[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6444-S6447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Butler, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms.
Hirono, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr.
Blumenthal):
S. 5165. A bill to prohibit the intimidation of election officials
and election workers; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Freedom from
Intimidation in Elections Act of 2024.
This legislation would amend section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act
to establish a rebuttable presumption that carrying a visible firearm
around election-related activities, such as voting or counting ballots,
constitutes intimidation within the meaning of the VRA.
This bill empowers voters and election workers to seek an emergency
civil injunction against individuals or groups engaged in such
intimidating conduct.
Importantly, the bill provides an exemption for appropriate law
enforcement officials and allows any group or individual facing suit to
present evidence that they did not, in fact, intimidate any voters or
election workers.
Given the increasing political polarization this country faces and
the Supreme Court's everchanging interpretation of the Second
Amendment, the risk of violence at polling places and election offices
has never been higher. This bill is essential to ensure that eligible
individuals can continue to exercise their right to vote without fear
of retribution or harm.
It is imperative to protect our voters and dedicated election workers
from threats of political violence by updating the Voting Rights Act's
anti-intimidation provisions to address the specific threat posed by
firearms around election activities.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Hawley):
S. 5172. A bill to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to
ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable
populations are able to request background checks for their contractors
who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the
businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for
those populations; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 5172
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEFINING ``COVERED INDIVIDUAL'' FOR PURPOSES OF
BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER THE NATIONAL CHILD
PROTECTION ACT OF 1993.
Section 5(9)(B) of the National Child Protection Act of
1993 (34 U.S.C. 40104(9)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting ``, contracts with,'' after ``is employed
by'';
(B) by inserting ``, contract with,'' after ``be employed
by''; and
(C) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii);
(3) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
``(ii) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be
employed by or volunteer with, an entity that is under
contract with a qualified entity;'';
(4) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by adding ``or''
at the end; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) is licensed or certified, or seeks to be licensed or
certified, by a qualified entity;''.
______
By Mr. PADILLA:
S. 5205. A bill to modify the boundaries of the San Pablo Bay
National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the San Pablo Bay
National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act. This legislation would expand
the boundary of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge by
approximately 5,658 acres to conserve additional land in Solano, Marin,
and Sonoma Counties of California.
The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge consists of more than
19,000 acres located along the northern edge of San Pablo Bay in
Northern California. It was established in 1974 to support wetland
habitat; endangered species, like the salt marsh harvest mouse and the
Ridgeway's Rail; and migratory birds, including the largest wintering
population of Canvasbacks on the west coast.
In addition to providing habitat and wildlife conservation, the San
Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers numerous recreation
opportunities, including wildlife viewing, wildlife photography,
hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting. Regulation of these recreation
activities allows for public enjoyment of the refuge while still
protecting the wildlife and their habitats.
The bill would expand the San Pablo Bay National Refuge by 5,658
acres, which is more than 28 percent of its current size. The bill
would also authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire
lands within the modified boundary from willing sellers or donors and
allow other Federal Agencies to transfer federally owned land within
the modified boundary to the Service without administrative hurdles.
Finally, the bill would encourage the Service to allocate Land and
Water Conservation Fund dollars to acquire any private inholdings
within modified National Wildlife Refuge boundary.
The Fish and Wildlife Service recently reported that 221 million
acres of wetlands were destroyed between 2009 and 2019, representing a
50-percent increase in the rate of loss from the previous decade. The
loss of wetlands across the country has reduced the amount of critical
habitat for wildlife, endangered species, and migratory birds. Given
these trends and its prime location within the Pacific Flyway,
expanding the boundaries of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
offers a unique opportunity to protect both critical wetland habitat
and priority public uses on Federal lands.
Importantly, expanding the refuge would also contribute to the State
of California's and the Biden-Harris Administration's goals to conserve
30 percent of our public lands and waters by 2030.
I would like to thank my colleagues Representatives John Garamendi,
Mike Thompson, and Jared Huffman for championing this bill in the
House.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the San Pablo
Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act as quickly as possible.
______
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Warren, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Booker,
Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Murphy):
S. 5209. A bill to require the Attorney General to make publicly
available a list of federally licensed firearms dealers with a high
number of short time-to-crime firearm traces, and to prohibit Federal
departments and agencies from contracting with such dealers; to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Clean Hands
Firearm Procurement Act.
This legislation addresses a critical need to ensure that Federal
resources do not inadvertently support gun dealers whose business
practices may contribute to the proliferation of firearms used in
criminal activities.
