with multiple partners.

       ``(D) Matching requirement.--The recipient of assistance 
     for a pilot project under this paragraph shall provide funds, 
     in-kind contributions, or a combination of both from sources 
     other than funds provided through the grant in an amount 
     equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant.
       ``(E) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
     evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this paragraph 
     to assess different solutions for increasing access to 
     compost and reducing municipal food waste, including an 
     evaluation of--
       ``(i) the amount of Federal funds used for each project; 
     and
       ``(ii) a measurement of the outcomes of each project.
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section and the 
     amendments made by this section $25,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 12303. TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       Section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6921) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Tribal Advisory Committee.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
       ``(B) Relevant committees of congress.--The term `relevant 
     committees of Congress' means--
       ``(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry of the Senate; and
       ``(iii) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.
       ``(C) Tribal organization.--The term `tribal organization' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304).
       ``(2) Establishment of committee.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
     advisory committee, to be known as the Tribal Advisory 
     Committee (referred to in this subsection as the `Committee') 
     to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters 
     relating to Tribal and Indian affairs.
       ``(B) Facilitation.--The Committee shall facilitate, but 
     not supplant, government-to-government consultation between 
     the Department of Agriculture (referred to in this subsection 
     as the `Department') and Indian tribes.
       ``(3) Membership.--
       ``(A) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of 11 
     members, of whom--
       ``(i) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary;
       ``(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the 
     Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
       ``(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the 
     Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
       ``(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate;
       ``(v) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate;
       ``(vi) 2 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
       ``(vii) 2 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.
       ``(B) Nominations.--The Secretary shall accept nominations 
     for members of the Committee from any of the following:
       ``(i) An Indian tribe.
       ``(ii) A tribal organization.
       ``(iii) A national or regional organization with expertise 
     in issues relating to the duties of the Committee described 
     in paragraph (4).

[[Page H9942]]

       ``(C) Diversity.--To the maximum extent feasible, the 
     Secretary shall ensure that the members of the Committee 
     represent a diverse set of expertise on issues relating to 
     geographic regions, Indian tribes, and the agricultural 
     industry.
       ``(D) Limitation.--No member of the Committee shall be an 
     officer or employee of the Federal Government.
       ``(E) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
       ``(i) In general.--Each member of the Committee--

       ``(I) subject to clause (ii), shall be appointed to a 3-
     year term; and
       ``(II) may be reappointed to not more than 3 consecutive 
     terms.

       ``(ii) Initial staggering.--The first 3 appointments by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be for a 2-year 
     term.
       ``(iii) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Committee shall be 
     filled in the same manner as the original appointment not 
     more than 90 days after the date on which the position 
     becomes vacant.
       ``(F) Meetings.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Committee shall meet in person not 
     less than twice each year.
       ``(ii) Office of tribal relations representative.--Not 
     fewer than 1 representative from the Office of Tribal 
     Relations of the Department shall be present at each meeting 
     of the Committee. 
       ``(iii) Department of interior representative.--The 
     Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the Department of 
     the Interior (or a designee) shall be present at each meeting 
     of the Committee.
       ``(iv) Nonvoting representatives.--The individuals 
     described in clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be nonvoting 
     representatives at meetings of the Committee.
       ``(4) Duties of committee.--The Committee shall--
       ``(A) identify evolving issues of relevance to Indian 
     tribes relating to programs of the Department;
       ``(B) communicate to the Secretary the issues identified 
     under subparagraph (A);
       ``(C) submit to the Secretary recommendations for, and 
     solutions to--
       ``(i) the issues identified under subparagraph (A);
       ``(ii) issues raised at the Tribal, regional, or national 
     level; and
       ``(iii) issues relating to any Tribal consultation carried 
     out by the Department;
       ``(D) discuss issues and proposals for changes to the 
     regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department that 
     impact Indian tribes;
       ``(E) identify priorities and provide advice on appropriate 
     strategies for Tribal consultation on issues at the Tribal, 
     regional, or national level regarding the Department;
       ``(F) ensure that pertinent issues of the Department are 
     brought to the attention of an Indian tribe in a timely 
     manner so that timely feedback from an Indian tribe can be 
     obtained; and
       ``(G) identify and propose solutions to any 
     interdepartmental barrier between the Department and other 
     Federal agencies.
       ``(5) Reports.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once each year, 
     the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the relevant 
     committees of Congress a report that describes--
       ``(i) the activities of the Committee during the previous 
     year; and
       ``(ii) recommendations for legislative or administrative 
     action for the following year.
       ``(B) Response from secretary.--Not more than 45 days after 
     the date on which the Secretary receives a report under 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit a written 
     response to that report to--
       ``(i) the Committee; and
       ``(ii) the relevant committees of Congress.
       ``(6) Compensation of members.--Members of the Committee 
     shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent 
     of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of 
     the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
     which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties 
     of the Committee.
       ``(7) Federal advisory committee act exemption.--Section 14 
     of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall 
     not apply to the Committee.''.

     SEC. 12304. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION.

       Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506 and 
     12301(a)(1)) is further amended by inserting after section 
     7403 (7 U.S.C. 3119b note; Public Law 107-171) the following:

     ``SEC. 7404. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term `beginning 
     farmer or rancher' has the meaning given such term in section 
     2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
     of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).
       ``(2) National coordinator.--The term `National 
     Coordinator' means the National Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
     Coordinator established under subsection (b)(1).
       ``(3) State coordinator.--The term `State coordinator' 
     means a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator 
     designated under subsection (c)(1)(A).
       ``(4) State office.--The term `State office' means--
       ``(A) a State office of--
       ``(i) the Farm Service Agency;
       ``(ii) the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
       ``(iii) the Rural Business-Cooperative Service; or
       ``(iv) the Rural Utilities Service; or
       ``(B) a regional office of the Risk Management Agency.
       ``(b) National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department the position of National Beginning Farmer and 
     Rancher Coordinator.
       ``(2) Duties.--
       ``(A) In general.--The National Coordinator shall--
       ``(i) advise the Secretary and coordinate activities of the 
     Department on programs, policies, and issues relating to 
     beginning farmers and ranchers; and
       ``(ii) in consultation with the applicable State food and 
     agriculture council, determine whether to approve a plan 
     submitted by a State coordinator under subsection (c)(3)(B).
       ``(B) Discretionary duties.--Additional duties of the 
     National Coordinator may include--
       ``(i) developing and implementing new strategies--

       ``(I) for outreach to beginning farmers and ranchers; and
       ``(II) to assist beginning farmers and ranchers with 
     connecting to owners or operators that have ended, or expect 
     to end within 5 years, actively owning or operating a farm or 
     ranch; and

       ``(ii) facilitating interagency and interdepartmental 
     collaboration on issues relating to beginning farmers and 
     ranchers.
       ``(3) Reports.--Not less frequently than once each year, 
     the National Coordinator shall distribute within the 
     Department and make publicly available a report describing 
     the status of steps taken to carry out the duties described 
     in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).
       ``(4) Contracts and cooperative agreements.--In carrying 
     out the duties under paragraph (2), the National Coordinator 
     may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with an 
     institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), 
     cooperative extension services (as defined in section 1404 of 
     the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
     Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), or a nonprofit 
     organization--
       ``(A) to conduct research on the profitability of new farms 
     in operation for not less than 5 years in a region;
       ``(B) to develop educational materials;
       ``(C) to conduct workshops, courses, training, or certified 
     vocational training; or
       ``(D) to conduct mentoring activities.
       ``(c) State Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Designation.--The National Coordinator, in 
     consultation with State food and agriculture councils and 
     directors of State offices, shall designate in each State a 
     State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among 
     employees of State offices.
       ``(B) Requirements.--To be designated as a State 
     coordinator, an employee shall--
       ``(i) be familiar with issues relating to beginning farmers 
     and ranchers; and
       ``(ii) have the ability to coordinate with other Federal 
     departments and agencies.
       ``(2) Training.--The Secretary shall develop a training 
     plan to provide to each State coordinator knowledge of 
     programs and services available from the Department for 
     beginning farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the 
     needs of all production types and sizes of agricultural 
     operations.
       ``(3) Duties.--A State coordinator shall--
       ``(A) coordinate technical assistance at the State level to 
     assist beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing programs 
     of the Department;
       ``(B) develop and submit to the National Coordinator for 
     approval under subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii) a State plan to 
     improve the coordination, delivery, and efficacy of programs 
     of the Department to beginning farmers and ranchers, taking 
     into consideration the needs of all types of production 
     methods and sizes of agricultural operation, at each county 
     and area office in the State;
       ``(C) oversee implementation of an approved State plan 
     described in subparagraph (B);
       ``(D) work with outreach coordinators in the State offices 
     to ensure appropriate information about technical assistance 
     is available at outreach events and activities; and
       ``(E) coordinate partnerships and joint outreach efforts 
     with other organizations and government agencies serving 
     beginning farmers and ranchers.''.

     SEC. 12305. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR.

       Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506, section 
     12301(a)(1), and 12304) is further amended by inserting after 
     section 7404, as added by section 12304, the following:

     ``SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department the position of Agricultural Youth Organization 
     Coordinator.
       ``(b) Duties.--The Agricultural Youth Organization 
     Coordinator shall--
       ``(1) promote the role of youth-serving organizations and 
     school-based agricultural education in motivating and 
     preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture, 
     food, and natural resources systems;
       ``(2) work to help build youth awareness of the reach and 
     importance of agriculture, across a diversity of fields and 
     disciplines;
       ``(3) identify short-term and long-term interests of the 
     Department and provide opportunities, resources, input, and 
     coordination with programs and agencies of the Department to 
     youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural 
     education, including the development of internship 
     opportunities;

[[Page H9943]]

       ``(4) share, internally and externally, the extent to which 
     active steps are being taken to encourage collaboration with, 
     and support of, youth-serving organizations and school-based 
     agricultural education;
       ``(5) provide information to youth involved in food and 
     agriculture organizations concerning the availability of, and 
     eligibility requirements for, participation in agricultural 
     programs, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and 
     rancher programs;
       ``(6) serve as a resource for assisting youth involved in 
     food and agriculture organizations in applying for 
     participation in agriculture; and
       ``(7) advocate on behalf of youth involved in food and 
     agriculture organizations in interactions with employees of 
     the Department.
       ``(c) Contracts and Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes 
     of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the 
     Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator shall consult 
     with the cooperative extension and the land-grant university 
     systems, and may enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with the research centers of the Agricultural 
     Research Service, cooperative extension and the land-grant 
     university systems, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, 
     or nonprofit organizations for--
       ``(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability 
     of small farms;
       ``(2) the development of educational materials;
       ``(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified 
     vocational training;
       ``(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or
       ``(5) the provision of internship opportunities.''.

     SEC. 12306. AVAILABILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
                   PROGRAMS FOR VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

       (a) Definition of Veteran Farmer or Rancher.--Paragraph (7) 
     of subsection (a) (as redesignated by section 12301(b)(3)) of 
     section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
     Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that 
     title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so 
     defined) during the most recent 10-year period.''.
       (b) Federal Crop Insurance.--
       (1) Definition of veteran farmer or rancher.--Section 
     502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)) 
     (as amended by section 11101) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(14) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term `veteran farmer 
     or rancher' means a farmer or rancher who--
       ``(A) has served in the Armed Forces (as defined in section 
     101 of title 38, United States Code); and
       ``(B)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch;
       ``(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 5 
     years; or
       ``(iii) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that 
     title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so 
     defined) during the most recent 5-year period.''.
       (2) Crop insurance.--Section 508 of the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)(5)(E)--
       (i) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) In general.--The Corporation''; and
       (ii) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting the following: ``, and 
     veteran farmers or ranchers.
       ``(ii) Coordination.--The Corporation shall coordinate with 
     other agencies of the Department that provide programs or 
     services to farmers and ranchers described in clause (i) to 
     make available coverage under the waiver under that clause 
     and to share eligibility information to reduce paperwork and 
     avoid duplication.'';
       (B) in subsection (e)(8)--
       (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``and veteran'' 
     after ``beginning''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or veteran farmer or rancher'' after 
     ``beginning farmer or rancher'' each place it appears; and
       (C) in subsection (g)--
       (i) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), in the matter preceding 
     subclause (I), by inserting ``or veteran farmer or rancher'' 
     after ``beginning farmer or rancher'' each place it appears; 
     and
       (ii) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii)(II), by inserting ``and 
     veteran farmers or ranchers'' after ``beginning farmers or 
     ranchers''.
       (3) Education and risk management assistance.--Paragraph 
     (3) of section 524(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1524(a)), as redesignated by section 11125(a)(3), is 
     amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ``and'' at the 
     end;
       (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) veteran farmers or ranchers.''.
       (c) Down Payment Loan Program.--Section 310E of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``qualified beginning 
     farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
     ranchers'' and inserting ``eligible farmers or ranchers'';
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``recipients of the 
     loans'' and inserting ``farmers or ranchers'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) encourage retiring farmers and ranchers to assist in 
     the sale of their farms and ranches to eligible farmers or 
     ranchers by providing seller financing;'';
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``for beginning farmers 
     or ranchers or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers'' 
     and inserting the following: ``for--
       ``(A) beginning farmers or ranchers;
       ``(B) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as 
     defined in section 355(e); or
       ``(C) veteran farmers or ranchers, as defined in section 
     2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
     of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)); and''; and
       (D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``a qualified beginning 
     farmer or rancher or socially disadvantaged farmer or 
     rancher'' and inserting ``an eligible farmer or rancher''; 
     and
       (3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
       ``(e) Definition of Eligible Farmer or Rancher.--In this 
     section, the term `eligible farmer or rancher' means--
       ``(1) a qualified beginning farmer or rancher;
       ``(2) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, as 
     defined in section 355(e); and
       ``(3) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 
     2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
     of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).''.
       (d) Interest Rate Reduction Program.--Section 351(e)(2)(B) 
     of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1999(e)(2)(B)) is amended--
       (1) in the subparagraph heading, by inserting ``and 
     veteran'' after ``Beginning'';
       (2) in clause (i), by inserting ``or veteran farmers and 
     ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     2279(a)))'' before the period at the end; and
       (3) in clause (ii), by striking ``beginning''.
       (e) National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, 
     Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program.--Section 405(c) 
     of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
     Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(c)) is amended by inserting 
     ``veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) 
     of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
     (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))),'' after ``socially disadvantaged 
     farmers,''.
       (f) Administration and Operation of Noninsured Crop 
     Assistance Program.--Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
     Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (k)(2), by inserting ``, or a veteran 
     farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
     2279(a)))'' before the period at the end; and
       (2) in subsection (l), in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by 
     section 1601(7)(D))--
       (A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``veteran,'' 
     before ``and socially''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and veteran farmers or ranchers (as 
     defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))'' 
     before ``in exchange''.
       (g) Funding for Transition Option for Certain Farmers or 
     Ranchers.--Section 1241(a)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 
     1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking 
     ``beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
     farmers or ranchers'' and inserting ``covered farmers or 
     ranchers, as defined in section 1235(f)(1)''.
       (h) Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance.--
       (1) Definition of covered producer.--Section 1501(a) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(a)) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
     the following:
       ``(1) Covered producer.--The term `covered producer' means 
     an eligible producer on a farm that is--
       ``(A) as determined by the Secretary--
       ``(i) a beginning farmer or rancher;
       ``(ii) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; or
       ``(iii) a limited resource farmer or rancher; or
       ``(B) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 
     2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
     of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).''.
       (2) Emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and 
     farm-raised fish.--Section 1501(d) of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(4) Payment rate for covered producers.--In the case of a 
     covered producer that is eligible to receive assistance under 
     this subsection, the Secretary shall provide reimbursement of 
     90 percent of the cost of losses described in paragraph (1) 
     or (2).''.

   Subtitle D--Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
                               Amendments

     SEC. 12401. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS AND 
                   INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.

       (a) Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture.--Section 
     218(a)(1) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
     of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918(a)(1)) is amended by striking 
     ``Relations'' and inserting ``Relations and Intergovernmental 
     Affairs''.
       (b) Succession.--Any official who is serving as the 
     Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional 
     Relations on the date of enactment of this Act and who was 
     appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate, shall not be required to be 
     reappointed as a result of the change made to the name of 
     that position under the amendment made by subsection (a).

     SEC. 12402. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON.

       Section 219 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6919) is amended--

[[Page H9944]]

       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) establish and periodically update the website 
     described in subsection (d); and
       ``(6) in carrying out the duties described in paragraphs 
     (1) through (5), consult with and provide technical 
     assistance to any Federal agency, including the Department of 
     Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small 
     Business Administration, and the Department of Labor.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Website Required.--
       ``(1) In general.--The website required under subsection 
     (b)(5) shall include the following:
       ``(A) Positions identified within the Department of 
     Agriculture that are available to veterans for 
     apprenticeships.
       ``(B) Apprenticeships, programs of training on the job, and 
     programs of education that are approved for purposes of 
     chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code.
       ``(C) Employment skills training programs for members of 
     the Armed Forces carried out pursuant to section 1143(e) of 
     title 10, United States Code.
       ``(D) Information designed to assist businesses, nonprofit 
     entities, educational institutions, and farmers interested in 
     developing apprenticeships, on-the-job training, educational, 
     or entrepreneurial programs for veterans in navigating the 
     process of having a program approved by a State approving 
     agency for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38, United States 
     Code, including--
       ``(i) contact information for relevant offices in the 
     Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
     Department of Labor, and Small Business Administration;
       ``(ii) basic requirements for approval by each State 
     approving agency;
       ``(iii) recommendations with respect to training and 
     coursework to be used during apprenticeships or on-the-job 
     training that will enable a veteran to be eligible for 
     agricultural programs; and
       ``(iv) examples of successful programs and curriculums that 
     have been approved for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38, 
     United States Code (with consent of the organization and 
     without any personally identifiable information).
       ``(2) Review of website.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
     enactment of this paragraph, and once every 5 years 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine 
     if the website required under subsection (b)(5) is effective 
     in providing veterans the information required under 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Ineffective website.--If the Secretary determines 
     that the website is not effective under subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(i) notify the agriculture and veterans committees 
     described in subparagraph (C) of that determination; and
       ``(ii) not earlier than 180 days after the date on which 
     the Secretary provides notice under clause (i), terminate the 
     website.
       ``(C) Agriculture and veterans committees.--The agriculture 
     and veterans committees referred to in subparagraph (B)(i) 
     are--
       ``(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry of the Senate;
       ``(iii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(iv) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
       ``(e) Consultation Required.--In carrying out this section, 
     the Secretary shall consult with organizations that serve 
     veterans.
       ``(f) Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
     Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall submit a report 
     on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural 
     vocational and rehabilitation programs for veterans to--
       ``(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(C) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate; and
       ``(D) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
       ``(2) Contents of report.--The report submitted under 
     paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) a summary of the measures taken to carry out 
     subsections (b) and (c);
       ``(B) a description of the information provided to veterans 
     under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b);
       ``(C) recommendations for best informing veterans of the 
     programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection 
     (b);
       ``(D) a summary of the contracts or cooperative agreements 
     entered into under subsection (c);
       ``(E) a description of the programs implemented under 
     subsection (c);
       ``(F) a summary of the employment outreach activities 
     directed to veterans;
       ``(G) recommendations for how opportunities for veterans in 
     agriculture should be developed or expanded;
       ``(H) a summary of veteran farm lending data and a summary 
     of shortfalls, if any, identified by the Military Veterans 
     Agricultural Liaison in collecting data with respect to 
     veterans engaged in agriculture; and
       ``(I) recommendations, if any, on how to improve activities 
     under subsection (b).
       ``(g) Public Dissemination of Information.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
     Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall make publicly 
     available and share broadly, including by posting on the 
     website of the Department--
       ``(A) the report of the Military Veterans Agricultural 
     Liaison on beginning farmer training for veterans and 
     agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; and
       ``(B) the information disseminated under paragraphs (1) and 
     (2) of subsection (b).
       ``(2) Further dissemination.--Not later than the day before 
     the date on which the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison 
     makes publicly available the information under paragraph (1), 
     the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall provide that 
     information to the Department of Defense, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the 
     Department of Labor.''.

     SEC. 12403. CIVIL RIGHTS ANALYSES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct civil rights 
     impact analyses in accordance with Departmental Regulation 
     4300-004 issued by the Department of Agriculture on October 
     17, 2016, with respect to the Department of Agriculture's 
     employment, federally-conducted programs and activities, and 
     federally-assisted programs and activities.
       (b) Study; Report.--
       (1) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States (referred to in this section as the ``Comptroller 
     General'') shall conduct a study describing--
       (A) the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture in 
     processing and resolving civil rights complaints;
       (B) minority participation rates in farm programs, 
     including a comparison of overall farmer and rancher 
     participation with minority farmer and rancher participation 
     by considering particular aspects of the programs of the 
     Department of Agriculture for producers, such as ownership 
     status, program participation, usage of permits, and waivers;
       (C) the realignment of the civil rights functions of the 
     Department of Agriculture, as outlined in Secretarial 
     Memorandum 1076-023 (March 9, 2018), including an analysis of 
     whether that realignment has any negative implications on the 
     civil rights functions of the Department;
       (D) efforts of the Department of Agriculture to identify 
     actions, programs, or activities of the Department of 
     Agriculture that may adversely affect employees, contractors, 
     or beneficiaries (including participants) of the action, 
     program, or activity based on the membership of the 
     employees, contractors, or beneficiaries in a group that is 
     protected under Federal law from discrimination in 
     employment, contracting, or provision of an action, program, 
     or activity, as applicable; and
       (E) efforts of the Department of Agriculture to 
     strategically plan actions to decrease discrimination and 
     civil rights complaints within the Department of Agriculture 
     or in the carrying out of the programs and authorities of the 
     Department of Agriculture.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller 
     General shall submit a report describing the results of the 
     study to--
       (A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate.

     SEC. 12404. FARM SERVICE AGENCY.

       (a) In General.--Section 226 of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``consolidated 
     farm'' and inserting ``farm'';
       (2) in subsection (b), in the subsection heading, by 
     striking ``of Consolidated Farm Service Agency''; and
       (3) by striking ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``Farm''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (c), by striking ``Consolidated Farm'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``Farm''; and
       (B) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``Consolidated Farm'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``Farm''.
       (2) Section 271(2)(A) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(A)) is amended 
     by striking ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``Farm''.
       (3) Section 275(b) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995(b)) is amended by 
     striking ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``Farm''.

     SEC. 12405. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR FARM 
                   PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION.

       (a) Office of Risk Management.--Section 226A(d)(1) of the 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6933(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``Under Secretary 
     of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services'' 
     and inserting ``Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm 
     Production and Conservation''.
       (b) Multiagency Task Force.--Section 242(b)(3) of the 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6952(b)(3)) is amended by striking ``Under Secretary 
     for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services'' and inserting 
     ``Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and 
     Conservation''.
       (c) Food Aid Consultative Group.--Section 205(b)(2) of the 
     Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.

[[Page H9945]]

     1725(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``Under Secretary of 
     Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services'' and 
     inserting ``Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and 
     Foreign Agricultural Affairs''.
       (d) Interagency Committee on Minority Careers in 
     International Affairs.--Section 625(c)(1)(A) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1131c(c)(1)(A)) is amended 
     by striking ``Under Secretary'' and all that follows through 
     ``designee'' and inserting ``Under Secretary of Agriculture 
     for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, or the designee 
     of that Under Secretary''.

     SEC. 12406. OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

       (a) Changing Name of Office.--
       (1) In general.--Section 226B of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) is 
     amended--
       (A) in the section heading, by striking ``advocacy and 
     outreach'' and inserting ``partnerships and public 
     engagement''; and
       (B) by striking ``Advocacy and Outreach'' each place it 
     appears in subsections (a)(2), (b)(1), and (d)(4)(B) and 
     inserting ``Partnerships and Public Engagement''.
       (2) References.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, any reference to the Office of Advocacy and 
     Outreach established under section 226B of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) in any 
     provision of Federal law shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
       (b) Increasing Outreach.--Section 226B of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934), as 
     amended by subsection (a), is further amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
       ``(iv) limited resource producers; and
       ``(v) veteran farmers and ranchers; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) to promote youth outreach.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``veteran farmers and ranchers,'' after ``beginning farmers 
     or ranchers,'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or socially 
     disadvantaged'' and inserting ``socially disadvantaged, or 
     veteran''; and
       (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``veteran farmers or 
     ranchers,'' after ``beginning farmers or ranchers,''.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 226B(f)(3)(B) 
     of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
     (7 U.S.C. 6934(f)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
     inserting ``2023''.

     SEC. 12407. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR RURAL 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 231 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``is authorized to'' and 
     inserting ``shall''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``If the Secretary'' and 
     all that follows through ``the Under Secretary shall'' and 
     inserting ``The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural 
     Development shall''.

     SEC. 12408. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE.

       (a) Rate of Pay.--
       (1) In general.--Section 232(b) of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6942(b)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Administrator.--
       ``(1) Appointment.--The Rural Utilities Service shall be 
     headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the 
     President.
       ``(2) Compensation.--The Administrator of the Rural 
     Utilities Service shall receive basic pay at a rate not to 
     exceed the maximum amount of compensation payable to a member 
     of the Senior Executive Service under subsection (b) of 
     section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``Administrator, Rural 
     Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture.''.
       (b) Other Amendment Relating to Administrator.--Section 748 
     of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
     Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 
     (7 U.S.C. 918b) is amended by inserting ``the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, acting through'' before ``the Administrator of 
     the Rural Utilities Service''.

     SEC. 12409. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON.

       Subtitle C of title II of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 236. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department the position of Rural Health Liaison.
       ``(b) Duties.--The Rural Health Liaison shall--
       ``(1) in consultation with the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services, coordinate the role of the Department with 
     respect to rural health;
       ``(2) integrate across the Department the strategic 
     planning and activities relating to rural health;
       ``(3) improve communication relating to rural health within 
     the Department and between Federal agencies;
       ``(4) advocate on behalf of the health care and relevant 
     infrastructure needs in rural areas;
       ``(5) provide to stakeholders, potential grant applicants, 
     Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian Tribes, private 
     organizations, and academic institutions relevant data and 
     information, including the eligibility requirements for, and 
     availability and outcomes of, Department programs applicable 
     to the advancement of rural health;
       ``(6) maintain communication with public health, medical, 
     occupational safety, and telecommunication associations, 
     research entities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the 
     Department is aware of current and upcoming issues relating 
     to rural health;
       ``(7) consult on programs, pilot projects, research, 
     training, and other affairs relating to rural health at the 
     Department and other Federal agencies;
       ``(8) provide expertise on rural health to support the 
     activities of the Secretary as Chair of the Council on Rural 
     Community Innovation and Economic Development; and
       ``(9) provide technical assistance and guidance with 
     respect to activities relating to rural health to the 
     outreach, extension, and county offices of the Department.''.

     SEC. 12410. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE.

       (a) Field Offices.--Section 246 of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
     amended by section 12404(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(g) Field Offices.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall not close any field 
     office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service unless, 
     not later than 30 days before the date of the closure, the 
     Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the 
     closure.
       ``(2) Employees.--The Secretary shall not permanently 
     relocate any field-based employees of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service or the rural development mission area if 
     doing so would result in a field office of the Natural 
     Resources Conservation Service or the rural development 
     mission area with 2 or fewer employees, unless, not later 
     than 30 days before the date of the permanent relocation, the 
     Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the 
     permanent relocation.
       ``(3) Sunset.--The requirements under paragraphs (1) and 
     (2) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2023.''.
       (b) Technical Corrections.--Section 246 of the Department 
     of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
     amended by subsection (a)) is further amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2);
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively;
       (C) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by inserting ``; 
     Public Law 101-624'' after ``note''; and
       (D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``3831-3836'' and inserting ``3831 et seq.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection 
     (b) and the program under subchapter C of chapter 1 of 
     subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3837-3837f)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (3) 
     of subsection (b)''.
       (c) Relocation in Act.--
       (1) In general.--Section 246 of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
     amended by subsections (a) and (b)) is--
       (A) redesignated as section 228; and
       (B) moved so as to appear at the end of subtitle B of title 
     II (7 U.S.C. 6931 et seq.).
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) (as amended by 
     section 12404(a)) is amended--
       (i) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ``section 246(b)'' 
     and inserting ``section 228(b)''; and
       (ii) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ``section 246(b)'' 
     and inserting ``section 228(b)''.
       (B) Section 271(2)(F) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(F)) is amended 
     by striking ``section 246(b)'' and inserting ``section 
     228(b)''.

     SEC. 12411. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SCIENTIST.

       (a) In General.--Section 251(e) of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(e)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Research, 
     Education, and Extension Office'' and inserting ``Office of 
     the Chief Scientist'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Research, Education, 
     and Extension Office'' and inserting ``Office of the Chief 
     Scientist'';
       (3) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``Research, Education, and Extension 
     Office'' and inserting ``Office of the Chief Scientist'';
       (4) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``subparagraph (A) 
     shall not exceed 4 years'' and inserting ``clauses (i) and 
     (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be for not less than 3 
     years'';
       (5) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (5) and (6), respectively;
       (6) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) Additional leadership duties.--In addition to 
     selecting the Division Chiefs under paragraph (3), using 
     available personnel authority under title 5, United States 
     Code, the Under Secretary shall select personnel--
       ``(A) to oversee implementation, training, and compliance 
     with the scientific integrity policy of the Department;

[[Page H9946]]

       ``(B)(i) to integrate strategic program planning and 
     evaluation functions across the programs of the Department; 
     and
       ``(ii) to help prepare the annual report to Congress on the 
     relevance and adequacy of programs under the jurisdiction of 
     the Under Secretary;
       ``(C) to assist the Chief Scientist in coordinating the 
     international engagements of the Department with the 
     Department of State and other international agencies and 
     offices of the Federal Government; and
       ``(D) to oversee other duties as may be required by Federal 
     law or Department policy.'';
       (7) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Notwithstanding'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(i) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to fund the 
     costs of Division personnel.
       ``(ii) Additional funding.--In addition to amounts made 
     available under clause (i), notwithstanding''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) provides strong staff continuity to the Office of 
     the Chief Scientist.''; and
       (8) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``Research, Education and Extension Office'' and inserting 
     ``Office of the Chief Scientist''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 251(f)(5)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(5)(B)) is 
     amended by striking ``Research, Education and Extension 
     Office'' and inserting ``Office of the Chief Scientist''.
       (2) Section 296(b)(6)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)(6)(B)) is 
     amended by striking ``Research, Education, and Extension 
     Office'' and inserting ``Office of the Chief Scientist''.

     SEC. 12412. APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION HEARING 
                   OFFICERS.

       Section 272(e) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6992(e)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(e) Division Personnel.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director shall recommend to the 
     Secretary persons for appointment as hearing officers as are 
     necessary for the conduct of hearings under section 277. The 
     Director shall appoint such other employees as are necessary 
     for the administration of the Division. A hearing officer or 
     other employee of the Division shall have no duties other 
     than those that are necessary to carry out this subtitle. 
     Each position of the Division shall be filled by an 
     individual who is not a political appointee.
       ``(2) Political appointee.--In this subsection, the term 
     `political appointee' means an individual occupying--
       ``(A) a position described under sections 5312 through 5316 
     of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Executive 
     Schedule);
       ``(B) a noncareer position in the Senior Executive Service, 
     as described under section 3132(a)(7) of that title;
       ``(C) a position in the executive branch of the Government 
     of a confidential or policy-determining character under 
     schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of 
     Federal Regulations; or
       ``(D) a position which has been excepted from the 
     competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy-
     determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating 
     character.''.

     SEC. 12413. TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

       The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subtitle J (7 U.S.C. 7011 et seq.) as 
     subtitle K; and
       (2) by inserting after subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 7005 et seq.) 
     the following:

          ``Subtitle J--Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

     ``SEC. 287. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR TRADE AND 
                   FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
     Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
       ``(b) Appointment.--The Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
     Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall be appointed by 
     the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
     Senate.
       ``(c) Functions.--
       ``(1) Principal functions.--The Secretary shall delegate to 
     the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign 
     Agricultural Affairs those functions and duties under the 
     jurisdiction of the Department that are related to trade and 
     foreign agricultural affairs.
       ``(2) Additional functions.--The Under Secretary of 
     Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall 
     perform such other functions and duties as may be--
       ``(A) required by law; or
       ``(B) prescribed by the Secretary.''.

     SEC. 12414. REPEALS.

       (a) Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.--
     The following provisions of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 are repealed:
       (1) Section 211 (7 U.S.C. 6911).
       (2) Section 213 (7 U.S.C. 6913).
       (3) Section 214 (7 U.S.C. 6914).
       (4) Section 217 (7 U.S.C. 6917).
       (5) Section 247 (7 U.S.C. 6963).
       (6) Section 252 (7 U.S.C. 6972).
       (7) Section 295 (7 U.S.C. 7013).
       (b) Other Provision.--Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 6935) is repealed.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the amendments made 
     by this section shall be construed as affecting--
       (1) the authority of the Secretary to continue to carry out 
     a function vested in, and performed by, the Secretary as of 
     the date of enactment of this Act under any provision of 
     Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections 
     (a) and (b); or
       (2) the authority of an agency, office, officer, or 
     employee of the Department of Agriculture to continue to 
     perform all functions delegated or assigned to the agency, 
     office, officer, or employee as of the date of enactment of 
     this Act any provision of Federal law other than the 
     provisions repealed by subsections (a) and (b).

     SEC. 12415. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Office of Risk Management.--Section 226A(a) of the 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6933(a)) is amended by striking ``Subject to 
     subsection (e), the Secretary'' and inserting ``The 
     Secretary''.
       (b) Correction of Error.--
       (1) Assistant secretaries of agriculture.--Section 218 of 
     the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
     U.S.C. 6918) (as in effect on the day before the effective 
     date of the amendments made by section 2(a)(1) of the 
     Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 
     2011 (Public Law 112-166; 126 Stat. 1283, 1295)) is amended 
     by striking ``Senate.'' in subsection (b) and all that 
     follows through ``responsibility for--'' in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1) of subsection (d) and inserting the 
     following: ``Senate.
       ``(c) Duties of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for 
     Civil Rights.--The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant 
     Secretary for Civil Rights responsibility for--''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     take effect on the effective date described in section 6(a) 
     of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining 
     Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-166; 126 Stat. 1295).

     SEC. 12416. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

       Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the 
     amendments made to this title by section 772 of the 
     Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, 
     and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018.
       ``(10) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the 
     amendments made to this title by the Agriculture Improvement 
     Act of 2018.''.

               Subtitle E--Other Miscellaneous Provisions

              PART I--MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURE PROVISIONS

     SEC. 12501. ACER ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       Section 12306(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     1632c(f)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
     ``2023''.

     SEC. 12502. PROTECTING ANIMALS WITH SHELTER.

       (a) Crimes Related to Domestic Violence and Stalking 
     Targeting Pets.--
       (1) Interstate stalking.--Section 2261A of title 18, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
       (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end; and
       (ii) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
       ``(iv) the pet, service animal, emotional support animal, 
     or horse of that person; or''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
       (i) by inserting after ``to a person'' the following: ``, a 
     pet, a service animal, an emotional support animal, or a 
     horse''; and
       (ii) by striking ``or (iii)'' and inserting ``(iii), or 
     (iv)''.
       (2) Interstate violation of protection order.--Section 2262 
     of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``another person'' 
     the following: ``or the pet, service animal, emotional 
     support animal, or horse of that person''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``proximity to, 
     another person'' the following ``or the pet, service animal, 
     emotional support animal, or horse of that person''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting after ``in any other 
     case,'' the following: ``including any case in which the 
     offense is committed against a pet, service animal, emotional 
     support animal, or horse,''.
       (3) Restitution to include veterinary services.--Section 
     2264 of title 18, United States Code, is amended in 
     subsection (b)(3)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G);
       (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
     and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
       ``(F) veterinary services relating to physical care for the 
     victim's pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or 
     horse; and''.
       (4) Definitions.--Section 2266 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the 
     following:
       ``(11) Pet.--The term `pet' means a domesticated animal, 
     such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other 
     animal that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial 
     purposes.
       ``(12) Emotional support animal.--The term `emotional 
     support animal' means an animal that is covered by the 
     exclusion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of 
     Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is 
     not a service animal.
       ``(13) Service animal.--The term `service animal' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code of 
     Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).''.
       (b) Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing 
     Assistance Grant Program.--
       (1) Grant program.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary, acting in consultation with 
     the Office of the Violence

[[Page H9947]]

     Against Women of the Department of Justice, the Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development, and the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services, shall award grants under this subsection 
     to eligible entities to carry out programs to provide the 
     assistance described in paragraph (3) with respect to victims 
     of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
     stalking and the pets, service animals, emotional support 
     animals, or horses of such victims.
       (B) Memorandum of understanding.--The Secretary may enter 
     into a memorandum of understanding with the head of another 
     Department or agency, as appropriate, to carry out any of the 
     authorities provided to the Secretary under this section.
       (2) Application.--
       (A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
     this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary 
     at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
     as the Secretary may reasonably require, including--
       (i) a description of the activities for which a grant under 
     this subsection is sought;
       (ii) such assurances as the Secretary determines to be 
     necessary to ensure compliance by the entity with the 
     requirements of this subsection; and
       (iii) a certification that the entity, before engaging with 
     any individual domestic violence victim, will disclose to the 
     victim any mandatory duty of the entity to report instances 
     of abuse and neglect (including instances of abuse and 
     neglect of pets, service animals, emotional support animals, 
     or horses).
       (B) Additional requirements.--In addition to the 
     requirements of subparagraph (A), each application submitted 
     by an eligible entity under that subparagraph shall--
       (i) not include proposals for any activities that may 
     compromise the safety of a domestic violence victim, 
     including--

       (I) background checks of domestic violence victims; or
       (II) clinical evaluations to determine the eligibility of 
     such a victim for support services;

       (ii) not include proposals that would require mandatory 
     services for victims or that a victim obtain a protective 
     order in order to receive proposed services; and
       (iii) reflect the eligible entity's understanding of the 
     dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
     assault, or stalking.
       (C) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall 
     be construed to require--
       (i) domestic violence victims to participate in the 
     criminal justice system in order to receive services; or
       (ii) eligible entities receiving a grant under this 
     subsection to breach client confidentiality.
       (3) Use of funds.--Grants awarded under this subsection may 
     only be used for programs that provide--
       (A) emergency and transitional shelter and housing 
     assistance for domestic violence victims with pets, service 
     animals, emotional support animals, or horses, including 
     assistance with respect to any construction or operating 
     expenses of newly developed or existing emergency and 
     transitional pet, service animal, emotional support animal, 
     or horse shelter and housing (regardless of whether such 
     shelter and housing is co-located at a victim service 
     provider or within the community);
       (B) short-term shelter and housing assistance for domestic 
     violence victims with pets, service animals, emotional 
     support animals, or horses, including assistance with respect 
     to expenses incurred for the temporary shelter, housing, 
     boarding, or fostering of the pets, service animals, 
     emotional support animals, or horses of domestic violence 
     victims and other expenses that are incidental to securing 
     the safety of such a pet, service animal, emotional support 
     animal, or horse during the sheltering, housing, or 
     relocation of such victims;
       (C) support services designed to enable a domestic violence 
     victim who is fleeing a situation of domestic violence, 
     dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to--
       (i) locate and secure--

       (I) safe housing with the victim's pet, service animal, 
     emotional support animal, or horse; or
       (II) safe accommodations for the victim's pet, service 
     animal, emotional support animal, or horse; or

       (ii) provide the victim with pet, service animal, emotional 
     support animal, or horse related services, such as 
     transportation, care services, and other assistance; or
       (D) for the training of relevant stakeholders on--
       (i) the link between domestic violence, dating violence, 
     sexual assault, or stalking and the abuse and neglect of 
     pets, service animals, emotional support animals, and horses;
       (ii) the needs of domestic violence victims;
       (iii) best practices for providing support services to such 
     victims;
       (iv) best practices for providing such victims with 
     referrals to victims' services; and
       (v) the importance of confidentiality.
       (4) Grant conditions.--An eligible entity that receives a 
     grant under this subsection shall, as a condition of such 
     receipt, agree--
       (A) to be bound by the nondisclosure of confidential 
     information requirements of section 40002(b)(2) of the 
     Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(2)); 
     and
       (B) that the entity shall not condition the receipt of 
     support, housing, or other benefits provided pursuant to this 
     subsection on the participation of domestic violence victims 
     in any or all of the support services offered to such victims 
     through a program carried out by the entity using grant 
     funds.
       (5) Duration of assistance provided to victims.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), assistance 
     provided with respect to a pet, service animal, emotional 
     support animal, or horse of a domestic violence victim using 
     grant funds awarded under this subsection shall be provided 
     for a period of not more than 24 months.
       (B) Extension.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
     under this subsection may extend the 24-month period referred 
     to in subparagraph (A) for a period of not more than 6 months 
     in the case of a domestic violence victim who--
       (i) has made a good faith effort to acquire permanent 
     housing for the victim and the victim's pet, service animal, 
     emotional support animal, or horse during that 24-month 
     period; and
       (ii) has been unable to acquire such permanent housing 
     within that period.
       (6) Report to the secretary.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant under 
     this subsection and each year thereafter in which the grant 
     funds are used, the entity shall submit to the Secretary a 
     report that contains, with respect to assistance provided by 
     the entity to domestic violence victims with pets, service 
     animals, emotional support animals, or horses using grant 
     funds received under this subsection, information on--
       (A) the number of domestic violence victims with pets, 
     service animals, emotional support animals, or horses 
     provided such assistance; and
       (B) the purpose, amount, type of, and duration of such 
     assistance.
       (7) Report to congress.--
       (A) Reporting requirement.--Not later than November 1 of 
     each even-numbered fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to 
     the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
     the Senate a report that contains a compilation of the 
     information contained in the reports submitted under 
     paragraph (6).
       (B) Availability of report.--The Secretary shall transmit a 
     copy of the report submitted under subparagraph (A) to--
       (i) the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department 
     of Justice;
       (ii) the Office of Community Planning and Development of 
     the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
       (iii) the Administration for Children and Families of the 
     Department of Health and Human Services.
       (8) Authorization of appropriations.--
       (A) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this subsection $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023.
       (B) Limitation.--Of the amount made available under 
     subparagraph (A) in any fiscal year, not more than 5 percent 
     may be used for evaluation, monitoring, salaries, and 
     administrative expenses.
       (9) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Domestic violence victim defined.--The term ``domestic 
     violence victim'' means a victim of domestic violence, dating 
     violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
       (B) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (i) a State;
       (ii) a unit of local government;
       (iii) an Indian tribe; or
       (iv) any other organization that has a documented history 
     of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating 
     violence, sexual assault, or stalking (as determined by the 
     Secretary), including--

       (I) a domestic violence and sexual assault victim service 
     provider;
       (II) a domestic violence and sexual assault coalition;
       (III) a community-based and culturally specific 
     organization;
       (IV) any other nonprofit, nongovernmental organization; and
       (V) any organization that works directly with pets, service 
     animals, emotional support animals, or horses and 
     collaborates with any organization referred to in clauses (i) 
     through (iv), including--

       (aa) an animal shelter; and
       (bb) an animal welfare organization.
       (C) Emotional support animal.--The term ``emotional support 
     animal'' means an animal that is covered by the exclusion 
     specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is not a 
     service animal.
       (D) Pet.--The term ``pet'' means a domesticated animal, 
     such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other 
     animal that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial 
     purposes.
       (E) Service animal.--The term ``service animal'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code of 
     Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
       (F) Other terms.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, terms used in this section shall have the meaning 
     given such terms in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against 
     Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).
       (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     States should encourage the inclusion of protections against 
     violent or threatening acts against the pet, service animal, 
     emotional support animal, or horse of a person in domestic 
     violence protection orders.

     SEC. 12503. MARKETING ORDERS.

       Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 
     608e-1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural 
     Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by inserting 
     ``cherries, pecans,'' after ``walnuts,''.

     SEC. 12504. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION 
                   LIAISON.

       Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended by sections 
     12202, 12302, and 12403, is further amended by adding at the 
     end the following:

     ``SEC. 224. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Food 
     Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to coordinate Federal, 
     State, local, and nongovernmental programs, and other 
     efforts, to

[[Page H9948]]

     measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste in 
     accordance with this section.
       ``(b) In General.--The Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
     Liaison shall--
       ``(1) coordinate food loss and waste reduction efforts 
     within the Department of Agriculture and with other Federal 
     agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and 
     the Food and Drug Administration;
       ``(2) support and promote Federal programs to measure and 
     reduce the incidence of food loss and waste and increase food 
     recovery;
       ``(3) provide information to, and serve as a resource for, 
     entities engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food 
     recovery, including information about the availability of, 
     and eligibility requirements for, participation in Federal, 
     State, local, and nongovernmental programs;
       ``(4) raise awareness of the liability protections afforded 
     under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1791) to persons engaged in food loss and waste 
     reduction and food recovery; and
       ``(5) make recommendations with respect to expanding 
     innovative food recovery models and reducing the incidence of 
     food loss and waste.
       ``(c) Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes of carrying out 
     the duties under subsection (b), the Food Loss and Waste 
     Reduction Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with the research centers of the Research, 
     Education, and Economics mission area, institutions of higher 
     education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or nonprofit organizations 
     for--
       ``(1) the development of educational materials;
       ``(2) the conduct of workshops and courses; or
       ``(3) the conduct of research on best practices with 
     respect to food loss and waste reduction and food recovery.
       ``(d) Study on Food Waste.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
     study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
     Liaison, to evaluate and determine--
       ``(1) methods of measuring food waste;
       ``(2) standards for the volume of food waste;
       ``(3) factors that contribute to food waste;
       ``(4) the cost and volume of food loss;
       ``(5) the effectiveness of existing liability protections 
     afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1791); and
       ``(6) measures to ensure that programs contemplated, 
     undertaken, or funded by the Department of Agriculture do not 
     disrupt existing food waste recovery and disposal efforts by 
     commercial, marketing, or business relationships.
       ``(e) Reports.--
       ``(1) Initial report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of this section, the Food Loss and Waste Liaison 
     shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the 
     results of the study conducted under subsection (d).
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains, with 
     respect to the preceding year--
       ``(A) an estimate of the quantity of food waste during such 
     year; and
       ``(B) the results of the food waste reduction and loss 
     prevention activities carried out or led by the Department of 
     Agriculture.''.

     SEC. 12505. REPORT ON BUSINESS CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 365 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States 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 evaluating 
     each business center established in the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       (b) Inclusions.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
     include--
       (1) an examination of the effectiveness of each business 
     center in carrying out its mission, including any 
     recommendations to improve the operation of and function of 
     any of those business centers; and
       (2) an evaluation of--
       (A) the impact the business centers have on customer 
     service of the Department of Agriculture;
       (B) the impact on the annual budget for agencies the budget 
     offices of which have been relocated to the business center, 
     and the effectiveness of funds used to support the business 
     centers, including an accounting of all discretionary and 
     mandatory funding provided to the business center for 
     conservation and farm services from--
       (i) the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
       (ii) the Farm Service Agency; and
       (iii) the Risk Management Agency;
       (C) funding described in subparagraph (B) spent on 
     information technology modernizations;
       (D) the impact that the business centers have had on the 
     human resources of the Department of Agriculture, including 
     hiring;
       (E) any concerns or problems with the business centers; and
       (F) any positive or negative impact that the business 
     centers have had on the functionality of the Department of 
     Agriculture.

     SEC. 12506. REPORT ON PERSONNEL.

       For the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 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 biannual report 
     describing the number of staff years and employees of each 
     agency of the Department of Agriculture.

     SEC. 12507. REPORT ON ABSENT LANDLORDS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report describing the effects of absent landlords on the 
     long-term economic health of agricultural production, 
     including the effect of absent landlords on--
       (1) land valuation;
       (2) soil health; and
       (3) the economic stability of rural communities.
       (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
     include--
       (1) a description of the positive and negative effects of 
     an absent landlord on the land owned by the landlord, 
     including--
       (A) the effect of an absent landlord on the long-term value 
     of the land; and
       (B) the environmental and economic impact of an absent 
     landlord on the surrounding community; and
       (2) recommendations to policymakers concerning how to 
     mitigate those effects when necessary.

     SEC. 12508. CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM.

       The Secretary shall establish a program under which the 
     Secretary recognizes any farm that--
       (1) a State department of agriculture or similar statewide 
     agricultural organization recognizes as a Century Farm; or
       (2)(A) is defined as a farm or ranch under section 4284.902 
     of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the 
     date of enactment of this Act);
       (B) has been in continuous operation for at least 100 
     years; and
       (C) has been owned by the same family for at least 100 
     consecutive years, as verified through deeds, wills, 
     abstracts, tax statements, or other similar legal documents 
     considered appropriate by the Secretary.

     SEC. 12509. REPORT ON IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report on the importation of live dogs into the 
     United States.
       (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall include, with respect to the importation of live dogs 
     into the United States for each of the 3 most recent calendar 
     years for which data are available--
       (1) the total number of live dogs imported;
       (2) the number of live dogs imported as personal pets;
       (3) the number of live dogs imported for resale (as defined 
     in section 18(a) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
     2148(a));
       (4) the number of live dogs for which importation was 
     requested but denied due to the proposed importation failing 
     to meet the requirements under--
       (A) section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2148);
       (B) section 71.51 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations 
     (or any successor regulations); or
       (C) any other Federal law; and
       (5) any recommendations of the Secretary for modifications 
     to Federal law (including regulations) relating to the 
     importation of live dogs, including for the protection of 
     public health.
       (c) Provision of Information.--To facilitate the 
     preparation of the report submitted under subsection (a), not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each 
     provide to the Secretary of Agriculture all available data 
     and information relating to the importation of live dogs into 
     the United States, including--
       (1) the data described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of 
     subsection (b) for each of the 3 most recent calendar years 
     for which data is available; and
       (2) any recommendations for modifications to Federal law 
     (including regulations) relating to the importation of live 
     dogs, including for the protection of public health.

     SEC. 12510. TRIBAL PROMISE ZONES.

       (a) In General.--In this section, the term ``Tribal Promise 
     Zone'' means an area that--
       (1) is nominated by 1 or more Indian tribes (as defined in 
     section 4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance and 
     Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13))) for 
     designation as a Tribal Promise Zone (in this section 
     referred to as a ``nominated zone'');
       (2) has a continuous boundary; and
       (3) the Secretary designates as a Tribal Promise Zone, 
     after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the 
     Secretary of Education, the Attorney General, the Secretary 
     of the Interior, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the 
     Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
     Secretary of Transportation, and other agencies as 
     appropriate.
       (b) Authorization and Number of Designations.--Not later 
     than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall nominate a minimum number of nominated zones, 
     as determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian 
     tribes, to be designated as Tribal Promise Zones.
       (c) Period of Designations.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall designate nominated 
     zones as Tribal Promise Zones before January 1, 2020.
       (2) Effective dates of designations.--The designation of 
     any Tribal Promise Zone shall take effect--
       (A) for purposes of priority consideration in Federal grant 
     programs and initiatives (other than this section), upon 
     execution of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement with the 
     Secretary; and
       (B) for purposes of this section, on January 1 of the first 
     calendar year beginning after the date of the execution of 
     the Tribal Promise Zone agreement.

[[Page H9949]]

       (3) Termination of designations.--The designation of any 
     Tribal Promise Zone shall end on the earlier of--
       (A)(i) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone not described 
     in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period beginning on 
     the date that such designation takes effect; or
       (ii) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone described in 
     paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period beginning on the 
     date the area was designated as a Tribal Promise Zone before 
     the date of the enactment of this Act; or
       (B) the date of the revocation of such designation.
       (4) Application to certain zones already designated.--In 
     the case of any area designated as a Tribal Promise Zone by 
     the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     such area shall be deemed a Tribal Promise Zone designated 
     under this section (notwithstanding whether any such 
     designation has been revoked before the date of the enactment 
     of this Act) and shall reduce the number of Tribal Promise 
     Zones remaining to be designated under paragraph (1).
       (d) Limitations on Designations.--No area may be designated 
     under this section unless--
       (1) the entities nominating the area have the authority to 
     nominate the area of designation under this section;
       (2) such entities provide written assurances satisfactory 
     to the Secretary that the competitiveness plan described in 
     the application under subsection (e) for such area will be 
     implemented and that such entities will provide the Secretary 
     with such data regarding the economic conditions of the area 
     (before, during, and after the area's period of designation 
     as a Tribal Promise Zone) as the Secretary may require; and
       (3) the Secretary determines that any information furnished 
     is reasonably accurate.
       (e) Application.--No area may be designated under this 
     section unless the application for such designation--
       (1) demonstrates that the nominated zone satisfies the 
     eligibility criteria described in subsection (a); and
       (2) includes a competitiveness plan that--
       (A) addresses the need of the nominated zone to attract 
     investment and jobs and improve educational opportunities;
       (B) leverages the nominated zone's economic strengths and 
     outlines targeted investments to develop competitive 
     advantages;
       (C) demonstrates collaboration across a wide range of 
     stakeholders;
       (D) outlines a strategy that connects the nominated zone to 
     drivers of regional economic growth; and
       (E) proposes a strategy for focusing on increased access to 
     high quality affordable housing and improved public safety.
       (f) Selection Criteria.--
       (1) In general.--From among the nominated zones eligible 
     for designation under this section, the Secretary shall 
     designate Tribal Promise Zones on the basis of--
       (A) the effectiveness of the competitiveness plan submitted 
     under subsection (e) and the assurances made under subsection 
     (d);
       (B) unemployment rates, poverty rates, vacancy rates, crime 
     rates, and such other factors as the Secretary may identify, 
     including household income, labor force participation, and 
     educational attainment; and
       (C) other criteria as determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Minimal standards.--The Secretary may set minimal 
     standards for the levels of unemployment and poverty that 
     must be satisfied for designation as a Tribal Promise Zone.

     SEC. 12511. PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONNECTIVITY.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Precision agriculture technologies and practices allow 
     farmers to significantly increase crop yields, eliminate 
     overlap in operations, and reduce inputs such as seed, 
     fertilizer, pesticides, water, and fuel.
       (2) These technologies allow farmers to collect data in 
     real time about their fields, automate field management, and 
     maximize resources.
       (3) Studies estimate that precision agriculture 
     technologies can reduce agricultural operation costs by up to 
     25 dollars per acre and increase farm yields by up to 70 
     percent by 2050.
       (4) The critical cost savings and productivity benefits of 
     precision agriculture cannot be realized without the 
     availability of reliable broadband Internet access service 
     delivered to the agricultural land of the United States.
       (5) The deployment of broadband Internet access service to 
     unserved agricultural land is critical to the United States 
     economy and to the continued leadership of the United States 
     in global food production.
       (6) Despite the growing demand for broadband Internet 
     access service on agricultural land, broadband Internet 
     access service is not consistently available where needed for 
     agricultural operations.
       (7) The Federal Communications Commission has an important 
     role to play in the deployment of broadband Internet access 
     service on unserved agricultural land to promote precision 
     agriculture.
       (b) Task Force.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A)(i) The term ``broadband Internet access service'' means 
     a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides 
     the capability to transmit data to, and receive data from, 
     all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any 
     capabilities that are incidental to, and enable the operation 
     of, the communications service, but excluding dial up 
     internet access service.
       (ii) Such term includes any service the Commission finds to 
     be providing a functional equivalent of the service described 
     in clause (i).
       (B) The term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
     Communications Commission.
       (C) The term ``Department'' means the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       (D) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
     Agriculture.
       (E) The term ``Task Force'' means the Task Force for 
     Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision 
     Agriculture in the United States established under paragraph 
     (2).
       (2) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish the 
     Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology 
     Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.
       (3) Duties.--
       (A) In general.--The Task Force shall consult with the 
     Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, and collaborate 
     with public and private stakeholders in the agriculture and 
     technology fields to--
       (i) identify and measure current gaps in the availability 
     of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land;
       (ii) develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid, 
     expanded deployment of broadband Internet access service on 
     unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable 
     capabilities on 95 percent of agricultural land in the United 
     States by 2025;
       (iii) promote effective policy and regulatory solutions 
     that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access 
     service on farms and ranches and promote precision 
     agriculture;
       (iv) recommend specific new rules or amendments to existing 
     rules of the Commission that the Commission should issue to 
     achieve the goals and purposes of the policy recommendations 
     described in clause (ii);
       (v) recommend specific steps that the Commission should 
     take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of 
     the availability of broadband Internet access service as may 
     be necessary to target funding support, from future programs 
     of the Commission dedicated to the deployment of broadband 
     Internet access service, to unserved agricultural land in 
     need of broadband Internet access service; and
       (vi) recommend specific steps that the Commission should 
     consider to ensure that the expertise of the Secretary and 
     available farm data are reflected in future programs of the 
     Commission dedicated to the infrastructure deployment of 
     broadband Internet access service and to direct available 
     funding to unserved agricultural land where needed.
       (B) No duplicate data reporting.--In performing the duties 
     of the Commission under subparagraph (A), the Commission 
     shall ensure that no provider of broadband Internet access 
     service is required to report data to the Commission that is, 
     on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, required 
     to be reported by the provider of broadband Internet access 
     service.
       (C) Hold harmless.--The Task Force and the Commission shall 
     not interpret the phrase ``future programs of the 
     Commission'', as used in clauses (v) and (vi) of subparagraph 
     (A), to include the universal service programs of the 
     Commission established under section 254 of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254).
       (D) Consultation.--The Secretary, or a designee of the 
     Secretary, shall explain and make available to the Task Force 
     the expertise, data mapping information, and resources of the 
     Department that the Department uses to identify cropland, 
     ranchland, and other areas with agricultural operations that 
     may be helpful in developing the recommendations required 
     under subparagraph (A).
       (E) List of available federal programs and resources.--Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary and the Commission shall jointly submit to the 
     Task Force a list of all Federal programs or resources 
     available for the expansion of broadband Internet access 
     service on unserved agricultural land to assist the Task 
     Force in carrying out the duties of the Task Force.
       (4) Membership.--
       (A) In general.--The Task Force shall be--
       (i) composed of not more than 15 voting members who shall--

       (I) be selected by the Chairman of the Commission, in 
     consultation with the Secretary; and
       (II) include--

       (aa) agricultural producers representing diverse geographic 
     regions and farm sizes, including owners and operators of 
     farms of less than 100 acres;
       (bb) an agricultural producer representing tribal 
     agriculture;
       (cc) Internet service providers, including regional or 
     rural fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service 
     providers and telecommunications infrastructure providers;
       (dd) representatives from the electric cooperative 
     industry;
       (ee) representatives from the satellite industry;
       (ff) representatives from precision agriculture equipment 
     manufacturers, including drone manufacturers, manufacturers 
     of autonomous agricultural machinery, and manufacturers of 
     farming robotics technologies;
       (gg) representatives from State and local governments; and
       (hh) representatives with relevant expertise in broadband 
     network data collection, geospatial analysis, and coverage 
     mapping; and
       (ii) fairly balanced in terms of technologies, points of 
     view, and fields represented on the Task Force.
       (B) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
       (i) In general.--A member of the Committee appointed under 
     subparagraph (A)(i) shall serve for a single term of 2 years.
       (ii) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Task Force--

       (I) shall not affect the powers of the Task Force; and
       (II) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment.

       (C) Ex-officio member.--The Secretary, or a designee of the 
     Secretary, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of 
     the Task Force.
       (5) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
     the Commission establishes the

[[Page H9950]]

     Task Force, and annually thereafter, the Task Force shall 
     submit to the Chairman of the Commission a report, which 
     shall be made public not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which the Chairman receives the report, that details--
       (A) the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet 
     access service coverage of agricultural land;
       (B) the projected future connectivity needs of agricultural 
     operations, farmers, and ranchers; and
       (C) the steps being taken to accurately measure the 
     availability of broadband Internet access service on 
     agricultural land and the limitations of current, as of the 
     date of the report, measurement processes.
       (6) Termination.--The Commission shall renew the Task Force 
     every 2 years until the Task Force terminates on January 1, 
     2025.
       (c) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No additional funds is 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. This 
     section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 
     authorized.

     SEC. 12512. IMPROVEMENTS TO UNITED STATES DROUGHT MONITOR.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the 
     Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center and the 
     Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration to enhance the collection of data to improve 
     the accuracy of the United States Drought Monitor.
       (b) Utilization.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     Secretary shall utilize a consistent source or sources of 
     data for programs that are based on drought or precipitation 
     indices, such as the livestock forage disaster program 
     established under section 1501(c) of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)) or policies or plans of insurance 
     established under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1501 et seq.).
       (c) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review 
     of--
       (1) the types of data currently utilized by the United 
     States Drought Monitor;
       (2) the geographic coverage and density of existing data 
     collection sites; and
       (3) other meteorological or climatological data that is 
     being collected by other Federal agencies, State and local 
     governments, and non-Federal entities that could be utilized 
     by the United States Drought Monitor.
       (d) Improvements.--
       (1) In general.--Upon the completion of the review 
     prescribed in subsection (c), the Secretary shall--
       (A) seek to expand the collection of relevant data in 
     States or geographic areas where coverage is currently 
     lacking as compared to other States or geographic areas; and
       (B) to the maximum extent practicable, develop standards to 
     allow the integration of meteorological or climatological 
     data into the United States Drought Monitor derived from--
       (i) in-situ soil moisture profile measuring devices;
       (ii) citizen science (as defined in the Crowdsourcing and 
     Citizen Science Act (15 U.S.C. 3724)), including data from 
     the Cooperative Observer Program of the National Weather 
     Service; and
       (iii) other Federal agencies, State and local governments, 
     and non-Federal entities.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is to be 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
     this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023.

     SEC. 12513. DAIRY BUSINESS INNOVATION INITIATIVES.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Dairy business.--The term ``dairy business'' means a 
     business that develops, produces, markets, or distributes 
     dairy products.
       (2) Initiative.--The term ``initiative'' means a dairy 
     product and business innovation initiative established under 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish not less 
     than 3 regionally-located dairy product and business 
     innovation initiatives for the purposes of--
       (1) diversifying dairy product markets to reduce risk and 
     develop higher-value uses for dairy products;
       (2) promoting business development that diversifies farmer 
     income through processing and marketing innovation; and
       (3) encouraging the use of regional milk production.
       (c) Selection of Initiatives.--An initiative--
       (1) shall be positioned to draw on existing dairy industry 
     resources, including activities conducted by the National 
     Dairy Promotion and Research Board and other dairy promotion 
     entities, research capacity, academic and industry expertise, 
     a density of dairy farms or farmland suitable for dairying, 
     and dairy businesses; and
       (2) may serve a certain product niche, such as specialty 
     cheese, or serve dairy businesses with dairy products derived 
     from the milk of a specific type of dairy animal, including 
     dairy products made from cow milk, sheep milk, and goat milk.
       (d) Entities Eligible To Host Initiative.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), any of the 
     following entities may submit to the Secretary an application 
     to host an initiative:
       (A) A State department of agriculture or other State 
     entity.
       (B) A nonprofit organization.
       (C) An institution of higher education.
       (D) A cooperative extension service.
       (2) Capacity of eligible entity.--Any entity described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) shall be 
     eligible to submit an application under that paragraph if the 
     entity has--
       (A) a capacity to provide consultation and expertise 
     necessary to advance the purpose and activities of the 
     proposed initiative; and
       (B) expertise in grant distribution and tracking.
       (3) Ineligible entity.--A dairy promotion program shall not 
     be eligible to host an initiative under this section.
       (e) Partners.--
       (1) In general.--An entity described in subsection (d)(1) 
     may establish as a partner an organization or entity 
     described in paragraph (2)--
       (A) prior to the submission of the application under that 
     subsection; or
       (B) after approval of the application, in consultation with 
     the Secretary.
       (2) Partner described.--A partner under paragraph (1) shall 
     be an organization or entity with expertise or experience in 
     dairy, including the marketing, research, education, or 
     promotion of dairy.
       (f) Activities of Initiatives.--
       (1) Direct assistance to dairy businesses.--An initiative 
     shall provide nonmonetary assistance directly to dairy 
     businesses through private consultation or widely available 
     distribution--
       (A) by the entity that hosts the initiative under 
     subsection (d)(1);
       (B) through contracting with industry experts;
       (C) through the provision of technical assistance, such as 
     informational websites, webinars, conferences, trainings, 
     plant tours, and field days; or
       (D) through research institutions, including cooperative 
     extension services.
       (2) Types of assistance.--Eligible forms of assistance 
     include--
       (A) business consulting, including business plan 
     development for processed dairy products, strategic planning 
     assistance, and distribution and supply chain innovation;
       (B) marketing and branding assistance, including market 
     messaging, packaging innovation, consumer assessments, 
     innovation in emerging market opportunities, and evaluation 
     of regional, national, and international markets;
       (C) assistance in product innovation, including the 
     development of value-added products, innovation in byproduct 
     reprocessing and use maximization, and dairy product 
     production training, including in new, rare, or innovative 
     techniques; and
       (D) other nonmonetary assistance, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (3) Grants to dairy businesses.--
       (A) In general.--An initiative shall provide grants on a 
     competitive basis to new and existing dairy businesses for 
     the purposes of--
       (i) modernization, specialization, and grazing transition 
     on dairy farms;
       (ii) value chain and commodity innovation and facility and 
     process updates for dairy processors; and
       (iii) product development, packaging, and marketing of 
     dairy products.
       (B) Grants to certain entities.--An initiative may provide 
     a grant on a noncompetitive basis to an entity that receives 
     assistance under paragraph (1) to advance the business 
     activities recommended as a result of that assistance.
       (C) Grant amounts.--Grants provided under this paragraph 
     shall not exceed $500,000, unless a greater amount is 
     approved by the Secretary.
       (4) Consultation.--An entity that hosts an initiative shall 
     consult with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, 
     the Secretary, and the Administrator of the Agricultural 
     Marketing Service in carrying out the initiative.
       (5) Conflict of interest.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish guidelines 
     and procedures to prevent any conflict of interest or the 
     appearance of a conflict of interest by an initiative 
     (including a partner of the initiative) during the allocation 
     of direct assistance under paragraph (1) or grant funding 
     under paragraph (3).
       (B) Penalty.--The Secretary may suspend or terminate an 
     initiative if the initiative (including a partner of the 
     initiative) is found to be in violation of the guidelines and 
     procedures established under subparagraph (A).
       (g) Distribution of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Using the funds made available to carry 
     out this section, the Secretary--
       (A) shall provide not less than 3 awards to eligible 
     entities described in subsection (d) for the purposes of 
     carrying out the activities under subsection (f); and
       (B) is encouraged to award funds under subparagraph (A) in 
     multiyear funding allocations.
       (2) Use of funds.--Not less than 50 percent of the funds 
     made available under subsection (i) shall be allocated to 
     grants under subsection (f)(3).
       (3) Priority.--An entity hosting an initiative shall give 
     priority to the provision of direct assistance under 
     subsection (f)(1) and grants under subsection (f)(3) to--
       (A) dairy farms and dairy businesses with limited access to 
     other forms of assistance;
       (B) employee-owned dairy businesses;
       (C) cooperatives; and
       (D) dairy businesses that seek to create dairy products 
     that add substantial value in processing or marketing, such 
     as specialty cheeses.
       (4) Requirement.--Assistance or a grant shall not be made 
     available to a foreign person making direct investment (as 
     those terms are defined in section 801.2 of title 15, Code of 
     Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) in the United 
     States in the case of--
       (A) direct assistance under subsection (f)(1) that is 
     provided to a specific dairy business and is not publicly 
     available, as determined by the Secretary; or
       (B) a grant under subsection (f)(3).
       (5) Supplementation.--To the extent practicable, the 
     Secretary shall ensure that funds provided to an initiative 
     supplement, and do not duplicate or replace, existing dairy 
     product research, development, and promotion activities.

[[Page H9951]]

       (h) Report.--Not later than January 31, 2022, the Secretary 
     shall submit to Congress a report on the outcomes of the 
     program under this section and any related activities and 
     opportunities to further increase dairy innovation.
       (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
     each fiscal year.

     SEC. 12514. REPORT ON FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF 
                   FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AND OTHER EXTENSION 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
     which the census of agriculture required to be conducted in 
     calendar year 2017 under section 2 of the Census of 
     Agriculture Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) is released, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes 
     the funding necessary to adequately address the needs of the 
     National Institute of Food and Agriculture, activities 
     carried out under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), 
     and research and extension programs carried out at an 1890 
     Institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
     U.S.C. 7601)) or an institution designated under the Act of 
     July 2, 1862 (commonly known as the ``First Morrill Act'') 
     (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), to provide 
     adequate services for the growth and development of the 
     economies of rural communities based on the changing 
     demographic in the rural and farming communities in the 
     various States.
       (b) Requirements.--In preparing the report under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall focus on the funding needs of the 
     programs described in subsection (a) with respect to carrying 
     out activities relating to small and diverse farms and 
     ranches, veteran farmers and ranchers, value-added 
     agriculture, direct-to-consumer sales, and specialty crops.

     SEC. 12515. PROHIBITION ON SLAUGHTER OF DOGS AND CATS FOR 
                   HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c), no 
     person may--
       (1) knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption; 
     or
       (2) knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, 
     possess, purchase, sell, or donate--
       (A) a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption; 
     or
       (B) a dog or cat part for human consumption.
       (b) Scope.--Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to 
     conduct--
       (1) in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign 
     commerce; or
       (2) within the special maritime and territorial 
     jurisdiction of the United States.
       (c) Exception for Indian Tribes.--The prohibition in 
     subsection (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in 
     section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) carrying out any activity 
     described in subsection (a) for the purpose of a religious 
     ceremony.
       (d) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
     be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for 
     each violation.
       (e) Effect On State Law.--Nothing in this section--
       (1) limits any State or local law or regulation protecting 
     the welfare of animals; or
       (2) prevents a State or unit of local government from 
     adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation 
     that is more stringent than this section.

     SEC. 12516. LABELING EXEMPTION FOR SINGLE INGREDIENT FOODS 
                   AND PRODUCTS.

       The food labeling requirements under section 403(q) of the 
     Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343(q)) shall 
     not require that the nutrition facts label of any single-
     ingredient sugar, honey, agave, or syrup, including maple 
     syrup, that is packaged and offered for sale as a single-
     ingredient food bear the declaration ``Includes X g Added 
     Sugars.''.

     SEC. 12517. SOUTH CAROLINA INCLUSION IN VIRGINIA/CAROLINA 
                   PEANUT PRODUCING REGION.

       Section 1308(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7958(c)(2)(B)(iii)) is 
     amended by striking ``Virginia and North Carolina'' and 
     inserting ``Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina''.

     SEC. 12518. FOREST SERVICE HIRE AUTHORITY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture may appoint, 
     without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 
     33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 
     and 3328 of such title, a qualified candidate described in 
     subsection (b) directly to a position with the Department of 
     Agriculture, Forest Service for which the candidate meets 
     Office of Personnel Management qualification standards.
       (b) Qualifications.--Subsection (a) applies to a former 
     resource assistant (as defined in section 203 of the Public 
     Land Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1722)) who--
       (1) completed a rigorous internship with a land managing 
     agency, such as the Forest Service Resource Assistant 
     Program;
       (2) successfully fulfilled the requirements of the 
     internship program; and
       (3) earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an 
     accredited institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001)).
       (c) Limitation.--The direct hire authority under this 
     section may not be exercised with respect to a specific 
     qualified candidate after the end of the 2-year period 
     beginning on the date on which the candidate completed the 
     undergraduate or graduate degree, as the case may be, or has 
     successfully fulfilled the requirements of the internship 
     program, whichever is later.

     SEC. 12519. CONVERSION AUTHORITY.

       The Secretary may, notwithstanding subchapter I of chapter 
     33 of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
     the competitive or excepted service, noncompetitively convert 
     to an appointment in the competitive service, in an agency or 
     office within the Department of Agriculture, a recent 
     graduate or student who is a United States citizen and has 
     been awarded and successfully completed a scholarship program 
     granted to the individual by the Department through the 1890 
     National Scholars Program or the 1994 Tribal Scholars Program 
     carried out by the Department, provided the individual meets 
     the requirements for such conversion and meets Office of 
     Personnel Management qualification standards, as determined 
     by the Secretary. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be 
     construed as requiring the Secretary to convert an individual 
     under the authority under such sentence.

     SEC. 12520. AUTHORIZATION OF PROTECTION OPERATIONS FOR THE 
                   SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS.

       (a) In General.--The Department of Agriculture is 
     authorized to employ qualified law enforcement officers or 
     special agents to provide--
       (1) protection for the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary 
     during the performance of official duties by each such 
     officer and during any activity that is preliminary or 
     postliminary to the performance of official duties by each 
     such officer;
       (2) protection, incidental to the protection provided 
     pursuant to paragraph (1), to an individual accompanying each 
     such officer who is participating in an activity or event 
     relating to the official duties of each such officer when 
     there is an articulable threat to such individual;
       (3) continuous protection to the Secretary and Deputy 
     Secretary (including during periods not described in 
     paragraph (1)) if there is an articulable threat of physical 
     harm, in accordance with guidelines established by the 
     Secretary; and
       (4) protection of another senior officer representing the 
     Secretary (including a person nominated to be the Secretary 
     during the pendency of such nomination) if there is an 
     articulable threat of physical harm, in accordance with 
     guidelines established by the Secretary.
       (b) Authorities of the Protective Operation.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may authorize officers or 
     special agents employed pursuant to subsection (a)--
       (A) to carry firearms;
       (B) to conduct criminal investigations into potential 
     threats to the security of persons protected under this 
     section;
       (C) to make arrests without a warrant for any offense 
     against the United States committed in the presence of such 
     officer or special agent;
       (D) to perform protective intelligence work, including 
     identifying and mitigating potential threats and conducting 
     advance work to review security matters relating to sites and 
     events; and
       (E) to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies.
       (2) Guidelines.--The authority conveyed under this section 
     shall be exercised in accordance with any--
       (A) guidelines issued by the Attorney General; and
       (B) such additional guidelines as may be issued by the 
     Secretary.
       (c) Exception.--The authorities granted under this section 
     may be exercised notwithstanding section 1343(b)(1) of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (d) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2019, and each 
     September 30 through 2024, the Secretary shall provide to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report describing the protection provided, and 
     accounting for the expenditures made, pursuant to this 
     section.

              PART II--NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE

     SEC. 12531. NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 713 of the National Oilheat 
     Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public 
     Law 106-469) is amended by striking ``18 years'' and 
     inserting ``28 years''.
       (b) Limitation on Obligations of Funds.--The National 
     Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; 
     Public Law 106-469) is amended by inserting after section 707 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 708. LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OF FUNDS.

       ``(a) In General.--In each calendar year of the covered 
     period, the Alliance may not obligate an amount greater than 
     the sum of--
       ``(1) 75 percent of the amount of assessments estimated to 
     be collected under section 707 in that calendar year;
       ``(2) 75 percent of the amount of assessments actually 
     collected under section 707 in the most recent calendar year 
     for which an audit report has been submitted under section 
     706(f)(2)(B) as of the beginning of the calendar year for 
     which the amount that may be obligated is being determined, 
     less the estimate made pursuant to paragraph (1) for that 
     most recent calendar year; and
       ``(3) amounts permitted in preceding calendar years to be 
     obligated pursuant to this subsection that have not been 
     obligated.
       ``(b) Excess Amounts Deposited in Escrow Account.--
     Assessments collected under section 707 in excess of the 
     amount permitted to be obligated under subsection (a) in a 
     calendar year shall be deposited in an escrow account for the 
     duration of the covered period.
       ``(c) Treatment of Amounts in Escrow Account.--
       ``(1) In general.--During the covered period, the Alliance 
     may not obligate, expend, or borrow against amounts required 
     under subsection (b) to be deposited in the escrow account.

[[Page H9952]]

       ``(2) Interest.--Any interest earned on amounts described 
     in paragraph (1) shall be--
       ``(A) deposited in the escrow account; and
       ``(B) unavailable for obligation for the duration of the 
     covered period.
       ``(d) Release of Amounts in Escrow Account.--Beginning on 
     October 1, 2028, the Alliance may withdraw and obligate any 
     amount in the escrow account.
       ``(e) Covered Period Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `covered period' means the period that begins on February 6, 
     2019, and ends on September 30, 2028.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--The National Oilheat Research 
     Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106-
     469) is amended--
       (1) in section 706(d)(1), by striking ``not exceed 7 
     percent of the amount of assessments collected in any 
     calendar year, except that during the first year of operation 
     of the Alliance such expenses and amounts shall not exceed 10 
     percent of the amount of assessments'' and inserting ``not 
     exceed 7 percent of the amount of assessments collected in 
     any calendar year that are permitted to be obligated in that 
     calendar year''; and
       (2) in section 707--
       (A) in subsection (e), by inserting ``that are permitted to 
     be obligated'' after ``amount of assessments collected in the 
     State'' each place it appears; and
       (B) in subsection (f), by inserting ``and permitted to be 
     obligated'' after ``assessments collected'' each place it 
     appears.

                     Subtitle F--General Provisions

     SEC. 12601. BAITING OF MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Normal agricultural operation.--The term ``normal 
     agricultural operation'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 20.11 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in 
     effect on the date of enactment of this Act).
       (2) Post-disaster flooding.--The term ``post-disaster 
     flooding'' means the destruction of a crop through flooding 
     in accordance with practices required by the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Corporation for agricultural producers to obtain 
     crop insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1501 et seq.) on land on which a crop was not harvestable due 
     to a natural disaster (including any hurricane, storm, 
     tornado, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, 
     tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, 
     drought, fire, snowstorm, or other catastrophe that is 
     declared a major disaster by the President in accordance with 
     section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170)) in the crop year--
       (A) in which the natural disaster occurred; or
       (B) immediately preceding the crop year in which the 
     natural disaster occurred.
       (3) Rice ratooning.--The term ``rice ratooning'' means the 
     agricultural practice of harvesting rice by cutting the 
     majority of the aboveground portion of the rice plant but 
     leaving the roots and growing shoot apices intact to allow 
     the plant to recover and produce a second crop yield.
       (b) Regulations to Exclude Rice Ratooning and Post-disaster 
     Flooding.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall revise part 20 of 
     title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that rice 
     ratooning and post-disaster flooding, when carried out as 
     part of a normal agricultural operation, do not constitute 
     baiting.
       (c) Reports.--Not less frequently than once each year--
       (1) the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the 
     Secretary of the Interior a report that describes any changes 
     to normal agricultural operations across the range of crops 
     grown by agricultural producers in each region of the United 
     States in which the official recommendations described in 
     section 20.11(h) of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as 
     in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), are provided 
     to agricultural producers; and
       (2) the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Agriculture and after seeking input from the 
     heads of State departments of fish and wildlife or the 
     Regional Migratory Bird Flyway Councils of the United States 
     Fish and Wildlife Service, shall publicly post a report on 
     the impact that rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding 
     have on the behavior of migratory game birds that are hunted 
     in the area in which rice ratooning and post-disaster 
     flooding, respectively, have occurred.

     SEC. 12602. PIMA AGRICULTURE COTTON TRUST FUND.

       Section 12314 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     2101 note; Public Law 113-79) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``2018'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (2) by striking ``calendar year 2013'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``the prior calendar year'';
       (3) in subsection (b)(2)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
     (i) and (ii), respectively;
       (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``(2) Twenty-five'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), twenty-
     five'';
       (C) in subparagraph (A)(ii) (as so designated), by striking 
     ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``clause (i)''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B)(i) A yarn spinner shall not receive an amount under 
     subparagraph (A) that exceeds the cost of pima cotton that--
       ``(I) was purchased during the prior calendar year; and
       ``(II) was used in spinning any cotton yarns.
       ``(ii) The Secretary shall reallocate any amounts reduced 
     by reason of the limitation under clause (i) to spinners 
     using the ratio described in subparagraph (A), disregarding 
     production of any spinner subject to that limitation.'';
       (4) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``(b)(2)(A)(i)'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) the dollar amount of pima cotton purchased during the 
     prior calendar year--
       ``(A) that was used in spinning any cotton yarns; and
       ``(B) for which the producer maintains supporting 
     documentation.'';
       (5) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``by 
     the Secretary--'' and inserting ``by the Secretary not later 
     than March 15 of the applicable calendar year.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and
       (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection (b)--'' in 
     the matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows 
     through ``not later than'' in paragraph (2) and inserting 
     ``subsection (b) not later than''.

     SEC. 12603. AGRICULTURE WOOL APPAREL MANUFACTURERS TRUST 
                   FUND.

       Section 12315 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     7101 note; Public Law 113-79) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``2019'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``2023'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``the 
     payment--'' and inserting ``the payment, payments in amounts 
     authorized under that paragraph.''; and
       (II) by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and

       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``4002(c)--'' and inserting ``4002(c), payments in amounts 
     authorized under that paragraph.''; and
       (II) by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and

       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``submitted--'' in the 
     matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows 
     through ``to the Secretary'' in subparagraph (B) and 
     inserting ``submitted to the Secretary''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``subsection (b)--'' and inserting ``subsection (b) not later 
     than April 15 of the year of the payment.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2).

     SEC. 12604. WOOL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION.

       Section 12316(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
     7101 note; Public Law 113-79) is amended by striking ``2015 
     through 2019'' and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 12605. EMERGENCY CITRUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   TRUST FUND.

       (a) Definition of Citrus.--In this section, the term 
     ``citrus'' means edible fruit of the family Rutaceae, 
     including any hybrid of that fruit and any product of that 
     hybrid that is produced for commercial purposes in the United 
     States.
       (b) Establishment of Trust Fund.--There is established in 
     the Treasury of the United States a trust fund, to be known 
     as the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development 
     Trust Fund (referred to in this section as the ``Citrus Trust 
     Fund''), consisting of such amounts as shall be transferred 
     to the Citrus Trust Fund pursuant to subsection (d).
       (c) Use of Fund.--From amounts in the Citrus Trust Fund, 
     the Secretary shall, beginning in fiscal year 2019, carry out 
     the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program 
     in section 412(j) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(j)).
       (d) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation, the Secretary shall transfer to the Citrus Trust 
     Fund $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
     to remain available until expended.

     SEC. 12606. EXTENSION OF MERCHANDISE PROCESSING FEES.

       Section 503 of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement 
     Implementation Act (Public Law 112-41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) 
     is amended by striking ``February 24, 2027'' and inserting 
     ``May 26, 2027''.

     SEC. 12607. REPORTS ON LAND ACCESS AND FARMLAND OWNERSHIP 
                   DATA COLLECTION.

       (a) Land Access.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
     consultation with the Chief Economist, shall submit to 
     Congress and make publicly available a report identifying--
       (1) the barriers that prevent or hinder the ability of 
     beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) 
     of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
     (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))) and socially disadvantaged farmers and 
     ranchers (as defined in such section) to acquire or access 
     farmland;
       (2) the extent to which Federal programs, including 
     agricultural conservation easement programs, land transition 
     programs, and financing programs, are improving--
       (A) farmland access and tenure for beginning farmers and 
     ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and
       (B) farmland transition and succession; and
       (3) the regulatory, operational, or statutory changes that 
     are necessary to improve--
       (A) the ability of beginning farmers and ranchers and 
     socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to acquire or 
     access farmland;
       (B) farmland tenure for beginning farmers and ranchers and 
     socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and

[[Page H9953]]

       (C) farmland transition and succession.
       (b) Farmland Ownership.--The Secretary shall collect and, 
     not less frequently than once every 3 years report, data and 
     analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry 
     of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers (as those terms are defined in section 
     2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
     of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))). In carrying out this subsection, 
     the Secretary shall, at a minimum--
       (1) collect and distribute comprehensive reporting of 
     trends in farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers to 
     entry, profitability, and viability of beginning farmers and 
     ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
       (2) develop surveys and report statistical and economic 
     analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers 
     to entry, profitability, and viability of beginning farmers 
     and ranchers, including a regular follow-on survey to each 
     Census of Agriculture with results of the follow-on survey 
     made public not later than 3 years after the previous Census 
     of Agriculture; and
       (3) require the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
     include in the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of 
     Agricultural Land survey questions relating to--
       (A) the extent to which non-farming landowners are 
     purchasing and holding onto farmland for the sole purpose of 
     real estate investment;
       (B) the impact of these farmland ownership trends on the 
     successful entry and viability of beginning farmers and 
     ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
       (C) the extent to which farm and ranch land with undivided 
     interests and no administrative authority identified have 
     farms or ranches operating on that land; and
       (D) the impact of land tenure patterns, categorized by--
       (i) race, gender, and ethnicity; and
       (ii) region.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for 
     each fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available 
     until expended.

     SEC. 12608. REAUTHORIZATION OF RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL 
                   SERVICES TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 330J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     254c-15) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in rural areas'' and 
     inserting ``in rural areas or to residents of rural areas'';
       (2) by striking subsections (b) through (f) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(b) Eligibility; Application.--To be eligible to receive 
     grant under this section, an entity shall--
       ``(1) be--
       ``(A) an emergency medical services agency operated by a 
     local or tribal government (including fire-based and non-fire 
     based); or
       ``(B) an emergency medical services agency that is 
     described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code; 
     and
       ``(2) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, 
     in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity--
       ``(1) shall use amounts received through a grant under 
     subsection (a) to--
       ``(A) train emergency medical services personnel as 
     appropriate to obtain and maintain licenses and 
     certifications relevant to service in an emergency medical 
     services agency described in subsection (b)(1);
       ``(B) conduct courses that qualify graduates to serve in an 
     emergency medical services agency described in subsection 
     (b)(1) in accordance with State and local requirements;
       ``(C) fund specific training to meet Federal or State 
     licensing or certification requirements; and
       ``(D) acquire emergency medical services equipment; and
       ``(2) may use amounts received through a grant under 
     subsection (a) to--
       ``(A) recruit and retain emergency medical services 
     personnel, which may include volunteer personnel;
       ``(B) develop new ways to educate emergency health care 
     providers through the use of technology-enhanced educational 
     methods; or
       ``(C) acquire personal protective equipment for emergency 
     medical services personnel as required by the Occupational 
     Safety and Health Administration.
       ``(d) Grant Amounts.--Each grant awarded under this section 
     shall be in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `emergency medical services'--
       ``(A) means resources used by a public or private nonprofit 
     licensed entity to deliver medical care outside of a medical 
     facility under emergency conditions that occur as a result of 
     the condition of the patient; and
       ``(B) includes services delivered (either on a compensated 
     or volunteer basis) by an emergency medical services provider 
     or other provider that is licensed or certified by the State 
     involved as an emergency medical technician, a paramedic, or 
     an equivalent professional (as determined by the State).
       ``(2) The term `rural area' means--
       ``(A) a nonmetropolitan statistical area;
       ``(B) an area designated as a rural area by any law or 
     regulation of a State; or
       ``(C) a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical 
     area (as determined under the most recent rural urban 
     commuting area code as set forth by the Office of Management 
     and Budget).
       ``(f) Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not award a 
     grant under this section to an entity unless the entity 
     agrees that the entity will make available (directly or 
     through contributions from other public or private entities) 
     non-Federal contributions toward the activities to be carried 
     out under the grant in an amount equal to 10 percent of the 
     amount received under the grant.''; and
       (3) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2002 through 2006'' 
     and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

     SEC. 12609. COMMISSION ON FARM TRANSITIONS--NEEDS FOR 2050.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be 
     known as the Commission on Farm Transitions-Needs for 2050 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Commission'').
       (b) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study on issues 
     impacting the transition of agricultural operations from 
     established farmers and ranchers to the next generation of 
     farmers and ranchers, including--
       (1) access to, and availability of--
       (A) quality land and necessary infrastructure;
       (B) affordable credit;
       (C) adequate risk management tools; and
       (D) apprenticeship and mentorship programs;
       (2) agricultural asset transfer strategies in use as of the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and improvements to such 
     strategies;
       (3) incentives that may facilitate agricultural asset 
     transfers to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, 
     including an assessment of, and recommendations for, how 
     existing and new Federal tax policies--
       (A) facilitate lifetime and estate transfers; and
       (B) impact individuals seeking to farm who do not have 
     family farm lineage or access to farmland;
       (4) the causes of the failures of such transitions, if any; 
     and
       (5) the effectiveness of programs and incentives providing 
     assistance with respect to such transitions in effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and opportunities for the 
     revision or improvement of such programs.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 
     members, as follows:
       (A) 3 members appointed by the Secretary.
       (B) 3 members appointed by the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
       (C) 3 members appointed by the Committee on Agriculture of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (D) The Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture.
       (2) Federal government employment.--In addition to the 
     Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture, the 
     membership of the Commission may include 1 or more employees 
     of the Department of Agriculture or other Federal agencies.
       (3) Date of appointments.--The appointment of all members 
     of the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       (4) Term; vacancies.--
       (A) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the 
     Commission.
       (B) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
       (i) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
       (ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.
       (5) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
     on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, 
     the Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the 
     Commission.
       (d) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, 
     but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
       (e) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall appoint 1 of the 
     members of the Commission to serve as Chairperson of the 
     Commission.
       (f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
     President, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of 
     the study required by subsection (b), including such 
     recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.
       (g) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, meet 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable 
     to carry out this section.
       (h) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may 
     secure directly from a Federal agency such information as the 
     Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. On 
     request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the 
     agency shall provide the information to the Commission.
       (i) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mail in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other agencies of the Federal Government.
       (j) Assistance From Secretary.--The Secretary may provide 
     to the Commission appropriate office space and such 
     reasonable administrative and support services as the 
     Commission may request.
       (k) Compensation of Members.--
       (1) Non-federal employees.--A member of the Commission who 
     is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall 
     be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the 
     annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
     which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties 
     of the Commission.
       (2) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission who is 
     an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve 
     without compensation in addition to the compensation received 
     for the services of the member as an officer or employee of 
     the Federal Government.
       (3) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency 
     under

[[Page H9954]]

     subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
     while away from the home or regular place of business of the 
     member in the performance of the duties of the Commission.
       (l) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Sections 9 and 14 of 
     the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
     apply to the Commission or any proceeding of the Commission.
       (m) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on 
     September 30, 2023.

     SEC. 12610. EXCEPTIONS UNDER UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS 
                   ACT.

       (a) Geographic Boundaries for Official Agencies.--Section 7 
     of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (f)(2)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as 
     clauses (i), (iii), and (iv), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``Not more'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not more'';
       (C) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the matter 
     preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``Secretary, except that, if'' and inserting the following: 
     ``Secretary.
       ``(B) Exceptions.--Subject to subsection (g)(4)(A), if'';
       (D) in subparagraph (B) (as so designated), by inserting 
     after clause (i) the following:
       ``(ii) a person requesting inspection services in that 
     geographic area has not been receiving official inspection 
     services from the current designated official agency for that 
     geographic area;''; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Termination of nonuse of service exception.--The 
     exception under subparagraph (B)(ii) may only be terminated 
     if all parties to that exception jointly agree on the 
     termination, unless terminated according to subsection 
     (g)(4)(A).
       ``(D) Restoration of certain exceptions.--
       ``(i) Definition of eligible grain handling facility.--In 
     this subparagraph, the term `eligible grain handling 
     facility' means a grain handling facility that--

       ``(I) was granted an exception under the final rule 
     entitled `Exceptions to Geographic Areas for Official 
     Agencies Under the USGSA' (68 Fed. Reg. 19137 (April 18, 
     2003)); and
       ``(II) had that exception revoked between September 30, 
     2015, and the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018.

       ``(ii) Restoration of exceptions.--Within 90 days of 
     notification from an eligible grain handling facility, the 
     Secretary shall restore an exception described in clause 
     (i)(I) with an official agency if--

       ``(I) the eligible grain handling facility and the former 
     excepted official agency agree to restore that exception; and
       ``(II) the eligible grain handling facility notifies the 
     Secretary of the preferred date for restoration of the 
     exception within 90 days of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018.''; and

       (2) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Effect on exceptions.--
       ``(A) In general.--The exceptions under clauses (ii) and 
     (iv) of subsection (f)(2)(B) shall not apply if the 
     designation of an official agency is terminated, pursuant to 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Designation renewed or restored.--If the designation 
     of an official agency is renewed or restored after being 
     terminated under paragraph (1), the Secretary may renew or 
     restore the exceptions under subsection (f)(2)(B) in 
     accordance with that subsection.''.
       (b) Unauthorized Weighing Prohibited.--Section 7A(i)(2) of 
     the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79a(i)(2)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
     (i) and (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
       (2) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``Not more'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not more'';
       (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the matter 
     preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``Secretary, except that, if'' and inserting the following: 
     ``Secretary.
       ``(B) Exceptions.--If'';
       (4) in subparagraph (B) (as so designated)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' at the end; and
       (B) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
       ``(ii) a person requesting weighing services in that 
     geographic area has not been receiving official weighing 
     services from the current designated official agency for that 
     geographic area; or''; and
       (5) by adding after subparagraph (B) (as so designated)--
       ``(C) Restoration of certain exceptions.--
       ``(i) Definition of eligible grain handling facility.--In 
     this subparagraph, the term `eligible grain handling 
     facility' means a grain handling facility that--

       ``(I) was granted an exception under the final rule 
     entitled `Exceptions to Geographic Areas for Official 
     Agencies Under the USGSA' (68 Fed. Reg. 19137 (April 18, 
     2003)); and
       ``(II) had that exception revoked between September 30, 
     2015 and the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
     Act of 2018.

       ``(ii) Restoration of exceptions.--Within 90 days of 
     notification from an eligible grain handling facility, the 
     Secretary shall restore an exception described in clause 
     (i)(I) with an official agency if--

       ``(I) the eligible grain handling facility and the former 
     excepted official agency agree to restore that exception; and
       ``(II) the eligible grain handling facility notifies the 
     Secretary of the preferred date for restoration of the 
     exception within 90 days of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018.''.

       (c) Technical Correction.--Section 7(f)(1) of the United 
     States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(1)) is amended by 
     indenting subparagraph (C) appropriately.

     SEC. 12611. CONFERENCE REPORT REQUIREMENT THRESHOLD.

       Section 14209(a)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and 
     Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2255b(a)(3)(A)) is amended by 
     striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''.

     SEC. 12612. NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IMAGERY PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
     through the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, shall 
     carry out a national agriculture imagery program to annually 
     acquire aerial imagery during agricultural growing seasons 
     from the continental United States.
       (b) Data.--The aerial imagery acquired under this section 
     shall--
       (1) consist of high resolution processed digital imagery;
       (2) be made available in a format that can be provided to 
     Federal, State, and private sector entities;
       (3) be technologically compatible with geospatial 
     information technology; and
       (4) be consistent with the standards established by the 
     Federal Geographic Data Committee.
       (c) Supplemental Satellite Imagery.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture may supplement the aerial imagery collected under 
     this section with satellite imagery.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $23,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.

     SEC. 12613. REPORT ON INCLUSION OF NATURAL STONE PRODUCTS IN 
                   COMMODITY PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION 
                   ACT OF 1996.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate a report examining the effect the establishment of a 
     Natural Stone Research and Promotion Board pursuant to the 
     Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 
     U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) would have on the natural stone 
     industry, including how such a program would effect--
       (1) research conducted on, and the promotion of, natural 
     stone;
       (2) the development and expansion of domestic markets for 
     natural stone;
       (3) economic activity of the natural stone industry subject 
     to such a Board;
       (4) economic development in rural areas; and
       (5) benefits to consumers in the United States of natural 
     stone products.

     SEC. 12614. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD ACCESS LIAISON.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et 
     seq.), as amended by sections 12202, 12302, 12403, and 12504, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 225. FOOD ACCESS LIAISON.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish the 
     position of Food Access Liaison to coordinate Department 
     programs to reduce barriers to food access and monitor and 
     evaluate the progress of such programs in accordance with 
     this section.
       ``(b) Duties.--The Food Access Liaison shall--
       ``(1) coordinate the efforts of the Department, including 
     regional offices, to experiment and consider programs and 
     policies aimed at reducing barriers to food access for 
     consumers, including but not limited to participants in 
     nutrition assistance programs;
       ``(2) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to 
     reduce barriers to food access in accordance with the 
     statutory authorization for each program;
       ``(3) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to 
     reduce barriers to food access, including retailers, markets, 
     producers, and others involved in food production and 
     distribution, with respect to the availability of, and 
     eligibility for, Department programs;
       ``(4) raise awareness of food access issues in interactions 
     with employees of the Department;
       ``(5) make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to 
     efforts to reduce barriers to food access; and
       ``(6) submit to Congress an annual report with respect to 
     the efforts of the Department to reduce barriers to food 
     access.''.
       (b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance to entities that are participants, or 
     seek to participate, in Department of Agriculture programs 
     related to reduction of barriers to food access.

     SEC. 12615. ELIGIBILITY FOR OPERATORS ON HEIRS PROPERTY LAND 
                   TO OBTAIN A FARM NUMBER.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Eligible documentation.--The term ``eligible 
     documentation'', with respect to land for which a farm 
     operator seeks assignment of a farm number under subsection 
     (b)(1), includes--
       (A) in States that have adopted a statute consisting of an 
     enactment or adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs 
     Property Act, as approved and recommended for enactment in 
     all States by the National Conference of Commissioners on 
     Uniform State Laws in 2010--
       (i) a court order verifying the land meets the definition 
     of heirs property (as defined in that Act); or
       (ii) a certification from the local recorder of deeds that 
     the recorded owner of the land is deceased and not less than 
     1 heir of the recorded owner of the land has initiated a 
     procedure to retitle the land in the name of the rightful 
     heir;
       (B) a fully executed, unrecorded tenancy-in-common 
     agreement that sets out ownership

[[Page H9955]]

     rights and responsibilities among all of the owners of the 
     land that--
       (i) has been approved by a majority of the ownership 
     interests in that property;
       (ii) has given a particular owner the right to manage and 
     control any portion or all of the land for purposes of 
     operating a farm or ranch; and
       (iii) was validly entered into under the authority of the 
     jurisdiction in which the land is located;
       (C) the tax return of a farm operator farming a property 
     with undivided interests for each of the 5 years preceding 
     the date on which the farm operator submits the tax returns 
     as eligible documentation under subsection (b);
       (D) self-certification that the farm operator has control 
     of the land for purposes of operating a farm or ranch; and
       (E) any other documentation identified by the Secretary 
     under subsection (c).
       (2) Farm number.--The term ``farm number'' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 718.2 of title 7, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
     Act).
       (b) Farm Number.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for the 
     assignment of a farm number to any farm operator who provides 
     any form of eligible documentation for purposes of 
     demonstrating that the farm operator has control of the land 
     for purposes of defining that land as a farm.
       (2) Eligibility.--Any farm number provided under paragraph 
     (1) shall be sufficient to satisfy any requirement of the 
     Secretary to have a farm number to participate in a program 
     of the Secretary.
       (c) Eligible Documentation.--The Secretary shall identify 
     alternative forms of eligible documentation that a farm 
     operator may provide in seeking the assignment of a farm 
     number under subsection (b)(1).

     SEC. 12616. EXTENDING PROHIBITION ON ANIMAL FIGHTING TO THE 
                   TERRITORIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
     U.S.C. 2156) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Except as provided in 
     paragraph (3), it'' and inserting ``It''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (3);
       (2) by striking subsection (d); and
       (3) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), 
     and (j) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), 
     respectively.
       (b) Use of Postal Service or Other Interstate 
     Instrumentalities.--Section 26(c) of the Animal Welfare Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 2156(c)) is amended by striking ``(e)'' and 
     inserting ``(d)''.
       (c) Criminal Penalties.--Subsection (i) of section 26 of 
     the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156), as redesignated by 
     section 2(3), is amended by striking ``(e)'' and inserting 
     ``(d)''.
       (d) Enforcement of Animal Fighting Prohibitions.--Section 
     49(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``(e)'' and inserting ``(d)''.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 12617. EXEMPTION OF EXPORTATION OF CERTAIN ECHINODERMS 
                   FROM PERMISSION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Conservation and management.--The term ``conservation 
     and management'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 
     of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1802).
       (2) Marine fisheries commission.--The term ``Marine 
     Fisheries Commission'' means an interstate commission (as 
     that term is used in the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 
     1986 (16 USC 4101 et seq.)).
       (3) State jurisdiction.--The term ``State jurisdiction'' 
     means areas under the jurisdiction and authority of a State 
     as described in section 306(a)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1856(a)(2)).
       (b) Exemption.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish 
     and Wildlife Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that--
       (1) except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection 
     (d)(2)--
       (A) fish and wildlife described in subsection (c) are 
     fishery products exempt from the export permission 
     requirements of section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act 
     of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); and
       (B) any person may engage in business as an exporter of 
     fish or wildlife described in subsection (c) without 
     procuring--
       (i) permission under section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); or
       (ii) an export license under subpart I of part 14 of title 
     50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); 
     and
       (2) notwithstanding paragraph (1), unless the person has 
     qualified for and obtained an export license described in 
     paragraph (1)(B)(ii), any person that has been convicted of 1 
     or more violations of a Federal law relating to the 
     importation, transportation, or exportation of wildlife shall 
     not be permitted, during the 5-year period beginning on the 
     date of the most recent conviction, to engage in business as 
     an exporter of fish or wildlife described in subsection (c).
       (c) Covered Fish or Wildlife.--The fish or wildlife 
     referred to in subsection (b) are members of the species 
     Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (commonly known as the 
     ``green sea urchin''), including any products of that 
     species, that--
       (1) do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 23 of 
     title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
     regulations);
       (2)(A) are harvested in waters under State jurisdiction; or
       (B) are imported for processing in the United States 
     pursuant to an import license as required under section 14.91 
     of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
     regulation), and not exempt from import license requirements 
     under section 14.92 of that title (as in effect on the day 
     before the date of enactment of this Act); and
       (3) are exported for purposes of human or animal 
     consumption.
       (d) Information Collection on Exports.--
       (1) In general.--The State agency that regulates or 
     otherwise oversees a State fishery in which the fish and 
     wildlife described in subsection (c) are harvested shall 
     annually transmit the conservation and management data (as 
     defined in subsection (a)) to the Interstate Fisheries 
     Management Program Policy Board of the applicable Marine 
     Fisheries Commission.
       (2) Privacy.--Such data thereafter shall not be released 
     and shall be maintained as confidential by such applicable 
     Marine Fisheries Commission, including data requested under 
     the section 552 of title 5, United States Code, unless 
     disclosure is required under court order or unless the data 
     is essential for an enforcement action under Federal wildlife 
     management laws.
       (3) Exclusion.--The exemption under subsection (b)(1) shall 
     not apply in a State if--
       (A) the State fails to transmit the data required under 
     paragraph (1); or
       (B) the applicable Marine Fisheries Commission determines, 
     in consultation with the primary research agency of such 
     Commission, after notice and an opportunity to comment, that 
     the data required under paragraph (1) fails to prove that the 
     State agency or official is engaged in conservation and 
     management of the fish or wildlife described in subsection 
     (c).

     SEC. 12618. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

       Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
     (16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 1247. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

       ``(a) Data on Conservation Practices.--The Secretary shall 
     identify available data sets within the Department of 
     Agriculture regarding the use of conservation practices and 
     the effect of such practices on farm and ranch profitability 
     (including such effects relating to crop yields, soil health, 
     and other risk-related factors).
       ``(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that 
     includes--
       ``(1) a summary of the data sets identified under 
     subsection (a);
       ``(2) a summary of the steps the Secretary would have to 
     take to provide access to such data sets by university 
     researchers, including taking into account any technical, 
     privacy, or administrative considerations;
       ``(3) a summary of safeguards the Secretary employs when 
     providing access to data to university researchers;
       ``(4) a summary of appropriate procedures to maximize the 
     potential for research benefits while preventing any 
     violations of privacy or confidentiality; and
       ``(5) recommendations for any necessary authorizations or 
     clarifications of Federal law to allow access to such data 
     sets to maximize the potential for research benefits.''.

     SEC. 12619. CONFORMING CHANGES TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT.

       (a) In General.--Section 102(16) of the Controlled 
     Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(16) The'' and inserting ``(16)(A) 
     Subject to subparagraph (B), the''; and
       (2) by striking ``Such term does not include the'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(B) The term `marihuana' does not include--
       ``(i) hemp, as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural 
     Marketing Act of 1946; or
       ``(ii) the''.
       (b) Tetrahydrocannabinol.--Schedule I, as set forth in 
     section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 
     812(c)), is amended in subsection (c)(17) by inserting after 
     ``Tetrahydrocannabinols'' the following: ``, except for 
     tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A 
     of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)''.

       And the Senate agree to the same.
     From the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of the 
     House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications 
     committed to conference:
     K. Michael Conaway,
     Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania,
     Bob Goodlatte,
     Frank D. Lucas,
     Mike Rogers of Alabama,
     Austin Scott of Georgia,
     Eric A. ``Rick'' Crawford,
     Vicky Hartzler,
     Rodney Davis of Illinois,
     Ted S. Yoho,
     David Rouzer,
     Roger W. Marshall,
     Jodey C. Arrington,

[[Page H9956]]

     Collin C. Peterson,
     David Scott of Georgia,
     Jim Costa,
     Marcia L. Fudge,
     James P. McGovern,
     Filemon Vela,
     Ann M. Kuster of New Hampshire,
     Tom O'Halleran,
     Virginia Foxx,
     Rick W. Allen,
     Alma S. Adams,
     Kevin Cramer,
     Edward R. Royce,
     Steve Chabot,
     Eliot L. Engel,
     Rob Bishop of Utah,
     Bruce Westerman,
     Raul M. Grijalva,
     James Comer,
     Ralph Lee Abraham,
     Neal P. Dunn,
     Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas,
     Jeff Denham,
     Bob Gibbs,
     Cheri Bustos.
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Pat Roberts,
     Mitch McConnell,
     John Boozman,
     John Hoeven,
     Joni Ernst,
     Debbie Stabenow,
     Patrick J. Leahy,
     Sherrod Brown,
     Heidi Heitkamp.
                               Managers on the Part of the Senate.

       Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference

       The managers on the part of the Senate and the House at the 
     conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the 
     amendment of the Senate to the bill, H.R. 2, to provide for 
     the reform and continuation of agricultural and other 
     programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 
     2023, and for other purposes, submit the following joint 
     statement to the Senate and the House in explanation of the 
     effect of the action agreed upon by the managers and 
     recommended in the accompanying conference report:
       The Senate amendment struck all of the House bill after the 
     enacting clause and inserted a substitute text.
       The House recedes from its disagreement to the amendment of 
     the Senate with an amendment that is a substitute for the 
     House bill and the Senate amendment.
       The differences between the House bill, the Senate 
     amendment, and the substitute agreed to in conference are 
     noted below, except for clerical corrections, conforming 
     changes made necessary by agreements reached by the 
     conferees, and minor drafting and clarifying changes.

                          Title I--Commodities

     (1) Definitions
       The House bill proposes a freestanding version of the farm 
     program statutory framework, and provides definitions for 24 
     terms applicable to the commodity program provisions in 
     subtitles A and B of the Act. Most are the same as current 
     law, with exceptions in the following paragraphs of section 
     1111: (4) Base Acres: technical change is made to cross 
     reference the same definition in the 2014 Act; (5) Covered 
     Commodities: updated to include seed cotton in the underlying 
     definition; (7) Effective Reference Price: defined to mean 
     the lesser of: (A) An amount equal to 115% of the reference 
     price for such covered commodity; or (B) An amount equal to 
     the greater of--(i) the reference price for such covered 
     commodity; or (ii) 85 percent of the average of the marketing 
     year average price of the covered commodity for the most 
     recent 5 crop years, excluding each of the crop years with 
     the highest and lowest marketing year average price. (9) 
     Marketing Year Average Price: included as defined term in 
     lieu of repeated references to ``national average market 
     price received by producers during the 12-month marketing 
     year for a covered commodity''; (13) Payment Yield: 
     conforming amendment is included to reflect reenactment of 
     new Title I provisions. (21) Temperate Japonica Rice: the 
     reference to one-time reallocation of base acres under the 
     Agriculture Act of 2014 is deleted. The House bill also 
     deletes the current law definitions of ``County Coverage'' 
     and ``Individual Coverage'', consistent with the House bill's 
     proposal to repeal the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) 
     individual program. The definition of ``Generic Base Acres'' 
     is also omitted. (Section 1111)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to add a definition of ``effective reference 
     price'' to section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. 
     (Section 1101)
     (2) Base Acres
       The House bill deletes the provisions in section 1112(a) of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 governing the 2009 through 2012 
     crop year-based 1-time base reallocation. (Section 1112(a)-
     (c)(2))
       The Senate amendment amends section 1112(c)(2) to make a 
     technical correction to update the reference to the wetlands 
     reserve program to wetland reserve easements. (Section 
     1709(a))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1102(a))
       The Managers expect the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to 
     provide information to producers regarding the treatment of 
     base on a farm prior to a producer making a decision on 
     whether or not to reenroll the farm in a CRP contract.
     (3) Base Acres-Treatment of Unplanted Base Acres
       The House bill requires that in the case of a farm on which 
     no covered commodities (including seed cotton) were planted 
     during 2009 through 2017, the Secretary shall allocate all 
     base acres on the farm to unassigned crop base for which no 
     payment shall be made under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or 
     ARC programs.
       The House bill also requires the Secretary to ensure that 
     producers do not reconstitute the farm to void or change the 
     treatment of base acres section 1112. (Section 1112(c)((3)-
     (c)(4))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to provide that in the case of a farm on which 
     all of the cropland was planted to grass or pasture 
     (including cropland that was idle or fallow), as determined 
     by the Secretary, during 2009 through 2017, the Secretary 
     shall maintain all base acres and payment yields for the 
     covered commodities on the farm, except that no payment shall 
     be made with respect to those base acres under the PLC or ARC 
     programs for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. In addition, 
     producers on a farm for which all the base acres are 
     maintained under this provision are ineligible for the option 
     to change their PLC/ARC election under new section 1115(h) of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 as added by section 1105 of the 
     bill. (Section 1102(b))
       The Managers intend for base acreage on entire farms 
     planted to grass and pasture to be limited to include only 
     FSA crop codes for grass (subcategories of grass and native 
     grass) and idle (subcategories of fallow and idle) for the 
     purposes of the provision. The Managers intend for FSA to 
     electronically maintain all of the base acres on the farm as 
     the crop base for the covered commodity, along with program 
     payment yields for the farm. The Managers do not intend for 
     the base acres to be categorized as unassigned crop base, nor 
     that unassigned crop base will be affected by this provision.
       The Managers do not intend for base acreage planted to 
     annual forages, such as sorghum-sudangrass or grazed 
     commodities, to be considered planted to grass and pasture 
     for the purposes of the provision. The Managers do not intend 
     for base acreage assigned to idle crop codes (other than 
     those for the subcategories of idle and fallow) and for base 
     acreage under a CRP contract to be considered planted to 
     grass and pasture for the purposes of the provision.
       The Managers expect FSA to consult with the Committees 
     during the process of identifying the base acreage that they 
     determine to be subject to new section 1112(d)(3).
     (4) Payment Yields--Designated Oilseeds
       The House bill provides for the establishment of designated 
     oilseed yields for a farm that does not have a payment yield 
     under the Agricultural Act of 2014 (same as current law).
       The House bill also increases the payment yield for 
     designated oilseeds from 75 percent to 90 percent of the 
     average yield per planted acre for the most recent 5 years. 
     (Section 1113)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to clarify that the payment yield for designated 
     oilseeds shall be established at 90 percent of the average 
     yield per planted acre for the most recent 5 years shall 
     apply only with respect to oilseed designated after the date 
     of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
     (Section 1103(a))
     (5) Payment Yields-Single Opportunity to Update Yields in 
         Counties Affected by Drought
       The House bill provides: (1) a single opportunity for the 
     owner of a farm to update yields only where the farm is 
     physically located in a county that experienced 20 or more 
     consecutive weeks of exceptional drought during 2008 
     through 2012; (2) by covered-commodity, yields may be 
     updated at 90% of average yield per planted acre for the 
     2013 through 2017 crop years (excluding any year in which 
     the acreage planted to the covered commodity was zero); 
     (3) if the farm-level yield is less than 75% of the 
     average county yield for a covered commodity for any of 
     the years, then the Secretary shall assign 75% of the 
     2013-2017 average county yield for the covered commodity 
     for that crop year; (4) the election must be made in time 
     for the 2019 crop year; and (5) the average yield for seed 
     cotton per planted acre equals 2.4 times the average yield 
     for upland cotton per planted acre. (Section 1113(c))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to provide the owners of all farms in the 
     country a one-time opportunity to update the payment yield 
     that would otherwise be used in calculating any PLC payment 
     for each covered commodity on the farm, based on a formula 
     specified in the statute, to be in effect beginning with the 
     2020 crop year. (Section 1103(b))
     (6) Payment Acres
       The House bill amends the minimum 10 base acre test for PLC 
     or ARC payments to provide an exception for producers who 
     collectively have more than 10 base acres across

[[Page H9957]]

     all farms in which they have an interest. Section 1114(c)(4) 
     provides that for each crop year for which fruits, vegetables 
     (other than mung beans and pulse crops), or wild rice are 
     planted to base acres on a farm for which a reduction in 
     payment acres is made, the Secretary shall consider such base 
     acres to be planted, or prevented from planting, to a covered 
     commodity for purposes of any adjustment or reduction of base 
     acres for the farm under section 1112 of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014. (Section 1114)
       The Senate amendment amends current law section 1114(e) of 
     the Agricultural Act of 2014 to provide that: (A) if the 
     Secretary recalculates base acres for a farm while a farm is 
     engaged in planting and production of fruits, vegetables, or 
     wild rice on base acres for which a reduction in payment 
     acres was made, that planting and production shall be 
     considered to be the same as the planting and production of a 
     covered commodity; and (B) this provision does not authorize 
     the Secretary to recalculate base acres for a farm. (Section 
     1101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to add beginning and veteran farmers or ranchers 
     to the current law exception for socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers from the minimum 10 base acre test for 
     PLC or ARC payments. (Section 1104)
     (7) Producer Election
       The House bill deletes references to ARC Individual 
     coverage, but otherwise is consistent with current law, 
     providing that failure to make a unanimous election for the 
     2019 crop year results in no program payments on the farm for 
     the 2019 crop year, and that the producers on the farm are 
     deemed to have elected PLC for all covered commodities on the 
     farm for the 2020-2023 crop years. (Section 1115)
       The Senate amendment makes current law section 1115(a) 
     applicable for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. The Senate 
     amendment also amends current law 1115(c) to provide that 
     failure to make a unanimous election for the 2019 crop year 
     results in no program payments to the farm for the 2019 crop 
     year, and the producers on the farm are deemed to have 
     elected ARC county coverage for all covered commodities on 
     the farm for the 2020-2023 crop years. (Section 1102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that failure to make a unanimous election for 
     the 2019 crop year results in no program payments to the farm 
     for the 2019 crop year, and the producers on the farm are 
     deemed to have elected the same coverage for each covered 
     commodity on the farm for the 2020 through 2023 crop years as 
     was applicable for the 2015 through 2018 crop years. (Section 
     1105)
     (8) Option to Change Producer Election
       The Senate amendment amends section 1115 by adding a new 
     subsection (h) to provide that for the 2021 crop year, all of 
     the producers on a farm may make a one-time, irrevocable 
     election to change the election applicable to the producers 
     on the farm to PLC or ARC, which shall apply to the producers 
     on the farm for each of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 crop years. 
     (Section 1106)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to allow producers an opportunity to change 
     program elections annually beginning with crop year 2021. 
     (Section 1105(5))
       The Managers intend for eligible producers to have the 
     opportunity to voluntarily change program elections annually 
     beginning with crop year 2021 under similar terms as the crop 
     year 2019 election, including unanimous elections on a farm-
     by-farm and covered commodity-by-covered commodity basis. 
     However, the Managers do not intend for FSA to require 
     producers to make a new election or to reaffirm previous 
     elections in crop year 2021 or each crop year thereafter. 
     This is an option to be exercised solely at the discretion of 
     the producers on the farm.
     (9) One time filing for ARC and PLC
       The House bill provides the following: (a) During the first 
     enrollment period announced by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) 
     after the date of the enactment, producers on a farm may file 
     a one-time program contract with the Secretary to enroll in 
     ARC or PLC through crop year 2023. (b) In the case of a 
     change in a farming operation for which producers on a farm 
     have filed a one-time program contract, the producers must 
     file an updated program contract with the Secretary not later 
     than one year after such change in the farming operation 
     occurs. (c) The Secretary shall provide to each producer that 
     files a one-time program contract a notice that includes the 
     applicable annual and other periodic reporting requirements. 
     (d) The Secretary shall issue regulations necessary to carry 
     out this section; and revise section 1412.41 of title 7, Code 
     of Federal Regulations, in accordance with this section. 
     (Section 1612)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (10) Price Loss Coverage
       The House bill, effective for crop years 2019-2023, sets 
     the PLC payment rate as the difference between (1) the 
     effective reference price and (2) the effective price.
       In order to reflect price premiums, the House bill provides 
     a reference price for temperate japonica rice in an amount 
     equal to (1) the effective price established for long grain 
     rice, multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing: (A) the 
     simple average of the marketing year average price of medium 
     grain rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop years; by (B) the 
     simple average of the marketing year average price of all 
     rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop years. (Section 1116)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1116 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to extend PLC provisions through 
     crop year 2023, with an amendment to require that within 30 
     days after the end of each applicable 12 month marketing year 
     for each covered commodity, the Secretary shall publish the 
     payment rate determined under 1116(c). (Section 1103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to require that within 30 days after the end of 
     each applicable 12-month marketing year for each covered 
     commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment rate 
     determined under 1116(c). (Section 1106)
     (11) Agriculture Risk Coverage
       The House bill enacts the same provisions as current law 
     for ARC county coverage applicable to crop years 2019 through 
     2023. By omission ARC individual would expire at the end of 
     the 2018 crop year.
       The House bill also enacts the same provisions as current 
     law, with the following changes: (1) deletes section 
     1117(g)(3) provisions to delete the ARC individual 
     provisions; (2) amends section 1117(g)(4) to require the 
     Secretary to assign an actual or benchmark county yield for 
     each planted acre for the crop year for the covered 
     commodity--(A) for a county for which county data collected 
     by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) is sufficient to offer a 
     county-wide insurance product using the actual average county 
     yield determined by RMA; or (B) for other counties using, as 
     determined by the Secretary--(i) other sources of yield 
     information; or (ii) the yield history of representative 
     farms in the State, region, or crop reporting district; (3) 
     adds a new requirement that the Secretary make ARC payments 
     to producers using the payment rate of the county of the 
     physical location of the base acres of a farm; and (4) 
     deletes ``to the maximum extent practicable'' from section 
     1117(g)(2), thus requiring the Secretary to calculate a 
     separate actual crop revenue and ARC guarantee for irrigated 
     and nonirrigated covered commodities. (Section 1117)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1117(a) to: (1) 
     reauthorize the ARC County and ARC Individual Programs for 
     the 2019 through 2023 crop years; and (2) require ARC 
     payments to be paid based on the physical location of the 
     farm.
       The Senate amendment also amends section 1117(c) to extend 
     ARC coverage guarantee provisions though the 2023 crop year; 
     to increase the transitional (plug) yield from 70 percent to 
     75 percent of the transitional yield; and to require the use 
     of a trend adjusted yield factor to adjust the yields in 
     determining the actual county yield and the benchmark county 
     revenue for ARC county coverage, not to exceed the trend-
     adjusted yield factor used to increase yield history under 
     the endorsement under the Federal Crop Insurance Act for that 
     crop and county.
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to publish the 
     county payment rate for a covered commodity no later than 
     thirty days after the end of each marketing year for each 
     covered commodity.
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to--(1) assign 
     an actual yield for the covered commodity by giving priority 
     to the use of actual county yields from a single source that 
     provides the greatest national coverage of county-level 
     data; and (2) prorate the base acres and payments in the 
     case of a farm that has a tract with base acres that 
     crosses a county boundary.
       The Senate amendment also requires the Secretary, on 
     request of a county FSA State Committee, to consider a 1-time 
     request to calculate a separate actual crop revenue and ARC 
     guarantee for irrigated and nonirrigated covered commodities 
     in a county if, during the 2014 through 2018 crop years--(1) 
     an average of not less than 5 percent of the planted and 
     considered planted acreage of a covered commodity in the 
     county was irrigated; and (2) an average of not less than 5 
     percent of the planted and considered planted acreage of the 
     covered commodity in the county was nonirrigated. It also 
     authorizes the Secretary to use other sources of yield 
     information, including the yield history of representative 
     farms in the State, region, or crop reporting district, when 
     considering or recalculating separate actual crop revenue and 
     ARC guarantee. (Section 1104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provisions with 
     amendments to: (1) make payments based on the payment rate of 
     the county where the base acre on the farm is physically 
     located; (2) increase the transitional yield plug to 80 
     percent; (3) utilize the ``effective reference price'' to 
     calculate the guarantee; (4) calculate a separate irrigated 
     and nonirrigated yield in each county; and (5) prioritize RMA 
     data in the calculation of the guarantee and actual yields. 
     The substitute deletes a Senate provision regarding the case 
     of a farm that has a tract with base acres that crosses a 
     county boundary. (Section 1107)
       In applying the yield plug, when actual yields drop below 
     80% of the transitional yield for the county, the Managers 
     expect the FSA Administrator to consult with the 
     Administrator of the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to ensure 
     that the transitional yield utilized is current and 
     reflective of recent yields within the county.

[[Page H9958]]

       In the case of a farm that has a tract with base acres that 
     crosses a county boundary, the Managers intend for FSA to 
     prorate the base acres based on the quantity of cropland of 
     the tract in each county and calculate any ARC-County 
     payments to the farm on that basis.
       For determining a separate irrigated and non-irrigated 
     yield for a covered commodity within a county with limited 
     data for a practice, the Managers intend for the Secretary to 
     utilize other sources of yield information such as 
     representative farms in adjacent counties or the crop 
     reporting district to determine a county yield that is 
     representative of the applicable practice.
       The Managers intend for FSA to implement the trend yield 
     adjustment such that it has a similar result as the Federal 
     Crop Insurance endorsement to adjust either the guarantee or 
     actual yield to account for the long-term increase in 
     production that is not accounted for otherwise. The Managers 
     expect this will include using more than just the five years 
     of the guarantee to calculate a trend, which will also help 
     avoid the potential anomalies from using limited data. The 
     Managers also expect all trend yield adjustments to be 
     positive or neutral.
     (12) Agriculture Risk Coverage--Publication of Coverage 
         Guarantee, Yield, and Price
       The Senate amendment requires the publication of the county 
     risk coverage guarantee, average historical county yield, and 
     the national average market price for each covered commodity 
     in each county, not later than 30 days after the end of the 
     applicable 12-month marketing year; provides an exception to 
     the reporting deadline in the case of a covered commodity, 
     such as temperate japonica rice, for which the Secretary 
     cannot determine the national average market price for the 
     most recent 12-month marketing year for the national average 
     market price due to insufficient reporting of timely pricing 
     data by one or more nongovernmental entities, including a 
     marketing cooperative for the covered commodity. (Section 
     1104(6))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     a technical amendment to clarify the information that the 
     Secretary shall publish. (Section 1107)
     (13) Administrative Units
       The Senate amendment adds a new subsection to section 1117 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014 providing that, for purposes 
     of ARC payments in the case of county coverage, a county may 
     be divided into not greater than two administrative units. 
     Eligible counties are those that are larger than 1,400 square 
     miles, are in a State that is larger than 140,000 square 
     miles, and contain more than 190,000 base acres. (Section 
     12611)
       The House bill contains no comparable provisions.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to delete the requirement the county be 
     contained within a State that is larger than 140,000 square 
     miles. The substitute adds a limit of 25 counties that may be 
     divided into administrative units, and provides direction for 
     the preference to the division of counties that have greater 
     variation in climate, soils, and expected productivity 
     between the proposed administrative units. (Section 1107)
     (14) Producer Agreements
       The House bill restates current law except that it omits 
     subsection (d), consistent with the cessation of ARC 
     individual coverage. (Section 1118)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (15) Repeal of Transition Assistance for Producers of Upland 
         Cotton
       The Senate amendment repeals section 1119 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014. (Section 1105)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1108)
     (16) Availability of Nonrecourse Marketing Assistance Loans 
         for Loan Commodities
       The House bill restates current law to make available 
     nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for the 2019 through 
     2023 crops. (Section 1201)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1201(b)(1) of the 2014 
     Act to extend current law for the availability of nonrecourse 
     marketing assistance loans through 2023. (Section 1201(a))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1108)
     (17) Loan Rates for Nonrecourse Marketing Assistance Loans
       The House bill provides that for the 2019 through 2023 crop 
     years the loan rate for extra long staple cotton is increased 
     to 95 cents per pound; the loan rate formula for upland 
     cotton is prevented from declining by more than two percent 
     in any one crop year; and that seed cotton shall be deemed to 
     have a loan rate of 25 cents per pound for purposes of 
     calculating the effective price under PLC and actual crop 
     revenue under ARC. (Section 1202)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1201(b)(1) of the 2014 
     Act to extend the availability of nonrecourse marketing 
     assistance loans through 2023. (Section 1201(b))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to adjust the loan rates for wheat, corn, grain 
     sorghum, barley, oats, long grain rice, medium grain rice, 
     soybeans, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, large 
     chickpeas, and raw cane sugar for the 2019 through 2023 crop 
     years. (Sections 1202 and 1301(a))
     (18) Loan Deficiency Payments
       The House bill includes provisions that are the same as 
     current law, effective for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. 
     (Section 1205)
       The Senate amendment extends through the 2023 crop year the 
     provisions of section 1205(a)(2)(B) of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 authorizing the Secretary to make loan deficiency 
     payments for hay and silage derived from a loan commodity.
       The Senate amendment also repeals the authority of the 
     Secretary to make loan deficiency payments for nongraded wool 
     in the form of unshorn pelts. (Section 1201(d)(1) & 1202)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to delete the repeal of the authority of the 
     Secretary to make loan deficiency payments for nongraded wool 
     in the form of unshorn pelts. (Section 1201(c))
     (19) Special Marketing Loan Provisions for Upland Cotton; 
         Economic Adjustment Assistance to Users of Upland Cotton
       The House bill is the same as current law applicable 
     beginning with the 2019 crop year, except with regard to the 
     changes to the Economic Adjustment Assistance to Users of 
     Upland Cotton, for which the House bill increases the payment 
     rate of economic adjustment assistance 3 cents to 3.15 cents 
     per pound of cotton used, and renames the program as 
     ``Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills.'' 
     (Section 1207)
       The Senate bill amends section 1207(c) of the 2014 Act to 
     extend the Economic Adjustment Assistance to Users of Upland 
     Cotton at the rate of 3 cents per pound through July 31, 
     2021. For subsequent years, the program is extended at the 
     same payment rate, subject to funding available through 
     annual appropriations. (Section 1203(b))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to continue the payment rate of economic 
     adjustment assistance at 3 cents per pound of cotton used, 
     and to strike a redundant authority to provide economic 
     adjustment assistance under section 1207(c) of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8737). 
     (Section 1202)
       The Managers believe timely shipment and delivery of cotton 
     to the end-user is essential to maintain the competitiveness 
     of the U.S. cotton industry. The Managers urge the Secretary 
     to work with representatives of the U.S. cotton industry to 
     identify how best to update and modernize the current Cotton 
     Storage Agreement for U.S. cotton warehouses. The Managers 
     expect any updates to be based on consensus recommendations 
     of all segments of the industry. As necessary, the Secretary 
     should make changes to the provider agreement between USDA 
     and the electronic warehouse receipt provider to facilitate 
     the implementation of those industry recommendations to 
     improve the flow of cotton.
     (20) Special Competitive Provisions for Extra Long Staple 
         Cotton
       The House bill is the same as current law, except the House 
     bill maintains the value of assistance available to domestic 
     users of extra long staple cotton by making a conforming 
     change in new section 1208(b) to reflect the increase in the 
     extra long staple cotton loan rate. (Section 1208)
       The Senate amendment extends current law through July 31, 
     2024. (Section 1201(d)(3)).
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision to 
     make a conforming change to reflect the increase in the extra 
     long staple cotton loan rate, and extends the authority 
     through July 31, 2024. (Section 1204)
     (21) Availability of Recourse Loans for High Moisture Feed 
         Grains and Seed Cotton
       The House bill (1) extends current law with respect to high 
     moisture feed grains and seed cotton for the 2019 through 
     2023 crops; and (2) requires the Secretary to make available 
     recourse commodity loans at the loan rate for a marketing 
     assistance loan for a loan commodity that is ineligible for 
     100 percent of the nonrecourse marketing loan rate in the 
     county due to a determination that the commodity is 
     contaminated yet still merchantable. (Section 1209)
       The Senate amendment extends current law with respect to 
     high moisture feed grains and seed cotton through the 2023 
     crops. (Section 1201(d)(4))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 1205)
     (22) Adjustment of Loans
       The House bill (1) continues the authorization for the 
     Secretary to adjust loan rates for loan commodities in the 
     same matter as current law; and (2) adds a requirement that 
     the Secretary shall consider methods to enhance the support, 
     loan, or assistance provided under this title in a manner 
     that further minimizes the potential for forfeitures. 
     (Section 1210)
       The Senate amendment has no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (23) Dairy Risk Management Production for Dairy Producers--
         Reports; Collection and Review of Data
       The House bill requires the Secretary to submit a report to 
     the relevant congressional committees evaluating the accuracy

[[Page H9959]]

     of the data used by the Secretary to reevaluate the average 
     cost of feed used by a dairy operation to produce a 
     hundredweight of milk.
       The House bill also requires the Secretary to submit a 
     report to the relevant congressional committees detailing the 
     costs incurred by the dairy operation in the use of corn 
     silage as feed and the difference between the feed cost of 
     corn silage and the feed cost of corn.
       The House bill also requires the Secretary to revise 
     monthly price survey reports to include prices for high-
     quality alfalfa hay in the top five milk producing States. 
     (Section 1401(a) through (c))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provisions. 
     (Section 1401(a) through(c))
     (24) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Name of 
         Program
       The House bill (1) renames the program as the Dairy Risk 
     Management Program for Dairy Producers (DRMP), defined in 
     section 1401(5) and referred to throughout as the ``dairy 
     risk management program'' (2) makes conforming amendments 
     throughout section 1401, and specifically in subsection (i). 
     (Section 1401 generally & subsection (i))
       The Senate amendment (1) renames the program as Dairy Risk 
     Coverage (DRC), defined in section 1401(5) and referred to 
     throughout as ``dairy risk coverage;'' and (2) makes 
     amendments throughout current law section 1401 to conform to 
     the renaming of the program to ``Dairy Risk Coverage.'' 
     (Section 1401)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to rename the program Dairy Margin Coverage 
     (DMC). (Section 1401)
     (25) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--
         Definition of Catastrophic Coverage
       The Senate amendment amends current law section 1401 to add 
     a definition of ``catastrophic coverage.'' (Section 1401(b))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (26) Establishment of Margin Protection Program for Dairy 
         Producers
       The House bill amends section 1403 to require the Secretary 
     to continue to administer a dairy risk program.
       The House bill also provides that the amendments made by 
     section 1401 shall take effect 60 days after the date of 
     enactment. (Section 1401 (i) & (j))
       The Senate amendment amends current law section 1403(a), to 
     require the Secretary to administer DRC beginning with the 
     2019 calendar year.
       The Senate amendment also provides that Subpart A of part 
     1430 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
     the date of enactment), shall remain in effect for DRC 
     beginning with the 2019 calendar year, except to the extent 
     that the regulations are inconsistent with any provision of 
     this Act. (Section 1401(d))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments that specify that MPP regulations that do not 
     conflict with the new structure of DMC are to remain in place 
     and do not need to be reissued. (Section 1401(k))
     (27) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--
         Registration of Multiproducer Dairy Operations
       The House bill amends section 1404(b) to allow a 
     multiproducer dairy operation to elect to exclude from 
     registration under the DRMP one or more individual owners--
     (1) who individually owns less than five percent of the 
     operation; or (2) who is entitled to less than five percent 
     of the income, revenue, profit, or one of other specified 
     financial measures of the operation.
       The House bill also would require a reduction in DRMP 
     payments to such operations corresponding to the reduction in 
     ownership excluded from registration. (Section 1401(d))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to ensure a multiproducer dairy will be treated 
     as a single operation under the program, and to clarify that 
     operations are not allowed to reduce their production history 
     to impact eligibility for tier I or tier II premiums. 
     (Section 1401(d))
       The Managers intend for FSA to ensure a more efficient 
     sign-up process for dairy operations with multiple owners. 
     The Managers intend for operations to be allowed to sign-up 
     for coverage without every owner participating, and that 
     those participating operations be treated as a single 
     operation consistent with existing law. After coverage 
     elections are made, the total premiums due and payments made 
     may be adjusted downward to reflect the proportion of 
     ownership participating. Nothing in this section is intended 
     to allow a participating dairy operation to reduce the 
     production history for the dairy operation to impact 
     eligibility for tier I or tier II premiums.
     (28) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--
         Catastrophic Coverage
       The Senate amendment amends section 1404(b) to provide that 
     a participating dairy operation may elect to receive 
     catastrophic coverage instead of paying a premium under 
     section 1407.
       The Senate amendment also amends section 1404(c) to provide 
     that, in addition to the $100 administrative fee under 
     section 1404(c)(1)(A), a participating dairy operation that 
     elects to receive catastrophic coverage shall pay an 
     additional administrative fee of $100. (Section 1401(e))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute allows participating dairy 
     operations to elect to receive a $4 coverage level instead of 
     paying a premium. (Section 1401(h))
     (29) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Relation 
         to Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Program
       The House bill amends section 1404(d) to allow a dairy 
     operation to participate in both the DRMP and the Livestock 
     Gross Margin (LGM) for dairy program. (Section 1401(e))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with a 
     modification permitting participating dairy operations to 
     participate in both programs on the same production, and to 
     allow producers who were locked out of the improved 2018 MPP 
     due to LGM participation to retroactively participate in MPP 
     for the months in 2018 in which they were excluded from 
     participation. (Section 1401(e))
       Given that Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) is a new program 
     option for dairy operations, the Managers note the importance 
     of USDA-led outreach and education efforts to operations that 
     are currently participating in the Margin Protection Program 
     (MPP), those that have ceased participation, and those that 
     have never participated (including organic dairy farmers that 
     may not be aware of their eligibility). In advance of 2019 
     program sign-up, the Managers expect FSA to conduct outreach 
     to eligible operations through repeated contacts and multiple 
     modes such as mailings, phone calls and local meetings, and 
     to collaborate with state licensing boards, cooperatives, 
     producer groups, institutions of higher education, and other 
     stakeholders to thoroughly inform producers of their 
     operations' new affordable options under DMC, MPP credit or 
     refund values, and the new safety net options provided under 
     DMC.
       Specifically with regard to the credit or refund under 
     section 1407(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 USC 9057), 
     the Managers recognize the potential complexity of tracing 
     former owners of operations that have ceased operation, but 
     expect operations that have continued operation unabated to 
     be offered the option of a credit or refund in conjunction 
     with the 2019 program sign-up. Additionally, this title 
     removes restrictions between DMC and any Federal Crop 
     Insurance product. Therefore the Managers expect FSA and the 
     Risk Management Agency (RMA) to coordinate to ensure that 
     each agency's employees, along with crop insurance companies, 
     agents and customers, are aware of the change in rules and 
     additional opportunities for complementary coverage.
     (30) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--
         Production History of Participating Dairy Operations
       The House bill amends current law section 1405 (a)(2) to 
     limit the application of the adjustments to the production 
     history of participating dairy operations to ``calendar years 
     ending before January 1, 2019.''
       The House bill also adds a new section 1405(d) to prevent 
     DRMP payments to a participating dairy operation if the 
     Secretary determines that the participating dairy operation 
     has reorganized the operation solely for the purpose of 
     qualifying as a new operation. (Section 1401(f))
       The Senate amendment amends current law section 1405(a)(2) 
     to limit the application of the adjustments to the production 
     history of participating dairy operations to ``during each of 
     the 2014 through 2019 calendar years.'' (Section 1401(f))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to provide equitable treatment to newly-
     participating dairies. (Section 1401(f))
     (31) Margin Protection Program--Payments
       The House bill amends section 1406(a) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 to provide that, for purposes of receiving DRMP 
     payments for a month, a participating dairy operation shall 
     elect--(1) a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, 
     $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 
     ``(and in the case of production subject to Tier 1 premiums 
     (under section 1407(b)), also $8.50 or $9.00)''; and (2) a 
     percentage of coverage, in 5-percent increments, but not to 
     exceed 90 percent of the production history of the 
     participating dairy operation.
       The House bill further amends section 1406 by adding a new 
     subsection (d) requiring that, within 90 days after the date 
     of enactment, each participating dairy operation shall elect 
     a coverage level threshold under subsection (a)(1) and a 
     coverage percentage under subsection (q) (2) to be used to 
     determine DRMP payments. This election shall remain in effect 
     for the participating dairy operation through December 31, 
     2023 (for the duration of the DRMP, as specified in section 
     1409). (Section 1401(h))
       The Senate amendment amends section 1406(a) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to provide that, for purposes of 
     receiving margin protection payments for a month, a 
     participating dairy operation shall annually elect--(1) a 
     coverage level threshold that is equal to--(A) in the case of 
     catastrophic coverage, $5.00; (B) $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, 
     $7.50, $8.00,

[[Page H9960]]

     $8.50, or $9.00; and (2)(A) a percentage of coverage, in 5-
     percent increments, that does not exceed 90 percent of the 
     production history of the participating dairy operation; or 
     (2)(B) in the case of catastrophic coverage, a coverage level 
     of 40 percent of the production history of the participating 
     dairy operation. (Section 1401(g))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to require the participating dairy operation to 
     elect a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, 
     $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, $8.00, 
     $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50 for their first five million pounds of 
     participating production. The amendment allows an operation 
     that elects coverage on its first five million pounds of 
     $8.00, $8.50, or $9.50 to make a second election of a 
     coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, 
     $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 for 
     production over five million pounds. The amendment also 
     allows operations to cover between five percent and ninety-
     five percent of their production history. (Section 1401(g))
     (32) Margin Protection Program--Premium Rates
       The House bill amends section 1407(b)(2) to set the Tier 1 
     premium rates for the first 5 million pounds of milk 
     marketings included in the production history of a 
     participating dairy operation, for each coverage level 
     ranging from $5.50 to $9.00 per hundredweight. (Section 
     1401(h))
       The Senate amendment amends section 1407(b)(2) to set the 
     Tier 1 premium rates for the first 5 million pounds of milk 
     marketings included in the production history of a 
     participating dairy operation, the premium per hundredweight 
     for each coverage level ranging from $5.50 to $8.00 per 
     hundredweight. (Section 1401(h))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to modify premium rates from the $4.00 to $9.50-
     coverage options. The amendment also modifies premium rates 
     for operations covering more than five million pounds. 
     (Section1401(h))
     (33) Margin Protection Program--Small and Medium Farmer 
         Discount
       The Senate amendment adds a new subsection (f) to section 
     1407 to require that the Tier I and Tier II premium per 
     hundredweight for each coverage level shall be reduced by--
     (1) 50 percent for a participating dairy operation with a 
     production history that is less than 2 million pounds; and 
     (2) 25 percent for a participating dairy operation with a 
     production history that is less than 2 million pounds and not 
     greater than 1 million pounds. (Section 1401(h)(6))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute provides that any operation that 
     signs up in 2019 and commits to maintaining their coverage 
     decisions, including coverage level and covered production, 
     through 2023 will receive a 25% discount on their premiums 
     each year. Any producer who makes this commitment will be 
     unable to change that coverage decision at any time over the 
     life of the bill. Operations electing not to commit to five-
     year decisions may continue to make annual coverage decisions 
     but will be ineligible for this discount. (Section 1401(j))
     (34) Margin Protection Program--Repayment of Premiums
       The Senate amendment adds a new subsection (g) to section 
     1407 to require the Secretary to repay each dairy operation 
     that participated in the MPP as in effect for each of 
     calendar years 2014 through 2017, an amount equal to the 
     difference between--(1) the premiums paid by the 
     participating dairy operation for the calendar year; and (2) 
     the total amount of margin protection payments made to the 
     participating dairy operation for the calendar year. (Section 
     1401(h)(6))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments clarifying that eligible dairy operations must 
     apply for the repayment and to establish the percentages for 
     repayments as credit at 75 percent and direct cash repayment 
     at 50 percent. (Section 1401(i))
       The Managers expect, with regard to the credit or refund 
     under section 1407(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
     U.S.C. 9057), for FSA to make the credit or refund available 
     to the operation that paid the premiums for coverage during 
     2014 through 2017. In the event that the ownership and 
     production history of an operation has been sold or 
     transferred, the Managers expect the current operation to 
     receive the credit or refund. In the case of an operation 
     that participated in MPP during 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 and 
     has since ceased operating or been dissolved, the Managers 
     expect FSA to offer the owners of the operation a credit or 
     refund based on their respective ownership share.
     (35) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Duration
       The House bill amends section 1409(k) to authorize the DRMP 
     through December 31, 2023. (Section 1401(k))
       The Senate Amendment amends section 1409 to authorize DRC 
     through December 31, 2023. (Section 1401(j))
       The Conference substitute provides an authorization for the 
     DMC program through December 31, 2023. (Section 1401(l)). The 
     Conference substitute also provides that the effective date 
     of the amendments made by Section 1401 is January 1, 2019. 
     (Section 1401(m))
       While DMC is replacing MPP, the Managers expect FSA to 
     continue utilizing any existing regulations that are not 
     contradicted by the new provisions including the regulations 
     related to intergenerational transfer and the regulation that 
     provides the maximum coverage percentage at a $4 margin, even 
     if an operation selects a lower percentage under buy-up.
     (36) Dairy Product Donation Program
       The House bill repeals the current law Dairy Product 
     Donation Program (Section 1431 of the 2014 Act). (Section 
     1406)
       The Senate amendment amends current law section 1431 in its 
     entirety to establish and administer a milk donation program 
     to reimburse eligible dairy organizations' costs incurred for 
     donating milk by accounting to the Federal Milk Marketing 
     Order pool the difference in the Class I milk value and the 
     lowest classified price for the applicable month (either 
     Class III milk or Class IV milk).
       The Senate amendment defines eligible dairy organization, 
     eligible distributor, eligible milk, eligible partnership, 
     and participating partnership for purposes of the program. 
     The amendment also establishes the purposes and 
     administrative provisions governing the program, donation and 
     distribution plans, and the reimbursement of qualified 
     expenses. It prohibits the resale of products, and requires 
     the conduct of audits to insure program integrity.
       The amendment provides mandatory funding for the program in 
     the amount of $8 million for fiscal year 2019, and $5 million 
     each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 1413)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to repeal the Dairy Product Donation Program in 
     current law and establish a new fluid milk donation program 
     that makes it easier for producers, processors, and co-
     operatives to donate fluid milk to food banks and other 
     feeding organizations. The amendment provides mandatory 
     funding for the program at $9 million in 2019 and at $5 
     million in each of the following years. (Section 1404)
     (37) Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance
       The House bill amends the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) 
     to cover death or sale loss as a result of diseases that are 
     ``caused or transmitted by a vector and that is not able to 
     be controlled by vaccination or other acceptable management 
     practices.
       The House bill also eliminates the payment limitation of 
     $125,000 per crop year for Emergency Assistance for 
     Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm Raised-Fish (ELAP). The 
     amendment applies the limitation to any person or ``qualified 
     pass through entity,'' and excludes such a person or pass 
     through entity from the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) 
     limitation if 75 percent or more of the person or entity's 
     average AGI comes from farming, ranching, or silviculture.
       The House bill also requires that the amendments made by 
     this section shall be effective for losses incurred on or 
     after January 1, 2017. (Section 1501)
       The Senate amendment adds an Indian Tribe or tribal 
     organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304) as an eligible producer for purposes of 
     supplemental agricultural assistance.
       The Senate amendment also allows the Secretary to provide 
     assistance for coverage under LIP for the death of unweaned 
     livestock due to adverse weather, including those that have 
     not been vaccinated; and requires the Secretary to seek input 
     annually from the bison industry to ensure LIP rates are 
     consistent with market value.
       The Senate amendment also provides that funds made 
     available for emergency assistance include for the purpose of 
     reducing losses from inspections of cattle tick fever.
       The Senate amendment also requires an increased cost 
     reimbursement of 75 percent for beginning farmers, ranchers 
     and veterans under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). 
     (Sections 1501 & 12610)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provisions with 
     amendments to add Indian Tribes or tribal organizations as an 
     eligible producer, provide assistance for coverage under LIP 
     for the death of unweaned livestock due to adverse weather, 
     make available ELAP funds for inspections of cattle tick 
     fever, increase the cost share available under TAP to 75 
     percent for beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans, and to 
     exclude the changes related to ``qualified pass thru 
     entities'', AGI, and retroactive application. (Section 1501)
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to seek input and data 
     from the bison industry (including bison producer groups) 
     annually relating to the market value of bison to ensure that 
     Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payments are consistent 
     with the market value of bison.
       The Managers intend for livestock death losses that occur 
     due to a cause of loss that is not eligible for 
     indemnification under LIP to still be eligible for 
     compensation under Emergency Assistance for Livestock, 
     Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP).
       The Managers note the ongoing struggle faced by beekeepers 
     due to the persistence of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In 
     determining a normal mortality rate for honeybees for the 
     purposes of calculating ELAP assistance for beekeepers, the 
     Managers expect FSA to use mortality rates known to be normal 
     prior to the emergence of CCD and other serious honeybee 
     health declines.

[[Page H9961]]

  

     (38) Loss of Peach and Blueberry Crops due to Extreme Cold
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to provide 
     compensation for expenses relating to losses of peach and 
     blueberry crops that occurred during calendar year 2017 due 
     to extreme cold, as determined by the Secretary. It provides 
     $18 million in mandatory funding from CCC. (Section 1502)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (39) Administration and Operation of Noninsured Crop 
         Assistance Program--Eligible Crops
       The House bill amends section 196(a)(2) of the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act to define ``eligible 
     crops'' for the purposes of non-insured assistance as 
     commercial crops or other agricultural commodities which are 
     produced for food or fiber (except livestock) for which 
     catastrophic risk protection or certain other additional 
     coverage is not available. (Section 11501)
       The Senate amendment amends section 196(a)(1) of the 
     Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to 
     direct the Secretary to coordinate between the agencies of 
     the Department data collection, eligibility, and reduced 
     paperwork for the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP).
       The Senate amendment also amends section 196(a)(4) to 
     clarify required reductions in benefits for eligible crops 
     for any 4 years after native sod acreage has been tilled by 
     producers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North 
     Dakota, and South Dakota. The Senate amendment allows a 
     governor of another State to elect to have the provision 
     apply to the State. It also requires a producer, as a 
     condition of receiving noninsured crop assistance, to certify 
     to the Secretary if the producer has tilled native sod for 
     the production of an insurable crop. The Senate amendment 
     directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the House 
     and Senate Agriculture Committees describing the tilled 
     native sod acreage in each country and state.
       The Senate amendment also amends section 196(b) to add a 
     new paragraph (4) requiring the Secretary to establish a 
     streamlined process for the submission of records and acreage 
     reports for small-scale, direct-to-consumer, and divers urban 
     production systems.
       The amendment also amends section 196(i)(2) to establish 
     separate payment limitations of $125,000 for catastrophic 
     coverage and $300,000 for additional coverage. (Section 1601)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provisions with 
     amendments to define ``eligible crops'', clarify that native 
     sod acreage that has been tilled would be subject to a 
     reduction in benefits not more than four cumulative years 
     during the first ten years after initial tillage, and exclude 
     the authority for a governor of a state to elect to have the 
     requirements apply to a state not currently covered by native 
     sod rules.(Section 1601)
       The Managers observe that FSA implements the Noninsured 
     Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) in a manner that is 
     appropriate for conventional row-crop agriculture with entire 
     fields and farms planted to one, or a small number of crops, 
     that are harvested in a single crop year. The Managers note 
     that producers who grow a variety of crops, often on small 
     acreage with multiple rotations each crop year, have a 
     paperwork burden under existing NAP that can act as a barrier 
     to obtaining adequate risk protection.
       The Managers direct FSA to streamline reporting 
     requirements through an equivalent process as described in 
     the regulations for microloan operating loans under parts 761 
     and 764 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect 
     on the date of enactment) and implement any other additional 
     streamlining, as determined appropriate. The Managers also 
     encourage FSA to coordinate with RMA to ensure that 
     participation data are collected in a form useful to support 
     the development and expansion of Federal Crop Insurance to 
     new crops and counties.
     (40) Noninsured Crop Assistance Program--Service Fee
       The House bill amends section 196(k)(1) to increase the 
     service fees for eligible crops to the lesser of--(a) $350 
     per crop per county; or (B) $1,050 per producer per county, 
     but not to exceed a total of $2,100 per producer (Section 
     11502)
       The Senate amendment amends section 196(k)(l) to increase 
     the service fees for eligible crops to the lesser of--(A) 
     $325 per crop per county; or (B) $825 per producer per 
     county, but not to exceed a total of $1,950 per producer. 
     (Section 1601(6))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1601(6))
     (41) Noninsured Crop Assistance Program--Payment Equivalent 
         to Additional Coverage
       The House bill amends section 196(1)(2)(b)(i) to add the 
     producer's share of the crop to the list of multipliers used 
     to calculate the service fee or premium required to be paid 
     by the producer in order to receive payments under noninsured 
     assistance.
       The House bill strikes obsolete current law section 
     196(1)(3) that addressed assistance for losses to certain 
     2012 annual fruit crops grown on a bush or tree related to 
     losses due to a freeze or frost.
       The House bill also amends section 196(1)(5) to extend the 
     availability of additional coverage under subsection (l) 
     through the 2023 crop year. (Section 11503)
       The Senate amendment amends section 196(1)(l) to add ``the 
     producer's share of the total acres devoted to the crop'' to 
     the list of multipliers used to calculate the NAP payment 
     amount that is equivalent to an indemnity for additional 
     coverage under section 508(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
     Act.
       The Senate amendment amends section 196(1)(1)(C) to clarify 
     the ``market price'' used to calculate the NAP payment amount 
     to also include the ``contract price, or other premium price 
     (such as a local, organic, or direct market price, as elected 
     by the producer.)''
       The Senate amendment strikes the same obsolete current law 
     section 196(1)(3).
       The Senate amendment also strikes section 196(1)(5), thus 
     making additional coverage under subsection (1) available 
     permanently. (Section 1601(7))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1601(7))
       The Managers recognize that the expiration of the authority 
     to offer additional coverage (also referred to as NAP buy-up) 
     creates both an administrative burden on the agency and can 
     cause uncertainty or even limited coverage for producers of 
     crops with fall or winter sign-up periods. The Managers 
     intend to avoid these issues in the future and have made 
     permanent the authority for NAP buy-up. The Managers also 
     removed the 30- day limit before coverage can attach in order 
     to provide more flexibility and allow FSA to restart NAP buy-
     up immediately following enactment.
     (42) Additional Assistance for Certain Producers--Losses Due 
         to Volcanic Activity
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary, as soon as 
     practicable after October 1, 2018, under the section 196 
     related to NAP to make available assistance to producers of 
     an eligible crop that suffered losses in a county covered by 
     a qualifying natural disaster declaration for production 
     losses due to volcanic activity. The Secretary shall make 
     assistance available under in an amount equal to the amount 
     of assistance determined under section 196(d), less any 
     service fees that are owed by producers under section 196(k). 
     (Section 1602)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (43) Administration Generally
       The House bill continues the expedited rulemaking and other 
     provisions in current law, with amended section references 
     updated to reflect the House Bill. (Section 1601)
       The Senate amendment continues the expedited rulemaking and 
     other provisions as current law, with amended section 
     references updated to reflect the amendments made by title I 
     (commodities) and section 10109 (multiple crop and pesticide 
     use survey) of the Senate Amendment (Section 1701)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1709)
     (44) Suspension of Permanent Price Support Authority
       The House bill continues the suspension of the same 
     permanent price support authorities (and related wheat 
     marketing quotas) through 2023, with an amendment.
       The House bill amends section 201(a) of the Agricultural 
     Act of 1949 to (1) add eleven additional commodities to the 
     current list of eleven commodities for which the Secretary 
     would be required to provide price support in the event that 
     the 1949 Act were to become effective, including crambe, 
     cottonseed, sesame seed, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, 
     large chickpeas, graded wool, nongraded wool, mohair and 
     peanuts; and (2) clarify that if price support were to be 
     required under section 201, it would be provided at a level 
     not less than 75 percent and not greater than 90 percent of 
     the parity price of the commodity. (Section 1602)
       The Senate amendment extends the suspension of permanent 
     price support authorities through 2023. (Section 1702)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 1702)
     (45) Payment Limitations
       The House bill amends section 1001 of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 to limit to $125,000 the total amount of payments a 
     person or a legal entity can receive from PLC or ARC payments 
     under Subtitle A--(1) for the sum of all covered commodities 
     (except peanuts); and (2) separately, for peanuts.
       The House bill amends the definition of family member to 
     include first cousins, nieces, and nephews.
       The House bill adds a new definition of ``qualified pass 
     through entity'' to mean ``a partnership (within the meaning 
     of subchapter K of chapter 2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 and including a limited liability company that does not 
     affirmatively elect to be treated as a corporation), an S 
     corporation (as defined in section 1361 of such Code), or a 
     joint venture.''
       The House bill amends sections 1001(b) and 1001(c) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 to remove marketing loan gains and 
     loan deficiency payments from the limitations on payments for 
     peanuts under subsection (c) and all other covered 
     commodities under subsection (b).
       The House bill also amends section 1001(f) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary to apply 
     reductions in PLC or ARC payments due to a sequester before 
     applying payment limitations under section 1001.

[[Page H9962]]

       The House bill also amends section 1001(e)(3)(B) of the 
     Food Security Act of 1985 to attribute payments to all 
     qualified pass through entities on the same basis as joint 
     ventures and general partnerships under current law. (Section 
     1603)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provisions with 
     amendments to delete the definition of `qualified pass 
     through entity' and related provisions that would have 
     attributed payments to all qualified pass through entities on 
     the same basis as joint ventures and general partnerships. 
     (Section 1703)
     (46) Definition of Significant Contribution of Active 
         Personal Management
       The Senate amendment amends section 1001 of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to add a new definition for a 
     ``significant contribution of active personal management''. 
     (Section 1704)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (47) Payments Limited to Active Farmers
       The Senate amendment amends section 1001A(b) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary to consider not 
     more than 1 person or legal entity per farming operation to 
     be actively engaged in farming using active personal 
     management, and to establish detailed criteria for 
     determining when a person may be considered to be actively 
     engaged in farming using active personal management. (Section 
     1705)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (48) Adjusted Gross Income Limitation
       The House bill amends section 1001D(b)(2) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to exempt Marketing Loan Gains (MLG) and 
     Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) from Adjusted Gross Income 
     (AGI) limitations.
       The House bill also amends Section 1001D(b) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to--(1) provide an exception from the 
     AGI limitation for a qualified pass through entity; and (2) 
     authorize the Secretary to waive, on a case-by-case basis, 
     the AGI limitation to protect environmentally sensitive land 
     of special significance. (Section 1604)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1001D(b)(1) of the Food 
     Security Act of 1985 to reduce the AGI limitation from 
     $900,000 to $700,000. (Section 1706)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to delete the exception for marketing loan gains 
     and loan deficiency payments and for a qualified pass through 
     entity. The substitute also clarifies that the AGI limitation 
     applies to conservation benefits under title II of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. (Section 1704)
     (49) Prevention of Deceased Individual Receiving Payments 
         Under Farm Commodity Programs
       The House bill would reenact the current law requirement. 
     (Section 1605)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
     current law continues to apply.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (50) Assignment of Payments
       The House bill would reenact and continue the assignment of 
     payments provisions in the same manner as current law. 
     (Section 1606)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
     current law continues to apply.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (51) Tracking of Benefits
       The House bill would reenact and continue the tracking of 
     benefits in the same manner as current law. (Section 1607)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
     current law continues to apply.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (52) Signature Authority
       The House bill would reenact and continue the signature 
     authority of a producer in the same manner as current law, 
     with a conforming amendment. (Section 1608)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
     current law continues to apply.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (53) Base Acres Review
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to review the 
     establishment, calculation, reallocation, adjustment, and 
     reduction of base acres under Subtitle A of Title I of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014, and to report to the House and 
     Senate Agriculture Committees on the results of the review. 
     (Section 1707)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (54) Farm Service Agency Accountability
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to establish 
     policies, procedures and plans to improve program 
     accountability and integrity through activities including 
     utilizing data mining to identify and reduce errors, waste, 
     fraud, and abuse in Farm Service Agency programs and to 
     report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. 
     (Section 1708)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to delete some of the prescriptive requirements 
     for the report. (Section 1705)
       The Managers intend the report to include a summary of the 
     existing USDA efforts to eliminate errors, waste, fraud, and 
     abuse, including existing and planned data sampling and 
     mining activities of FSA, and efforts that involve 
     coordination with other departments or agencies. The report 
     should include identified weaknesses or program integrity 
     issues, any plans for action and recommendations for 
     legislative changes to address errors, waste, fraud, and 
     abuse in FSA programs.
     (55) Personal Liability of Producers for Deficiencies
       The House bill reenacts and continues provisions regarding 
     the personal liability of producers for deficiencies in the 
     same manner as current law. (Section 1609)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (56) Technical Corrections
       The Senate amendment revises sections 1112(c)(2) and 
     1614(d) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 to make 2 technical 
     corrections. (Section 1709(b))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to exclude the modification to section 1614(d). 
     (Section 1102(a))
     (57) Implementation
       The House bill requires the Secretary to continue to 
     maintain base acres and payment yields for each covered 
     commodity in the same manner as current law.
       The House bill also requires the Secretary to continue to 
     streamline administrative burdens and costs under the Acreage 
     Crop Reporting and Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI).
       The House bill adds a new requirement that the Secretary 
     shall ensure that no agent, Approved Insurance Provider 
     (AIP), or employee or contractor of an agency or AIP, bears 
     responsibility or liability under the ACRSI for the 
     eligibility of a producer for programs administered by USDA 
     that are not policies or plans of insurance offered under the 
     Federal Crop Insurance Act except in cases of 
     misrepresentation, fraud, or scheme and device.
       The House bill allows producers an option to remotely and 
     electronically sign annual contracts.
       The House bill requires the Secretary to make $25,000,000 
     available to the FSA to implement this title.
       The House bill also amends section 1614(d) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to extend the loan implementation 
     provisions to the provisions of the Agriculture and Nutrition 
     Act of 2018. (Section 1610)
       The Senate amendment amends section of 1614(b) of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to update the requirements of ACSRI 
     to make available more detailed USDA data across agencies and 
     accessible via a single department-wide login.
       The Senate amendment also amends section 1614 by adding a 
     new requirement that any USDA commodity program payment 
     obligations that have not been disbursed or liquidated, and 
     remain outstanding five years after the date on which the 
     payment was obligated or made available, shall be deobligated 
     and revert to the U.S. Treasury. The Secretary may delay the 
     date of deobligation in the event of an ongoing appeal or 
     litigation, settlement of an estate, or where otherwise 
     equitable. (Section 1703)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to allow crop insurance agents and AIPs access to 
     records necessary for program delivery held by FSA, include 
     NRCS in coordination and data sharing efforts, provide 
     producers an opportunity to sign a multi-year contract, 
     reduces the mandatory funding available to the FSA for 
     implementation to $15.5 million, and to consolidate required 
     reports on the tillage of native sod. (Section 1706)
       The Managers recognize significant progress has been made 
     to implement the Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining 
     Initiative (ACRSI) to allow for sharing of producer 
     information across common fields in FSA and RMA data 
     collection. The Managers would note that the goal of one-stop 
     reporting for producers at either RMA or FSA has yet to be 
     realized, additionally widespread acceptance of geospatial 
     data has not been achieved. The Managers expect the 
     Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) to 
     make acceptance of geospatial data a priority for the next 
     phase of improvements to ACRSI, as well as begin the process 
     of integrating data from the Natural Resource Conservation 
     Service (NRCS) to allow for the seamless transfer of 
     producers' information across the agencies within the FPAC 
     mission area.
       The Managers encourage FSA to add temporary refrigerated 
     beehive storage facility to the list of eligible uses for the 
     Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, in order to help 
     beekeepers more effectively fight mites and CCD.
       The Managers note that the reports on tillage of native sod 
     and the cropland report were consolidated in section 1614(f) 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014, as added by section

[[Page H9963]]

     1706(f) in Title 1 of this bill. The Managers expect FSA and 
     RMA to coordinate on completing this report, and to provide 
     data similar to that provided in the previous separate 
     reports to allow a comparison over time in addition to any 
     new information.
     (58) Exemption from Certain Reporting Requirements for 
         Certain Producers
       The House bill exempts producers who participate in any 
     conservation or commodity program, or who are eligible for 
     indemnity or compensation payments, from the same reporting 
     requirements as under section 1244(m), with respect to 
     assistance received through NRCS, APHIS, or FSA.
       The House bill strikes current law section 1244(m). 
     (Sections 1611 and 2503(1))
       The Senate amendment amends current law section 1244(m) to 
     add producers participating in commodity programs through FSA 
     to the exemption from the reporting requirements. (Section 
     2503(d))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to clarify the term ``exempted producer'' means an 
     individual or entity that is eligible to participate in a 
     conservation program under title II of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018 or a law amended by title II; an 
     indemnity or disease control program under the Animal Health 
     Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) or the Plant 
     Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.); or a commodity 
     program under title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
     U.S.C. 9011 et seq.), excluding the assistance provided to 
     users of cotton under sections 1207(c)and 1208 of that Act (7 
     U.S.C. 9037(c), 9038). (Section 1707)

                         Title II--Conservation

     (1) Extension and enrollment requirements of conservation 
         reserve program
       The House bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 
     ``'85 Act'') to cap Conservation Reserve Program (``CRP'') 
     enrollment at 25 million acres for FY 2019, 26 million acres 
     for FY 2020, 27 million acres for FY 2021, 28 million acres 
     for FY 2022, and 29 million acres for FY 2023. It requires 
     the Secretary of Agriculture (the ``Secretary'') to enroll a 
     minimum of 3 million acres of grassland by the end of FY 2023 
     and sets maintenance goals for each of those fiscal years. It 
     requires the Secretary to reserve remaining acres for a 
     fiscal year when the grassland 3 million acre or the 
     applicable maintenance goal is not reached. The bill requires 
     the Secretary to hold a signup for contracts not available on 
     a continuous basis at least once every other year. It also 
     directs the Secretary to enroll and maintain acreage in 
     accordance with historical State enrollment rates. It 
     maintains current law regarding the general contract 
     duration, strikes the special rule for certain land (owner 
     specified duration), and sets certain continuous contract 
     duration at 15 or 30 years. The bill caps land to one 
     reenrollment if it is devoted to hardwood tress. (Section 
     2201)
       The Senate amendment strikes the previous farm bill 
     reference and inserts the new 2018 short title. It also caps 
     enrollment at 25 million acres for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. It reauthorizes the 2-million-acre limitation 
     regarding grassland enrollment through FY 2023. It authorizes 
     a new clean water initiative and the State Acres for Wildlife 
     Enhancement Program. (Section 2101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment. The overall acreage limit is increased to 27 
     million by FY 2023, including 8.6 million acres to be devoted 
     to continuous practices, and 2 million for grasslands. 
     Contract lengths will be between 10 and 15 years, after which 
     the land is eligible for reenrollment, with some exceptions. 
     A proportional, historic State acreage allocation was 
     included for a portion of the acres available for enrollment. 
     The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to continuous enrollment procedure and 
     eligibility, including making certain water quality practices 
     eligible. (Section 2201)
       The Managers codify the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers 
     Initiative (``CLEAR'') in order to guarantee that it remains 
     a priority in CRP. The Managers expect the Farm Service 
     Agency (``FSA'') to target CLEAR practices in high priority 
     watersheds where they will maximize environmental benefits. 
     The Managers expect that at least 40 percent of continuous 
     CRP acres will be devoted to CLEAR. The Managers expect USDA 
     to take greater steps to report on the water quality benefits 
     from these practices through the annual report.
       The Managers recognize the benefits of native vegetation to 
     improve water and air quality and enhance soil health. By 
     encouraging the adoption of native vegetation seed blends, 
     USDA programs are supporting habitat restoration for the 
     northern bobwhite, lesser prairie-chicken, greater sage-
     grouse, other upland game birds, songbirds, monarch 
     butterflies and pollinators. The Managers encourage the use 
     of native vegetation where practicable.
     (2) Farmable wetland program
       The House bill amends the '85 Act to strike the buffer 
     acreage authority for certain land that enhances a wildlife 
     benefit in terms of upland to wetland ratios. It caps overall 
     program acreage at 500,000 acres. It also directs the 
     Secretary to also consider the submission of bids in the 
     method of determination when looking at these offers and 
     amounts of rental payments. (Section 2202)
       The Senate amendment extends the reauthorization through FY 
     2023. (Section 2102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 2203)
     (3) Duties of owners and operators
       The House bill authorizes management to include the use of 
     grazing for limited purpose of management. It authorizes 
     thinning and other practices for certain purposes on land 
     devoted to hardwood or other trees. It clarifies the 
     conservation plan will set forth commercial use of enrolled 
     lands. (Section 2203)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 2205)
     (4) Duties of the Secretary
       The House bill authorizes the Secretary to make rental 
     payments. It expands opportunities for haying, grazing, and 
     other management tools. It limits haying to no more 
     frequently than that once in every three years with certain 
     parameters. The bill further allows for intermittent or 
     seasonal vegetative buffer practices incidental to production 
     activity on adjacent land, and for program acres to be 
     eligible for grazing when livestock assistance program is 
     engaged because of drought. The bill gives the Secretary 
     discretion to waive planned mid-contract management 
     requirements in response to a natural disaster or adverse 
     weather it results in the same effect on the cover as planned 
     management activity. (Section 2204)
       The Senate amendment authorizes cost-share for fencing and 
     other water distribution practices. It provides for managed 
     harvesting, grazing, and other commercial use, consistent 
     with the conservation of soil, water quality and wildlife 
     habitat, management, in exchange for a reduction in the 
     annual rental rate of 25 percent. It also provides certain 
     disaster designation authority to States. (Section 2103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments. Conservation practices cost-share and soil rental 
     rate payments are authorized, as well as haying and grazing, 
     with conditions. Natural disasters may fulfill contractual 
     land management requirements imposing conditions on haying 
     and grazing, including restricting it to non-primary wildlife 
     nesting season. (Section 2206)
       The Managers provide greater flexibility for haying and 
     grazing on acres enrolled in CRP, with appropriate 
     protections to maintain the conservation and wildlife value.
       The Managers direct the Secretary to allow for these 
     specified activities on both general and continuous acres, 
     including on acres enrolled in practices like CP-25 rare and 
     declining bird habitat.
       Similar to current USDA practice, the Managers intend to 
     provide flexibility to allow haying, grazing or other use of 
     forage under section 1233(b)(1)(B) with appropriate 
     safeguards under section 1233(b)(1)(A) or section 1233(b)(2) 
     of the Food Security Act of 1985. The Managers also recognize 
     that the impact of haying on some species of wildlife and 
     habitat quality may be more significant than grazing (which 
     can be adjusted through limits on the stocking rate) and 
     therefore intend the FSA to have discretion to set more 
     stringent limitations on haying and under what circumstances 
     haying is allowed. Specifically as part of the authority for 
     the Secretary to allow emergency haying, grazing or other 
     emergency use of forage outside the primary nesting season 
     (section 1233(b)(1)(B)(i)(I)(aa)), the Managers intend for 
     FSA to maintain the current procedures where the 
     respective county committees have the ability to request 
     such authorization from the respective state FSA committee 
     when any part of the county is designated as a level ``D2 
     Drought--Severe'' or worse according to the U.S. Drought 
     Monitor.
     (5) Payments
       The House bill directs the Secretary to pay not more than 
     40 percent cost-share and limits cost share for seed of 
     cover. It caps incentive payments for installing practices 
     and prohibits a cost share payment for mid-contract 
     management. It authorizes forest management payments, and 
     limits payments to not more than 100 percent of the total 
     cost. It directs the Secretary to consider the impact on 
     local farmland rental markets when determining annual rental 
     payments. It directs the Secretary to limit rental payments 
     for initial enrollment to not more than 80 percent of the 
     estimated average county rental rate. It also directs the 
     Secretary to limit payments for subsequent re-enrollments. It 
     increases the frequency of the rental rate estimate survey 
     from every other year to be published by September 15 each 
     year. The bill directs the Secretary to use estimates derived 
     from the survey to determine these rental rates. It limits 
     CREP rental payments to States to no more than 50 percent of 
     the cost of activities. (Section 2205)
       The Senate amendment authorizes incentive payments for 
     continuous enrollment contracts under certain circumstances 
     based upon prices for major covered commodities. It directs 
     the Secretary to prioritize the enrollment of marginal and 
     environmentally sensitive land when considering offers. The 
     amendment adds a rental rate limitation of 88.5 percent. It 
     strikes paragraph (2) of subsection (g) and replaces it with 
     an exemption for payments received by rural water districts 
     or association for lands enrolled for the purpose of 
     protecting a wellhead and conforms subsection (g) to the new 
     paragraph (2). (Section 2104)

[[Page H9964]]