The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act would withhold Federal
contracts from Federal firearm, licensees, FFLs, who have been listed
in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' AFT Demand
2 Program twice in the preceding 3 calendar years.
[[Page S6445]]
The Demand 2 Program targets gun dealers who have sold 25 or more
firearms within a year that are subsequently traced to crimes within 3
years of their sale.
Under this act, dealers identified under the Demand 2 Program will be
prohibited from entering into Federal contracts for a period of 3 years
following their last appearance on the list. However, the Attorney
General would have the discretion to waive this prohibition for the
Departments of Defense and Homeland Security if it is deemed necessary
to protect national security.
Over the past two decades, the ATF's Demand 2 Program has been
instrumental in identifying gun dealers whose sales practices may be
contributing to the diversion of firearms to criminal activities. While
the vast majority of an FFLs operate responsibly, a small fraction--
about 2 percent--of these dealers have been shown to be a significant
source of crime guns.
Between 202l and 2023, only approximately 1,500 of the
Nation's 75,000-plus FFLs were subject to the Demand 2
Program. This small group of dealers has a disproportionate
impact on gun violence in our communities. It is deeply
troubling that some of these dealers have continued to
receive lucrative Federal contracts despite their track
record.
The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act aims to incentivize
better business practices among gun dealers by ensuring that
those with a history of contributing to gun violence through
irresponsible sales are not rewarded with Federal contracts.
This bill is a critical step towards reducing gun violence
and ensuring that Federal procurement practices do not
inadvertently support the diversion of firearms to criminal
activities.
Americans deserve to feel safe in their communities, and
our government has a responsibility to ensure that its
resources are used to promote public safety, not undermine
it. By passing this legislation, we can take meaningful
action to address the gun violence epidemic that continues to
plague our Nation.
Public safety is paramount, and this bill represents an
important measure to strengthen our efforts in combating the
illegal use of firearms. I look forward to working with my
colleagues to pass the Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act as
swiftly as possible.
______
By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Rounds):
S. 5216. A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply
municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the
Western Dakota Regional Water System, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 5216
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Western South Dakota Water
Supply Project Feasibility Study Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Reclamation feasibility standards.--The term
``reclamation feasibility standards'' means the eligibility
criteria and feasibility study requirements described in
section 106 of the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006
(43 U.S.C. 2405).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(3) Western dakota regional water system.--The term
``Western Dakota Regional Water System'' means the Western
Dakota Regional Water System, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
established and operated substantially in accordance with the
reclamation feasibility standards to serve as a non-Federal
project entity for purposes of the cooperative agreement
entered into under section 3(b).
SEC. 3. WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT FEASIBILITY
STUDY.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
West Dakota Water Development District, through a cooperative
agreement, may undertake a study to determine the feasibility
of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and
industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western
Dakota Regional Water System.
(2) Requirement.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
comply with the reclamation feasibility standards.
(b) Cooperative Agreement.--If the Secretary determines
that the study under subsection (a) does not comply with the
reclamation feasibility standards, the Secretary may enter
into a cooperative agreement with the Western Dakota Regional
Water System to complete additional work to ensure that the
study under that subsection complies with the reclamation
feasibility standards.
(c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the total costs of
carrying out the feasibility study under this section shall
not exceed 50 percent.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section
$10,000,000.
(e) Termination of Authority.--The authority provided by
this section expires on the date that is 10 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
______
By Mr. DURBIN:
S. 5272. A bill to amend chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code,
to provide protections with respect to frequent flyer programs and co-
branded credit cards, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 5272
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Your Points Act of
2024''.
SEC. 2. PROTECTIONS RELATING TO FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS AND
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARDS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 423 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 42309. PROTECTIONS RELATING TO FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS
AND CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARDS.
``(a) Protections Related to Points, Miles, and Other
Accrued Value.--
``(1) Value disclosure.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this section, each covered air carrier
shall--
``(A) prominently display on each page of the website of
the air carrier information regarding the financial value of
one point, mile, or other accrued value promised or offered
in connection with a frequent flyer program; and
``(B) update, in real time, any change to such information.
``(2) Expiration of points.--A covered air carrier shall
not place an expiration date on any points, miles, or other
accrued value promised or offered in connection with a
frequent flyer program.