       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments that limit practice cost-share payments to actual 
     cost of practice installation, and 50 percent for the cost of 
     seed. Soil rental rates for general and continuous enrollment 
     are limited to 85 percent and 90 percent of the county 
     average, respectively, with secretarial requirement to 
     account for potential impact on local farmland rental market. 
     Incentive payments for continuous practices and forest 
     management are also authorized. It amends the rental rate 
     calculation methods for reenrolled land, to allow for state 
     and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (``CREP'') 
     partner input, and to maintain incentives for specific 
     practices or areas like wellhead protection zones. (Section 
     2207)
       The Managers recognize that rental rates vary significantly 
     across the different production regions of the country. The 
     Managers direct USDA to use average rental rates that are 
     more reflective of local rental rates, including offering the 
     opportunity for State FSA and CREP partners to recommend 
     alternative rates with supporting information. The impact of 
     reducing the rental rates in CRP may be greater on dryland 
     production areas where soil conservation is a significant 
     resource concern. The Managers encourage USDA to work with 
     producers to address soil conservation concerns in semi-arid 
     production regions.
       The Managers increased CRP's annual enrollment acreage cap 
     and reduced the soil rental rate limits in hopes that CRP 
     will more accurately serve one of its fundamental purposes: 
     retiring the most sensitive lands without competing with 
     local farmland rental markets (which may preclude some 
     farmers from having access to prime farmland). By 
     incorporating changes in the program that are more market-
     based, the Managers are hopeful that highly productive land 
     will not be taken out of production while remaining 
     affordable for those who wish to utilize it for production 
     agriculture.
       Furthermore, the Managers are concerned that the complexity 
     and expenses associated with seed mixes under CRP have led to 
     frustration on the part of landowners, a waste of taxpayer 
     dollars, and in some cases inferior cover on the ground if 
     the mix fails to take root. The Managers hope that USDA will 
     consider the hardiness and suitability of seed mixtures when 
     recommending multiple species blends, and consider seed 
     mixtures that contain fewer, hardier species and provide 
     adequate cover for wildlife and pollinators on sites where 
     cover is difficult to establish or maintain.
       The Managers maintained continuous enrollment and 
     incentives for continuous practices, including signing 
     incentives, incentives to provide additional cost-share, and 
     those related to specific practices, such as buffers, and 
     wellhead areas, for certain high conservation value 
     practices. These continuous practices are typically smaller, 
     more targeted, and implemented only on parts of fields or 
     farms with higher practice establishment costs, which often 
     require higher payment rates.
     (6) Conservation reserve enhancement program
       The Senate amendment authorizes CREP in the '85 Act, which 
     applies to not less than 20 percent of continuous acres. The 
     Secretary is required to provide cost share payments as 
     components are completed. The Secretary is also required to 
     make incentive payments for a program that includes riparian 
     buffers, but not to exceed 100 percent of the management 
     cost. (Section 2105)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments limiting eligible partners and requiring a 30 
     percent minimum contribution from nongovernmental 
     organizations. CREP is expressly authorized, including 
     drought and water conservation agreements to address regional 
     drought concerns. (Section 2202)
       The Managers encourage USDA to continue the enrollment of 
     acres in CREP in all regions of the country. The Managers 
     incentivize more enrollment of riparian buffers, including 
     forested riparian buffers, in CREP by authorizing the 
     Secretary to make-cost share payments for forested riparian 
     buffer maintenance throughout the length of the agreement and 
     to cover up to 100 percent of the cost incurred by the owner 
     or operator.
       The Managers build upon past provisions that increase 
     flexibility for harvesting and grazing within CRP by 
     authorizing harvesting of products from food-producing woody 
     plants on forested riparian buffers, provided that 
     conservation benefits are maintained and only native plants 
     are planted within 35 feet of the watercourse. The Managers 
     expect USDA to make cost-share payments for installing stream 
     fencing, crossings, and alternative water development on 
     marginal pastureland to reflect the fair market value of the 
     cost of installation.
     (7) Contracts
       The House bill amends the authority to allow a 1-time early 
     termination in fiscal year 2019. It authorizes a transition 
     option to beginning farmers and ranchers to prepare land for 
     crop use, to provide extended time certification under OFPA, 
     and directs the Secretary to provide technical and financial 
     assistance to carry out plan requirements. (Section 2206)
       The Senate amendment strikes early termination authority. 
     It authorizes a transition option from contract holders 
     beginning 2 years before termination of the contract, 
     includes short-term leases in the transition authority, 
     provides for certain new priorities and provides for 
     reenrollment for grasslands. It provides an authority for 
     owner or operator election relating to easements. (Section 
     2106)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision, with 
     an amendment to maintain the current law transition option 
     into the Conservation Stewardship Program (``CSP''). It 
     reauthorizes a transition option for land that will be 
     prepared for organic production or enrolled in CSP or the 
     Environmental Quality Incentives Program (``EQIP''). Land 
     under contract may simultaneously be enrolled in the 
     Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (``ACEP''). 
     (Section 2204)
     (8) Conservation reserve easements
       The Senate Amendment defines terms, makes requirements for 
     the agreement between the owner and the Secretary, sets out 
     the terms and conditions of the easement, addresses 
     violations of the easement, and authorizes compatible 
     economic uses in certain circumstances. (Section 2107)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute accepts the Senate provision with 
     amendment to change the easement authority to a pilot program 
     for 30 year contracts for Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers 
     (CLEAR) practices and to include a Soil Health and Income 
     Protection Pilot Program. (Section 2204)
       The Managers require FSA to carry out a pilot to 
     incentivize the use of 30-year contracts for the water 
     quality practices authorized through the CLEAR initiative. 
     The Managers would like producers to be given the opportunity 
     to enroll in and capitalize on the benefits of longer-term 
     contracts beyond the traditional 10-year contract, while 
     simultaneously maximizing environmental benefits associated 
     with the CRP. The Managers intend for this pilot to serve as 
     a tool for measuring demand for longer-term CRP contracts and 
     to provide insights into the conservation benefits associated 
     with long- term contracts.
     (9) Eligible land; State law requirements
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary, in consultation 
     with the State technical committee, to make certain land 
     eligible for enrollment through regulation. (Section 2108)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute accepts the Senate amendment with 
     an amendment to limit the provision to partnerships 
     established before 2014. (Section 2209)
     (10) Definitions
       The Senate amendment amends the definitions used in 
     Subchapter B, the Conservation Stewardship Program, by adding 
     more ``conservation activities'' and amends the definition of 
     ``stewardship threshold'' to direct the Secretary to use 
     certain criteria, tools or models, data and other methods. 
     (Section 2201)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     technical changes. (Section 2308)
     (11) Establishment
       The Senate amendment extends the authority through FY 2023 
     and amends the conversion provision to precede enactment of 
     the 2018 farm bill. (Section 2202)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     technical changes. (Section 2308)
     (12) Stewardship contracts
       The Senate amendment requires environmental benefits be 
     part of the measurement concept for types of performance. It 
     authorizes contract renewals and requires for renewals a 
     higher level of performance with respect to 2 existing 
     priority resource concerns in the initial contract. (Section 
     2203)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     technical changes. (Section 2308)
       The Managers direct the NRCS to ensure that existing and 
     future CSP participants are given the opportunity to renew 
     expiring contracts before their original 5-year contract is 
     set to expire. Given that expiring contracts will no longer 
     be eligible for automatic renewals and instead must compete 
     within the same pool as applicants applying for a new 
     contract, the Managers direct NRCS to ensure that the renewal 
     process begins at the beginning of the fifth year of the 
     original contract so that contracts are re-enrolled before 
     they expire. The Managers expect USDA to rank the renewal 
     offers according to the same two primary ranking criteria 
     used for new contracts, in addition to including the results 
     from previous contracts.
     (13) Duties of Secretary
       The Senate amendment changes the annual program enrollment 
     to 8.797 million acres each fiscal year. It directs the 
     Secretary to manage the program to achieve a national average 
     payment rate. It authorizes payments for cover crop 
     activities and advanced grazing management. It authorizes a 
     1-time payment to a producer for comprehensive conservation 
     plan. The amendment authorizes the Secretary to allocate 
     State

[[Page H9965]]

     funding for organic and transition to organic production. It 
     requires the Secretary, to the maximum extent feasible, to 
     manage the program to enhance soil health. (Section 2204)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     an amendment to strike the annual acreage allocation and the 
     national average payment rate. (Section 2308)
       The Managers removed the acre-based funding method and the 
     $18 per acre national average payment rate for CSP. The 
     Managers intend this change to give NRCS greater flexibility 
     in administering the program to maximize the Federal 
     investment to achieve higher conservation benefits. This 
     change should allow NRCS to further the locally-led mission 
     of addressing local concerns by allowing greater investment 
     in local priorities. The Managers intend for NRCS to limit 
     contract offers that have an exceptionally high per-acre or 
     per-unit cost or that score lower for addressing applicable 
     priority resource concerns.
       The Managers support USDA recognizing the use of innovative 
     technology such as enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Enhanced 
     efficiency fertilizers, which reduce nitrate losses to the 
     environment, help protect water quality, and reduce 
     greenhouse gas emissions, include slow- and controlled-
     release fertilizers (absorbed, coated, occluded or reacted) 
     and stabilized nitrogen fertilizers (nitrification inhibitors 
     and nitrogen stabilizers). These tools are recognized in 
     USDA's conservation standards and specifications for nutrient 
     management and related practices and by State regulators of 
     fertilizers.
       The Managers intend for USDA to provide program resources 
     for the development of a comprehensive conservation plan. The 
     Managers intend that payments for these plans can be prorated 
     over the life of the 5 year contract or paid in full the year 
     it is completed. The Managers intend for the plan to be 
     implemented in a subsequent CSP contract or through a 
     different conservation program, like EQIP.
       When determining State funding allocations under CSP for 
     organics, the Managers intend for USDA to take into account 
     the number of certified organic and transitioning to organic 
     operations and the number of acres in certified organic and 
     transitioning to organic production in a State. Both criteria 
     are important to ensure that States with smaller organic 
     operations can compete fairly for funding with States with 
     larger organic operations.
       The Managers intend for USDA to encourage States to give 
     higher consideration to contracts that include conservation 
     activities to improve soil health, where this consideration 
     is appropriate and in line with local conservation 
     priorities. This can take the form of higher-ranking points 
     or other similar prioritization of soil health in producer 
     applications.
       The Managers direct NRCS to report on the payment rates for 
     conservation activities offered under CSP in each fiscal year 
     and analyze whether payment rates can be reduced for the most 
     expensive conservation activities. The Managers encourage 
     NRCS to evaluate payment rates to determine the most 
     impactful utilization of limited program dollars.
     (14) Purposes
       The Senate amendment adds adaption and mitigation regarding 
     weather volatility to the practices that sustain food and 
     fiber production in program purposes. It also authorizes new 
     program purpose authority regarding producer assistance to 
     address new or expected resource concerns, including crops 
     and drought resistant measures. (Section 2301)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification regarding the program's purpose of assisting 
     producers. (Section 2302)
       The Managers added the modifiers ``identified or expected'' 
     to resource concerns to help ensure that animal agriculture 
     producers who do not yet have livestock in their facility, 
     but have a contract for the animals to be delivered within a 
     reasonable timeframe, may apply for and be eligible for EQIP.
     (15) Definitions
       The House bill adds the following new inclusions to the 
     term ``practice'': conservation activities, precision 
     conservation, management planning, and the use of cover crops 
     and resource conserving crop rotations. It defines the term 
     ``priority resource concern'' and the term ``stewardship 
     practice''. (Section 2301)
       The Senate amendment defines the term ``conservation 
     planning survey''. It adds an inclusion to the definition of 
     ``eligible land''. It amends the concept of other 
     agricultural land in the definition of the term ``eligible 
     land'' to include ``identified or expected'' resource 
     concerns. The amendment adds 2 new inclusions to the term 
     ``practice'' improvements. It adds new inclusions to the term 
     ``practice'' conservation activities. It adds a definition of 
     the term ``producer''. (Section 2302)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications, defining the terms conservation planning 
     assessment, incentive practice, priority resource concern, 
     soil remediation and soil testing and amending the definition 
     of eligible land. (Section 2303)
       The Managers expand eligible land inclusions for EQIP to 
     environmentally sensitive areas. The Managers intend for 
     these areas to be limited to associated agricultural land 
     with natural resource concerns, such as road-stream crossings 
     that a producer would use to access a field. These areas may 
     include land that producers use as part of their normal 
     agricultural operation, but is not limited to land in active 
     agricultural production where the natural resource concern 
     exists. Many of these areas are considered eligible by NRCS 
     today, but by including it in statute the Managers intend for 
     this to be implemented uniformly in all States.
       The Managers recognize that by providing assistance to 
     producers to improve soil health on eligible land it may be 
     necessary to provide targeted assistance to test not only the 
     biological and physiological health of the soil, but also to 
     test for contaminants, including heavy metals, volatile 
     organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Not 
     only should the Secretary provide funding to cover the cost 
     for this category of targeted soil testing covered under 
     section 1240A, but funding should also be provided for 
     conducting scientifically based soil remediation practices to 
     be carried out by the producer. The Managers do not intend 
     for the Secretary to provide assistance that would be covered 
     under services provided through the Brownfields Program at 
     the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but do intend that 
     the Secretary provide an assessment of soil testing, as well 
     as recommendations and technical assistance (as covered under 
     section 1242), to improve overall quality and health of soil 
     by removing potential contaminants. In the event that the 
     expertise for making this assistance is not available at a 
     local or regional level, the Secretary may draw upon outside 
     expertise and/or provide training to agency staff so that 
     they may provide assistance and customer service to 
     producers.
       The Managers direct the Secretary to conduct education and 
     outreach to producers regarding the uses of soil and methods 
     of addressing soil contamination and soil health degradation. 
     This outreach may include the sharing of current information 
     regarding soil testing protocols made available by the EPA 
     Administrator. Furthermore, on the request of a producer, 
     where soil is found to pose an imminent hazard to human or 
     animal health, the Secretary may refer the producer to the 
     EPA for additional assistance for remediation under section 
     104(k) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
     Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)).
     (16) Establishment and administration
       The House bill authorizes a wildlife carveout at 5 percent 
     for each of FYs 2019 through 2023. It amends the availability 
     of payments for water conservation or irrigation efficiency 
     practice and the list types of practices available for water 
     conservation and irrigation efficiency. It makes amendments 
     to priorities for payments for water reduction and cost-
     shared practices. It authorizes a new authority for 
     stewardship contracts. (Section 2302)
       The Senate amendment authorizes additional term authority 
     for wildlife practices. It makes amendments to the advance 
     payment authority. The amendment authorizes review and 
     guidance for cost share rates, conservation practice 
     standards. The amendment authorizes an increase payment for 
     high-priority practices. It decreases the livestock carveout 
     from 60 percent to 50 percent, including for grazing 
     management practices, and increases the wildlife carveout 
     from 5 percent to 10 percent. The amendment allows the 
     Secretary to provide water conservation and system efficiency 
     payments. It amends organic production payment limits to 
     $160,000 during FY 2019 through FY 2023. It authorizes a 
     micro-EQIP pilot program. (Section 2303)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     several modifications. The amendment moves section 2303(2) of 
     the Senate amendment, to section 2304(d) of this bill. It 
     modifies the Senate provision on advanced payments for 
     beginning farmers by striking the opt out concept, amending 
     it to be an assurance of notification to producers. It also 
     moves the cost-share provision and practice standards 
     provisions to section 1241 of the '85 Act. It also moves 
     high-priority practices to section 2304 of the substitute. 
     The amendment includes the Senate provision on irrigation, 
     livestock carve-out and wildlife carve-out, and the House 
     authority on stewardship contracts with a technical 
     amendment, but modifies the payment limit provision, and does 
     not include the Micro-EQIP pilot program. (Section 2304)
       The Managers believe that conservation practices adopted 
     solely for the benefit of wildlife should be fostered with 
     contracts of maximum length allowed by law. Wildlife 
     practices often diminish agronomic value on working 
     agricultural lands because they have real implementation 
     costs and increase operational risks by reducing yield. These 
     practices are therefore highly unlikely to be sustained by 
     farmers without longer-term, incentives-based partnerships 
     with NRCS. In taking this action to encourage longer-term 
     contracts, the Managers intend that contracts for the benefit 
     of wildlife should not be limited by previous agency 
     interpretation limiting the length or term of these contracts 
     to three years or any other term less than 10 years.

[[Page H9966]]

       The Managers authorize the Secretary to enter into 
     expedited contracting arrangements to deliver EQIP surface 
     and groundwater cost-share assistance for both on and off 
     farm conservation measures. The Managers provide that the 
     expedited cost-share assistance authorized by this drought 
     authority is specifically limited by project type, and shall 
     only be made available by the Secretary for a watershed-wide 
     project that will effectively conserve water, provide fish or 
     wildlife habitat, or provide for drought-related 
     environmental mitigation. The Managers further direct the 
     Secretary to prioritize assistance provided under this 
     authority to producers participating in efforts to stabilize 
     water resources of state or regional significance, and to 
     prioritize cost-share practices which improve agricultural 
     drought resiliency and productivity. In order to ensure 
     that EQIP cost-share assistance made available under this 
     provision does not disadvantage other regions and 
     conservation concerns, the Managers specifically state 
     that the Secretary is not authorized to modify the process 
     for determining the annual allocation of EQIP funding to 
     States. Rather these efforts should be addressed within 
     each State's locally led priorities with input from State 
     Technical Committees. Furthermore, the Managers intend 
     that the AGI waiver authority made available under this 
     provision apply only to the eligible entity, not to 
     individual producers.
       The Managers recognize the broad and significant role of 
     EQIP in promoting environmental stewardship. In addressing 
     water quality as a resource concern, the Committee believes 
     that conservation programs should prioritize funding for 
     producers implementing fertilizer management practices that 
     incorporate the use of the right fertilizer source, the right 
     rate (amount of fertilizer), the right placement of 
     fertilizer (including precision application) and the right 
     timing of fertilizer applications (making the nutrients 
     available when the crop needs them). These practices are 
     recognized by the USDA-NRCS Nutrient Management Standard 
     (590) and have been proven to help producers optimize 
     production potential and protect the environment.
       The Managers intend that conservation programs should 
     recognize the use of innovative technology, such as enhanced 
     efficiency fertilizers (including slow and controlled-release 
     fertilizers, stabilized nitrogen fertilizers). This 
     innovative technology can help producers to protect water 
     quality and reduce greenhouse emissions. In the case of EQIP 
     applications involving manure-to-energy projects, the 
     Managers encourage the Secretary to consider whether the 
     projects include an integrative approach to addressing 
     nutrient management and water quality issues.
       The Managers make changes to the advance payment option 
     under EQIP by requiring notification of an advance payment 
     option to beginning, limited resource, and socially 
     disadvantaged producers. The Managers recognize that the 
     historic low utilization rate by these groups is likely due 
     to challenges with implementation and outreach, rather than 
     lack of interest. Advance payments should be timed so that 
     the 90 day period to expend all funds commences at the time 
     practice installation begins. The Managers encourage USDA to 
     explore options to provide assistance to small-scale and 
     limited resource agricultural producers to access EQIP to 
     address natural resource concerns.
       The Managers believe that states should increase EQIP 
     incentives for those practices which are especially effective 
     at addressing local or regionalized priority resource 
     concerns. The Managers intend for the increased incentives to 
     promote further adoption of these highly beneficial practices 
     by producers in high priority watersheds. The Managers intend 
     that increased payments to producers under this provision 
     shall not exceed 90 percent of costs, even in the case of 
     producers who would otherwise qualify for increased payments.
       The Managers direct the Secretary to ensure conservation 
     practice standards reflect the use of integrated irrigation 
     and nutrient management technologies, such as micro-
     irrigation systems (e.g., drip irrigation). Such technology, 
     in addition to providing increased water efficiency, can be 
     used to distribute fertilizers and other nutrients directly 
     to plant roots, improve soil health, both water quantity and 
     quality, and reduce nutrient runoff. In the case of EQIP 
     applications involving irrigation projects, the Managers 
     encourage the Secretary to consider whether the projects 
     include an integrative approach to addressing nutrient 
     management and water efficiency issues.
       The Managers intend for the new incentive contracts to be 
     available to producers for not less than five years, but no 
     more than 10 years to receive annual and cost-share payments 
     for adoption, installation, required management and 
     maintenance of incentive practices that attain increased 
     natural resource levels of conservation on the applicable 
     portion of the farm, ranch or forest as determined by the 
     producer. The Managers anticipate incentive practices with 
     broad resource benefits (including, but not limited to, cover 
     crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations, and 
     incorporation of precision agriculture technologies into 
     agriculture operations) will be available to producers within 
     the program. Similarly, a broad suite of incentive practices 
     relating to grazing lands and forest lands will be available 
     to incentivize increased levels of conservation around 
     locally-established resource priorities.
     (17) Evaluation of application
       The Senate amendment authorizes application priority for 
     the consideration of the most effective practices to address 
     natural resource concerns. (Section 2304)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification, moving the priority to section 2503 of the 
     substitute, as an implementation provision. (Section 2503)
     (18) Duties of the Secretary
       The Senate amendment authorizes the Secretary, to the 
     maximum extent feasible, to streamline and coordinate between 
     the EQIP plan and CSP and manage the program for soil health. 
     (Section 2305)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment in 
     section 2304 of the Conference substitute. (Section 2308)
     (19) Environmental quality incentives program plan
       The Senate amendment amends the requirement for a CAFO plan 
     of operation to include ``progressive'' implementation. 
     (Section 2306)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2305)
       The Managers intend for the Comprehensive Nutrient 
     Management Plan (``CNMP'') to remain a comprehensive and 
     whole farm plan. However, during a particular EQIP contract 
     period, it is not necessary for an existing facility with a 
     CNMP to achieve every aspect of the CNMP all at once if doing 
     so would be practically or economically infeasible. In such 
     instances, progressive implementation should include an 
     appropriate and realistic timeframe for the remaining 
     implementation factors after the end of the contract period, 
     including, if warranted, with additional EQIP assistance.
     (20) Conservation innovation grants and payments
       The House bill caps conservation innovation grants at not 
     more than $25 million for each of FYs 2019 through 2023 and 
     increases air quality funding at $37.5 million for each of 
     FYs 2019 through 2023. The amendment also includes new on 
     farm conservation innovation trials. (Section 2304)
       The Senate amendment authorizes new program uses. It 
     reauthorizes the funding provision through fiscal year 2023. 
     (Section 2308).
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendment. The modifications include a provision specific to 
     community colleges and an authorization of partnerships with 
     farmers for certain innovative conservation practices, as 
     well as edge- of-field, emerging agricultural practices, and 
     other monitoring practices. The substitute does not include 
     the House cap on conservation innovation grant funds. The 
     amendment includes a soil health demonstration trial within 
     the authority for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. 
     (Section 2307)
       The Managers intend for the conservation innovation grants 
     to promote innovative conservation approaches that increase 
     green space, pollinator habitat, stormwater management, 
     carbon sequestration, and access to agricultural production 
     sites through land tenure agreements and other contracts.
       The Managers believe that conservation innovation and 
     technological advancement should be farmer-centric and 
     support experimentation by farmers. It should harness 
     leading-edge technology and data science while also 
     leveraging private expertise and capital. Producers are also 
     reluctant to introduce new conservation practices across the 
     entire farming operation without first testing how they work 
     in practice. Current law has focused on innovation of 
     practices but not enough on testing and adoption at field 
     scale in partnership with farmers. An important component of 
     innovation trials is involving the private sector and the 
     Managers intend commercial entities to work together with 
     NRCS to test and prove new conservation practices.
       The Managers intend that innovation trials take place on a 
     variety of operations that reflect the diversity of producers 
     and natural resource concerns present across the United 
     States, and that payments be made to producers across a range 
     of operation sizes. Included in the innovation trials is a 
     Soil Health Demonstration Trial, which USDA should implement 
     by drawing upon the expertise and resources of outside 
     partners (including commodity groups and producers) to mirror 
     and build upon existing soil health projects.
       Furthermore, the Managers intend that the conservation 
     practice database be a publicly available and continuously 
     updated resource that informs the public on USDA conservation 
     practice standards and contributes to the conservation 
     efforts of partners and producers in the agricultural 
     community.
       The Managers intend for the Secretary to ensure all 
     producers in the innovation trials meet EQIP eligibility 
     requirements before participation in the program. The 
     explicit statutory language requiring the Secretary to 
     enforce adjusted gross income requirements for producers 
     shall not preclude or impact enforcement of these 
     requirements in other conservation programs.

[[Page H9967]]

  

     (21) Soil health demonstration pilot project
       The Senate amendment authorizes a soil health demonstration 
     pilot project that includes financial incentives for 
     producers in appropriate geographic regions, including at 
     least 1 drought prone region, and establishes protocols for 
     measuring gains in soil health. The amendment also authorizes 
     a study on soil health and economic outcomes, report to 
     Congress and provides $15 million annually through fiscal 
     year 2023 to carry out the pilot. (Section 2309)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications within the authority for On-Farm Conservation 
     Innovation Trials. (Section 2307)
     (22) Wetland conservation
       The House bill requires the Secretary to identify 
     regulatory categorical exemptions within 180 days of 
     enactment of the 2018 farm bill as it relates to the minimal 
     effects exemption. It further provides $10 million in 
     mandatory funds for wetlands mitigation banking beginning in 
     FY 2019, which funds shall remain available until expended. 
     It also authorizes appropriations of $5 million for each of 
     FYs 2019 through 2023. (Sections 2101 and 2102)
       The Senate amendment requires that the requisite on-site 
     inspection occur in the presence of the affected person, as 
     long as they are available for such inspection. It clarifies 
     that no person shall become ineligible if the Secretary 
     determines an exemption under section 1222(b) of the '85 Act 
     applies to that person. It directs the Secretary, within 1 
     year, to identify categorical minimal effect exemptions in 
     compliance with certain laws and regulations and in 
     consultation with particular groups. The amendment eliminates 
     mandatory funding for mitigation banking and instead 
     authorizes $5 million in appropriations for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Sections 2401, 2412, and 2413)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment to 
     section 1221(d) of the '85 Act with a modification to the 
     authority for on-site visits without the affected person 
     present. The substitute also deletes the House and Senate 
     provisions on minimal effects under 1222(d). (Sections 2101 
     and 2102)
     (23) Conservation security program
       The House bill repeals the conservation security program 
     and conservation stewardship program authorities. It 
     clarifies that the amendment does not have an impact on 
     existing contracts. It also prohibits the Secretary from 
     renewing existing contracts. (Section 2801)
       The Senate amendment repeals subchapter A of chapter 2 of 
     subtitle D of the '85 Act. (Section 2402)
       The Conference substitute repeals both conservation 
     programs and establishes the subchapter B of chapter 2 
     authority in subchapter B of chapter 4 of the '85 Act. It 
     also provides transition authority, monetizes the acreage 
     cap, and establishes the Grasslands Incentive Program. 
     (Sections 2301 and 2308)
       With the combination of CSP and EQIP under Chapter 4, the 
     Managers intend for the Secretary to implement the programs 
     in coordination with each other while also maintaining each 
     subchapter as a separate and distinguishable program with a 
     distinct purpose. The Managers intend for USDA to continue to 
     seek applications and enroll producers in both EQIP and CSP 
     each year, and to promote both programs equally among 
     producers.
       This reorganization of programs provides an opportunity to 
     streamline procedures for both programs so that they 
     complement each other and provide a better customer service 
     experience for producers, while maximizing the conservation 
     potential of this chapter. Streamlining efforts for these 
     programs should include applications, contracting, 
     conservation planning, conservation practices, and related 
     administrative procedures. The Managers encourage USDA to 
     provide outreach and technical assistance to producers to 
     assist them in resolving priority resource concerns through 
     adaptive management and continual improvement through both 
     programs.
       The Managers intend for CSP and EQIP under Chapter 4 to 
     provide flexibility at the local level to address issues for 
     all production systems, especially those in semi-arid areas 
     where there is a need for practices to increase water savings 
     and climate resiliency. For example, wheat growers need to be 
     able to access the program through conservation practices 
     that are specific to local production needs and that includes 
     areas with lower rainfall. The Managers believe USDA should 
     provide appropriate conservation practice and enhancement 
     options for producers that focus on drought mitigation and 
     dryland agriculture. The Managers also believe USDA should 
     also provide assistance at varying levels of conservation 
     performance, to enable all producers to access conservation 
     assistance.
       The Conference substitute establishes a new Grassland 
     Conservation Initiative within Subchapter B of the 
     Conservation Stewardship Program. The Managers require USDA 
     to establish this initiative beginning in fiscal year 2019 
     and intend the first opportunity to enroll be provided in 
     fiscal year 2019 to eligible land on a voluntary basis. The 
     Managers expect that additional enrollments also be offered 
     in each subsequent fiscal year at a time determined 
     appropriate by the Department. Regardless of the fiscal year, 
     eligible land, as defined, shall be enrolled only once in the 
     program. The Managers expect FSA and NRCS to work 
     concurrently to identify and provide program information to 
     producers who have eligible acres to enroll in the program. 
     The Grassland Conservation Initiative establishes a statutory 
     $18 per acre payment rate and payments shall be made on an 
     annual basis. The Managers do not intend for the Grassland 
     Conservation Initiative to be administered in the same exact 
     manner as CSP and have established separate program 
     requirements. The Managers do not intend to require that the 
     eligible land enrolled has to be in grass at the time of 
     enrollment or maintained as grass for the life of the 
     contract for purposes of addressing a resource concern. The 
     Managers do not intend for the grassland contracts to be 
     subject to CSP payment limits. The Managers provide an early 
     termination of the contract at any time without penalty to 
     the producer, and all land enrolled during a crop year shall 
     be planted or considered planted to an agricultural commodity 
     during that crop year.
     (24) Conservation of private grazing land
       The Senate amendment adds authority for partnerships. 
     (Section 2403)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2404)
     (25) Soil health and income protection program
       The Senate amendment authorizes the soil health and income 
     protection program to assist landowners with conserving and 
     improving soil, water and wildlife resources. It allows 
     agreements entered under this program to be for 3, 4, or 5 
     years. Provides an authorization of appropriations to carry 
     out this program. (Section 2404)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification authorizing a pilot program in the 
     Conservation Reserve Program. (Section 2204)
     (26) Grassroots source water protection program
       The House bill extends this authority through FY 2023. It 
     authorizes $5 million in mandatory funding beginning in FY 
     2019, to remain available until expended. (Section 2402)
       The Senate amendment authorizes $25 million in 
     appropriations for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 2405)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 2405)
     (27) Soil testing and remediation assistance
       The Senate amendment authorizes soil testing and 
     remediation assistance. It requires the Secretary to work 
     with producers to mitigate the presence of contaminants in 
     soil, including by establishing a soil testing protocol, 
     providing technical assistance for testing and remediation, 
     education, outreach. It also authorizes a referral to the 
     Environmental Protection Agency if necessary for additional 
     remediation assistance. (Section 2406)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications, including to the definition of ``practice'' 
     under EQIP authorities. (Section 2303)
     (28) Voluntary public access and habitat incentive program
       The House bill authorizes $50 million in mandatory funding 
     for the period of FY 2019 through 2023. (Section 2403)
       The Senate amendment merges the conservation innovation 
     grant authority with the voluntary public access and habitat 
     incentive program authority. It authorizes $40 million of 
     mandatory funding from Chapter 5 of the '85 Act for the 
     period of FY 2019 through 2023 towards the voluntary public 
     access and habitat incentive program. (Section 2407)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. It 
     simplifies the current grant application process, increases 
     funding in response to increased popularity, and includes 
     additional incentives intended to encourage owners of private 
     land to allow public recreation on land containing wetland 
     reserve easements. (Section 2406)
       The Managers intend the $3 million for enhancing access to 
     Wetland Reserve Easements (``WRE'') to be utilized to 
     determine the level of interest among States in providing 
     public access for hunting, fishing, and other recreational 
     activities on WRP/WRE acreage. Because there are legitimate 
     concerns about the scarcity of public access and the quality 
     of wildlife habitat on wetland easements, landowners who are 
     not utilizing or underutilizing enrolled land for personal 
     use could potentially be incentivized to open their enrolled 
     land to public use. After making a reasonable effort to 
     conduct landowner outreach, if the Secretary determines that 
     exchanging incentives for public access for recreation on 
     WRE/WRP acreage would not be realistic, remaining funds are 
     to be available for the other purposes of the program.
     (29) Agriculture conservation experienced services program
       The Senate amendment sunsets the ACES authority on October 
     1, 2023. (Section 2408)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (30) Remote telemetry data system
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to encourage the 
     use of remote telemetry data systems for irrigation 
     scheduling

[[Page H9968]]

     in the environmental quality incentives program. (Section 
     2409)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
       The Managers recommend that USDA recognize as a best 
     management practice in conservation programs the use of 
     remote telemetry data systems for irrigation scheduling. 
     Remote telemetry data systems, as used for irrigation 
     scheduling, combine the use of field, weather, crop and soil 
     data, which ensures that the precise amount of water is 
     applied to crops to promote water and energy efficiency while 
     also increasing crop yields. The Managers encourage USDA to 
     incorporate remote telemetry data systems as a best 
     management practice under the Environmental Quality 
     Incentives Program.
     (31) Agricultural conservation easement program
       The House bill clarifies that one of the program purposes 
     of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program is to limit 
     non-agricultural uses of land that negatively affect the 
     agricultural uses and conservation values. It strikes 
     ``restoring and'' and inserts ``restoring or''. It amends the 
     definition of ``eligible land'' to include up to 100 percent 
     of the described parcel under certain enrollment 
     circumstances. It strikes the consultation requirement with 
     the Department of the Interior. The bill defines the term 
     ``monitoring report''. It authorizes technical assistance to 
     implement the program. The bill allows for other forms of 
     contributions from the eligible entities: cash contribution, 
     charitable donation or funding from a non-USDA federal 
     source. It continues the same cap for grasslands. The bill 
     amends minimum terms and conditions to also require those are 
     consistent with the agricultural use of the land. The bill 
     further clarifies that the current right of enforcement does 
     not extend a right of inspection unless the holder of the 
     easement does not provide timely monitoring reports. The bill 
     also strikes the Agricultural Land Easement ``(ALE)'' plan 
     requirements and requires a conservation plan for highly 
     erodible cropland. It requires proof of fraud or gross 
     negligence to require a refund. The bill authorizes 
     additional provisions regarding mineral development and 
     environmental services markets. It authorizes within the 
     entity certification a process to allow a certified eligible 
     entity to use its own terms and conditions. It adds 
     certification criteria regarding those accredited by the Land 
     Trust Accreditation Commission with certain requirements. The 
     bill amends subsection (d) of the '85 Act by amending the 
     technical assistance authority to assist in compliance with 
     the terms and conditions of easements. It requires the terms 
     and conditions of a wetland easement to comply with a grazing 
     management plan that is modified at least every 5 years. The 
     bill strikes ``or off- site'' in paragraph (4) of subsection 
     (a) of the '85 Act and the term ``proposed or'', which is 
     replaced with ``permitted or''. It separates out and provides 
     new modification and termination authorities. It prohibits 
     the limitation in section 1001D(B)(1) of the '85 Act from 
     applying to a landowner with respect to any benefit described 
     in paragraph (2)(B) of that section, related to the purchase 
     of the easement. (Sections 2601-2605)
       The Senate amendment clarifies that one of the purposes of 
     ACEP is to limit non-agricultural uses of land that may 
     negatively impact the agricultural uses and conservation 
     values. It adds acequias to the list of eligible entities. It 
     amends the definition of ``eligible land'' to reflect the 
     additional requirements for eligibility of certain land. The 
     amendment authorizes buy-protect-sell transactions and 
     authorizes technical assistance to implement the program, 
     including for the development of a conservation plan. It 
     strikes clause (ii) of subsection (b)(2)(B) of the '85 Act 
     regarding the source of contribution and replaces it with a 
     charitable donation, certain costs related to securing a deed 
     and other costs, as determined by the Secretary. The 
     amendment requires an applicant to develop an agricultural 
     land easement plan. It adds an additional priority for 
     applications that maintain agricultural viability. It amends 
     minimum terms and conditions to also require those are 
     consistent with the agricultural activities to be covered. 
     The amendment strikes the ALE plan requirements in clause 
     (iv) of the `85 Act and requires in a new subparagraph the 
     terms and conditions exclude a right of inspection, unless 
     monitoring reports are not provided. It authorizes additional 
     terms and conditions. It also adds an additional term and 
     condition authorizing the certified eligible entity to use 
     its own terms and conditions to account for geographic 
     differences. The amendment adds two certification criteria 
     for those accredited by the Land Trust Commission with 
     certain different requirements or State Departments of 
     Agriculture or other State agencies. It adds acequias as an 
     entity that may enroll in a 30-year contract. It adds as a 
     consideration the ability of the land to sequester carbon. 
     The amendment adds as a priority the improvement of water 
     quality. It adds acequias as eligible entities for a contract 
     or agreement regarding technical assistance and to carry out 
     special wetland reserve enhancements. The amendment 
     authorizes the Secretary to establish or restore alternative 
     vegetative communities. It provides that subsection (a)(2) of 
     the '85 Act (new subparagraph (B)) is subject to the new 
     acequia authority. It provides authority for the Secretary to 
     acquire land owned by acequias. The amendment authorizes the 
     Secretary to terminate or modify a contract under section 
     1231(a) of the '85 Act if the land is enrolled in an ALE 
     easement under section 1265C(b). It authorizes the Secretary 
     to simultaneously enroll land subject to an easement in a CRP 
     contract under subchapter B of chapter 1 of the '85 Act. 
     (Section 2410)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments. It narrows existing limitation on nonagricultural 
     uses to those that negatively affect agricultural and 
     conservation values while expanding cost-share and program 
     eligibility, including land subject to buy-protect-sell 
     transactions, and broadens secretarial authority to set 
     application criteria and modifies authority to conduct 
     enforcement, subordination, modification, exchange, and 
     termination of easements. It also provides additional 
     allowable conditions an easement holder may place on the 
     agreement and prioritizes water quality improvement on 
     wetland reserve easements. It authorizes alternative 
     vegetative communities. Land enrolled under ALE may 
     simultaneously be enrolled under a CRP contract. (Subtitle F)
       The Managers make amendments to both Agricultural Land 
     Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements in order to improve 
     program deliverability. The Managers expect the agency to 
     prioritize the maintenance and enhancement of the functions 
     and values of currently enrolled WRE. While some States have 
     effectively achieved increased wetland functions and values, 
     including optimum wildlife habitat, more could be done by 
     States to achieve these goals. By including these statutory 
     changes for WRE, the Managers hope to ensure these wetlands 
     and associated upland areas will be managed so the taxpayers 
     receive the wildlife habitat and water quality benefits they 
     have paid for and deserve.
       The Managers included language on alternative plant 
     communities and intend for the agency to eliminate the 30 
     percent restriction on restoration of alternative plant 
     communities as part of a wetland reserve easement, and to 
     provide flexibility in wetland restoration to enhance wetland 
     functions and migratory bird habitat values and contribute to 
     the goals of state, regional, and local conservation 
     initiatives.
       Riparian areas are critical to wildlife conservation and 
     water quality, especially in the Southwest where non-
     contiguous riparian habitats constitute a major portion of 
     those States' wetlands. These riparian areas in the Southwest 
     that are not connected to permanently protected wetlands are 
     eligible for WRE, and the Managers urge the Secretary to 
     invest the resources needed to make WRE a useful and well-
     used tool in those states where riparian areas are so 
     critical to wildlife, including in New Mexico and Arizona.
       The Managers' intent behind allowing flexibility and 
     additional options in the non-federal share of cost share 
     assistance (matching funds) is to broaden the ability of 
     entities to participate in ALE, including for grasslands of 
     special environmental significance, across a more diverse 
     geography. The intention of the language is to provide better 
     access to the program to states where farm and ranchland 
     preservation funding is not readily available like South 
     Dakota, Texas, and Alabama. The Managers do not believe the 
     program should be limited only to entities that can provide 
     cash match. It is important to acknowledge other expenses 
     that an entity must take on, such as the long-term expense of 
     monitoring an easement or other additional upfront costs. The 
     Managers believe that the long-term strength of the program 
     is derived from making the program available as broadly and 
     equitably as possible across diverse regions of the country. 
     The Managers do not intend for USDA to reject cash match 
     entirely but to broaden the options available to eligible 
     entities.
       The Managers have made two main changes to certification 
     language in the Conference substitute. The first is to 
     clarify the intent of Congress that a certified entity should 
     be able to write its own deed terms, subject to minimum deed 
     terms set by NRCS. This was the intent in the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 and is clarified here. The Department should not 
     put undue burden on an entity's ability to write its own deed 
     terms. Second, the Managers have provided three pathways for 
     eligible entities to be certified. The first is the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014's retained provision enabling any 
     eligible entity to be certified if it demonstrates to the 
     Secretary certain capabilities around acquiring, 
     administering and enforcing agricultural land easements. Two 
     additional pathways have been created one for accredited land 
     trusts, and the other for State agencies with statutory 
     authority for farm and ranch land protection. In order to 
     become certified, the entity must have acquired a certain 
     number of easements through a Federal easement program and 
     successfully met program responsibilities in doing so.
       The Managers limit the Secretary's authority to the right 
     of enforcement under the program and clarify that such right 
     only extends to a right of inspection in two cases: (1) where 
     a monitoring report is not supplied or (2) when there is 
     reasonable evidence of violation of the terms of the 
     easement. The Managers intend for entities to be the primary 
     agent for enforcement of the deed terms reinforcing 
     Congressional intent back to the Food, Conservation, and 
     Energy Act of 2008.
       The Managers defined a monitoring report in order to 
     provide clarity to NRCS on the

[[Page H9969]]

     documentation required by eligible entities. The Managers 
     believe that this clarification is needed to ensure that NRCS 
     respects the role of the eligible entity and does not pursue 
     an inspection role while the eligible entity is fulfilling 
     responsibilities under their agreements and providing 
     reports to NRCS.
       The Managers modified the definition of eligible land to 
     allow for agricultural land to be owned by an eligible entity 
     on a transitional basis to qualify for program participation, 
     provided that the land subject to the agricultural land 
     easement be transitioned to farmer or rancher ownership 
     within 3 years. The language provides two pathways for these 
     ``Buy-Protect-Sell''-type projects, both of which allow an 
     application to the program for purchase of an agricultural 
     land easement without a pending offer and without 
     identification of the farmer or rancher to whom the land will 
     eventually transfer.
       The Managers recognize the value of ``Buy-Protect-Sell'' 
     projects, which are intended to help farmers and ranchers 
     gain access to affordable farmland, and the need for 
     flexibility in the program to facilitate their use. The 
     Managers recognize that the process of identifying a farmer 
     or rancher to purchase the protected land and effecting the 
     sale of that land can take time, and that unforeseen 
     circumstances can delay a sale. With this in mind, the 
     timeline--and option for extension--laid out in this section 
     is intended to provide as much flexibility as possible, while 
     at the same time holding eligible entities to the terms of 
     their initial application.
       By striking the consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Interior, the Managers do not intend to exclude the 
     Department of the Interior from involvement in WRE. It is the 
     intent of the Managers that the Secretary of Agriculture 
     continue to implement the program in close partnership with 
     the Department of the Interior at the local level.
       While the Conference substitute removes the requirement for 
     an ALE plan as part of the minimum deed terms (except for 
     land with highly erodible soil), the Managers encourage USDA 
     and eligible entities to work with landowners entering into 
     an ALE easement to undertake conservation planning activities 
     on their land in order to maximize the environmental value of 
     the protected land.
       The Managers recognize the substantial investment taxpayers 
     make in easements and understand the importance of ensuring 
     taxpayer dollars are wisely spent. However, on limited 
     occasions, there may be justifications for changes to 
     easements. Entities participating in the ALE program take the 
     obligations that come with stewarding perpetual easements 
     very seriously. Modifying an easement can be necessary from 
     time to time for a variety of reasons. Modifications should 
     be done to (1) add acreage; (2) improve conservation values; 
     or (3) improve the administration of the easement. 
     Alternative options should always be considered before 
     administrative action is taken to change or modify the terms 
     of the easement. Terminating an easement should only be done 
     in very rare cases and the Conference substitute does not 
     weaken the current requirements for termination actions. In 
     the case of termination actions, the United States should be 
     fully compensated, including for any restoration costs. 
     However, the Managers understand there needs to be some 
     flexibility and straight forward rules in these rare 
     instances of termination. The Managers expect that the 
     Department will provide entities with the flexibility to 
     properly administer perpetual easements, but to be prudent in 
     the use of this flexibility. The Managers intend that a 
     contribution shall not fail to be considered a qualified 
     contribution under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 based 
     solely on the termination authority granted to the Secretary 
     under this section.
       The Managers include the consideration of agricultural 
     viability as a priority for the Secretary in evaluating 
     applications under the program. The Managers consider the 
     components of agricultural viability to include those that 
     enable a producer to productively operate a farm or ranch on 
     the protected land; maintain the long-term affordability of 
     the protected land; maintain an economically sustainable farm 
     business on the protected land; and maintain the protected 
     land in a way that enables its agricultural use by future 
     generations of farmers and ranchers.
       The Managers intend to provide explicit authorization for 
     eligible entities to add deed terms to the agricultural land 
     easement that address farmland affordability and keep the 
     protected parcel in farmer ownership. The Managers envision 
     that these deed terms include those that NRCS has permitted 
     in ALE easement purchases in Vermont and Massachusetts, known 
     as the Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value, as well as 
     deed terms with a similar purpose, such as a Preemptive 
     Purchase Right.
       The Managers allow for entities holding an ALE to add deed 
     terms that address mineral development. The intent of the 
     Managers is to provide statutory clarity to the issue of 
     mineral development on easement lands. The Managers have 
     determined that instances when the ALE program prohibits 
     subsurface mineral development on lands where mineral rights 
     have been severed, they are limiting the applicability and 
     impact of the program by eliminating otherwise high value 
     conservation lands from program eligibility. This provision 
     does not negate or supersede any other applicable laws, 
     including State laws, which may otherwise apply to any 
     mineral development activities. In the event that mineral 
     development rights are reserved and exercised under the 
     program, the activity should be consistent with the 
     conservation and agricultural purposes of the land and all 
     provisions of the program. It is not the intention of the 
     Managers to have a massive expansion of mineral rights 
     exploration on ALE lands but it is intended to provide 
     clarity, especially on lands where mineral rights are severed 
     and not owned by the landowner. This language is not intended 
     to require States that have specific prohibitions against 
     mineral development on eased lands to allow mineral rights 
     development on eased lands.
     (32) Regional conservation partnership program
       The House bill amends the term ``covered program'' to 
     include CRP and the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention 
     Act. It amends the term ``eligible activity'' to include 
     ``resource-conserving crop rotations''. It amends the same 
     term to include protection of source waters for drinking 
     water. The bill amends the length of the partnership 
     agreements to limit an agreement and renewal to 5 years, and 
     one extension up to 12 months. The bill further authorizes 
     the Secretary to enter into a partnership agreement, 
     including a renewal under subsection (d)(5) of the '85 Act 
     for longer than 5 years if necessary to meet the objectives. 
     It amends subsection (c)(1) (E) of the '85 Act to include 
     quantification of the project's environmental outcomes. It 
     also directs the Secretary to conduct a ``simplified'' 
     competitive process. The bill authorizes applications for 
     renewals for certain purposes. It also amends the Adjusted 
     Gross Income (``AGI'') waiver authority under section 1001D 
     of the Act to create an exemption to the limitation of 
     paragraph (2), as well as any limitations related to the 
     covered programs for producers. The bill authorizes mandatory 
     funding at $250 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023. It directs the Secretary to provide guidance on how to 
     quantify and report environmental outcomes and the progress 
     being made towards quantifying and reporting the same. It 
     eliminates the limitation applying the Small Watershed 
     Program to only Critical Conservation Areas (``CCA''). 
     (Sections 2701-2706)
       The Senate amendment amends the program to simplify and 
     streamline the program. The Senate amendment eliminates the 
     requirement for USDA to operate the program through the terms 
     and conditions of the covered programs and instead requires 
     USDA to operate it as a stand-alone program using a new 
     program contract for producers. The Senate bill included new 
     authority for renewal of partnership agreements, provided 
     more flexibility in the partner funding contributions, 
     eliminated and replaced Alternative Funding Arrangement 
     authority with a new grant authority limited to 30 percent of 
     annual funding, eliminated the national funding pool and 
     created a new multistate funding pool, increased mandatory 
     funding to $200 million per year, retained the 7 percent 
     reservation of funds from the covered programs, and revised 
     criteria for CCA designations. (Section 2411)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications. The conference report maintains most of the 
     Senate bill reforms, with a few amendments. The two Senate 
     bill funding pools will be fund equally between states and 
     multistate CCAs. The new grant authority from the Senate bill 
     is revised to allow USDA to enter into up to 15 grants or 
     Alternative Funding Arrangements per year with eligible 
     partners. Mandatory funding is increased to $300 million per 
     year and the 7 percent reservation of funds is eliminated. 
     (Subtitle G)
       The Managers streamline the operation of the Regional 
     Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to increase program 
     adoption by eligible partners and producers alike. The 
     Managers intend for USDA to use the covered programs (as 
     defined in statute) as a guide for what conservation 
     activities can be done through partnership agreements and 
     contracts with producers, but do not intend for USDA to 
     continue to implement RCPP through the rules and regulations 
     of the covered programs. NRCS shall run RCPP as a stand-alone 
     program, with its own rules and regulations, and shall revise 
     the program to focus on increasing producer access, improving 
     conservation outcomes, and simplifying procedures.
       The Managers do not intend for the change in RCPP's 
     eligible activities to, in any way, lessen the prioritization 
     of projects that may include drought mitigation, flood 
     prevention, water retention or water quantity and groundwater 
     recharge activities. The availability of funding to address 
     these issues remains of utmost importance in many regions of 
     the country.
       The Managers continue to believe that initiatives developed 
     at the local level and with local input are critical to 
     ensuring the success of this program. Therefore, the Managers 
     encourage potential project partners to engage with 
     conservation districts within the boundaries of a proposed 
     project for input and feedback on the natural resource 
     priorities that have been identified. The Managers encourage 
     NRCS to include conservation district engagement within its 
     ranking criteria.
       The Managers modified the terms in the establishment of 
     RCPP to ensure eligible partners entering into agreements can 
     be funded through alternative funding arrangements and grant 
     agreements through which the eligible partners can implement 
     projects and provide financial assistance directly to

[[Page H9970]]

     producers. It also modifies the purposes of the program by 
     striking the use of covered programs under RCPP and refocuses 
     the program on carrying out conservation activities through 
     program contracts outside of covered programs. The Managers 
     intend for this to change how NRCS carries out RCPP by moving 
     away from implementation directly through the covered 
     programs.
       The definition of `covered program' under RCPP is revised 
     to be a ``purpose, activity, or agreement'' of EQIP, CSP, 
     ACEP, CRP, Healthy Forest Reserve Program, and the Watershed 
     Act. The Managers intend this change to mean that a 
     partnership agreement must include a purpose, activity or 
     agreement that is authorized in one of the covered programs, 
     but not be carried out through the covered program.
       The definition of eligible partner is updated to 
     specifically include acequias, land trusts and other 
     organizations who have authority to hold conservation 
     easements, and conservation districts. The Managers note that 
     these entities are already considered eligible partners by 
     NRCS, but wanted to make that clear in statute so they 
     continue to be eligible in the future.
       While the Managers intend to allow a partnership agreement 
     longer than 5 years under RCPP, they expect the Secretary to 
     only allow longer agreements in select situations, like if 
     the longer period is concurrent with a deadline established 
     under a State or Federal program that relates specifically to 
     the project.
       The Managers emphasize the importance of a partner's duty 
     to quantify the environmental outcomes of their RCPP 
     projects, and partners are encouraged to assess and report on 
     the economic and social outcomes of their projects, as 
     partners may be able to encourage increased adoption of 
     conservation practices. The Managers expect the Secretary to 
     provide guidance to partners on how to quantify and report on 
     the outcomes of their projects. This guidance should include 
     methods and tools that can be used to quantify outcomes at 
     varying scales appropriate to projects (regional, state, 
     county, watershed, field, etc.), and for the various natural 
     resource concerns addressed by projects. The Managers 
     emphasize the importance of presenting the progress of 
     partners and participating producers in regular reports to 
     Congress, while recognizing that different conservation 
     practices have differing timelines for their full effects to 
     be realized.
       The Managers clarified the partner contribution 
     requirements to ensure that a partner contribution can be a 
     combination of financial or in-kind contributions, and that 
     time spent between the announcement of the project award and 
     the signing of the partnership agreement can be counted 
     toward the partner contribution.
       The Managers intend for NRCS to ensure that there is a 
     staff person in every state to serve as an RCPP coordinator. 
     This person should be available to assist partners with 
     implementing the project and provide reports and other 
     information required by the Secretary. While the Managers did 
     not include the requirement for modification of conservation 
     practice standards from the Senate bill within RCPP, this 
     authority was moved to Section 1242 of the Food Security Act 
     of 1985 so that the modification of conservation practice 
     standards can be allowed for all conservation programs.
       The Managers direct USDA to create a simplified application 
     process for eligible entities, particularly new partners and 
     small organizations.
       The Managers intend NRCS to develop a separate, 
     noncompetitive process for renewing successful partnership 
     agreements. NRCS should ensure that only the most successful 
     projects qualify for renewal, and the Managers do not intend 
     for renewals to use a majority of funding available each 
     fiscal year. Since the national funding pool is eliminated, 
     the Managers intend that any eligible partner that was funded 
     through the national funding pool and otherwise meets the 
     requirements for renewal of that partnership agreement shall 
     be renewed with funding from the applicable State or multiple 
     State competitive process.
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to provide all RCPP 
     applicants who are not awarded a partnership agreement, 
     information and feedback, including written information and 
     feedback as appropriate, for improvements that could be made 
     to the application to make it more competitive if the partner 
     chooses to apply again in the future.
       The Managers provided new authority for the Secretary to 
     deliver RCPP through a new program contract with producers 
     that is not a contract from a covered program. The Managers 
     intend the Secretary to have greater flexibility in setting 
     the terms of the program contract and the type of 
     conservation activities to be undertaken by producers. New 
     application bundles are authorized to give higher priority to 
     projects where a majority of producers in a watershed agree 
     to submit applications for conservation activities. The 
     Managers intend the Secretary to utilize this authority when 
     there would be a greater conservation benefit to the 
     watershed.
       The Managers authorize USDA to enter into both alternative 
     funding arrangements and grant agreements with eligible 
     partners, depending on the specific requirements of the 
     project. The alternative funding arrangement or grant 
     agreements provision replaces the problematic ``alternative 
     funding arrangement'' (AFA) provision in the current law. The 
     current AFA provision proved to be time-intensive and 
     difficult to contract for multi-producer, irrigation 
     infrastructure projects and other watershed scale projects, 
     and only two AFA contracts were completed nation-wide under 
     the current law. This section addresses the short-comings of 
     the current AFA provision by providing new statutory 
     authority for straight-forward contracting with an eligible 
     partner implementing an RCPP project directly with multiple 
     producers, such as a project to upgrade water delivery or 
     irrigation infrastructure owned by a canal company, ditch 
     company, or irrigation district.
       The Conference substitute limits AFA and grant projects to 
     no more than 15 projects per year. The Managers encourage the 
     Secretary to use discretion to ensure that the project can 
     truly be carried out more effectively through the alternative 
     funding arrangement or grant than through the traditional 
     partnership agreement model. The Managers also intend for the 
     eligible partners to ensure that the projects under this 
     authority directly benefit and involve producers.
       While the eligible partner will be responsible for 
     contracting with producers and making payments to producers, 
     the Secretary may provide technical and administrative 
     assistance to support the eligible partner. Such assistance 
     includes checking producer eligibility requirements, 
     including conservation compliance, adjusted gross income, and 
     payment limits.
       While the Conference substitute included alternative 
     funding arrangements alongside grants within this authority, 
     it is the intent of the Managers that the Secretary utilize 
     alternative funding arrangements to provide both flexibility 
     in implementation and support for eligible partners. The 
     Managers recognize that AFAs may provide the Department with 
     more administrative flexibility, but intend for these to run 
     very similar to a grant agreement. If the eligible partner 
     and the Secretary so choose, they may simply enter directly 
     into a grant agreement in lieu of an AFA.
       In order to simplify the application process, the national 
     funding pool is eliminated. Partners can apply if they are in 
     a critical conservation area, or under a new state and 
     multistate funding pool. The Managers intend the state and 
     multistate funding pool to fund both large and small 
     projects. For the multistate authority, the State 
     Conservationist for each state involved should agree to fund 
     the project in order for it to be awarded.
       There has been considerable frustration among partners 
     regarding the use of technical assistance by NRCS in 
     implementing the program. The Managers intend NRCS to be 
     straightforward and up front with partners about the amount 
     of technical assistance that will be needed to implement 
     projects and to report publicly on that information. To help 
     further its capacity to get conservation on the ground, NRCS 
     should increase efforts to engage third-party providers in 
     technical assistance for projects.
       The Managers intend for NRCS to continue to apply 
     conservation compliance requirements to producers 
     participating in projects through RCPP, including through the 
     alternative funding arrangement or grant agreement authority.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to work with eligible 
     partners to ensure participation in projects by beginning 
     farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially 
     disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource 
     farmers and ranchers. Both USDA and eligible partners shall 
     conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to 
     historically underserved producer groups to ensure that these 
     groups actively participate in RCPP projects.
       The Managers intend the current Critical Conservation Areas 
     (CCA) to remain in place for the duration of the 2018 Farm 
     Bill, unless the Secretary can demonstrate the resource 
     concerns have been fully addressed for the CCA. In addition, 
     some partners believe that some project awards in a CCA were 
     not directly addressing the primary resource concerns for the 
     respective CCA. The Managers intend for the Secretary to only 
     award projects in the CCA directly related to the primary 
     resource concerns for a CCA.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to provide guidance to 
     partners on how to quantify and report on the outcomes of 
     their projects. This guidance should include methods and 
     tools that can be used to quantify outcomes at varying scales 
     appropriate to projects (regional, state, county, watershed, 
     field, etc.) and for the various natural resource concerns 
     addressed by projects. The Managers emphasize the importance 
     of presenting the progress of partners and participating 
     producers in regular reports to Congress, while recognizing 
     that different conservation practices have differing times 
     for their effects to be realized.
     (33) Emergency conservation program
       The House bill restructures section 401 of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1978 (the ``ACA'') into two subsections 
     amending existing law to add wildfires and creating a new 
     subsection for repair and replacement of fencing with option 
     to receive the payment in advance. It adds new section 402A 
     to the ACA, providing maximum cost-share rate, exceptions for 
     Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers, Beginning Farmers and 
     Ranchers, or Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and 
     a maximum payment limitation. (Section 2406)
       The Senate amendment amends section 403 of the ACA and adds 
     two new sections (authorities). It provides a payment limit 
     and

[[Page H9971]]

     establishes a set-aside of program funds for repair and 
     restoration of fencing. Section 12614 of the Senate amendment 
     is identical to section 2406 of the House bill, with the 
     exception of the 25 percent maximum pre-payment limit and 
     return of funds requirement. (Section 2414 & 12614)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment. Losses due to wildfire are made eligible. 
     Fencing repair and replacement cost-share are authorized for 
     up to 75 percent of the total cost, with an advance 
     disbursement option available to the producer. A payment 
     limit of $500,000 is established. (Section 2403)
     (34) Watershed protection and flood prevention
       The House bill maintains the current authorization of 
     appropriations structure for flood prevention and includes 
     new $100 million in mandatory spending for the overall 
     program during each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 2404)
       The Senate amendment authorizes $200 million in 
     appropriations for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 2415)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House bill with 
     amendment. The substitute includes a waiver for the watershed 
     plan under certain instances and provides $50 million in 
     mandatory funding for each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 
     2401)
     (35) Small watershed rehabilitation program
       The Senate amendment authorizes the Watershed Protection 
     and Flood Prevention Act authorization of appropriations at 
     $20 million annually through FY 2023. (Section 2416)
       The House bill maintains the current authorization level of 
     $85 million through FY 2023. This program is also covered by 
     the new mandatory money above.
       The Conference adopts the House provision. (Section 2401)
     (36) Repeal of conservation corridor demonstration program
       The Senate amendment repeals the conservation corridor 
     demonstration program. (Section 2417)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2811)
     (37) Repeal of cranberry acreage reserve program
       The Senate amendment repeals the cranberry acreage reserve 
     program. (Section 2418)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2812)
     (38) Repeal of National Natural Resources Foundation
       The Senate amendment repeals the National Natural Resources 
     Foundation. (Section 2419)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2813)
     (39) Repeal of flood risk reduction
       The Senate amendment repeals the flood risk reduction. 
     (Section 2420) The House bill contains no comparable 
     provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2814)
     (40) Repeal of study of land use for expiring contracts and 
         extension of authority
       The Senate amendment repeals the authority. (Section 2421)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2815)
     (41) Repeal of integrated farm management program option
       The Senate amendment repeals the integrated farm management 
     program option authority. (Section 2422)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2816)
     (42) Repeal of clarification of definition of agricultural 
         lands
       The Senate amendment repeals the authority. (Section 2423)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2817)
     (43) Resource conservation and development program
       The Senate amendment authorizes the program through FY 
     2023. (Section 2424)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (44) Wildlife management
       The Senate amendment codifies the working lands for 
     wildlife conservation partnership between the Department of 
     Agriculture and the Department of Interior and expands the 
     authority to the conservation reserve program in the Farm 
     Service Agency. It also authorizes the Secretary to assist a 
     requesting federal, state or local agency regarding 
     regulatory certainty through conservation practices, under 
     certain conditions. (Section 2425)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a technical change. (Section 2407)
       The Managers recognize the success of the Working Lands for 
     Wildlife model of conservation established between USDA's 
     Natural Resource Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and 
     Wildlife Services as a model of effective species 
     conservation on private lands that can provide regulatory 
     certainty for farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The Managers 
     support the regulatory predictability that the model of 
     conservation provides to producers who voluntarily implement 
     agreed upon conservation practices that promote species 
     recovery. In the event that a species is listed as threatened 
     or endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the future, 
     producers in the Working Lands for Wildlife model of 
     conservation who voluntarily implement agreed upon 
     conservation practices are able to continue to operate their 
     farms and businesses without potential disruptions related to 
     the listing. Protections under this initiative include up to 
     30 years of certainty related to protections from incidental 
     take under the Endangered Species Act as long as the producer 
     or landowner voluntarily maintains the agreed upon 
     conservation practice. The Managers expand the Working Lands 
     for Wildlife model of conservation to apply to the Farm 
     Service Agency for programs like the Conservation Reserve 
     Program and expect the same regulatory certainty to apply.
     (45) Healthy forests reserve program
       The House bill includes this provision within the forestry 
     title. (Section 8107)
       The Senate amendment makes amendments to the Healthy 
     Forests Reserve Program and adds as a purpose of the program 
     to conserve habitats for candidate, threatened, endangered 
     species or species of greatest conservation under State 
     wildlife action plans. The provision eliminates the 
     limitation on the use of cost-share agreements and easements. 
     It also directs that restoration plans under the program 
     include land management practices, vegetative treatments, 
     structural practices and measure, practices that improve 
     biological diversity, carbon sequestration, and other 
     appropriate activities. It strikes (e)(2). It authorizes 
     certain practices. (Section 2426)
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment and 
     addresses it within Title VIII.
     (46) Watershed protection
       The Senate amendment amends the definition of ``works of 
     improvement'' in the Watershed Protection and Flood 
     Prevention Act and authorizes a waiver for the watershed plan 
     under certain circumstances. (Section 2427)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications that do not include a change to the definition 
     and modify the requirements for a waiver. (Section 2401)
       The Managers authorize a waiver for watershed plans where 
     the Secretary determines that it is unnecessary or 
     duplicative. The Managers intend that the Secretary exercise 
     this waiver authority in instances where the proposed work of 
     improvement would not require the same type of plan or 
     analysis provided for in a PL-566 plan if the activity were 
     conducted under other USDA conservation program authority, 
     for work which is categorically excluded from more 
     significant USDA or other Federal agency review, or where 
     adequate planning has already been conducted. The watershed 
     plan waiver authority does not authorize the Secretary to 
     waive the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other 
     federal environmental laws applicable to a proposed PL-566 
     work of improvement. The Managers included this waiver to 
     improve the deliverability of the program and ensure 
     financial resources are devoted to implementing watershed 
     protection measures that benefit producers, rural 
     communities, and the environment.
     (47) Modifications to conservation easement program
       The Senate amendment provides authority for the Secretary 
     to modify or exchange land in a covered program and modify an 
     agreement, contract or an easement in a covered program if 
     such modifications meet certain requirements and costs are 
     covered by the party requesting the modification or exchange. 
     (Section 2429)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (48) Feral swine eradication and control pilot program
       The House bill provides the Secretary the authority to 
     establish a pilot project for eradication and control of 
     feral swine. It enumerates the duties of the Secretary in 
     carrying out the pilot including assessment, control methods, 
     restoration, and the provision for financial assistance to 
     producers. It also enumerates the actions for which financial 
     assistance will be provided. The bill requires coordination 
     between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the 
     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with State 
     Technical Committees to determine the pilot areas for the 
     project. It provides that areas considered for the pilot will 
     demonstrate feral swine impacts as a threat to agriculture, 
     native ecosystems, or human or animal health. It establishes 
     the cost-share level of 75 percent and provides for in-kind 
     contributions of materials and services. The bill allocates 
     $100 million in mandatory funds for the period of 2019 
     through 2023 and distributes the funding at 50 percent to 
     each agency and the scope of their work. It further limits 
     the use of these funds to no more than 10 percent for 
     administrative expenses

[[Page H9972]]

     associated with the pilot project. (Section 2405)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment providing $75 million in mandatory funding. 
     (Section 2408)
     (49) Soil and water resources conservation
       The House bill reauthorizes the Soil and Water Resource 
     Conservation Act through FY 2023 and expands USDA's ability 
     to assess natural resource concerns through enhanced 
     measurement, evaluation, and reporting on conservation 
     program outcomes. (Section 2408)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment reauthorizing the authority. (Section 2402)
     (50) Funding; Report on program enrollments and assistance
       The House bill amends the '85 Act to extend CRP funding 
     under both paragraphs (A) and (B) through FY 2023. It 
     authorizes ACEP funding at $500 million for each fiscal year 
     2019 through 2023. It conforms this section with CSP repeals. 
     The bill retains the current authorization of EQIP funding 
     for 2018, and authorizes funding at $2 billion for 2019, $2.5 
     billion for 2020, $2.75 billion for 2021, $2.935 billion for 
     2022 and $3 billion for 2023. It strikes 2 reports due in 
     2014. It also strikes the regional equity authority. The bill 
     extends the authority through FY 2023 and conforms paragraph 
     (1) regarding the CSP repeal. It strikes paragraph (h)(3) 
     regarding an authority to repool acres. It requires a report 
     each FY 2018 through 2023 by Dec. 15 regarding different 
     activities. (Section 2501)
       The Senate amendment amends the funding for section 
     1234(c)(1)(A) of the '85 Act to $11 million for the period of 
     FY 2019 through 2023 and (B) to $50 million for the period of 
     FY 2019 through 2023 to carry out section 1235(f), capping 
     outreach and assistance spending at $5 million and conforming 
     retiring owners and operators with previous changes to 
     ``contract holders''. It authorizes ACEP funding at $400 
     million for each fiscal year 2019 through 2021, $425 million 
     for FY 2022 and $450 million for FY 2023. It authorizes EQIP 
     funding at $1.473 billion for 2019, $1.478 billion for 2020, 
     $1.541 billion for 2021, $1.571 billion for 2022, and $1.595 
     billion for 2023. The amendment strikes a 2012 review. It 
     extends the authority through FY 2023. It targets 15 percent 
     of funding to assist beginning farmers and ranchers and the 
     same for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The 
     amendment provides new conservation standards and 
     requirements. It strikes certain activities. (Sections 2501 & 
     2602)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision, 
     including funding for various programs, reports, an extension 
     of a funding authority for certain farmers and ranchers, and 
     provides for interagency coordination on conservation 
     standards and requirements. (Section 2501)
       While the Conference substitute does not increase the set-
     aside for beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged 
     producers, the Managers recognize the importance of updating 
     funding allocations in the conservation programs to better 
     reflect the changing demographics among farmers and ranchers 
     and encourage USDA to continue to improve enrollment in 
     conservation programs by these producers.
     (51) Delivery of technical assistance
       The House bill amends the definition of ``eligible 
     participant'' to remove eligibility under section 524 of the 
     Federal Crop Insurance Act. It also defines ``third-party 
     provider''. It authorizes a new alternative certification 
     process. (Section 2502)
       The Senate amendment defines ``third-party provider''. It 
     authorizes a new certification process for third-party 
     providers as well as a streamlined process. It strikes the 
     current authorization and inserts new authority for the 
     expedited revision of conservation practice standards. It 
     also requires a report. (Section 2502)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to the certification process and review of 
     conservation practice standards, and includes the expedited 
     revision of standards provision in the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 2502)
       The Managers believe technical service providers are an 
     important part of the conservation delivery system. The 
     Managers intend for USDA to use the vast technical knowledge 
     available in the private sector as a way of complementing 
     NRCS reach and expertise. The Conference substitute clarified 
     the definition of a TSP to specifically include commercial 
     entities. The Conference substitute provides authority for 
     non-Federal entities to certify technical service providers. 
     The Managers intend for USDA to implement this and make this 
     available nationwide.
       The Managers encourage NRCS to continue to work with the 
     U.S. Forest Service and state forestry agencies to streamline 
     and align forest management plan requirements in private 
     forestry assistance programs administered by each of these 
     agencies. The Managers also encourage NRCS to allow use of 
     landscape-wide or area-wide forest management plans to meet 
     the requirements of forest management plans in NRCS programs.
     (52) Administrative requirements for conservation programs
       The House bill strikes subsection (m) of the '85 Act 
     because expanded language related to that exemption is not in 
     Title I of this bill and adds a new authority for targeting 
     conservation practices for source water protection which 
     includes a reservation of funds at not less than 10 percent 
     of conservation funds (not including CRP) for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Section 2503)
       The Senate amendment adds Acequias to the authority for 
     certain incentives in section 1244 of the '85 Act. It 
     increases the cap from 10 percent to 15 percent for cropland 
     in a county that can be subject to a wetland reserve 
     easement. It updates the calculation authority regarding 
     acreage to reflect 2018 farm bill enactment. The Senate 
     amendment adds new authority to the pollinator authority in 
     subsection (h) of the '85 Act. It applies commodity program 
     eligibility to the definition of an exempted producer and 
     conforms paragraph (2) of subsection (m) of the '85 Act. It 
     directs the Secretary to enter into alternative funding 
     arrangements with tribes under certain circumstances. 
     The amendment adds an authority for source water 
     protection. It authorizes a waiver and contract limitation 
     to payments made to acequias. (Sections 2503 & 12613)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications, including deleting subsections (a) and (f) of 
     the '85 Act, providing an authority for the review and 
     guidance for practice costs and payment rates, amending the 
     authority for alternative funding arrangements for Indian 
     tribes. The substitute also adopts the House provision on 
     source water protection and a modification to its reservation 
     of funds, does not include the pollinator authority within 
     this title, does not include the regulatory relief provision 
     within this title (moved to title I), establishes authority 
     for environmental services market, and addresses regulatory 
     certainty. (Section 2503)
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to expand upon 
     existing work at USDA to encourage the protection of 
     pollinators and the enhancement of pollinator habitat through 
     adoption of conservation practices. This work may be 
     accomplished through the development of area-wide 
     conservation plans and strategies to increase the use of 
     integrated pest management, as well as providing technical 
     assistance to producers relating to background science, 
     promotion, and implementation of conservation habitat 
     enhancement for beneficial insects. Examples of assistance 
     that USDA could provide to producers include, but are not 
     limited to, sharing best management practices that integrate 
     natural predators and parasites of crop pests into 
     agricultural systems and promoting additional practices that 
     enhance natural habitat for these insects, providing an 
     alternative to pesticide application on farms.
       The Managers intend for the Department to emphasize the 
     importance of protecting sources of drinking water throughout 
     the title because of the direct public health benefit such 
     activities would provide. Protection of sources of drinking 
     water not only means emphasizing practices that have a 
     significant water quality or water quantity benefit, but also 
     focusing those practices in watersheds where source waters 
     can be protected or improved. Water quality and quantity 
     practices do not address source water protection if those 
     waters are not used as water system sources or if they do not 
     address water system concerns.
       The Managers understand that some programs do not have 
     purposes that directly align with source water, but the 
     Managers intend at least ten percent of the total amount of 
     conservation title funding go towards source water 
     protection, not necessarily from each individual program. For 
     example, this could mean EQIP could in practice provide more 
     than its 10 percent minimum share to satisfy the overall 
     requirement if the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program 
     could not. The Managers do not intend for this to be a 
     ``check the box'' activity of retrospectively accounting for 
     funds that addressed protection of source water, but instead 
     represents a clear priority for the Department to identify 
     watersheds where potable water is at risk and to target those 
     areas for conservation implementation.
       The Managers provide authority to incentivize practices 
     that have a beneficial environmental impact on protecting 
     drinking water. This tool is intended to address practices 
     that might have limited adoption because of the cost to the 
     producer or because the benefits are largely off-farm. 
     Examples include edge of field practices such as saturated 
     buffers, woodchip denitrifying bioreactors, or drainage water 
     management.
       The Managers believe that USDA actively seeking 
     partnerships to identify targeted areas helps amplify the 
     importance of voluntary, incentive-based conservation. One of 
     those critical partnerships is with water utilities and the 
     Managers expect the Department to work with drinking water 
     utilities to identify key areas in each state to focus on 
     protecting source water. The Managers intend for this to be 
     used in priority areas in each state; not just certain areas 
     of the country.
       The Managers believe environmental markets have the 
     potential to play a significant role in addressing natural 
     resource concerns. Producers enrolled in conservation 
     programs under this title should not be precluded from 
     participating in those markets as long as the landowner is 
     providing additive conservation above and beyond the 
     protections provided

[[Page H9973]]

     under the program. This could be an important market for 
     landowners, and not allowing them to participate in these 
     markets could serve as a disincentive for permanent farmland 
     protection such as those provided under ACEP. For instance, 
     landowners could undertake management changes that could 
     increase the amount of carbon sequestered above and beyond 
     that amount of carbon that is sequestered simply by 
     preventing conversion of grassland or timberland.
     (53) Definition of acequia
       The Senate amendment defines an acequia in the '85 Act. 
     (Section 2504)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (54) Authorization of appropriations for water bank program
       The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations at $5 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain 
     available until expended. It strikes a provision that applied 
     through FY 1980. (Section 2505)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (55) Report on land access, tenure, and transition
       The Senate amendment authorizes a report on land access, 
     tenure, and transition. (Section 2506)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute addressed the Senate amendment in 
     title XII.
     (56) Report on small wetlands
       The Senate amendment authorizes a report on small wetlands. 
     (Section 2507)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications to the report. (Section 2409)
       The Managers request that USDA, acting through the Chief of 
     NRCS, conduct a report on small wetlands to be completed 
     within 6 months following enactment. The Managers require 
     that the report include the number of small wetlands that 
     have been delineated in each of the states during fiscal 
     years 2014 through 2018. The Managers request that USDA 
     provide additional reports that look at years prior to 2014 
     and that those reports be made available by the end of each 
     fiscal year after the enactment of this Act. The Managers 
     intend for this report to provide information on small 
     wetlands and ensure that NRCS is using the same methodology 
     across each of the states identified in determining wetlands 
     that are small in nature.
     (57) State technical committees
       The House bill adds the State 1862 Institution to the State 
     technical committee. (Section 2504)
       The Senate amendment directs State technical committees to 
     review technologies and practices and make recommendations to 
     the Secretary. It amends section 1261(b)(2) of the '85 Act to 
     strike ``under section 1262(b)''. (Sections 2508 & 2604)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to include section 2604 of the Senate amendment 
     and the addition of the State cooperative extension and the 
     land grant university in the State. (Section 2822)
       The Managers recognize the importance of State Technical 
     Committees and how they provide important State input on 
     natural resource concerns and the delivery of USDA 
     conservation programs. The Managers believe that focusing 
     National programs to meet the needs of agricultural producers 
     in each state should be done with input from representatives 
     within the State and include the diversity of production. 
     State technical Committees should balance representation 
     between grower representatives, conservation organizations, 
     Tribal, State, local government agencies, and other 
     interested organizations within the State.
     (58) Farmable wetland reform
       The Senate amendment is a technical correction. (Section 
     2601)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (59) Drought and water conservation agreements
       The Senate amendment amends 1231A of the '85 Act and 
     authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements that 
     address regional drought concerns. (Section 12612)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (60 & 61) Repeal of terminal lakes assistance
       The House bill repeals the authority for terminal lakes 
     assistance. (Section 2802)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute strikes the authorization of 
     appropriations and makes a technical change. (Section 2821)

                            Title III--Trade

     (1) Generation and use of currencies by private voluntary 
         organizations and cooperatives
       The House bill allows the generation of proceeds from the 
     sale of commodities by private voluntary organizations to be 
     used as enumerated in this section. (Section 3004)
       The Senate amendment allows the Administrator of USAID to 
     permit private voluntary organizations to sell commodities 
     distributed under nonemergency programs under this title to 
     generate proceeds to be used as enumerated in this section. 
     (Section 3102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 3103)
     (2) Food aid consultative group
       The House bill reauthorizes the authority for the group 
     through FY 2023. (Section 3006)
       The Senate amendment reduces the consultation period for 
     proposed regulations, handbooks, or guidelines concerning 
     this title to 30 days. It reauthorizes the Food Aid 
     Consultative Group through FY 2023. (Section 3104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 3105)
       The Managers expect that reducing the Food Aid Consultative 
     Group (FACG) review period from 45 days to 30 days will 
     streamline and expedite the approval of agreements and that 
     efforts will be taken to ensure such change does not reduce 
     the opportunity for FACG members to provide feedback on 
     proposed regulations, handbooks, or guidelines.
       Furthermore, the Managers believe food aid transportation 
     efficiency and transparency can be improved and expect the 
     FACG to review and recommend any specific changes needed in 
     regulations and procedures governing food aid transportation 
     to enhance program delivery, maximize program efficiency, and 
     improve transparency, including specifically reviewing the 
     shipment schedules, and terms and conditions of governing 
     contracts and freight solicitations.
     (3) Oversight, monitoring, and evaluation
       The House bill amends section 207(f) of the Food for Peace 
     Act to allow up to 1.5 percent of the funds made available 
     under this section to pay for program oversight, monitoring, 
     and evaluation. It extends funding authority for the early 
     warning assessments and systems to FY 2023 and eliminates 
     requirement that matching funds come from Chapter 1, Part 1 
     of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et 
     seq.). (Section 3008)
       The Senate Amendment amends section 207(f) of the Food for 
     Peace Act to allow the Administrator to use up to 1.5 
     percent, but not less than $17,000,000, of appropriated funds 
     made available under this section for program oversight, 
     monitoring, and evaluation. It extends funding authority for 
     the early warning assessments and systems to FY 2023. 
     (Section 3105)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to eliminate the requirement that matching funds 
     come from Chapter 1, Part 1 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.). (Section 3107)
       The Managers affirm the importance of the Famine Early 
     Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) to effectively and 
     efficiently respond to crises around the world. However, the 
     U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should 
     better utilize FEWS NET to provide advance information and 
     inform interventions to mitigate the effects of drought in 
     areas where livestock production is a critical source of food 
     and income.
     (4) Assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation, 
         delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged 
         foods
       The House bill extends authority for the appropriation of 
     funding for the program through FY 2023. It changes the name 
     of the section to ``International Food Relief Partnership''. 
     (Section 3009)
       The Senate amendment amends section 208(f) of the Food for 
     Peace Act to reauthorize funding for distribution of shelf-
     stable prepackaged foods. (Section 3106)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 3108)
     (5) Allowance of distribution costs
       The Senate amendment amends section 406(b)(6) of the Food 
     for Peace Act to clarify allowable distribution costs, 
     including a variety of activities for which costs were paid 
     prior to FY 2017. (Section 3107)
       The House bill has no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute incorporates the Senate provision 
     with an amendment clarifying that the costs include 
     distribution and program implementation costs to use the 
     commodities provided under the Food for Peace Act. (Section 
     3110)
       The Managers intend for the allowable uses of internal 
     transportation, storage and handling (ITSH) funds authorized 
     under section 406(b)(6) of the Food for Peace Act to include 
     the types of activities for which costs were paid under such 
     paragraph prior to fiscal year 2017. Such activities must be 
     associated with the use of agricultural commodities. The 
     Managers do not intend for the changes made by this provision 
     to result in increased levels of annual ITSH spending as 
     compared to the average annual ITSH spending levels in recent 
     years by dollar value or as a percentage of overall Food for 
     Peace funding.
     (6) Annual report regarding food aid programs and activities
       The House bill amends section 407(f) of the Food for Peace 
     Act to allow the Administrator and Secretary of Agriculture 
     to file annual reports relating to their respective food aid 
     programs and activities, jointly or separately. It requires 
     the Administrator and Secretary to notify Congress if their 
     reports will be delayed and provide reasons for the delay. 
     The bill requires a detailed account of the funds expended 
     for the purposes

[[Page H9974]]

     of 202(e), 406(b)(6) and 407(c)(1)(B). Additionally, it 
     restructures reporting requirements by moving requirements 
     under section 403(m) of the Food for Peace Act, so they shall 
     be included within the report required under section 407(f). 
     It includes conforming repeal of section 403(m). (Section 
     3012)
       The Senate amendment amends 407(f)(1)(A) of the Food for 
     Peace Act to allow USAID Administrator and Secretary of 
     Agriculture to file annual reports relating to their 
     respective food aid programs and activities, jointly or 
     separately. (Section 3109)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to remove the provision requiring Congressional 
     notification relating to reasons for delay in production of 
     the report. (Section 3112)
       The Managers acknowledge information provided in the annual 
     report regarding food assistance programs and activities is 
     essential for Congressional and public oversight of these 
     programs. The Managers expect the relevant agencies to 
     cooperate to ensure that annual reporting of food assistance 
     is provided either jointly or separately in a concise, 
     transparent, and timely manner. Agencies should promptly 
     publish data on food aid programs and activities as 
     available, regardless of when full reporting requirements 
     will be met.
     (7) Nonemergency Food Assistance
       The House bill amends section 412(e) of the Food for Peace 
     Act to provide not less than $365 million of the amounts made 
     available to carry out Title II, nor more than 30% of such 
     amounts to be expended for nonemergency food assistance 
     programs for FY 2019 through FY 2023. It also amends section 
     412(e) to allow community development funds appropriated to 
     carry out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that 
     are made available through grants or cooperative agreements 
     and that assist in implementing certain activities--income-
     generating community development, health, nutrition, 
     cooperative development, agriculture, and other development--
     to be deemed to have been expended on nonemergency food 
     assistance programs for the purposes of this section. 
     (Section 3014)
       The Senate amendment amends section 412(e) of the Food for 
     Peace Act to provide not less than $365 million of the 
     amounts made available to carry out this title for 
     nonemergency food assistance programs for fiscal years 
     through FY 2023. It amends section 412(e) of the Food for 
     Peace Act to allow funds expended under the Farmer-to-Farmer 
     Program (section 501 of the Food for Peace Act) to be 
     considered amounts expended for the nonemergency food 
     assistance programs under section 412. The amendment also 
     amends section 412(e) of the Food for Peace Act to allow 
     funds expended through Part I of the Foreign Assistance Act 
     of 1961 through grants or cooperative agreements and 
     consistent with the goals of Title II, to be considered 
     amounts expended for nonemergency food assistance programs 
     under certain circumstances. (Section 3111)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with a 
     modification to amend section 412(e) to allow funds expended 
     under the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (section 501 of the Food 
     for Peace Act) to be considered amounts expended for the 
     nonemergency food assistance programs under section 412. 
     (Section 3114)
       The Managers emphasize the importance of nonemergency 
     development assistance to strengthen resiliency and 
     transition countries from food aid recipients to trading 
     partners. The Managers authorize the Administrator to count 
     Community Development Funds (CDF) toward the minimum level of 
     nonemergency food assistance. The Managers support the use of 
     CDF to complement Title II resources and expect that the 
     Administrator will continue to use these funds to provide 
     direct funding to Food for Peace Title II nonemergency 
     programs through the Office of Food for Peace or its 
     successor. The Managers further expect that any reduction in 
     the use of commodities in non-emergency programs that result 
     from the use of the CDF will be offset by additional 
     commodities used in emergency food aid operations.
     (8) John Ognowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer program
       The House bill amends section 501 of the Food for Peace Act 
     to clarify that assistance provided under the program should 
     be ``technical'' in nature. The bill amends section 501 of 
     the Food for Peace Act to add retired extension staff of USDA 
     as able to work in conjunction with agricultural producers 
     and farm organizations on a voluntary basis. It also amends 
     section 501 to expand the scope of issues the program can 
     focus on to include selection of seed varieties and plant 
     stocks, knowledge of insecticide and sanitation procedures to 
     prevent crop destruction, use and maintenance of agricultural 
     equipment and irrigation systems, and selection of 
     fertilizers and methods of soils treatment. The bill further 
     amends section 501 to encourage the fostering of investments 
     in institutional capacity-building to allow for longer-term 
     sequenced assignments to provide deeper engagement and 
     greater continuity of projects. It extends authority for 
     appropriations at existing levels for each of FY 2019 through 
     FY 2023. It allows for funds used under this section to be 
     counted toward the minimum level of non-emergency food 
     assistance under 412(e). The bill adds the establishment of 
     geographically defined crop yield metrics system, a public 
     database to assess improvements in crop yields, and creates a 
     new grant program to facilitate new and innovative 
     partnerships and activities. It extends authority for 
     appropriations at existing levels for each fiscal year FY 
     2019 through FY 2023. (Section 3016)
       The Senate amendment amends section 501 of the Food for 
     Peace Act to allow employees or staff of a State cooperative 
     institution as defined by subparagraphs (A) through (D) of 
     section 1404(18) of the National Agricultural Research 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to volunteer for 
     the purposes enumerated under section 501. It extends 
     authority for minimum levels of assistance at existing levels 
     for each fiscal year FY 2019 through FY 2023. The amendment 
     extends authority for appropriations at existing levels for 
     each fiscal year FY 2019 through FY 2023. (Section 3113)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that clarifies that the nature of assistance 
     should be ``technical,'' expands the scope of issues the 
     program can focus on to include selection of seed varieties 
     and plant stocks, knowledge of insecticide and sanitation 
     procedures to prevent crop destruction, use and maintenance 
     of agricultural equipment and irrigation systems, and 
     selection of fertilizers and methods of soils treatment, and 
     creates a new grant program to facilitate new and innovative 
     partnerships and activities. (Section 3116)
       The Managers support the United States' work to advance 
     food security in developing countries and open new markets 
     for agricultural trade through programs that leverage the 
     unique capabilities of Federal departments and agencies and 
     that improve coordination between donors, beneficiaries, and 
     the private sector. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
     plays an important role in establishing trade between the 
     United States and other nations and should enhance its role 
     in facilitating the transfer of the knowledge, skills, and 
     experience of American farmers, land grant universities, and 
     extension services through the John Ogonowski and Doug 
     Bereuter Farmer-To-Farmer Program.
       The Managers intend for the Farmer-to-Farmer Program to 
     foster appropriate investments in institutional capacity-
     building and allow longer-term and sequenced assignments and 
     partnerships to provide deeper engagement and greater 
     continuity on such projects.
     (9) Priority trade promotion, development, and assistance
       Section 3102(a) of the House bill amends section 205 of the 
     Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to create the International 
     Market Development Program, a consolidation of the current 
     Market Access Program (MAP), the Foreign Market Development 
     (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC), and 
     the E Kika de la Garza programs. Section 3102(b) of the House 
     bill amends section 211(c) to provide $255 million in annual 
     mandatory funding for the International Market Development 
     Program, subject to the allocation of $253.5 million as 
     follows: MAP not less than $200 million annually; FMD not 
     less than $34.5 million annually; E. (Kika) de la Garza 
     Emerging Markets Program (EMP), not more than $10 million 
     annually; TASC not more than $9 million annually; and the 
     remaining unallocated balance of $1.5 million per year will 
     be available for the Secretary to make available for the MAP 
     and/or FMD programs. Section 3102(c) of the bill repeals the 
     current law authorizations for the MAP, FMD, TASC, and de la 
     Garza programs. It also repeals section 1302 of the Omnibus 
     Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to eliminate the suggested 
     five-year limitation on promotion of a specific branded 
     product in a single market, and other administrative 
     guidelines. Section 3102(d) of the bill makes conforming 
     amendments. (Section 3102)
       The Senate amendment amends Title II of the Agricultural 
     Trade Act of 1978 to add a new Subtitle C--Priority Trade 
     Promotion, Development, and Assistance. It consolidates the 
     MAP, FMD, de la Garza, and TASC programs under subtitle C. 
     The Senate amendment provides a total of $259.5 million in 
     annual mandatory funding for the Priority Trade Promotion, 
     Development, and Assistance program, subject to the 
     allocation of $253.5 million as follows: MAP not less than 
     $200 million annually; FMD not less than $34.5 million 
     annually; E (Kika) de la Garza Agricultural Fellowship 
     Program not more than $10 million annually; TASC not less 
     than $9 million annually; and the remaining balance of $6 
     million annually will be available for use among the four 
     programs, as determined by the Secretary under a new Priority 
     Trade Fund. The Senate amendment repeals current law 
     authorizations for the MAP, FMD, TASC and de la Garza 
     programs, and makes several changes, including: clarifies 
     definition of ``emerging market'' to include a ``territory, 
     customs union, or other economic market'' in addition to the 
     current law ``country'' for the de la Garza Fellowship 
     Program; adds section 255(d) to the Agricultural Trade Act of 
     1978 to authorize the Secretary to provide assistance under 
     TASC to a project for longer than a five-year period if the 
     Secretary determines it would effectively support the purpose 
     of the program; and section 226(d) authorizes the use of 
     funds to carry out MAP and FMD in Cuba, consistent with 
     directives under the National Security Presidential 
     Memorandum of June 16, 2017 entitled ``Strengthening the 
     Policy of the United States Toward Cuba'', during the period 
     in which that memorandum is in effect. (Section 3201)

[[Page H9975]]

       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that consolidates the current MAP, FMD, TASC, 
     and EMP programs under one Agricultural Trade Promotion and 
     Facilitation section in the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. 
     The amendment provides a total of $255 million in annual 
     mandatory funding subject to allocation as follows: MAP not 
     less than $200 million annually; FMD not less than $34.5 
     million annually; EMP not more than $8 million annually; TASC 
     at $9 million annually; and the Priority Trade Fund at $3.5 
     million annually to be distributed at the Secretary's 
     discretion. Further, the substitute repeals section 1302 of 
     the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to eliminate 
     the suggested five-year limitation on promotion for specific 
     branded product in a single market. (Section 3201)
       The Managers intend for the consolidation of the Market 
     Access Program, the Foreign Market Development Cooperator 
     Program, the Kika de la Garza Emerging Markets Program, and 
     the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program under 
     one Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation Program to 
     establish permanent mandatory funding for agricultural trade 
     promotion activities. The Managers intend to maintain the 
     unique functions of each program.
       The Managers recognize that specialty crops are uniquely 
     challenged by sanitary and phytosanitary barriers and other 
     non-tariff barriers to trade, including a lack of 
     international harmonization for maximum residue levels 
     (MRLs). While the Managers affirm the importance of TASC in 
     addressing these barriers, they recognize that the TASC 
     program has been underutilized in recent years. The Managers 
     intend for the Secretary to consider and, as necessary, make 
     reforms to streamline the application, approval, and 
     compliance processes and requirements for eligible 
     organizations, particularly for smaller grants and shorter-
     term or time-sensitive projects. The Managers direct USDA to 
     have substantial, ongoing engagement with specialty crop 
     stakeholders and the Committees in carrying out the 
     requirements of this section to improve the program, 
     including as USDA reviews program procedures and requirements 
     and makes improvements to streamline and facilitate 
     assistance.
       The Managers recognize that expanding trade with Cuba not 
     only represents an opportunity for American farmers and 
     ranchers, but also a chance to improve engagement with the 
     Cuban people in support of democratic ideas and human rights. 
     They note that the June 2017 National Security Presidential 
     Memorandum toward Cuba affirmatively supports the sale of 
     United States agricultural commodities and does not impair or 
     otherwise affect the authority otherwise granted by law to an 
     executive department or agency. The Managers expect that the 
     Secretary will work closely with eligible trade organizations 
     to educate them about allowable activities to improve exports 
     to Cuba under the Market Access and Foreign Market 
     Development Cooperator Programs.
     (10) Food for Progress Act of 1985
       The House bill reauthorizes the section through FY 2023, 
     and adds colleges and universities as defined by Section 
     1404(4) of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3103(4)) as eligible entities to furnish commodities or 
     provide financial assistance under this section. (Section 
     3204)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes the section through FY 
     2023 and clarifies that the Secretary retains the authority 
     to administer the programs applicable to this section. It 
     adds land grant colleges and universities as defined by 
     Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) as 
     eligible entities to furnish commodities or provide financial 
     assistance under this section and clarifies that when 
     providing humanitarian or developmental aid, ``internal'' 
     transportation costs may be considered a covered expense. The 
     section adds paragraph (5) at the end of subsection (l) to 
     require a certain amount of assistance be provided in direct 
     funds, in the amount of 30 percent of the funds of the 
     ``transportation cap'', 30 percent of existing administrative 
     funds, and $26 million in funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation for each of FY 2019 through FY 2023, specified to 
     be used to pay for any of the costs in paragraph (4). 
     Additionally, the Senate amendment strikes existing 
     ``Requirements'' and instructs the Secretary to issue 
     regulations and revisions to agency guidance and procedures 
     necessary to implement the amendments made to this section 
     within 270 days of enactment of this Act. The section 
     instructs the Secretary to consult with the Committee on 
     Agriculture and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate relating to agency 
     regulations, guidance and procedures that are to be revised 
     within 270 days of enactment of this Act. (Section 3301)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment requiring the Secretary to include information 
     on the ``rate of return'' for a commodity in the annual 
     report, and includes a section authorizing pilot agreements 
     for FY 2019 through FY 2023 to directly provide financial 
     assistance to eligible entities to cover the costs of 
     activities consistent with the humanitarian and development 
     purposes listed in (l)(4)(A). (Section 3302)
       The Managers affirm the importance of Food for Progress in 
     improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food 
     security in developing countries by providing training and 
     technical assistance to producers, developing extension 
     services, increasing access to quality inputs, improving 
     access to capital, and numerous other activities.
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to use the pilot 
     agreement authority to test and evaluate the effectiveness of 
     directly providing funds to eligible entities to implement 
     the same types of development activities that are typically 
     funded by proceeds from monetization under this program.
     (11) Cochran emerging market fellowship program
       The House bill amends section 1543 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to clarify 
     that the purpose of the fellowship includes enhancing trade 
     linkages involving regulatory systems governing sanitary and 
     phytosanitary standards for agricultural products, and 
     permits study in foreign colleges or universities that have 
     met certain criteria including having sufficient scientific 
     and technical facilities, having an established partnership 
     with at least one college or university in the United States, 
     and having substantial participation by U.S. faculty in the 
     design of the fellowship curriculum and classroom instruction 
     under the fellowship. (Section 3206)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1543 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to add to 
     the purposes of the program the development of agricultural 
     extension services and regulatory systems governing sanitary 
     and phytosanitary standards for agricultural products. It 
     increases the authorization of appropriations for the 3 
     country categories, respectively, to (1) $4 million, (2) $3 
     million, and (3) $6 million. (Section 3304)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that permits study in foreign colleges or 
     universities that have sufficient scientific and technical 
     facilities, have established a partnership with at least one 
     college or university in the United States, and have 
     substantial participation by U.S. faculty in the design of 
     the fellowship curriculum and classroom instruction under the 
     fellowship. (Section 3305)
       The Managers intend to provide the Secretary discretion to 
     improve program efficiency by permitting fellowships to occur 
     at a college or university located outside the United States, 
     subject to certain eligibility requirements, where 
     appropriate. The Managers expect the Secretary to work 
     closely with Congress in implementing this provision to 
     ensure the original intent of the program is preserved.
     (12) Borlaug International Agricultural Science and 
         Technology Fellowship Program--Developing country 
         fellowship recipients
       The House bill amends section 1473G to add a new 
     authorization for fellowship recipients from eligible 
     developing countries to receive scientific training or study 
     at a college or university outside of the United States, 
     subject to specific criteria. It authorizes appropriations of 
     $6 million for the Borlaug fellowship program and requires 
     that not less than $2.8 million appropriated be used for 
     participants from eligible foreign countries. (Section 3207)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1473G to add the 
     development of agricultural extension services in foreign 
     countries to the purpose of the program. It requires the 
     Secretary to encourage the ongoing engagement of prior 
     fellowship recipients to contribute to new or ongoing 
     agricultural development projects, with a priority for 
     capacity-building projects. (Section 3305)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 3306)
     (13) Borlaug International Agricultural Science and 
         Technology Fellowship Program--Proposed United States 
         fellowships
       The House bill adds a new subsection (a)(3) to section 
     1473G of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
     Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to establish a new program under 
     which the Secretary shall provide U.S. citizens with 
     fellowships, to assist eligible countries in developing 
     school-based agriculture and youth extension programs. It 
     requires that the new U.S. citizen fellowships develop 
     globally minded U.S.agriculturists with experience living 
     abroad, focus on meeting the food and fiber needs of eligible 
     countries, and strengthen and enhance trade linkages between 
     eligible countries and the U.S. agricultural industry. The 
     section authorizes the Secretary to provide fellowships under 
     subsection (a)(3) to U.S. citizens who hold at least a 
     bachelor's degree in an agricultural related field of study 
     and have an understanding of U.S. school-based agricultural 
     education and youth extension programs. It requires the 
     Secretary to consult with the National FFA Organization, the 
     National 4-H Council, and other entities to identify 
     candidates for fellowships. The section requires the 
     Secretary to manage, coordinate, evaluate, and monitor the 
     fellowship program, either directly or by contract with an 
     outside organization with experience in implementing 
     fellowship programs focused on building capacity for school-
     based agricultural education and youth extension programs in 
     developing countries. (Section 3207)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment establishing the International Agricultural 
     Education Fellowship Program in the Agriculture Improvement 
     Act of 2018 as a new

[[Page H9976]]

     program separate from the Borlaug Fellowship Program, and 
     authorizing appropriations for the program. (Section 3307)
       The Managers recognize the importance of youth engagement 
     in agricultural development and intend for these fellowships 
     to provide valuable opportunities to young agriculturalists 
     in eligible countries as well as international experience for 
     emerging American agricultural leaders.
     (14) International food security technical assistance
       The Senate amendment amends the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by adding at the end of 
     Title XV, a provision directing the Secretary to compile and 
     make available information on the improvement of 
     international food security. It authorizes the Secretary to 
     provide technical assistance to certain entities to implement 
     programs for the improvement of international food security. 
     (Section 3306)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 3308)
     (15) McGovern-Dole international food for education and child 
         nutrition program
       The House bill amends the section by requiring, to the 
     extent practicable, the assistance provided under this 
     section coincide with the start of the school year and is 
     available when needed throughout the relevant school year. It 
     authorizes appropriations in the existing amount through FY 
     2023. (Section 3205)
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
     to ensure that assistance provided under this section is 
     provided in a timely manner and is made available when needed 
     throughout the applicable school year. It authorizes 
     appropriations in the existing amount through FY 2023. The 
     section allows not more than 10% of available funds to be 
     used for commodities produced in and procured from a 
     developing country that is a recipient country or developing 
     country within the same region of the recipient country and 
     that meet nutritional, quality and labeling standards of the 
     recipient countries, and allows funding to cover the 
     associated costs of transporting those commodities. (Section 
     3307)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 3309)
       The McGovern-Dole program has successfully addressed hunger 
     and malnutrition, improved school attendance, and increased 
     literacy and academic achievement for children around the 
     world. The Managers expect the Secretary to use the new 
     authority authorized in this provision to incorporate locally 
     and regionally grown commodities into multi-year McGovern-
     Dole programs, particularly in the final years of a program, 
     to support the transition to full local ownership and 
     implementation.
       The Managers strongly support the graduation of McGovern-
     Dole feeding programs, while also recognizing less-developed 
     countries may need additional, longer- term assistance and 
     should still be considered for inclusion in the program.
       Additionally, the Managers encourage the Secretary to 
     consider extending the length of a project if the Secretary 
     determines that a project needs additional time to sustain 
     the benefits and such an extension would support the overall 
     purposes of the program.
     (16) Global Crop Diversity Trust
       The House bill amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act of 2008 to increase the authorized aggregate contribution 
     of U.S. funds to the trust to 33% of the total funds 
     contributed from all sources. It authorizes appropriations at 
     existing levels through FY 2023. (Section 3208)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 3202 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 maintaining the 25% 
     contribution limit. It authorizes appropriations at existing 
     levels through FY 2023. (Section 3308)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment increasing the authorized contribution to 33% of 
     total funds contributed from all sources beginning in fiscal 
     year 2019 and extending appropriations at existing levels 
     through FY 2023, while limiting the annual contribution of 
     funds to $5,500,000 for each of FY 2019 through FY 2023. 
     (Section 3310)
       The Managers affirm the importance of the Global Crop 
     Diversity Trust for ensuring the conservation and 
     availability of genetic resources for food security 
     worldwide, while recognizing the importance of other 
     international agricultural research and development efforts 
     including the Consultative Group for International 
     Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Feed the Future Innovation 
     Labs.
       The Managers applaud the Trust for having raised 
     contributions of over $367 million and concessional loans of 
     more than $60 million from sources other than the United 
     States. The Managers expect the Trust to continue to secure 
     substantial new contributions to the endowment from other 
     donors.
     (17) Local and regional food aid procurement projects
       The House bill reauthorizes appropriations at existing 
     levels through FY 2023. (Section 3201)
       The Senate amendment amends section 3206(e)(1) of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to include the 
     ``Secretary'' as the proper entity to receive appropriations 
     and reauthorizes appropriations at existing levels through FY 
     2023. (Section 3309)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 3311)
     (18) Foreign trade missions
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
     to support greater inclusion of Tribal agricultural and food 
     products in trade-related activities. (Section 3310)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 3312)
     (19) Findings
       The House bill states the United States is the world's 
     largest donor of international food assistance, American 
     farmers are instrumental in providing commodities, and due to 
     the efforts of the maritime industry and private 
     organizations commodities have been delivered to millions of 
     people around the globe. The section provides the United 
     States should continue to use is agricultural productivity to 
     promote foreign policy and enhance food security around the 
     world. (Section 3001)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not include the House 
     provision.
       The Managers recognize that the United States has long been 
     the world's largest donor of international food assistance, 
     and that American farmers have been instrumental in the 
     success of United States international food assistance 
     programs by providing an affordable, safe, and reliable 
     source of nutritious agricultural commodities.
       Furthermore, the Managers commend the efforts of the United 
     States maritime industry and private voluntary organizations 
     in delivering U.S. agricultural commodities to millions of 
     people in need around the globe.
     (20) Labeling requirements
       The House bill amends section 202(g) of Food for Peace to 
     require agricultural commodities and other assistance 
     provided under this title, to the extent practicable, to 
     be clearly identified as being furnished by the people of 
     the United States. The section provides in the case of 
     other assistance, that the identification take place on 
     other printed material accompanying the assistance. 
     (Section 3002)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 3101)
       The Managers intend for the Administrator of USAID to 
     continue to use discretion in applying this requirement in 
     situations where labeling assistance furnished by the United 
     States could result in safety or security concerns.
     (21) Issuance of regulations
       The House bill amends section 207(c)(1) of the Food for 
     Peace Act to strike ``the Agricultural Act of 2014'' and 
     inserts the ``Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018'' to 
     require regulations be issued within 270 days of enactment. 
     (Section 3007)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 3106)
     (22) Consideration of impact of provision of agricultural 
         commodities and other assistance on local farmers and 
         economy
       The House bill amends section 403 of the Food for Peace Act 
     by adding ``food procured outside of the United States, food 
     vouchers, or cash transfers for food'' to the list of types 
     of assistance subject to market impact analysis prior to 
     being provided to a recipient country. It amends the section 
     to clarify that consideration of storage facilities is only 
     necessary where the provision of an agricultural commodity is 
     at issue. It amends the section to include the distribution 
     of ``agricultural commodity or use of the food procured 
     outside of the United States, food vouchers, or cash 
     transfers of food'' as considerations in the calculation of 
     whether a substantial disincentive to, or interference with, 
     domestic production or marketing in that country will take 
     place if that specific type of assistance is provided. The 
     section requires that in addition to commodities, the 
     Secretary or Administrator shall ensure that ``food procured 
     outside of the United States, food vouchers, and cash 
     transfers for food'' will not have a disruptive impact on the 
     farmers or the local economy within the recipient country. 
     (Section 3010)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 3109)
     (23) Findings
       The House bill states that U.S. export programs increase 
     demand for U.S. agriculture products in foreign markets, 
     acknowledges that, comparatively, global competitors are 
     outspending the U.S. on export programs, and that 
     preservation and streamlining of the U.S. export market 
     programs is consistent with USDA reorganization efforts 
     focusing on increasing U.S. agricultural trade across the 
     globe. (Section 3101)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not include the House 
     provision.
       United States trade promotion programs leverage federal 
     dollars to significantly bolster demand in foreign markets 
     for United States agricultural products, which increases 
     agricultural export volume and overall net farm income. At 
     the same time, our global competitors continue to provide 
     substantially more public support for export

[[Page H9977]]

     promotion than is provided to our own agricultural exporters. 
     Thus, the Managers underscore the critical importance of 
     maintaining support for U.S. agricultural trade promotion 
     efforts.
       Finally, the Managers note the preservation and 
     streamlining of United States international market 
     development programs complements the recent reorganization 
     within USDA by ensuring the newly established Under Secretary 
     for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs has the tools 
     necessary to enhance the competitiveness of the United States 
     agricultural industry on the global stage.
     (24) Growing American Food Exports Act of 2018
       The House bill amends section 1543A of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to assist 
     with the removal of nontariff and other trade barriers to 
     U.S. agricultural products produced with biotechnology and 
     other agricultural technologies. It removes the restriction 
     of section 102 of such Act relating to the definition of 
     agricultural commodities and states that ``policy advocacy 
     and targeted projects'' should address issues relating to 
     U.S. Agricultural commodities produced with the use of 
     biotechnology or new agricultural technologies, advocacy for 
     science based regulation in foreign markets of biotechnology 
     or new agricultural production technologies, and quick-
     response intervention regarding non-tariff barriers to United 
     States exports produced through biotechnology or new 
     agricultural production technologies. (Section 3209)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute modifies the House provision by 
     expanding the existing program to cover projects to address 
     quick response interventions involving U.S. agricultural 
     commodities produced through new agricultural production 
     technologies and authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 for 
     each of FY 2019 through FY 2023. (Section 3301)
     Additional Report Language
       Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust (Sec 3020)
       The Managers affirm the importance of the Bill Emerson 
     Humanitarian Trust as a reserve to meet unanticipated 
     emergency food assistance needs and are concerned that the 
     Trust has not been utilized since 2014 despite unprecedented 
     food assistance needs in recent years and the continued risk 
     of famine in multiple countries. The Managers note that the 
     Trust, which currently holds over $280 million, can be used 
     to purchase U.S. commodities to assist in averting an 
     emergency, responding to an emergency, and for recovery and 
     rehabilitation after an emergency. They urge USAID and USDA 
     to consider the Trust as a significant resource to meet those 
     objectives.

                          Title IV--Nutrition

     (1) Definition of certification period
       The Senate amendment amends section 3 of the Food and 
     Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA) to allow a State agency to extend 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) 
     certification period for elderly and disabled households who 
     have no earned income at the time of certification to up to 
     36 months. (Section 4101)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (2) Food distribution program on Indian reservations
       The House bill amends section 4(b) of the FNA by 
     reauthorizing the Traditional and Locally-Grown Food Fund in 
     the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), 
     adding the concept of regionally grown food, eliminating the 
     requirement to conduct a survey of traditional foods, and 
     authorizing funds made available to carry out FDPIR to remain 
     available for obligation for a period of 2 fiscal years. 
     (Section 4005)
       The Senate amendment authorizes an 80 percent floor for the 
     Federal share of administrative costs and authorizes funds 
     made available to carry out FDPIR to remain available for 
     obligation by the State agency or tribe for 2 fiscal years. 
     The Senate amendment also establishes a demonstration project 
     for one or more tribal organizations to enter into a self-
     determination contract to purchase agricultural commodities 
     for FDPIR. (Section 4102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to authorize an 80 percent floor for the Federal 
     share of administrative costs, to specify that funds made 
     available to carry out FDPIR remain available for obligation 
     by the State agency or tribe for 2 fiscal years, and to 
     establish a demonstration project for one or more tribal 
     organizations to enter into a self-determination contract to 
     purchase agricultural commodities for FDPIR. (Section 4003)
       The Managers intend for tribal organizations to have an 
     increased role in procuring and distributing more locally, 
     regionally and tribal produced foods under FDPIR. The 
     Managers encourage the Secretary of Agriculture to work with 
     the Secretary of the Interior and with Indian tribes to 
     establish and determine the process and criteria under which 
     tribal organizations may participate in demonstration 
     projects to purchase agricultural commodities under FDPIR. 
     The Managers also encourage the Secretary of Agriculture to 
     consult with the Secretary of the Interior regarding the 
     familiarity with self-determination contracts and with the 
     capacity of tribal organizations to successfully administer a 
     demonstration project.
     (3) Work requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance 
         program
       The House bill amends the FNA by creating a single work 
     requirement in section 6(d) that requires SNAP household 
     members age 18 to 59 to work, participate in employment and 
     training or a work program, or any combination of work, 
     participation in employment and training or a work program 
     with a minimum of 20 hours per week in fiscal years 2021 
     through 2025 and 25 hours per week in fiscal year 2026 and 
     each fiscal year thereafter. The House bill strikes the 
     existing general work requirement in section 6(d)(1) and the 
     existing able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work 
     requirement in section 6(o). The House bill limits the 
     criteria that States may use to request a geographic waiver 
     of the work requirement, including requiring the approval 
     of the State's chief executive officer, makes changes to 
     the ``15-percent'' exemption criteria, and decreases the 
     ``15-percent'' exemption to 12-percent starting in fiscal 
     year 2026.
       The House bill amends section 6(d)(4) of the FNA to require 
     States to offer minimum services in employment and training 
     so that every covered individual may meet the new work 
     requirements; adds case management to the definition of an 
     ``employment and training program'' (E&T program); and 
     includes supervised job search programs, apprenticeships, 
     subsidized employment, family literacy, and financial 
     literacy as allowable components of E&T programs.
       Furthermore, the House bill amends section 16(h) of the FNA 
     to provide funds for E&T at $90 million for fiscal year 2019, 
     $250 million for fiscal year 2020, and $1 billion for each 
     fiscal year thereafter. The allocation of E&T funding is 
     based on current law for fiscal year 2019 and 2020, but for 
     fiscal year 2021, and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
     allocation of E&T funds is based on the new work requirements 
     in 6(d)(1)(B). The House bill strikes the reallocation 
     authority and requires the return of unused E&T funds to the 
     Treasury. The House bill also increases the minimum 
     allocation of E&T funds from $50,000 to $100,000. (Section 
     4015)
       The Senate amendment retains the SNAP work requirements 
     under current law but consolidates those work requirements in 
     the FNA by moving the ABAWD work requirement from section 
     6(o) to section 6(d)(2). Section 6(d)(4) is amended to 
     require a State agency consult with the state workforce 
     development board, private employers or organizations in 
     designing its E&T program and to require that its E&T program 
     meet state or local workforce needs. The Senate amendment 
     adds a new requirement that an E&T program containing a job 
     search component contain at least 1 additional component, and 
     expands the definition of an E&T program to include any E&T 
     pilot activities under 16(h)(1)(F) that are determined 
     effective at increasing employment or earnings for 
     participants. The Senate bill also authorizes workforce 
     partnerships, which are programs operated by private 
     employers or non-profits that would provide participants with 
     at least 20 hours per week of training, work, or experience. 
     The Senate amendment requires the State agency to refer 
     individuals determined to be ill-suited for an E&T component 
     to an appropriate E&T component or workforce partnership, to 
     reassess the mental and physical fitness of the individual, 
     or to the maximum extent practicable, to coordinate with 
     other programs to identify work opportunities or assistance 
     for the individual.
       The Senate amendment amends section 16(h) to authorize 
     additional funds for E&T pilot projects, $92.5 million for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, to remain available until 
     expended. The Senate bill authorizes 8 or more additional 
     pilot projects, prioritizing projects that target certain 
     individuals, including those over age 50; formerly 
     incarcerated individuals; those in substance abuse treatment; 
     and homeless, disabled, and other individuals with 
     significant barriers to employment; and projects that are 
     integrated and family-focused in providing supportive 
     services. The Senate amendment also adds an option for states 
     to report data from workforce partnerships and includes new 
     reporting requirements to ensure that the E&T components are 
     responsive to State or local workforce needs. (Section 4103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments. The amendments retain the general work 
     requirement and ABAWD work requirement in current law; strike 
     modifications to the criteria that States may use to request 
     a geographic waiver of the work requirement; specify that the 
     State's request for a geographic waiver have the support of 
     the State's chief executive officer; strike the changes to 
     the ``15-percent'' exemption criteria; and decrease the ``15-
     percent'' exemption to 12-percent starting in fiscal year 
     2020.
       The amendments require State agency consultation with the 
     state workforce development board or private employers or 
     organizations in designing its E&T program and for the E&T 
     program to meet state or local workforce needs. Additionally, 
     the amendments expand the definition of an E&T program to 
     include supervised job search programs, apprenticeships, 
     subsidized employment, and any E&T pilot activities under 
     section 16(h)(1)(F) that are determined effective at 
     increasing employment or earnings for participants. The 
     amendments also authorize workforce partnerships operated by

[[Page H9978]]

     private employers or non-profits that would provide 
     participants with at least 20 hours per week of training, 
     work, or experience. The amendments require the State agency 
     to refer individuals who have been determined to be ill-
     suited to an E&T component to an appropriate E&T component or 
     workforce partnership, to reassess the mental and physical 
     fitness of the individual, or to coordinate with other 
     programs to identify work opportunities or assistance for the 
     individual. The amendments also add an option for States to 
     report data from workforce partnerships.
       The Conference substitute provides for an increase in 
     funding for E&T under section 16(h)(1) of the FNA from $90 
     million to $103.9 million for each fiscal year and 
     prioritizes the reallocation of unused E&T funding in the 
     following manner: not less than 50 percent for E&T programs 
     and activities currently being piloted under section 
     16(h)(1)(F) that have the most demonstrable impact on the 
     ability of participants to find and retain employment; not 
     less than 30 percent for E&T programs and activities under 
     section 6(d)(4)(B)(i) that have the most demonstrable impact 
     on the ability of participants to find and retain employment 
     and that are targeted to those 50 years of age or over; 
     formerly incarcerated individuals; those in substance abuse 
     treatment; homeless, disabled, and other individuals with 
     significant barriers to employment; and households facing 
     multi-generational poverty; and any remaining funds for E&T 
     programs and activities under section 6(d)(4)(B)(i) that have 
     the most demonstrable impact on the ability of participants 
     to find and retain employment. (Section 4005)
       The Managers acknowledge that neither the Department nor 
     Congress can enumerate every ABAWD's situation as it relates 
     to possible exemption from the time limit, and subsequently, 
     the work requirement. States will maintain the ability to 
     exempt up to 12% of their SNAP population subject to ABAWD 
     work requirements, down from 15%, and continue to accrue 
     exemptions and retain any carryover exemptions from previous 
     years, consistent with current law. These exemptions are 
     meant to excuse individuals who need short-term reprieve from 
     requirements or for those specific populations the State 
     determines should be excluded.
       The Managers also acknowledge that waivers from the ABAWD 
     time limit are necessary in times of recession and in areas 
     with labor surpluses or higher rates of unemployment. The 
     Managers intend to maintain the practice that bestows 
     authority on the State agency responsible for administering 
     SNAP to determine when and how waiver requests for ABAWDs are 
     submitted. In response to concerns that have been raised by 
     some Members that State agencies have not fully communicated 
     to the chief executive their intent to request a waiver under 
     section 6(o), the Managers have included a provision to 
     encourage communication between the State agency and the 
     chief executive officer of the State. The Managers agree that 
     State agencies should have the support of these officials in 
     their application for waiver, ensuring maximum State 
     coordination. It is not the Managers' intent that USDA 
     undertake any new rulemaking in order to facilitate support 
     for requests from State agencies, nor should the language 
     result in any additional paperwork or administrative steps 
     under the waiver process.
       The Managers recognize the importance of E&T as a means to 
     improve SNAP participants' ability to gain and retain 
     employment and reduce reliance on public assistance. The 
     Managers expect USDA and State agencies to review and bolster 
     the quality and accountability of State E&T programs for SNAP 
     participants.
       The Managers revamped current E&T programming to include 
     evidence-based components that have proven to assist 
     individuals in obtaining education credentials, and gaining 
     and retaining employment. Case management, including, but not 
     limited to, comprehensive intake assessments, individualized 
     service plans, progress monitoring, or coordination with 
     service providers, is now a required component of all State 
     E&T programs. This is neither meant to be an impediment to 
     the State nor the individual. States should have options as 
     to how to best serve their participants and ensure there is 
     an increased level of engagement and accountability for both 
     the State and individual. The Managers expect such case 
     management activities by State agencies to be included in 
     State plan reporting requirements under section 11(e) of the 
     FNA. Additionally, the Managers agreed to allow supervised 
     job search programs, subsidized employment, and 
     apprenticeships as additional E&T components. The Managers 
     note that unsupervised job search may be a subsidiary 
     component for the purposes of meeting a work requirement, 
     only as long as such component is less than half the 
     requirement. The Managers also encourage States to establish 
     a process for referral or reassessment of individuals subject 
     to an E&T requirement who were determined to be ill-suited to 
     the E&T component to which they had been referred.
       The Managers expect State agencies to engage SNAP 
     households, specifically those without earned income at their 
     point of recertification, to be aware of and promote 
     participation in available E&T options. The Managers 
     acknowledge that earnings have the potential to significantly 
     improve the economic stability of households without earned 
     income, and expect States to leverage every opportunity to 
     provide households with a pathway forward.
       The Managers encourage USDA and State agencies to continue 
     pursuing effective methods for SNAP participants to attain 
     sustainable employment. To encourage continued innovation by 
     State agencies and incentivize result-driven activities, the 
     Managers amended the process for reallocation of unused E&T 
     funds to go toward State programs and activities that have 
     demonstrated success in participants finding and retaining 
     employment and reducing reliance on public assistance. The 
     Managers intend for the reallocated funds to fund programs 
     developed by the pilots authorized under the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014, new E&T activities, and programs that build upon 
     effective E&T components. The Managers encourage USDA to 
     continually prioritize projects and activities that focus on 
     certain populations facing employment barriers, such as those 
     older than 50 years old; formerly incarcerated, disabled, or 
     homeless individuals; and those recovering from substance 
     abuse. USDA should also prioritize projects with family-
     focused approaches. The Managers intend to focus these 
     reallocated resources on programs and activities that are 
     most effective, as measured by independent evaluations, and 
     that demonstrate upfront how these activities are sustainable 
     and can be transitioned into or adopted as part of currently 
     allowable employment and training components.
       The Managers included Department of Labor and Department of 
     Veterans Affairs E&T programs as part of the programs 
     eligible to satisfy the SNAP work requirement, in order to 
     provide additional options to SNAP participants and encourage 
     coordination among federal E&T programs.
       The Managers also encourage State E&T programs to increase 
     coordination with State Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
     Act (WIOA) workforce boards and local employers when 
     establishing and evaluating programs to increase program 
     accountability and maximize the ability for SNAP participants 
     to meet any work requirements. The Managers strongly 
     encourage State agencies to engage and seek input from local 
     employers when designing and selecting E&T programs to ensure 
     the skills being offered are those that are needed and match 
     the local workforce needs.
       The Managers expect workforce partnerships (WFPs) to serve 
     as an option for individuals to fulfill work requirements 
     under SNAP. The Managers intend for WFPs to provide a non-
     government option for E&T programming, through nonprofit or 
     private organizations to supplement--not supplant--Federal 
     and State E&T programs for SNAP participants.
       The Managers intend to allow private employers, 
     organizations of private employers, or non-profit 
     organizations that provide quality, work-relevant skills, 
     training, or experience to qualify as a WFP, which will 
     fulfill work or training requirements for SNAP participants.
       While enrollment by SNAP participants is voluntary, the 
     Managers expect participation in WFPs to fulfill either 
     mandatory or voluntary work requirements. WFPs are intended 
     to allow businesses to provide more industry-specific 
     training or soft skills workforce preparation for 
     individuals. WFPs are also intended to allow non-profit 
     organizations that provide quality, work-related training to 
     qualify as E&T programs.
       The Managers expect that an organization may establish or 
     have an ongoing training program certified as a WFP by a 
     State or USDA if the program:
       (A) provides work-related training or experience of 20 or 
     more hours per week;
       (B) will serve as a reference for the participant 
     fulfilling work requirements or for future employment; and
       (C) is otherwise following applicable employment and labor 
     laws.
       Once certified, a WFP's reporting should be limited to 
     notifying a State agency when a SNAP participant enters or 
     leaves the program or is no longer meeting the program's 
     requirements. While State agencies may refer applicants to a 
     WFP, a WFP should be allowed to maintain an independent 
     application and screening process.
       The Managers intend for WFP providers to be allowed to 
     receive grants or funding through other sources and partner 
     with non-profit organizations, community or technical 
     colleges, a consortium of private employers, or industry and 
     trade associations.
     (4) Improvements to electronic benefit transfer system
       The House bill amends section 7(h)(2) of the FNA to require 
     the Secretary to review and modify regulations related to 
     evolving electronic benefit transfer (EBT) technology and to 
     develop standards using risk-based measures to maximize the 
     security, ease of use, and effectiveness of the technology. 
     (Section 4016)
       The House bill amends section 7(h)(14) by requiring that 
     before the Secretary authorizes use of mobile technologies to 
     access SNAP benefits in all States, the Secretary shall 
     approve no more than five demonstration projects that will 
     pilot the use of mobile technologies, while maintaining 
     recipient protections and access. (Section 4017)
       The House bill amends section 7(h)(13) to prohibit States, 
     and agents, contractors, and subcontractors of the State from 
     imposing fees for switching or routing EBT transactions. 
     (Section 4018)
       The House bill amends section 7(d) of the FNA to expand the 
     entities over which the Secretary shall implement controls 
     related to the delivery of benefits. Section 9(c) is

[[Page H9979]]

     amended to authorize the Secretary to require that applicant 
     retailers submit contracts for EBT services and equipment and 
     records necessary to validate the FNS authorization number to 
     accept and redeem benefits. (Section 4022)
       The House bill amends section 7(h)(8) of the FNA to require 
     the head of household to review program rights and 
     responsibilities after two or more lost cards in a 12-month 
     period. (Section 4019)
       Finally, the House bill amends section 7(h)(12) to: (1) 
     require a State to establish a procedure for the recovery of 
     benefits due to the death of all members of the household; 
     (2) modify the time period for benefit storage from 6 months 
     to 3 months for inactivity; and (3) modify the time period 
     for expunging benefits from 12 months to 6 months or upon 
     verification all members of the household are deceased. 
     (Section 4020)
       The Senate amendment: (1) amends section 7(h) by inserting 
     a new authority regarding prohibited fees, effective through 
     fiscal year 2022; (2) adds a new authority to section 7(f) to 
     allow a farmers market or direct marketing farmer to operate 
     a point of sale device at more than one location if certain 
     requirements are met; (3) directs GAO to study the state EBT 
     systems and evaluate fees, outages, emerging entities and 
     technologies, and entities that participate in the EBT 
     system, and submit findings to Congress; (4) requires the 
     Secretary to conduct a review of EBT systems and issue 
     guidance or regulation based on the findings of the GAO study 
     and the Secretary's review; and (5) allows the Secretary to 
     require applicant retailers to submit EBT equipment 
     information and requires that the Secretary also consider 
     information about the ability of an applicant retailer's EBT 
     equipment and service provider to provide sufficient EBT data 
     to minimize fraudulent transactions. (Section 4104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments (1) prohibiting the imposition of fees for 
     switching and routing EBT transactions through fiscal year 
     2023; (2) striking the House expansion of the parties for 
     which the Secretary shall implement controls over related to 
     the delivery of benefits; (3) striking the House requirement 
     that the head of household review program rights and 
     responsibilities after two or more lost cards in a 12-month 
     period; (4) allowing a farmers market or direct marketing 
     farmer to operate a point of sale device at more than one 
     location if certain requirements are met; (5) allowing the 
     Secretary to require applicant retailers to submit EBT 
     equipment information; (6) requiring that the Secretary 
     consider information about the ability of an applicant 
     retailer's EBT equipment and service provider to provide 
     sufficient EBT data to minimize fraudulent transactions; and 
     (7) making other technical changes. (Section 4006)
       The Managers recognize that the acceptance of SNAP benefits 
     at farmers markets has increased participants' access to 
     fresh, healthy food while improving sales for local farmers. 
     In 2017, over $22.4 million in SNAP benefits were redeemed by 
     farmers markets or direct marketing farmers. While this 
     represents a significant expansion over previous years, these 
     transactions remain a small percentage of total SNAP 
     transactions.
       A persistent challenge to increasing SNAP acceptance at 
     farmers markets has been the cost and availability of 
     wireless EBT point-of-sale equipment. This barrier has been 
     compounded by the recent announcement that a major provider 
     of mobile EBT technology plans to discontinue service. The 
     Managers direct the Secretary to take appropriate action to 
     ensure that EBT service is not disrupted and SNAP customers 
     maintain the ability to use their benefits at farmers 
     markets.
       Another challenge is the requirement for each farmers 
     market location to obtain its own EBT authorization and 
     equipment, even if the locations are operated and managed by 
     a single organization. The Managers intend for the Secretary 
     to allow a farmers market or direct-marketing farmer to 
     operate an individual point-of-sale device at more than one 
     location under the same SNAP authorization, while maintaining 
     appropriate safeguards to ensure program integrity.
       The Managers are aware that some State-contracted EBT 
     processors are charging switching or routing fees in 
     connection with the routing of SNAP benefits. These fees 
     require retailers and/or those routing transactions on behalf 
     of retailers (often referred to as third party processors) to 
     pay for switching or routing EBT transactions to the State 
     EBT processor that handles the client EBT account. These fees 
     may seek to offset artificially low cost-per-case-month fees 
     that are bid as part of State contracts, and therefore, 
     adversely affect competition among existing or new EBT 
     processors. So, for the next five years, in the interest of 
     maintaining competitiveness for EBT transaction routing, the 
     Managers extend existing statutory prohibitions against the 
     charging of fees by State-contracted EBT processors in 
     connection with the redemption of SNAP benefits to include 
     the charging of gateway switching or routing fees to SNAP 
     authorized retailers or their third party processors. This 
     five-year prohibition will provide interim certainty while 
     allowing stakeholders to coordinate and find practical 
     compromise.
       The Managers recognize USDA has existing authority to 
     review State EBT systems, as well as fees, outages, emerging 
     entities and technologies, and the participating entities 
     within the EBT system. The Managers also understand the 
     Secretary has begun a feasibility study related to a 
     potential national gateway system. In addition to the gateway 
     study, the Managers strongly encourage the Secretary to 
     review other components within the EBT system, including, but 
     not limited to, security, use of innovative technology, and 
     improved monitoring.
       The marketplace continues to develop innovative 
     technologies, such as third-party mobile applications, which 
     can assist SNAP participants with managing their benefits. 
     The Managers encourage USDA to use existing authority to 
     review the effectiveness of third-party mobile applications 
     for SNAP EBT cards and to inform States on how to ensure 
     these new technologies have a secure system in place to 
     protect personal account information; do not sell, distribute 
     or make available personal account information for commercial 
     marketing purposes; and that participants have consistent 
     access to information that would otherwise be made available 
     to that household member.
       Although the Managers agreed to reduce the time limit 
     before benefits are stored and expunged, the intent is for 
     SNAP participants to be provided appropriate opportunity to 
     restore benefits after they have been stored and before they 
     are expunged. Further, when determining whether clients have 
     used their benefits within the required timeframes, the 
     Managers direct States to track account activity using the 
     ``first in, first out'' method.
     (5) Requirements for online acceptance of benefits
       The House bill amends section 3(o)(1) of the FNA to include 
     online entities within the definition of retail food store. 
     It also amends section 7(k) to strike the required report to 
     Congress and require the nationwide implementation of the 
     online acceptance of benefits post-pilot. (Section 4021)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 4001)
       The Managers recognize the importance of modernizing SNAP 
     to improve the efficiency of the program through online 
     redemption of benefits. While the online pilots at USDA have 
     yet to begin, in spite of the deadline established by the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014, the Managers encourage the 
     Secretary to promptly implement those pilots and adopt online 
     acceptance nationwide following completion of such pilots. In 
     order to expedite nationwide implementation, the Managers 
     agreed to remove the reporting requirement from the online 
     pilots. The Managers expect USDA to continue to incorporate 
     appropriate protections and monitoring to ensure program 
     integrity.
     (6) National gateway
       The House bill requires the Secretary to create a national 
     gateway through which to route all SNAP EBT transactions. 
     Prior to implementing the national gateway in all States, the 
     Secretary is required to conduct a feasibility study. The 
     House bill authorizes $10.5 million for fiscal year 2019 and 
     $9.5 million for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, and 
     requires benefit issuers and third-party processors to pay 
     fees, proportionate to the number of transactions and 
     operating costs, to the gateway operator. (Section 4022)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision. The 
     Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (7) Supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit 
         transfer transaction data report
       The House bill amends section 9 of the FNA by authorizing 
     the Secretary to collect a statistically significant sample 
     of SNAP retailer transaction data, including the cost and 
     description of food purchased with SNAP, to the extent 
     practicable. The House bill also exempts certain transaction 
     data from the Freedom of Information Act disclosure 
     requirements. (Section 4026)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision. The 
     Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (8) Required action on data match information
       The Senate amendment requires State agencies to contact the 
     household to clarify or verify, if applicable, certain 
     information relating to household circumstances received from 
     data matches for the purpose of ensuring an accurate 
     eligibility and benefit determination. (Section 4106)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 4009)
       Procedures for required action on data matches have been 
     established through regulation at 7 CFR 273.12(c)(3). The 
     Managers do not intend for the Department to change or 
     reconsider this regulation. Rather, this provision is 
     intended to codify existing regulation and make a conforming 
     change to address the establishment of the National Accuracy 
     Clearinghouse.
     (9) Transitional benefits
       The House bill requires State agencies to provide 
     transitional SNAP benefits to households that cease to 
     receive cash assistance through TANF or to households with 
     children that cease to receive cash assistance through a 
     State-funded public assistance program, for 5 months after 
     the date on which cash assistance is terminated. (Section 
     4024)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (10) Incentivizing technology modernization
       The House bill modifies the eligibility for grants under 
     section 11(t) to limit grants to

[[Page H9980]]

     projects to develop and implement SNAP simplified application 
     and eligibility determination systems. (Section 4025)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment making technical changes. (Section 4010)
     (11) Interstate data matching to prevent multiple issuances
       The House bill requires an interstate database or system of 
     databases to prevent participants from receiving duplicative 
     benefits in multiple States, and includes state data 
     collection and requirements to submit uniform data to USDA, 
     including for each member of a participating household: 
     social security number, employment status, amount of income, 
     the member's portion of the household monthly allotment, and 
     portion of household assets attributed to that member. 
     (Section 4001)
       The Senate amendment requires data matching through an 
     interstate data system to prevent simultaneous issuance of 
     benefits to an individual by more than one State. (Section 
     4109)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments that include parts of the Senate amendment to 
     protect participant privacy and that make technical changes. 
     (Section 4011)
       The amendments also modify the House provision that 
     requires state data collection by instead requiring the 
     Secretary to approve the establishment of longitudinal 
     databases for research purposes that include, if available, 
     household demographic characteristics, income and financial 
     resources, employment status, household circumstances such as 
     deductible expenses, and the monthly SNAP allotment amount, 
     while protecting participant privacy. To award grants to 
     States to establish and maintain the longitudinal databases, 
     the Secretary is provided $20 million for fiscal year 2019 to 
     remain available through fiscal year 2021 and $5 million for 
     fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 
     4015)
       The Managers intend to build upon the successful pilot 
     program authorized under the Agricultural Act of 2014 to 
     prevent duplicate, simultaneous receipt of SNAP benefits in 
     two or more States. The Managers recognize that certification 
     in more than one State is frequently due to a household 
     moving between States and the State failing to properly close 
     or adjust benefits as a result of household relocation, not a 
     household committing fraud. The Managers expect the expansion 
     of the National Accuracy Clearinghouse will create 
     efficiencies in the process by which States address this 
     issue. However, the Managers do not intend for this data 
     matching to impede access to SNAP or delay certification of 
     eligible households. The Managers provide discretion to the 
     Secretary to determine the most effective system and vendor 
     (s) to carry out this section. The Managers expect State 
     agencies to participate in and take action on data matching 
     that indicates multiple benefit issuances, consistent with 
     required action on data match information (Section 4009) in 
     the conference substitute agreement.
       The Managers intend for longitudinal databases to better 
     assess households' participation in SNAP and SNAP program 
     operations, and to improve SNAP program design and 
     effectiveness. The Managers intend for the creation of State-
     based longitudinal databases to improve research on 
     participation in the program, including duration of 
     participation in SNAP. Longitudinal data can serve as an 
     important measurement of program impact and success, and can 
     be used by States and the Secretary to improve program 
     administration. This provision directs the Secretary to 
     establish a database framework to maximize potential 
     consistency among States and, in addition to administrative 
     cost share, incentivize States to develop and maintain 
     databases through grant allocation. The Managers recognize 
     that State computer systems and certification processes may 
     vary between States and some variations will need to be 
     accommodated.
       The Managers also ask that, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, States strive to include all households in the 
     datasets. While ensuring minimal burden on States and program 
     participants is paramount, robust sets of data are important 
     in informing future policy. However, this is not intended to 
     preclude the funding of longitudinal databases in States that 
     are not able to include all households or participants within 
     the State. The Managers expect that all States that have an 
     interest in creating a database will be given an opportunity 
     to participate, even if the State is not able to include all 
     SNAP households or faces higher data management costs due to 
     population size. The Managers intend for longitudinal 
     databases to be established on the initiative of the State, 
     and encourage States that establish longitudinal databases to 
     do so in a thoughtful, deliberate manner, with adequate 
     consideration of potential data uses and needed security 
     practices.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to direct and States to 
     ensure personally identifiable information is not used or 
     stored in longitudinal databases of SNAP participants. 
     Further, the Managers urge the Secretary to adopt the highest 
     practical privacy and data security standards for any 
     approved data to be used in any longitudinal database storage 
     systems operated by States or using Department funds. The 
     Managers encourage the Department to consult with other 
     Federal agencies, such as the Census Bureau and the Treasury 
     Department about how those agencies have protected the 
     identity of individuals whose information is contained in 
     Federal databases.
       The Secretary should allow for the sharing of aggregated 
     information not including personally identifiable information 
     by States from a longitudinal database to researchers who are 
     qualified and have the capacity to protect such data. 
     However, the Managers intend for the data stored in 
     longitudinal databases to be subject to neither Federal nor 
     State Freedom of Information Act requests.
       The Managers do not intend for this section to restrict 
     States that have already or will in the future establish 
     their own longitudinal databases in accordance with other 
     provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Further, 
     the Managers encourage the Secretary and States establishing 
     new longitudinal databases to utilize the lessons learned by 
     States that have already established longitudinal databases.
     (12) Income verification
       The Senate amendment requires pilot projects in up to 8 
     states to test strategies to improve the accuracy or 
     efficiency of the income verification process, and fund 
     projects at $10 million total. (Section 4107)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (13) Retail incentives
       The House bill amends the FNA to establish a pilot project 
     through which authorized retail food stores may provide 
     bonuses to participating SNAP households based on household 
     purchases of fruits, vegetables, and fluid milk. Retail food 
     stores participating in the pilot project may be reimbursed 
     in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the dollar value of 
     bonuses earned by households and used to purchase SNAP-
     eligible foods. The House bill provides the Secretary with 
     not more than $120 million each fiscal year for such 
     reimbursements. (Section 4002)
       The Senate amendment amends section 9 of the FNA to direct 
     the Secretary to promulgate regulations to clarify the 
     process by which retailers may seek a waiver to offer an 
     incentive for the purchase of certain foods recommended for 
     increased consumption by the Dietary Guidelines for 
     Americans. (Section 4105)
       The Senate amendment also amends section 17 of the FNA to 
     establish pilot projects to increase the purchase of fluid 
     milk in a manner consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for 
     Americans, and authorizes appropriations of $20 million to 
     remain available until expended. (Section 4108)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to strike (1) the reimbursement to retail food 
     stores participating in pilot projects for not more than 25 
     percent of the dollar value of bonuses earned by household 
     and used to purchase SNAP-eligible food and (2) the $120 
     million funding authority. The amendments authorize fluid 
     milk incentive projects to increase the purchase of fluid 
     milk; specify that the Secretary shall issue guidance to 
     clarify the process by which retail food stores may seek 
     waivers to offer an incentive for the purchase of fruits, 
     vegetables, whole grains, or dairy (or products thereof) that 
     are staple foods identified for increased consumption 
     consistent with the most recent dietary recommendations; and 
     make other technical changes. (Sections 4008 and 4208)
       The Managers recognize the necessity of the public-private 
     partnership between USDA and retail food stores to implement 
     SNAP, and encourage retailers to offer incentives for the 
     purchase of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy 
     staple foods with SNAP benefits. While the Managers 
     understand that USDA currently allows retail food stores to 
     offer incentives under a waiver, the waiver requests are not 
     widely understood or utilized. The Managers encourage USDA to 
     develop a more formal process to engage a variety of 
     retailers, and provide incentive options to a broader SNAP 
     population. This provision is not intended to permit 
     retailers to waive any other aspects of SNAP equal treatment.
     (14) Adjustment to percentage of recovered funds retained by 
         states
       The House bill amends section 16(a) of the FNA to allow 
     States to retain 50 percent of recovered funds, instead of 35 
     percent, and limits the use of such funds to carrying out 
     SNAP, including technology investments, improvements in 
     administration and distribution, and fraud prevention. 
     (Section 4027)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (15) Quality control
       The House bill amends section 11(a)(3) of the FNA to 
     require that State agencies provide the Secretary with access 
     to entire state information systems containing SNAP- related 
     records for inspection and audit, subject to data and 
     security protocols agreed to by the State agency and 
     Secretary. The provision amends section 16 (c) to require 
     State agencies to provide the Secretary with the records and 
     access to the entire information systems in which such 
     records are contained necessary to determine the State's 
     payment error rate. The House bill also amends section 16 (g) 
     to add to the list of criteria for receiving federal 
     administrative cost-share for

[[Page H9981]]

     the planning, design, development, installation, and 
     operation of state information systems, a requirement that 
     the Secretary be provided with access to the entirety of such 
     system. (Section 4023)
       The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the House 
     bill, but without the requirement that data and security 
     protocols be agreed to by the State agency and Secretary, 
     without the amendment to section 16(c) to require access to 
     entire information systems necessary to determine the State's 
     payment error rate, and with technical differences. (Section 
     4110)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments making technical changes. (Section 4013(a), (c), 
     and (e))
       The Managers recognize the oversight and administration 
     problems with the quality control (QC) process identified 
     over the last several years, both at the Federal and State 
     level, which resulted in a multi-year gap in publication of 
     SNAP error rates. The Managers acknowledge the Office of 
     Inspector General audit of the Food and Nutrition Service 
     (FNS) and State QC processes for fiscal year 2011 and fiscal 
     year 2012, as well as the subsequent Department of Justice 
     investigation of the use of a third-party contractor in 20 
     States.
       The Managers recognize the updates and improvements to the 
     QC process made by FNS through clarified guidance, corrective 
     action plans with States, and the publication of a fiscal 
     year 2017 error rate. The Managers intend to reinforce these 
     efforts to obtain statistically-valid data, and intend for 
     States to cooperate in the QC process by making data 
     available to FNS when requested.
       The federal government has a responsibility to evaluate 
     SNAP for program improvement, program access and program 
     integrity. In order to do so, USDA needs sufficient access, 
     in accordance with agreements with States, to State systems 
     and records. In particular, this allows for more transparency 
     and a greater ability to detect and reduce errors and fraud. 
     The Managers direct USDA to access records and information 
     systems and, as appropriate, to better manage the program in 
     this regard.
     (16) Quality control
       The House bill amends section 16(c) of the FNA by reducing 
     the tolerance level for payment errors from $37 to $0 and by 
     changing the criteria for when the State is held liable for 
     its payment error rates. (Section 4028)
       The House bill amends section 16(d) by eliminating the $48 
     million performance bonuses beginning in fiscal year 2019 
     while retaining requirements regarding performance criteria 
     including actions taken to correct payment errors, reduce 
     error rates, and improve eligibility determinations. (Section 
     4029)
       The Senate amendment amends section 16(c) by providing 
     authority regarding quality control system integrity, 
     including directing the Secretary to issue interim final 
     regulations within 180 days and requiring the Secretary to 
     debar any person who knowingly submits or causes to be 
     submitted false information to the Secretary. The Senate 
     amendment also requires that starting for fiscal year 2018 
     performance, $48 million in performance bonuses be reduced to 
     $6 million for each fiscal year for application processing 
     timeliness. (Section 4110)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments that strike the changes to the tolerance level for 
     payment error, that strike the changes to when States are 
     held liable for payment error rates, that include authority 
     regarding quality control system integrity, that specifies 
     performance bonuses are eliminated starting for fiscal year 
     2018 performance, and that make other technical changes. 
     (Section 4013(b) and (d))
       The Managers also recognize the role that performance 
     bonuses have historically played in motivating States to 
     pursue low error rates, but acknowledge that some States have 
     implemented problematic practices in recent years. As a 
     result, the Managers chose to eliminate bonuses awarded based 
     on error rates. States will continue to be held responsible 
     for administering SNAP, and legally bound to processing 
     applications in a timely manner, ensuring households receive 
     the accurate amount of SNAP benefits, and making certain the 
     program is administered in the most effective and efficient 
     manner. The Managers intend State performance indicators to 
     include case and procedural error rates (CAPERs) and metrics 
     on timeliness of application processing and program access.
     (17) Requirement of live-production environments for certain 
         pilot projects relating to cost sharing for 
         computerization
       The Senate amendment amends section 16 of the FNA to 
     require that State agencies test the automatic data 
     processing and information retrieval systems in a live 
     production environment prior to implementation. (Section 
     4111)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 4012)
       The Managers intend to provide cost-sharing funds for State 
     agencies to test changes to state SNAP systems through the 
     use of ``live'' pilots and receive approval from the 
     Secretary prior to fully implementing changes to state SNAP 
     systems. The Managers intend for this testing and approval to 
     address concerns with recent cases of State agencies adopting 
     changes or implementing integrated eligibility systems that 
     have resulted in errors in benefits issuances.
     (18) Public-private partnerships
       The House bill amends section 17 of the FNA to allow the 
     Secretary to conduct pilot projects to support public-private 
     partnerships that address food insecurity and poverty, and 
     authorizes appropriations of $5 million to carry out such 
     projects. (Section 4030)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to require an independent evaluation of the 
     public-private partnership pilot projects and to make other 
     technical changes. (Section 4021)
       SNAP, by design, is a partnership between public and 
     private entities, with the goal of reducing food insecurity. 
     The Secretary may permit not more than 10 eligible entities 
     to carry out pilot projects that support these necessary 
     cooperative arrangements. The Managers agree that any and all 
     of these pilots must address food insecurity and poverty by 
     improving the coordination of programs that promote 
     independence, develop contextualized solutions to poverty, 
     and strengthen the capacity for regions/communities to 
     address and mitigate food insecurity and poverty. 
     Additionally, the Managers expect independent evaluations of 
     these projects to ensure a robust and impartial assessment of 
     activities, best practices, and overall effectiveness of the 
     pilots.
     (19) Assistance for community food projects
       The Senate amendment provides $5 million for fiscal year 
     2019 and each fiscal year thereafter for Community Food 
     Projects. (Section 4113)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 4017)
     (20) Nutrition education state plans
       The House bill amends section 28 of the FNA: (1) to require 
     that the Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
     National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in 
     consultation with the FNS Administrator, implement a 
     nutrition education and obesity prevention program; (2) to 
     provide annual funding to 1862 and 1890 institutions to 
     deliver nutrition education services that, to the extent 
     practicable, provide for the employment and training of 
     professional and paraprofessional aides to engage in direct 
     nutrition education, and to partner with other public and 
     private entities to optimize program delivery; (3) to allow 
     State agencies to use SNAP 50/50 administrative funds to 
     prepare state plans on nutrition education and to notify 
     eligible participants about the availability of the program; 
     (4) to increase mandatory funding for the program to $485 
     million beginning in fiscal year 2019, indexed to inflation; 
     (5) to allow for reallocation of unexpended funds to other 
     eligible institutions during the fiscal year or subsequent 
     fiscal year; (6) to authorize additional appropriations for 
     the program of $65 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023; (7) to update the allocation of funds so that, 
     beginning in fiscal year 2019, funds are allocated based 
     solely on States' SNAP populations; and (8) to limit 
     administrative costs for eligible institutions to 10 percent.
       The House provision also amends section 18 to reflect the 
     repeal of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program 
     (EFNEP) by section 7110 of the House bill. (Section 4033)
       The Senate amendment: (1) requires that the state plan 
     describe how the State agency will use an electronic 
     reporting system to evaluate SNAP-Ed projects; (2) requires 
     increased coordination with the expanded food and nutrition 
     education program and additional consultation with the 
     Director of NIFA; and (3) requires the State agency to submit 
     an annual evaluation report. (Section 4114)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments to (1) require that the electronic reporting 
     system used to evaluate SNAP-Ed projects also be used to 
     account for State agency administrative costs; (2) establish 
     an information clearinghouse to share best practices ensuring 
     that SNAP-Ed projects are appropriate for the target 
     population; (3) require the Secretary to provide technical 
     assistance to State agencies in developing and implementing a 
     SNAP-Ed state plan; (4) require an annual State report to the 
     Secretary; (5) require an annual federal report to Congress 
     that includes an evaluation of the level of coordination 
     between SNAP-Ed, EFNEP, and other USDA nutrition education 
     programs; and (6) make other technical changes. (Section 
     4019)
       The Managers recognize the importance of offering nutrition 
     education, especially in conjunction with SNAP benefits. The 
     Managers also recognize the role of partner organizations who 
     implement nutrition education programs. The Managers note 
     that SNAP-Ed programs are not evaluated in a standardized 
     manner across States or partner organizations. However, the 
     Managers expect both States and partner organizations to make 
     improvements to the evaluation process of their SNAP-Ed 
     programs and to leverage evaluation results to deliver 
     nutrition education in the most effective manner. When 
     appropriate, partners are encouraged to share longitudinal 
     data, especially for multiyear projects. The Managers intend 
     for States to use the Information Clearinghouse to share best 
     practices in planning, implementing, and evaluating SNAP-Ed 
     programs.

[[Page H9982]]

     The Managers encourage nonprofit partners to work with 
     research-capable organizations to improve program 
     evaluations.
       The Managers recognize the role of land grant colleges and 
     universities in implementing, evaluating, and improving 
     nutrition education, whether through SNAP-Ed or EFNEP. The 
     Managers expect those implementing SNAP-Ed and EFNEP to 
     coordinate programming, as appropriate, to efficiently serve 
     target populations without duplicating efforts.
       The Managers also expect that States provide an accounting 
     of allowable State agency administrative costs. This is 
     necessary to ensure all program funds are used in the most 
     appropriate manner and that beneficiaries of nutrition 
     education receive the most effective programming and 
     services. The Managers expect USDA to work with States to 
     provide appropriate aggregated data in a way that does not 
     increase the administrative burden related to reporting.
     (21) Emergency food assistance
       The House bill amends section 27 of the FNA by increasing 
     the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) entitlement 
     commodity funding. The House bill extends funding authority 
     at $250 million per year, adjusted for Thrifty Food Plan 
     (TFP) changes, through fiscal year 2023, in addition to $60 
     million in funds starting in fiscal year 2019, the total of 
     which is adjusted by changes from the June 2018 TFP in 
     subsequent fiscal years. The House bill also establishes a 
     Farm-to-Food-Bank fund, which authorizes $20 million to be 
     distributed to States to procure, or to enter into agreements 
     with food banks to procure, excess fresh fruits and 
     vegetables grown in the State or surrounding region to be 
     provided to eligible recipient agencies under section 201A 
     (3) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983. (Section 
     4032)
       The Senate amendment increases the TEFAP entitlement 
     commodity funding by extending funding authority at $250 
     million per year, adjusted for TFP changes, through fiscal 
     year 2023, added to the following: for fiscal year 2019, $23 
     million and for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, $35 
     million. Funding for fiscal year 2024 and each subsequent 
     fiscal year will be indexed from the fiscal year 2023 
     funding level.
       The Senate amendment amends the Emergency Food Assistance 
     Act of 1983 to provide $4 million per year in mandatory 
     funding through fiscal year 2023 for State agencies to 
     partner with emergency feeding organizations to establish 
     projects to harvest, process, or package unharvested, 
     unprocessed, or unpackaged commodities that are donated by 
     agricultural producers, processors, or distributors and to 
     pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of such projects. It 
     also provides emergency feeding organizations and eligible 
     recipient agencies the opportunity to provide input on the 
     commodity needs and preferences of those entities. 
     Additionally, the Senate amendment requires the Secretary to 
     issue guidance outlining best practices to minimize food 
     waste of donated commodities and reauthorizes TEFAP 
     infrastructure funding through fiscal year 2023. (Section 
     4115)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment specifying that projects to harvest, process, or 
     package unharvested, unprocessed, or unpackaged donated 
     commodities also include the transportation of such 
     commodities. (Section 4018)
       The Managers support State efforts to channel unused, raw 
     agricultural commodities or food from commercial sources into 
     food donations and to minimize food waste in the food 
     donation process. The Managers intend for funding provided 
     for such efforts to be used to convert raw commodities, 
     unprocessed foods, or other foods that are not in a 
     consumable or shelf-stable form to be used or stored by 
     emergency feeding organizations. The funds for such projects 
     are not intended to be used for food or commodity purchases, 
     since such funds are already provided through separate 
     funding for TEFAP. The Managers intend for any funds provided 
     for transportation under subsection (d) to be used to support 
     a project under this subsection, not for transportation 
     related to other activities within TEFAP.
       The Managers expect the guidance to include best practices 
     to minimize food waste within the procurement, processing, 
     and distribution of food donations to State agencies and 
     emergency feeding organizations.
       The Managers encourage State agencies to engage 
     stakeholders, including emergency feeding organizations and 
     eligible recipient agencies, in the development of the State 
     plan, especially when determining selection of USDA 
     commodities, in order to best meet State and local needs.
     (22) Retail food store and recipient trafficking
       The House bill amends section 29 of the FNA by extending to 
     fiscal year 2023 the authorization of appropriations for 
     tracking and preventing SNAP trafficking using data mining 
     technologies. (Section 4034)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 4020)
     (23) Technical and conforming amendments
       The House bill provides technical corrections. (Section 
     4035)
       The Senate amendment provides technical corrections. 
     (Section 4116)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 4022)
     (24) Re-evaluation of thrifty food plan
       The House bill amends section 3(u) of the FNA to, by 2022, 
     and at five-year intervals, require a re-evaluation and 
     publication of the TFP based on current food prices, food 
     composition data, and consumption patterns. (Section 4004)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment specifying that the re-evaluation of the TFP 
     also be based on dietary guidance. (Section 4002)
       SNAP benefits are based on USDA calculations of the cost of 
     food. However, SNAP benefits can become out-of-date based on 
     inconsistent review of the TFP. The Managers require that the 
     TFP be re-evaluated every five years to ensure it reflects 
     current eating habits of Americans, including patterns of 
     food preparation, and the items most often purchased by 
     consumers.
     (25) Update to categorical eligibility
       The House bill amends section 5(a) and 5(j) of the FNA such 
     that categorical eligibility may only be used in instances 
     where a beneficiary is receiving either cash assistance or 
     ongoing and substantial services such as transportation, 
     childcare, counseling, or other services funded under part A 
     of title IV of the Social Security Act with an income 
     eligibility limit of not more than 130 percent (200 percent 
     for elderly or disabled) of the poverty line. (Section 4006)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (26) Basic allowance for housing
       The House bill amends section 5(d) of the FNA to exclude up 
     to $500 of a housing allowance received under section 403 of 
     title 37 of the United States Code from the calculation of 
     income when determining SNAP eligibility, and amends section 
     5(e)(6)(A) of the FNA so a household that receives an 
     allowance under section 403 of title 37 of the United States 
     Code can only claim expenses in excess of that allowance when 
     determining the household's expenses for the excess shelter 
     deduction. (Section 4007)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (27) Earned income deduction
       The House bill amends section 5(e)(2)(B) of the FNA to 
     increase from 20 to 22, the percentage of a household's 
     earned income that may be deducted for purposes of 
     calculating income when determining SNAP eligibility. 
     (Section 4008)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (28) Simplified homeless housing costs
       The House bill amends section 5(e)(6)(D) of the FNA to 
     require that States provide a simplified homeless housing 
     deduction of $143, adjusted for inflation, for homeless 
     households who are not receiving free housing during the 
     month and not claiming an excess shelter expense deduction 
     under section 5(e)(6)(A). (Section 4009)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 4004)
       In order to ensure equal treatment across States, the 
     Managers agree that homeless households that are not 
     receiving free shelter throughout the month should receive a 
     standardized deduction of $143.
     (29) Availability of standard utility allowances based on 
         receipt of energy assistance
       The House bill amends section 5(e)(6)(C) of the FNA by 
     limiting the availability of the standard utility allowance 
     for heating and cooling costs to those households consisting 
     of an elderly or disabled member and amends section 5(k)(4) 
     of the FNA so that third party energy assistance payments are 
     considered money payable directly to households without an 
     elderly or disabled member for purposes of calculating 
     exclusions to income, and are no longer considered out-of-
     pocket expenses for such households for determination of the 
     excess shelter expense deduction. (Section 4010)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (30) Child support; cooperation with child support agencies
       The House bill amends section 5(e) of the FNA by striking 
     the State option to provide a deduction from income for child 
     support payments, therefore requiring all States to provide 
     an exclusion for child support payments. It amends sections 
     6(l) and 6(m) of the FNA, striking the State option to 
     require child support cooperation for custodial and 
     noncustodial parents, thus requiring cooperation. The House 
     bill also strikes section 6(n), eliminating the State option 
     to disqualify SNAP participants for child support arrears, 
     thus not allowing States the option to disqualify SNAP 
     participants for child support arrears. (Section 4011)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to strike the changes to the State options in 
     section 5(e) and sections 6(l) through 6(n) and to require 
     that the Secretary conduct an independent evaluation that 
     includes, among

[[Page H9983]]

     other things: (1) an assessment of the impact of the 
     eligibility requirements in sections 6(l) through (n) in 
     States that have formerly implemented or continue to 
     implement those requirements, and of the feasibility of 
     implementing those requirements in other States; (2) an 
     assessment of the factors that contributed to the decision of 
     States that formerly implemented those requirements to cease 
     such implementation; and (3) a review of alternatives to 
     those requirements that are used by other States to assist 
     SNAP participants to make or receive child support payments 
     and the effectiveness of such alternatives. (Section 4014)
       The Managers agreed to include an evaluation of child 
     support enforcement cooperation requirements. The Managers 
     intend for this study to evaluate a representative sample of 
     States of the types indicated in subparagraph (A), including 
     those that have implemented, those that formerly implemented, 
     and those that have not implemented State options on 
     eligibility related to child support enforcement. The 
     Managers also intend for USDA to assess the impact of 
     mandatory child support cooperation on food security, 
     including reviewing relevant data about individuals who 
     choose not to participate in SNAP due to mandated child 
     support cooperation.
     (31) Adjustment to asset limitations
       The House bill amends section 5(g)(1) of the FNA by 
     increasing from $2,000 to $7,000 the maximum allowable value 
     of assets for participating households, and from $3,000 to 
     $12,000 for households including an elderly or disabled 
     member, and adjusts such values for inflation for each fiscal 
     year starting on October 1, 2019. (Section 4012)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (32) Updated vehicle allowance
       The House bill amends section 5(g) of the FNA to require 
     all States to exclude $12,000 (adjusted annually for 
     inflation) of the value of one vehicle per licensed driver 
     from household asset calculations, and strikes the 
     alternative vehicle allowance. (Section 4013)
       The Senate bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (33) Savings excluded from assets
       The House bill amends section 5(g) of the FNA to exclude up 
     to $2,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in savings from 
     household assets in determining SNAP eligibility. (Section 
     4014)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (34) Implementation funds
       The House bill provides $150 million under section 18(a) of 
     the FNA for fiscal year 2019 to remain available until 
     expended to implement the amendments made by subtitle A of 
     Title IV of the House bill. (Section 4036)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (35) Multivitamin-mineral dietary supplements eligible for 
         purchase with supplemental nutrition assistance benefits
       The House bill amends section 3(k) of the FNA to allow 
     certain ``multivitamin-mineral dietary supplements'' to 
     qualify as a food item that may be purchased with SNAP 
     benefits. (Section 4037)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (36) Review of supplemental nutrition assistance program 
         operations
       The House bill amends section 9 of the FNA by adding a new 
     subsection to require the Secretary to review and report on a 
     representative sample of certain types of authorized group-
     living facilities to determine whether SNAP benefits are 
     properly being used by households residing in such facilities 
     and requiring reports to Congress within 3 years. The House 
     bill also specifies that nothing in section 9 authorizes the 
     Secretary to deny an application for authorization, including 
     continued authorization, or a request to withdraw the 
     authorization of such group-living facilities based on a 
     determination that the residents of those facilities are 
     residents of an institution prior to the submission of the 
     report or 3 years after the date of enactment, whichever is 
     earlier. (Section 4038)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments that make technical changes and specify that 
     nothing in the new subsection authorizes the Secretary to 
     deny an application for authorization, including continued 
     authorization, or a request to withdraw the authorization of 
     such group-living facilities based on a determination that 
     the residents of those facilities are residents of an 
     institution prior to 18 months after the date of enactment. 
     (Section 4007)
       The Managers expect the Secretary to review and conduct 
     oversight of authorized facilities to prevent the issuance of 
     duplicative benefits for food and ensure program integrity of 
     SNAP. In addition, the Managers intend for the Secretary to 
     review the procurement of benefits on behalf of SNAP eligible 
     individuals by residential drug and alcohol treatment 
     facilities, and conduct oversight as necessary.
     (37) Disqualification of certain convicted felons
       The House bill amends section 6 of the FNA to disqualify 
     certain convicted felons from participating in SNAP. (Section 
     4039)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (38) Determination of amount of block grant payable to Puerto 
         Rico
       The House bill requires the Secretary to study the 
     feasibility and impact of using a TFP exclusive to Puerto 
     Rico in calculating the amount of the block grant for Puerto 
     Rico, and authorizes such sums as necessary to be 
     appropriated to carry out the study. (Section 4040)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (39) Service of traditional foods in public facilities
       The House bill amends section 4033 of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014 to expand the public facilities eligible for the 
     service of traditional foods under that section. (Section 
     4041)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to amend 4033(d)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014 to limit the liability of States, counties or county 
     equivalents, local education agencies, and other entities 
     authorized to facilitate the donation, storage, preparation, 
     or serving of traditional food. (Section 4203)
       The Managers intend to update the liability protection for 
     the donation or serving of traditional foods to include 
     States, counties or county equivalents, local educational 
     agencies, entities, and persons authorized by the operator of 
     a food service program.
     (40) Extension of study on comparable access to supplemental 
         nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico
       The House bill amends section 4142 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to renew an 
     authorization for a study on the feasibility of including the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the SNAP program, in lieu of 
     providing Puerto Rico with a block grant. (Section 4042)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (41) Administrative flexibility for States
       The House bill amends section 11(e)(6)(B) of the FNA to 
     allow, at the option of the State agency, non-State agency 
     employees to undertake certification or carry out any other 
     function of the State agency under SNAP. (Section 4043)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
       The Managers determined, after reviewing USDA's December 
     2017 guidance, that certification and eligibility functions 
     must be performed by public, merit system employees. The 
     Managers encourage the Secretary to consult with States about 
     the efficiency and effectiveness of SNAP certification 
     systems and believe States should continue to improve 
     customer service through methods that neither affect privacy 
     nor eligibility determinations. The Managers determined a 
     statutory change to this system was unwarranted. However, the 
     Managers encourage the Secretary to continue to work with 
     States to find the appropriate balance to protect SNAP 
     integrity and access and address requests for flexibility 
     through the existing process in a timely fashion.
     (42) Commodity supplemental food program
       The House bill authorizes a minimum certification period of 
     one year, which at the request of the State, can be extended 
     based on certain criteria. (Section 4103)
       The Senate amendment authorizes a certification period of 
     not less than one year, and subject to the approval of the 
     Secretary, a certification period of more than 1 year, but 
     not more than 3 years, and temporary certification. (Section 
     4202)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment making technical changes. (Section 4102)
       The Managers understand the importance of providing 
     nutritious food to low-income seniors. The Managers intend to 
     extend the certification period to up to three years for 
     seniors, with an annual contact to confirm continued 
     eligibility information and interest in the program. The 
     Managers also intend to allow temporary certification of an 
     individual for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The 
     Managers made these changes to reduce administrative burden 
     for participants and implementers, and to make the most 
     efficient use of program funds.
     (43) Health food financing initiative
       The House bill amends the authorization of appropriations 
     by striking ``until expended'' and instead authorizing the 
     funds to remain available until Oct. 1, 2023. (Section 4203)
       The Senate amendment authorizes ``enterprises'' for program 
     loans, grants and funding projects and limits eligibility to 
     projects that accept SNAP benefits, as applicable. (Section 
     12409)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 4204)

[[Page H9984]]

       The Managers recognize that access to healthy food may 
     require a variety of retail settings in some areas, 
     particularly in rural areas and Tribal communities. To 
     encompass a broader variety of Healthy Food Financing 
     Initiative (HFFI) projects that will increase the supply of 
     and demand for healthy foods in underserved communities, the 
     bill expands eligible projects to include healthy food 
     enterprises. These enterprises could include food hubs, 
     mobile markets, direct to consumer markets, or food business 
     incubators. As healthy food enterprises do not necessarily 
     involve the direct sale of food to low-income consumers, the 
     Managers intend to clarify that direct acceptance of SNAP 
     benefits should be required if applicable to the project's 
     structure. The Managers also seek to clarify that HFFI should 
     provide equal consideration to projects regardless of whether 
     they intend to serve an urban or a rural community.
     (44) The Gus Schumacher food insecurity nutrition incentive
       The House bill amends section 4405 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 by (1) renaming the 
     program the Gus Schumacher Food Insecurity Nutrition 
     Incentive Program; (2) limiting program incentives to 
     financial incentives; (3) striking the independent evaluation 
     requirement and requiring instead that projects have adequate 
     plans to collect data for reporting and agree to participate 
     in a program evaluation; (4) updating program priorities to 
     include, among other priorities, prioritizing projects that 
     coordinate with multiple stakeholders; and (5) requiring the 
     Secretary to consult with the Director of NIFA to establish a 
     training, evaluation, and information center for use by 
     program grantees and for generating an annual report to 
     Congress on grant outcomes based on program data from 
     grantees.
       The House bill authorizes mandatory funds at $45 million 
     for fiscal year 2019, $50 million for fiscal year 2020, $55 
     million for fiscal year 2021, $60 million for fiscal year 
     2022, and $65 million for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter. Of the mandatory funds made available, the 
     House provision provides the training, evaluation, and 
     information center $2 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     and 2020, and $1 million each fiscal year thereafter. 
     (Section 4003)
       The Senate amendment amends section 4405 by (1) renaming 
     the program the Gus Schumacher Food Insecurity Nutrition 
     Incentive; (2) making certain definition changes, including 
     amending the definition of ``supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program'' to include programs for nutrition 
     assistance under section 19 of the FNA; (3) specifying that 
     grantees may partner with or make subgrants to public, 
     private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities; (4) providing 
     authority to the Secretary to allow a tribal agency to use 
     certain types of federal funds for the non-federal program 
     match; (5) requiring that projects must increase the purchase 
     of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants by providing an 
     incentive for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at the 
     point of purchase to a household purchasing food with SNAP 
     benefits, and that projects (excepting those receiving 
     $100,000 or less) measure the purchase of fruits and 
     vegetables by SNAP participants; (6) striking the independent 
     evaluation requirement and requiring projects have adequate 
     plans to collect data for reporting and share information 
     with the Training and Technical Assistance Centers and 
     Information and Evaluation Centers; (7) updating program 
     priorities; (8) authorizing Training and Technical Assistance 
     Centers to assist grantees and subgrantees, including 
     entities applying for a grant or subgrant; and (9) 
     authorizing Information and Evaluation Centers to collect 
     program data and prepare an annual report with project 
     outcomes to submit to the Secretary.
       The Senate amendment authorizes $50 million of mandatory 
     funds for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
     Of the mandatory funds made available, the Senate provision 
     authorizes a cost cap of 15 percent for carrying out the 
     Training and Technical Assistance Centers and the Information 
     and Evaluation Centers and program administrative costs. 
     (Section 4303)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments that (1) rename the program ``The Gus Schumacher 
     Nutrition Incentive Program''; (2) make certain definition 
     changes, including amending the definition of ``supplemental 
     nutrition assistance program'' to include programs for 
     nutrition assistance under section 19 of the FNA; (3) specify 
     that grantees may partner with or make subgrants to public, 
     private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities; (4) provide 
     authority to the Secretary to allow a tribal agency to use 
     certain types of federal funds for the non-federal program 
     match; (5) strike the limitation of program incentives to 
     financial incentives, and require instead that projects must 
     increase purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP 
     participants by providing an incentive for the purchase of 
     fruits and vegetables at point of purchase to a household 
     purchasing food with SNAP benefits, and that projects 
     (excepting those receiving $100,000 or less over 1 year) 
     measure the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP 
     participants; (6) strike the independent evaluation 
     requirement and require that projects have adequate plans to 
     collect data for reporting and share information with the 
     Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, 
     Evaluation, and Information Centers; (7) require the 
     Secretary to consult with the Director of NIFA to establish 1 
     or more Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical 
     Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers to assist 
     grantees and applicants, and to collect project data and 
     generate an annual report with grant outcomes to submit to 
     Congress; (8) establish a produce prescription program to 
     improve dietary health through increased consumption of 
     fruits and vegetables; (9) provide mandatory funding of 
     $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, $48,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2020 and 2021, $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, 
     and $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter; (10) set a cost cap of $17,000,000 total for 
     fiscal years 2019 and 2020 and $7,000,000 for fiscal years 
     2021 through 2023 for the Nutrition Incentive Program 
     Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information 
     Centers; and (11) of the annual funding provided for fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023, limit funds to not more than 10 
     percent for produce prescriptions and 8 percent for 
     administration. (Section 4205)
       The Managers note the success of the Food Insecurity 
     Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program established by the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014. Building on that success, the 
     Managers establish permanent funding and authority for FINI. 
     This section also establishes one or more training, 
     evaluation, and information centers to provide information 
     and support as FINI continues to expand.
       The Managers believe it is important that information and 
     results of FINI-funded programs be made available to 
     Congress, USDA agencies, researchers, grantees and the 
     public. Collecting information should not, however, be 
     duplicative or place such an administrative burden on 
     grantees that it interferes with their ability to effectively 
     implement SNAP produce incentive programs. The Managers 
     intend for the Information and Evaluation Center/s to collect 
     standard data from FINI grantees, facilitate grantees' 
     production of NIFA annual reports, and create a website on 
     which program information is easily searchable. This should 
     be done in a manner that also protects the privacy of SNAP 
     participants and retail food stores. The Managers encourage 
     the Secretary to consult with past FINI program managers on 
     the data to collect, collection instruments, and website 
     design.
       The Managers also intend for the Training and Technical 
     Assistance (T&TA) Center/s to develop best practices and 
     ensure that information and supportive services are available 
     to all regions and types of communities, including areas that 
     are geographically remote or lack strong public or private 
     institutional infrastructure upon which grantees can rely for 
     technical support.
       The Managers are aware that software and point of sale 
     equipment to facilitate incentive transactions can be costly. 
     The Managers encourage T&TA Center/s to cooperate with FNS 
     and grocery, farm, and electronic payment groups to develop 
     or adapt existing systems/technology and make options 
     available to current and future FINI grantees.
       The Managers also agree the FINI and Produce Prescription 
     should be renamed the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive 
     Program, in recognition of Mr. Schumacher's role in the 
     establishment of nutrition incentives nationwide. Mr. 
     Schumacher was a magnificent advocate for farmers and 
     families and saw the importance in building access and 
     affordability through incentive programs.
     (45) Harvesting health pilot projects
       The Senate amendment provides $4 million of mandatory funds 
     for each fiscal year 2019 through 2023 to establish a pilot 
     project for nonprofit organizations or State or local 
     agencies to partner with healthcare providers to prescribe 
     fresh fruits and vegetables or provide to certain low-income 
     individuals that suffer from, or are at-risk of developing a 
     diet-related health conditions. (Section 4304)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments to (1) establish a produce prescription program 
     instead of a pilot project; (2) require eligible entities 
     participating in the produce prescription program to agree to 
     share information with the Nutrition Incentive Program 
     Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information 
     Centers; (3) allow not more than 10 percent of funds made 
     available for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program 
     to carry out the produce prescription program; (4) make 
     technical changes; and (5) incorporate language for this 
     provision into a single section as part of the Gus Schumacher 
     Nutrition Incentive Program. (Section 4205)
       Previously, produce prescription projects have been 
     eligible for funding through the FINI program. While similar 
     in concept, these programs are often different in 
     implementation and goals. The Managers chose to establish a 
     separate produce prescription program with dedicated funding 
     to increase coordination with the healthcare community and 
     better evaluate the impact of these types of projects on 
     dietary health, food security, and health care use and costs. 
     Because produce prescription programs do not always require a 
     purchase, the Managers do not intend that the procedure 
     established by the Secretary to screen and verify eligibility 
     for members to participate in a prescription project will 
     require that a healthcare partner verify that an individual 
     has an active SNAP balance.
     (46) Amendments to the fruit and vegetable program
       The House bill amends section 19 of the Richard B. Russell 
     National School Lunch

[[Page H9985]]

     Act to provide grants to purchase all forms (fresh, canned, 
     dried, frozen, or pureed) of fruit and vegetable snacks. 
     (Section 4204)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (47) Review and revision of certain nutrition regulations
       The House bill requires the Secretary to review certain 
     nutrition final regulations published by the Department of 
     Agriculture, and revise and finalize new regulations that are 
     based on research specific to school-age children, do not 
     have additional costs beyond reimbursements required by 
     current law, and maintain healthy meals for students. 
     (Section 4205)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (48) Study of marketplace fraud of traditional foods and 
         tribal seeds
       The Senate amendment requires the Comptroller General of 
     the United States to conduct a study on the impact of 
     fraudulent foods that mimic traditional foods or Tribal seeds 
     that are available in the commercial marketplace. (Section 
     12518)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
     (49) Food donation standards
       The Senate amendment amends the Emergency Food Assistance 
     Act of 1983 to require the Secretary to issue guidance to 
     promote awareness of food donations protected under section 
     22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. (Section 12615)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 4104)
       The Managers expect the Secretary to provide guidance and 
     stakeholder outreach to increase donations of unused food 
     from retail food stores, restaurants, caterers, and 
     foodservice facilities who may need additional guidance 
     regarding the types of foods that may be donated and covered 
     under liability protections provided under the Bill Emerson 
     Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
     (50) Micro-grants for food security
       The Senate amendment amends the Food, Conservation, and 
     Energy Act of 2008 to require the Secretary to distribute 
     funds to Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Northern Mariana 
     Islands, Puerto Rico, Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, 
     Palau, and U.S. Virgin Islands for the purpose of providing 
     subgrants to eligible entities to promote small-scale 
     gardening, herding, and livestock operations. (Section 12616)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment making technical changes. (Section 4206)
       The Managers intend for this program to operate as a 
     funding-match program, but provide discretion on the level of 
     matching to the Secretary for eligible entities who may not 
     be financially capable of providing such matching 
     requirements.
     (51) Buy American requirements
       The Senate Amendment requires the Secretary to enforce 
     compliance of the Buy American provisions applicable to 
     domestic food assistance programs administered by FNS, 
     including for the purchase of fish or fish products. (Section 
     12622)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment specifying that the Secretary shall enforce full 
     compliance with the requirements of section 12(n) of the 
     Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act for purchases of 
     agricultural commodities including fish, meats, vegetables, 
     and fruits, and the products thereof, and making technical 
     changes. (Section 4207)
       The Managers encourage USDA to ensure State agencies and 
     school food authorities are fully aware of their respective 
     responsibilities to enforce Buy American requirements in 
     accordance with section 12(n) of the Richard B. Russell 
     National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1760(n), and to submit 
     to Congress a report that demonstrates the actions the 
     Secretary has taken to increase awareness of and compliance 
     with Buy American requirements.