``(3) Transfer of points.--
``(A) In general.--A covered air carrier shall--
``(i) allow a consumer participating in a frequent flyer
program to transfer any amount of points, miles, or other
accrued value of the consumer to another participant (chosen
by the consumer) of the same frequent flyer program; and
``(ii) guarantee that, with respect to any such transfer,
the points, miles, or other accrued value remain equal in
value once transferred.
``(B) Limitations.--A covered air carrier shall not--
``(i) limit the number of points, miles, or other accrued
value that a consumer may transfer to another participant of
the frequent flyer program; or
``(ii) impose a fee or other penalty on the consumer in
connection with such transfer.
``(4) Display of airfare value.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, each covered air
carrier shall display on any travel booking page of the
website of the air carrier the cost of airfare or other add-
on services both in dollar value and in the value of points,
miles, or other accrued value promised or offered in
connection with a frequent flyer program, in a manner that--
``(A) displays both values concurrently; and
``(B) does not require a consumer to alternate between such
values to display both costs.
``(5) Airfare and add-on services transactions.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, each
covered air carrier shall offer to consumers the ability to
purchase airfare or other add-on services in any combination
of dollars and points, miles, or other accrued value promised
or offered in connection with a frequent flyer program.
``(b) Consumer Notice of Changes to Terms of Service.--
``(1) Changes to terms of services.--With respect to the
terms of service, contract of carriage, or other customer
agreement of any frequent flyer program or airline co-branded
credit card of a covered air carrier, the covered air carrier
shall not include any provision that reserves the right of
the covered air carrier to make changes to the terms of
service, contract of carriage, or other customer agreement
without providing to the consumer at least 1 year of notice
of any such change.
``(2) Notice to consumers.--A covered air carrier shall not
take any action that would allow the covered air carrier to
devalue a consumer's accrued points, miles, or other accrued
value promised or offered in connection with a frequent flyer
program, including any action to decrease the dollar value,
[[Page S6446]]
eliminate, reduce, suspend, forfeit, invalidate, impose new
limits on the access, use, redemption, or validity, or impose
new requirements or expense for the redemption or use of any
such points, miles, or other accrued value unless the covered
air carrier has provided to consumers not fewer than 1 year
of notice of any such action.
``(3) Coordination with cfpb.--In carrying out paragraphs
(1) and (2), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Director
of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as necessary.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Add-on services.--The term `add-on services' means
any service that a consumer may add to a flight booking for
an additional cost, or may purchase as an in-flight service,
including seating options, baggage, beverages, food, early
boarding, lounge access, internet or wifi access, or any
other service determined appropriate by the Secretary.
``(2) Co-branded credit card.--The term `co-branded credit
card' means a credit card jointly offered by a covered air
carrier in partnership with a credit card issuer, with an
emphasis on rewarding brand loyalty.
``(3) Covered air carrier.--The term `covered air carrier'
means an air carrier conducting passenger operations under
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that
offers a frequent flyer program.
``(4) Frequent flyer program.--The term `frequent flyer
program' means a program in which a covered air carrier
promises or offers points, miles, or other accrued value for
tickets purchased from the covered air carrier.
``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Transportation.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 423 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 42308 the following:
``42309. Protections relating to frequent flyer programs and co-branded
credit cards.''.
______
By Mr. McCONNELL (for himself and Mr. Warner):
S. 5289. A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of the Interior to carry out activities to provide for white
oak restoration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text
of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 5289
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``White Oak Resilience Act of
2024''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF LAND-GRANT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.
In this Act, the term ``land-grant college or university''
means--
(1) an 1862 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
(2) an 1890 Institution (as defined in that section); and
(3) 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)).
SEC. 3. WHITE OAK RESTORATION INITIATIVE COALITION.
(a) In General.--There is established the White Oak
Restoration Initiative Coalition (referred to in this section
as the ``Coalition'')--
(1) as a voluntary collaborative group of public, State,
private, and nongovernmental organizations to carry out the
duties described in subsection (b); and
(2) in accordance with the charter entitled ``White Oak
Initiative Coalition Charter'' adopted by the White Oak
Initiative Board of Directors on March 21, 2023 (or a
successor charter).