                            Title V--Credit

     (1) Modification of the 3-Year Experience Requirement for 
         Purposes of Eligibility for Farm Ownership Loans
       The House bill amends section 302(b) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the reduction of 
     the 3-year experience requirement for qualified beginning 
     farmers or ranchers to: (1) 2 years if the farmer has certain 
     educational, management, or mentor-based experience, or was 
     honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United 
     States; (2) 1 year if the farmer or rancher has military 
     leadership or management experience from having completed an 
     acceptable military leadership course; and (3) waive the 
     requirement with certain combinations of experiences in items 
     (1) and (2). (Section 5101)
       The Senate amendment amends section 302(b) to authorize the 
     Secretary to: (1) reduce the 3-year experience requirement to 
     2 years or less if the farmer or rancher has certain farm 
     labor or mentor-based experience; and (2) waive the 
     requirement if the farmer or rancher has 1 year of management 
     responsibilities as a hired farm laborer and has a mentor 
     relationship with a farmer in an approved program. (Section 
     5101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment. The conference substitute amends section 302(b) 
     to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with authority to 
     reduce the 3-year experience requirement for qualified 
     beginning farmers or ranchers to 1 or 2 years if the farmer 
     or rancher has met specified education, business, management, 
     loan repayment, or experience requirements; or to waive the 
     3-year requirement altogether if the farmer or rancher has at 
     least 1 year of experience as hired farm labor with 
     substantial management responsibilities and a specified 
     established mentee relationship. (Section 5101)
     (2) Conservation Loan and Loan Guarantee
       The House bill amends section 304(h) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) extend the 
     authorization of appropriations for the program to 2023; and 
     (2) reduce the authorization level from $150,000,000 to 
     $75,000,000. (Section 5102)
       The Senate amendment amends section 304(h) to extend the 
     authorization of appropriations to 2023. (Section 5102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5102)
     (3) Farm Ownership Loan Limits
       The House bill amends section 305(a) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) increase the 
     indebtedness limit for guaranteed ownership loans from 
     $700,000 to $1,750,000; and (2) change the baseline date for 
     the inflation adjuster from 2000 to 2019. (Section 5103)
       The Senate amendment amends section 305 to increase the 
     indebtedness limit for: (1) direct ownership loans from 
     $300,000 to $600,000 for FYs 2019 through 2023; and (2) 
     guaranteed ownership loans from $700,000 to $1,750,000 for 
     FYs 2019 through 2023. The Senate amendment bill also strikes 
     the increase in the guaranteed ownership loan limit based on 
     an inflation adjuster. (Section 5103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to continue and clarify the application of the 
     inflation adjuster. (Section 5103)
     (4) Limitations on Amounts of Operating Loans
       The House bill amends section 313(a)(1) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the indebtedness 
     limit for guaranteed operating loans from $700,000 to 
     $1,750,000 and to change the baseline date for the inflation 
     adjuster from 2000 to 2019. (Section 5201)
       The Senate amendment amends section 313(a)(1) to increase 
     the indebtedness limit for direct operating loans from 
     $300,000 to $400,000 for FYs 2019 through 2023 and for 
     guaranteed operating loans from $700,000 to $1,750,000 for 
     FYs 2010 through 2023. The Senate amendment strikes the 
     increase in the guaranteed operating loan limit based on an 
     inflation adjuster. (Section 5201)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to continue and clarify the application of the 
     inflation adjuster. (Section 5201)
     (5) Microloans; Limitations
       The House bill amends section 313(c)(2) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to strike the reference to 
     ``title'' and insert ``subsection'', thus limiting the total 
     principal microloan indebtedness outstanding to any 1 
     borrower to $50,000, only for the purposes of section 313(c). 
     (Section 5202)
       The Senate amendment has no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 5202)
     (6) Microloans; Cooperative Pilot
       The Senate amendment amends section 313(c)(4)A) of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to extend the 
     microloan cooperative lending pilot project until 2023. 
     (Section 5202)
       The House bill has no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5203)
     (7) Loans to purchasers of Land with Undivided Interest and 
         No Administrative Authority
       The Senate amendment extends the authorization of the pilot 
     in section 333B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act pilot for one additional year (through 
     FY2024). The amendment enacts a new section 333E authorizing 
     the Secretary to conduct pilot projects under the real 
     estate, operating, emergency, and rural development 
     authorities of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
     Act that may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 
     those programs. It also enacts a new section 3101 that 
     authorized the Secretary to make or guarantee loans to 
     cooperatives, credit unions and nonprofit organizations to 
     relend to individuals and entities to assist heirs with 
     undivided ownership interests to resolve ownership and 
     succession on farmland that has multiple owners. Furthermore, 
     it establishes loan terms and conditions, and preferences for 
     certain eligible entities. (Section 12624)
       The House bill has no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment. The substitute amends the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act by adding a new section 3101 that 
     authorizes the Secretary to make loans to cooperatives, 
     credit unions

[[Page H9986]]

     and nonprofit organizations to relend for projects that 
     assist heirs with undivided ownership interests to resolve 
     ownership and succession on farmland that has multiple 
     owners. The substitute establishes loan terms and conditions, 
     preferences for certain eligible entities, and requires a 
     report to Congress describing the operation and outcomes of 
     the program and providing recommendations on how to 
     strengthen the program. The substitute authorizes 
     appropriations of $10 million annually for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Section 5104)
       The Managers encourage USDA to conduct pilot projects of 
     limited scope and duration consistent with subtitles A, B, C 
     and D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) to evaluate processes and techniques 
     that may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
     programs carried out under these subtitles. It is the intent 
     of the Managers that the Department consult with stakeholder 
     groups when determining regulations and procedures to define 
     entities eligible for loans provided under section 5104 of 
     this Act.
     (8) Loan Authorization Levels
       The House bill amends section 346(b)(1) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to extend the authorization 
     for subtitle A (ownership) and B (operating) Farm Loan 
     Program loans through 2023. (Section 5302)
       The Senate amendment amends section 346(b)(1) by increasing 
     the overall loan authorization level for subtitles A and B 
     Farm Loan Program loans from $4.226 billion to $12 billion 
     for each of FYs 2019 through 2023. The provision also 
     increases the specific loan limits for direct loans from $1.2 
     billion to $4 billion, with $2 billion for farm ownership 
     loans and $2 billion for farm operating loans. The provision 
     also increases the specific loan limitations for guaranteed 
     loans from $3.026 billion to $8 billion, with $4 billion for 
     farm ownership loan guarantees and $4 billion for farm 
     operating loan guarantees. (Section 5302)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     an amendment to increase the overall loan authorization level 
     for subtitles A and B Farm Loan Program loans from $4.226 
     billion to $10 billion for each of FYs 2019 through 2023; to 
     increase the specific loan limits for direct loans from $1.2 
     billion to $3 billion, with $1.5 billion for farm ownership 
     loans and $1.5 billion for farm operating loans; and to 
     increase the specific loan limitations for guaranteed loans 
     from $3.026 billion to $7 billion, with $3.5 billion for farm 
     ownership loan guarantees and $3.5 billion for farm operating 
     loan guarantees. (Section 5302)
     (9) Use of Additional Funds for Direct Operating Microloans 
         Under Certain Conditions
       The Senate Amendment amends section 346(b) of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to add a new 
     paragraph (5) requiring the Secretary to make available up to 
     $5 million in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for 
     farm operating microloans if the Secretary determines the 
     amount of funds otherwise available for operating loans for 
     the fiscal year is insufficient. The Secretary must notify 
     Congress not later than 15 days before using this 
     authority. (Section 12617)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to strike the provision of mandatory funding and 
     to authorize appropriations of $5 million each year to carry 
     out new section 346(b)(5). (Section 5304)
     (10) Equitable Relief
       The Senate amendment amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act by adding a new section 366 that authorizes 
     the Secretary to provide equitable relief to farm loan 
     program borrowers based on good faith actions of a borrower 
     who relied on the actions or advice of an authorized 
     representative of the Secretary. The amendment provides that 
     administrative determinations are final and not subject to 
     administrative appeal or judicial review. (Section 5304)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5305)
     (11) Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers; Qualified 
         Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
       The Senate amendment amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act by adding a new section 367 that requires the 
     Secretary to waive the guarantee fee of 1.5% and provide a 
     95% guarantee for guaranteed loans to a socially 
     disadvantaged farmer or rancher or a qualified beginning 
     farmer or rancher. (Section 5305)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to authorize the Secretary to provide a 95% 
     guarantee for guaranteed loans to a socially disadvantaged 
     farmer or rancher or a qualified beginning farmer or rancher. 
     (Section 5306)
     (12) Emergency Loan Eligibility
       The Senate amendment amends section 373(b)(2)(B) to exempt 
     write-downs and restructurings under section 353 from what is 
     considered ``debt forgiveness'' for the purposes of applying 
     the debt forgiveness loan eligibility limitations. (Section 
     5306)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5307)
     (13) Technical Corrections
       The House bill includes a series of technical corrections 
     to correct errors to provisions in sections 310E(d)(3), 
     321(a), 331D(e), 333A(f)(1)(A), 339(d)(3), 343(a)(11)(C), 
     343(b), and 346(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act. (Section 5401)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to exclude the amendment to paragraph (3) of 
     section 310E(d) as this paragraph is substantively amended in 
     section 12306, obviating the need for this correction. 
     (Section 5401)
     (14) State Agricultural Mediation Programs
       The House bill amends section 506 of the Agricultural 
     Credit Act of 1987 to extend the authorization of 
     appropriations for the State Mediation Programs through 2023. 
     (Section 5601)
       The Senate amendment amends section 506 to extend the 
     authorization of appropriations to 2023. The Senate amendment 
     also amends Section 501 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 
     1987 to: (1) eliminate the requirement that issues that may 
     be mediated be tied to the jurisdiction of USDA; (2) include 
     issues under the national organics program (Organic Foods 
     Production Act of 1990), land & equipment lease issues, 
     family farm transition issues, and farmer-neighbor disputes; 
     (3) authorize the use of Program funds for credit counseling 
     either prior to any mediation involving USDA or for issues 
     unrelated to any dispute or mediation involving USDA; (4) 
     expand the participants in mediation to include other parties 
     to issues addressed in the mediation; and (5) ensure USDA 
     receives adequate notice of issues in mediation. The Senate 
     Amendment amends section 505 to require a report to Congress 
     from the Secretary regarding State mediation programs within 
     2 years. (Section 5401)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to clarify that the list of persons eligible for 
     mediation is expanded to include any other persons involved 
     in an issue for which mediation services are provided by a 
     mediation program described under section 501(c)(1)(B) of the 
     Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. (Section 5402)
       The Conference substitute allow state mediation programs to 
     cover additional agriculture mediation services, including: 
     organic disputes, land and equipment lease issues, family 
     farm transition, farmer to neighbor disputes and provides 
     credit counseling, through State mediation programs. The 
     Managers recognize the importance of agriculture mediation 
     services provided to farmers and support these efforts to 
     mitigate potential financial and legal disputes.
     (15) Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
       The Senate amendment amends section 4.19 of the Farm Credit 
     Act of 1971 by adding socially disadvantaged farmers and 
     ranchers to the Farm Credit System's Young, Beginning, and 
     Small Farmers Program, and makes a conforming amendment to 
     section 5.17. (Section 5402)
       The House bill contains no comparable provisions.
       The Conference substitute requires the Comptroller General 
     of the United States to conduct a study to assess the credit 
     and related services provided by agricultural credit 
     providers to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; 
     review the overall participation of socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers in such services; and identify barriers 
     that limit the availability of agricultural credit to 
     socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The Conference 
     substitute also requires the Comptroller General to provide 
     recommendations on how agricultural credit providers may 
     improve outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers and 
     ranchers relating to the availability of credit and related 
     services. The Comptroller General must report to Congress 
     within 120 days on the findings and recommendations of the 
     study. (Section 5416)
     (16) Quarters and Facilities for the Farm Credit 
         Administration
       The House bill amends section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act 
     of 1971 to require the headquarters of the Farm Credit 
     Administration to be the Washington DC metro area. (Section 
     5503)
       The Senate amendment amends section 5.16 of the Farm Credit 
     Act of 1971 to the same effect. (Section 5407(28))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 5405)
     (17) Removal and Prohibition Authority; Industry-Wide 
         Prohibition
       The Senate amendment adds section 5.29A to the Farm Credit 
     Act of 1971 to require that a person removed or suspended at 
     a Farm Credit System Institution, or prohibited from serving 
     at a System institution for a period of time, shall not serve 
     at FCA or any other Federal financial regulator or the 
     institutions that they regulate, with limited exception 
     authority. (Section 5404)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5406)
     (18) Expansion of Acreage Exception to Loan Amount 
         Limitations
       The House bill amends section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm Credit 
     Act of 1971 to increase the acreage exception to the loan 
     amount limitation under section 8.8(c)(1) from 1,000 to 2,000 
     acres. The effective date of this provision is one year after 
     the submission to the

[[Page H9987]]

     Committees on Agriculture of the Congress of the study 
     required to be conducted by the Farm Credit Administration 
     pursuant to section 5602 of the House bill. (Section 5507)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with a 
     conforming amendment to reflect the updated section number of 
     the study required under Section 5414 of the conference 
     substitute. (Section 5410)
     (19) Compensation of Bank Directors
       The House bill repeals section 4.21 of the Farm Credit Act 
     of 1971 placing a below market limitation on compensation of 
     System Bank directors. (Section 5508)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 5403)
       The Managers intent for repealing section 4.21 of the Farm 
     Credit Act of 1971 is to remove the statutory limitation on 
     the compensation of the members of the boards of directors of 
     Farm Credit System Banks. However, it is not the intent of 
     the Managers to prevent the Farm Credit Administration 
     (FCA) from examining, and taking actions regarding, the 
     reasonableness of the compensation of directors of Farm 
     Credit System Banks in carrying out FCA's obligations to 
     regulate and supervise Farm Credit System Banks.
     (20) Prohibition on Use of Funds
       The House bill amends section 5.65 of the Farm Credit Act 
     of 1971 to prohibit the use of funds of the Farm Credit 
     System Insurance Fund or administrative funds to provide 
     assistance to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. 
     (Section 5509) The Senate amendment contains no comparable 
     provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 5409)
     (21) Elimination or Repeal of Obsolete References; Technical 
         Corrections & Conforming Repeals
       The House bill makes a number of corrections to the Farm 
     Credit Act of 1971 to remove references to entities that no 
     longer exist and authorities that have expired, and makes 
     conforming repeals. The House bill repeals Subtitle A of 
     Title VI of the 1971 Act, which established the Farm Credit 
     System Financial Assistance Board. (Sections 5501 & 5502)
       The Senate amendment makes nearly all of the same 
     corrections and repeals as found in the House provisions, and 
     more. The Senate Amendment repeals Title VI of the 1971 Act 
     in its entirety, including (1) Subtitle A, which established 
     the Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Board; and (2) 
     Subtitle B, which established the Farm Credit System 
     Financial Assistance Corporation. (Section 5407)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     a few minor conforming amendments to reflect amendments made 
     elsewhere in the bill, including the adoption of section 5503 
     of the House bill as described in item (16) above. (Section 
     5411)
     (22) Corporation as Conservator or Receiver; Certain Other 
         Powers
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 5.61C to the Farm 
     Credit Act of 1971 that clarifies and establishes updated 
     authorities for the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation 
     (FCSIC) and the handling of claims in the event that FCSIC is 
     appointed as a conservator or receiver of a System 
     Institution pursuant to section 4.12 of the Act. The 
     amendment provides express statutory receivership and 
     conservatorship authorities comparable to those of other 
     Federal financial regulators, including the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, 
     and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The provision 
     clarifies FCSIC's treatment of ``qualified financial 
     contracts'' (including securities contracts, commodity 
     contracts, swap agreements, and derivatives) in its role as 
     receiver, and authorizes FCSIC and the Farm Credit 
     Administration to create a bridge bank to assist in 
     addressing a situation where one or more System banks are in 
     default or are anticipated to go into default. (Section 5408)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5412)
       The Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended by adding a new 
     section that clarifies and establishes statutory authorities 
     for the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation and the 
     handling of claims in the case of the Corporation being 
     appointed as a conservator or receiver of a System 
     institution. The Managers intend for the authorities of the 
     Corporation to be functionally equivalent to the parallel 
     authorities of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
     (23) Reporting
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary of Agriculture 
     to prepare an annual report to Congress that identifies 
     certain characteristics with respect to borrowers of farm 
     loans made and guaranteed, the borrowers' operations, and 
     other data, for each State and county in the United States. 
     It also requires that the Secretary prepare a comprehensive 
     review of these annual reports to Congress every 5 years. 
     (Section 5409)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 5413)
     (24) Sense of the Senate
       The Senate amendment declares that it is the Sense of the 
     Senate that all participants of the Farm Service Agency loan 
     programs should strive to encourage beginning farmers and 
     ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers to use Farm 
     Service Agency loans. (Section 5410)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
       It is the sense of the Managers that all participants of 
     the Farm Service Agency loan programs should strive to 
     encourage beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
     disadvantaged farmers to use Farm Service Agency loans.
     (25) Study on Loan Risk
       The House bill requires the Farm Credit Administration to 
     conduct a study that: (1) analyzes and compares the financial 
     risks of Farm Credit banks, associations, and the Federal 
     Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, and how these risks are 
     required to be capitalized; and (2) assesses the feasibility 
     of increasing the acreage exception in section 8.8(c)(2) of 
     the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to 2,000 acres. The report is due 
     180 days after the date of enactment. (Section 5602)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 5414)
       As a part of its study, the Managers are interested in the 
     opinion of the FCA on alternatives--other than the current 
     acreage limitation--to adequately address any safety and 
     soundness issues.
     (26) GAO Report on Ability of the Farm Credit System to Meet 
         the Agricultural Credit Needs of Indian Tribes and Their 
         Members
       The House bill requires the GAO to study the agricultural 
     credit needs of farms, ranches, and related businesses owned 
     or operated by Indian tribes or tribal members, and whether 
     the Farm Credit System has the authority and resources to 
     meet such needs. The report is due within 90 days after the 
     date of enactment. If the Comptroller General finds that the 
     System lacks the authority or resources to meet the stated 
     needs, the report shall include recommendations to meet the 
     needs. (Section 5603)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 5415)

                      Title VI--Rural Development

     (1) Prioritizing Projects to Meet Health Crises in Rural 
         America/Distance Learning and Telemedicine; Community 
         Facilities Direct Loans and Grants for Substance Use 
         Disorder Treatment Services; Rural Health and Safety 
         Education Programs
       The House bill amends Title VI of the Rural Development Act 
     of 1972 to include a new section which provides the Secretary 
     with the authority to announce a renewable, one-year, 
     temporary reprioritization for certain USDA Rural Development 
     (``RD'') loan and grant applications to assist rural 
     communities in responding to a specific rural health 
     emergency. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture 
     (``Secretary'') to issue an announcement that specifies the 
     emergency, and to provide notice to the relevant 
     Congressional committees and the Secretary of Health and 
     Human services. The bill also amends Section 2333(c) of the 
     Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to 
     provide that, pursuant to an announcement under subsection 
     (a), at least 10% of Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
     Programs funds are reserved for projects that address the 
     rural health emergency.
       The House bill amends Section 306(a) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that, pursuant to 
     an announcement under subsection (a), Community Facilities 
     Program funds may be prioritized for projects that address 
     the rural health emergency, including facilities that provide 
     prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
       The House bill also amends Section 502(i) of the Rural 
     Development Act to provide that, pursuant to an announcement 
     under subsection (a), Rural Health and Safety Education 
     Program funds may be prioritized for projects that address 
     the rural health emergency. (Section 6001)
       The Senate amendment amends section 2333(c) of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to set aside 
     20% of Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant funding for 
     applications related to substance use disorder treatment 
     services.
       The Senate amendment amends section 306(a) of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that 
     in selecting recipients of loans or grants for the 
     development of essential community facilities, the Secretary 
     shall give priority to entities to develop facilities to 
     provide substance use disorder (including opioids) 
     prevention, treatment, and recovery services; and that employ 
     staff trained to identify and treat individuals with 
     substance use disorders.
       The Senate amendment amends section 502(i) of the Rural 
     Development Act to require the Secretary, in making grants 
     under the Rural Health and Safety Education Program, to give 
     priority to an applicant that will use the grant for 
     substance use disorder education, prevention, or treatment. 
     (Sections 6301(a), 6105, and 6303)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that prioritizes funding through the year 2025 
     for Community Facility, Distance Learning and

[[Page H9988]]

     Telemedicine and Rural Health and Safety Education Programs 
     that provide substance abuse prevention, treatment, and 
     recovery services. The substitute also authorizes the 
     Secretary to make temporary prioritizations for certain Rural 
     Development programs on a regional or state basis for other 
     public health disruptions. (Section 6101)
     (2) Distance Learning and Telemedicine
       The House bill reauthorizes the program through FY2023; and 
     increases the authorization of appropriations to $82,000.000 
     per fiscal year. (Section 6002)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes the program through 2023. 
     (Section 6301(b)-(c))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6102)
     (3) Supporting Agricultural Association Health Plans
       The House bill establishes a new loan and grant program to 
     assist in the establishment of agricultural association 
     health plans. The House bill provides the Secretary with the 
     authority to make not more than 10 loans for the purposes of 
     establishing agricultural association health plans and 
     provides for the terms of such loans. The House bill provides 
     the Secretary with the authority to make grants for the 
     purposes of providing technical assistance in establishing 
     agricultural association health plans. The House bill 
     authorizes a one-time appropriation of $65 million to be 
     available until expended during FYs 2019 through 2022. 
     (Section 6004)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not include the House 
     provision.
     (4) Refinancing of Certain Rural Hospital Debt
       The House bill authorizes assistance for a community 
     facility under section 306(a) for a business, non-profit or 
     any other entity under section 310B to include the 
     refinancing of a debt obligation of a rural hospital as an 
     eligible loan or loan guarantee purpose if the assistance 
     would help preserve access to health service in a rural 
     community and meaningfully improve the financial position of 
     the hospital. (Section6005)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that requires hospitals seeking refinancing to 
     meet USDA's financial feasibility and adequacy of security 
     requirements. (Section 6103)
       The Managers emphasize the necessity that USDA work with 
     rural hospitals to improve their financial health as a part 
     of a refinancing agreement. The Managers also encourage USDA 
     to build on its current technical assistance efforts to 
     improve the long-term operations of rural hospitals in order 
     to continue providing vital services to rural communities.
     (5) Requiring Loans, Guaranteed Loans, and Grants for Rural 
         Broadband
       The House bill amends section 601(c)(1) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require that the Secretary 
     ``shall make loans and shall guarantee loans'' to finance 
     rural broadband projects. (Section 6103)
       The Senate amendment amends subsections (a) and (c) of 
     section 601 to require that the Secretary ``shall make grants 
     and make or guarantee loans'' to finance rural broadband 
     projects and makes several conforming amendments throughout 
     section 601. (Section 6206(1)-(2))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to clarify that the Secretary is required to 
     make grants, make loans, and guarantee loans to finance rural 
     broadband projects. (Section 6201)
       In implementing the Guaranteed Loan Program to help expand 
     broadband access in rural areas, the Managers encourage RUS 
     to consider development of a certified lender program that 
     will encourage public-private partnerships and expedite 
     investment into rural broadband infrastructure.
     (6) Simplified Application Window
       The House bill amends section 601(c)(2)(A) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     establish 1 evaluation period per year for broadband loan 
     program applications. (Section 6108)
       The Senate amendment rewrites section 601(c)(2) in its 
     entirety and deletes any requirement regarding the number of 
     application evaluation periods each year. (Section 6206(2))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6201)
     (7) Elimination of Requirement to Give Priority to Certain 
         Applicants
       The House bill amends section 601(c)(2) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to strike the subparagraph (D) 
     priority category. (Section 6109)
       The Senate amendment rewrites section 601(c)(2) in its 
     entirety and deletes the same subparagraph (D) priority 
     category. (Section 6206(2))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment clarifying that the most unserved communities 
     are those without residential broadband service of at least 
     10 Mbps downstream transmission capacity and 1 Mbps upstream 
     transmission capacity. (Section 6201)
     (8) Fees for Guaranteed Broadband Loans
       The House bill amends section 601(c) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     collect fees on loan guarantees in amounts that when combined 
     with any appropriated funds equal the subsidy on such 
     guarantees. (Section 6203(b))
       The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the House 
     bill. The Senate amendment amends section 601(c) to require 
     the Secretary to charge lenders of guaranteed loans a fee to 
     offset subsidy costs. (Section 6117(b))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to require the Secretary to charge and collect 
     fees from lenders in such amounts as to bring down the cost 
     of subsidies for guaranteed loans, but that do not act as a 
     bar to participation in the program. (Section 6201)
     (9) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural 
         Areas; Broadband Standards; Grants
       The House bill amends section 601(d)(1)(A)(i) to require 
     broadband loan or loan guarantee applicants to demonstrate 
     the ability to furnish or improve service in order to meet 
     the new broadband service standards established under section 
     6101 of the House Bill in all or part of an unserved or 
     underserved rural area. (Section 6101(a)(1))
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(1)(A) to make it 
     applicable to grants as well as loans and loan guarantees; 
     conforming amendments to section 601 run throughout section 
     6206. (Section 6206(3)(A)(i) & (3)(C) through (G))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6201)
     (10) Modification of Buildout Requirement
       The House bill amends section 601(d)(1)(A)(iii) of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide 5 years for 
     applicants to complete the buildout of broadband 
     infrastructure financed under this section. (Section 6110)
       The Senate amendment is the same as the House bill, with a 
     conforming amendment to clarify that it applies to grants as 
     well as loans. (Section 6206(3)(A)(i))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     technical amendments. (Section 6201)
     (11) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural 
         Areas; Unserved Area, Incumbent Service Providers
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(2)(A) of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) increase from 15 
     percent to 90 percent the share of households in a proposed 
     service area that must be unserved or have service levels 
     below the minimum acceptable service level of fixed broadband 
     service, whether terrestrial or wireless; and (2) reduce from 
     3 to 2 the number of incumbent service providers in any part 
     of the proposed service area that would make the area 
     ineligible for financing. (Section 6206(3)(B))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment increasing from 15 percent to 90 percent the 
     share of households in a proposed service area that must be 
     unserved for broadband projects funded by grants, loan/grant 
     combinations, loans with subsidized interest rates, and 
     payment assistance loans. The amendment increases from 15 
     percent to 50 percent the share of households in a proposed 
     service area that must be unserved for broadband projects 
     funded by loans or loan guarantees. The amendment does not 
     adopt the Senate provision decreasing the number of incumbent 
     service providers. (Section 6201)
     (12) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural 
         Areas; Application Process
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(7) to: (1) 
     require the Secretary to provide feedback and decisions on 
     funding to an applicant of a grant, loan, or loan guarantee 
     in a timely manner; (2) clarify that in addition to a 
     determination of area eligibility prior to preparing a loan 
     application, a prospective applicant may also submit to the 
     Secretary a proposal for a project on which the Secretary 
     shall provide feedback regarding how the proposal could be 
     changed to improve the likelihood that the Secretary would 
     approve the application. (Section 6206(3)(H)-(I))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that specifies that only applicants proposing to 
     serve communities without residential broadband service of at 
     least 10 Mbps downstream transmission capacity and 1 Mbps 
     upstream transmission capacity are eligible for technical 
     assistance and training. (Section 6201)
     (13) Elimination of Unnecessary Reporting Requirements
       The House bill: amends section 601(d)(8)(A)(ii) to 
     eliminate reporting requirements with respect to: (1) the 
     location of residences and businesses that will receive 
     broadband service; and (2) changes in broadband service 
     adoption rates. (Section 6112)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment creating new reporting requirements for all USDA 
     broadband projects. (Section 6207)
     (14) Establishing Forward-Looking Broadband Standards/Access 
         to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas
       The House bill amends Section 601(e) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     establish broadband service standards for rural areas that 
     provide for: (1) speed to be at least 25 megabits per second 
     (Mbps) downstream transmission capacity and 3 Mbps upstream 
     transmission capacity;

[[Page H9989]]

     and (2) projections of minimum acceptable standards of 
     service for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 years into the future. The 
     amendment further prohibits the Secretary from making any 
     loan to finance a project that the Secretary determines 
     cannot meet the projected minimum acceptable standard of 
     service at any time while the loan or loan guarantee is 
     outstanding. The amendment allows the Secretary and the 
     applicant to agree to substitute standards if the standards 
     are cost-prohibitive to meet.
       The House bill also provides that, to the extent possible, 
     the loan terms and conditions require for the lifetime of the 
     loan that the project will be capable of meeting either the 
     minimum standard currently in effect or the projected 
     standard in place at the time the loan was agreed to. 
     (Section 6101(a)(2)-(3))
       The Senate amendment amends Section 601(e) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to codify USDA's current 
     definition of minimum acceptable broadband service of 25 Mbps 
     downstream transmission capacity and 3Mbps upstream 
     transmission capacity. (Section 6206(4))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment modifying the broadband buildout requirements 
     that the Secretary shall establish for projects with 
     agreement lengths of 5 to 10 years, 11 to 15 years, 16 to 20 
     years, and more than 20 years. (Section 6201)
       The Managers are acutely aware of the challenges created by 
     the ever-increasing bandwidth needs of applications running 
     over the Internet. These bandwidth needs mean that the 
     expectation for ``broadband-quality service'' in urban, 
     suburban, and rural communities increases over time. While 
     protecting project areas provided assistance from a competing 
     USDA-assisted project is essential for program integrity, 
     such protections can result in a lack of further investment 
     in rural broadband systems and rural residents receiving 
     levels of service which degrade relative to expectations over 
     time.
       In establishing the broadband buildout speeds, the Managers 
     intend the Secretary establish requirements for applicants to 
     build systems capable of providing higher quality broadband 
     service as the term of assistance lengthens, to help to 
     ensure that USDA-financed broadband systems are able to meet 
     the connectivity needs of rural residents for the entirety of 
     the length of time such system is protected from overbuilding 
     under USDA's broadband programs.
     (15) Improving Access by Providing Certainty to Broadband 
         Borrowers
       The House bill amends title II of the Rural Electrification 
     Act of 1936 to permit the Secretary to obligate, but not 
     disperse, funds under section 601 to approved applications 
     while conditioning the disbursement of funds on the 
     successful completion of environmental, historic, or other 
     reviews. Further, it permits the Secretary to de-obligate 
     funds if the reviews cannot be completed in a reasonable 
     amount of time.
       The House bill amends section 601(d) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to permit the Secretary to 
     obligate, but not disperse, funds under section 601 to 
     approved applications while conditioning the disbursement of 
     funds on the successful completion of environmental, 
     historic, or other reviews. Further, it permits the Secretary 
     to de- obligate funds if the reviews cannot be completed in a 
     reasonable amount of time. (Section 6107)
       The Senate amendment amends section 601 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary to 
     obligate, but not disperse, funds under this Act before the 
     completion of otherwise required environmental, historical, 
     or other types of reviews if the Secretary determines that a 
     subsequent site-specific review shall be adequate and easily 
     accomplished for the location of towers, poles, or other 
     broadband facilities in the service area of the borrower 
     without compromising the project or the required reviews.
       The Senate Amendment also amends section 601 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require, as a condition of 
     receiving a grant, loan, or loan guarantee, a recipient of 
     assistance to provide to the Secretary complete, reliable, 
     and precise geolocation that indicates the location of new 
     broadband service that is being provided or upgraded within 
     the service territory supported by the grant, loan, or loan 
     guarantee at specified times. (Section 6206(8))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that moves the language dealing with geolocation 
     data to the new section requiring public notice, assessments, 
     and reporting. (Sections 6207 and 6208)
     (16) Improving Borrower Refinancing Options/Refinancing of 
         Broadband
       The House bill amends section 601(i) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to permit the Broadband Loan 
     Program to refinance telecommunications loans other than 
     those made under the Act. (Section 6111(b))
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(i) of the rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to provide RUS the authority to 
     refinance telephone and broadband loans other than those made 
     under the Act. (Section 6209(b))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision as a 
     new section 703 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
     (Section 6209)
     (17) Unified Broadband Reporting Requirements
       The House bill amends section 601(j) and (k)(2) of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     submit a single report to Congress describing all the 
     broadband financing activities administered by the Secretary 
     including the loans, loan guarantees, and grants applied for 
     and provided under the programs. (Section 6106)
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(j) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to add grants to the reporting 
     requirements (Section 6206(6))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision 
     (Section 6207).
       In adopting a substitute amendment, the Managers have 
     established a single process for reporting across multiple 
     USDA broadband programs. The amendment will ensure that 
     applicants will be reporting similar, comparable data to the 
     Secretary. The amendment similarly requires the Secretary to 
     combine that data into a single report to Congress which 
     covers the entirety of the Department's broadband assistance 
     activities.
       In addition, the substitute amendment combines in a single 
     section these reporting requirements with the amended notice 
     and assessment requirements. The Managers recognize that 
     these two processes--one pre-application and one post-
     application--are interrelated and each are essential to 
     promoting program integrity. The Managers intend for the 
     Secretary to establish requirements which are complementary, 
     wherever possible, both to facilitate implementation and to 
     ease compliance for applicants and existing providers.
       Finally, the Managers recognize the importance of oversight 
     and integrity within the broadband programs, as well as the 
     significant work entailed in verifying the eligibility of 
     unserved communities. To that end, the Conference report 
     provides significant resources to the Secretary to carry out 
     oversight of the broadband programs. These funds shall be 
     utilized without distinction to provide oversight across all 
     of the broadband programs that the Secretary administers.
     (18) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural 
         Areas
       The House bill amends section 601(k) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 by increasing the authorization 
     of appropriations to $150 million for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023 and reauthorizing the program through 
     fiscal year 2023.
       The House bill also amends section 601(l) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to extend the termination of 
     authority to make loans and loan guarantees until September 
     30, 2023. (Section 6113)
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(m) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 (as redesignated) to: (1) 
     increase the authorization of appropriations to $150,000,000 
     for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and 
     reauthorizing the program through fiscal year 2023 (same as 
     the House Bill); and (2) require the Secretary, from amounts 
     made available each fiscal year, to set aside at least 1 
     percent to be used for conducting oversight and implementing 
     accountability measures.
       The Senate amendment also amends section 601(n) of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 as redesignated) to extend 
     the termination of authority to make grants, loans, and loan 
     guarantees until September 30, 2023. (Section 6206(9)-(10))
       The Conference substitute provides an amendment increasing 
     the authorization of appropriations to $350 million for each 
     of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and sets aside between 3 
     and 5 percent of program level amounts for conducting 
     oversight and implementing accountability measures for the 
     Farm Bill Broadband Program and Community Connect projects. 
     (Sections 6201 and 6207)
     (19) Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure
       The House bill amends section 601 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize loans to eligible 
     entities for the development of ``middle-mile'' broadband 
     infrastructure, defined as infrastructure that does not 
     directly connect to end user locations, including interoffice 
     transport, backhaul, Internet connectivity, data centers, or 
     special access transport to rural areas. Loans and loan 
     guarantees for middle-mile infrastructure are limited to no 
     more than 20% of the amounts made available under section 
     601. (Section 6114)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to amend section 602 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     use grant funding as well as loans and loan guarantees to 
     provide funds for the construction, improvement, or 
     acquisition of middle-mile infrastructure to serve rural 
     areas, and to require that at least 75 percent of the 
     interconnection points of a project serve eligible rural 
     areas. The amendment also authorizes appropriations of $10 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 6202)
     (20) Establishing Forward-Looking Broadband Standards: Report 
         to Congress
       The House bill requires the Administrator of the Rural 
     Utilities Service, within 12 months after the date of the 
     enactment, to submit to the House and Senate Agriculture 
     Committees a report on the effectiveness of RUS loan and loan 
     guarantee programs at expanding broadband to rural areas, 
     including administrative and legislative options for 
     incentivizing private investment. (Section 6101(b))

[[Page H9990]]

       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (21) Smart Utility Authority/Single Application for Broadband
       The House bill amends section 331 of the Consolidated Farm 
     and Rural Development Act to allow a recipient of certain 
     grants, loans, or loan guarantees to use not more than 10 
     percent of the amount for rural broadband infrastructure 
     projects, including both retail and non-retail activities, 
     except for a recipient who is seeking to provide retail 
     broadband service in any area where retail broadband service 
     is available at the minimum broadband speeds.
       The House bill also amends Title I of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to allow a recipient of certain 
     grants, loans or loan guarantees to set aside not more than 
     10 percent of the amount for retail broadband service, for 
     use only in an area that is not being provided with the 
     minimum acceptable level of broadband service. (Section 6104)
       The Senate amendment amends section 331 of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to allow for no more than 10% 
     of any Rural Development grant, loan, or loan guarantee to be 
     used to fund broadband facilities and service, provided that 
     the funding will not result in competitive harm to any 
     existing grant, loan, or loan guarantee. (Section 6116)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment requiring that the funding not result in 
     competitive harm to any existing grant, loan, or loan 
     guarantee under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, under 
     certain circumstances. (Section 6210)
       The Managers intend that USDA not authorize funding for the 
     construction of any retail broadband project that would 
     result in competitive harm to any USDA grant, loan, or loan 
     guarantee.
     (22) Modifications to the Rural Gigabit Program
       The House bill amends section 603 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to amend the Rural Gigabit 
     Network Pilot Program and replace it with the Innovative 
     Broadband Advancement Program to provide grants, loans or 
     both to eligible entities for the purpose of demonstrating 
     innovative broadband technologies or methods of broadband 
     technologies or methods of broadband deployment that 
     significantly reduce the cost of broadband deployment and 
     substantially increase broadband service to not less than the 
     20-year broadband speed established by the Rural Utilities 
     Service (Section 6105)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment requiring projects to provide broadband speeds 
     of at least the maximum broadband buildout requirements 
     established under section 601(e)(4) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936, as amended. (Section 6203)
     (23) Incentives for Hard to Reach Communities
       The House bill amends Title VI of the Rural Electrification 
     Act of 1936 to add a new section 604 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act to create a grant program for borrowers 
     under Title I, II, or VI of the Rural Electrification Act who 
     are financing rural broadband projects that provide retail 
     service.
       The House bill also establishes a method for calculating 
     service points per road mile as a density measure. Eligible 
     applicants are those areas with a density of 12 or fewer 
     homes, businesses, or institutions per mile of road in a 
     proposed service area. The bill also authorizes 
     appropriations of $350 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. (Section 6102)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to apply the new density requirements to grants 
     authorized under Section 6201 and modifies the number of 
     persons per square mile when determining what percent of a 
     project's development costs may be funded using grant money. 
     The substitute does not adopt the House provision's 
     authorization of appropriations. (Section 6201)
       The Conference report includes significant new authority 
     for the Secretary to provide grants to applicants to extend 
     broadband service deeper into rural communities. The Managers 
     are mindful of past broadband grant programs which have 
     occasionally resulted in grants to providers who fail to meet 
     their obligations under their grant agreements. The Managers 
     recognize the work that the Department has undertaken in an 
     attempt to recover taxpayer dollars in those instances and to 
     continue to improve the ability for the department to hold 
     grantees accountable for the entirety of their obligations. 
     To further this work, the Managers intend that any agreements 
     the Secretary executes with grant applicants include terms 
     which:
       1. Require that the project meet all statutory and 
     regulatory service requirements agreed to as part of the 
     application process, including the broadband buildout 
     requirements, if applicable;
       2. Require the repayment of the grant if the project is 
     sold or transferred without agency approval during the term 
     of the grant; and
       3. Provide the government a first lien on the grant assets 
     during the term of the grant and thereafter comply with the 
     applicable federal regulations under the Uniform 
     Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit 
     Requirements For Federal Awards, codified in 2 C.F.R. 200.
     (24) Community Connect Program
       The Senate amendment amends title VI of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to codify the existing Community 
     Connect Program, while authorizing the program at $50,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6207)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6204)
     (25) Outdated Broadband Systems
       The House bill adds a new section 605 to the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to provide that beginning October 
     1, 2020, the Secretary shall consider as unserved for the 
     purposes of all broadband loan programs under this Act any 
     portion of a service territory subject to an outstanding 
     grant agreement with a broadband provider if the broadband 
     service provided is not at least 10 megabits per second 
     download and at least 1 megabit per second upload, unless the 
     broadband provider has constructed or begun to construct 
     broadband facilities in the service territory that meet the 
     minimum acceptable standard of service established under 
     section 601(e)(1). (Section 6115)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision as a 
     new section 604 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
     (Section 6204)
     (26) Refinancing of Broadband and Telephone Loans
       The House bill amends section 201 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to clarify that the Secretary, 
     through the RUS telephone loan program, may refinance 
     broadband loans made under section 601 of the Act. (Section 
     6111(a))
       The Senate amendment amends Section 201 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to clarify that the Secretary, 
     through the RUS telephone loan program, may refinance loans 
     of persons furnishing telephone service in rural areas, 
     including indebtedness of recipients on another 
     telecommunications loan made under the Act.
       The Senate amendment also strikes the current law 
     limitation that the refinancing may not constitute more than 
     40% of a loan made under Title II of the Act. (Section 
     6209(a))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6211)
       The Managers intend for Section 6211, refinancing of loans, 
     that an existing loan may be refinanced using the 
     Substantially Underserved Trust Area program when it is 
     determined to be appropriate. The recipients of these loans 
     are serving the most difficult, and highest cost areas of the 
     country, and allowing for the refinancing of higher interest 
     loans will provide the ability for these telecommunications 
     carriers to continue to build high-speed broadband networks.
       The Managers expect that the new refinancing authority 
     gives the Department the ability to issue a new loan with new 
     terms with the proceeds being used to repay or pre- pay an 
     existing loan. These transactions should be not be considered 
     loan modifications.
       Within 90 days of enactment, USDA should publish a notice 
     detailing implementation of the re-financing provisions in 
     Section 6211.
     (27) Federal Broadband Program Coordination
       The House bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to 
     coordinate with the Assistant Secretary of the National 
     Telecommunications and Information Administration for 
     assessment and mapping capabilities. The Secretary will 
     consult with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
     before making a broadband loan or grant for a project to 
     serve an area in which another entity is receiving Connect 
     America Fund or Mobility Fund support under the federal 
     universal service support mechanism. The Chairman of the FCC 
     shall consult with the Secretary before providing support in 
     an area where an entity has received assistance from USDA. 
     The Secretary, FCC, and the Assistant Secretary shall submit 
     a report to the Congressional committees assessing its 
     abilities to meet various objectives regarding long-term 
     broadband service needs of rural residents. (Section 6116)
       The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(1) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission to 
     ensure that any grants, loans, or loan guarantees made under 
     this section complement and do not conflict with universal 
     service high-cost support. (Section 6206(3)(A)(ii))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6212)
     (28) Effective Date
       The House bill provides that amendments made by subtitle B 
     of the House Bill shall not take effect until the Secretary 
     of Agriculture has issued final regulations to implement the 
     amendments.
       The House bill also requires that within 90 days of the 
     enactment the Secretary shall prescribe final regulations to 
     implement the amendments made by sections 6101 (broadband 
     standards) and 6102 (incentives for hard to reach 
     communities). (Section 6117)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.

[[Page H9991]]

       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment giving the Secretary one year to issue a final 
     rule implementing the amendments made to Section 601 of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936. (Section 6213)
     (29) Strategic Economic and Community Development
       The House bill amends section 379H in its entirety to 
     require the Secretary to: (1) give priority to applications 
     for programs that support implementation of a strategic 
     community investment plan; (2) reserve a portion of funds for 
     projects that support the implementation of a strategic 
     community investment plan; and (3) set forth the requirements 
     for such plans. The bill requires the Secretary to provide 
     technical assistance to communities in developing strategic 
     community investment plans and authorizes appropriations of 
     $5 million for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023 to 
     provide the technical assistance. (Section 6201)
       The Senate amendment amends section 379H in its entirety to 
     require the Secretary to: (1) give priority to applications 
     for programs that support implementation of a strategic 
     community investment plan; (2) reserve not more than 10 
     percent of funds for projects that support the implementation 
     of a strategic community investment plan; and (3) set forth 
     the requirements for such plans. The amendment also requires 
     the Secretary to provide technical assistance to communities 
     in developing strategic community investment plans and 
     authorizes appropriations of $5 million for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023 to provide the technical assistance. 
     (Section 6123)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment increasing the reserve to not more than 15 
     percent of funds for projects. (Section 6401)
     (30) Expanding Access to Credit for Rural Communities
       The House bill amends the definition of ``rural and ``rural 
     area'' under section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act to provide that a city or town that has 
     a population of up to 50,000 inhabitants is eligible for loan 
     guarantees for water, wastewater, and essential community 
     facilities.
       The bill also amends the definition of ``rural area'' in 
     section 601(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Rural Electrification Act of 
     1936 to provide that a city or town that has a population of 
     up to 50,000 inhabitants is eligible for guaranteed loans in 
     the rural broadband program. (Section 6202)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to reserve funding for Community Facilities 
     applications for projects in communities with populations of 
     20,000 people or less, and to prioritize Water and Wastewater 
     Facility applications for projects in communities with 
     populations of 10,000 people or less. (Section 6402)
       The Conference report expands the size of rural communities 
     eligible to seek assistance under the guaranteed lending 
     authorities of the Community Facilities and Water and Waste 
     Disposal programs. In order to meet the needs of the enlarged 
     class of borrowers under these programs, the Managers believe 
     it is important to make commensurate increases in the program 
     levels of these programs, where appropriate.
       The Secretary should utilize the authority provided under 
     Section 6418 to charge fees to lenders to reduce the subsidy 
     cost of operating these programs in order to provide 
     additional assistance to rural communities at a reduced cost 
     to the taxpayer. The Managers encourage the Secretary to work 
     closely with rural communities, rural lenders, and the 
     relevant committees in Congress as the Department utilizes 
     the new guaranteed lending authorities provided in this bill.
       In addition, as the volume of lending increases under the 
     guaranteed lending programs, the Managers recognize the need 
     for the Department to streamline the approval process. The 
     Managers encourage the Secretary to find ways to make 
     application reviews more efficient and more standardized. In 
     addition to technology, process, and regionalization 
     improvements that can be made, the Managers also believe that 
     utilizing the authorities of Sec 364 of the Consolidated Farm 
     and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) to develop 
     certified lender programs will encourage public-private 
     partnerships and expedite investment into rural 
     infrastructure.
     (31) Guaranteed Loan Fees
       The House bill amends section 333 of the Consolidated Farm 
     and Rural Development Act to require the Secretary to collect 
     fees on insured or guaranteed loans in amounts that when 
     combined with any appropriated funds equal the subsidy on 
     such loans. (Section 6203(a))
       The Senate amendment amends section 333 of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to require the Secretary to 
     charge lenders of guaranteed loans a fee to offset subsidy 
     costs. (Section 6117(a))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to provide that the Secretary charge and collect 
     from the lender fees in such amounts as to bring down the 
     costs of subsidies for the insured or guaranteed loan, except 
     that the fees shall not act as a bar to participation in the 
     programs nor be inconsistent with current practices in the 
     marketplace. (Section 6418)
       Guaranteed lending programs are important to meeting credit 
     needs of rural borrowers who are unable to qualify for 
     conventional credit. The Managers believe a modest increase 
     in fees in the Community Facilities and Water and Waste 
     Disposal programs can achieve a zero-subsidy rate and 
     potentially minimize or eliminate the need for future 
     appropriations while increasing the volume of loans extended 
     to rural communities. However, the Managers are also mindful 
     that guaranteed lending under these programs serves a public 
     policy purpose and encourages the Secretary to work with the 
     Committees on Appropriations to establish a fee structure, 
     annual appropriations amount, and program level appropriate 
     to achieve that purpose.
       To assist in determining the appropriate fee structure and 
     to examine the potential to reduce subsidy rates under other 
     guaranteed lending programs, the Managers direct the 
     Secretary to conduct a study of several guaranteed lending 
     programs to clarify the extent of necessary fee increases; 
     the impact on loan volume; whether fee increases could be 
     structured to minimize impact on smaller lenders and 
     borrowers; and how to better enhance credit terms for future 
     borrowers, lenders and secondary market participants. In 
     conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult with a 
     range of stakeholders utilizing each program from across the 
     rural lending community, including: rural community leaders, 
     borrowers, rural banking institutions, rural credit unions, 
     Farm Credit institutions, secondary market participants, and 
     other interested stakeholders.
       No later than September 30, 2019, 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 analyzing guaranteed 
     lending under the Community Facilities, Water and Waste 
     Disposal, Broadband Access, Business and Industry, and Rural 
     Energy for America programs to determine:
       1. The level to which the origination fee and annual 
     renewal fees would need to be raised in order to:
       a. achieve a zero-subsidy level
       b. reduce the subsidy rate to a level which will not act as 
     a bar to participation in the programs nor be inconsistent 
     with current practices in the marketplace;
       2. The projected loan volume and the projected 
     appropriations amount necessary to support that program level 
     for each program under the fee structures described in 1.
       3. Whether such fees would prevent participation by smaller 
     lenders and borrowers.
       4. Whether participation under a zero-subsidy structure 
     could be increased by charging higher fees for larger loans 
     and lower fees for smaller loans and, if so, what level of 
     fees and loan sizes would achieve higher participation.
       5. How subsidy rates are formulated for individual 
     guaranteed lending programs and how to enhance subsidy rate 
     formulation to reflect performance of each program.
       6. Differences between USDA and SBA loan processes and 
     whether USDA could expedite loan processing and ensure 
     consistency between area service centers, states and national 
     offices.
       7. Whether a transition period is necessary to shift USDA's 
     guaranteed programs to a zero-subsidy structure without 
     diminishing existing loan volume.
       8. Other actions the department could take to reduce the 
     subsidy cost of running guaranteed lending programs, besides 
     increasing fees, including a quantification of the estimated 
     effects of such changes.
     (32) Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility Grants
       The House bill amends section 306(a)(2)(B) to increase the 
     maximum amount of financing an eligible entity can receive 
     from a revolving fund from $100,000 to $200,000. The bill 
     reauthorizes the program for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     The bill also decreases the authorization of appropriations 
     from $30 million to $15 million per fiscal year. (Section 
     6204)
       The Senate amendment is similar to the House bill and 
     reauthorizes the program through fiscal year 2023. (Section 
     6101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6403)
     (33) Rural Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance and 
         Training Programs
       The House bill amends section 306(a)(14)(A) to permit the 
     Secretary to provide grants to entities which assist eligible 
     rural water systems with long term sustainability planning. 
     The bill also amends section 306(a)(14)(C) to increase the 
     set-aside of funds for technical assistance to 3 to 5 percent 
     of funds appropriated for rural water and waste grants under 
     section 306(a)(2), unless applications qualifying for grants 
     received by the Secretary from eligible nonprofit 
     organizations for the fiscal year total less than 1% of those 
     funds. (Section 6205)
       The Senate amendment is the same as the House bill. The 
     amendment also amends Section 306(a)(14)(B) to add a priority 
     for rural water technical assistance and training to 
     communities affected by emerging contaminants detected in 
     drinking water and surface water supplies.
       The Senate amendment amends section 306(a)(14)(C) to 
     increase the set-aside of funds for technical assistance up 
     to 3-to-5 percent of funds appropriated for rural water and 
     waste grants under section 306(a)(2), unless applications 
     qualifying for grants received

[[Page H9992]]

     by the Secretary from eligible nonprofit organizations for 
     the fiscal year total less than 3% of those funds. (Section 
     6102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to change the priority to an eligible activity 
     under the technical assistance program. (Section 6404)
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to allow for national 
     applications without restrictions or award caps for funding 
     under the Essential Community Facilities Technical Assistance 
     and Training Program from qualified national non-profit 
     organizations for the sole purpose of providing on-site 
     training and technical assistance on a national or multi-
     State regional basis. The Managers note there are no 
     restrictions on funding awards prescribed in the authorizing 
     statute of the program (Sec. 6006 of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014) (P.L. 113-79). The Managers modeled the program after 
     the Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and 
     Training Program (306)(a)(14) of the Consolidated Farm and 
     Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(14)), which does not 
     prescribe any caps or restrictions on funding. The Managers 
     intend that applications not be limited to $150,000 for 
     national and multi-state non-profit applications, but rather 
     be considered for an amount of no less than $500,000 to 
     provide community facilities technical assistance and 
     training on a national or multi-state basis.
       The Managers recognize that the scientific understanding of 
     the wide variety of emerging contaminants, including the 
     broad category of substances identified as per- and 
     polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is continuing to develop 
     and not yet mature. The Department and technical assistance 
     providers should utilize the best available science and rely 
     on the determinations produced by the Environmental 
     Protection Agency when advising eligible water systems about 
     emerging contaminants under this section.
     (34) Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program
       The House bill amends section 306(a)(22)(B) to increase the 
     authorization of appropriations to $25 million for FY2018 and 
     each FY thereafter. (Section 6206)
       The Senate bill amends section 306(a)(22)(B) to increase 
     the authorization of appropriations to $25 million for each 
     of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6405)
     (35) Tribal college and University Essential Community 
         Facilities
       The House bill amends section 306(a)(25)(C) to decrease the 
     authorization of appropriations to $5,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6207)
       The Senate Amendment reauthorizes the Tribal College and 
     University Essential Community Facilities Program through 
     fiscal year 2023. (Section 6104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6406)
     (36) Business Innovation Services Essential Community 
         Facilities
       The Senate amendment amends section 306(a) to authorize the 
     Secretary to make grants and loans for essential community 
     facilities for business and innovation services, such as 
     incubators, co-working spaces, makerspaces, and residential 
     entrepreneur and innovation centers. (Section 12618)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
     provision.
       The Managers recognize the need for additional financial 
     support for community facilities that support rural 
     businesses and innovation, and make clear that the Secretary 
     may use programs authorized under 306(a) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) to make 
     loans, loan guarantees, and grants for essential community 
     facilities for business and innovation services, such as 
     incubators, co-working spaces, makerspaces, and residential 
     entrepreneur and innovation centers.
     (37) Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant 
         Program (ECWAG)
       The House bill amends section 306A to (1) authorize the 
     Secretary to extend the reservation of funds for an 
     additional 120 days in order to provide potable water to 
     protect public health, in the event of a natural disaster 
     (including drought); and (2) authorize appropriations of $27 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 
     6208)
       The Senate amendment amends Section 306A of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) increase 
     the amount of funds reserved for ECWAG grants to between 5 
     percent and 7 percent of the funds provided for water and 
     wastewater grants under section 306(a)(2); (2) authorize 
     appropriations of $50 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023; (3) prioritize funding of projects that 
     address water contamination posing a threat to human 
     health of the environment; (4) increase the maximum amount 
     of a grant to address water quality or quantity decline 
     from $500,000 to $1 million, and: (5) create an 
     interagency task force to study drinking water and surface 
     water contamination in rural communities and submit its 
     findings to Congress. (Section 6106)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to authorize the Secretary to extend the 
     reservation of funds for an additional 120 days in order to 
     provide potable water to protect public health. (Section 
     6407)
       In implementing the amendment made by this section, the 
     Managers remind the Department that the Environmental 
     Protection Agency is the lead federal agency charged with the 
     scientific assessment of potential drinking water 
     contaminants and regulating treated drinking water. In making 
     awards under (b)(1)(A), the Department should continue to 
     utilize the Agency's determinations, or those of relevant 
     state and local regulators, of what poses a threat to human 
     health or the environment, as required by Sections 306(a)(9) 
     and (10) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
       Additionally, the Department should provide in its 
     regulations implementing this program that any entities 
     responsible for fouling a drinking water supply are not 
     eligible to be the recipients of an award under this program.
     (38) Water Systems for Rural and Native Villages in Alaska
       The House bill reauthorizes the program through FY 2023. 
     (Section 6209)
       The Senate amendment amends section 306D to reauthorize the 
     program through FY 2023, and to: (1) clarify that a 
     consortium of Alaska Native Villages are eligible recipients 
     of these grants; and (2) provide that up to 2% of the funds 
     appropriated for a fiscal year may be used by a consortium 
     for training and technical assistance programs. (Section 
     6107)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6408)
     (39) Household Water Well Systems
       The House bill reauthorizes the program through FY 2023 
     (Section 6210)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes the program through FY 
     2023, increases the authorization of appropriations to $40 
     million annually, reduces the eligibility threshold for 
     households to those whose income is not more than 60 percent 
     of the median nonmetropolitan household income for the State, 
     allows for individually owned household decentralized water 
     and wastewater systems to qualify, and provides that loans 
     made with grants/funds shall have an interest rate of 1 
     percent with a term not to exceed 20 years and cannot exceed 
     $15,000.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision, with 
     an amendment to increase the authorization of appropriations 
     from $5 million to $20 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. (Section 6409)
       The Managers intend that the Secretary give priority and 
     work closely with non- profits having substantial experience 
     in providing direct technical assistance to low-income 
     homeowners dealing with decentralized water system issues.
       In implementing the amendment made by this section, the 
     Managers remind the Department that the Environmental 
     Protection Agency is the lead federal agency charged with the 
     scientific assessment of potential drinking water 
     contaminants and regulating treated drinking water. In making 
     awards under (4) for ground water well contamination, the 
     Department should continue to utilize the Agency's 
     determinations, or those of relevant state and local 
     regulators, of what substances are considered contaminants 
     and pose a threat to human health or the environment, as 
     required by Sections 306(a)(9) and (10) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
       Additionally, the Department should provide in its 
     regulations implementing this program that any entities 
     responsible for fouling a drinking water supply are not 
     eligible to be the recipients of an award under this program.
     (40) Rural Cooperative Development Grants
       The House bill amends section 310B to reauthorize the 
     program through fiscal year 2023. (Section 6213)
       The Senate amendment amends section 310B to: (1) 
     reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2023; and (2) 
     clarify that research conducted under the cooperative 
     research program may include that based on data from the 
     latest available Economic Census conducted by the Bureau of 
     the Census. (Section 6111)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6412)
     (41) Intermediary Relending Program
       The House bill amends section 310H to: (1) reauthorize the 
     program through FY 2023; and (2) reduce the authorization of 
     appropriations to $10 million per year. (Section 6217)
       The Senate amendment amends section 310H to: (1) 
     reauthorize the program through FY 2023; (2) increase to 
     $400,000 the maximum loan amount an intermediary may lend to 
     a qualified project; (3) reduce the matching amounts for 
     preferred lenders; and (4) allow for return of equity to an 
     intermediary consistent with loan amortization schedules. 
     (Section 6115)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6416)
     (42) Exclusion of Prison Populations from Definition of Rural 
         Area
       The House bill amends section 343(a)(13) of the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act by excluding 
     incarcerated prison populations from inclusion in the 
     determination of whether an area is ``rural'' or a ``rural 
     area.'' (Section 6218)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment clarifying that the exemption applies to 
     populations incarcerated on a long-term or regional basis. 
     (Section 6301)

[[Page H9993]]

  

     (43) Rural Business-Cooperative Service Programs Technical 
         Assistance and Training
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 368 to the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act authorizing the 
     Secretary to make grants for technical assistance and 
     training to assist rural communities in accessing programs 
     offered through Rural Business and Cooperative Services, with 
     a priority for grants serving persistent poverty counties and 
     high poverty communities. (Section 6118)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to provide that any amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated for any fiscal year that are not appropriated 
     for that fiscal year may be appropriated for the immediately 
     succeeding fiscal year. (Section 6419)
     (44) Establishment of Technical Assistance Program
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to establish a 
     technical assistance program to improve access by Tribal 
     entities to rural development programs. (Section 12514)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6302)
     (45) Rural Microentrepreneur
       The House bill reauthorizes appropriations for the program 
     of $4 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 6221)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations for the 
     program of $20 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.
       The Senate amendment establishes the minimum funding level 
     an eligible microenterprise development organization can 
     receive in technical assistance grants in an amount equal to 
     not less than 20% of the total outstanding balance of 
     microloans made by the microenterprise development 
     organization, subject to satisfactory performance and the 
     availability of funding. (Section 6121)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment capping the maximum funding level an eligible 
     microenterprise development organization can receive in 
     technical assistance grants to not more than 25 percent of 
     the total outstanding balance of microloans made. (Section 
     6422)
     (46) Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program
       The Senate amendment amends Subtitle D of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to establish a competitive 
     grant program to establish job accelerators to improve the 
     ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage 
     jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help 
     rural communities identify and maximize local assets. Grants 
     for job accelerators will be provided in not fewer than 25 
     states. (Section 12619)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment. (Section 6424)
       The Managers recognize the importance of a broad coalition 
     of stakeholders for implementation of a rural jobs 
     accelerator partnership funded through this program. For this 
     reason, beyond the criteria already described in the 
     Conference substitute for the working group that makes up a 
     rural jobs accelerator partnership, the Managers intend an 
     applicant may consider including one or more representatives 
     of an economic development or other community or labor 
     organization; a financial institution, including a community 
     development financial institution (as defined in section 103 
     of the Community Development Banking and Financial 
     Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702); a philanthropic 
     organization; or a rural cooperative, if the cooperative 
     is organized as a nonprofit organization.
       The Managers intend that in addition to the selection 
     criteria stipulated in the Conference substitute, an 
     applicant may also be asked to indicate the speed of 
     available broadband service or how the jobs accelerator plans 
     to improve access to high-speed broadband service, if 
     necessary, and leverage that broadband service for programs 
     of the jobs accelerator. To be selected for a grant through 
     this program, an applicant should provide details on the 
     identified industry cluster in their application, including a 
     description of data showing the existence of emergence of an 
     industry cluster; the importance of the industry cluster to 
     economic growth in the identified region; the unique assets 
     the identified region has to support the industry cluster and 
     to have a competitive advantage in that industry cluster; 
     evidence of a concentration of firms or concentration of 
     employees in the industry cluster; and available industry-
     specific infrastructure that supports the industry cluster. 
     The applicant should also provide a description of how the 
     rural jobs accelerator partnership would improve the 
     competitiveness of the identified region, the ability to 
     repatriate United States jobs, the fostering of high-wage job 
     creation, the support of innovation and entrepreneurship, and 
     the promotion of private investment in the identified 
     regional economy.
       The Managers believe the flexible use of funds through this 
     program is important to successful rural jobs accelerator 
     partnerships. The innovation center that may be funded 
     through this program may function as or be used for housing 
     for business owners or workers; co-working space, which may 
     include space for remote work; space for businesses to 
     utilize with a focus on entrepreneurs and small and 
     disadvantaged businesses but that may include collaboration 
     with companies of all sizes; job training programs; and 
     efforts to utilize the innovation center as part of the 
     development of a community downtown, among other uses deemed 
     appropriate by the Secretary. Support programs that may be 
     funded through this program may include integrating small 
     businesses into a supply chain; creating or expanding 
     commercialization activities for new business formation; 
     identifying and building assets in rural communities that are 
     crucial to supporting regional economies; facilitating the 
     repatriation of high-wage jobs to the United States; 
     supporting the development of innovative processes, 
     technologies, and products; enhancing the capacity of small 
     businesses in regional industry clusters, including small and 
     disadvantaged business; and increasing United States exports 
     and business interaction with international buyers and 
     suppliers.
       The Managers recognize the need for federal interagency 
     support of rural jobs accelerator partnerships. Beyond the 
     Secretary of Commerce (or a designee) and the Secretary of 
     Agriculture (or a designee) co-chairing the task force to 
     oversee this program, this task force should also include the 
     Secretary of Education (or a designee); the Secretary of 
     Energy (or a designee); the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services (or a designee); the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development (or a designee); the Secretary of Labor (or a 
     designee); the Secretary of Transportation (or a designee); 
     the Secretary of the Treasury (or a designee); the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (or a 
     designee); the Administrator of the Small Business 
     Administration (or a designee); the Federal Co-Chair of the 
     Appalachian Regional Commission (or a designee); the Federal 
     Co-Chairman of the Board of the Delta Regional Authority (or 
     a designee); the Federal Co-Chair of the Northern Border 
     Regional Commission (or a designee); national and local 
     organizations that have relevant programs and interests that 
     could serve the needs of the jobs accelerators; 
     representatives of State and local governments or State and 
     local economic development agencies; representatives of 
     institutions of higher education, including land-grant 
     universities; and such other heads of Federal agencies and 
     non-Federal partners as determined appropriate by the co-
     chairs of the task force.
     (47) Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
       The House bill amends section 383N(a) of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act by extending and reducing the 
     authorization of appropriations to $2 million for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6224)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (48) Rural Business Investment Program
       The Senate amendment amends Subtitle H of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act to: change the definition of 
     capital for purposes of the program from ``venture capital'' 
     to ``equity capital''; (2) remove the $500 cap on guarantee 
     fees the Secretary may charge; (3) increase the limitation on 
     rural business investment companies controlled by Farm Credit 
     System institutions from 25% to 50% before the rural business 
     investment company is prohibited from providing equity 
     investments to companies that are not otherwise eligible to 
     receive financing from the Farm Credit System; and (4) 
     prohibit the Secretary from requiring an entity applying to 
     become a certified rural business investment company provide 
     investment or capital that is not required of other companies 
     eligible to apply to operate as a rural business investment 
     company. (Section 12626)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6426)
     (49) Electric Loan Refinancing
       The Senate amendment amends section 2(a) of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary 
     refinance electric and telephone loans made by the Rural
       Utilities Service. (Section 6201)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6501)
       The Managers expect that all affected federal agencies will 
     work together to expeditiously implement the new authority to 
     refinance Rural Utilities Service and Federal Financing Bank 
     loans. Within 90 days USDA should publish a notice detailing 
     implementation of the re-financing provisions.
       The Managers expect that the new refinancing authority 
     gives the agency the ability to issue a new loan with new 
     terms with the proceeds being used to repay or pre-pay an 
     existing loan. These transactions should not be considered 
     loan modifications. The Managers do not expect any additional 
     budget authority to be necessary to implement these 
     provisions.
     (50) Technical Assistance for Rural Electrification Loans
       The Senate amendment amends section 2 to require the 
     Secretary to enter into an MOU with the Department of Energy 
     under which the Secretary of Energy shall provide

[[Page H9994]]

     technical assistance to the Rural Utilities Service on loans 
     to be made for electrification loans. (Section 6202)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment clarifying that the Department of Energy 
     provides technical assistance to Rural Utilities Service and 
     not individual borrowers. (Section 6501(b))
     (51) Loans for Telephone Service
       The Senate amendment amends Section 201 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 by making technical changes to 
     remove obsolete provisions. (Section 6203)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6502)
     (52) Cushion of Credit Payments Program/Extension
       The House bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
     to: (1) authorize appropriations of $10 million for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023 for the Rural Economic 
     Development Loan and Grant Program; and (2) add a new section 
     313B to consolidate and specifically authorize the statutory 
     provisions governing the Rural Economic Development Loan and 
     Grant Program. (Section 6304)
       The Senate amendment amends the Rural Electrification Act 
     of 1936 to: (1) authorize appropriations of $5 million for 
     each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for the Rural Economic 
     Development Loan and Grant Program; (2) provide mandatory CCC 
     funding of $5 million for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; 
     (3) provide for the continuation of the Rural Economic 
     Development Loan and Grant Program beyond the current 
     expected cessation of the Program with the expiration of the 
     final certificate of beneficial ownership in FY2021; (4) 
     cease additional deposits into the Cushion of Credit 
     beginning October 1, 2018; and (5) modify the fixed interest 
     rate and 5 percent paid on Cushion of Credit deposits to the 
     rate used to make payments on the 5-year Treasury note, not 
     to exceed 5%. (Section 6204)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to cease additional deposits into the Cushion of 
     Credit beginning on the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
     Improvement Act of 2018; and to modify the interest paid on 
     Cushion of Credit deposits from a fixed interest rate of 5 
     percent currently paid on Cushion of Credit deposits to 4 
     percent in fiscal year 2021, and to an amount equal to the 1-
     year Treasury rate thereafter. In addition, beginning on the 
     date of enactment through September 30, 2020, a borrower may 
     reduce the balance of its Cushion of Credit account if the 
     amount obtained from the reduction is used to prepay loans 
     made or guaranteed under the Rural Electrification Act of 
     1936. No prepayment premium will be imposed or collected with 
     respect to that portion of a loan that is prepaid by a 
     borrower under this limited prepayment authority. (Section 
     6503 & 6504)
       The managers expect that all affected federal agencies will 
     work together to expeditiously implement the new authority to 
     prepay Rural Utilities Service and Federal Financing Bank 
     loans without penalty under this section. Within 90 days of 
     enactment, USDA should publish a notice detailing 
     implementation of the Cushion of Credit provisions. The 
     Managers do not expect any additional budget authority to be 
     necessary to implement these provisions.
       In providing the authority for depositors to prepay loans 
     with balances in the Cushion of Credit account, it is the 
     Managers' intention that each depositor be able to apply 
     funds to individual loans of the depositor's choosing.
     (53) Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for 
         Electrification for Telephone Purposes
       The House bill amends section 313A of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) strike the requirement 
     that loans be made solely for the purpose of electrification 
     or telephone purposes under the Act, and instead allow that 
     utility infrastructure loans be made to, or refinanced for, 
     eligible borrowers under the Rural Electrification Act; (2) 
     prescribe terms of the guarantees, including to require that 
     the term of each guarantee must be 35 years; and (3) require 
     that the Secretary carry out section 313A, as amended, under 
     a notice of Solicitation of Applications until all necessary 
     regulations are fully implemented. (Section 6301 & 6303)
       The Senate amendment amends section 313A of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of1936 to: (1) same as House bill; (2) 
     prescribe terms of the guarantees, including to provide that 
     the term of a guarantee, by agreement between the Secretary 
     and the borrower, may be for a term of 30 years (or another 
     term of years that the Secretary determines is appropriate); 
     (3) substantially similar to the House bill; (4) extend the 
     termination date until September 30, 2023; and (5) strikes 
     the prohibition against the Secretary guaranteeing payment on 
     a bond or note issued by a lender, the proceeds of which are 
     used for the generation of electricity. (Section 6205)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6505)
       The Managers have included language to streamline the 
     Guaranteed Underwriter Program. The Managers intend that this 
     program will continue to guarantee loans or refinance bonds 
     or notes issued by cooperative lenders for the purposes of 
     assisting utilities in improving their infrastructure. These 
     electric and telecommunications utilities include any former 
     RUS borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or 
     guaranteed loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 
     or any utility that is eligible to receive an insured or 
     direct loan under such Act.
     (54) Expansion of 911 Access
       The House bill reauthorizes section 315 of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 through 2023. (Section 6302)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6506)
     (55) Transparency in the Telecommunications Infrastructure 
         Loan Program
       The Senate amendment amends Title VI of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
     publish and make available to the public a fully searchable 
     database related to the Telecommunications Infrastructure 
     Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, including: (1) a notice and 
     specified details of each application; (2) a notice and 
     specified details of each borrower receiving assistance; and 
     (3) other information sufficient to allow the public to 
     understand the assistance provided.
       The Senate amendment also requires the Secretary to provide 
     an opportunity for the public to submit information 
     concerning the service the borrower is offering in the census 
     blocks proposed in an application. (Section 6208)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to expand the transparency and reporting 
     requirements to all broadband infrastructure programs 
     administered by USDA, remove references to census blocks, and 
     moves some existing reporting language from Section 601 of 
     the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to a new Section 701. 
     (Section 6207)
       In adopting a substitute amendment, the Managers have 
     established a single process for providing notice and 
     assessments of proposed service territories across multiple 
     USDA broadband programs. The amendment will ensure that the 
     Secretary will be required to follow the same process for 
     making information about applicants for retail broadband 
     assistance publicly available, regardless of which program 
     the assistance is provided through. Similarly, existing 
     broadband providers will have a single source of information 
     about proposed projects in which they might be considered 
     incumbent providers.
       The amendment also seeks to move the Department away from 
     the inaccurate, census-block approach to determining the 
     existing service within a proposed service territory. Census-
     block level data has long been identified as a significant 
     stumbling block to gaining an accurate map of broadband 
     deployment in rural areas. The amendment requires existing 
     service providers to provide data on their operations only 
     within the borders of the proposed service territory. The 
     Managers intend that the Secretary implement this section by 
     requiring applicants and existing providers to each provide 
     service point-level data when submitting data under this 
     section, as appropriate.
     (56) Cybersecurity and Grid Security Improvements
       The Senate amendment amends Title III of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 by adding at the end a new 
     section authorizing the Secretary to make or guarantee 
     electric loans for cybersecurity and grid security 
     improvements. (Section 6210)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6507)
     (57) Rural Energy Savings Program
       The House bill amends section 6407 of the Farm Security and 
     Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) require the Secretary to 
     not include any debt incurred under the Rural Energy Savings 
     Program incurred in the calculation of a borrower's debt 
     equity ratio for the purposes of determining eligibility for 
     loans under the Rural Electrification Act; (2) require the 
     Secretary to streamline accounting requirements imposed on 
     borrowers while maintaining adequate assurances of loan 
     repayment; (3) increase the interest rate that a borrower may 
     charge when relending programs funds from 3% to 5%; (4) 
     require the Secretary to submit a report to Congressional 
     authorizing committees on program administration; and (5) 
     reauthorize the program through 2023. (Section 6401)
       The Senate amendment amends Section 6407 of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) very 
     similar provision; (2) very similar provision; (3) increase 
     the interest rate that a borrower may charge when relending 
     program funds from3% to 6%; (4) very similar provision; (5) 
     reauthorized the program through 2023; and (6)amend the 
     definition of ``energy efficiency measures'' eligible for 
     financing to specifically include cost-effective on- or off- 
     grid renewable energy or energy storage systems. (Section 
     6302)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to increase the interest rate a borrower may 
     charge when relending program funds from 3 percent to 5 
     percent. (Section 6303)

[[Page H9995]]

  

     (58) Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development 
         Commissions/Northern Border Regional Commission
       The House bill amends 40 U.S.C. 15751 to reauthorize the 
     Commissions through fiscal year 2023. (Section 6503)
       The Senate amendment amends Section 15751 (a) of title 40, 
     United States Code, to reauthorize the Northern Border 
     Regional Commission, the Southwest Border Regional 
     Commission, and Southeast Crescent Regional Commission 
     through 2023.
       The Senate amendment also establishes a State capacity 
     building grant program to provide grants to Commission States 
     to carry out several stated purposes, including to better 
     support business retention and expansion in eligible counties 
     and to implement new or innovative economic development 
     practices. The amendment also adds 2 counties in New 
     Hampshire and 8 in Vermont to region of the Northern Border 
     Regional Commission. It provides several administrative 
     provisions governing the grant program and authorizes such 
     sums as may be necessary to provide up to $5 million per 
     fiscal year to carry out the grant program. (Section 6304)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment adding additional New York counties and 
     authorizes appropriations of $33 million for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6304)
     (59) Definition of Rural Area for Purposes of the Housing Act 
         of 1949
       The House bill amends section 520 of the Housing Act of 
     1949 to update the census years for the purposes of defining 
     ``rural'' and ``rural area.'' The provision maintains the 
     35,000 population threshold for areas rural in character and 
     with a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and 
     moderate-income families. (Section 6504)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6305)
     (60) Limited Exclusion of Military Base Populations from 
         Definition of Rural Area
       The House bill amends section 313(a)
       (13) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to 
     provide that the first 1,500 individuals who reside in 
     housing located on a military base shall not be included in 
     determining whether an area is ``rural'' or a ``rural area.''
       The House bill amends section 601
       (b) to provide that the first 1,500 individuals who reside 
     in housing located on a military base shall not be included 
     in determining whether an area is a ``rural area.''
       The House bill also amends section 2332 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to define 
     ``rural area'' for purposes of the Distance Learning and 
     Telemedicine program. (Section 6505)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6301)
     (61) Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic 
         Development
       The Senate Amendment establishes a Council on Rural 
     Community Innovation and Economic Development to enhance the 
     efforts of the Federal Government to address the needs of 
     rural areas through enhanced use of coordination, innovation, 
     and investment to promote rural economic prosperity. (Section 
     6305)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 6306)
       Sec. 6306(h)(3)(A)(ii)(I): Report by the Rural Smart 
     Communities Working Group--The report to be submitted to 
     Congress not later than one year after the establishment of 
     the Rural Smart Communities Working Group shall describe 
     efforts that communities in rural areas can undertake to 
     integrate `smart' technology into their communities to solve 
     challenges relating to governance, economic development, 
     quality of life, or other relevant issues, as determined by 
     the Secretary. Other such issues the Working Group shall 
     describe when considering challenges faced by rural 
     communities should include, but are not limited to, energy 
     delivery and reliability, transportation, public health, 
     healthcare, law enforcement and public safety, housing, and 
     other vital public functions.
       In addressing the aforementioned challenges, the report 
     shall include a description of efforts of rural communities 
     to apply innovative and advanced technologies and related 
     mechanisms, to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness 
     of related civic operations and services, and to create a 
     more sustainable and resilient community. Furthermore, the 
     report shall include an analysis on efforts to integrate 
     `smart' technology into rural communities, the barriers and 
     challenges faced by rural areas to integrate such technology 
     into their communities, what Federal resources can be 
     utilized to assist rural communities in this regard, as well 
     as including recommendations on how best to deploy Federal 
     resources to assist rural areas in integrating such 
     technologies and resources in their communities and how rural 
     communities can better leverage private sector resources to 
     integrate such technologies and resources.
       Sec. 6306(h)(3)(A)(ii)(II): Rural Smart Community Resource 
     Guide--The resource guide to be created, published, and 
     maintained for rural communities to develop and implement 
     rural smart community programs may include a compilation of 
     existing related Federal and non-Federal programs available 
     for rural communities to provide such resources that may 
     include technical assistance, education and training, funding 
     opportunities, or other programs. The resource guide may also 
     include examples of rural community engagement with private-
     sector entities to implement smart community solutions, 
     examples of best practices and successful methods rural 
     communities have undertaken to facilitate integration of 
     smart technologies, and other such relevant topics that 
     further assist rural communities obtain necessary information 
     when developing and implementing rural smart community 
     programs.
       In creating the Rural Smart Community Resource Guide, the 
     Rural Smart Communities Working Group shall seek appropriate 
     information from States and local governments in the creation 
     and maintenance of the resource guide, and shall conduct 
     outreach to States, counties, communities, and other relevant 
     entities to provide interested stakeholders with the 
     published Rural Smart Community Resource Guide, and 
     subsequent iterations.
       The Working Group shall periodically update and distribute 
     the Rural Smart
       Community Resource Guide, as relevant and necessary.
       Separately, the Managers recognize that existing programs 
     within the Rural Development Title may be used to support 
     outdoor recreation investments that meet the applicable 
     program requirements. To increase the impact of these 
     programs on the outdoor recreation economy, the Managers 
     expect the Secretary to identify and support opportunities 
     for outdoor recreation-related investments that result in 
     rural economic growth, including outdoor recreation 
     businesses, facilities, infrastructure, planning, and 
     marketing. The Managers also expect the Secretary to 
     encourage coordination between Rural Development and U.S. 
     Forest Service staff to identify opportunities to cooperate 
     and leverage resources and investments.
     (62) Elimination of Unfunded Programs
       The House bill repeals sections 306(a)(23), 310B(f), 379, 
     379A, 379C, 379D, 379F, and Subtitle I of the Consolidated 
     Farm and Rural Development Act, and makes conforming 
     amendments.
       The House bill also repeals sections 314 and 602 of the 
     Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and makes conforming 
     amendments. (Section 6601)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6601)
     (63) Repeal of Rural Telephone Bank
       The House bill repeals Title IV of the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936 and makes conforming amendments. 
     (Section 6602)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6602)
     (64) Amendments to the Local TV Act
       The House bill amends the Launching Our Communities' Access 
     to Local Television Act of 2000 by retitling it and repealing 
     sections 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1009, 
     1010, 1011, and 1012. (Section 6603)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6603)
     (65) Corrections Relating to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
         Development Act
       The House bill provides technical corrections to the 
     Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. (Section 6701)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6701)
     (66) Corrections Relating to the Rural Electrification Act of 
         1936
       The House bill provides technical corrections to the Rural 
     Electrification Act of 1936. (Section 6702)
       The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 6702)

                          Title VII--Research

       The Managers recognize that Federal investment in public 
     agricultural research has been trending downward in real 
     dollars since 2003. This comes at a time when farmers are 
     struggling to make ends meet and are in desperate need of new 
     tools to cut costs, combat crop disease, and protect against 
     flood and drought. Furthermore, the demands of a growing and 
     hungry world population require that American agricultural 
     research again take the lead in advancing innovation in food 
     production.
       The Managers recognize that the U.S. has been second to 
     China in total public agricultural research funding since 
     2008, and China's spending on public agricultural research 
     and development is now nearly double that of the United 
     States. We are at a critical juncture and must reverse this 
     trend to reassert our nation's global leadership in 
     agricultural research.
     (1) Purposes of agricultural research, extension, and 
         education; International agriculture research
       The House bill amends section 1402 of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977

[[Page H9996]]

     (``NARETPA'') to add the purpose of supporting international 
     scientific collaboration that leverages resources and 
     advances the food and agricultural interests of the United 
     States. (Section 7101)
       The Senate amendment is substantially identical to the 
     House bill, except that it also provides a list of 
     illustrative examples. (Section 7101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7101)
     (2) Matters relating to certain school designations and 
         declarations
       The House bill amends the definition of ``NLGCA 
     Institution'' and ``non-land-grant college of agriculture'' 
     in section 1404(14) of NARETPA to mean a public college or 
     university offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the 
     study of agricultural sciences, forestry, or both, which is 
     any of the 32 specified areas of study. The House provision 
     establishes a process of review within 90 days of enactment 
     of each NLGCA to ensure compliance with the revised 
     definition and to propose revocation of the designated NLGCA 
     for noncompliance. The House provision also extends until 
     fiscal year 2023 the current law authority for cooperating 
     forestry schools and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges 
     to no longer be designated as such institutions. (Section 
     7102)
       The Senate amendment amends the section 1404(14) definition 
     of an NLGCA to mean a public college or university offering a 
     baccalaureate or higher degree in the study of agricultural 
     sciences, forestry, or both, which may include any of same 32 
     specific areas of study specified in the House bill and any 
     other area determined appropriate by the Secretary. Similar 
     to the House bill, the Senate amendment establishes a process 
     of review within 90 days of enactment of each NLGCA to ensure 
     compliance with the revised definition and to propose 
     revocation of the designated NLGCA for noncompliance. 
     (Section 7102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision, with 
     an amendment that specifies in the definition of NLGCA that 
     the study of agricultural sciences, forestry, or both is any 
     of the 32 specified areas of study or any other area 
     determined appropriate by the Secretary. (Section 7102)
       The Managers expect the Secretary to rigorously scrutinize 
     any other area of study beyond those specifically enumerated 
     in statute before determining such area of study to be 
     appropriate for the purposes of designating an NLGCA 
     institution. Such area of study should be closely related to 
     the core areas of agricultural sciences and forestry that are 
     listed in the definition.
     (3) National agricultural research, extension, education, and 
         economics advisory board
       The House bill amends section 1408 of NARETPA to 
     reauthorize the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
     Education, and Economics Advisory Board. It amends the 
     membership composition of the Advisory Board and directs the 
     Advisory Board to make recommendations and to address long- 
     and short-term national priorities consistent with various 
     priorities of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative 
     and NARETPA. (Section 7103)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1408 to reauthorize the 
     Advisory Board. (Section 7103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to the membership composition of the Advisory 
     Board to include a national association of agricultural 
     economists. (Section 7103)
     (4) Specialty crop committee; Citrus disease subcommittee
       The House bill amends section 1408A of NARETPA to extend 
     the citrus disease subcommittee of the specialty crops 
     committee through September 30, 2023. It increases the 
     membership of the citrus disease subcommittee from 9 to 11 
     members and increases from 3 to 5 the number of members who 
     represent Arizona or California. (Section 7104)
       The Senate amendment extends the citrus disease 
     subcommittee of the specialty crops committee through 
     September 30, 2023. (Section 7104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7104)
     (5) Renewable energy committee
       The House bill discontinues the Renewable Energy Committee 
     by repealing section 1408B of NARETPA. (Section 7105)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7105)
     (6) Veterinary services grant program
       The Senate amendment amends section 1415B of NARETPA to 
     sunset the authorization for the Veterinary Services Grant 
     Program in fiscal year 2023, to require that not less than 
     two-thirds of the funds made available under section 1415B be 
     awarded to qualified entities with a focus on food animal 
     medicine, and to add to the preference for selecting grant 
     recipients, qualified entities exposing students in grades 11 
     and 12 to education and career opportunities in food animal 
     medicine. (Section 7105)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments to remove the authorization sunset, to require the 
     Secretary to prioritize grant awards for programs or 
     activities focused on the practice of food animal medicine, 
     and to specify that a qualified entity may use grant funds to 
     expose students in grades 11 and 12 to education and career 
     opportunities in food animal medicine. (Section 7106)
       The Managers intend to enhance the Veterinary Services 
     Grant Program (VSGP), which was developed to relieve 
     veterinary shortage situations and support veterinary 
     services. To increase the number of food animal 
     veterinarians, the Managers intend to recruit high school 
     students and provide work experience to expose them to 
     veterinary career opportunities. According to data from the 
     Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 15 percent of 
     veterinarians specialize in food animal or mixed animal 
     practice while two-thirds practice exclusively on companion 
     animals. Prioritizing food animal medicine in the VSGP will 
     allow for additional grants to develop, implement, and 
     sustain food animal veterinary services through education, 
     training, recruitment, placement, and retention of 
     veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and students of 
     veterinary medicine and technology, and to establish or 
     expand veterinary practices in rural areas.
     (7) Research equipment grants
       The House bill adds a new section 1462A of NARETPA to 
     establish a competitive grants program for the acquisition of 
     research equipment for use in food and agricultural sciences 
     programs. Further, it stipulates grant amounts may not exceed 
     $500,000 to an eligible institution and authorizes $5 million 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. Additionally, the 
     House bill defines ``eligible institution'' to mean a 
     ``college or university'' or a State cooperative institution. 
     (Section 7121)
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 1419 to establish a 
     competitive grants program that is substantially similar to 
     the House bill, with the exception that the Senate amendment 
     defines ``eligible institution'' to mean ``an institution of 
     higher education as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965'' or a State cooperative institution. 
     (Section 7107)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7125)
     (8) Next generation agriculture technology challenge
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 1419C to NARETPA to 
     establish a next generation agriculture technology challenge 
     competition to incentivize the development of innovative 
     mobile technology that removes barriers to entry in the 
     marketplace for beginning farmers and ranchers. The Senate 
     amendment provides that the Secretary may award not more than 
     $1,000,000 in the aggregate to 1 or more winners of the 
     competition. (Section 7110)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7110) The Managers recognize that there are many 
     barriers to entry for new and beginning farmers and ranchers. 
     One of the major challenges includes the lack of innovative 
     mobile technology to help new and beginning farmers and 
     ranchers start farming. The Managers intend that this 
     authority be used to stimulate new advancements to bridge 
     gaps in technology and better serve new and beginning farmers 
     and ranchers.
     (9) Nutrition education program
       The House bill strikes section 1425 in NARETPA to 
     discontinue the nutrition education program and to strike 
     funding for the expanded food and nutrition education 
     program. (Section 7110)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1425 to extend the 
     authorization of appropriations for the nutrition education 
     program and the expanded food and nutrition education program 
     through fiscal year 2023. (Section 7111)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to allow the expanded food and nutrition 
     education program to coordinate with the nutrition education 
     and obesity prevention grant program under section 28 of the 
     Food and Nutrition Act or another health promotion or 
     nutrition improvement strategy. (Section 7112)
     (10) Extension carryover at 1890 land-grant colleges, 
         including Tuskegee University
       The House bill amends section 1444(a) of NARETPA to allow 
     1890 colleges to carry forward to the succeeding fiscal year 
     more than 20 percent of the funds they receive in a given 
     fiscal year, effective October 1, 2018. (Section 7112)
       The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the House 
     bill but does not specify an effective date of October 1, 
     2018. It also requires an annual report to Congress 
     describing allocations made to, and matching funds received 
     by, 1890 colleges and 1862 land-grant colleges for extension. 
     (Section 7114)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment striking the annual report requirement and moves 
     it to section 7116. (Section 7114)
       The Managers encourage USDA to allow extension funding to 
     carry over at 1890 institutions in a similar manner to 1862 
     institutions.
     (11) Report on allocations and matching funds for 1890 
         Institutions
       The House bill directs the Secretary to transmit to 
     Congress annually a report on the allocations made to, and 
     matching funds received by, institutions pursuant to sections 
     1444 and 1445 of NARETPA. (Section 7106)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1445 to require an 
     annual report to Congress

[[Page H9997]]

     describing allocations made to, and matching funds received 
     by, institutions under section 1445 and institutions 
     designated under the Act of July 2, 1862. (Section7115)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments to include allocations and matching funds received 
     by institutions under section 1444 of NARETPA, subsections 
     (b) and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act, and the 
     Hatch Act of 1887. (Section 7116)
       The Managers recognize the important role that land-grant 
     colleges have throughout the country, particularly in 
     agricultural research and extension. It will benefit farmers, 
     producers, and other community stakeholders if state 
     governments match the federal government's funding level 
     commitments at both 1890 and 1862 land-grant colleges. The 
     Managers expect that the Secretary's annual report on the 
     efforts made by States to match dollar-for-dollar federal 
     funding will provide additional information to Congress for 
     future policy decisions, help land-grant colleges better 
     serve their communities, and encourage States to provide 
     additional support for agricultural research.
     (12) New beginning for tribal students
       The House bill amends section 309(b) of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to require the 
     Secretary, within a year of the date of enactment, to 
     establish a ``New Beginnings Initiative'' in consultation 
     with the Office of Tribal Relations, under which the 
     Secretary shall provide funds to a land-grant college or 
     university in an amount equal to the funds such college or 
     university expends for providing Indians educational programs 
     and services, or tuition at such college or university. 
     (Section 11204)
       The Senate amendment adds a new section, 1450, to NARETPA 
     authorizing the Secretary to award competitive grants to 
     land-grant colleges or universities to provide identifiable 
     support specifically targeted for Tribal students. A land-
     grant college or university that receives a grant under this 
     section shall provide matching funds toward the cost of 
     carrying out the support in an amount equal to not less than 
     100 percent of the grant award. The Senate amendment provides 
     that no State shall receive more than $500,000 per year 
     through grants under this program. Additionally, it requires 
     that the Secretary provide a report on the type of grants 
     awarded, the amounts awarded, and the graduation rate of 
     student awardees and authorizes appropriations in the amount 
     of $5 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 7118)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments specifying that the term ``land-grant college or 
     university'' includes a 1994 Institution and other technical 
     changes. (Section 7120)
     (13) Binational agricultural research and development (BARD)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1458 of NARETPA to 
     provide that activities under the BARD Fund to promote and 
     support agricultural research and development that are of 
     mutual benefit to the United States and Israel shall be 
     carried out in a manner consistent with the section and to 
     accelerate the demonstration, development, and application of 
     agricultural solutions resulting from or relating to BARD 
     Fund programs. (Section 7120)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment striking that the activities be carried out in a 
     manner consistent with the section. (Section 7122)
       The Managers acknowledge the strong research and 
     development partnership between the United States of America 
     and the Government of Israel, carried out through activities 
     under the Binational Agricultural Research and Development 
     (BARD) Fund. The Managers encourage the Secretary to promote, 
     support, and expand agricultural research and development 
     that are of mutual benefit to the United States and Israel.
       In addition, the Managers intend for USDA, in coordination 
     with the Government of Israel, to pursue the expansion of 
     activities under BARD to accelerate the demonstration, 
     development, and application of agricultural solutions 
     resulting from or relating to BARD Fund programs. The broader 
     BARD areas of interest for collaborative priorities include:
       (A) increased efficiency of agricultural production 
     including sustainable development, efficient use of 
     resources, economic evaluation of policies and regulatory 
     issues, and crops that yield higher value per unit;
       (B) protection of plants and animals against biotic stress, 
     including pest genetics in biological environments, invasive 
     species, and emerging diseases;
       (C) agricultural production challenges in increasing 
     marginal conditions, such as tolerance to drought, salinity, 
     high temperature and nutrient stresses;
       (D) food quality, safety and security including improved 
     assessment and detection methods, food nutritive value in 
     relation to human health, functional foods, reliable supply, 
     and postharvest treatments;
       (E) water quality and quantity including efficient use of 
     low quality water, improved economic return for water in 
     agriculture, crop response to soil and water quality and its 
     constituents, impact of nutrients on water quality;
       (F) functional genomics and proteomics that deal with 
     important agricultural issues including production and 
     protection traits, genetic optimization, and increased yield;
       (G) sensors and robotics linking biological phenomena with 
     sensors or otherwise bridging into the field of 
     bioengineering, nano-technology, precision agriculture, and 
     labor reduction; and
       (H) sustainable bio-energy systems, including biofuel 
     production systems, and those that reduce energy costs, 
     leverage renewable resources, reduce greenhouse gases, and 
     help to diversify the farm economy.
     (14) Partnerships to build capacity in international 
         agricultural research, extension, and teaching
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 1458A to NARETPA to 
     promote building capacity and improving performance among 
     1862, 1890, 1994, NLGCA, Hispanic-serving agricultural 
     colleges, and cooperating forestry schools, and similar 
     institutions in developing countries, to strengthen 
     agricultural research, teaching, and extension institutions. 
     The section authorizes $10 million for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023. (Section 7121)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments defining ``developing country'' and 
     ``international partner institutions'' and other technical 
     changes. (Section 7123)
       The Managers understand that global food production must 
     continue to increase to meet the world's growing population. 
     The Managers intent is to build capacity and improve the 
     performance of covered institutions and agricultural higher 
     education institutions in developing countries performing, or 
     desiring to perform, activities substantially similar to 
     agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities in 
     order to solve food, health, nutrition, rural income, and 
     environmental challenges, especially among chronically food 
     insecure populations.
     (15) Limitation on indirect costs for agricultural research, 
         education, and extension
       The House bill amends section 1462 of NARETPA to allow 
     indirect cost recovery charged against any agricultural 
     research, education, or extension grant awarded to increase 
     from 22 percent to 30 percent of total federal funds 
     received, unless otherwise provided in law. It clarifies that 
     the limitation on indirect costs applies to both the initial 
     grant award and any subgrant, so that the total of all 
     indirect costs charged against the total of the Federal funds 
     provided does not exceed the 30 percent limitation. (Section 
     7120)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7125)
     (16) Supplemental and alternative crops
       The House bill amends section 1473D of NARETPA to 
     reauthorize appropriations through fiscal year 2023 for the 
     competitive grants program to develop supplemental and 
     alternative crops. It amends the program to include canola 
     and alternative crops ``for agronomic rotational purposes and 
     for use as a habitat for honey bees and other pollinators''. 
     (Section 7124)
       The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the House 
     bill and also provides that the Secretary may award grants 
     and enter into agreement or other arrangements to conduct 
     research related to the development of industrial hemp as 
     well as the development of new and emerging commercial 
     products derived from hemp. (Section 7125)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to increase the authorization of appropriations 
     to $2 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 7129)
     (17) New era rural technology program
       The Senate amendment amends section 1473E of NARETPA to 
     reauthorize the New Era Rural Technology Program for fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023 and adds precision agriculture to the 
     areas of technology development, applied research, and 
     training supported under the program. (Section 7126)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7130)
     (18) Agriculture advanced research and development authority 
         pilot (AGARDA)
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 1473H to NARETPA to 
     establish the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
     Authority (AGARDA) under the Office of Chief Scientist. 
     ``Advanced research and development'' is defined as 
     activities to overcome long-term and high-risk research 
     challenges in agriculture and food through acceleration of 
     innovative agricultural research or the development of 
     qualified products and projects or agricultural technologies. 
     The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to develop a 
     strategic plan for AGARDA and disseminate the information in 
     the plan to those who can best contribute to the activities 
     described in the strategic plan. It permits the Secretary to 
     use ``other transaction authority'' to expedite awarding 
     grants and entering into contracts. The provision permits the 
     Secretary to appoint highly qualified individuals without 
     regard to certain sections of the U.S. Code governing 
     appointments in the competitive service and without regard to 
     the General Schedule pay rates and authorizes establishment 
     of the AGARDA Fund in the U.S. Treasury administered by the 
     Chief Scientist to carry out

[[Page H9998]]

     this section. The provision permits the Secretary to accept 
     and deposit monies received from cost recovery or 
     contribution into the AGARDA Fund. The authority under this 
     new section terminates on September 30, 2023. (Section 7128)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments that (1) broaden the definition of ``advanced 
     research and development'', (2) specify that one of the 
     goals of AGARDA is to undertake advanced research and 
     development in areas that industry is unlikely to 
     undertake because of technological or financial 
     uncertainty; (3) add royalty payments as monies that the 
     Secretary may accept and deposit into the AGARDA Fund and 
     allow amounts deposited into the Fund to remain available 
     until expended; and (4) modify the termination of 
     effectiveness to 5 years after the date of enactment and 
     provide exceptions to such termination for certain 
     provisions of the section. (Section 7132)
       The Managers recognize the need to address high risk and 
     long-term challenges that threaten the stability and economic 
     viability of agriculture in the United States. To do this 
     effectively, the Managers intend to complement existing 
     research efforts by providing new authority to spur 
     innovation. As such, the conference substitute establishes 
     the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority 
     pilot program to carry out advanced research and development 
     of qualified products and projects, agricultural 
     technologies, and research tools.
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to establish a robust 
     strategic plan for AGARDA that implements a new approach to 
     problem solving that considers and learns from the successes 
     and experiences of other advanced research and development 
     authorities, such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects 
     Agency (DARPA), the Biomedical Advanced Research and 
     Development Authority (BARDA), and the Advanced Research 
     Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
       The Managers intend that the Secretary of Agriculture use 
     the other transaction authority, when appropriate, in a 
     creative manner and subject to the same terms and conditions 
     as afforded to the Secretary of Defense under DARPA, 
     including that the other transaction authority may be used 
     when a standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is 
     not feasible or appropriate.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to prioritize projects 
     during the pilot program to meet challenges related to the 
     discovery of solutions to plant and animal disease threats, 
     including those with the highest risk of emerging or moving 
     transboundary, and the discovery of mechanization solutions 
     that will provide viable alternatives for labor intensive 
     aspects of specialty crop production.
       The projects funded through this pilot program should 
     address barriers in research and development that support 
     transformative advances that industry by itself is not likely 
     to undertake because of technological or financial 
     uncertainty.
       The Managers encourage USDA to partner and collaborate with 
     agencies, relevant industries, academia, and other 
     stakeholders to conduct advanced research and development. 
     The Managers do not intend for USDA to change how other 
     authorized agricultural research programs are funded and 
     implemented due to the establishment of AGARDA.
     (19) Rangeland research programs
       The House bill amends section 1483 of NARETPA to 
     reauthorize appropriations for rangeland research through 
     fiscal year 2023. (Section 7127)
       The Senate amendment repeals subtitle M of NARETPA to 
     eliminate the rangeland research program. (Section 7130)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7134)
     (20) Special authorization for biosecurity planning and 
         response
       The House bill amends section 1484 of NARETPA to increase 
     authorization of appropriations to $30 million for each 
     fiscal year 2019 through 2023. The House bill authorizes the 
     Secretary to use the funding to enter into cooperative 
     agreements, in addition to awarding competitive grants. It 
     adds that the Secretary shall, in addition to other stated 
     activities, use the funds to coordinate tactical science 
     activities of USDA's Research, Education, and Economics 
     mission area to protect the American agricultural system 
     against biosecurity threats from pests, diseases, 
     contaminants, and disasters. (Section 7128)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations of $20 
     million for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2023. 
     (Section 7131)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7135)
     (21) Land-grant designation
       The House bill adds a new section to Subtitle C of NARETPA 
     to prohibit the designation of additional entities as 
     eligible to receive funds under a list of ``covered 
     programs'', including the Hatch Act, the Smith-Lever Act 
     (sections 3(b), (c), and (d)), McIntire-Stennis Act, and 
     programs funding research, extension, and facilities at 1890 
     land-grant colleges. It also prohibits the increase of the 
     amount of funding a state can receive under a covered program 
     as a result of a state's designation of additional entities 
     as eligible to receive funds under a covered program. The 
     House bill specifies that this new section does not limit 
     eligibility for capacity and infrastructure programs 
     specified in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 that are not covered 
     programs. (Section 7118)
       The Senate amendment adds a new section to Subtitle P of 
     NARETPA to prohibit the designation of additional entities as 
     eligible to receive funds under a list of ``capacity 
     programs'', including the Smith-Lever Act (sections 3(b) and 
     (c)), the Hatch Act, McIntire-Stennis Act, and programs 
     funding research, extension, and facilities at 1890 land-
     grant colleges, and other agricultural research, extension, 
     or education programs relating to capacity and 
     infrastructure. It provides exceptions from the prohibition 
     against new designations for 1994 institutions under the 
     McIntire-Stennis Act, and in extraordinary circumstances, as 
     determined by the Secretary. Additionally, the section 
     prohibits the increase of the amount of funding a state can 
     receive under a capacity program as a result of the 
     designation of additional entities as eligible to receive 
     funds under a capacity program. (Section 7133)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments that provide exceptions from the prohibition 
     against new designations for 1994 institutions and in 
     extraordinary circumstances and that make technical changes. 
     (Section 7111)
       The Managers support the continuing mission of the U.S. 
     land-grant university system to address local, State, and 
     national priorities concerning food and agricultural 
     sciences. Formula funds provided by USDA support capacity and 
     infrastructure for research, education, and extension 
     programs related to food and agricultural sciences.
       Funds allocated to States for agricultural research 
     programs under the Hatch Act and agricultural extension 
     programs pursuant to the Smith-Lever Act are based on 
     individual formulas that take into account rural population 
     and farm numbers. Urban population and State land area are 
     not considered. The efficiencies gained through central 
     administration of research, extension, and education 
     programming within the States reduce costs while maximizing 
     resources devoted to local, State, and national priorities.
       The Managers recognize the budgetary limitations facing the 
     land-grant system of colleges and universities and all other 
     public-sector entities.
       Efforts to divide existing land-grant universities under 
     the guise of local control of extension programing would 
     establish separate, distinct administrative units with the 
     effect of duplicating administrative costs and burdens, while 
     significantly disrupting the ability to provide programming 
     on high-priority local, State, and national issues.
       The Managers address this concern by prohibiting USDA from 
     providing capacity funding to institutions not previously 
     designated as land-grant universities, thereby preserving the 
     capability of the system to address our nation's priorities 
     within the budgetary constraints that currently exist.
     (22) Scholarships for students at 1890 institutions
       The House bill adds a new section to Subtitle G of NARETPA 
     to require the Secretary to award a grant to each 1890 
     institution to provide scholarships for students who have 
     been accepted for admission and will, within one year, be 
     enrolled at the institution, and who intend to pursue a 
     career in food and agricultural sciences, including a career 
     in: agribusiness; energy and renewable fuels; and financial 
     management. It authorizes appropriations of $19 million for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and requires that each 
     grant be made in the amount of $1 million. (Section 7114)
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to award a 
     grant to each 1890 institution to provide scholarships for 
     students who seek to attend the institution and intend to 
     pursue a career in food and agricultural sciences, including 
     agribusiness; food production, distribution, and retailing; 
     the clothing industries; energy and renewable fuels; and 
     farming marketing, finance, and distribution. It authorizes 
     appropriations of $19 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023 and requires the Secretary to allocate $1 
     million for a fiscal year to each of the 19 eligible 
     institutions. The Senate amendment also establishes findings 
     and purposes related to the program. (Section 7134)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to limit grants to 1890 institutions that have 
     established a competitive scholarship awards process for this 
     scholarship program and restricts the Secretary from using 
     more than $10 million in mandatory funds to award grants for 
     each academic year from July 1, 2020 through July 1, 2023. 
     The substitute provides that each grant be made in an amount 
     not less than $500,000. The substitute provides $40 million 
     in mandatory funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation 
     (``CCC'') on October 1, 2019 to remain available until 
     expended and $10 million in discretionary funding for each of 
     fiscal years 2020 through 2023, with a 4 percent 
     administrative expense cap. The substitute also requires that 
     the Secretary submit a report to Congress every 2 years. 
     (Section 7117)
     (23) National strategic germplasm and cultivar collection 
         assessment and utilization plan
       The Senate amendment amends section 1632 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (``FACT 
     Act'') to require the Secretary to develop, publish, and 
     implement a national strategic germplasm

[[Page H9999]]

     and cultivar collections assessment and utilization plan. It 
     amends section 1633 to require the Secretary to make such a 
     plan publicly available upon completion. (Section 7205)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7205)
       The Managers recognize that food security and productivity 
     across growing conditions depend on regionally-adapted 
     cultivars and the maintenance of a robust strategic 
     germplasm, and therefore direct the Secretary to implement an 
     updated assessment of the national strategic germplasm and 
     cultivar collection, as well as the research, education, and 
     capacity updates necessary to meet current and future needs 
     of American farmers and U.S. consumers. The Managers intend 
     the Secretary to make progress on the development of publicly 
     available cultivars, building on direction provided in the 
     Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, and expect an 
     acceleration in progress on delivering regionally-adapted 
     cultivars that can be used to improve farm productivity, crop 
     marketability, and efficient nutrient use.
     (24) National genetics resources program
       The House bill amends section 1635 of FACT Act to 
     reauthorize the National Genetics Resources Program through 
     fiscal year 2023. (Section 7205)
       The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the House 
     bill and also amends the organization of the Advisory Council 
     by adding 4 members and changing the appointment of members, 
     and by adding membership from 1862, 1890, and 1994 
     institutions and certain other institutions of higher 
     education. The section also instructs the Advisory Council to 
     include recommendations, including on the state of public 
     cultivar development and on the training and resources needed 
     to meet future breeding challenges, research gaps relating to 
     cultivar development. (Section 7206)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 7206)
     (25) Agricultural genome initiative
       The House bill amends section 1671 of FACT Act by including 
     phenome, in addition to genome, within the Agriculture Genome 
     Initiative. The House bill outlines the research initiative 
     goals to expand knowledge concerning genomes and phenomes of 
     crops important to the agriculture sector of the United 
     States. It authorizes appropriations of $30 million for each 
     of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7207)
       The Senate amendment similarly amends section 1671 to 
     include phenome, in addition to genome, within the 
     Agriculture Genome Initiative. The Senate amendment also 
     incorporates animals of importance to the agriculture sector 
     of the United States to the research initiative goals and 
     purposes. It authorizes appropriations of $30 million for 
     fiscal year 2019 through 2023. (Section 7208)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment authorizing appropriations of $40 million for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7208)
       The Managers acknowledge the enormous challenge of 
     efficiently and sustainably producing a safe, dependable food 
     supply for a growing population. Meeting this challenge 
     requires the development and management of crop varieties 
     that will perform well despite increased weather variability. 
     Significant progress has been made by the crop industry in 
     sequencing numerous plant genomes. This genomic knowledge 
     will increase the ability to predict crop performance in 
     diverse environments, enhancing the capability to develop new 
     varieties and to better manage the effects of weather 
     variability on crop productivity. The Managers support a 
     large-scale, inter-disciplinary network of researchers 
     dedicated to producing and analyzing very large datasets of 
     phenotypes to better predict crop yields.
       The Managers recognize the importance of animal genomics 
     research conducted and supported by USDA and strongly 
     supports increased efforts in genomics research on 
     agriculturally important animals to address critical goals 
     including: (1) understanding how environment and production 
     systems impact the growth and productivity of livestock, 
     poultry, and aquaculture to help predict and improve 
     performance under variable conditions; (2) leveraging 
     livestock, poultry, and aquaculture genomic information with 
     phenotypic and environmental data to assist in selection of 
     superior genetics and improved management; (3) understanding 
     gene function in production environments to improve 
     livestock, poultry, and aquaculture performance; and (4) 
     developing improved data analytics to enhance understanding 
     of the biological function of genome sequences in livestock, 
     poultry, and aquaculture. The Managers commend the university 
     community, the private-sector, and USDA for its work to 
     advance animal genomics research and encourages additional 
     focus on these efforts in the future.
     (26) High-priority research and extension
       The House bill amends section 1672 of FACT Act to change 
     the alfalfa and forage research program to the alfalfa seed 
     and alfalfa forage systems research program. It adds the 
     following to the list of high-priority research areas: 
     macadamia tree health, turfgrass, fertilizer management, 
     cattle fever ticks, laying hen and turkey production, chronic 
     wasting disease, and algae. (Section 7208)
       The Senate amendment adds the following to the list of 
     high-priority research areas: macadamia tree health, 
     turfgrass, nutrient management, and chronic wasting disease. 
     Additionally, the Senate amendment establishes the Pollinator 
     Health Task Force and amends the provisions governing the 
     coordination of pollinator and honeybee research under 
     section 1672(g). (Sections 7209 & 12620)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to include nutrient management, dryland farming 
     agricultural systems, and hop plants. The substitute also 
     provides for the enhanced coordination of honeybee and 
     pollinator research by the USDA Chief Scientist and requires 
     that to the maximum extent practicable, the Chief Scientist 
     shall make such research results publicly available. (Section 
     7209)
       The Managers are aware that pollinators are responsible for 
     the production of one- third of the U.S. food supply, but 
     that managed honey bees continue to die off in alarming 
     numbers, resulting in steady annual input cost increases to 
     maintain sufficient managed colony numbers to pollinate 
     America's crops. Because of the importance of pollinators in 
     the production of the nation's food supply and their impact 
     on the stability of our agricultural economy, the Managers 
     have included additional honeybee and pollinator research 
     requirements. Specifically, the Managers have included 
     provisions to facilitate coordination of honeybee and 
     pollinator research efforts USDA-wide and ensure adequate 
     input from the pollinator, beekeeper, grower, and scientific 
     communities.
       To further address the protection of pollinators, the 
     Managers encourage the continuation of government-wide 
     collaboration and policy development through the Pollinator 
     Health Task Force.
     (27) Organic agriculture research and extension initiative
       The House bill amends section 1672B of FACT Act to add the 
     examination of optimal soil health outcomes relating to 
     organically produced agricultural products to the purposes 
     for which grants may support activities under the program. It 
     reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2023, and 
     increases mandatory CCC funding to $30 million for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7209)
       The Senate amendment is similar to the House bill except it 
     increases mandatory CCC funding to: $40 million in each of 
     fiscal years 2019 and 2020; $45 million for fiscal year 2021; 
     and $50 million for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter. (Section 7210)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment making technical changes and providing mandatory 
     CCC funding of $20 million in each of fiscal years 2019 and 
     2020, $25 million for fiscal year 2021, $30 million for 
     fiscal year 2022, and $50 million for fiscal year 2023 and 
     each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 7210)
       The Managers recognize that strong investment in organic 
     research, education, and extension has led to growth in the 
     organic industry and the discovery of new research that 
     benefits all farmers, and therefore the conference substitute 
     includes $395 million in mandatory funding to support organic 
     research. The Managers have provided permanent funding for 
     this program to ensure that the program has baseline funding 
     hereafter. The Managers encourage research funding to be used 
     to continue development of organic solutions for pest and 
     disease management, seed breeding, nutrient management, and 
     improvements in soil health. Organic research is important 
     for developing plant varieties and animal breeds suitable for 
     organic farming, advancing ecosystem services and 
     environmental benefits, creating tools to aid with organic 
     transition, and addressing other needs to advance organic 
     production. The Managers acknowledge that research funding is 
     one of the primary forms of support for organics in the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 so the conference 
     substitute increases funding beyond the levels in the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to continue development of the 
     organic market.
       The Managers also recognize that Aerated Static Pile (ASP) 
     composting with energy recovery is an emerging technology for 
     transforming organic wastes into a stable soil amendment, 
     while also producing sufficient heat energy for on-site hot 
     water heating needs. The Managers encourage USDA to continue 
     to support emerging organic waste management practices.
     (28) Farm business management
       The House bill amends section 1672D of FACT Act to 
     reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2023 and clarify 
     that grants may be made to expand a national farm financial 
     management database. The House bill also amends the selection 
     criteria to include prioritization of applications that 
     collaborate with educational programs, and those that 
     contribute data to the national farm financial management 
     database. (Section 7210)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes the program through FY 
     2023. (Section 7211)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7211)
     (29) Urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production 
         research, education, and extension initiative
       The Senate amendment authorizes competitive research and 
     extension grants to support research, education, and 
     extension activities for the purposes of enhancing urban, 
     indoor, and other emerging agricultural production. Priority 
     may be given to grant proposals that involve the cooperation 
     of multiple entities, or States or regions with a high 
     concentration of or significant

[[Page H10000]]

     interest in urban farms, rooftop farms, and indoor production 
     facilities. The Senate amendment provides $4 million in 
     mandatory CCC funds for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023 and authorizes appropriations of an additional $10 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. It 
     requires the Secretary to conduct a census of urban, indoor, 
     and other emerging agricultural production and provides a 
     separate authorization of an additional $14 million for the 
     period of fiscal years 2019 through 2021 to carry out this 
     census. (Section 7212)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments striking the inclusion of assessment of shipping 
     and transportation impacts on nutritional values for research 
     under the competitive research and extension grants, 
     providing $10 million in mandatory CCC funds for fiscal year 
     2019 to remain available until expended, and making other 
     technical changes. (Section 7212)
       The Managers recognize that methods of agricultural 
     production are changing and evolving across the country. For 
     example, agricultural production occurs on vacant land in 
     urban areas, contributing to economic recovery and creating 
     opportunities for new farmers. Highly-efficient indoor farms 
     grow fresh produce in areas near consumers to increase access 
     to their products year-round. Rooftop agriculture produces 
     local food and creates new entrepreneurial opportunities in 
     urban, suburban, and rural areas. The Managers recognize that 
     these and other emerging agriculture production methods bring 
     a new generation of farmers and connect consumers to 
     agriculture. The Managers intend for the Secretary to fund 
     research, education, and extension that support these efforts 
     and address the specific research needs and challenges faced 
     by urban, indoor and other emerging agricultural production 
     methods.
     (30) Centers of excellence at 1890 institutions
       The Senate amendment amends section 1673 of FACT Act to 
     require the Secretary to establish at least three centers of 
     excellence, each led by an 1890 institution, to focus on one 
     or more of the following: student success and workforce 
     development; nutrition, health, wellness, and quality of 
     life; farming systems and rural prosperity; global food 
     security and defense; natural resources, energy and the 
     environment; and emerging technologies. It requires the 
     Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the resources 
     invested in and work being done by those centers of 
     excellence and authorizes $10 million for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7213)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments specifying that the Secretary shall recognize at 
     least three centers of excellence and making technical 
     changes. (Section 7213)
       The Managers encourage the Secretary, through the National 
     Institute of Food and Agriculture, to consider the views of 
     the 1890 universities, the 1890 Universities Foundation, and 
     the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) peer 
     review systems in determining the appropriate criteria for 
     recognizing 1890s Centers of Excellence. The process should 
     ensure that both smaller and larger 1890 universities have an 
     opportunity to participate in authorized center of excellence 
     program activities. Funding should be restricted to 
     programmatic activities, and not include construction 
     activities.
     (31) Assistive technology program for farmers with 
         disabilities
       The House bill reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal 
     year 2023 for demonstration grants to provide agricultural 
     education and assistance to individuals with disabilities 
     engaged in farming or farm-related occupations. It adds 
     language to clarify that the provision applies to veterans 
     engaged in farming or farm-related occupations, or who are 
     pursuing new farming opportunities. (Section 7211)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations for the 
     demonstration grants through fiscal year 2023. (Section 7214)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7214)
     (32) National food safety training
       The House bill amends section 405 of the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
     (``AREERA'') to reauthorize appropriations of such sums as 
     necessary for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The House bill 
     strikes the prohibition on funding that restricts USDA from 
     providing additional grant funding once an entity has 
     received three years of grant funding. (Sections 7300 and 
     7301)
       The Senate amendment amends section 405 by striking ``such 
     sums as necessary'' and specifying an authorization of 
     appropriations of $10 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. (Section 7301)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to authorize appropriations of $10 million for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7301)
     (33) Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, 
         triticale, and barley caused by fusarium graminearum or 
         by tilletia indica
       The House bill reauthorizes appropriations of $10 million 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7303)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations at an 
     increased level of $15 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. (Section 7303)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment restricting grant recipients from using more 
     than 10 percent of the grant funds for indirect costs. 
     (Section 7303)
     (34) Specialty crop research initiative
       The House bill expands the specialty crop research and 
     extension initiative to include research of ``size-
     controlling rootstock systems for perennial crops,'' 
     ``emerging and invasive species,'' and ``threats to specialty 
     crop pollinators,'' among other production practices and 
     technologies. It reauthorizes appropriations of $100 million 
     annually through fiscal year 2023. Additionally, the House 
     bill extends reservation of mandatory funding for the 
     emergency citrus disease research and extension program and 
     reauthorizes discretionary funding through fiscal year 2023. 
     (Section 7305)
       Similar to the House bill, the Senate amendment expands the 
     specialty crop research and extension initiative to include 
     additional production practices and technologies. (Section 
     7305)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7305)
       The Managers recognize that the funding for research 
     programs for specialty crops should generally be made 
     available to all specialty crops and not include carve-outs 
     or set-asides for any one particular specialty crop. The 
     Managers also acknowledge the unique challenges presently 
     facing the citrus industry in the United States with respect 
     to HLB and the Asian Citrus Psyllid vector. In direct 
     response to a joint request from the leadership of the citrus 
     industry and other specialty crop stakeholders, the Managers 
     have agreed to establish a Citrus Trust Fund to support the 
     Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program for 
     one additional five-year period. The Managers intend for this 
     program to address this challenge at this particular time and 
     do not intend for such program to continue in perpetuity.
       The Managers are aware of concerns that prioritizing grants 
     that are multi-state, multi-institutional, or multi-
     disciplinary disproportionately impacts the funding success 
     of projects for certain commodities grown only in one state. 
     The Managers encourage the Secretary to take appropriate 
     steps to ensure that meritorious proposals are not denied 
     solely because they lack one of the enumerated priorities.
     (35) Critical agricultural materials act
       The House bill reauthorizes appropriations for fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023. (Section 7501)
       The Senate amendment specifies that hemp, as defined in 
     section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, is 
     eligible for funding under the Critical Agricultural 
     Materials Act. The Secretary shall conduct, sponsor, promote, 
     and coordinate basic and applied research for the development 
     of critical agricultural materials from agricultural crops 
     having strategic and industrial importance, including for 
     hemp. The Senate amendment also reauthorizes appropriations 
     for fiscal years 2019 through FY 2023. (Section 7401)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7501)
     (36) Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994
       The House bill amends section 532 of the Equity in 
     Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 to add to and 
     update the defined list of 36 tribal colleges as ``1994 
     Institutions.'' The House bill reauthorizes endowment 
     funding, capacity-building grants, and research grants for 
     the 36 tribal colleges for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 7502)
       The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the House 
     bill with technical differences.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment specifying that the effective date for the 
     updated list shall be the date of enactment. (Section 7502)
     (37) Research Facilities Act
       The House bill amends the Research Facilities Act by: (1) 
     amending the definition of ``agricultural research facility'' 
     to strike ``a college, university, or nonprofit institution'' 
     and inserting ``an entity eligible to receive funds under a 
     capacity and infrastructure program as defined in Section 
     251(f)(1)(C) of the 1994 Agriculture Reorganization Act''; 
     (2) requiring proposals to demonstrate that the recipient 
     entity has the ability and commitment to support the long-
     term, ongoing maintenance costs of the facility; and (3) 
     establishing a program to make competitive grants to assist 
     in the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, 
     renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research 
     facilities.
       The House bill also reauthorizes appropriations under the 
     Research Facilities Act through fiscal year 2023 and provides 
     that funds appropriated remain available until expended. The 
     House bill prohibits more than 25 percent of the funds under 
     the Act for a fiscal year to be made available to any single 
     agricultural research facility and limits an eligible entity 
     to receiving funds for only one project at a time under the 
     Act. (Section 7503)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations under the 
     Research Facilities Act through fiscal year 2023. (Section 
     7403)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7503)

[[Page H10001]]

  

     (38) Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act 
         (AFRI)
       The House bill amends the Competitive, Special, and 
     Facilities Research Grant Act by adding to the priority 
     research areas of the Agriculture and Food Research 
     Initiative the following: (1) soil health; (2) tools that 
     accelerate research in the use of automation or mechanization 
     for labor-intensive tasks in crop production and 
     distribution; and (3) barriers to entry for young, beginning, 
     socially disadvantaged, veteran, and immigrant farmers and 
     ranchers. The House bill also makes several amendments to 
     relieve or impose matching fund requirements for various 
     research purposes, reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal 
     year 2023, and increases to 5 percent the amount of 
     appropriated funds that the Secretary may retain for 
     administrative costs. (Section 7504)
       The Senate amendment adds the following to the priority 
     research areas: soil health and automation or mechanization 
     in the production and distribution of specialty crops, with a 
     focus on labor-intensive tasks. The Senate amendment 
     authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to carry out 
     collaboration in biomedical and agricultural research using 
     existing research models and reauthorizes appropriations 
     through fiscal year 2023. (Section 7404)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment striking the changes to matching funds 
     requirements for various research purposes, which are made in 
     section 7614, and authorizes the Secretary to provide grants 
     to carry out collaboration in biomedical and agricultural 
     research using existing research models. (Section 7504)
       The Managers understand in July 2018, the National 
     Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 
     released its ``Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and 
     Agricultural Research by 2030'' consensus report which 
     identifies five priority research areas essential to 
     developing a more efficient, resilient, sustainable, and 
     competitive U.S. agricultural system. The Managers urge the 
     Secretary to utilize this report to identify opportunities 
     for additional agricultural research investments directed 
     towards the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), 
     NIFA's flagship competitive research program, which sets the 
     standard for scientific innovation in these fields.
       The Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit: Research in Biomedicine 
     and Agriculture Using Agriculturally Important Domestic 
     Species is an interagency partnership grants program funded 
     by the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
     Development (NICHD) and the USDA. Both the USDA and the 
     National Institute of Health (NIH) should be commended for 
     developing this important interagency program. The Managers 
     strongly urge continuation of this partnership given the 
     sponsors use of farm animals as dual purpose models to better 
     understand developmental origins of disease, fat regulation 
     and obesity, stem cell biology, assisted reproductive 
     technologies, and infectious diseases, all of which directly 
     benefit both agriculture and biomedicine. This program also 
     strengthens ties between human medicine, veterinary medicine, 
     and animal sciences, which is key to success of the One 
     Health Initiative.
     (39) Extension design and demonstration initiative
       The Senate amendment amends the Competitive, Special, and 
     Facilities Research Grant Act to establish a competitive 
     grant program to encourage the design of adaptive prototype 
     systems for extension and education. Eligible entities for 
     the grant are State agricultural experiment stations and 
     land-grant colleges and universities. There is an 
     authorization of appropriations of $5 million for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7405)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment specifying that the Secretary shall award grants 
     each fiscal year and that eligible entities also include a 
     cooperative extension service and making technical changes. 
     (Section 7505)
     (40) Repeal of review of agricultural research service
       The Senate amendment repeals section 7404 of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 that required the 
     one-time review of the Agricultural Research Service. 
     (Section 7408)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7506)
     (41) Biomass research and development
       The House bill amends section 9008 of the Farm Security and 
     Rural Investment Act of 2002 by reauthorizing appropriations 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7509)
       The Senate amendment amends the definition of ``biobased 
     product'' to include carbon dioxide intended for permanent 
     sequestration that is a byproduct of certain commercial and 
     industrial products. It adds an expert in carbon dioxide 
     capture, utilization, and sequestration to the membership of 
     the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory 
     Committee. In addition to reauthorizing appropriations for 
     each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the Senate amendment 
     provides $3 million in mandatory CCC funds for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7409)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment striking the $3 million in mandatory CCC funding 
     for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7507)
     (42) Reinstatement of District of Columbia Matching 
         Requirement--Extension
       The House bill amends section 209 of the District of 
     Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act to 
     reinstate the DC land-grant matching requirement. The 
     effective date of this provision is October 1, 2018. (Section 
     7603)
       The Senate amendment also reinstates the DC land-grant 
     matching requirement, with technical differences from the 
     House bill. (Section 7410)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7508)
     (43) Enhanced use lease authority program
       The House bill amends section 308 of the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 to transition the lease authority program out of 
     ``pilot'' status, to specify a June 18, 2023 termination date 
     for the program, and to require periodic reports not later 
     than June 18, 2019, June 18, 2021, and June 18, 2023. The 
     House bill also clarifies that the prohibition against public 
     retail development applies to onsite public retail 
     development. (Section 7601)
       The Senate amendment extends the lease authority to 
     terminate on a date that is 15 years after the date of 
     enactment of section 308, and to require a report not later 
     than 13 years after the date of enactment of section 308. 
     (Section 7411)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment striking the clarification for the prohibition 
     against onsite public retail development, establishing 
     September 30, 2023 as the termination date of the program, 
     and requiring a report not later than September 30, 2021. 
     (Section 7601)
       The Managers intend that the enhanced use lease authority 
     prohibit retail sales on Agricultural Research Service (ARS) 
     property that generate foot traffic including, but not 
     limited to, food and clothing stores where customers 
     physically visit retailers for an exchange of goods and 
     services.
     (44) Transfer of administrative jurisdiction, portion of 
         Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, 
         Beltsville, Maryland
       The House bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
     transfer a parcel of real property at the Henry A. Wallace 
     Beltsville Agricultural Research Center to the administrative 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose 
     of establishment of Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
     facilities on the parcel and specifies the conditions of the 
     transfer, including requiring an appraisal by Secretary of 
     Treasury to determine the fair market value of the parcel. 
     (Section 7605)
       The Senate amendment provides the Secretary of Agriculture 
     with authority to transfer the same parcel of property to the 
     Secretary of the Treasury as the House bill. The Senate 
     amendment also specifies the conditions of the transfer, but 
     does not include an appraisal requirement. (Section 7412)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment requiring that the Secretary of Agriculture 
     enter into a binding memorandum of agreement with the 
     Secretary of Treasury in regard to the responsibilities of 
     each party for evaluating and, if necessary, remediating any 
     hazardous materials found at the parcel. (Section 7602)
     (45) Foundation for food and agriculture research
       The Senate amendment amends section 7601 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Board of Directors 
     for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to 
     actively solicit and accept any funds, gifts, grants, 
     devises, or bequests of real or personal property made to the 
     Foundation, including from private entities. It also requires 
     that the Foundation post its annual report online and publish 
     an annual stakeholder notice with a description of 
     agricultural research priorities for the upcoming fiscal 
     year. Additionally, the Senate amendment directs the 
     Foundation to submit to Congress a strategic plan describing 
     a path for the Foundation to be self-sustaining. The Senate 
     amendment requires the Secretary, on the date of enactment, 
     to transfer $200 million of funds from the CCC to the 
     Foundation, to remain available until expended. (Section 
     7413)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment. The amendment specifies that the Foundation's 
     coordination of activities with Federal research and 
     development programs avoids conflicts at the Department of 
     Agriculture and requires that the Foundation document its 
     consultation process with the Secretary and include a summary 
     in the Foundation's annual report. The substitute provides 
     that the strategic plan should include a detailed plan for 
     soliciting additional resources and managing and leveraging 
     such resources. The Secretary is to transfer $185 million of 
     funds from the CCC to the Foundation on the date that the 
     Foundation submits its strategic plan. (Section 7603)
       The Managers recognize the work done by the Foundation for 
     Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to leverage private 
     funding, matched with federal dollars to support public 
     agricultural research. It is the Managers' intent that FFAR 
     continue to plan for long-term self-sustainability through 
     comprehensive strategic planning, ongoing public outreach, 
     and donor solicitation.
       The Managers intend for the FFAR to foster public-private 
     partnerships among the agricultural research community, 
     including federal agencies, academia, non-profit 
     organizations, corporations and individual donors to identify 
     and prioritize the most pressing needs facing agriculture.
       The Managers are aware that FFAR is organized and operated 
     exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific 
     purposes as a nonprofit corporation consistent with section 
     501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, no 
     substantial part of its activities may be to attempt to 
     influence legislation.
       FFAR has received funding provided by the Federal 
     Government. The Managers direct

[[Page H10002]]

     that FFAR have in place management and recordkeeping systems 
     to ensure that no Federal funds are used to carry out any 
     activity to attempt to influence legislation. The Managers 
     expect that FFAR will provide any such records to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives or 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate, upon request.
     (46) Assistance for forestry research under the McIntire-
         Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act
       The Senate amendment amends section 2 of the McIntire-
     Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act to include 1994 
     Institutions that offer an associate's degree or a 
     baccalaureate degree in forestry to be eligible for 
     assistance for forestry research. (Section 7414)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7604)
     (47) Legitimacy of industrial hemp research
       The Senate amendment amends section 7606 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Secretary to conduct 
     a study on the hemp research pilot program that includes a 
     review of the economic viability of the domestic production 
     and sale of industrial hemp and hemp products, and to submit 
     a report describing the study to Congress within 120 days. 
     The provision also repeals the hemp research pilot programs 
     one year after the Secretary publishes a final regulation 
     allowing for full-scale commercial production of hemp as 
     provided in section 297C of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
     1946. (Section 7415)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that requires the Secretary to submit a report 
     describing the study not later than 12 months after the date 
     of enactment. (Section 7605)
     (48) Collection of data relating to barley area planted and 
         harvested
       The Senate amendment directs the National Agricultural 
     Statistics Service to include New York in the states surveyed 
     for the table entitled ``Barley Area Planted and Harvested'' 
     in certain reports. (Section 7416)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7606)
     (49) Collection of data relating to the size and location of 
         dairy farms
       The Senate amendment requires the Administrator of the 
     Economic Research Service (ERS) to update the report entitled 
     ``Changes in the Size and Location of US Dairy Farms'' 
     published in September 2007. As part of the update, it 
     requires that the Secretary include an expanded Table 2 
     containing the full range of herd sizes detailed in Table 1. 
     The report shall be updated no later than 120 days after the 
     date of enactment. (Section 7417)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment specifying that the report shall be updated not 
     later than 60 days after the 2017 Census of Agriculture is 
     released. Instead of requiring an expanded Table 2, the 
     substitute directs that the Secretary, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, use the same reporting measurement of the full 
     range of herd sizes in Tables 1 and 2 while protecting the 
     confidentiality of individual producers. (Section 7607)
     (50) Agriculture innovation center demonstration program
       The House bill reauthorizes appropriations for the 
     Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program through 
     fiscal year 2023. (Section 6502)
       The Senate amendment strikes subsection (g) of section 6402 
     of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to 
     eliminate the requirement for the Secretary to use $300,000 
     to support research on the effects of projects for value-
     added agricultural commodities on agricultural producers and 
     commodity markets. It also authorizes such sums as necessary 
     to carry out the program. (Section 7418)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment specifying that the Board of Directors for each 
     Agriculture Innovation Center be composed of a diverse group 
     of representatives from public and private entities, 
     including four entities representing commodities produced in 
     the State and may include a State legislator. The substitute 
     also strikes the report to Congress and authorizes the 
     appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. (Section 7608)
     (51) Smith-Lever community extension program
       The Senate amendment amends the Smith-Lever Act to permit 
     the Secretary to provide competitive grant funding to: (1) 
     1890 colleges and Tuskegee University; and (2) 1994 
     Institutions for the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk 
     program and the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension 
     Program. The Senate amendment provides that the exception to 
     the matching funds shall not apply to the competitive grant 
     funding awarded to a 1994 Institution for the Children, 
     Youth, and Families at Risk program and the Federally 
     Recognized Tribes Extension Program. (Section 7419)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments making technical changes and striking the changes 
     made to the matching funds exception for 1994 Institutions. 
     (Section 7609)
     (52) Grazing lands research laboratory
       The House bill amends section 7502 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend from 10 to 15 
     years, the prohibition on declaring Federal land and 
     facilities at El Reno, Oklahoma as excess or surplus property 
     or conveying or transferring such land and facilities. 
     (Section 7411)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 7411)
     (53) Farm and stress assistance network
       The House bill amends section 7522 of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to reauthorize such sums 
     as necessary for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The 
     House bill requires ``consultation'' as opposed to 
     ``coordination'' with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Service, clarifies that grants may be used to train 
     individuals who may assist farmers in crisis, makes Indian 
     tribes eligible for grants, and requires a review of the 
     program within two years after the first grant is awarded. 
     (Section 6003)
       The Senate amendment authorizes the appropriation of $10 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. It 
     clarifies that grants may be used for training programs and 
     workshops for advocates and other individuals who may assist 
     farmers in crisis. The Senate amendment authorizes grants to 
     be used to enter into contracts with community-based, direct-
     service organizations to initiate, expand, or sustain 
     programs and not later than one year after the date of 
     enactment, requires a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, describing the state of behavioral and mental 
     health in farmers and ranchers. (Section 7511)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment making Indian tribes eligible for grants. 
     (Section 7412)
       The Managers recognize with the inclusion of this provision 
     that farmers and individuals who work in agriculture face 
     highly stressful working conditions, which can contribute to 
     serious behavioral health concerns, especially during 
     downturns in the farming economy. Historically, there have 
     been efforts to address these concerns, including through 
     programs characteristic of the 1980s farm crisis and 
     recognition of this issue in the Food, Conservation, and 
     Energy Act of 2008.
       The Managers recognize that in the absence of federal 
     support for such efforts, state and local organizations have 
     worked to address behavioral health concerns among those who 
     work in agriculture. The Managers emphasize the importance of 
     moving quickly to get the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance 
     Network operating effectively, given current conditions in 
     the farming economy. The Managers intend that priority be 
     given to grantees with demonstrated experience and those that 
     intend to collaborate with organizations focused on 
     behavioral health concerns, including non-profit 
     organizations.
       The Managers intend for this provision to facilitate the 
     development and positive impact of a nationwide network 
     accessible to all farmers and individuals who work in 
     agriculture and that priority be given to grantees with this 
     capability, including the State cooperative extension 
     services.
       The Managers direct that USDA and the Department of Health 
     and Human Services examine the problem of occupational stress 
     among farmers and individuals who work in agriculture to 
     develop a long-term strategy and response.
     (54) Mechanization and automation for specialty crops
       The Senate amendment requires that not later than 180 days 
     after the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
     2018, the Secretary conduct a review of programs at the 
     Department of Agriculture that affect the production or 
     processing of specialty crops, and develop and implement a 
     strategy to accelerate the development and use of automation 
     and mechanization in the production or processing of 
     specialty crops. (Section 7514)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7610)
       The Managers note that labor availability is one of the 
     most critical challenges facing the labor-intensive specialty 
     crop sector both in the short and long term. Committee 
     hearings in Washington, D.C. and field hearings around the 
     country have documented the need for proper solutions for 
     mechanization challenges. The Managers therefore request the 
     research agencies in the USDA more vigorously fund this vital 
     research priority through their respective programs.
     (55) Experienced services program
       The Senate amendment amends section 1252 of the Food 
     Security of 1985 to rename the ACES program the Experienced 
     Services Program. It expands the program to include 
     technical, professional, and administrative services for the 
     research, education, and economics mission area at USDA. 
     (Section 12305) The Senate amendment also terminates the 
     authority in section 1252 effective on October 1, 2023. 
     (Section 2408)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provisions with 
     an amendment making technical changes. (Section 7611)

[[Page H10003]]

  

     (56) Functions and duties of the Under Secretary for 
         Research, Education, and Economics
       The House bill amends section 251 of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to add to the 
     functions of the Under Secretary for research, education, and 
     economics the requirement to ensure that agricultural 
     economics and statistical programs are effectively 
     coordinated and integrated and that such programs, along with 
     agricultural research, education, and extension programs, 
     address the priority research areas of the Agriculture and 
     Food Research Initiative. (Section 7602)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (57) Farmland tenure, transition, and entry data initiative
       The House bill directs the Secretary to collect and report 
     annually data and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, 
     transition, and entry of beginning farmers or ranchers. It 
     authorizes appropriations of $2 million each fiscal year for 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7604)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (58) Simplified plan of work
       The House bill amends the requirements for the submission 
     of plans of work by land-grant institutions with respect to 
     the use of formula funds and state matching funds under the 
     Hatch Act, Smith-Lever Act, and similar formula funds 
     provided to the 1890 land-grant universities. It provides 
     that the procedures of such plans of work are not subject to 
     audits to determine their sufficiency. (Section 7606)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that strikes the changes with respect to audits. 
     (Section 7612)
       The Managers expect that implementation of this section 
     will result in a more streamlined, concise, and less 
     burdensome plan of work. The Managers encourage the Secretary 
     to engage land-grant institutions in the implementation of 
     this section.
     (59) Time and effort reporting exemption
       The House bill exempts entities receiving certain funds 
     from time and effort reporting requirements under part 200 of 
     title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations with respect to 
     the use of such funds. (Section 7607)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments requiring that the Secretary consult with the 
     Office of Management and Budget in reviewing and revising the 
     time and effort reporting requirements and that such 
     revisions reduce the amount of paperwork and time required 
     under the current reporting requirements. (Section 7613)
       The Managers are concerned that administratively, land-
     grant capacity funds have burdensome reporting requirements. 
     Land-grant capacity funding, provided via a statutory 
     formula, requires matching funds from the states and is 
     further supported by local funding, enabling institutions to 
     sustain research capabilities and extension operations in a 
     manner that reflects the direct input of local 
     constituencies. The Managers note that recipients of capacity 
     funds operate under various levels of oversight and 
     accountability, including state and local governments, 
     leadership within the colleges of agriculture, leadership 
     within the university institutions, and most importantly, the 
     local constituencies they serve. The Managers encourage USDA 
     to consider these factors while reviewing and revising 
     current reporting requirements.
       The Managers encourage the administration to consider 
     granting an exemption as outlined in 2 CFR 200.102 to land-
     grant capacity funds. The Managers direct the Administration 
     to work with the land-grant entities who receive capacity 
     funds, including representatives of 1862, 1890, and 
     Cooperative Forestry Institutions, in the implementation of 
     this section.
     (60) Public education on biotechnology in food and 
         agriculture sectors
       The House bill requires the Secretary, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of 
     Education, and other appropriate persons and organizations, 
     to develop and carry out a national science-based education 
     campaign to increase public awareness regarding the use of 
     technology in food and agriculture production. (Section 7608)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (61) Matching funds requirement
       The House bill amends section 1492 of NARETPA by removing 
     competitive grants awarded under the Competitive, Special, 
     and Facilities Research Grant Act from among those covered by 
     the matching requirements under section 1492. (Section 7130)
       The Senate amendment repeals section 1492 and reinstates 
     the matching requirements in place prior to the Agricultural 
     Act of 2014 for competitive grants awarded by the Secretary 
     under: (1) NARETPA; (2) Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (3) the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998; (4) 
     Part III of subtitle E of title VII of the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; or (5) the Competitive, 
     Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act. (Section 7601)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 7614)
       The Managers intend to remove the universal matching 
     requirement for competitive grants established in the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014.
     (62) Research and extension funding equity for recently 
         designated 1890 institutions
       The House bill amends section 1444 and 1445 of NARETPA to 
     provide that any institution designated as an eligible 1890 
     institution on or after September 30, 1999 shall be deemed to 
     have been designated as an eligible institution on or before 
     September 30, 1978, and thus eligible for a proportional 
     share of the 1890 extension and research formula funds 
     allocated among institutions designated as such prior to 
     September 30, 1978. (Section 7113)
       The Senate amendment amends section 1444 of NARETPA to add 
     a new subsection (a)(5) authorizing additional appropriations 
     for one of fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022 to ensure 
     that an eligible institution receiving a distribution of 
     funds under this section for that fiscal year receives not 
     less than the amount of funds received by that eligible 
     institution under this section for the preceding fiscal year. 
     It also requires that for 1 of fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021, 
     or 2022, if the 1890 formula would result in a distribution 
     of less than $3,000,000 to an eligible institution that first 
     received funds under this section after the date of enactment 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014 for a fiscal year, that 
     institution shall receive a distribution of $3,000,000 for 
     that fiscal year; however, it provides that this requirement 
     only applies if additional amounts are appropriated under the 
     new subsection (a)(5) for the prior fiscal year. The Senate 
     amendment amends section 1445 of NARETPA in a similar manner. 
     (Section 7602)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments. The amendments establish a minimum additional 
     funding amount for eligible entities in the fiscal years 
     following certain eligible entities' qualification for $3 
     million. If there are insufficient funds appropriated for 
     section 1444 or section 1445 to continue the minimum 
     additional funding amounts for eligible institutions, the 
     substitute provides for a reduction in allocations made to 
     eligible institutions. (Section 7115)
     Additional Report Language
       The Managers recognize the importance of the aerial 
     application of pest control tools. These tools are useful not 
     only to ensure overall food safety and food security, but 
     also to promote public health through improved mosquito 
     control techniques. The ARS Aerial Application Technology 
     Program conducts innovative research making aerial 
     applications more efficient, effective, and precise. This 
     program has yielded more effective public health control 
     programs, as well as increased efficiencies and greater crop 
     production. Research for aerial application serves the public 
     interest as a vital tool for the future.
       The Managers recognize the statutory intent of the Food and 
     Agriculture Service Learning Program is to fund projects that 
     deliver experiential learning on food, agriculture, and 
     nutrition education that require significant investments in 
     human capital and evidence-based programming. As such, the 
     Managers encourage NIFA to maximize grant size to ensure 
     meaningful outcomes and robust evaluation. The Managers 
     recognize the importance of community service partnerships 
     for developing and implementing experiential food, nutrition, 
     and farm-to-school curricula. The Managers encourage NIFA to 
     coordinate with other federal agencies engaged in national 
     community service programs when administering the Food and 
     Agriculture Service Learning Program.
       USDA is the federal government's primary agency charged 
     with promoting good nutrition and the delivery of food 
     assistance to Americans of all ages. There is strong evidence 
     that nutrition plays a vital role in how a person ages. The 
     U.S. has a rapidly aging population. Research into nutrition 
     benefits aging Americans by keeping them active longer, 
     delaying or reducing the effects of chronic illnesses and 
     obesity, and reducing health care costs for such diseases. 
     The ARS provides critical support for human nutrition 
     research through its nutrition research centers. The Managers 
     support the investment in human nutrition research, 
     especially as it affects the aging population, and expects 
     ARS to continue strong support for nutrition research and 
     existing centers.

                          Title VIII--Forestry

     (1) State and private forest landscape-scale restoration 
         program
       The House bill subsection (a) of the new program enumerates 
     the purpose of the program as supporting activities that 
     result in improvements to public benefits derived from State 
     and private forest land; subsection (b) provides for the 
     relevant definitions; subsection (c) establishes the program 
     that provides financial and technical assistance for projects 
     that maintain or improve benefits to trees and forests on 
     land; subsection (d) enumerates the requirements

[[Page H10004]]

     under the program; subsection (e) requires the Secretary to 
     establish a measurement tool to quantify the results of 
     projects; subsection (f) allocates funding for projects 
     equally between a national competitive process and to States; 
     subsection (g) requires that the allocation through the 
     competitive process maximize the achievement of the objects 
     of the program as well as requires the submission of 
     proposals to the Secretary to be considered for the 
     competitive process and subsection (h) requires the Secretary 
     to submit a report to Congress. Subsection (i) authorizes 
     $10,000,000 to carry out the program for each of fiscal years 
     2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended. 
     (Section 8104)
       The Senate amendment establishes a competitive grant 
     program for financial and technical assistance to encourage 
     collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest 
     landscapes. The program requires collaboration and 
     consultation regarding the identification of other applicable 
     resources towards landscape-scale restoration. The provision 
     authorizes $20 million to be appropriated toward these grants 
     each fiscal year through 2023, to remain available until 
     expended, deposited in the ``State and Private Forest 
     Landscape-Scale Restoration Fund''. (Section 8101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8101)
       The Managers include reforms to the Landscape Scale 
     Restoration program. The Managers direct the U.S. Forest 
     Service to administer this program as a competitively awarded 
     grant program to carry out science based, landscape-scale 
     restoration work. The Managers recognize the importance of 
     conducting landscape-scale restoration on both state and 
     private land in cross boundary work. The Managers also 
     encourage the U.S. Forest Service to coordinate with the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Foresters, and 
     other stakeholders on an ongoing basis regarding the 
     administration and identification of other applicable 
     resources for landscape-scale restoration.
     (2) Repeal of recycling research
       The Senate amendment repeals the wood fiber recycling 
     research program. (Section 8201)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8201)
     (3) Repeal of forestry student grant program
       The Senate amendment repeals the forestry student grant 
     program. (Section 8202)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8202)
     (4) Repeals
       The Senate amendment repeals the study on reforestation and 
     improved management in section 2410 of the Global Climate 
     Change Prevention Act of 1990. (Section 8301)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8301)
     (5) Promoting cross-boundary wildfire mitigation
       The House bill authorizes cross-boundary wildfire 
     mitigation under certain circumstances, authorizes the 
     Secretary to use other related authorities for projects, 
     directs interagency cooperation and encourages the Secretary 
     to use certain excess funds towards these projects, including 
     through grants to state foresters, capped at the greater of 
     either 20 per cent of the excess or $20 million. The bill 
     provides that only laws and regulations that apply to non-
     federal land apply to a project. (Section 8332)
       The Senate amendment authorizes cross-boundary hazardous 
     fuel projects, defines certain terms, authorizes grants to 
     state foresters, authorizes the Secretary to use other 
     related authorities for grant projects, directs interagency 
     cooperation and authorizes $20 million in appropriations for 
     each of FY 2019 through 2023. (Section 8401)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8401)
       The Managers recognize the risks of catastrophic wildfire 
     to life, property, and infrastructure and have consequently 
     provided several new authorities, including this authority to 
     promote cross-boundary wildfire mitigation, to the Forest 
     Service to address the threat of wildfire and promote 
     restoration of Federal and non-Federal land. The Managers 
     expect the Department of Agriculture to utilize this and 
     other new authorities in an expeditious manner in order to 
     ensure the restoration of Federal and non-Federal land and to 
     address the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
     (6) Authorization of appropriations for hazardous fuel 
         reduction on federal land
       The Senate amendment amends section 108 of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and reauthorizes the 
     hazardous fuel reduction on Federal land program at $660 
     million annually through FY 2023. (Section 8402)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8402)
     (7) Repeal of biomass commercial utilization grant program
       The Senate amendment amends section 203 of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to repeal the Biomass 
     Commercial Utilization Grant program. (Section 8403)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8403)
     (8) Water source protection program
       The Senate amendment establishes the Water Source 
     Protection Program to carry out forest restoration projects 
     at watershed levels on National Forest System (NFS) land. It 
     authorizes the use of partnership agreements with non-Federal 
     partners to carry out activities and provides an 
     authorization of appropriations of $10 million annually 
     through FY2023. (Section 8404)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8404)
     (9) Watershed condition framework
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to establish 
     and maintain a watershed condition framework for NFS land. 
     (Section 8405)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification that authorizes the Secretary to establish and 
     maintain a watershed condition framework. (Section 8405)
     (10) Authorization of appropriations to combat insect 
         infestations and related diseases
       The Senate amendment makes various modifications to section 
     406 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and 
     provides a termination of effectiveness on Oct. 1, 2023. 
     (Section 8406)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8406)
     (11) Authorization of appropriations for designation of 
         treatment areas
       The Senate amendment amends section 602 of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and eliminates the 
     authorization of appropriations for insect and disease 
     treatment areas. (Section 8408)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8408)
     (12) Administrative review of collaborative restoration 
         projects
       The House bill directs the Secretary to initiate a 
     rulemaking to clarify that the following project 
     characteristics do not need to be examined as part of 
     determining whether extraordinary circumstances preclude a 
     Categorical Exclusion (CE) under National Environmental 
     Policy Act (NEPA); whether a project is within a proposed 
     wilderness area; whether a project impacts a Forest Service 
     sensitive species; the cumulative impact of a project when 
     added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable 
     future actions; whether a project may affect, but is not 
     likely to adversely affect, a listed species or designated 
     critical habitat; and whether a project may affect, and is 
     likely to adversely affect, a listed species or designated 
     critical habitat, if the project is in compliance with the 
     applicable provisions of the biological opinion. It 
     eliminates the requirement to perform an environmental impact 
     statement for all projects that would substantially alter a 
     potential wilderness area. The bill requires that the 
     rulemaking be completed within 120 days of enactment. 
     (Section 8503)
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to apply 
     extraordinary circumstances to section 603 of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003. (Section 8409)
       The Conference substitute deletes both provisions.
     (13) Repeal of revision of strategic plan for forest 
         inventory and analysis
       The Senate amendment amends section 8301 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 and repeals the authority that 
     provided for a one-time revision of strategic plan for forest 
     inventory and analysis. (Section 8501)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8501)
     (14) Semiarid agroforestry research center
       The Senate amendment amends section 1243(d) of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and extends 
     the authority for the semiarid agroforestry research center 
     through 2023. (Section 8502)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8502)
     (15) Conveyance of forest service administrative sites
       The Senate amendment amends section 503(f) of the Forest 
     Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act of 2005 and 
     reauthorizes the authority for the Forest Service to convey 
     administrative sites through 2023. (Section 8504)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8504)
     (16) Definitions
       The House bill defines certain terms. (Section 8301)
       The Senate amendment defines the terms ``National Forest 
     System'' and ``public land''. (Section 8601)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House definition of 
     ``National Forest System''. (Section 8601)
       The Managers intend that forest management activities means 
     that a project carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture or 
     the

[[Page H10005]]

     Secretary of Interior on National Forest System lands or 
     public lands be conducted consistent with applicable land 
     management plans, including any applicable Roadless Area 
     Management Rules (36 CFR 294).
     (17) Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule 
         deer habitat
       The Senate amendment authorizes the development and use of 
     a categorical exclusion (CE) for both the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, with respect to NFS land, and the Secretary of 
     the Interior, with respect to public land, for certain forest 
     management activities with the primary purpose of protecting, 
     restoring, or improving habitat for the greater sage-grouse 
     or mule deer. Projects through this authority must be 
     developed and implemented through a collaborative process and 
     based on the best available scientific information. The 
     authority establishes a cap of 3,000 acres for projects 
     utilizing the categorical exclusion. (Section 8611)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification to raise the acreage cap to 4,500 acres. 
     (Section 8611)
     (18) Additional authority for sale or exchange of small 
         parcels of national forest system land
       The Senate amendment renews authority to the Forest Service 
     to dispose of small parcels of land in a manner to enhance 
     the respective National Forest through new recreational 
     access or acquisitions. It authorizes funds derived from any 
     sale or exchange under this authority to be expended for, 
     among other purposes, the acquisition of land or interest in 
     the state from which the sale originated. (Section 8621)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8621)
     (19) Forest service participation in aces program
       The Senate amendment amends section 8302 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 and provides a termination of 
     effectiveness for the use of the authority in 2023. (Section 
     8622)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8622)
     (20) Authorization for lease of forest service sites
       The Senate amendment expands authority to allow the Forest 
     Service to lease unused administrative sites. (Section 8623)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications that do not include authority for cash 
     consideration and a prohibition on certain cash payments. 
     (Section 8623)
     (21) Good neighbor authority
       The House bill authorizes counties and Indian Tribes to 
     enter into good neighbor agreements. (Section 8331(2))
       The Senate amendment authorizes to tribes and counties to 
     enter into good neighbor agreements, and exempts payments 
     made by counties from being considered as made by the Forest 
     Service or Bureau of Land Management lands. (Section 8624(2))
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment regarding the treatment of timber sale revenue. 
     (Section 8624)
       The Managers expanded Good Neighbor Authority to authorize 
     Indian tribes and counties to participate. As required by the 
     underlying authority, the Managers expect that the non-
     Federal entity--whether it be a Governor, County, or tribe--
     participating in future Good Neighbor agreements undertake 
     restoration activities on non-Federal land in addition to 
     ``similar and complementary'' restoration activities on 
     Federal land under the program.
     (22) Wildland-urban interface
       The Senate amendment prioritizes the use of funds for 
     hazardous fuels reduction projects within the wildland-urban 
     interface. (Section 8625)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (23) Chattahoochee-Oconee national forest land adjustment
       The Senate amendment authorizes USDA to sell or exchange 
     any or all interest of the United States in 30 tracts NFS 
     land in Georgia totaling approximately 3,841 acres. (Section 
     8626)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8625)
     (24) Tennessee wilderness
       The Senate amendment designates specified federal lands in 
     the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee as wilderness and 
     as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. 
     (Section 8627)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8626)
     (25) Additions to Rough Mountain and Rich Hole wildernesses
       The Senate amendment designates specified lands in the 
     George Washington National Forest in Virginia as part of the 
     Rough Mountain Wilderness area, and the Rich Hole Wilderness 
     area and adds those lands to the National Wilderness 
     Preservation System. (Section 8628)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (26) Kisatchie national forest land conveyance
       The Senate amendment authorizes USDA to sell specified 
     federal land in Winn Parish, Louisiana and requires USDA to 
     sell a portion of that land to Collins Camp Properties for 
     the Collins Campsites. (Section 8629)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8627)
     (27) Purchase of natural resources conservation service 
         property, Riverside County, California
       The Senate amendment directs USDA to sell and quitclaim all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a 
     parcel of real property located in Riverside, California, 
     administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
     to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District. 
     (Section 8630).
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8628)
     (28) Collaborative forest landscape restoration program
       The House bill authorizes the Secretary to waive the 10-
     year eligibility requirement for a restoration proposal when 
     selecting proposals. The bill strikes the time limit of 10 
     fiscal years regarding expenditures from the fund for any 1 
     proposal. It also authorizes appropriations at $40 million 
     for each fiscal year 2018 through 2023. (Section 8509)
       The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations at $80 
     million for each fiscal year 2018 through 2023. The amendment 
     adds the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to the 
     reporting requirement. (Section 8631)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification that authorizes both a waiver authority and 
     waiver limitation. (Section 8629)
       Following enactment of this Act, the Managers expect the 
     Secretary to initiate the process to receive new nominations 
     and select new projects under this reauthorized authority 
     with the expanded authorization for appropriations. With the 
     advice of the advisory panel, as required in section 4003 of 
     Public Law 111-11, the Managers expect that the additional 
     $40 million made available through this section should enable 
     the Secretary to select and fund not less than 10 new 
     projects under the program.
     (29) Utility infrastructure rights-of-way vegetation 
         management pilot program
       The House bill requires the Secretary to establish a 
     limited, voluntary pilot program to conduct vegetation 
     management projects on NFS land adjacent to or near rights-
     of-way. (Section 8502)
       The Senate amendment authorizes the Secretary to establish 
     a limited, voluntary pilot program to conduct vegetation 
     management projects on NFS land adjacent to or near rights-
     of-way and changes the liability standard to which utilities 
     are held when operating on NFS lands. (Section 8632)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications to the establishment of the pilot program, 
     including the authorization for vegetative management 
     projects, liability, a clarification regarding compliance 
     with other existing laws and requiring a report to relevant 
     Congressional committees. (Section 8630)
     (30) Okhissa lake rural economic development land conveyance
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
     to convey 150 acres within the Homochitto National Forest in 
     Mississippi for the purpose of rural economic development. 
     (Section 8633)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8631)
     (31) Prairie dogs
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary of Agriculture 
     to conduct a report on the impact of prairie dogs on grazing 
     allotments and requires the Forest Service to take 
     appropriate actions based upon the report within 1 year. 
     (Section 8634)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (32) Wood innovation grant program
       The House bill requires the Secretary to establish a 
     competitive grant program, the ``Community Wood Energy and 
     Wood Innovation Program''. It authorizes $25 million in 
     appropriations for each fiscal year 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 8106)
       The Senate amendment provides direction to the Secretary 
     regarding the wood innovation grant program described in the 
     notice 80 Fed. Reg. 63498 (Oct. 20, 2015). (Section 8643)
       The Conference substitute adopts both the Senate amendment 
     and the House provision with an amendment that modifies the 
     definition of a community wood energy system, and adds 
     selection criteria as well as a priority component. (Sections 
     8643 and 8644)
     (33) Remote sensing technologies
       The Senate amendment requires the Chief of the Forest 
     Service to find efficiencies in the operations of the forest 
     inventory and analysis program through the use and 
     integration of advanced remote sensing technologies to 
     provide estimates for state and national level inventories. 
     (Section 12621)

[[Page H10006]]

       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 8632)
       The Managers urge the Forest Service to continue to find 
     efficiencies in program operations through the use of remote 
     sensing technologies where appropriate, as well as partnering 
     with states and other interested stakeholders to deliver 
     programs.
     (34) Support for state assessments and strategies for forest 
         resources
       The House bill amends section 2A(f)(1) of the Cooperative 
     Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 by reauthorizing the funding 
     for the required state assessment through 2023. (Section 
     8101)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 8101)
       The Managers are concerned about the projected loss of 
     private forestland in the United States, as detailed in the 
     Resources Planning Act Assessment and regional analyses such 
     as the Northern and Southern Forest Futures Reports, and 
     associated loss of societal benefits such as clean air and 
     water, wildlife habitat, jobs and forest products, and more. 
     The Managers direct the Secretary, working through the Forest 
     Resource Coordinating Committee, to develop a National 
     Reforestation Initiative that addresses the threats to 
     private forest retention. Within 24 months from the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Managers urge the Forest Resource 
     Coordinating Committee to generate a strategic plan for the 
     initiative to include relevant USDA programs that promote 
     ``Keeping Forests as Forests'' and incentivize reforestation 
     within priority areas identified in the Forest Service 
     Resources Planning Act and Statewide Forest Resource 
     Assessments and Strategies.
     (35) Forest legacy program
       The House bill amends section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry 
     Assistance Act of 1978 by removing the authorization of 
     appropriations of ``such sums as necessary'' and authorizing 
     $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
     (Section 8102)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (36) Community forest and open space conservation program
       The House bill amends section 7A of the Cooperative 
     Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 by removing the authorization 
     of appropriations of ``such sums as necessary'' and 
     authorizing $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023. (Section 8103)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (37) Rural revitalization technologies
       The House bill amends section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to 
     reauthorize the Rural Revitalization Technologies Program at 
     the current level of $5,000,000 through FY 2023. (Section 
     8105)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 8701)
     (38) Healthy forests restoration act of 2003 amendments
       The House bill authorizes an additional program purpose. It 
     requires that land be private forest land or private land 
     being restored to forest land in its eligibility 
     requirements. It adds a species deemed to be of greatest 
     conservation need by a State wildlife action plan. The bill 
     adds an additional enrollment consideration. It strikes 
     limitations on funds used for easements and cost-share 
     agreements. It authorizes permanent easements to be used 
     separately or in combination with other enrollment options. 
     The bill adds species of greatest conservation need, as 
     identified in State wildlife action plans, to the Secretary's 
     list of enrollment priority considerations in Section 502(f) 
     of the Statute. It requires the restoration plan to require 
     specific practices and measures to restore and enhance 
     habitat for species described in section 502(b) in the 
     statute. It authorizes the Secretary to carry out priority 
     projects to reduce insect or disease infestation or hazardous 
     fuels. It strikes the public notice date limitation. The bill 
     requires a project to be conducted in accordance with section 
     602(d)(1). It limits project size to 6,000 acres. It subjects 
     the use of monies to paragraph (3)(A) in the statute. The 
     bill provides that in-kind resources not be considered monies 
     received from the NFS or the public lands, but payments made 
     by a contractor shall be considered monies received from the 
     NFS or the public lands. (Section 8107)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that authorizes a new purpose for the Healthy 
     Forests Reserve Program, amends eligibility for enrollment, 
     authorizes a new enrollment consideration, strikes a 
     limitation on the use of an easement, provides new 
     authorities for the enrollment of acreage owned by Indian 
     Tribes, provides for new enrollment priorities, and amends 
     the requirements for restoration plan practices. The 
     amendment also extends the authority for insect and disease 
     infestation and authorizes the reduction of hazardous fuels 
     as a purpose. (Section 8407)
       The Managers make improvements to the Healthy Forests 
     Reserve Program. The Managers were concerned that duplicative 
     approval requirements outside of initial approval and annual 
     monitoring for management practices in the Healthy Forests 
     Reserve Program may be impeding the ability of landowners to 
     successful use the program to its fullest environmental 
     benefit. The Managers direct the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service to work with landowners to streamline 
     the process around management practices, ensuring that 
     landowners participating in the program are not required to 
     seek approval for individual actions taken under their NRCS-
     approved restoration plans.
       Additionally, the Managers intend that when designing 
     restoration projects using the Healthy Forests Restoration 
     Act of 2003 or under other authorities authorized in the 
     Forestry title, the Secretary consider opportunities to 
     restore sustainable recreational infrastructure or access, or 
     to accomplish other recreation outcomes, where such 
     opportunities are compatible with the primary restoration 
     purpose(s) of the project.
     (39) Inclusion of invasive vegetation in designated treatment 
         areas
       The House bill amends section 602 of the Healthy Forests 
     Restoration Act of 2003 by including in the designation of 
     treatment areas forests that experience invasive vegetation. 
     (Section 8109)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (40) Use of reserved funds for title II projects on federal 
         land and certain non-federal land
       The House bill amends section 204(f) of the Secure Rural 
     Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to 
     require 50% of Title II funds be spent on projects which 
     include sale of forest products and meet land management 
     objectives. (Section 8201)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (41) Resource advisory committees
       The House bill amends section 205(a)(4) of the Secure Rural 
     Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to 
     extend Title II Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) functions, 
     membership through fiscal year 2023. It amends section 205(d) 
     of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination 
     Act of 2000 to reduce the membership of RACs from 15 to 9 and 
     to reduce the members that are representative of community 
     interests from 5 to 3. The bill adds a requirement for 
     members of the RAC to reside in the county or adjacent county 
     where the RAC has jurisdiction. It allows for a designee of 
     the Secretary to perform certain functions. (Section 8202)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     modifications authorizing RAC waiver authority and creating a 
     Regional Appointment Pilot Program. (Section 8702)
       The Managers addressed membership challenges facing 
     Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) by bringing requirements 
     more in line with achievable benchmarks. The Managers note 
     that RACs are under-utilized across the country and encourage 
     the Forest Service to highlight the new requirements in 
     outreach to interested communities. In addition, the Managers 
     intend for the Forest Service to proceed with the RAC re-
     charter process and member nominations immediately so they 
     will be fully functioning when reauthorized.
     (42) Program for Title II self-sustaining resource advisory 
         committee projects
       The House bill amends Title II of the Secure Rural Schools 
     and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 by authorizing 
     the Chief of the Forest Service to choose ten RACs that may 
     retain revenue from projects to fund future projects that 
     accomplish forest management objectives. (Section 8203)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (43) Rule of application for national forest system lands and 
         public lands
       The House bill is a rule of application, limiting the 
     application of the authorities provided by subtitle C to NFS 
     or public lands that are not in the National Wilderness 
     Preservation System, within an inventoried roadless area 
     (unless the forest management activity is consistent with the 
     applicable forest plan or allowed under the applicable 
     roadless rule), or land on which timber harvest is prohibited 
     by Federal law. (Section 8302)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (44) Consultation under the endangered species act
       The House bill removes the requirement for consultation 
     under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for a project 
     carried out by the Forest Service if the project is found not 
     likely to adversely affect a listed species. It allows for an 
     expedited consultation where the projects conducted under a 
     CE for which a section 7 consultation is required, the action 
     is deemed to have complied with the requirements of Section 7 
     after 90 days. (Section 8303)

[[Page H10007]]

       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (45) Secretarial discretion in the case of two or more 
         categorical exclusions
       The House bill clarifies that if a forest management 
     activity might fall under more than one of the categorical 
     exclusions, the Secretary has full discretion in determining 
     which categorical exclusion to apply. (Section 8304)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (46) Categorical exclusion to expedite certain critical 
         response actions
       The House bill authorize the use of CEs for addressing 
     insect and disease infestation, reducing hazardous fuel 
     loads, protecting municipal water sources, improving or 
     enhancing critical habitat, and increasing water yield. It 
     provides for the availability of CEs under this section. The 
     bill limits the size of the CEs to 6,000 acres. (Section 
     8311)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (47) Categorical exclusion to expedite salvage operations in 
         response to catastrophic events
       The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for specific 
     salvage operations carried out by the Secretary. It provides 
     for the availability of CEs under this section. The bill 
     limits the size of the CE to 6,000 acres. It requires that 
     salvage operations covered by a CE under this section protect 
     streams and stream buffers as provided in the forest plan. 
     The bill further requires the development of a reforestation 
     plan as part of the salvage operation. (Section 8312)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (48) Categorical exclusion to meet forest plan goals for 
         early successional forests
       The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for the 
     modification, improvement, enhancement, or creation of early 
     successional forests for wildlife habitat improvement. It 
     provides for the availability of the CE under this section. 
     It directs the Secretary to maximize production and 
     regeneration of priority species in the development of a 
     forest management activity conducted under this section. The 
     bill limits the size of the CEs to 6,000 acres. (Section 
     8313)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (49) Categorical exclusion for hazard trees
       The House bill authorizes the use of CEs in order to remove 
     hazardous trees and salvage timber to protect public safety, 
     a public water supply, or public infrastructure. (Section 
     8314)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (50) Categorical exclusion to improve or restore national 
         forest system lands or public land or reduce the risk of 
         wildfire
       The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for certain 
     activities when the purpose of those activities is to 
     improve, restore, or reduce the risk of wildfire on NFS or 
     public lands. It provides for the availability of CEs under 
     this section. The bill limits the size of the CEs to 6,000 
     acres. It provides the pertinent definitions. (Section 8315)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (51) Categorical exclusion for forest restoration
       The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
     management activities on NFS lands, including timber harvest, 
     hazardous fuel reduction, and prescribed burning. It provides 
     for the availability of CEs under this section. The bill 
     limits the size of the CEs to 6,000 acres. It provides for 
     limitations on the building of permanent and temporary roads 
     under this CE. (Section 8316)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (52) Categorical exclusion for infrastructure forest 
         management activities
       The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
     management activities related to infrastructure on NFS land, 
     including activities related to roads, bridges, dams, and 
     other facilities. (Section 8317)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (53) Categorical exclusion for developed recreation sites
       The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
     management activities on NFS lands related to the operation, 
     maintenance, modification, reconstruction or decommissioning 
     of existing recreation sites. (Section 8318)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (54) Categorical exclusion for administrative sites
       The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
     management activities on NFS lands related to the 
     construction, maintenance, decommissioning, relocation, and 
     disposal of administrative sites. It provides for the 
     availability of CEs under this section. The bill provides for 
     a limitation on roads and pesticide use. It provides a 
     definition for administrative site. (Section 8319)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (55) Categorical exclusion for special use authorizations
       The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
     management activities on NFS lands related to special use 
     authorizations. It provides for the availability of CEs under 
     this section. The bill requires the preparation of certain 
     documents in order to use the CE. (Section 8320)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (56) Clarification of existing categorical exclusion 
         authority related to insect and disease infestation
       The House bill amends section 603(c)(2)(B) of the Healthy 
     Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to include Fire Regime IV and 
     V (Lodgepole pine) in the Insect & Disease Categorical 
     Exclusion included in the 2014 Farm Bill. (Section 8321)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (57) Regulations regarding designation or dead or dying trees 
         of certain tree species on national forest system lands 
         in California as exempt from prohibition on export of 
         unprocessed timber originating from federal lands
       The House bill directs the Secretary to issue rulemaking to 
     determine that unprocessed timber from NFS lands in 
     California is considered surplus to domestic needs and is 
     therefore exempt from export prohibitions. It requires the 
     Secretary to consult with representatives of sawmills in 
     California and make a reasonable effort to avoid adverse 
     impacts to the industry. It allows the Secretary to adjust 
     contract provisions in region 5 of the NFS to carry out this 
     section. The bill exempts timber harvested under this section 
     from the limitation of substitution of unprocessed Federal 
     timber. It provides authority to hire additional staff to 
     implement the regulations issued under subsection (a). It 
     requires the regulations to remain in effect for 10 years 
     with periodic review. The bill provides relevant definitions 
     for this section. (Section 8333)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (58) Salvage and reforestation in response to catastrophic 
         events
       The House bill provides that an environmental assessment 
     for a salvage operation or reforestation activity on NFS 
     lands must be completed within 60 days of a catastrophic 
     event and at least 75 percent of the impacted land must be 
     reforested within a 5-year period. The Secretary must also 
     allow for public comment and objection before implementing a 
     reforestation activity or salvage operation. Salvage and 
     reforestation activities must be consistent with the 
     applicable forest plan. Courts are also prohibited from 
     issuing preliminary injunctions with respect to salvage or 
     reforestation activities in response to large scale 
     catastrophic events. (Section 8334)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (59) Analysis of only two alternatives (action versus no 
         action) in proposed collaborative forest management 
         activities
       The House bill provides 5 requirements for environmental 
     assessments or impact statements pursuant to NEPA with 
     respect to forest management activities and requires they 
     only consider the forest management activity and the no 
     action alternative. (Section 8335)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (60) Injunctive relief
       The House bill requires courts to balance the impact of the 
     effect of forest management activity or agency action against 
     the effects of no action and provides that any preliminary 
     injunction, or stay pending appeal, of a forest management 
     activity shall not exceed 60 days. Courts may issue renewals 
     of any preliminary injunction pending appeal. (Section 8336)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (61) Application of roadless area conservation rule
       The House bill provides that 36 CFR 294, or successor 
     regulations, do not apply to any NFS land in Alaska. (Section 
     8337)