(b) Duties.--In addition to the duties specified in the
charter described in subsection (a)(2), the duties of the
Coalition are--
(1) to coordinate public, State, local, private, and
nongovernmental restoration of white oak in the United
States;
(2) to make program and policy recommendations with respect
to--
(A) changes necessary to address Federal and State policies
that impede activities to improve the health, resiliency, and
natural regeneration of white oak;
(B) adopting or modifying Federal and State policies to
increase the pace and scale of white oak regeneration and
resiliency of white oak;
(C) options to enhance communication, coordination, and
collaboration between forest land owners, particularly for
cross-boundary projects, to improve the health, resiliency,
and natural regeneration of white oak;
(D) research gaps that should be addressed to improve the
best available science on white oak;
(E) outreach to forest landowners with white oak or white
oak regeneration potential; and
(F) options and policies necessary to improve the quality
and quantity of white oak in tree nurseries; and
(3) to submit the report under subsection (c).
(c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Coalition shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a
report describing the activities of the Coalition during the
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act,
including the recommendations described in subsection (b)(2).
(d) Administrative Support, Technical Services, and Staff
Support.--The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture shall make such personnel available to the
Coalition for administrative support, technical services, and
development and dissemination of educational materials as the
Secretaries determine to be necessary to carry out this
section.
(e) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to
the Coalition.
(f) Private Funding of White Oak Restoration Projects.--The
Secretary of Agriculture may make available funds to the
Coalition to carry out this section from funds in the
accounts established pursuant to section 1241(f) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(f)).
SEC. 4. FOREST SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish and
carry out 5 pilot projects in national forests to restore
white oak in those national forests through white oak
restoration and natural regeneration practices.
(b) National Forests Reserved or Withdrawn From the Public
Domain.--At least 3 pilot projects required under subsection
(a) shall be carried out in national forests reserved or
withdrawn from the public domain.
(c) Authority to Enter Into Cooperative Agreements.--The
Secretary of Agriculture may enter into cooperative
agreements to carry out the pilot projects required under
subsection (a).
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WHITE OAK ASSESSMENT AND
PILOT PROJECTS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered land.--The term ``covered land'' means land
under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary,
including a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System and
abandoned mine land.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(b) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out an
assessment of covered land to evaluate--
(A) whether white oak is present on the covered land; and
(B) the potential to restore white oak forests on the
covered land.
(2) Use of information.--In carrying out the assessment
under paragraph (1), the Secretary may use information from
sources other than the Department of the Interior, including
information from--
(A) the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition
established by section 3(a); and
(B) the Chief of the Forest Service.
(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress, and make publicly
available on the website of the Department of the Interior, a
report describing the results of the assessment carried out
under paragraph (1).
(c) Pilot Projects.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date on
which the Secretary submits the report required under
subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall establish and carry
out 5 pilot projects on various areas of covered land, the
purpose of which is to restore and naturally regenerate white
oak.
(2) Authority to enter into cooperative agreements.--The
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements to carry out
the pilot projects required under paragraph (1).
SEC. 6. WHITE OAK REGENERATION AND UPLAND OAK HABITAT.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall
establish a nonregulatory program to be known as the ``White
Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program'' (referred
to in this section as the ``Program'').
(b) Duties.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary
shall--
(1) draw upon the best available science and management
plans for species of white oak to identify, prioritize, and
implement restoration and conservation activities that will
improve the growth of white oak within the United States;
(2) collaborate and coordinate with the White Oak
Restoration Initiative Coalition to prioritize white oak
restoration initiatives;
(3) adopt a white oak restoration strategy that--
(A) supports the implementation of a shared set of science-
based restoration and conservation activities developed in
accordance with paragraph (1);
(B) targets cost-effective projects with measurable
results; and
(C) maximizes restoration outcomes with no net gain of
Federal full-time equivalent employees; and
[[Page S6447]]
(4) establish the voluntary grant and technical assistance
program in accordance with subsection (e).
(c) Coordination.--In establishing the Program, the
Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service,
shall consult with--
(1) the heads of Federal agencies, including--
(A) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service; and
(B) the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service; and
(2) the Governor of each State in which restoration efforts
will be carried out pursuant to the Program.
(d) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program include--
(1) coordinating restoration and conservation activities
among Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities and
conservation partners to address white oak restoration
priorities;
(2) improving and regenerating white oak and upland oak
forests and the wildlife habitat such forests provide;
(3) carrying out coordinated restoration and conservation
activities that lead to the increased growth of species of
white oak in native white oak regions on Federal, State,
Tribal, and private land;
(4) facilitating strategic planning to maximize the
resilience of white oak systems and habitats under changing
climate conditions;
(5) engaging the public through outreach, education, and
citizen involvement to increase capacity and support for
coordinated restoration and conservation activities for
species of white oak; and
(6) increasing scientific capacity to support the planning,
monitoring, and research activities necessary to carry out
such coordinated restoration and conservation activities.