[[Page H10008]]

       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (62) Vacant grazing allotments made available to certain 
         grazing permit holders
       The House bill requires the Secretary to make vacant 
     grazing allotments available to a holder of a grazing permit 
     or lease if the lands covered by the permit or lease are 
     unusable because of natural disaster, court-issued 
     injunction, or conflict with wildlife. Courts may not issue 
     any order enjoining the use of any allotment where a permit 
     or lease has been issued unless the Secretary can make a 
     vacant grazing allotment available to the holder of the 
     permit or lease and makes the allotment subject to a CE. 
     (Section 8338)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (63) Pilot project for forest health, watershed improvement, 
         and habitat restoration in New Mexico
       The House bill establishes a pilot program within the 
     Lincoln National Forest, Cibola national Forest, and Gila 
     National Forest to analyze and demonstrate the effectiveness 
     of various tools and techniques to address concerns on 
     thinning, watershed improvement, and habitat restoration. The 
     authority to carry out the program terminates 7 years after 
     the date of enactment. (Section 8339)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (64) Protection of tribal forest assets through use of 
         stewardship end-result contracting and other authorities
       The House bill provides authority for action by the 
     Secretary not later than 120 days after the date on which the 
     Secretary receives a Tribal request. It amends section 2(b) 
     of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 by providing 
     Federal land management agencies up to 120 days to respond to 
     Tribal request for forest management on agency lands and two 
     years to complete the analysis. The bill includes conforming 
     amendments. (Section 8401)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (65) Tribal forest management demonstration project
       The House bill gives authority to Indian Tribes to request 
     to conduct forest management activities on Federal lands 
     where they have a Tribal interest. (Section 8402)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that authorizes demonstration projects by which 
     Indian Tribes may contract to perform certain functions of 
     programs. (Section 8703)
       The Managers authorized the Secretary of Agriculture and 
     Secretary of the Interior to carry out demonstration projects 
     by which Federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal 
     organizations may contract to perform functions of the Tribal 
     Forest Protection Act (25 U.S.C. 3115a et seq.). The Managers 
     expect these demonstration projects to be evaluated under the 
     criteria defined in section (c) of that Act (23 U.S5C. 
     3115a(c)).
     (66) No loss of funds for wildfire suppression
       The House bill clarifies that nothing in this title or the 
     amendments made by this title may be construed to limit from 
     the availability of funds or other resources for wildfire 
     suppression. (Section 8504)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (67) Technical corrections
       The House bill contains technical amendments to the 
     Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities 
     Act. (Section 8505)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 8704)
     (68) Conveyance of land and improvements to the village of 
         Santa Clara, New Mexico
       The House bill requires the Secretary to convey right, 
     title, and interest in approximately 1,520 acres of NFS land 
     to Santa Clara. (Section 8506)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (69) Streamlining the forest service process for 
         consideration of communications facility location 
         applications
       The House bill requires the Secretary to issue regulations 
     to streamline the process for considering applications to 
     locate communications facilities on covered land, ensure the 
     process is uniform, and require consideration of the 
     applications be neutral. The Secretary must consider how 
     discrete reviews can be conducted simultaneously and how to 
     eliminate overlapping requirements among the organizational 
     units of the Forest Service with respect to the location or 
     modification of a communications facility. The bill also 
     requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a special 
     account for the Forest Service for fees collected under this 
     section for communications use authorizations. The account 
     must be available to cover the costs incurred by the Forest 
     Service as provided in appropriation acts. (Section 8507)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that does not include all the requirements for 
     the regulations in the original provision. (Section 8507)
     (70) Report on wildfire, insect infestation, and disease 
         prevention on federal land
       The House bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and 
     the Interior to submit an annual report to the House 
     Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and the 
     Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and 
     Energy and Natural Resources on the number of acres treated 
     for wildfire, insect infestation, or disease prevention, the 
     number of acres categorized as high risk, total timber 
     production, average fire intensity of wildfires and federal 
     response time for each fire greater than 25,000 acres. 
     (Section 8508)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that authorizes several more data points and 
     information for the report. (Section 8706)
     (71) West Fork fire station
       The House bill requires the Secretary to convey the West 
     Fork Fire Station to Dolores County, Colorado without 
     consideration and any conveyance costs are to be paid by the 
     County. The section also requires the land be used only for a 
     fire station and related infrastructure or the land will 
     revert to the United States. (Section 8510)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 8707)
     (72) Competitive forestry, natural resources, and 
         environmental grants program
       The House bill amends section 1232 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by 
     authorizing the Secretary to award grants for forest 
     restoration, prioritizing applicants who will use grants for 
     specific research projects. The bill also includes mandatory 
     criteria for forest restoration grants as well as criteria 
     the Secretary must consider when awarding such grants. 
     (Section 8511)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 8708)

                            Title IX--Energy

     (1) Definitions
       The Senate amendment expands the definition of ``biobased 
     product'' to include ``renewable chemicals,'' and expands the 
     definition of the term ``biorefinery'' to include facilities 
     that convert renewable biomass into renewable chemicals, or 
     an intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass 
     into any one or more, or a combination of biofuels, renewable 
     chemicals, or biobased products. Further, it amends the term 
     ``Renewable Energy System'' to include systems that produce 
     usable energy from a renewable energy source including 
     distribution components necessary to move energy produced by 
     a system to the initial point of sale, and other ancillary 
     infrastructure of a system such as storage systems. (Section 
     9101)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 9001)
     (2) Biobased markets program
       The House bill prohibits federal agencies from placing 
     limitations on the procurement of wood and wood-based 
     products greater than espoused in this section, authorizes to 
     be appropriated $2 million annually for fiscal year 2014 
     through fiscal year 2023, and eliminates the mandatory 
     funding provision. (Section 6402)
       The Senate amendment transfers the program from 
     Departmental Management to the Office of Rural Development. 
     It instructs the Secretary to update the eligibility criteria 
     used to determine which renewable chemicals qualify to 
     receive the ``USDA Certified Biobased Product'' label within 
     90 days of enactment, establish guidelines for an integrated 
     and expedited process by which biobased products can be 
     determined eligible for Federal Procurement preference and 
     approved for the ``USDA Certified Biobased Product'' label, 
     and work with the Secretary of the Department of Commerce to 
     develop North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
     codes for renewable chemical manufacturers and producers of 
     biobased products. Additionally, the amendment limits other 
     agencies from imposing procurement limitations more 
     restrictive than the regulations contained within this 
     section. It instructs USDA to develop education and outreach 
     efforts to assist stakeholders in navigating the federal 
     procurement and voluntary labeling programs found under this 
     section, authorizes $3 million in appropriations for fiscal 
     year 2019 through fiscal year 2023, and reauthorizes 
     mandatory funding at $3 million for each year 2019 through 
     2023. (Section 9102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that extends the amount of time the Secretary 
     has to update the criteria for determining which renewable 
     chemicals may qualify to receive the ``USDA Certified 
     Biobased Product''

[[Page H10009]]

     label from ``90'' to ``180'' days and strikes instructions to 
     USDA to perform education and outreach efforts. (Section 
     9002)
       The Managers support elevating the Biobased Market Program 
     within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and believe this 
     program is consistent with the mission of Rural Development. 
     The Managers urge USDA to establish and promote public-
     private partnership frameworks for Biobased Market Program 
     activities to increase U.S. purchasing of biobased products 
     that is necessary to growth of the biobased sector. 
     Allocating funding to support public-private partnerships 
     would allow biobased manufacturers and allied stakeholders to 
     identify potential customers--ranging from military bases to 
     private-sector fleets and facilities--to design and implement 
     effective outreach. The Managers also encourage USDA to 
     further promote and give a preference to the procurement of 
     agricultural biobased products within USDA Rural Development, 
     including rural housing and rural electrification.
       The Managers intend for USDA's implementation of the 
     integrated qualification process that USDA evaluate within 
     the year additional standards available for the use of 
     renewable agricultural resources through standard setting 
     bodies, including international standards. The Managers 
     intend that USDA recognize feedstock inputs produced using 
     biobased mass balance methods, which USDA may accomplish 
     through the creation of a Biopreferred process label 
     specifying the percentage of biobased feedstock used.
       The Managers intend that USDA continue to develop and 
     implement education and outreach efforts to assist 
     stakeholders in navigating the federal procurement and 
     voluntary labeling programs.
       Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall establish a biobased content 
     methodology for products produced using biologically recycled 
     carbon that provides full credit for carbon content from 
     biological processing of carbon captured from an industrial 
     source that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
       The Managers intend for the Biobased Markets Program to 
     better function through increased transparency, that the 
     Secretary periodically update Congress on product procurement 
     trends of federal agencies and their contractors to help 
     ensure the program is accomplishing its mission.
       The Managers believe the Secretary could best implement the 
     Biobased Markets Program through collaborating with the 
     Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator on the Safer 
     Choice label program to provide agency procurement officials 
     with data on products that are certified biobased and have a 
     reduced impact on human and environmental health.
     (3) Biorefinery assistance
       The House bill expands the eligibility of technologies to 
     those being adopted in a viable commercial-scale operation of 
     a biorefinery that produces an advanced biofuel or 
     technologies not previously described that has been 
     demonstrated to have technical and economic potential for 
     commercial application in a biorefinery that produces an 
     advanced biofuel. It maintains authorization of 
     appropriations at $75 million annually for fiscal year 2014 
     through fiscal year 2023 and eliminates the mandatory funding 
     provision and biobased product manufacturing set aside 
     provision. (Section 6403)
       The Senate amendment expands the definition of ``eligible 
     technologies'' to technologies that produce any one or more 
     or a combination of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals or 
     biobased products. It maintains discretionary funding at $75 
     million for fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2023 and 
     reauthorizes mandatory funding at $100 million for 2019 and 
     $50 million for 2020. (Section 9103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that provides $50,000,000 in mandatory funding 
     for 2019 and $25,000,000 for 2020 and maintains an 
     authorization of appropriations of $75,000,000 through fiscal 
     year 2023. (Section 9003)
       The Managers intend that the program entitled ``Biorefinery 
     Assistance'', which provides loan guarantees for the 
     construction and retrofitting of biorefineries, be available 
     to advanced biofuel, renewable chemical, or biobased product 
     manufacturing facilities.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to implement Section 
     9003, Biorefinery Assistance as soon as possible in fiscal 
     year 2019. The Managers intend that the Office of Management 
     and Budget completes the review of all loan proposals within 
     30 days of receipt.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to ensure that all 
     biobutanol manufacturers can qualify for the biorefinery 
     assistance program as an advanced biofuel, regardless of 
     their feedstock.
     (4) Repowering assistance program
       The House bill authorizes to be appropriated $10 million 
     annually for fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2023 and 
     eliminates the mandatory funding provision. (Section 6404)
       The Senate amendment repeals section 9004 of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. (Section 9104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 9004)
     (5) Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels
       The House bill modifies the equitable distribution portion 
     of the program by limiting the amount of payments for 
     advanced biofuel produced from a single eligible commodity to 
     not exceed one-third of the total program funding available 
     in a fiscal year. It authorizes to be appropriated $50 
     million annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 
     2023 and eliminates the mandatory funding provision. (Section 
     6405)
       The Senate amendment amends discretionary funding, 
     providing $15 million for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal 
     year 2023. It provides for mandatory funding at $15 million 
     for each year fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. 
     (Section 9105)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that authorizes $7,000,000 in mandatory funding 
     for fiscal years 2018 through 2023 and maintains an 
     authorization of appropriations in the amount of $20,000,000 
     for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 9005)
       The Managers urge USDA to utilize the Bioenergy Program for 
     Advanced Biofuels to make payments equally on all eligible 
     advanced bioenergy production, replacing the current 
     structure that provides separate payments for base and 
     incremental production. Public comments received during the 
     previous rulemaking process for this program indicated the 
     current structure creates unnecessary and burdensome record- 
     keeping requirements. USDA never issued a final rule and the 
     program continues to operate under an interim final rule with 
     the existing base and incremental payment structure.
     (6) Biodiesel fuel education program
       The House bill authorizes to be appropriated $2 million 
     annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
     eliminates mandatory funding for the program. (Section 6406)
       The Senate amendment authorizes to be appropriated $2 
     million annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 
     2023. (Section 9106)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 9006)
       The Managers encourage USDA to continue to fund 
     competitively awarded Biodiesel Education Program grants 
     through existing annual budgetary accounts.
     (7) Rural energy for America program
       The House bill maintains an appropriated level of $20 
     million annually for fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 
     2023. It limits mandatory funding to fiscal year 2014 through 
     fiscal year 2018 and provides a categorical exclusion for 
     electric generating facilities with a capacity of 10 
     megawatts or less in the program from having to prepare 
     environmental assessments or an environmental impact 
     statement. (Sections 6407 & 6408)
       The Senate amendment allows for the purchase and 
     installation of efficient energy equipment or systems to 
     qualify for loan guarantees and grants provided under this 
     section. It strikes the reporting provision enacted in the 
     Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Additionally, the 
     Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations at $50 million 
     for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and maintains 
     mandatory baseline funding of $50 million per year. (Section 
     9107)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment clarifying that agricultural producers are 
     eligible for loan guarantees for the purchase and 
     installation of energy efficient equipment or systems for 
     agricultural production or processing, clarifying limitations 
     on the loan guarantees for energy efficient equipment, and 
     establishing that total funding for these systems shall not 
     exceed 15% of the funds available to the program. (Section 
     9007)
       The Managers intend that for loan guarantees made under 
     Section 9007 (c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107), those loans shall be 
     made to achieve additional energy efficiency beyond what the 
     producer would otherwise need to install. If the producer is 
     building a new structure for production purposes, the 
     additional efficiency should come on top of what would 
     already be required to make a business case for the project 
     to be successful. Through guaranteed loans made under 
     (c)(1)(A)(ii), the purpose and goals of the Rural Energy for 
     America Program shall be maintained by requiring additional 
     efficiency above a baseline determined by the requirements 
     under (c)(1)(A)(ii).
       The Managers intend for USDA's determination of 
     applicability under (c)(1)(B) that USDA compare only such 
     equipment and systems that perform the same agricultural 
     production function.
       When determining the applicability of (c)(1)(B), the 
     Managers intend that USDA consider the availability of energy 
     efficient equipment or systems that could be used in general 
     for the same purpose. For example, several options exist for 
     high efficiency lighting equipment that may be used in 
     agricultural production. However, if an eligible producer 
     wishes to apply for the loan guarantee to purchase or install 
     proprietary high efficiency lighting equipment that may also 
     be used to grow agricultural products, the Secretary shall 
     consider the proprietary equipment as meeting the obligation 
     of more than one type of equipment being available.
       The Managers recognize that the assorted methods of 
     renewable electricity generation that qualify for financial 
     assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) 
     are treated differently regarding whether or not a given 
     project may qualify for a categorical exclusion from the need 
     to provide additional documentation under the National 
     Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

[[Page H10010]]

     Under current regulations solar, wind, biomass, and various 
     distributed technologies have different standards.
       The Managers suggest that, in order to harmonize these 
     regulations and facilitate additional deployment of renewable 
     energy systems that do not have a significant impact on the 
     environment, the Secretary consider an update of the relevant 
     regulations to allow any solar, wind, or biomass project that 
     has a rating of 10 megawatts or less, and which has undergone 
     an extraordinary circumstances analysis and submitted an 
     environmental report the Secretary finds acceptable to 
     fulfill the necessary requirements under NEPA, to be 
     designated as being categorically excluded from any 
     requirement to prepare or publish a ``Notice of Availability 
     of the EA'' or participate in a public review and comment 
     period. Additionally, the Managers suggest the Secretary 
     consider a similar harmonization and update of the relevant 
     regulations regarding the availability of a categorical 
     exclusion for small scale renewable and distributed energy 
     projects that involve no or minimal alterations in the 
     physical environment and typically occur on previously 
     disturbed land.
     (8) Biomass crop assistance program
       The House bill authorizes to be appropriated $25 million 
     annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
     eliminates the mandatory funding provision. (Section 6411)
       The Senate amendment adds algae as an eligible material and 
     clarifies material harvested for the purpose of hazardous 
     woody fuel reduction qualifies for matching payments. It 
     authorizes appropriations of $20 million annually for fiscal 
     year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and reauthorizes the 
     program with $25 million of mandatory funding for each annual 
     fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. (Section 9110)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that adds algae as an eligible material under 
     the program. (Section 9010)
     (9) Biogas research and adoption of biogas systems
       The Senate amendment inserts a new section after section 
     9011 of title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
     Act of 2002, establishing an Interagency Biogas Opportunities 
     Task Force to coordinate policies and programs to accelerate 
     biogas research and investment in biogas systems. It also 
     authorizes a study on advancing biogas markets and analyzing 
     data related to biogas systems. (Section 9111)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
     provision.
       The Managers intend that USDA coordinate policies and 
     programs to accelerate biogas research and investment in 
     biogas systems, while also studying ways to advance biogas 
     markets and analyze data related to these systems.
       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Energy and the EPA 
     Administrator shall establish an Interagency Biogas 
     Opportunities Task Force building upon the existing Biogas 
     Opportunities Working Group. The Task Force will coordinate 
     policies, programs, and research to accelerate biogas 
     research and investment in cost-effective biogas systems. The 
     Task Force shall be composed of the head of each Federal 
     office responsible for biogas research or biogas system 
     financing, including a representative from the Department of 
     Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 
     The Task Force will also have representation of 1 or more 
     representatives of State or local governments, 1 or more 
     nongovernmental or industry stakeholders, and a community 
     stakeholder.
       The Task Force shall evaluate and improve the coordination 
     of loan and grant programs of the Federal agencies 
     represented on the Task Force to broaden the financing 
     options available for biogas systems. It will also explore 
     how to enhance opportunities for private financing of biogas 
     systems; review Federal procurement guidelines to ensure that 
     products of biogas systems are eligible for and promoted by 
     applicable procurement programs of the Federal Government; 
     evaluate the development of North American Industry 
     Classification System and North American Product 
     Classification System codes for biogas and biogas system 
     products; review opportunities and develop strategies to 
     overcome barriers to integrating biogas into electricity and 
     renewable natural gas markets; develop tools to broaden the 
     market for non-energy biogas system products; provide 
     information on the ability of biogas system products to 
     participate in markets that provide environmental benefits; 
     identify and investigate research gaps in biogas and 
     anaerobic digestion technology; including research gaps in 
     environmental benefits, market assessment; and performance 
     standards; assess the most cost-effective voluntary 
     investments in biogas to reduce waste and methane emissions; 
     and identify and advance additional priorities, as determined 
     by the Task Force.
       Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
     establishment of the Task Force, the Task Force shall submit 
     to Congress a report that identifies whether it was able to 
     carry out the duties outlined above and include 
     recommendations on how Congress should prioritize policies 
     and technological opportunities, aimed at expanding the 
     biogas industry. The report shall also consider 
     recommendations on how to eliminate barriers to investment in 
     biogas systems in the landfill, livestock, wastewater, and 
     other relevant sectors; and to enhance opportunities for 
     private and public sector partnerships to finance biogas 
     systems. Two years after the establishment of the Task Force 
     it shall identify, collect, and analyze environmental, 
     technical, and economic performance data relating to biogas 
     systems, including the production of energy of biogas 
     systems, co-products, greenhouse gas and other emissions, 
     water quality benefits, and other data necessary to develop 
     markets for biogas and biogas system co-products. This data 
     shall be made public.
     (10) Community wood energy program
       The House bill expands the program to provide financial 
     assistance for the installation of public or private wood 
     energy systems and the construction of manufacturing or 
     processing plants that use or produce innovative wood 
     products. It changes the name to the ``Community Wood Energy 
     and Wood Innovation Program'' and authorizes appropriations 
     of $25 million annually from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal 
     year 2023. (Section 8106)
       The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations of $5 
     million annually from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 
     2023. (Section 9112)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment establishing priorities for grant awards, and 
     relocates the section to the Forestry title. (Section 8106)
     (11) Carbon utilization and biogas education program
       The Senate amendment adds a new section authorizing the 
     Secretary to provide grants to eligible entities for 
     educating the public and biogas producers about the benefits 
     of carbon sequestration. It authorizes appropriations of $2 
     million annually for fiscal 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
     authorizes $2 million in mandatory funding for each year 
     fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. (Section 9113)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that clarifies the objective of the public 
     education should be about the benefits and opportunities to 
     rural businesses, communities, and utilities serving rural 
     communities. Further, the amendment clarifies that eligible 
     entities shall also provide education to agricultural 
     producers and other stakeholders. Lastly, the amendment 
     strikes the inclusion of the mandatory funding provision. 
     (Section 9011)
       The Managers intend that grants made under Section 9014 
     shall be made to agricultural producers and other rural 
     entities.

                         Title X--Horticulture

     (1) Local agriculture market program
       The House bill eliminates Commodity Credit Corporation 
     (``CCC'') funding for the Value-Added Agricultural Producer 
     Grant (``VAPG'') program. It also increases the authorization 
     of appropriations level for VAPG to $50 million for each of 
     FY 2019-2023. Additionally, the House bill eliminates CCC 
     funding for both the Local Food Promotion Program (``LFPP'') 
     and Farmers Market Promotion Program (``FMPP''). It 
     authorizes appropriations LFPP and FMPP of $30 million for 
     each of FY 2019-2023. (Sections 9002 & 6501)
       The Senate amendment combines the purposes and coordinates 
     the functions of the FMPP and LFPP established under section 
     6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 and 
     the VAPG grants under section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk 
     Protection Act of 2000. It directs the Secretary to 
     streamline and simplify the program, as well as to connect 
     producers with local food markets and value-added 
     agricultural product opportunities. There is additional 
     authority for grants to support partnerships. Section 
     210(i)(1) provides $60 million in CCC funds for FY 2019 and 
     each fiscal year thereafter. Section 210(i)(3) requires 47% 
     of available funds to be used for farmers' market and local 
     food promotion grants. (Section 10102)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that provides separate requirements to be 
     considered as an eligible entity for value-added producer 
     grants from the farmers' markets and local food promotion 
     program. The substitute also provides for several program 
     purposes specific to the previous authority for the value-
     added producer grants. Finally, the amendment provides for 
     $50 million in CCC funds for FY2019 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, to remain available until expended. (Section 
     10102)
       The Managers recognize the increasing demand for local food 
     and value added production, so the Conference Substitute 
     includes $500 million in mandatory funding for the Local 
     Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), which combines the Value 
     Added Producer Grant program (VAPG) and the Farmers Market 
     Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program 
     (LFPP). The Managers have provided permanent funding for this 
     program to ensure that the program have baseline funding 
     hereafter. The Managers have agreed to form the LAMP to 
     encourage USDA to utilize administrative efficiencies and 
     increase coordination between Rural Development (RD) and 
     Agricultural

[[Page H10011]]

     Marketing Service (AMS) particularly through state and 
     regional USDA offices, with producers who are eligible for 
     these programs while preserving each program's core functions 
     and constituencies. The Managers intend for each program's 
     statutory authority, mission, grant priorities and activities 
     to be retained as before. In addition to administrative 
     efficiency and increased coordination, combining these 
     programs will provide additional support for local and 
     regional food system infrastructure, regional supply chain 
     coordination, and new food and agricultural products.
       The combined program includes a new focus on regional 
     partnerships to encourage a multi-stakeholder approach to 
     local food system development, while leveraging additional 
     funds and providing technical assistance to eligible 
     entities. The Managers intend that grants awarded to 
     partnerships be received and managed by either an eligible 
     entity or entities or partner or partners depending on the 
     terms of the partnership agreement or the application 
     submitted to USDA. One of the goals of a partnership is to 
     alleviate unnecessary administrative and technical barriers 
     for any applicant participating in a partnership. The 
     Conference Substitute includes provisions regarding 
     education, outreach, and application assistance duties for 
     partners, which the Managers view as an important component 
     for developing local and regional food systems in low-income 
     and underserved communities.
       The Managers intend that eligible entities for the farmers 
     market and local food grants, who participate in regional 
     partnerships, may apply for funding for both the partnership 
     and grant program in a single application.
       The Managers are aware of past stakeholder confusion 
     regarding the definition of direct producer sales that do not 
     involve an intermediary such as a food hub. It is the 
     Managers intent to support the development, coordination, and 
     expansion of direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-
     restaurants and direct producer-to-institutional marketing as 
     part of supporting the development, coordination and 
     expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing through 
     LAMP.
       The Managers recognize that farmer cooperatives efficiently 
     spread the benefits of the VAPG, including within LAMP, among 
     a large number of producers in the aggregate. Cooperatives by 
     their nature bring many producers together who individually 
     do not have the size, expertise and resources to take 
     advantage of the value chain beyond the farm gate, and they 
     give them the opportunity to profit from those down-stream 
     activities. Therefore, funds invested and the benefits of 
     projects generated by cooperatives through the VAPG are 
     distributed to a wide number of producers. Likewise, by 
     investing in initiatives of cooperatives, such projects lower 
     the overall costs to the government in program administration 
     per individual farmer that benefits. Therefore, the Managers 
     direct USDA to continue to treat cooperatives as a priority 
     in administering the VAPG of LAMP.
     (2) Organic certification
       The House bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the 
     ``Secretary'') to issue regulations to limit the type of 
     organic operations that are excluded from certification. The 
     bill further requires the Secretary to modernize trade 
     tracking and data collection systems, including full 
     traceability, as well as a report to Congress regarding 
     investigations and compliance actions. It authorizes the 
     Secretary to oversee and approve a certifying agent in a 
     foreign country and provides for annual certification.
       The House bill also directs the Secretary to establish 
     expedited and emergency procedures related to food, crop, or 
     human safety for placing a substance on the National List. 
     The provision allows for an employee of an owner or operator 
     of an organic farming operation to represent the owner or 
     operator on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and 
     allows for the convening of a task force to consult with the 
     Food and Drug Administration (``FDA'') or Environmental 
     Protection Agency (``EPA'') when deciding if a substance that 
     has been determined safe within the meaning of the Federal 
     Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or determined by the EPA to not 
     be harmful, should be included on the National List.
       The House bill authorizes sharing of certain information 
     during an investigation. It also authorizes a certifying 
     agent to require additional information from a producer and 
     handler under certain circumstances, and authorizes access to 
     cross border documentation systems. The section requires the 
     $5 million of CCC funds provided be available for 
     modernization of trade and data collection and to maintain 
     current database and technology upgrades. (Section 9006)
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to issue 
     regulations to limit the type of organic operations that are 
     excluded from certification, amends the definition of 
     ``certifying agent'', and defines the term ``national organic 
     program import certificate''. The amendment requires an 
     import certification for imports represented as organic in 
     the U.S. It further requires the Secretary to establish a 
     tracking system, modernize trade tracking and data collection 
     systems, including full traceability, and provide a report to 
     Congress on organic imports. It authorizes the Secretary to 
     oversee a certifying agent in a foreign country and provides 
     the certification be for a period of time consistent with the 
     certification of a domestic certifying agent.
       The provision also requires that a vote on an amendment to 
     the National List receives 2/3 of the votes when a quorum is 
     present.
       The Senate amendment authorizes sharing of certain 
     information during an investigation and for the review of an 
     accreditation of an agent in a foreign country and provides 
     access to cross border documentation systems. It authorizes 
     an organic agricultural product imports interagency working 
     group. The section requires $5 million of CCC funds be 
     provided for data collection. Finally, the section requires 
     certain provisions be carried out in a manner consistent with 
     all trade obligations. (Section 10104)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment providing for the oversight of foreign and 
     domestic certifying offices as well as notice and process 
     regarding new and suspended certifications. The amendment 
     also adopts the House provision regarding additional 
     documentation and verification.
       The amendment adopts the House provision regarding 
     employees of an owner or operator of an organic farming 
     operation to represent the owner or operator on the NOSB. 
     (Section 10104)
       The Managers recognize that fraudulent organic imports have 
     the potential to unfairly damage the reputation of the 
     National Organic Program's (NOP) organic certification system 
     and undercut domestic sales of certified organic products. 
     Therefore, the Managers agreed to provisions from both the 
     House-passed bill and Senate Amendment that are intended to 
     provide the Secretary with better data, information-sharing 
     and clarity of authority to identify and prevent known 
     compliance risks to the NOP, particularly those imported from 
     certifiers, handlers, or producers not accredited or 
     certified by USDA or covered under an organic equivalency 
     agreement. The Managers intend for these measures to be 
     consistent for all products covered under the NOP. The 
     Managers adopted and are applying a trade savings provision 
     to ensure USDA implementation does not inhibit trade in 
     organic agricultural products that are otherwise certified 
     and following NOP standards, as well as other trade 
     protocols.
       The Managers encourage improved coordination between 
     Federal agencies that oversee import protocols and agencies 
     responsible for organic certification and enforcement in 
     order to ensure information sharing and response in cases of 
     potential fraud. Since the NOP is a marketing and process-
     oriented program, the Managers provide funding for the 
     Secretary to establish and utilize more modern systems and 
     method to share data with other agencies both within USDA, 
     between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
     (APHIS), AMS, and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), as well 
     as outside of USDA, particularly U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection. In addition, the Conference Substitute adopts a 
     provision authorizing the Secretary to require producers and 
     handlers of imported organic products, in cases of a known 
     NOP compliance risk, to provide additional documentation, 
     including an NOP import certificate, as long as this 
     additional information is not more than is otherwise required 
     under an equivalency agreement negotiated between the United 
     States and the foreign government. The Managers codified the 
     oversight authority of the Secretary to accredit certifying 
     agents operating in a foreign country as well as certifying 
     offices and foreign operations located within the United 
     States. The Managers intend for the Secretary to implement 
     these measures to be consistent with such standards and 
     information as are required for domestic producers and 
     handlers within the NOP.
       The Managers appreciate the role of the National Organic 
     Standards Board (NOSB) as an advisory board that is governed 
     by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and works with 
     the AMS to consider and offer recommendations on a wide range 
     of issues involving the production, handling, and processing 
     of organic products. The Managers expect the Board and AMS to 
     be transparent and adhere to the best science and technical 
     assistance available, including from other science agencies, 
     to provide certainty and predictability to the agricultural 
     community and consumers.
       The Managers codified USDA measures and NOSB procedures, 
     currently in practice, to provide certainty to producers and 
     users of the NOP. The Conference Substitute adopts subsection 
     (e) of Sec. 10104 of the Senate Amendment to require 2/3 of 
     the votes cast at an NOSB meeting at which a quorum is 
     present to be a decisive vote regarding changes made to the 
     organic ``National List''. The Conference Substitute adopts 
     Subsection (c) of section 9006 of the House bill to allow for 
     an employee of an organic farming operation to represent the 
     owner or operator on the NOSB. An employee of an organic 
     farming operation, organic handling operation, or organic 
     retail establishment, as designated by the owner or company, 
     may be any employee, including a farmworker or minimum wage 
     employee.
       The Managers expect the NOSB, when reviewing potential 
     amendments to the National List, to consider the findings, 
     supporting data, and technical assistance made available by 
     the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the 
     safety and consumer health effects of pesticides registered 
     for use, and consider the findings, supporting

[[Page H10012]]

     data, and technical assistance made available by the U.S. 
     Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the safety and 
     consumer health of food additives. Given the continued 
     urgency in producer implementation of food safety standards 
     and requirements, the Managers encourage the NOSB, while 
     following the material review requirements established in the 
     Organic Foods Production Act, to establish procedures for 
     timely consideration and review of materials directly related 
     to food safety compliance for inclusion on the national list.
     (3) National organic certification cost-share program
       The Senate amendment strikes the directed delegation clause 
     to the AMS and authorizes $11.5 million of CCC funds for each 
     of FY 2019-23, to remain available until expended. There is 
     no authorization of appropriations. (Section 10105)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that provides $24 million of CCC funds for FY 
     2019-2023. (Section 10105)
       The Managers recognize that organic cost-share assistance 
     is an important resource for farmers desiring to transition 
     into organic production or to obtain organic 
     certification. In FY2017, the USDA transferred 
     administration of the National Organic Certification Cost 
     Share Program from the Agriculture Marketing Service to 
     the Farm Service Agency. During this transfer, USDA 
     obligated a fraction of the mandatory funding made 
     available for organic cost-share assistance. The Managers 
     direct the Secretary to expend all carryover funding that 
     was made available for the National Organic Certification 
     Cost Share Program, from fiscal years 2014 through 2018, 
     during fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The Managers also 
     direct the Secretary to develop and implement an outreach 
     plan to reach organic farmers interested in organic cost-
     share assistance.
     (4) Specialty crop block grants
       The House bill amends the administrative requirements of 
     the program to include and develop (in consultation with the 
     Secretary) an evaluation of performance through cooperative 
     agreements with State Departments of Agriculture and 
     stakeholders to periodically evaluate the program. It 
     authorizes the Secretary to use $5 million each fiscal year 
     2018-23 towards multistate projects and adds new grant 
     purposes. (Section 9004)
       The Senate amendment provision amends state plan 
     requirements to enhance the competitiveness of specialty 
     crops at the national, regional and local levels. It also 
     includes performance measures in the state plan developed by 
     the State department of agriculture, in consultation with 
     stakeholders. The Senate amendment requires the state plan to 
     identify best practices for methods to enhance the 
     competitiveness of specialty crops, requires an application 
     meet the state plan requirements, adds an annual evaluation 
     requirement regarding performance measures for States 
     receiving a grant, and increases the cap on administrative 
     expenses to 4 and 9 percent for the Secretary and States 
     respectively. The section also requires the Secretary to 
     provide guidance to States regarding best practices and 
     priorities prior to the submission of State plans each year. 
     It requires stakeholder input be used to develop priorities 
     and considered by the Secretary as States develop a plan 
     under eligibility requirements, clarifies the Administrator 
     shall administer funds of approved multistate projects, and 
     authorizes the Secretary to use $5 million each fiscal year 
     thereafter towards multistate projects. (Section 10107)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that clarifies the Secretary may directly 
     administer multistate projects for applicants in a 
     nonparticipating-State and provides for the evaluation of the 
     grant program. (Section 10107)
       The Managers intend for the Specialty Crop Block Grant 
     Program to be a state- driven program that improves the 
     competitiveness and meets the priorities of specialty crop 
     producers. The Managers are cognizant of the reporting 
     challenges imposed at the Federal level on States 
     administering Specialty Crop Block Grants and have therefore 
     elaborated on those crop priorities to guide, in a 
     cooperative manner, grant applicants, state departments of 
     agriculture, and USDA on the state plan requirements, 
     performance measures and evaluations needed to properly 
     allocate resources. To broaden specialty crop stakeholder 
     access to multi-state projects, the Managers adopted a 
     modification to allow USDA to directly administer all aspects 
     of multi-state projects for applicants in a nonparticipating 
     state.
     (5) Plant variety protection
       The House bill defines the term ``asexually reproduced'', 
     adds asexual multiplication as an act constituting 
     infringement of plant variety protection, and protects 
     asexual reproducible plant material from certain acts in 
     connection with sale, offering for sale or advertising. 
     (Section 9005)
       The Senate amendment is identical to section 9005(b) of the 
     House bill. (Section 10108)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 10108)
       The Managers recognize the importance of expanding the 
     scope of the Plant Variety Protection Act to provide the same 
     rights and protections provided to breeders of asexually 
     propagated plants. The Managers expect the Department of 
     Agriculture to promulgate the necessary rules and guidance to 
     implement these amendments to the Plant Variety Protection 
     Act no later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
     (6) Multiple crop and pesticide use survey
       The Senate amendment authorizes a multiple crop and 
     pesticide use survey. (Section 10109)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modification to include $500,000 of CCC funding for FY 2019, 
     to remain available until expended. (Section 10109)
       The Managers recognize the importance of crop protection 
     tools as crucial technologies for helping farmers prevent, 
     manage, and eradicate pests and plant diseases that threaten 
     crop production yields. The Managers intend for the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, acting through the Office of Pest Management 
     Policy, to conduct crop and pesticide use surveys for a 
     variety of crops for the use of risk assessment modeling and 
     mitigation for active ingredients. The Managers intend for 
     the multiple crop and pesticide use surveys to be conducted 
     frequently and in a timely manner to allow the Office of Pest 
     Management Policy sufficient time to respond to the 
     Environmental Protection Agency's 60-day comment periods 
     related to pesticide registrations. The Managers direct the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Office of 
     Management & Budget (OMB) to gain approval of a generic 
     clearance for the purposes of this provision to meet the 
     requirements of information collection review under the 
     Paperwork Reduction Act (and as outlined in an April 7, 2010, 
     OMB Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and 
     Agencies, and Independent Regulatory Agencies regarding 
     information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act). 
     The generic clearance is necessary for the Department of 
     Agriculture to gather and accurately communicate to the 
     Environmental Protection Agency information regarding the 
     agricultural community's actual use patterns and mitigations 
     in order for the Environmental Protection Agency's final 
     decisions to be more probabilistic and therefore more 
     accurate and data based.
     (7) Clarification of use of funds for technical assistance
       The Senate amendment excludes technical assistance under 
     this title of the 2018 farm bill from section 111 CCC cap. 
     (Section 10110)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 10112)
     (8) Hemp production
       The Senate amendment provision amends the Agricultural 
     Marketing Act of 1946 to allow States to regulate hemp 
     production based on a state or tribal plan. The amendment 
     requires that such plan includes information on locations of 
     hemp production, testing for THC concentration, disposal of 
     plants that are out of compliance, and negligence or other 
     violations of the state or tribal plan. It requires the 
     Secretary to establish a plan, in consultation with the U.S. 
     Attorney General, for States and tribes without USDA approved 
     plans to monitor and regulate hemp production. The section 
     clarifies that nothing in this subtitle affects or modifies 
     the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or authorities of 
     the HHS Secretary and FDA Commissioner and clarifies that 
     nothing in this title authorizes interference with the 
     interstate commerce of hemp. (Sections 10111 & 10112)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendment, including auditing authority and a grandfather 
     clause regarding program participation. (Sections 10113 and 
     10114)
       In Sec. 297A, the Managers intend to clarify, within the 
     hemp production subtitle, that hemp is defined as the plant 
     cannabis sativa L, or any part of that plant, including 
     seeds, derivatives, and extracts, with a delta-9 
     tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 
     percent on a dry weight basis.
       In Sec. 297B, the Managers intend to authorize states and 
     tribal governments to submit a state plan to the Secretary 
     for approval to have primary regulatory authority over the 
     growing and production of hemp. The Managers do not intend to 
     limit what states and tribal governments include in their 
     state or tribal plan, as long as it is consistent with this 
     subtitle. For example, states and tribal governments are 
     authorized to put more restrictive parameters on the 
     production of hemp, but are not authorized to alter the 
     definition of hemp or put in place policies that are less 
     restrictive than this title.
       Within 60 days of receiving a state or tribal plan, the 
     Secretary must approve or deny the plan. The Secretary is 
     required to consult with the Attorney General regarding the 
     approval or denial of state plans, but the Managers intend 
     for the final decision to be made by the Secretary. The 
     consultation with the Attorney General should not alter the 
     60 day requirement to approve or deny a plan.
       The Managers authorized the Secretary to audit state and 
     tribal compliance with an approved plan and take corrective 
     action, including revoking approval, based on a state or 
     tribal government's noncompliance, as appropriate. The 
     Managers intend to allow state and tribal governments to 
     appeal decisions by the Secretary pertaining to a state

[[Page H10013]]

     or tribal plan for hemp production and do not intend to 
     preclude a state or tribal government from resubmitting a new 
     state or tribal plan for consideration at a later date. If a 
     state or tribal plan is denied or revoked, the Managers 
     intend for hemp production in that state or tribal area to 
     fall under the Secretary's jurisdiction as authorized in 
     section 297C.
       The Secretary is authorized to provide technical assistance 
     to states and Indian tribes to aid in the development of a 
     state or tribal plan.
       The Managers define negligent and other types of producer 
     violations that require enforcement under a state or tribal 
     plan. The Managers also set limits on who may participate in 
     state or tribal plans. Any person convicted of a felony 
     relating to a controlled substance shall be ineligible to 
     participate under the state or tribal plan for a 10-year 
     period following the date of the conviction. However, this 
     prohibition shall not apply to producers who have been 
     lawfully participating in a state hemp pilot program as 
     authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014, prior to 
     enactment of this subtitle. Subsequent felony convictions 
     after the date of enactment of this subtitle will trigger 
     a 10-year nonparticipation period regardless of whether 
     the producer participated in the pilot program authorized 
     in 2014. Additionally, anyone who materially falsifies any 
     information in their application to participate in hemp 
     production through a state, tribal, or USDA plan shall be 
     ineligible.
       In Sec. 297C, the Managers intend to require the Secretary 
     to develop a USDA plan or plans to be implemented in states 
     and tribal territories that forego developing and submitting 
     a state or tribal hemp production plan. The Managers expect 
     the USDA plan or plans to meet the same content requirements 
     as state and tribal plans in Sec. 297B. The USDA plan may 
     contain, as determined by the Secretary, additional practices 
     and procedures that are otherwise consistent with this 
     subtitle. It is the Managers intent that the Secretary have 
     discretion regarding the appropriate number of plans, one or 
     more than one, needed to implement Sec. 297C.
       The Managers require the Secretary to collect, maintain, 
     and make accessible to Federal, state, territorial, and local 
     law enforcement, real-time information regarding the status 
     of a license or other authorization for all hemp producers, 
     whether participating under a state, tribal, or USDA plan. 
     The Managers encourage the Secretary to develop a memorandum 
     of understanding with Federal law enforcement agencies to 
     define the parameters of this system and to potentially share 
     the costs of such information sharing system.
       In Sec. 297D, the Managers clarify that the Secretary has 
     the sole authority to issue guidelines and regulations 
     regarding the production of hemp. However, nothing in this 
     subtitle shall affect or modify the authority granted to the 
     Food and Drug Administration and the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
     (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or section 351 of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262), including for hemp-derived 
     products. The Secretary is required to consult with the 
     Attorney General on the promulgation of regulations, but 
     ultimately, the regulations shall only be issued by the 
     Secretary of Agriculture. To ensure that the Secretary moves 
     forward with issuing regulations in as timely a fashion as 
     possible, the Secretary shall periodically report to Congress 
     with updates regarding implementation of this title.
       While states and Indian tribes may limit the production and 
     sale of hemp and hemp products within their borders, the 
     Managers, in Sec. 10112, agreed to not allow such states and 
     Indian tribes to limit the transportation or shipment of hemp 
     or hemp products through the state or Indian territory.
     (9) Recognition and role of State lead agencies
       The House bill amends section 2(aa) of the Federal 
     Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (``FIFRA'') to 
     include a definition of ``State lead agency'' for the 
     purposes of FIFRA. It amends section 22(b) of FIFRA by 
     limiting regulations to those promulgated by the EPA or 
     within the authority of a State lead agency. The subsection 
     further amends section 23(a)(1) of FIFRA to authorize States 
     or Tribes to establish and maintain uniform regulation of 
     pesticide through cooperative agreement with the 
     Administrator of the EPA (``Administrator''). The section 
     further amends section 24(a) of the FIFRA to restrict the 
     authority of a political subdivision of a State to regulate a 
     pesticide beyond the Federal limits. Additionally the House 
     bill amends section 25(a)(2) of FIFRA by requiring the 
     Administrator to publish any comments regarding prescribed 
     regulations promulgated pursuant to FIFRA from the Secretary 
     or any State lead agency in the Federal Register, including 
     any response to the comments, if such comments are received 
     within 30 days of receipt of a copy of any such regulation. 
     The section further allows for the Secretary or a State lead 
     agency to request that any comments sent to the Administrator 
     regarding prescribed regulations promulgated pursuant to 
     FIFRA within 15 days of receipt of a copy of the regulation, 
     including any responses to the comments, be published in the 
     Federal Register. (Section 9101)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (10) Pesticide registration and use
       The House bill amends section 3(c)(5) of the FIFRA to 
     require the Administrator of the EPA to register a pesticide 
     if the Administrator determines that the pesticide, when used 
     in accordance with widespread and commonly recognized 
     practices, is not likely to jeopardize the survival of a 
     federally listed threatened or endangered species or to alter 
     habitat critical for the survival or recovery of such 
     species. It further amends section 3 to require the 
     Administrator to use the best scientific and commercial 
     information available, which may include species and habitat 
     information from the Secretary of Interior or Secretary of 
     Commerce, and consider all restrictions on use when 
     considering the criteria for the registration of a pesticide. 
     The Administrator shall not be required to consult or 
     communicate with the Secretary of the Interior or the 
     Secretary of Commerce under the authority of any other 
     statute when making such determination, unless otherwise 
     petitioned by the registrant of the pesticide. The House bill 
     amends section 3(c)(7) of FIFRA to require the Administrator 
     to conditionally register or amend the registration of a 
     pesticide under special circumstances if the Administrator 
     determines that the pesticide, when used in accordance with 
     widespread and commonly recognized practices, is not likely 
     to jeopardize the survival of a federally listed threatened 
     or endangered species or to alter habitat critical for the 
     survival or recovery of such species. The House bill amends 
     section 3(g)(1)(A) of FIFRA to require the Administrator to 
     complete the determination, and subsequent periodic reviews, 
     that a pesticide, when used in accordance with widespread and 
     commonly recognized practices, is not likely to jeopardize 
     the survival of a federally listed threatened or endangered 
     species or to alter habitat critical for the survival or 
     recovery of such species, over the following schedule: by 
     October 1, 2026 for an active ingredient first registered on 
     or before October 1, 2007; by October 1, 2033 for an active 
     ingredient first registered between October 1, 2007 and the 
     day before enactment; and not later than 48 months after the 
     effective date of registration for an active ingredient 
     registered on or after the date of enactment. The House bill 
     amends section 5(a) of FIFRA to require the Administrator, 
     when issuing an experimental use permit for a pesticide, to 
     determine that the pesticide, when used in accordance with 
     widespread and commonly recognized practices, is not likely 
     to jeopardize the survival of a federally listed threatened 
     or endangered species or to alter habitat critical for the 
     survival or recovery of such species. The House bill amends 
     section 6(b) of FIFRA to require the Administrator, when 
     issuing a notice to cancel or change the classification of a 
     pesticide, to determine that the pesticide, when used in 
     accordance with widespread and commonly recognized practices, 
     is not likely to jeopardize the survival of a federally 
     listed threatened or endangered species or to alter habitat 
     critical for the survival or recovery of such species. The 
     House bill amends section 12 of FIFRA to clarify that any 
     taking of a federally listed threatened or endangered species 
     resulting from the lawful use of a pesticide determined by 
     the Administrator to meet the criteria specified in section 
     3(c)(5)(A)(v) is not considered unlawful. The House bill 
     amends section 24(c) of FIFRA to require the Administrator, 
     when denying a State pesticide registration, to determine 
     that the pesticide, when used in accordance with widespread 
     and commonly recognized practices, is not likely to 
     jeopardize the survival of a federally listed threatened or 
     endangered species or to alter habitat critical for the 
     survival or recovery of such species. The House bill directs 
     the Administrator to publish and continue to review a work 
     plan for completing required determinations and implementing 
     and enforcing registration standards. (Sections 9111, 9112, 
     9113, 9114, 9115 & 9116)
       The Senate amendment contain no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that establishes an interagency working group 
     and requires certain reports in section 3 of FIFRA. (Section 
     10115)
     (11) Use of authorized pesticides; Discharge of pesticides
       The House bill amends section 3(f) of FIFRA to direct the 
     Administrator or a State to not require a permit under the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act for a discharge from a 
     point source into navigable waters. It also amends section 
     402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by adding new 
     subsection(s) to prevent the Administrator or a State from 
     requiring a permit for a discharge into navigable waters of a 
     pesticide authorized under FIFRA except under listed 
     circumstances. (Sections 9117 and 9118)
       The Senate amendment contain no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (12) Enactment of Pesticide Registration Improvement 
         Enhancement Act of 2017
       The House bill enacts H.R. 1029. (Section 9119)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (13) Methyl bromide
       The House bill amends section 419 of the Plant Protection 
     Act to clarify the authorized uses of methyl bromide. It 
     allows the

[[Page H10014]]

     Secretary of Agriculture or a State, local, or Tribal 
     authority to authorize the qualified use of methyl bromide in 
     response to an emergency event. Subsection (a) also requires 
     that any State, local, or Tribal authority that authorizes 
     such use notify the Secretary within 5 days of such 
     determination. A State, local, or Tribal authority may not 
     authorize the use of methyl bromide if the Secretary objects 
     to the use within 5 days of the notification. The House bill 
     requires that a notification by any State, local, or Tribal 
     government contain a certification of the authorization to 
     use methyl bromide in response to an emergency event, a 
     description of the emergency event and the economic loss that 
     would result from such event, contact information for a 
     designated responsible individual of the authority, the 
     location of the emergency event including the total acreage 
     of the event, the identity of the pests to be controlled, 
     the total volume of methyl bromide to be used, and the 
     anticipated date of such use. It allows the Secretary to 
     object to an authorization of use within 5 days of receipt 
     of notification by a State, local, or Tribal authority. 
     The Secretary shall provide notification of the objection 
     in writing, including reasons for such objection and any 
     additional information that the Secretary would require to 
     withdraw the objection. The Secretary may object to an 
     authorization if the Secretary determines the notification 
     does not contain all the information required, does not 
     demonstrate the existence of an emergency event, or the 
     qualified use does not comply with the enumerated 
     limitations on use. Subsection (c) also allows the 
     Secretary to withdraw an objection if, within 14 days of 
     the transmission of the notification for authorized use, 
     the State, local, or Tribal government submits additional 
     information to the satisfaction of the Secretary. Upon 
     issuance of the withdrawal, the State, local, or Tribal 
     authority may authorize the use of methyl bromide subject 
     to the limitations of qualified use. The House bill deems 
     the production, distribution, sale, shipment, application, 
     or use of a pesticide containing methyl bromide pursuant 
     to an authorization under this section to also be 
     authorized under FIFRA, regardless of whether the use is 
     registered under FIFRA, and included on the approved label 
     for the product. The section limits the amount of methyl 
     bromide that may be used per specific location of an 
     emergency to 20 metric tons. Further, the aggregate amount 
     of methyl bromide that may be used in the U.S. in a 
     calendar year shall not exceed the total amount authorized 
     by the Montreal Protocol on Substances the Deplete the 
     Ozone Layer for critical use in the U.S. in calendar year 
     2011. It allows for the production or importation of 
     methyl bromide in response to an emergency event 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, gives the 
     Secretary exclusive authority for determining which 
     species are considered quarantine pests, and includes 
     definitions of relevant terms such as ``emergency event,'' 
     ``pests,'' and ``qualified use''. (Section 9121)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that requires a study on methyl bromide use in 
     response to an emergency event. (Section 10116)
       The Managers intend that the Secretary of Agriculture 
     engage substantively with the Secretary of State and the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
     throughout the planning and conduct of the study, and in 
     formulating any recommendations resulting from the study. The 
     Managers intend that the definition of ``emergency event'' in 
     this section only apply for the purposes, and the duration, 
     of the study.
     (14) Preventing the arrival in the United State of forest 
         pests through restrictions on the importation of certain 
         plants for planting
       The House bill addresses cooperation between the Animal and 
     Plant Health Inspection Service and the Forest Service to 
     intercept tree and wood pests and would require a report on 
     the interception of forest pests. (Section 9122)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that authorizes a report on forest pests. 
     (Section 10110)
     (15) Report on regulation of plant biostimulants
       The House bill authorizes a report on plant biostimulant 
     products and defines the term ``plant biostimulant''. 
     (Section 9201)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendment authorizing a study including authority for the 
     Secretary to modify the description of plant biostimulant. 
     (Section 10111)
       The Managers recognize the importance of plant 
     biostimulants as an emerging technology for production 
     agriculture. The Managers intend for the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, in consultation with Administrator of the EPA, 
     States, and relevant stakeholders, to provide a report to 
     Congress that identifies any potential regulatory, non- 
     regulatory, and legislative recommendations, including the 
     appropriateness of any definitions for plant biostimulants. 
     The Managers intend for this report to facilitate the 
     regulatory framework for plant biostimulant products and 
     ensure the efficient and appropriate review, approval, 
     uniform national labeling, and availability of these products 
     to agricultural producers.

                        Title XI--Crop Insurance

     (1) Definitions
       The Senate amendment defines ``cover crop termination'' and 
     ``hemp'' as used in the Federal Crop Insurance Act (the 
     ``Act''). (Section 11101)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11101)
     (2) Data collection
       The Senate amendment amends section 506(h)(2) of the Act to 
     require appropriate data collected by the National 
     Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and through the 
     Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) be provided 
     to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The data 
     must be provided in an aggregate form. (Section 11102)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11102)
       The Managers intend that any additional information made 
     available from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) related to NAP 
     records, which could assist with new product development, be 
     shared with the applicants under section 11103.
     (3) Sharing of records
       The Senate amendment amends section 506(h)(3) of the Act to 
     require the Secretary to share records with private 
     developers of crop insurance products who have received 
     payment under section 522(b)(2)(E) related to crop insurance 
     policy research and development costs. (Section 11103)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11103)
       The Managers intend that the sharing of records be limited 
     to policies directly being developed by the applicants.
     (4) Use of resources
       The Senate amendment amends section 507(f) of the Act to 
     update the resources, data, boards, and the committees the 
     Board should use within the Department, including sharing 
     information to support the transition of crops from NAP to 
     crop insurance. (Section 11104)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications that add board discretion and remove certain 
     assessment requirements. (Section 11104)
       The Managers recognize that the Risk Management Agency 
     (RMA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and FSA 
     serve a significant number of common program participants. 
     The Managers expect the agencies to coordinate to avoid 
     duplication, streamline or create common processes, and make 
     participants aware of opportunities even if the participants 
     are outside that particular agency. For example, a producer 
     may have some crops that are eligible for Federal Crop 
     Insurance and others that are eligible for FSA's NAP. The 
     Managers encourage USDA to establish procedures in both 
     agencies to make sure producers are informed of all of their 
     options for coverage without regard to which agency the 
     producers interact with first.
     (5) Specialty crops coordinator
       The Senate amendment amends section 507(g) of the Act to 
     require the Specialty Crops Coordinator to designate a 
     Specialty Crop Liaison in each regional field office, and to 
     establish a website focused on the efforts of the FCIC to 
     provide and expand crop insurance for specialty crop 
     producers. (Section 11105(a))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification to remove specific requirements for the 
     website. (Section 11105)
       The Managers intend for the website required under new 
     section 507(g)(5) of the Act to include an online mechanism 
     to provide comments relating to specialty crops and a 
     calendar publishing opportunities to provide comments at 
     specialty crop events or public forums. The Managers also 
     encourage the Specialty Crops Coordinator to publish on the 
     website a plan, with projected completion dates, for 
     expanding existing policies or plans of insurance for 
     specialty crops to new crops, new areas, and by adding new 
     revenue options or endorsements.
     (6) Addition of specialty crops and other value-added crops
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(a)(6) of the Act to 
     require the manager of the FCIC to annually prepare, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, at least 2 of each of the 
     following: (1) research and development for a policy or plan 
     of insurance for a new crop; (2) expansion of an existing 
     policy or plan of insurance to additional counties or states 
     (including malting barley); and (3) research and development 
     for a policy or plan of insurance, or endorsement, for crops 
     with existing policies or plans of insurance, such as dollar 
     plans. (Section 1105(b))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a technical modification replacing a description and an 
     amendment to decrease the number of required actions from 2 
     of each to 1 of each. (Section 11105)

[[Page H10015]]

       The Managers intend for this provision to be implemented in 
     coordination with other changes that improve data sharing 
     between FSA and RMA. The Managers intend for NAP data to be 
     used to support expanding Federal Crop Insurance to 
     additional crops and, for existing insurable crops, to 
     additional counties. The Managers recognize that Federal Crop 
     Insurance provides significantly better risk protection for 
     producers and expect the combination of these changes with 
     the annual review under this section to act as an ``on-ramp'' 
     for producers to more robust risk management options.
     (7) Insurance period
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(a)(2) of the Act to 
     add hemp. (Section 11106)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11106)
     (8) Cover crops
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(a)(3) of the Act to 
     include a conservation activity or enhancement (including 
     cover crops) that is approved by the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service or an agricultural expert. Requires that 
     voluntary good farming practices be considered a good farming 
     practice only if the insured crop may be expected to make 
     normal progress toward maturity under typical growing 
     conditions. It also provides standards for cover crop 
     termination and summer fallow in relation to insurability. 
     (Section 11107)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications to clarify termination guidelines and provides 
     that an exception can be recommended by the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service or an agricultural expert, as determined 
     by the Corporation, unless the exception is determined to be 
     unreasonable by the Corporation. (Section 11107)
       The Managers note that producers considering voluntary 
     conservation practices like cover crops, whether directly 
     through a USDA conservation program or informally according 
     to USDA's recommended procedures, should have confidence that 
     following the program guidance, procedures or advice will not 
     impact their insurability or protection under Federal Crop 
     Insurance. The Managers expect USDA to coordinate internally 
     and provide clear guidance to farmers, agents and loss 
     adjustors to ensure that guidance, procedures, or advice 
     regarding voluntary conservation practices from one part of 
     USDA does not potentially put other USDA benefits at risk.
     (9) Underserved producers
       The Senate amendment modifies section 508(a)(7) of the Act 
     to: (1) clarify that the definition of ``adequately served'' 
     applies ``by crop''; (2) add a definition of the term 
     ``underserved producer'' to mean ``a beginning farmer or 
     rancher, a veteran farmer or rancher, or a socially 
     disadvantaged farmer or rancher''; (3) include a review of 
     the types of production common among underserved producers 
     and types of production, such as diversified production for 
     local markets; and (4) require a report every 3 years to 
     include recommendations to increase participation in states 
     and among underserved producers that are not adequately 
     served by crop insurance. (Section 11108)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification to add Tribes and Tribal Members to the 
     definition of underserved producers. (Section 11108)
       The Managers recognize that while underserved producers are 
     involved in a wide variety of agricultural production and 
     crops, many of these producers are concentrated in certain 
     types of production. Therefore, the Managers intend for the 
     Board to examine types of production common among underserved 
     producers, including diversified production for local 
     markets.
     (10) Administrative basic fee
       The House bill increases the basic administrative fee to 
     $500 per crop per county. (Section 10002)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     modifications to set the basic administrative fee at $655 per 
     crop per county. (Section 11110)
     (11) Prevention of duplicate coverage
       The House bill amends section 508(c)(1) of the Act to 
     provide that crops for which the producer has elected 
     Agriculture Risk Coverage, or that are enrolled in the 
     Stacked Income Protection Plan, are ineligible for coverage 
     based on an area yield and loss basis or supplemental 
     coverage. It also makes certain conforming amendments. 
     (Section 10003)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (12) Performance-based discount
       The House bill amends section 508(d) of the Act to repeal 
     the authority for performance-based discounts for producers. 
     It also makes certain conforming amendments. (Section 10004)
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(d)(3) of the Act to 
     allow the FCIC to offer premium discounts for practices that 
     can be demonstrated to reduce risk, considering precision 
     irrigation, fertilization, crop rotations, cover crops, and 
     other appropriate practices. (Section 11109)
       The Conference substitute deletes both provisions.
       The Managers note that Federal Crop Insurance must be made 
     available to all producers at rates and prices set by the 
     RMA. Rebating is strictly prohibited by the Act, with 
     specific limited exceptions. This prohibition against 
     rebating, whether in the form of discounts, incentives, or 
     other inducements, ensures fair treatment for all producers. 
     The Managers commend RMA for taking the rebating prohibition 
     seriously and carrying out section 508(a)(9)(B)(iii) in a 
     manner that is consistent with Congressional intent and 
     current law.
     (13) Enterprise units
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(e)(5) of the Act to 
     allow a producer to establish a single enterprise unit by 
     combining across county lines: (1) enterprise units; or (2) 
     all basic units and all optional units. (Section 11110)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11111)
       The Managers do not intend for the new section 508(e)(5)(E) 
     of the Act to mandate enterprise units that would cross state 
     boundaries. Further, the Managers do not intend to change the 
     Corporation's authority to offer enterprise units, beyond the 
     authority to combine enterprise units as provided in new 
     section 508(e)(5)(E).
     (14) Treatment of forage and grazing
       The House bill amends section 508(b)(1) of the Act to 
     strike the exception that provides that catastrophic risk 
     protection plans shall not be available for crops and grasses 
     used for grazing. It also adds a new section 508D, which 
     permits separate crop insurance policies, including a 
     catastrophic risk protection plan under which crops that can 
     be both grazed and mechanically harvested on the same acres 
     during the same growing season are eligible. Provides that 
     such separate policies can be independently indemnified for 
     each intended use. Additionally, the House bill amends 
     section 508(n) of the Act to specifically except coverage 
     under the new section 508D from the section 508(n) 
     limitations. (Section 10001)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     technical modifications to clarify the provision allows 
     producers to purchase separate policies for each intended 
     use, as determined by the FCIC, and any indemnity paid under 
     those policies for each intended use shall not be considered 
     to be for the same loss for the purposes of section 508(n) of 
     the Act. (Section 11109)
       The Managers note there are a suite of programs 
     administered by FSA or offered by RMA that address risks 
     faced by livestock owners and forage producers. The Managers 
     believe the Secretary should take into consideration the 
     different causes of loss covered by these programs when 
     carrying out the limitation on multiple benefits for the same 
     loss.
     (15) Pasture, rangeland, and forage policy for members of 
         Indian tribes
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(e)(7) of the Act to 
     provide premium subsidy at the rate of 90 percent for a 
     member of an Indian tribe for the first purchase of Pasture, 
     Rangeland, and Forage insurance. (Section 11111)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (16) Continued authority
       The House bill amends section 508(g) to require FCIC to 
     establish: (1) underwriting rules to provide producers with 
     an election to limit the decrease in actual production 
     history (APH) to not more than 10 percent of the prior crop 
     year's APH, provided that the production decline was the 
     result of drought, flood, natural disaster, or other 
     insurable loss; and (2) actuarially sound premiums to cover 
     the additional risk. (Section 10005)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 11112)
       The Managers note that RMA has a long history of offering 
     producers protection from a decrease of more than 10% in 
     their APH. The Managers intend for RMA to continue offering 
     this option to producers in conjunction with other APH 
     adjustments in statute.
     (17) Submission of policies and materials to the board
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(h) of the Act to 
     authorize the FCIC Board, in the case of a policy, pilot 
     program, and other materials relating to the production of 
     hemp, to waive the viability and marketability requirements 
     under section 508(h). (Section 11112)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11113)
     (18) Whole farm revenue agent incentives
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(k) of the Act to 
     provide an additional reimbursement to an agent that sells a 
     Whole Farm Revenue Policy. (Section 11113)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.

[[Page H10016]]

  

     (19) Crop production on native sod
       The Senate amendment amends section 508(o)(2)(A) of the Act 
     to provide that: (1) during the period beginning on February 
     8, 2014, and ending on the date of enactment of the 2018 farm 
     bill, native sod acreage that has been tilled for the 
     production of an insurable crop shall be subject to 4 
     cumulative years of a reduction in benefits. Additionally, 
     the Senate amendment provides that, as a condition on the 
     receipt of crop insurance benefits, a producer that has 
     tilled native sod acreage for the production of an insurable 
     crop shall certify that acreage to the Secretary using a 
     specified acreage report form and 1 or more maps, and submit 
     corrections or updates as appropriate. It also requires the 
     Secretary to submit an annual report to the House Committee 
     on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry (the ``Agriculture Committees'') 
     describing the tilled native sod acreage that has been 
     certified in each county and State. (Section 11114)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments to clarify that native sod acreage that has been 
     tilled would be subject to a reduction in benefits for not 
     more than four cumulative years during the first ten years 
     after initial tillage. The amendment also removes the option 
     for a governor of a State to elect to have the requirements 
     apply to the State, if the State is not currently subject to 
     the requirements. (Section 11114)
       The Managers intend for producers in Iowa, Minnesota, 
     Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota who till 
     native sod to have either a reduction in crop insurance 
     benefits or have the land not participate in crop insurance 
     for a significant period. By making the reduction in benefits 
     cover any insurable crop rather than annual crops, the 
     Managers intend to remove the possibility of a producer 
     avoiding these ramifications by planting a perennial crop.
     (20) Use of national agricultural statistics service data to 
         combat waste, fraud, and abuse
       The Senate amendment amends section 515(d)(1) of the Act to 
     include the use of published aggregate data from NASS or any 
     other data source to: (1) detect yield disparities or other 
     data anomalies that indicate potential fraud; and (2) target 
     the relevant counties, crops, regions, companies, or agents 
     associated with that potential fraud for audits and other 
     enforcement actions. (Section 11115)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11115)
       The Managers encourage the FCIC to incorporate or include 
     published aggregate data from the NASS in existing data 
     mining efforts and other activities to combat waste, fraud, 
     and abuse. The Managers do not intend for the additional data 
     sets to duplicate, substitute, or replace ongoing fraud 
     reduction efforts and activities, such as data mining 
     currently carried out by the Center for Agribusiness 
     Excellence.
     (21) Submission of information to corporation
       The Senate amendment amends section 515(g) of the Act to 
     require Approved Insurance Providers (``AIPs'') to submit to 
     FCIC the actual production history used to establish 
     insurable yields not later than 30 days after the applicable 
     production reporting date for the crop to be insured. 
     (Section 11116)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to limit the submission requirements with 
     respect to a policy for a covered commodity (as defined in 
     section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) 
     and to allow AIPs the ability to correct errors in the 
     information. (Section 11116)
       The Managers intend for the FCIC to establish procedures to 
     collect actual production history to be used to establish 
     insurable yields from AIPs. The Managers intend for the 
     information to be shared with FSA for use in administering 
     commodity programs. The Managers expect the FCIC to implement 
     this provision in a reasonable manner without penalty to 
     producers or AIPs, while continuing to allow AIPs the ability 
     to correct errors in the information.
     (22) Acreage report streamlining initiative
       The Senate amendment amends section 515(j)(1)(B)(ii) of the 
     Act to: (1) provide that producers may report acreage and 
     other information to the Department electronically (including 
     in the form of geospatial data) or conventionally; (2) 
     require the Administrators of the RMA and the FSA to 
     implement a consistent method for determining crop acreage, 
     acreage yields, farm acreage, property descriptions, and 
     other common informational requirements, including measures 
     of common land units; and (3) require each AIP to accept from 
     a producer or an authorized agent of a producer reports of 
     crop acreage, acreage yields, and other information 
     electronically (including in the form of geospatial data) or 
     conventionally. (Section 11117)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
       The Managers note that direction on this joint initiative 
     between RMA and FSA has been consolidated in title I. The 
     Managers expect RMA and the FCIC to continue to coordinate 
     with FSA and to make significant progress to streamline 
     processes for producers.
     (23) Continuing education for loss adjusters and agents
       The Senate amendment amends section 515 of the Act to 
     further require FCIC to establish requirements for continuing 
     education for loss adjusters and agents of AIPs to ensure 
     that both are familiar with appropriate conservation 
     activities and agronomic practices that are common and 
     appropriate to the area in which the insured crop being 
     inspected is produced, and include organic and sustainable 
     practices. (Section 11118)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification to broaden the education topics. (Section 
     11117)
     (24) Funding for information technology
       The Senate amendment bill amends section 515(k) of the Act 
     to provide $1 million for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020. 
     (Section 11119)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
     (25) Program administration
       The House bill reduces the amount that FCIC may use under 
     section 516(b)(2)(C)(i) to not more than $7 million per 
     fiscal year. (Section 11119)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 11118)
     (26) Agricultural commodity
       The Senate amendment adds hemp to the list of commodities 
     enumerated in section 518. (Section 11120)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11119)
       The Managers expect that in determining the insurability of 
     a crop of hemp under the Act, and in providing insurance 
     options to hemp producers, RMA will collaborate with the 
     appropriate USDA, state, or tribal authorities as necessary 
     to do so consistent with the regulations and guidelines 
     established in subtitle G of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
     of 1946. The Managers note that USDA or the appropriate state 
     or tribal authority, and not AIPs, agents, or loss adjusters, 
     bear the responsibility of determining that a crop grown as 
     hemp complies with the applicable regulations and guidelines 
     under Subtitle G.
       The Managers also intend for ``aquacultural species'' to 
     include algae species as determined appropriate by the Board.
     (27) Maintenance of policies; Reimbursement of research, 
         development, and maintenance costs
       House bill section 10007(a) amends section 522(b) of the 
     Act to--
       (1) allow for reimbursement of ``reasonable and actual 
     research and development costs'' for policies that have been 
     approved by the FCIC Board;
       (2) require that costs of the applicant shall be considered 
     ``reasonable and actual costs'' if the costs are based on--
       (A) wage rates equal to 2 times the hourly wage rate plus 
     benefits, as provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; or
       (B) actual documented costs incurred by the applicant;
       (3) designate the applicant (as opposed to the AIP) 
     authority to determine whether to maintain a policy, and to 
     establish the fee to be paid for maintenance of the policy;
       (4) require the FCIC Board to approve the amount of a fee 
     unless the Board determines, based on substantial evidence in 
     the record, that the amount of the fee unnecessarily inhibits 
     the use of the policy; and
       (5) prohibit the FCIC Board from disapproving a user fee 
     based on its comparison to a maintenance fee, or on the 
     potential for the fee to result in a financial gain or loss 
     to the applicant.
       The House bill also provides that the amendments shall 
     apply to reimbursement requests made on or after October 1, 
     2016, and that requests for reimbursement previously denied 
     between October 1, 2016, and the date of enactment of this 
     Act may be resubmitted. (Section 10007).
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to clarify reasonable costs apply to any employees 
     or contracted personnel costs. The amendment also modifies 
     the requirements for the Board to approve or disapprove the 
     amount of a maintenance fee, by including that the fee shall 
     remain in effect and not be reviewed by the Board unless 
     specified criteria are met. (Section 11120)
       The Managers believe the remuneration provided to the 
     submitters of policies developed under the 508(h) process 
     ensures that underserved commodities have a fair opportunity 
     to benefit from innovative risk management solutions. The 
     Managers expect RMA and the FCIC Board to work with private 
     submitters and those maintaining the policies developed to 
     determine fair compensation for work on these policies.
     (28) Maintenance of policies; reimbursement of research, 
         development, and maintenance costs
       The Senate amendment amends 522(b) of the Act to waive the 
     viability and marketability requirements for hemp under 
     paragraphs (2) and (3). (Section 11121)

[[Page H10017]]

       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11121)
     (29) Research and development priorities and authorities
       The House bill amends paragraph (7) of the Act (as 
     redesignated from current paragraph (19)) to define 
     ``beginning farmer or rancher'' for purposes of research and 
     development of whole farm insurance plans as having actively 
     operated and managed a farm or ranch for less than 10 years. 
     This is longer for these purposes than the Act's underlying 
     definition as having actively operated and managed a farm or 
     ranch for up to 5 years. (Section 10008)
       The Senate amendment amends paragraph (7) (as redesignated 
     from current paragraph (19)) of the Act to require FCIC, 
     within 2 years, to hold stakeholder meetings to solicit 
     feedback, review and modify procedures and paperwork 
     requirements to decrease burdens, and increase flexibility 
     and effectiveness. (Section 11122)
       The Conference substitute adopts both provisions with 
     amendments to include additional factors the FCIC Board shall 
     consider during review of the whole farm revenue protection 
     policy. (Section 11122)
       The Managers note the continued growth of Whole Farm 
     Revenue Policies (WFRP). The Managers believe that this 
     policy has the potential to provide vital risk management to 
     producers who are underserved by crop insurance and enhance 
     options for existing policy holders. The Managers note that 
     WFRP has the potential to provide meaningful risk protection 
     for non-traditional agricultural commodities (e.g. 
     aquaculture) or production and marketing systems (e.g. urban, 
     local food, or greenhouses), that are not served as well 
     under current yield or revenue-based policies for individual 
     crops.
       The Managers believe that RMA should make WFRP policies 
     more effective. In carrying out the review described in new 
     section 522(c)(7)(E) of the Act, the Managers urge RMA to 
     expedite the analysis of removing the cap on livestock and 
     nursery revenue, incorporating crop insurance indemnities and 
     NAP payments into historical revenue, and allowing all 
     producers, regardless of total average revenue, to insure up 
     to the maximum amount of liability. Additionally, the 
     Managers expect RMA to solicit input from the diverse group 
     of producers participating in WFRP and take appropriate steps 
     to streamline, add flexibility or tailor program rules to 
     diverse producers' needs and circumstances.
       The Managers also expect RMA to work with FSA to notify the 
     existing beginning farmers registered with FSA of the 
     additional benefits under WFRP related to the newly aligned 
     beginning farmer definition.
     (30) Tropical storm or hurricane insurance
       The House bill adds a new section 522(c)(9) of the Act to 
     require FCIC to enter into 1 or more contracts with qualified 
     entities to carry out research and development of policies 
     (including for tomato, pepper, and citrus crops) (1) against 
     losses due to a tropical storm or hurricane; (2) to evaluate 
     the effectiveness of a risk management tool for a low 
     frequency, catastrophic loss weather event; and (3) to 
     provide protection for production or revenue losses, or both. 
     (Section 10008(c))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     technical modifications. (Section 11122)
       The Managers note hurricanes and tropical storms caused 
     significant agricultural damage in 2017 and 2018 to crops 
     with high levels of crop insurance participation, but low 
     levels of coverage, which led to passage of additional ad hoc 
     disaster assistance. The Managers expect RMA to identify 
     policies that could provide cost effective insurance options 
     for catastrophic weather events such as tropical storms and 
     hurricanes to alleviate the need for such disaster assistance 
     in the future.
     (31) Subsurface irrigation practices
       The House bill adds a new section 522(c)(10) of the Act to 
     require that FCIC offer to enter into a contract with a 
     qualified entity to conduct research and development on the 
     creation of a separate practice for subsurface irrigation, 
     including the establishment of a separate transitional yield 
     within the county that is reflective of the average gain in 
     productivity and yield associated with the installation of a 
     subsurface irrigation system. (Section 10008(c))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     technical modifications. (Section 11122)
       The Managers note that instantaneous gains in productivity 
     can be achieved through the adoption of subsurface irrigation 
     systems. The Managers expect these methods to be carefully 
     examined and, if appropriate, treated as a separate 
     irrigation practice so that a producer's APH may more 
     accurately reflect the yield and revenue potential of the 
     crop following the installation of such system.
     (32) Irrigated grain sorghum crop insurance policy
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(9) of the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or to enter into 1 or more 
     contracts with qualified entities to carry out, research and 
     development regarding improvements to 1 or more policies to 
     insure irrigated grain sorghum, and alternative methods for 
     producers with not more than 4 years of production history to 
     insure irrigated grain sorghum. It also requires the FCIC to 
     submit within 1 year to the Agriculture Committees a report 
     that describes the results of the study and any related 
     recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     technical modifications and an amendment to study grain 
     sorghum rates and yields compared to policies for other feed 
     grains. (Section 11112)
     (33) Study and report on grain sorghum rates and yields
       The House bill adds a news section 522(c)(11) of the Act to 
     require that FCIC enter into a contract with a qualified 
     entity to conduct a study to assess the differences in rates, 
     average yields, and coverage levels of grain sorghum policies 
     as compared to other feed grains within a county. It also 
     requires FCIC to submit to the Agriculture Committees a 
     report that describes the results of the study within 1 year. 
     (Section 10008(c))
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
     (34) Limited irrigation practices
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(10) of the 
     Act to require FCIC to: expand the availability of the 
     limited irrigation insurance program to not fewer than 2 
     neighboring States; carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
     more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
     research on the marketability of the existing limited 
     irrigation insurance program; and make recommendations on how 
     to improve participation in the program. It also requires a 
     qualified person, in carrying out the research, to 
     collaborate with certain researchers, and State and Federal 
     officials; provide recommendations to encourage limited 
     irrigation and water conservation; and develop applicable 
     web-based applications. Additionally, the section requires 
     FCIC to submit within 18 months to the Agriculture Committees 
     a report that describes the results of the study, 
     recommendations, and any actions taken by FCIC to carry out 
     the recommendations. (Section 11122(10))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendments to include ``consider expanding'' and remove the 
     requirement of expansion to not fewer than two states. 
     (Section 11122)
     (35) Quality loss
       The House bill adds a new section 522(c)(12) to the Act to 
     require that FCIC offer to enter into a contract with a 
     qualified entity to conduct research and development on the 
     establishment of an alternative method of adjusting for 
     quality losses that does not impact the average production 
     history of producers. Notwithstanding subsections (g) and (m) 
     of section 508 of the Act, it requires that if FCIC uses any 
     method developed as a result of the contract to adjust for 
     quality losses, such method shall be optional for producers 
     to elect to use, and offered at an actuarially sound premium 
     rate. (Section 10008(c))
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(11) to the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
     more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
     research and development on establishing alternative methods 
     of adjusting for quality losses.
       Notwithstanding subsections (g) and (m) of section 508 of 
     the Act, any method developed under the research and 
     development that is used by FCIC shall be optional for a 
     producer to use, and offered at an actuarially sound premium 
     rate. The section states not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment, FCIC shall submit to the Agriculture Committees 
     a report that describes the results of the research and 
     development. (Section 11122(4))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification regarding actual loss. (Section 11122)
       The Managers intend for the research and development 
     required under new section 522(c)(10) of the Act to include, 
     but not be limited to, wheat for alternative methods of 
     adjusting for quality losses. The Managers also intend the 
     requirements in subparagraph (B) of the new section 
     522(c)(10) to be considered during the research and 
     development.
     (36) Citrus
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(12) to the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
     more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
     research and development on the insurance of citrus fruit, 
     including improvements to 1 or more existing policies, 
     including the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection pilot policy; 
     alternative methods of insuring revenue for citrus; and the 
     development of new, or expansion of existing, revenue 
     policies for citrus fruit. It requires FCIC to submit within 
     1 year to the Agriculture Committees a report that describes 
     the results of the study and any related recommendations. 
     (Section 11122(4))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11122)

[[Page H10018]]

  

     (37) Greenhouse policy
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(13) to the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
     more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
     research and development on a policy to insure in a 
     controlled environment such as a greenhouse the production of 
     floriculture, nursery, and bedding plants; or the 
     establishment of cuttings, seedlings or tissue culture in a 
     growing medium. It requires FCIC to make a policy or plan of 
     insurance available notwithstanding law that otherwise 
     requires that: losses must be due to drought, flood, or other 
     natural disaster (508(a)(1)); and insurance shall not extend 
     beyond the period during which the insured commodity is in 
     the field. The section requires FCIC to submit within 1 year 
     to the Agriculture Committees a report that describes the 
     results of the research and development and any related 
     recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11122)
       The Managers intend for the research and development to 
     consider policies or plans for coverage that are limited to 
     losses outside of the producer's control or management, and 
     that the producer follow good farming practices. The Managers 
     expect RMA to consider all potential eligible losses and 
     encourage the review of circumstances related to the 
     Ralstonia outbreak in 2005 in Michigan and other states as it 
     develops a policy.
     (38) Hops
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(14) to the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or to enter into 1 or more 
     contracts with qualified persons to carry out, research and 
     development regarding a policy to insure the production of 
     hops or revenue derived from the production of hops. It 
     requires FCIC to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture 
     Committees a report that describes the results of the 
     research and development and any related recommendations. 
     (Section 11122(4))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11122)
     (39) Local foods
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(15) to the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
     more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
     research and development on a policy to insure production of 
     floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestock, or the 
     products of floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, or 
     livestock, that is targeted toward local consumers and 
     markets. Additionally, the section requires that the research 
     and development evaluate the effectiveness of policies and 
     plans of insurance for production targeted toward local 
     consumers and markets, based on a detailed list of factors. 
     The section requires FCIC to submit within 1 year to the 
     Agriculture Committees a report that examines whether a 
     version of existing policies such as the Whole-Farm Revenue 
     Protection insurance plan may provide improved coverage for 
     producers of local foods, describes the results of the 
     research and development, and any related recommendations. 
     (Section 11122(4))
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     modifications to the research and development as a 
     feasibility study and to remove a specific list of marketing 
     strategies to be evaluated. (Section 11122)
       The Managers intend for the feasibility study to consider a 
     variety of marketing strategies for local foods including 
     direct-to-consumer; farmers markets; farm-to-institution; and 
     community-supported agriculture.
     (40) Insurable irrigation practices for rice
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(16) to the 
     Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
     more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
     research and development to include new and innovative 
     irrigation practices under the current rice policy, or the 
     development of a distinct plan of insurance or policy 
     endorsement rated for rice produced using alternate wetting 
     and drying practices (also referred to as ``intermittent 
     flooding''), and furrow irrigation practices. It requires 
     FCIC to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture Committees a 
     report that describes the results of the research and 
     development and any related recommendations. (Section 
     11122(4))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 11122)
     (41) High-risk, highly productive batture land policy
       The Senate amendment adds to the Act a new section 
     522(c)(17) to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter 
     into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to 
     carry out, research and development to insure producers of 
     corn, cotton, and soybeans with operations on highly 
     productive batture land within the Lower Mississippi River 
     Valley that have a history of production of not less than 5 
     years, and that have been impacted by more frequent flooding 
     over the past 10 years due to sedimentation and federally 
     constructed engineering improvements. It requires FCIC to 
     make a policy or plan of insurance available notwithstanding 
     law that otherwise requires that: losses must be due to 
     drought, flood, or other natural disaster (508(a)(1)); and 
     insurance shall not extend beyond the period during which the 
     insured commodity is in the field. Additionally the section 
     requires FCIC to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture 
     Committees a report that examines whether a version of 
     existing policies may be tailored to provide improved 
     coverage for batture-land producers, describes the results of 
     the research and development, and any related 
     recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a provision to remove the reference to a specific river mile 
     location within the Lower Mississippi River Valley. (Section 
     11122)
     (42) Extension of funding for research and development
       The House bill repeals section 522(d) of the Act and 
     reduces funding from $12.5 million to $8 million annually. 
     (Section 10009)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to maintain the authority for partnerships for 
     risk management development. (Section 11123)
       The Managers note that under the partnerships authority in 
     section 522(d), RMA is not required to offer Risk Management 
     Education grants, and that crop insurance education grants 
     for underserved producers have been consolidated under the 
     Partnerships for Risk Management Education in section 524. In 
     allocating the funding available under section 522, the 
     Managers expect RMA to prioritize research and development 
     activities.
     (43) Education and risk management assistance
       The House bill amends section 524 of the Act to: eliminate 
     the crop insurance education program for underserved states 
     (section 524(a)(2)) and its funding; eliminate the 
     Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program (section 
     524(b)) and its funding; and maintain the competitive grant 
     program to educate agricultural producers and its $5 million 
     in annual funding. (Section 10010)
       The Senate amendment amends section 524(a)(3)(A) of the Act 
     to add ``conservation activities'' to the list of allowable 
     activities funded under the partnerships for risk management 
     education. (Section 11123).
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendments to consolidate the crop insurance education grants 
     for underserved producers with the Partnerships for Risk 
     Management Education in section 524 of the Act and to 
     maintain the authority and funding for the Agriculture 
     Management Assistance program. (Section 11125)
       The Managers intend for educational programs for 
     underserved producers in this title to include users of dairy 
     risk management policies or plans for coverage.
     (44) Cropland report annual updates
       The Senate amendment amends section 11014(c)(2) of the Act 
     to extend the annual reporting requirement through 2023. 
     (Section 11124)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
     striking the cropland report authority and annual 
     requirements. (Section 11126)
       The Managers note that the cropland report was consolidated 
     with the native sod report and appears in new section 1614(f) 
     of the Agricultural Act of 2014, as added by section 1706(f) 
     in title 1 of this bill.