(e) Grants and Assistance.--
(1) In general.--To the extent that funds are available to
carry out this section, the Secretary shall establish a
voluntary grant and technical assistance program (referred to
in this subsection as the ``grant program'') to achieve the
purposes of the Program described in subsection (d).
(2) Administration.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a
cooperative agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation (referred to in this subsection as the
``Foundation'') to manage and administer the grant program.
(B) Funding.--After the Secretary enters into a cooperative
agreement with the Foundation under subparagraph (A), the
Foundation shall--
(i) for each fiscal year, receive amounts to carry out this
subsection in an advance payment of the entire amount on
October 1, or as soon as practicable thereafter, of that
fiscal year;
(ii) invest and reinvest such amounts for the benefit of
the grant program; and
(iii) otherwise administer the grant program to support
partnerships between the public and private sectors in
accordance with this section.
(3) Application of national fish and wildlife foundation
establishment act.--Amounts received by the Foundation to
carry out the grant program shall be subject to the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C.
3701 et seq.), excluding section 10(a) of that Act (16 U.S.C.
3709(a)).
SEC. 7. WHITE OAK TREE NURSERY SHORTAGES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall develop and
implement a national strategy to increase the capacity of
Federal, State, Tribal, and private tree nurseries to address
the nationwide shortage of white oak tree seedlings.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) be based on the best available science and data, as
established by land-grant colleges and universities that have
demonstrated--
(A) scientific expertise relating to white oak;
(B) the ability to rapidly transfer technologies to the
stave industry;
(C) geographic proximity to concentrated areas of white
oak; and
(D) support for regional economic development; and
(2) identify and address--
(A) regional shortages of bareroot and container white oak
tree seedlings;
(B) regional white oak reforestation opportunities and the
seedling supply necessary to fulfill those opportunities;
(C) opportunities to enhance white oak seedling diversity
and close gaps in seed inventories; and
(D) barriers to expanding, enhancing, or creating new
infrastructure to increase nursery capacity for white oak
tree seedlings.
SEC. 8. WHITE OAK RESEARCH.
(a) Research.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through
the Chief of the Forest Service, shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding with a land-grant college or
university to conduct research on--
(1) white oak genes with resistance and stress tolerance;
(2) white oak trees that exhibit vigor for the purpose of
increasing survival and growth;
(3) establishing a diverse white oak seed bank capable of
responding to stressors;
(4) providing a sustainable supply of white oak seedlings
and genetic resources;
(5) reforestation of white oak through natural and
artificial regeneration; and
(6) the best methods for white oak reforestation on
abandoned mine land sites.
(b) Consultation.--In carrying out the research under
subsection (a), the land-grant college or university may
consult with such States, nonprofit organizations,
institutions of higher education, and other scientific bodies
as the land-grant college or university determines to be
appropriate.
SEC. 9. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.
(a) Partnerships.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Director of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, shall enter into a partnership with an eligible
entity described in paragraph (2) to conduct research on
improving white oak species resiliency, health, and
preservation, including research on--
(A) population-scale sequencing;
(B) stress response traits;
(C) seedling physiology and performance; and
(D) white oak product development.
(2) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity referred to in
paragraph (1) is a land-grant college or university that has
demonstrated--
(A) scientific expertise relating to white oak;
(B) the ability to rapidly transfer technologies to the
stave industry;
(C) geographic proximity to concentrated areas of white
oak; and
(D) support for regional economic development.
(b) Priorities.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Director of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, shall prioritize research relating to the
resistance of white oak to disease, pest, heat, and drought
in cultivated, new, and old-growth white oak timber stands.
SEC. 10. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE INITIATIVE.
The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shall establish
an initiative on white oak--
(1) to re-establish white oak forests where appropriate;
(2) to improve the management of existing white oak forests
to foster natural regeneration of white oak; and
(3) to provide technical assistance to private landowners
to re-establish, improve management of, and naturally
regenerate white oak.
SEC. 11. AUTHORITIES.
To the maximum extent practicable, to carry out activities
under this Act and the amendments made by this Act, the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture
shall use the authorities provided under this Act and those
amendments, in combination with authorities under other
provisions of law, including--
(1) good neighbor agreements under section 8206 of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); and
(2) stewardship contracting projects under section 604 of
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
6591c).
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