                        Title XII--Miscellaneous

     (1) Sheep production and marketing grant program
       The House bill provides $2 million in CCC mandatory funds 
     for FY 2019 to carry out section 209 of the Agricultural Act 
     of 1946, to remain available until expended. (Section 
     11304(e)(3))
       The Senate amendment amends section 209 to authorize 
     appropriations of $1.5 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
     through 2023. (Section 12101)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendment. The House bill established a Textile Trust Fund, 
     of which the Sheep Marketing and Production Grant Program was 
     an underlying subsection. The Conference substitute provides 
     $2 million in CCC mandatory funds for FY 2019 to carry out 
     section 209 of the Agricultural Act of 1946, to remain 
     available until expended, but does so within the existing 
     authority, rather than as a subsection of a Textile Trust 
     Fund. (Section 12102)
     (2) National Animal Health Laboratory Network
       The House bill addresses funding of the National Animal 
     Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) by amending section 10417 
     of the Animal Health Protection Act and providing mandatory 
     funding of $30 million for fiscal year 2019, to remain 
     available until expended. Additionally, the bill provides 
     funding of up to $20 million for each of fiscal years 2020 
     through 2023 to carry out the NAHLN, the National Animal 
     Health Vaccine Bank, or the National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness and Response Program. The bill further 
     reauthorizes the authorization for appropriations of $15 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019-2023, to remain 
     available until expended. The existing authorization of 
     appropriations for NAHLN in section 10409A(d) is repealed 
     through a conforming amendment. (Section 11101)

[[Page H10019]]

       The Senate amendment amends section 10409A(d) to increase 
     the authorization of appropriations to $30 million per year 
     for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 12102)
       The Conference substitute amends the existing NAHLN 
     authority to establish a program addressing animal disease 
     prevention and management. It further establishes the 
     National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program 
     (NADPRP) and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
     Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). The substitute provides $120 
     million of mandatory funding for the period of fiscal years 
     2019-2022, of which $100 million is to be allocated among the 
     NAHLN, the NADPRP and the NAVVCB. It further provides $30 
     million of mandatory funding for fiscal year 2023 and each 
     year thereafter, of which $12 million is to be allocated 
     among the NAHLN, the NADPRP and the NAVVCB. Additionally, the 
     authorization for appropriations for the NAHLN is increased 
     to $30 million per year for fiscal years 2019-2023, to remain 
     available until expended. Finally, conforming amendments are 
     made to the existing authorization for appropriations for 
     NAHLN in section 10409A (Section 12101).
       The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) 
     serves to connect state, federal and university laboratories 
     to coordinate animal disease surveillance and testing 
     capabilities, and supports the National Veterinary Services 
     Laboratory by providing early confirmation of animal 
     diseases. During the 2015 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian 
     Influenza, many disease confirmation tests were conducted by 
     laboratories operating under the NAHLN, and this rapid 
     confirmation allowed for depopulation of infected flocks and 
     establishment of safety protocols around infected farms. 
     These timely actions were made possible by NAHLN laboratories 
     providing early diagnosis of the disease and were critical in 
     curtailing the outbreak.
       The Managers recognize the need for modernization of 
     laboratory testing capabilities and information technology 
     infrastructure across the NAHLN. Section 12101 of this act 
     provides $120 million of Commodity Credit Corporation funds 
     for the period of fiscal years 2019-2022, of which $100 
     million is to be allocated among the NAHLN, the National 
     Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and 
     the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures 
     Bank (NAVVCB). For fiscal year 2023 and each year thereafter, 
     the Managers provide $30 million of Commodity Credit 
     Corporation funds, of which $12 million is to be allocated 
     among the NAHLN, the NADPRP and the NAVVCB. Additionally, the 
     authorization for appropriations for the NAHLN is increased 
     to $30 million per year for fiscal years 2019-2023.
       The Managers intend for the Secretary to make annual 
     assessments on how best to allocate a portion of the funds 
     provided under Section 12101 in order to address animal 
     disease preparedness and response needs that may vary from 
     year to year.
     (3) National animal disease preparedness, response, and 
         recovery program; national animal vaccine and veterinary 
         countermeasures bank
       The House bill establishes the National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal 
     Health Vaccine Bank, to address the risk of introduction and 
     spread of animal pests and disease affecting the economic 
     interests of the U.S. livestock and related industries, 
     including the maintenance and expansion of export markets. 
     The bill requires that the program be carried out by the 
     Secretary through cooperative agreements with eligible 
     entities, including a State department of agriculture or 
     universities. Specific activities that are to be carried out 
     through cooperative agreements are described in this 
     subsection. Section 10409B further describes program 
     application processes and priorities, use of funds, and 
     reporting requirements similar to those provided by the 
     Senate Amendment.
       The House bill further establishes the National Animal 
     Health Vaccine Bank for the benefit of the domestic interests 
     of the United States and to help protect the U.S. agriculture 
     and food system against terrorist attack, major disaster, and 
     other emergencies. The bill requires that the Vaccine Bank 
     maintains sufficient quantities of animal vaccine, antiviral, 
     therapeutic, or diagnostic products to appropriately and 
     rapidly respond to animal disease outbreaks that would have 
     the most damaging effect on human health or the economy. The 
     Secretary is instructed to prioritize the acquisition of 
     sufficient quantities of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine, and 
     accompanying diagnostic products, and the Secretary shall 
     consider contracting with one or more entities that are 
     capable of producing foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and that 
     have surge production capacity of the vaccine.
       The mandatory funding in the House bill includes $30 
     million for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network 
     (NAHLN), $70 million for the National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness and Response Program, and $150 million for the 
     National Animal Health Vaccine Bank in fiscal year 2019. In 
     each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, $50 million in 
     mandatory funding is provided to carry out the NAHLN, the 
     National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, 
     and the National Animal Health Vaccine Bank, of which not 
     less than $30 million is for the National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness and Response Program. Additionally, this 
     subsection authorizes appropriations of $15 million for each 
     of fiscal years 2019-2023 to carry out the NAHLN. All funds 
     provided are to remain available until expended. Finally, 
     section 10417(d) limits the Secretary's use of funds for 
     administrative expenses to not more than 4 percent of amounts 
     made available, limits eligible entities from retaining more 
     than 10 percent of funds received under an agreement to pay 
     administrative costs, prohibits funds from being used for 
     construction of new facilities, and directs proceeds from the 
     sale of vaccine or antigen by the Bank to be credited to an 
     account for the operation of the Bank. (Section 11101)
       The Senate amendment establishes a National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness, Response and Recovery Program under subsection 
     10409B(a) and a National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
     Countermeasures Bank under subsection 10409B(b). The National 
     Animal Disease Preparedness, Response and Recovery Program is 
     established to prevent the introduction into or the 
     dissemination within the United States of any pest or disease 
     of animals affecting the economic interests of the livestock 
     and related industries, including the maintenance and 
     expansion of export market potential. The Secretary shall 
     carry out the program through cooperative agreements with 
     eligible entities including a State department of agriculture 
     or universities, among others. Similar to the House Bill, 
     specific activities that are to be carried out through 
     cooperative agreements are described in this subsection, in 
     addition to including emerging veterinary countermeasures 
     among the animal health technologies to be enhanced and 
     developed. The subsection further lays out Program 
     application processes and priorities, use of funds, and 
     reporting requirements similar to those provided in the House 
     Bill.
       Section 10409B(b) establishes a National Animal Vaccine and 
     Veterinary Countermeasures Bank to benefit the domestic 
     interests of the U.S. The Vaccine and Veterinary 
     Countermeasures Bank is to maintain a sufficient quantity of 
     animal vaccine, antiviral, therapeutic products, diagnostic 
     products, and veterinary countermeasures to appropriately 
     respond to the most damaging animal diseases affecting human 
     health or the economy, and that will be capable of rapid 
     deployment in the event of an outbreak. The Secretary is 
     required to prioritize the maintenance of sufficient 
     quantities of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and accompanying 
     diagnostic products. Finally, the Secretary shall consider 
     contracting with one or more entities that are capable of 
     producing foot- and-mouth disease vaccine and that have surge 
     production capacity of the vaccine.
       Section 10409(c) limits the Secretary's use of funds for 
     administrative expenses to not more than 4 percent of amounts 
     made available, limits eligible entities from retaining more 
     than 10 percent of funds received under an agreement to pay 
     administrative costs, prohibits funds from being used for 
     construction of new facilities, and directs proceeds from the 
     sale of vaccine or antigen by the Bank to be credited to an 
     account for the operation of the Bank. Section 10409(d) 
     authorizes such sums as necessary to be appropriated to carry 
     out the National Animal Disease Preparedness, Response, and 
     Recovery Program and the National Animal Vaccine and 
     Veterinary Countermeasures Bank. (Section 12103)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendment. Section10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act 
     is amended to establish a new definition for ``veterinary 
     countermeasures''. The Conference substitute further 
     restructures the statute related to the new authorities.
       The National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response 
     Program (NADPRP) is established under subsection (b) to 
     address the increasing risk of the introduction and spread 
     within the United States of animal pests and diseases 
     affecting the economic interests of the livestock and related 
     industries of the United States, including the maintenance 
     and expansion of export markets. The NADPRP shall be carried 
     out by the Secretary through cooperative agreements with 
     eligible entities including a State Department of Agriculture 
     or universities, among others. Specific activities that are 
     to be carried out through cooperative agreements are 
     described in this subsection. Further, the subsection lays 
     out the application processes and priorities, use of funds, 
     and reporting requirements
       The National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures 
     Bank (NAVVCB) is established under subsection (c) to benefit 
     the domestic interests of the United States. Through the 
     NAVVCB the Secretary shall maintain sufficient quantities of 
     veterinary countermeasures to appropriately and rapidly 
     respond to the most damaging animal diseases, with a priority 
     for Foot and Mouth Disease. As part of such prioritization, 
     the Secretary may offer to enter into one or more contracts 
     with one or more entities that are capable of producing foot 
     and mouth disease vaccine and that have surge production 
     capacity of the vaccine.
       Subsection (d) provides $120 million in mandatory funding 
     for the period of fiscal years 2019-2022, with a minimum of 
     $5 million reserved in each year for the NADPRPP. For fiscal 
     year 2023 and each year thereafter, $30 million in mandatory 
     funding is provided, with a minimum of $18 million reserved 
     in each year for the NADPRPP. Additionally, the authorization 
     of appropriations for NAHLN is increased to $30 million per 
     year

[[Page H10020]]

     for fiscal years 2019-2023, and an authorization for 
     appropriations is established for the NADPRP and the NAVVCB 
     for such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2019-
     2023. All funds provided are to remain available until 
     expended, and the funds authorized for appropriation under 
     this paragraph are in addition to any funds authorized or 
     otherwise made available under section 10417 of the Animal 
     Health Protection Act. This subsection limits the Secretary's 
     use of funds for administrative expenses to not more than 4 
     percent of amounts made available, limits eligible entities 
     from retaining more than 10 percent of funds received under 
     an agreement to pay administrative costs, prohibits funds 
     from being used for construction of new facilities, and 
     directs proceeds from the sale of vaccine or antigen from the 
     NAVVCB to be credited to an account for the operation of the 
     NAVVCB.
       Subsection (e) describes the authority for the Secretary to 
     enter into cooperative agreements under this section for 
     fiscal year 2019 through 2023, and this limitation shall have 
     no impact on cooperative agreements that are established 
     beyond fiscal year 2023 (Section 12101).
       In recent years, animal disease outbreaks have posed 
     significant challenges to the livestock and poultry 
     industries. Various regions of the country and species have 
     been impacted by disease, and responding to those outbreaks 
     is a costly and complex endeavor for farmers and ranchers, 
     veterinarians, and state and federal governments. The 
     Managers recognize the need to enhance our national animal 
     disease preparedness and response capabilities. Further, the 
     Managers recognize that such enhancement is an endeavor that 
     the federal government must conduct in coordination with 
     state and local governments, farmers and ranchers, 
     universities, laboratories and other cooperators.
       The Animal Disease Prevention and Management program builds 
     upon the existing National Animal Health Laboratory Network 
     (NAHLN) and establishes the National Animal Disease 
     Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and the National 
     Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). 
     The existing NAHLN authority is revised to establish the 
     NADPRP and the NAVVCB, which will improve how the U.S. 
     protects against, prepares for, and responds to animal and 
     zoonotic disease outbreaks.
       Protecting U.S. agriculture from animal and zoonotic 
     disease threats involves numerous efforts including improving 
     disease testing capabilities, improving states' disease 
     response measures including the development and 
     implementation of continuity of business and secure food 
     supply plans, researching new practices and technologies to 
     protect livestock and poultry, and stockpiling necessary 
     equipment and drugs to respond to animal disease outbreaks. 
     The NADPRP will allow for a coordinated effort to be carried 
     out by the Secretary through cooperative agreements with 
     state governments and state animal health officials, 
     universities, organizations representing the livestock and 
     poultry industries, veterinarians and other eligible 
     entities, to consider all of these factors and needs and 
     establish a coordinated strategy to bolster animal disease 
     protection.
       Further, the Managers recognize that animal disease threats 
     evolve and become increasingly complex, especially zoonotic 
     diseases, and the equipment and drugs currently at our 
     disposal may be inadequate in responding to the disease 
     threats of the future. Thus, the Managers instruct the 
     establishment of the NAVVCB, which will allow for the 
     stockpiling of a variety of equipment and animal drugs needed 
     to respond to animal disease outbreaks, with a priority for 
     stockpiling vaccine necessary to respond to an outbreak of 
     Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The Managers envision the term 
     `veterinary countermeasure' to mean any biological product 
     (including an animal vaccine and diagnostic), pharmaceutical 
     product (including an animal therapeutic, antimicrobial, 
     antiviral and antitoxin), non-pharmaceutical product 
     (including a disinfectant or pesticide, response equipment 
     and personal protective equipment) or other product or 
     equipment to prevent, detect, diagnose, contain, control, 
     treat, recover from, or mitigate harm or damage resulting 
     from (including adverse effects impacting public health or 
     animal health, the environment, or the economy), animal pests 
     or diseases.
       The Managers encourage the Secretary to consider all 
     options for stockpiling veterinary countermeasures. The funds 
     provided under Section 12101 should be used to establish the 
     optimal complement of products to address the highest risk 
     strains of FMD and other diseases of consequence. In 
     considering stockpiling options, the Managers expect the 
     Secretary to review the procurement process annually to 
     identify potential efficiencies and improvements, 
     particularly any needed changes to allow for maximum contract 
     flexibility and product innovation over time. While the 
     Managers expect funding provided under Section 12101 to 
     significantly enhance the Secretary's ability to stockpile 
     vaccine and related products, the Managers understand that 
     greater investment for such purposes may be desired and 
     warranted in the future. As such, the Managers encourage the 
     Secretary and interested stakeholders to work together to 
     identify alternative funding sources to achieve such 
     investment.
       Section 12101 of this act provides $120 million of 
     Commodity Credit Corporation funds for the period of fiscal 
     years 2019-2022, of which $20 million is reserved for the 
     NADPRP, and $100 million is be allocated among the NAHLN, the 
     NADPRP and the NAVVCB. For fiscal year 2023 and each year 
     thereafter, the Managers provide $30 million of Commodity 
     Credit Corporation funds, of which $18 million is reserved 
     for the NADPRP, and $12 million is be allocated among the 
     NAHLN, the NADPRP and the NAVVCB. Additionally, the 
     authorization of appropriations for NAHLN is increased to $30 
     million per year for fiscal years 2019-2023, and an 
     authorization for appropriations is established for the 
     NADPRP and the NAVVCB for such sums as are necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2019-2023.
       The Managers expect the Secretary to develop a long range 
     plan to carry out Section 12101 to identify priorities 
     related to animal disease preparedness and response, and 
     address those needs by optimizing the capabilities of the 
     NAHLN, the NADPRP, and the NAVVCB. On an annual basis, the 
     Secretary shall review this plan and determine how to best 
     allocate the funds provided under Section 12101 in light of 
     changes to animal disease threat profiles.
     (4) Study on livestock dealer statutory trust
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to conduct a 
     study on the feasibility of establishing a Livestock Dealer 
     Statutory Trust. The amendment requires the study to analyze 
     the potential impacts such a trust would have on livestock 
     producers, dealers, markets, financiers, and others in the 
     livestock sector, specifically with regard to credit 
     availability. It also requires the Secretary, no later than 
     540 days after the date of enactment, to submit to the 
     Agriculture Committees a report describing the findings of 
     the study. (Section 12104)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     amendment. The substitute directs additional considerations 
     under the study including: how the establishment of a 
     livestock dealer statutory trust would affect seller recovery 
     in the event of a livestock dealer payment default; whether 
     authorizing the Secretary to appoint an independent trustee 
     under the livestock dealer statutory trust would improve 
     seller recovery; and how the establishment of a livestock 
     dealer statutory trust would affect the treatment of sellers 
     of livestock as it relates to preferential transfer in 
     bankruptcy. The study shall be completed 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of the Act. (Section 12103)
       The Managers recognize the burdens felt by unpaid sellers 
     of livestock affected by livestock dealer default. In 
     response, the Managers instruct the Secretary to conduct a 
     study of the feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer 
     statutory trust, modeled after the existing packer statutory 
     trust.
       The study shall review recent livestock dealer defaults and 
     consider whether seller recovery would have been improved in 
     those experiences had a livestock dealer statutory trust been 
     in place. Further, the study shall review how preferential 
     transfers in bankruptcy proceedings are impacting unpaid 
     sellers of livestock. Finally, the study shall review 
     challenges encountered when the Packer trust has been 
     employed, and whether any changes should be considered to 
     improve effectiveness of a potential livestock dealer 
     statutory trust. Such improvements may include allowing the 
     appointment of an independent trustee and encouraging greater 
     communication and data sharing between the Secretary and 
     unpaid sellers of livestock when a dealer statutory trust is 
     employed. The study should also include an assessment of the 
     cost and benefits of establishing a dealer statutory trust 
     and the Department's ability to implement and oversee such a 
     trust. In conducting the study, the Managers expect the 
     Secretary to utilize the expertise of the Packers and 
     Stockyards Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service and 
     to engage with and solicit input from industry stakeholders 
     that would be subject to a dealer statutory trust.
     (5) Definition of livestock
       The Senate amendment amends the Emergency Livestock Feed 
     Assistance Act of 1988 to specifically include alpacas, 
     llamas, live fish, and crawfish in the definition for 
     livestock, and remove the Secretarial designation requirement 
     regarding other animals that are part of a foundation herd or 
     purchased as part of a normal operation. (Section 12105)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12104)
     (6) National aquatic animal health plan
       The House bill extends the authorization of appropriations 
     through FY 2023. (Section 11102)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendment repealing the authorization for appropriations. 
     (Section 12105)
     (7) Veterinary training
       The House bill amends section 10504 of the 2002 Farm Bill 
     to include, in all regions of the United States, veterinary 
     teams, including those based at colleges of veterinary 
     medicine, capable of providing effective services before, 
     during, and after emergencies. (Section 11103)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.

[[Page H10021]]

       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 12106)
     (8) Report on FSIS guidance and outreach to small meat 
         processors
       The House bill requires the USDA Inspector General, not 
     later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, to conduct a study on the effectiveness of existing FSIS 
     guidance materials and other tools used by small and very 
     small establishments, as defined by FSIS regulations, and 
     provide recommendations on measures the Food Safety and 
     Inspection Service (FSIS) should take to improve regulatory 
     clarity and consistency. (Section 11104)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     amendment. The substitute directs the Secretary to enter into 
     contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-
     land-grant college of agriculture to review the effectiveness 
     of existing FSIS guidance materials used by small and very 
     small establishments operating under Federal inspection and 
     provide recommendations on measures FSIS should take to 
     improve regulatory clarity and consistency. (Section 12107)
       The Conference Substitute requires a report considering the 
     effectiveness of USDA outreach to small meat processors 
     operating under federal inspection. The Secretary shall 
     contract with a land-grant college or university or a NLGCA 
     with expertise in food safety and inspection to conduct the 
     report. In conducting outreach to develop the report, the 
     college or university shall consult with the USDA Food Safety 
     Inspection Service Evaluation Working Group. The report shall 
     be provided to the House Committee on Agriculture and the 
     Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
     (9) Regional cattle and carcass grading correlation and 
         training centers
       The House bill requires the Secretary to establish up to 
     three regional centers to be known as ``Cattle and Carcass 
     Grading Correlation and Training Centers'' to: (1) provide 
     education and training for cattle and carcass beef graders of 
     AMS, cattle producers, and other professionals involved in 
     the reporting, delivery, and grading of feeder cattle, live 
     cattle, and carcasses for the purpose of limiting the 
     subjectivity in the application of beef grading standards; 
     (2) provide producers with greater confidence in the price of 
     the producers' cattle; (3) provide investors with both long 
     and short positions more assurance in the cattle delivery 
     system; and (4) coordinate USDA and state and local 
     resources. The House bill also requires that no funds are to 
     be used for construction of any new facilities. (Section 
     11105)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 12108)
     (10) Repeal of office of homeland security
       The Senate amendment repeals the Office of Homeland 
     Security created in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy 
     Act. (Section 12201)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 12201)
       The Senate amendment moves the authorization of the Office 
     of Homeland Security (the Office) from the Food, 
     Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 USC 8911) to subtitle 
     A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
     with updated authorities. The Managers do not intend for the 
     Office to physically close and reopen.
     (11) Office of homeland security
       The Senate amendment establishes an Office of Homeland 
     Security and authorizes an Agriculture and Food Threat 
     Awareness Partnership Program. (Section 12202)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts Senate amendment with 
     minor technical modification. (Section 12202)
       Managers expect the Executive Director of the Office to 
     serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on homeland 
     security, including emergency management and agriculture and 
     food defense, and to coordinate activities of the Department 
     related to homeland security and emergency response. The 
     Office is expected to proactively engage USDA's agencies with 
     critical missions important to homeland security, as well as 
     to engage and assert the USDA roles, responsibilities, and 
     needs within interagency discussions, including those with 
     the Executive Office of the President and the intelligence 
     community agencies.
     (12) Agriculture and food defense
       The Senate amendment: (1) provides several definitions; (2) 
     requires the Secretary to develop, in collaboration with 
     appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local officials, a 
     comprehensive strategic response plan or plans, as 
     appropriate, for certain diseases or pests of concern; (3) 
     requires the Secretary to provide information to a State or 
     regional authority to assist in developing a comprehensive 
     strategic response plan or plans that shall include several 
     factors such as concepts of operations for each disease of 
     concern and describing decision matrixes, roles, and 
     interactions for each level of government and industry; (4) 
     authorizes the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), 
     headed by the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
     Agriculture in partnership with the Animal and Plant Health 
     Inspection Service (APHIS) to provide passive surveillance 
     and early identification of plant diseases and pests; and (5) 
     establishes the National Plant Disease Recovery System 
     (NPDRS) to focus on and plan for long term recovery from 
     high-consequence plant transboundary disease and directs the 
     NPDRS to coordinate diseases of concern response planning and 
     develop research plans for recovery through the 
     identification and use of novel resistant genetic material to 
     stabilize and improve crops in the face of potential plant 
     disease pressure. (Section 12203)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification that State plans include a concept of 
     operations, and address, as appropriate, the requirements in 
     the Senate amendment. (Section 12203)
       The Senate amendment establishes strategic response 
     planning for plant and animal diseases and pests of 
     particular concern at the national level, as well as support 
     for State, or States, interested in more detailed response 
     planning adapted to the individual needs of that State, or 
     States. The Managers understand a response plan designed to 
     the detail of a concept of operations cannot totally 
     anticipate real events and that there is not a response plan 
     that will remain totally effective for long after an initial 
     disease or pest detection is made during a real event. Every 
     situation or emergency is different. Adjustments to the 
     response will need to be made to accommodate a situation in 
     real time. Nevertheless, developing a response plan to the 
     detail of a concept of operations is an important 
     preparedness step to establish and maintain a state of 
     readiness. A concept of operations should outline the process 
     to be followed in implementing a response and should define 
     the roles of the stakeholders involved throughout the 
     process. It has been demonstrated repeatedly by law 
     enforcement, emergency response, and defense planners that 
     exercised plans, even when the plan is divergent from an 
     actual event, provide value and improve a response 
     participant's ability to react and adapt, increasing the 
     success of containing and managing a real threat or event. 
     Establishing key performance metrics for a response will be 
     paramount for consistent evaluation and to accomplish ongoing 
     improvement of a response plan. Therefore the Managers expect 
     the response planning developed for plant and animal diseases 
     and pests of concern to provide for benchmarking of 
     performance in order to measure and make positive change or 
     to maintain an expected standard.
     (13) Biological agents and toxins list
       The Senate amendment amends the underlying law by adding a 
     new consideration for selecting a pathogenic biological agent 
     to be added to the list of biological agents and toxins. 
     (Section 12204)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment with 
     a modification regarding its considerations for inclusion on 
     the list. (Section 12204)
       The Managers expect that when a biological agent is 
     examined for inclusion on the Biological Agents and Select 
     Toxins List that consideration is given to the potential 
     impact on performance of research on the causative agent of 
     the disease.
     (14) Authorization of appropriations
       The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations of $5 
     million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 
     12205)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
     (Section 12205)
       The Managers note that several of the functions directed in 
     this subtitle already receive funding through other 
     authorizations of appropriations and other sources, such as 
     funding directed towards OHSEC, APHIS, ARS and NIFA for 
     activities in this subtitle currently carried out by those 
     entities. The Managers support those authorizations of 
     funding and appropriations and expect them to continue. The 
     Managers expect the authorizations in this section will be 
     weighted towards new responsibilities authorized in this 
     subtitle and intend this authorization to supplement, not 
     supplant those other sources.
     (15) Farming opportunities training and outreach
       The House bill amends section 7405 of the Farm Security and 
     Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) prioritize grants for 
     agricultural education for youth for agricultural employment 
     and volunteer opportunities, and for projects that 
     demonstrate experience in providing such education and 
     opportunities for socially disadvantaged youth; (2) authorize 
     the Secretary to waive the matching requirement to 
     effectively reach an underserved area or population; (3) 
     include retiring farmers and non-farming landowners, and adds 
     authority for training and technical assistance, as well as 
     education programs and workshops; and (4) reauthorize $10 
     million in mandatory spending each year for FY2019-2023 and 
     reauthorizes appropriations of $20 million each for FY2019-
     2023 for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially 
     Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers program, also known was 
     the 2501 Program. The House bill amends section 2501(a)(4) of 
     the Food Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to 
     include priority for grants, contracts, and other agreements 
     for projects that deliver agricultural education to youth in 
     underserved communities, and reauthorizes $20

[[Page H10022]]

     million in mandatory spending and $30 million in 
     discretionary appropriations for FY2019-2023 for Beginning 
     Farmer and Rancher Development Program. (Sections 7507 & 
     11201)
       The Senate amendment repeals section 7405 of the Farm 
     Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and inserts this 
     section into Section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
     Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 under the newly 
     established ``Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.'' 
     The Senate amendment: (1) authorizes the Secretary to 
     encourage and assist socially disadvantaged, veteran, and 
     beginning farmers and ranchers through education and training 
     and equitable participation in agricultural programs; (2) 
     moves the definition of beginning farmer and authorizes the 
     equivalent of existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
     Development grant program with a few differences including 
     that the Secretary should act through the Director of the 
     National Institute of Food and Agriculture in carrying out 
     the grant program, providing that the grants can be used to 
     assist beginning farmers and ranchers in acquiring land from 
     retiring farmers and ranchers, and for food safety and 
     recordkeeping; (3) requires a simplified application process 
     for grants under $50,000; (4) provides $50 million 
     in mandatory funding in fiscal year 2018 and each year 
     thereafter and authorizes $50 million a year in 
     appropriations for FY2018-2023, reserved equally between 
     Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant Program and 
     the authority under subsection (c) (socially disadvantaged 
     and veteran farmers and ranchers); (5) authorizes same 5 
     percent set-asides as in current law from beginning farmer 
     program; (6) requires that 5 percent of funds allocated to 
     the Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Research and Policy 
     Center go to limited resource and socially disadvantaged 
     farmers and ranchers, and farmworkers; (7) requires that 5 
     percent of projects awarded through education teams and 
     curriculum development go towards veterans; (8) places a 5 
     percent cap on administrative expenses; (9) limits 
     indirect costs to 10%; and (10) the Secretary should act 
     through the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
     Agriculture in carrying out the Beginning Farmer and 
     Rancher Development grant program. The Senate amendment 
     requires that grants for socially disadvantaged farmers 
     and ranchers are for a term no longer than 3 years and in 
     an amount no more than $250,000 for each year of the 
     grant; and requires the Secretary to give priority in 
     awarding grants to nongovernmental and community based 
     organizations with expertise in working with socially 
     disadvantaged, or veteran, farmers and ranchers. (Section 
     12301)
       The conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that authorizes the Secretary to waive the 
     matching requirement in the Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
     Development program of the Farming Opportunities Training 
     Outreach program to effectively reach an underserved area or 
     population; requires a simplified application process for all 
     grants under $50,000; provides $30 million in mandatory 
     funding in fiscal years 2019 and 2020, $35 million in fiscal 
     year 2021, $40 million for fiscal year 2022, and $50 million 
     for fiscal year 2023 and each year thereafter and authorizes 
     $50 million a year in appropriations for FY 2019-2023, 
     reserved equally between Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
     Development Grant Program and the authority under subsection 
     (c) (socially disadvantaged and veterans). (Section 12301)
       The Managers recognize the increasing demand for 
     programming for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, 
     so the Conference agreement includes $435 million in 
     mandatory funding for the Farming Opportunities Training 
     Outreach program, which combines the Beginning Farmer and 
     Rancher Development Program and the Outreach Program for 
     Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Veterans. The Managers 
     have provided permanent funding for this program to ensure 
     that the program has baseline funding hereafter. The Managers 
     also intend that the Secretary will continue to administer 
     the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program through 
     the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and that the 
     Outreach Program for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and 
     Veterans be administered through the Office of Partnerships 
     and Public Engagement.
     (16) Urban agriculture
       The Senate amendment adds a new section 222 in the 
     Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to: (1) 
     establish an Office and Director of Urban Agriculture and 
     Innovative Production to encourage and promote urban, indoor, 
     and other emerging agricultural production practices; (2) 
     establish an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
     Advisory Committee; (3) provide for the assignment of a farm 
     number for rooftop, indoor, and other urban farms; (4) 
     provide authority to award competitive grants to operate 
     community gardens or nonprofit farms, educate a community on 
     food systems, nutrition, environmental impacts, and 
     agricultural production, and help offset start-up costs for 
     new and beginning farmers; (5) establish pilot projects to 
     increase compost and reduce food waste, and create urban and 
     suburban county committees; and (6) authorize appropriations 
     of $25 million a year. (Section 12302)
       The House bill does not contain a comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that adjusts the Director's responsibilities, 
     reduces the committee to 12 members, amends the reporting 
     requirement, removes provision relating to the assignment of 
     farm numbers, removes community organizations and 
     institutions of higher learning from consideration for 
     grants, removes funding priority provision, and limits 
     authorization of appropriations to fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023. (Section 12302)
       The Managers recognize that urban agriculture and 
     innovative production methods like indoor and rooftop farming 
     create new economic opportunities in urban, suburban, and 
     rural communities. The Managers acknowledge that urban 
     agriculture and innovative production methods also increase 
     access to food in low-income communities and improve 
     availability of fresh products throughout the entire year, 
     and recognize that these agricultural opportunities help 
     build a new generation of farmers.
       The Managers intend that the Office of Urban Agriculture 
     and Innovative Production be responsible for policy and 
     program development, as well as interagency collaboration, 
     and provide customer service to external stakeholders on 
     issues pertaining to urban agriculture and innovative 
     production. The Managers direct the Secretary to update Farm 
     Service Agency procedures that allow for assignment of farm 
     numbers (as defined in section 718.2 of title 7, Code of 
     Federal Regulations) to include rooftop farms, indoor farms, 
     and other urban farms.
       The Managers direct that individual grants awarded through 
     the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
     serve multiple farmers or gardeners for the purposes of 
     community service, education, farm incubation, or making a 
     profit. The Managers encourage the Secretary to use these 
     grants to assist with costs related to agricultural 
     production including but not limited to land acquisition, 
     equipment, utilities, seeds and plants, supplies, basic 
     transportation, and farm cooperative development. The 
     Managers expect the Secretary to establish criteria and 
     guidelines to meet the suggested purposes of the grant 
     program.
       The Managers recognize composting is not the only available 
     technology for food waste recovery. It is the Managers' 
     intent that any pilot project under this section does not 
     adversely impact existing commercial relationships of other 
     food waste recovery efforts, including those of commercial 
     renderers who collect and process animal and food waste from 
     commercial and farm sources. It is the Manager's intent that 
     activities occurring through pilot projects selected under 
     this paragraph shall take into consideration the most-
     preferred food waste recovery activities as described in the 
     Food Recovery Hierarchy of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency (as of the date of enactment or any successor guidance 
     or outreach materials).
     (17) Office of advocacy and outreach
       The House bill amends section 226B of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to: (1) change the 
     name of the office to the ``Office of Partnerships and Public 
     Engagement'', and makes applicable conforming amendments; (2) 
     extend outreach to limited resource producers, veteran 
     farmers and ranchers, and Tribal farmers and ranchers, and 
     promotes outreach specifically to youth; (3) expand the 
     duties of the office to include veteran farmers and ranchers 
     and Tribal farmers and ranchers; (4) expand the Office's 
     monitoring of goals and objectives to veteran farmers and 
     ranchers and Tribal farmers and ranchers; (5) expand the 
     Office's measuring of outcomes to veteran farmers and 
     ranchers and Tribal farmers and ranchers; and (6) reauthorize 
     appropriations at existing levels through FY2023. (Section 
     11203)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations at 
     existing levels through FY2023. (Section 12303)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that does not separately define Tribal farmers 
     and ranchers aside from the definition of socially 
     disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, which includes tribal 
     farmers and ranchers. (Section 12406)
       The Managers acknowledge that it is important for the 
     Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) to 
     improve access to USDA programs for tribal farmers and 
     ranchers and direct this office to conduct these outreach 
     efforts. Tribal farmers and ranchers are already included in 
     the definition of a socially disadvantaged farmer and 
     rancher, so the conferees did not adopt the addition of 
     tribal farmers and ranchers from the House bill.
       The Managers recognize that the Office of Tribal Relations 
     (OTR) is an important function of USDA and should be within 
     the Office of the Secretary. The Director of OTR serves as 
     USDA's primary point of contact for consultation and 
     coordination with Tribal Governments and should continue to 
     directly advise the Secretary on tribal issues and policies. 
     The Managers agree that OTR should coordinate with OPPE to 
     provide outreach and assistance to tribes and tribal farmers 
     and ranchers to improve access to USDA programs and 
     resources.
     (18) Tribal advisory committee
       The House bill amends section 309 of the Federal Crop 
     Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 to transfer the Office of Tribal Relations into 
     the newly established Office of Partnerships and Public 
     Engagement. (Section 11204)
       The Senate amendment amends section 309 of the Department 
     of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish the 
     USDA

[[Page H10023]]

     Tribal Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on tribal 
     agricultural topics and annually report recommendations to 
     the Secretary. (Section 12304)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment altering the manner in which the membership of 
     the committee is established. (Section 12303)
     (19) Youth outreach and beginning farmer coordination
       The House bill amends the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 by inserting after section 220 a 
     new section 221 to: (1) establish the position of 
     Agricultural Youth Coordinator to promote the role of youth-
     serving organizations and school-based agricultural 
     education; (2) direct the Coordinator to identify short-term 
     and long-term interests of the Department; (3) direct the 
     Coordinator to assist ``young farmers''; (4) direct 
     ``particular emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher 
     programs''; (5) outline contracts and cooperative agreements 
     the Coordinator may engage in with land-grant universities, 
     research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, and 
     nonprofit organizations; and (6) with regard to contracts and 
     cooperative agreements (Section 221(c)(1)), include ``the 
     conduct of regional research on the profitability of small 
     farms.'' (Section 11206)
       The Senate amendment amends the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 by inserting after section 7404 a new 
     7405 to: (1) establish an Agricultural Youth Coordinator to 
     promote and coordinate outreach through the use of contracts 
     and cooperative agreements; (2) authorize the Agricultural 
     Youth Coordinator to use contracts for youth education; (3) 
     direct assistance to ``youth involved in food and agriculture 
     organizations''; and (4) list areas of emphasis including: 
     beginning farmer and rancher programs, agriculture education, 
     nutrition education science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics education, and other food and agriculture 
     programs for youth. (Section 12306)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment that exchanges the term ``young farmers'' for 
     ``youth.'' (Section 12305)
       The Managers recognize the importance of involving youth in 
     farming and ranching through programs like 4-H, FFA, and Farm 
     to School. The Managers intend for the Agricultural Youth 
     Organization Coordinator to promote youth-serving 
     organizations and school-based agricultural education, serve 
     as a resource for assisting youth organizations in 
     agriculture in applying for participation in agricultural 
     programs, and advocate on behalf of youth organizations in 
     agriculture in interactions with employees of the Department.
     (20) State beginning farmer and rancher coordination
       The House bill amends section 226 of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the 
     Secretary, through the FSA, to designate one employee, who 
     receives sufficient training, from among employees of FSA, 
     NRCS, RMA, RBCS or RUS, in each state as the State Beginning 
     Farmer and Rancher Coordinator responsible for developing a 
     State plan to coordinate outreach and technical assistance in 
     county and area Department offices. (Section 11202)
       The Senate amendment amends the Farm Security and Rural 
     Investment Act of 2002 by inserting after section 7404 a new 
     7405 to: establish a National Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
     Coordinator to provide outreach and technical assistance to 
     help beginning farmers and ranchers participate in Department 
     programs. The Senate provision for directing the Secretary is 
     the same as contained in the House bill, but Senate language 
     does not require the Secretary to work through the FSA. 
     (Section 12306)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that adopts the definition of ``beginning farmer 
     or rancher'' as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. (Section 
     12304)
       The Managers recognize that America's farmers and ranchers 
     are aging while, at the same time, aspiring and beginning 
     farmers face challenges in establishing successful 
     operations. The Managers intend for the National Beginning 
     Farmer and Rancher Coordinator and the associated State 
     Coordinators to assist new and beginning farmers and ranchers 
     with technical assistance and make them aware of USDA 
     programs.
     (21) Availability of department of agriculture programs for 
         veteran farmers and ranchers
       The Senate amendment: (1) amends the definition of veteran 
     as any individual who has obtained veteran status within the 
     previous 10 years, as defined in section 2501 of the Food, 
     Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (2) extends 
     benefits to veterans including Farm Service Agency down 
     payment loans, reduced interest rates on guaranteed loans, 
     increased coverage under Emergency Assistance for Livestock, 
     Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish, reduced premiums and fees 
     for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, and 
     increased educational focus from the Food Safety Outreach 
     Program and the Federal Crop Insurance Education Program; and 
     (3) amends the definition of veteran, for the purpose of Risk 
     Management Agency programs, as any individual who has gained 
     veteran status within the previous 5 years and extends to 
     veterans eligibility for increased premium subsidy, lower 
     administrative fees, and assistance in establishing baseline 
     yields. (Section 12307)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12306)
       The Managers encourage the Department to expand support to 
     new veteran farmers and have therefore made veterans eligible 
     for additional farm program priorities and discounts. The 
     Conference Substitute also changes the definition of a 
     veteran farmer to include all new veterans who are farmers.
     (22) Office of congressional relations and intergovernmental 
         affairs
       The Senate amendment amends section 218 of the Department 
     of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to rename the 
     Assistant Secretary of Congressional Relations as the 
     Assistant Secretary of Congressional Relations and 
     Intergovernmental Affairs and allows for the succession of 
     the current Senate confirmed Assistant Secretary into the 
     newly titled role. (Section 12401)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12401)
     (23) Military veterans agricultural liaison
       The Senate amendment amends section 219 of the Department 
     of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to improve 
     coordination between USDA and other federal agencies to 
     assist in providing information to veterans about 
     agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs and 
     directs the Military Veterans Liaison to report collected 
     information annually and publish it on a dedicated website. 
     (Section 12402)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12402)
       The Managers intend for the website authorized under this 
     section to improve coordination between USDA and other 
     federal agencies to assist in providing information to 
     veterans about agricultural programs. The Managers recognize 
     that improving communication channels between USDA officials 
     and veterans will ensure that USDA is better able to assist 
     veterans who are looking to return home and start a new 
     career in agriculture.
     (24) Civil rights analysis
       The Senate amendment amends the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 by inserting after section 222 a 
     new section 223 that requires the Secretary to conduct a 
     civil rights analysis of certain actions of USDA, allows the 
     Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights to grant, on a case-by-
     case basis, an expedited civil rights analysis or a waiver of 
     the civil rights analysis, and requires the Comptroller 
     General of the United States to conduct a study of various 
     actions and efforts of USDA concerning civil rights. (Section 
     12403)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that requires the Department to conduct civil 
     rights impact analyses in accordance with the Department's 
     current policy, Departmental Regulation 4300-004, issued by 
     USDA on October 16, 2016. (Section 12403)
       The Managers recognize the history of discriminatory 
     actions at the Department and want to ensure that the 
     Department is in compliance with civil rights requirements. 
     The conference report thus adopts two provisions, a civil 
     rights impact analysis, and a Comptroller General report.
       First, the Managers recognize the importance of evaluating 
     the potential discriminatory effects of certain actions, 
     policies, or decisions under consideration by the Department 
     of Agriculture and therefore require the Secretary to conduct 
     civil rights impact analyses in accordance with Departmental 
     Regulation 4300-004, as in effect on October 17, 2016, the 
     Department's current policy.
       The Managers understand that any proposed action or policy 
     could have unintended adverse or disproportionate impacts on 
     employees, applicants, contractors, or beneficiaries of the 
     Department based on their membership in a group that is 
     protected from discrimination under Federal law. The Managers 
     therefore intend for the Secretary to use the civil rights 
     impact analyses as an opportunity to proactively identify 
     these impacts and, if applicable, implement changes to the 
     proposed activity to ensure the Department's actions and 
     policies do not have a negative civil rights impact.
       Second, the conference report also requires the Comptroller 
     General to conduct a study describing the effectiveness of 
     the Department in processing and resolving civil rights 
     complaints, minority participation rates in farm programs, 
     the implications of the realignment of civil rights functions 
     of the Department, and the Department's efforts to identify 
     and reduce the incidence of civil rights violations.
     (25) Farm service agency
       The Senate amendment provides conforming technical 
     corrections related to administrative reorganization actions, 
     renaming the Consolidated Farm Service Agency as the Farm 
     Service Agency. (Section 12404)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12404)
     (26) Under Secretary of agriculture for farm production and 
         conservation
       The House bill changes references to the former Under 
     Secretary of Agriculture for

[[Page H10024]]

     Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services in various laws to 
     either the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Production and 
     Conservation or the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign 
     Agricultural Affairs, and amends references to the Under 
     Secretary for Rural Development in the Agricultural Act of 
     1961, the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, the Native 
     American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism 
     Act of 2000, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by inserting 
     ``or other official designated by the Secretary''. (Section 
     11601)
       The Senate amendment provides conforming technical 
     corrections related to previously carried out administrative 
     reorganization actions including the creation of the FPAC 
     mission area, and the creation of the Under Secretary of 
     Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. 
     (Section 12405)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12405)
     (27) Under Secretary of agriculture for rural development
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to establish the 
     position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural 
     Development as a permanent, mandatory position. (Section 
     12406)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12407)
       Section 12407 requires the Department to reestablish the 
     position of Under Secretary for Rural Development, a position 
     formerly established in the Department. The Managers intend 
     for this position to be a permanent, mandatory position and 
     not subject to any administrative reorganizations.
       The Managers recognize that Rural Development's more than 
     $222 billion dollar financial portfolio leverages significant 
     investments throughout rural America, serving as an important 
     source of capital for underserved communities, and provides 
     essential technical assistance and supports families, 
     farmers, ranchers, and businesses across America.
     (28) Administrator of the rural utilities service
       The Senate amendment allows the Administrator of the Rural 
     Utilities Service to be paid a salary consistent with other 
     administrators in the Department's Rural Development mission 
     area. (Section 12407)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that properly aligns the provision with Title 5, 
     and removes unnecessary conforming amendments. (Section 
     12408)
     (29) Rural health liaison
       The Senate amendment establishes a Rural Health Liaison to 
     coordinate the Department's role in rural health with other 
     Federal agencies and improve communication to and 
     coordination with stakeholders. (Section 12408)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment changing the ``Interagency Task Force on 
     Agriculture and Rural Prosperity'' to the ``Council on Rural 
     Community Innovation and Economic Development.'' (Section 
     12409)
     (30) Natural resources conservation services
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to provide a 
     60-day notice to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees 
     before closing an office of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service (NRCS) or relocating personnel employed 
     within NRCS or the Rural Development mission area, and 
     provides conforming technical amendments to applicable 
     statutes related to previously carried out administrative 
     reorganization actions including the creation of the FPAC 
     mission area. (Section 12410)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment reducing the ``60 day'' notice to ``30 days'', 
     and terminating the authority for this provision on September 
     30, 2023. (Section 12410)
     (31) Office of the chief scientist
       The Senate amendment amends section 251 of the Department 
     of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to update the name 
     of the Research, Education, and Extension Office to the 
     ``Office of the Chief Scientist,'' change the term of service 
     for Division Chiefs, and provide conforming technical 
     corrections to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 related to the creation of the Under Secretary 
     for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs created in the 
     2014 Farm Bill. (Section 12411)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12411)
     (32) Trade and foreign agricultural affairs
       The Senate amendment provides conforming technical 
     corrections to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994 related to the creation of the Under Secretary 
     for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the 2014 Farm 
     Bill. (Section 12412)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12413)
     (33) Repeals
       The Senate amendment repeals outdated authorities pursuant 
     to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, 
     repeals Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, and 
     corrects prior statutory drafting errors amending Department 
     of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. (Section 12413)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment absorbing modified rule of construction language 
     from the Effect of Subtitle provision. (Section 12414)
     (34) Technical corrections
       The Senate amendment corrects prior statutory drafting 
     errors amending the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
     Act of 1994. (Section 12414)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12415)
     (35) Effect of subtitle
       The Senate amendment allows the technical amendments in 
     Sections 12408 and 12414 to be effective retroactively. 
     (Section 12415)
       The House bill has no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
     provision and instead incorporates amended language in the 
     Section 12414.
     (36) Termination of authority
       The House bill amends the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 to provide that the Secretary has 
     the authority to carry out amendments made to that Act by 
     Section 772 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 
     of 2018 and the Federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
     (Section 11602)
       The Senate provision amends the Department of Agriculture 
     Reorganization Act of 1994 to allow the Secretary to carry 
     out the amendments made to that Act by the Federal 
     Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. (Section 12416)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision as 
     amended by the Senate amendment. (Section 12416)
     (37) ACER access and development program
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes ACER Access and 
     Development Program to make competitive grants to promote the 
     domestic maple syrup industry and extends the authority for 
     appropriations through FY 2023. (Section 12501)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12501)
     (38) Pet and Women Safety
       The Senate amendment: (1) amends various sections of the 
     U.S. criminal code to enact provisions regarding crimes 
     targeting the pets of abuse victims, including Section 2261A 
     of title 18 USC (crimes pertaining to interstate stalking) 
     and Section 2262 of title 18 USC (crimes pertaining to 
     interstate violation of protection orders); (2) amends 
     section 2264 of title 18 USC (pertaining to court-ordered 
     restitution for offenses) to include veterinary services 
     relating to physical care for the victim's pet; (3) amends 
     Section 2266 of title 18 USC (definitions) to establish a 
     definition for pets; (4) directs the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, in coordination with DOJ, HUD, and HHS, to award 
     grants to eligible entities to carry out programs (emergency 
     and transitional shelter and housing assistance) to provide 
     assistance, which shall be provided for a period of not more 
     than 24 months, with the option to extend for an additional 6 
     months, to victims of domestic violence and their pets, which 
     includes construction or operating expenses of newly 
     developed or existing emergency and transitional shelter and 
     housing for domestic violence victims with pets, temporary 
     boarding expenses of pets, and expenses for pet-related 
     services such as transportation and veterinary care; (5) 
     requires participating entities, not later than 1 year after 
     receiving grants under this subsection and each year 
     thereafter, to submit to the Secretary a report that contains 
     details of assistance provided and program participants, and 
     requires an annual compilation report be submitted to 
     Congress; and (6) authorizes appropriations for $3 million a 
     year for FY2019-2023 for a grant program to provide emergency 
     and transitional housing assistance for victims of domestic 
     violence and their pets. (Section 12503)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment to rename the provision ``Protecting Animals 
     with Shelter'' and to authorize the Secretary to enter into a 
     memorandum of understanding with the head of other relevant 
     departments to facilitate the grant program to assist victims 
     of domestic violence and their pets, and clarify the 
     definition of pet to include certain companion animals, while 
     also providing protections for other animals such as horses, 
     service animals, and emotional support animals. (Section 
     12502)
       The Managers recognize that victims of domestic violence 
     often may be reluctant to leave an abusive relationship out 
     of fear for the safety and welfare of their companion 
     animals. Animal friendly housing can be difficult to secure, 
     and the costs entailed with animal housing can factor into 
     victims' decisions to leave abusive relationships. Section 
     12502 authorizes appropriations for $3 million for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to establish a grant program 
     to provide emergency and transitional housing assistance

[[Page H10025]]

     for domestic violence victims with pets. The Secretary of 
     Agriculture may enter into a memorandum of understanding with 
     another Department or Agency to administer the grants under 
     this section. The conference substitute clarifies the 
     definition of pet to include certain companion animals, while 
     also providing protections for other animals such as horses, 
     service animals, and emotional support animals. Further, this 
     section expands federal domestic violence and stalking 
     protections to include crimes targeting pets, horses, service 
     animals and emotional support animals.
     (39) Data on conservation practices
       The Senate amendment: (1) creates a secure data collection 
     system through which the Department, pursuant to established 
     privacy and confidentiality protocols; (2) allows for 
     analysis and review of data from various agencies regarding 
     the impact of covered conservation practices on crop yields, 
     soil health, and farm and ranch profitability; (3) 
     establishes protocols and procedures to allow for the 
     collection of data from existing Departmental databases and 
     for the voluntary submission of data from producers; (4) 
     establishes a data warehouse to contain the data collected 
     under this section that can be accessed by an academic 
     institution or researcher; and (5) requires the Risk 
     Management Agency to work with other agencies to conduct 
     research and analyze how yield variability and risk are 
     impacted by certain conservation practices. (Section 12504)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that reconfigures the provision to function as a 
     report generated by the Secretary after the identification of 
     available Departmental data on conservation practices and the 
     effect of such practices on farm and ranch profitability 
     including effects relating to crop yields, soil health. The 
     report generated by the Secretary will summarize the data and 
     the steps the Secretary will have to take to provide access 
     to the data to university researchers, including technical, 
     privacy or administrative considerations, the safeguards 
     linked to providing access to data, appropriate procedures to 
     maximize research benefits, and recommendations relating to 
     Federal authorizations needed to allow access to data. 
     (Section 12618)
       In order to increase the knowledge of how conservation 
     practices or suites of conservation practices may affect crop 
     yields, soil health, and other risk-related factors, the 
     Managers intend for USDA to identify a compilation of the 
     available data sets within the Department, including the 
     potential use of databases created in this act under Section 
     1240H(d) of the Environmental Quality Incentives' 
     Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) and the Conservation 
     Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) or the database under the 
     Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI).
       During the internal review of the data sets held by USDA, 
     the Managers encourage the Secretary to also include any 
     other ongoing initiatives of a similar nature inside and 
     outside of the Federal government and consider any steps 
     needed to expand or improve the collection of existing data 
     to benefit the usefulness for research and analysis. The 
     Managers also encourage the Secretary to keep in mind the 
     potential to integrate elements of activities encouraged 
     under this section and other data-related initiatives, such 
     as ACRSI, in order to avoid duplication. Nothing in this 
     section is intended to replace or interfere with existing 
     efforts and the Managers intend for such efforts as the 
     conservation modeling under CEAP or the collaboration between 
     the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk 
     Management Agency on existing or future collaborative 
     research on soil types, cover crops or other management 
     practices to continue. The Managers expect any review or 
     analysis of any personally identifiable information or data 
     set in this section to adhere and uphold to the maximum 
     extent Department and agency privacy and confidentiality 
     protocols that are in place. The Managers intend for limited 
     access to apply to a narrow group of other researchers, such 
     as those in academia. However, the Managers do not intend to 
     provide controlled access under this authority to others 
     directly or indirectly outside of the Federal government, 
     such as non-governmental organizations.
     (40) Marketing orders
       The House bill adds ``pecans'' to the list of commodities. 
     (Section 9202)
       The Senate amendment adds ``pecans'' and ``cherries'' to 
     the list of commodities. (Section 12505)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12503)
       The Managers intend that the term ``cherries'' includes all 
     processed tart or sour cherries, including frozen and dried 
     cherries (with or without added sweetener), cherry juice 
     (concentrate or single strength), and canned cherries.
     (41) Study on food waste
       The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to conduct a 
     study to evaluate and determine methods of measuring food 
     waste, factors creating food waste, particularly of fresh 
     food products, and whether USDA programs disrupt existing 
     food waste recovery and disposal by commercial, marketing, or 
     business relationships and instructs the Secretary to issue 
     an initial and an annual report. (Section 12506)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision into 
     an amended section wherein the newly created Food Loss and 
     Waste Reduction Liaison will conduct the study on food waste 
     and issue an initial report and additional report relating to 
     data collected on food waste, and efforts to reduce and 
     prevent such waste. (Section 12504)
     (42) Establishment of food loss and waste reduction liaison
       The House bill authorizes USDA to establish, within the 
     Office of the Secretary, a ``Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
     Liaison'' to coordinate federal programs to measure and 
     reduce the incidence of food loss and waste, provide 
     information and resources, and raise awareness of the 
     liability protections for donated foods. (Section 11607)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment directing the Secretary to conduct a food waste 
     study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
     Liaison, who will issue an initial report and additional 
     report relating to data collected on food waste and efforts 
     to reduce and prevent such waste. (Section 12504)
       The Managers intend for the results of the Study on Food 
     Waste to inform the development of best practices for food 
     loss and waste reduction and food recovery efforts carried 
     out under this section. The Managers encourage the Food Loss 
     and Waste Reduction Liaison to continue to monitor and review 
     the volume of food wasted and the results of the food waste 
     reduction and loss prevention activities carried out by the 
     Department subsequent to the submission of the report under 
     subsection (e)(2).
     (43) Report on business centers
       The Senate amendment requires GAO to issue a report 
     evaluating each USDA business center. Further, the amendment 
     requires that the report examine the effectiveness of the 
     Department's business centers, impacts on budgets and 
     personnel, and recommendations to improve the operation and 
     function of those business centers. (Section 12507)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12505)
     (44) Information technology modernization
       The Senate amendment requires GAO to issue reports 
     evaluating the Department's information technology 
     modernization efforts, and outlines the initial report, the 
     updates, and the comprehensive reports to be issued. (Section 
     12508)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
     provision.
     (45) Report on personnel
       The Senate amendment requires the Department to biannually 
     submit to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees a 
     report describing the number of staff years and employees 
     employed for each agency of the Department. (Section 12509)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12506)
     (46) Report on absent landlords
       The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to conduct a 
     study on absent landlords within one year of enactment. In 
     conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider certain 
     impacts of absent landlords on land value, soil health, and 
     economic viability and provide recommendations on how to 
     mitigate these impacts. (Section 12510)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12507)
     (47) Restriction on use of certain poisons for predator 
         control
       The Senate amendment restricts the use of sodium cyanide 
     (M-44 devices) to kill predatory animals only in accordance 
     with Wildlife Services (WS) Directive Number 2.415 of the 
     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, dated February 
     27, 2018, and the implementation guidelines attached to that 
     Directive. (Section 12511)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
     provision.
     (48) Century farms program
       The House bill establishes a program under which the 
     Secretary recognizes any farm that a state program or similar 
     agricultural organization recognizes as a century farm, or a 
     farm as defined under section 7 CFR 4284.902, and farms that 
     have been in continuous operation by the same family for at 
     least 100 years. (Section 11610)
       The Senate amendment establishes a National Century Farms 
     Program to recognize state programs and farms that have been 
     in continuous operation by the same family for at least 100 
     years. (Section 12512)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 12508)
     (49) Report on importation of live dogs
       The House bill directs the Secretary, in conjunction with 
     the Secretaries of Commerce, Health and Human Services and 
     Homeland Security, to provide a report to

[[Page H10026]]

     Congress on the volume of live dogs imported to the U.S. 
     (Section 11612)
       The Senate amendment contains a comparable provision but 
     excludes the inclusion of the importation of personal pets. 
     (Section 12513)
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment strengthening the coordination efforts between 
     the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and 
     Homeland Security to enable the Secretary to collect, 
     compile, and disseminate this data to Congress in order to 
     better understand the public health implications of importing 
     dogs into the United States. (Section 12509)
       The Managers recognize that little is known about the 
     volume of live dogs imported into the United States, whether 
     as personal pets or animals seeking adoption or purchase by 
     American households. Animal and zoonotic diseases pose 
     serious risks to the U.S., and greater understanding of the 
     pathways these diseases could be entering the U.S., such as 
     via imported live dogs, is warranted.
       The Managers instruct the Secretary to develop a report on 
     the importation of live dogs into the United States to be 
     submitted to the House Committee on Agriculture and the 
     Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry no 
     later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
     The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide 
     to the Secretary of Agriculture all available data and 
     information relating to the importation of live dogs into the 
     U.S to complete the report.
     (50) Promise zones
       The Senate amendment codifies the Tribal Promise Zones 
     program and provides for the continuation of currently 
     existing Tribal Promise Zones to leverage public-private 
     investment. (Section 12515)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment striking the section addressing competitive 
     enhancement in federal awards to tribal promise zones. 
     (Section 12510)
     (51) Precision agriculture connectivity
       The House bill highlights the importance of precision 
     agriculture and the need so agriculture cost can be lowered 
     by 2050, and establishes a Task Force for Reviewing the 
     Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture to 
     identify gaps in rural technology and make policy 
     recommendations to help address these issues. (Sections 6801 
     & 6802)
       The Senate amendment: (1) highlights the importance of 
     precision agriculture and the need so agriculture cost can be 
     lowered by 2050; (2) establishes a Task Force for Reviewing 
     the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision 
     Agriculture in the U.S.to identify gaps in rural technology 
     and make policy recommendations to help address these issues; 
     (3) ensures that no provider of broadband internet access 
     service is required to duplicate the reporting of data; (4) 
     holds that the Task Force and the ``Commission'' (FCC) shall 
     not interpret the use of the term ``future programs of the 
     Commission'' to include universal service programs under the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254); and (5) requires 
     an agricultural producer representing tribal agriculture to 
     be on the Task Force. (Section 12516)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment clarifying the definition of the term 
     ``broadband Internet access service''. (Section 12511)
       As the USDA develops financing, policy and other aspects 
     related to rural broadband development, the Managers request 
     USDA take into account Sec. 2110 of the FAA Extension, 
     Safety, and Security Act of 2016. This will ensure 
     communication towers providing broadband services in rural 
     areas that meet the specifications described in Section 2110 
     are properly marked and entered into a FAA database to 
     protect the safety of aerial applicators, aerial 
     firefighters, public health applicators, medevac units, law 
     enforcement and other low-flying aircraft.
       Section 12511 requires the Federal Communications 
     Commission (FCC), in collaboration with the Department, to 
     form a task force to evaluate the best ways to meet the 
     broadband needs of precision agriculture in the United 
     States. The task force is focused on identifying and 
     measuring gaps in broadband coverage, and developing policy 
     recommendations to promote rapid, expanded deployment of 
     broadband in agricultural areas.
       The Managers believe many rural businesses do not have 
     access to broadband services. Both the FCC and the U.S. 
     Department of Agriculture, through the Rural Utilities 
     Service (RUS), provide Federal support to bring broadband to 
     rural areas. In rural areas, broadband has the potential to 
     enable precision agriculture for farmers and ranchers by 
     integrating emerging technologies and global position systems 
     (GPS) to assist in the most efficient use of their land.
       The Managers direct the Commission and the Department to 
     review House Report 115-837 for additional details about the 
     history, purpose, and implementation of this section.
     (52) Improved soil moisture and precipitation monitoring
       The Senate amendment allows the Secretary to consider 
     findings from additional drought monitoring stations and to 
     establish new stations, to improve the accuracy of the U.S. 
     Drought Monitor utilized in determining grazing disaster 
     assistance for livestock producers, and authorizes $5 million 
     in appropriations for FY2019-2013. (Section 12517)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment simplifying the Secretary's efforts from those 
     imposed by the Senate provision, and instructs the Secretary 
     to coordinate with the Director of the National Drought 
     Mitigation Center and the Administrator of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance the 
     collection of data to improve the accuracy of the United 
     States Drought Monitor, review the type of data utilized by 
     the Drought Monitor and the geographic coverage of data 
     sites, and make improvements. (Section 12512)
     (53) Dairy business innovation initiatives
       The Senate amendment requires the Agricultural Marketing 
     Service to establish at least three regionally located dairy 
     product and business innovation initiatives to provide grants 
     and nonmonetary assistance to dairy businesses, provides 
     direction for the selection of initiatives, entities eligible 
     to host initiatives, activities of the initiatives, 
     distribution of funds and reporting requirements, and 
     authorizes $20 million in appropriations for each fiscal 
     year. (Section 12519)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment that streamlines the establishment and selection 
     of the initiatives, amends language related to eligible and 
     ineligible entities, streamlines the eligible types of 
     assistance that are allowed, edits the priorities to be 
     considered for the awarding of grants, and simplifies the 
     reporting requirements. (Section 12513)
     (54) Report on funding for the national institute of food and 
         agriculture and other extension programs
       The Senate amendment instructs that no later than 2 years 
     after the 2017 Census of Agriculture is released under the 
     Census of Agriculture Act of 1997, the Secretary submit to 
     Congress a report describing the funding necessary to 
     adequately address NIFA's needs, activities, and ability to 
     provide adequate services for the growth and development of 
     the economies of rural communities based on the changing 
     demographic in the rural and farming communities in the 
     various States, paying particular attention to carrying out 
     activities relating to small and diverse farms and ranches, 
     veteran farmers and ranchers, value-added agriculture, 
     direct-to-consumer sales, and specialty crops. (Section 
     12520)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12514)
     (55) Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human 
         consumption
       The House bill: (1) adds a new section 30 to the Animal 
     Welfare Act to prohibit a person from knowingly slaughtering 
     a dog or cat for human consumption, or knowingly shipping, 
     transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, 
     purchasing, selling, or donating a dog or cat to be 
     slaughtered for human consumption, or dog or cat parts for 
     human consumption; (2) sets forth that such prohibition shall 
     apply only with respect to conduct in or affecting interstate 
     or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and 
     territorial jurisdiction of the United States; (3) 
     establishes that any person who violates this section shall 
     be subject to imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or a 
     fine of not more than $2,500, or both; and (4) provides that 
     this section does not limit any State or local law or 
     regulations from protecting the welfare of animals, or 
     prevent a State or local governing body from adopting and 
     enforcing more stringent laws or regulations. (Section 11613)
       The Senate amendment: (1) sets forth that no person may 
     knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption, or 
     knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, 
     purchase, sell, or donate a dog or cat to be slaughtered 
     for human consumption, or a dog or cat part for human 
     consumption; (2) provides that such prohibition shall 
     apply only with respect to conduct in interstate commerce 
     or foreign commerce; or within the special maritime and 
     territorial jurisdiction of the United States; (3) 
     provides that the prohibition shall not apply to an Indian 
     (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
     and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) carrying 
     out any activity described in subsection (a) for the 
     purpose of a religious ceremony; (4) establishes that any 
     person who violates the prohibition shall be subject to a 
     fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for each 
     violation; and (5) provides that this section does not 
     limit any State or local law or regulation protecting the 
     welfare of animals; or prevent a State or unit of local 
     government from adopting and enforcing more stringent laws 
     or regulations. (Section 12521)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment relating to interstate commerce. (Section 12515)
     (56) Report on honey and maple syrup
       The House bill requires the Secretary to submit a report, 
     not later than 60 days after enactment, to the House and 
     Senate Agriculture Committees examining the effect of final 
     FDA regulation, ``Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition 
     and Supplement Facts

[[Page H10027]]

     Labels'' (81 Federal Register 33742), has on consumer 
     perception regarding the ``added sugar'' statement required 
     to be included on panels by the final rule with respect to 
     packaged food in which no sugar is added during processing, 
     including pure honey and maple syrup. (Section 9203)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House bill with an 
     amendment that incorporates language permitting the food 
     labeling requirements under section 403(q) of the Federal 
     Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343(q)) to not 
     require that the nutrition facts label of any single 
     ingredient sugar, honey, agave, and syrup, including maple 
     syrup, that is packaged and offered for sale as a single 
     ingredient food bear the declaration ``Includes Xg Added 
     Sugars.'' (Section 12516)
       The Managers take note of numerous surveys highlighting 
     high incidence of consumer confusion resulting from a 
     mandatory declaration specifying ``added sugar'' on nutrition 
     facts panel labels on single ingredient products such as pure 
     honey and pure maple syrup. While the Managers are willing to 
     consider future proposals by the Food and Drug Administration 
     (FDA) to specify percent daily value in relation to the sugar 
     content in these single ingredient products, the Managers' 
     intent is to stop FDA from requiring any form of a mandatory 
     declaration of ``added sugar'' content on single ingredient 
     products. The Managers further suggest that future efforts by 
     the FDA to regulate added sugar aspects of the nutrition 
     facts label should be informed by research documenting 
     consumer interpretation of proposed label statements.
     (57) Expedited exportation of certain species
       The Senate amendment instructs the Director of the Fish and 
     Wildlife Service (FWS) to issue a rule proposing to amend FWS 
     requirements pertaining to export permissions for certain 
     species. The rule is to consider establishing expedited 
     procedures for exporting sea urchins and sea cucumbers 
     intended for human and animal food. (Section 12601)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment amending Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 
     regulations relating to export permission requirements for 
     green sea urchins, only, to facilitate their exportation, and 
     requires data on the conservation and management of green sea 
     urchins be provided to relevant government entities. (Section 
     12617)
     (58) Baiting of migratory game birds
       The Senate amendment: (1) provides definitions for normal 
     agricultural operation, post-disaster flooding, and certain 
     agricultural practices related to rice production; (2) 
     requires the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Agriculture, to revise agency regulations 
     clarifying that certain practices for rice producers, when 
     carried out as part of a normal agricultural operation, do 
     not constitute baiting; and (3) directs the Secretary to 
     issue reports related to the provisions of the section. 
     (Section 12602)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     a minor amendment to the reporting requirements of the 
     Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior. (Section 12601)
     (59) Pima agriculture cotton trust fund
       The House bill repeals the program and creates ``Textile 
     Trust Fund'' in section 11304. (Section 11301)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 12314 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014, clarifies how funds shall be 
     distributed to yarn spinners, amends the requirements of the 
     affidavit, makes technical changes and updates, and provides 
     funding for the trust fund for each calendar year through 
     2023. (Section 12603)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12602)
     (60) Agriculture wool apparel manufacturers trust fund
       The House bill repeals the program and creates ``Textile 
     Trust Fund'' in Section 11304. (Section 11302)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 12315 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014, makes technical changes and 
     updates, and provides funding for the trust fund for each 
     calendar year through 2023. (Section 12604)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12603)
     (61) Wool research and promotion
       The House bill repeals the program and creates ``Textile 
     Trust Fund'' in Section 11304. (Section 11303)
       The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 12316 of the 
     Agricultural Act of 2014 and extends the $2.25 million in 
     mandatory funding for each of calendar years 2019 through 
     2023. (Section 12605)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12604)
     (62) Textile trust fund
       The House bill: (1) establishes the Textile Trust Fund for 
     the purposes of reducing injury for certain domestic 
     manufacturers resulting from tariffs on certain cotton and 
     wool products that are higher than tariffs on certain cotton 
     and wool apparel articles made from those products; (2) 
     provides for the distribution of funds from the Textile Trust 
     Fund for manufacturers of pima cotton and wool products, and 
     for wool research and promotion; (3) provides for the timing 
     of distributions of funds from the Textile Trust Fund; (4) 
     authorizes the Textile Trust Fund through calendar year 2023 
     and provides funding; and (5) directs the Secretary, for each 
     calendar year 2019 through 2023, to transfer from CCC to the 
     Textile Trust Fund $25.5 million to be allocated as such, 
     with funds to remain available until expended; $8 million to 
     eligible manufacturers of pima cotton; $15 million to 
     eligible wool manufacturers; and $2.25 million in grants for 
     wool research and promotion. (Section 11304)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision to 
     the creation of the Textile Trust Fund, but contains related 
     provisions in sections 12603, 12604, and 12605.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (63) Emergency citrus disease research and extension program 
         (research and development trust fund)
       The House bill reauthorizes the Emergency Citrus Disease 
     Research and Extension Program through 2023, extends the 
     authorization of the appropriation of $25 million in funding 
     per year through 2023, and extends the $25 million of 
     mandatory funding for the Citrus Disease Research and 
     Extension Program for each fiscal year through 2023. (Section 
     7305)
       The Senate amendment: (1) establishes a citrus trust fund 
     and directs the Secretary to make payments annually for the 
     purpose of citrus research and extension activities, 
     technical assistance, and development activities to combat 
     certain pests and diseases as well as to support 
     dissemination and commercialization of certain relevant 
     discoveries; (2) prioritizes payments for the same research 
     priorities established by the Citrus Disease Subcommittee of 
     the Specialty Crop Committee of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board 
     per Section 1408A(g)(4) of the National Agricultural 
     Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act of 1977; (3) 
     requires the Secretary, when determining how to distribute 
     payments from the trust funds, to seek input from the Federal 
     and State agencies and others involved in citrus disease 
     response, and consider other public and private citrus-
     related research and extension; (4) requires the Secretary to 
     ensure that funds provided from the trust fund not supplant 
     funds made available to carry out other citrus disease 
     activities carried out by USDA; and (5) requires the 
     Secretary to transfer to the Citrus Trust Fund $25 million 
     from the Commodity Credit Corporation for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023. (Section 12606)
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment striking certain language from the Senate 
     provision, simplifying the program, and directing the 
     Secretary to carry out the Emergency Citrus Disease Research 
     Extension Program in section 412(j) of the Agricultural 
     Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998. 
     (Section 12605)
     (64) Extension of merchandise processing fees
       The Senate amendment extends section 503 of the United 
     States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Public 
     Law 112-41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) for 13 weeks to May 26, 
     2027. (Section 12607)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12606)
     (65) Conforming changes to controlled substances act
       The Senate amendment amends the existing exemptions to 
     include hemp as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural 
     Marketing Act of 1946 and tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as 
     defined under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
     of 1946). (Section 12608)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12619)
     (66) National flood insurance program reauthorization
       The Senate amendment extends financing authority of the 
     program through January 31, 2019 and extends the program 
     through January 31, 2019. (Section 12609)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
     provision.
     (67) Eligibility for operators on heirs property land to 
         obtain a farm number
       The Senate amendment defines ``eligible documentation'' to 
     include: (1) in states that have adopted the Uniform 
     Partition of Heirs Property Act, a court order verifying the 
     land meets the definition of heirs property or certification 
     from the local recorder of deeds that the recorded landowner 
     is deceased and not less than one heir has initiated a 
     procedure to retitle the land; (2) a tenancy-in-common 
     agreement that sets out ownership rights and responsibilities 
     among all of the land owners; (3) tax returns for the 
     preceding five years; (4) self-certification that the farm 
     operator has control of the land; and (5) any other 
     documentation identified by the Secretary as an alternative 
     form of eligible documentation.
       The Senate provision also requires the Secretary to provide 
     for the assignment of a farm number to any farm operator who 
     provides an form of eligible documentation, for purposes of 
     demonstrating that the farm operator has control of the land 
     for purpose of

[[Page H10028]]

     defining that land as a farm, and requires the Secretary to 
     identify alternative forms of eligible documentation that a 
     farm operator may provide in seeking the assignment of a farm 
     number. (Section 12623)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
     (Section 12615)
       The Managers recognize that farm operators on land that has 
     been passed down through multiple generations without formal 
     probate proceedings may not have clear title to the land. The 
     Managers intend for this section to ensure operators of such 
     land, commonly referred to as heirs' property, who provide 
     certain documentation to the Secretary are eligible to 
     receive farm numbers for the purposes of accessing programs 
     offered by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. In 
     determining States that have enacted or adopted the Uniform 
     Partition of Heirs Property Act, the Managers intend that 
     USDA consider ``State'' to mean any of the 50 States, the 
     District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
     Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of 
     Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of 
     the Marshall Islands.
     (68) Farmland ownership data collection
       The Senate amendment instructs the Secretary to collect, 
     and not less frequently than once every 5 years report, data 
     and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and 
     entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
     disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. (Section 12625)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment merging the Senate provision with Section 2506 
     of Title II, and House Section 7604. (Section 12607)
     (69) National Oilheat Research Alliance
       The Senate amendment repeals section 713 of the National 
     Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; 
     Public Law 106-469), allowing it to become permanent law, and 
     inserts new section 708 addressing limitations on the 
     obligations of funds. (Section 12627)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment extending the covered period to 10 years. 
     (Section 12531)
     (70) Reauthorization of rural emergency medical services 
         training and equipment assistance program
       The Senate amendment inserts a short title for the section, 
     adds ``or to residents of rural areas'', reauthorizes the 
     program through FY2019-2023, and strikes subsections (b) 
     through (f) and inserts: (b) provides that eligible 
     applicants shall be emergency medical services agencies; (c) 
     allows funds to be used to train medical emergency personnel, 
     conduct training courses, recruit personnel, and purchase 
     emergency medical equipment; (d) caps grants at $200,000 per 
     award; (f) requires 25 percent match by the grantee; and (e) 
     defines emergency medical services as resources used to 
     deliver medical services outside of a medical facility; 
     includes services delivered by other provider certified by 
     State. (Section 12628)
       The House bill contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision with 
     an amendment reducing the 25 percent match to 10 percent. 
     (Section 12608)
     (71) Definition of retail facilities
       The House bill amends section 6 of OSHA Act of 1970 to 
     codify an existing exemption for agricultural retailers from 
     the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 
     (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) of Hazardous Chemicals 
     standard. (Section 9131)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (72) Commission on farm transitions--Needs for 2050
       The House bill establishes a commission and sets an 
     organizational framework, to be known as the Commission on 
     Farm Transitions--Needs for 2050 to conduct a study and issue 
     a report on a variety of issues impacting the transition of 
     agricultural operations from established farmers and ranchers 
     to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. (Section 
     11205)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment clarifying the applicable exemptions to the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act, and terminating the 
     commission on September 30, 2023. (Section 12609)
     (73) Restoring certain exceptions to United States Grain 
         Standard Act
       The House bill allows certain grain handling facilities to 
     restore a prior exception with an official agency designated 
     under the rule entitled ``Exceptions to Geographic Areas for 
     Official Agencies Under the USGSA'' published by the 
     Department of Agriculture in the Federal Register on April 
     18, 2003 (68 Fed. Reg. 19137) if certain criteria are met. 
     (Section 11401)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment restoring the nonuse of service exception to the 
     geographic boundary provisions of the United States Grain 
     Standards Act and allows a grain handling facility that lost 
     a nonuse of service exception after October 1, 2015, to 
     notify the Federal Grain Inspection Service to restore the 
     prior exception. (Section 12610)
       The Managers remain concerned with the Department's 
     implementation of the U.S. Grain Standards Act provisions 
     that provided for a ``written agreement'' exception program, 
     which replaced the former ``non-use of service'' exception 
     program. In USDA's notice of the final rule to implement 
     ``Reauthorization of the United States Grain Standards Act'', 
     81 Fed. Reg. 49855 (July 29, 2016) USDA indicated its 
     intention to ``continue to honor'' the 95 current agreements 
     for agencies to operate outside of their assigned geographic 
     territories. However, Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) 
     Directive 9290.18, which was issued to provide instructions 
     on how to implement the new requirements, contradicted the 
     intention expressed in the notice of final rule and created 
     uncertainty for grain handling facilities. Specifically, FGIS 
     permitted unilateral termination of these agreements by an 
     incumbent designated agency--a practice that Congress did not 
     intend, did not agree with, and subsequently prevented 
     through appropriations language.
       Unilateral termination created uncertainty for grain 
     handling facilities--the primary customers of the officially 
     designated inspection agencies. The conference substitute 
     reinstates the ``non-use of service exception and establishes 
     a new policy that precludes unilateral termination of these 
     exception agreements. The Managers believe that it is 
     important for grain handling facilities and the excepted 
     official agency to have input into this process and that FGIS 
     should not permit one party to terminate an exception 
     agreement.
       The Managers do not intend for the restoration of 
     exceptions to require a formal rulemaking process. The 
     Managers intend to provide a near term option for grain 
     handling facilities to go back to a previously approved by 
     the Department non-use of service exception agreement, 
     provided that the former excepted official agency agrees. 
     Grain handling facilities would have 90 days from enactment 
     to notify the Secretary of its preferred date to restore the 
     exception and within 90 days of this notification, the 
     Secretary must restore this exception. The Managers do not 
     intend for the Secretary to wait 90 days to restore an 
     exception. The Managers urge FGIS and the Secretary to work 
     with the grain handling facilities and excepted agencies to 
     expedite this process. The Managers intend that if an 
     official agency loses its designation, any exceptions that 
     agency has are terminated by the Secretary. If that agency 
     regains its designation the Secretary may restore the 
     exceptions it had. The Managers expect the Department to work 
     closely with and give considerable weight to the input 
     provided by the customer that previously utilized these 
     exceptions when taking into account whether or not to restore 
     the exception.
       The Managers expect the Department to issue an updated 
     directive noting the restored exception category and the 
     process to reinstate exceptions that had been terminated. The 
     Managers expect FGIS to carefully review requests to 
     reinstate an exception when one or more parties to the 
     previous exception have changed ownership and to reinstate 
     the exception as appropriate.
     (74) Conference report requirement threshold
       The House bill amends the section to raise the threshold 
     for conferences excluded from the report from those costing 
     less than $10,000, to those costing less than $75,000. 
     (Section 11603)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment reducing the threshold to $50,000. (Section 
     12611)
     (75) National agriculture imagery program
       The House bill: (1) instructs the Secretary, working 
     through FSA, to institute a national agriculture imagery 
     program to annually acquire aerial imagery during 
     agricultural growing seasons from the continental United 
     States; (2) requires that the aerial imagery acquired under 
     this section shall consist of high resolution processed 
     digital imagery, be made available in a format that can be 
     provided to Federal, State, and private sector entities, be 
     technologically compatible with geospatial information 
     technology, and be consistent with the standards established 
     by the Federal Geographic Data Committee; and (3) authorizes 
     appropriations of $23 million for fiscal year 2019 and each 
     fiscal year thereafter. (Section 11604)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 12612)
     (76) Report on inclusion of natural stone products in 
         Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 
         1996
       The House bill instructs that no later than 180 days after 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
     only, a report examining the effect of the establishment of a 
     Natural Stone Research and Promotion Board pursuant to the 
     Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 
     would have on the natural

[[Page H10029]]

     stone industry, on economic development in rural areas, and 
     on benefits to consumers. (Section 11605)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 12613)
     (77) Establishment of food access liaison
       The House bill amends subtitle A of the Department of 
     Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 by adding a new 
     section establishing a Food Access Liaison to coordinate USDA 
     programs, to reduce barriers to food access, and to monitor 
     and evaluate the progress of such programs. (Section 11608)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
     (Section 12614)
     (78) Cotton classification services
       The House bill amends section 3a to provide that employees 
     hired to provide cotton classification services may work up 
     to 240 calendar days in a service year and may be rehired 
     non-competitively every year if they meet performance and 
     conduct expectations. (Section 11609)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (79) Report on agricultural innovation
       The House bill instructs that no later than 180 days after 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with 
     the Administrator of the EPA and the Commissioner of the FDA, 
     shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. The 
     report shall focus on plans for improving the Federal 
     government's policies and procedures relating to gene editing 
     and other precision plant breeding methods. (Section 11611)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (80) Consideration of the totality of conservation measures
       The House bill amends section 7(b)(3) of the Endangered 
     Species Act to add considerations when determining whether a 
     Federal agency action is likely to jeopardize the continued 
     existence of any endangered species or threatened species or 
     result in the destruction or adverse modification of the 
     critical habitat of a species. (Section 11614)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (81) Depredation permits for black vultures
       The House bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior in 
     conjunction with the Director of the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service, to issue depredation permits to livestock 
     farmers, authorizing, with limitations, takings of black 
     vultures otherwise prohibited by Federal law to prevent such 
     vultures from taking livestock during the calving season, 
     provided that the permit holder report the taking of the 
     vultures to appropriate enforcement agencies. (Section 11615)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (82) Extending prohibition on animal fighting to the 
         territories
       The House bill eliminates certain exceptions in order to 
     extend the provision to states and territories where it may 
     not have been applicable. (Section 11616)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
     an amendment to change the ``effective date'' to one year 
     after enactment of this Act. (Section 12616)
     (83) Waters of the United States rule
       The House bill repeals the final rule issued by the EPA and 
     the Secretary of the Army entitled ``Clean Water Rule: 
     Definition of `Waters of the United States''', published on 
     June 29, 2015, and any regulation or policy revised under, or 
     otherwise affected as a result of, that rule shall be applied 
     as if that rule had not been issued. (Section 11617)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (84) Prohibition against interference by state and local 
         governments with production or manufacture of items in 
         other states
       The House bill instructs that the government of a State or 
     locality therein shall not impose a standard or condition on 
     the production or manufacture of any agricultural product, 
     sold or offered for sale in interstate commerce, if the 
     production or manufacture occurs in another State and the 
     standard or condition is in addition to Federal standards and 
     the laws of the State and locality in which production or 
     manufacture occurs.
       The House bill also states that, pursuant to Section 207 of 
     the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1626) the 
     term ``agricultural product'' includes agricultural, 
     horticultural, viticultural, and dairy products, livestock 
     and poultry, bees, forest products, fish and shellfish, and 
     any products thereof, including processed and manufactured 
     products, and any and all products raised or produced on 
     farms and any processed or manufactured product thereof. 
     (Section 11701)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     (85) Federal cause of action to challenge state regulation of 
         interstate commerce
       The House bill provides a private right of action, in the 
     appropriate court, for individual persons, and a variety of 
     entities, affected by a regulation of a State or unit of 
     local government which regulates any aspect of an 
     agricultural product, including any aspect of the method of 
     production, which is sold in interstate commerce, or any 
     means or instrumentality through which such an agriculture 
     product is sold in interstate commerce, to invalidate such a 
     regulation and seek damages for economic loss resulting from 
     such regulation.
       The House bill also provides preliminary injunctive relief 
     to preclude enforcement of the regulation at issue pursuant 
     to certain standards. The applicable statute of limitations 
     is 10 years. (Section 11702)
       The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
       The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
     provision.
     Additional Report Language
     Section 12520 Authorization of protection operations for the 
         Secretary of Agriculture and others
       The Managers intend for the Department to exercise the 
     protection authorities granted in section 12520 when 
     warranted, including to individuals serving in Acting 
     Secretary or Deputy Secretary roles, consistent with threat 
     assessments and applicable guidelines or requirements.
       Section (a)(2) grants the authority to provide protection 
     that is incidental to the protection provided to the 
     Secretary or Deputy Secretary. Such authority should be used 
     only when: (1) extenuating circumstances occur that pose an 
     articulable threat to such individual; and (2) the security 
     of the Secretary or Deputy Secretary would not be jeopardized 
     in protecting other qualified individuals. Such extenuating 
     circumstances may include, for example, a car accident, where 
     individuals traveling with the Secretary have suffered 
     physical harm and the Secretary's protection would not be 
     jeopardized by protecting other qualified individuals. The 
     Managers do not intend for the number of security personnel 
     accompanying the Secretary or Deputy Secretary to increase 
     because of any potential need to protect any additional 
     persons in extenuating circumstances.
       The Managers are wary of increasing security costs. The 
     Department has represented to the Managers that it does not 
     anticipate spending additional resources over its current 
     budget and that in exercising this authority, it does not 
     intend to automatically provide protection to additional 
     Department officials. Although this authority is being 
     provided, the Managers do not expect for the Department to 
     alter the current level of protection or the number of 
     officials protected, unless warranted.
       The Managers further intend for the term ``continuous 
     protection'' to mean protection at all times when there is an 
     articulable threat of physical harm, as assessed through 
     threat assessments, including at a personal residence and 
     during periods of personal, non- official activities.
       The Managers intend for the report required by subsection 
     (e) to describe the individuals to whom protection was 
     provided under this authority, the extent and frequency of 
     such protections, and measures undertaken to determine the 
     necessity of protection. The Department shall provide the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry of the United States Senate with timely 
     briefings, upon request, regarding the use of this authority.

   COMPLIANCE WITH RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE 
      REGARDING REMARKS AND CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS

       Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 
     of Representatives and Rule XLIV o the Standing Rules of the 
     Senate, neither this conference report nor the accompanying 
     joint statement of managers contains any congressional 
     earmarks, congressionally directed spending items, limited 
     tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits, as defined in such 
     rules.
     From the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of the 
     House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications 
     committed to conference:
     K. Michael Conaway,
     Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania,
     Bob Goodlatte,
     Frank D. Lucas,
     Mike Rogers of Alabama,
     Austin Scott of Georgia,
     Eric A. ``Rick'' Crawford,
     Vicky Hartzler,
     Rodney Davis of Illinois,
     Ted S. Yoho,
     David Rouzer,
     Roger W. Marshall,
     Jodey C. Arrington,
     Collin C. Peterson,
     David Scott of Georgia,
     Jim Costa,
     Marcia L. Fudge,
     James P. McGovern,
     Filemon Vela,

[[Page H10030]]

     Ann M. Kuster of New Hampshire,
     Tom O'Halleran,
     Virginia Foxx,
     Rick W. Allen,
     Alma S. Adams,
     Kevin Cramer,
     Edward R. Royce,
     Steve Chabot,
     Eliot L. Engel,
     Rob Bishop of Utah,
     Bruce Westerman,
     Raul M. Grijalva,
     James Comer,
     Ralph Lee Abraham,
     Neal P. Dunn,
     Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas,
     Jeff Denham,
     Bob Gibbs,
     Cheri Bustos.
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Pat Roberts,
     Mitch McConnell,
     John Boozman,
     John Hoeven,
     Joni Ernst,
     Debbie Stabenow,
     Patrick J. Leahy,
     Sherrod Brown,
     Heidi Heitkamp.
                               Managers on the Part of the Senate.