[House Report 105-376]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 1st Session                                                    105-376
_______________________________________________________________________


 
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  1997

_______________________________________________________________________


November 4, 1997.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Smith of Oregon, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 2534]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the bill 
(H.R. 2534) to reform, extend, and repeal certain agricultural 
research, extension, and education programs, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 
pass.
  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sec. 231. National agricultural weather information system.
Sec. 232. Agricultural genome initiative.

                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

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

                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

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

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

                         Subtitle A--Extensions

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

                          Subtitle B--Repeals

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

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

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

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

                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

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

                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

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

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Role of Secretary of Agriculture regarding food and 
agricultural sciences research, education, and extension.
Sec. 502. Office of Pest Management Policy.
Sec. 503. Food Safety Research Information Office and national 
conference.
Sec. 504. Nutrient composition data.
Sec. 505. Availability of funds received or collected on behalf of 
National Arboretum.
Sec. 506. Retention and use of Agricultural Research Service patent 
culture collection fees.
Sec. 507. Reimbursement of expenses incurred under Sheep Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1994.
Sec. 508. Sense of Congress regarding Agricultural Research Service 
emphasis on in field research regarding methyl bromide alternatives.
Sec. 509. Sense of Congress regarding importance of school-based 
agricultural education.
Sec. 510. Sense of Congress regarding designation of Department Crisis 
Management Team.

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

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

  (a) Priority Setting Process.--Section 1402 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
          (1) by inserting ``(a) Purposes.--'' before ``The purposes''; 
        and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  ``(b) Priority Setting Process.--Consistent with subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall establish priorities for agricultural research, 
extension, and education activities conducted or funded by the 
Department. In establishing such priorities, the Secretary shall 
solicit and consider input and recommendations from the Advisory Board 
and persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or 
education.''.
  (b) Management Principles.--Such section is further amended by adding 
after subsection (b), as added by subsection (a)(2), the following new 
subsection:
  ``(c) Management Principles.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretary shall ensure that agricultural research, education, and 
extension activities conducted or funded by the Department are 
accomplished in a manner that--
          ``(1) integrates agricultural research, education, and 
        extension functions to better link research to technology 
        transfer and information dissemination activities;
          ``(2) encourages multi-State and multi-institutional programs 
        to address relevant issues of common concern and to better 
        leverage scarce resources; and
          ``(3) achieves agricultural research, education, and 
        extension objectives through multi-institutional and 
        multifunctional approaches and by conducting research at 
        facilities and institutions best equipped to achieve those 
        objectives.''.
  (c) Clerical Amendment.--The heading of such section is amended by 
inserting ``, priorities, and management principles'' after 
``purposes''.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  (a) Review of Relevance and Merit.--Subtitle K of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is 
amended by inserting before section 1463 (7 U.S.C. 3311) the following 
new section:

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

  ``(a) Review of Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service.--
          ``(1) Peer review of research grants.--The Secretary shall 
        establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review of 
        each agricultural research grant administered, on a competitive 
        basis, by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
        Extension Service of the Department.
          ``(2) Merit review of extension and education.--The Secretary 
        shall establish procedures that provide for merit review of 
        each agricultural extension or education grant administered, on 
        a competitive basis, by the Cooperative State Research, 
        Education, and Extension Service. The Secretary shall consult 
        with the Advisory Board in establishing such merit review 
        procedures.
  ``(b) Requests for Proposals: Request and Consideration of Input.--
When formulating a request for proposals involving an agricultural 
research, extension, or education activity to be funded by the 
Secretary on a competitive basis, the Secretary shall solicit and 
consider input from the Advisory Board and users of agricultural 
research, extension, and education regarding the request for proposals 
for the preceding year. If an agricultural research, extension, or 
education activity has not been the subject of a previous request for 
proposals, the Secretary shall solicit and consider input from the 
Advisory Board and users of agricultural research, extension, and 
education before publication of the first request for proposals 
regarding the activity.
  ``(c) Scientific Peer Review of Agricultural Research.--
          ``(1) Peer review procedures.--The Secretary shall establish 
        procedures that ensure scientific peer review of all research 
        activities conducted by the Department of Agriculture.
          ``(2) Review panel required.--As part of the procedures 
        established under paragraph (1), a review panel shall verify, 
        at least once every three years, that each research activity of 
        the Department and research conducted under each research 
        program of the Department have scientific merit and relevance. 
        If the research activity or program to be reviewed is included 
        in the research, educational, and economics mission area of the 
        Department, the review panel shall consider--
                  ``(A) the scientific merit and relevance of the 
                activity or research in light of the priorities 
                established pursuant to section 1402(b) ; and
                  ``(B) the national or multi-State significance of the 
                activity or research.
          ``(3) Composition of review panel.--A review panel shall be 
        composed of individuals with scientific expertise, a majority 
        of whom are not employees of the agency whose research is being 
        reviewed. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall use 
        scientists from colleges and universities to serve on the 
        review panels.
          ``(4) Submission of results.--The results of the panel 
        reviews shall be submitted to the Advisory Board.
          ``(5) Applicability of other laws.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of this Act (7 
        U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a review panel.
  ``(d) Merit Review of College and University Research and Extension 
Activities.--
          ``(1) Land-grant institutions.--Effective beginning October 
        1, 1998, to be eligible to obtain agricultural research or 
        extension funds from the Secretary for an activity, a land-
        grant college or university shall--
                  ``(A) establish a process for merit review of the 
                activity; and
                  ``(B) review the activity in accordance with the 
                process.
          ``(2) 1994 institutions.--Effective beginning October 1, 
        1998, to obtain agricultural extension funds from the Secretary 
        for an activity, each 1994 Institution (as defined in section 
        532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 
        (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)) shall--
                  ``(A) establish a process for merit review of the 
                activity; and
                  ``(B) review the activity in accordance with the 
                process.''.
  (b) Repeal of Provisions for Withholding Funds.--
          (1) Smith-lever act.--Section 6 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
        U.S.C. 346) is repealed.
          (2) Hatch act of 1887.--Section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
        U.S.C. 361g) is amended by striking the last paragraph.
          (3) National agricultural research, extension, and teaching 
        policy act of 1977.--The National Agricultural Research, 
        Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended--
                  (A) in section 1444 (7 U.S.C. 3221)--
                          (i) by striking subsection (f); and
                          (ii) by redesignating subsection (g) as 
                        subsection (f);
                  (B) in section 1445(g) (7 U.S.C. 3222(g)), by 
                striking paragraph (3); and
                  (C) by striking section 1468 (7 U.S.C. 3314).

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO COST-REIMBURSABLE 
                    AGREEMENTS.

  Section 1473A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319a) is amended in the first 
sentence by inserting ``or other colleges and universities'' after 
``institutions''.

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

  (a) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a performance evaluation 
to determine whether agricultural research, extension, and education 
programs conducted or funded by the Department of Agriculture result in 
public benefits that have national or multi-State significance.
  (b) Guidelines for Performance Measurement.--The Secretary shall 
develop practical guidelines for measuring the performance of 
agricultural research, extension and education programs evaluated under 
subsection (a).

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

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

SEC. 201. ADOPTION OF SHORT TITLES FOR SMITH-LEVER ACT AND HATCH ACT OF 
                    1887.

  (a) Smith-Lever Act.--The Act of May 8, 1914 (commonly known as the 
Smith-Lever Act; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE.

  ``This Act may be cited as the `Smith-Lever Act'.''.
  (b) Hatch Act of 1887.--The Act of March 2, 1887 (commonly known as 
the Hatch Act of 1887; 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.), is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:

``SEC. 10. SHORT TITLE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  (a) Extension At 1890 Institutions.--Section 1444(d) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3221(d)) is amended--
          (1) by striking ``(d)'' and inserting the following:
  ``(d) Ascertainment of Entitlement to Funds; Time and Manner of 
Payment; State Reporting Requirements; and Plans for Work.--
          ``(1) Ascertainment of entitlement.--'';
          (2) in the last sentence, by striking ``Such sums'' and 
        inserting the following:
          ``(2) Time and manner of payment; related reports.--The 
        amount to which an eligible institution is entitled''; and
          (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
          ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each extension 
        plan of work for an eligible institution required under this 
        section shall contain descriptions of the following:
                  ``(A) The critical short-term, intermediate, and 
                long-term agricultural issues in the State in which the 
                eligible institution is located and the current and 
                planned extension programs and projects targeted to 
                address such issues.
                  ``(B) The process established to consult with 
                extension users regarding the identification of 
                critical agricultural issues in the State and the 
                development of extension programs and projects targeted 
                to address such issues.
                  ``(C) The efforts made to identify and collaborate 
                with other colleges and universities within the State 
                and other States that have unique capacity to address 
                the identified agricultural issues in the State and 
                current and emerging efforts (including regional 
                research efforts) to work with these other institutions 
                and States.
                  ``(D) The manner in which research and extension, 
                including research and extension activities funded 
                other than through formula funds, will cooperate to 
                address the critical issues in the State, including the 
                activities to be carried out separately, the activities 
                to be carried out sequentially, and the activities to 
                be carried out jointly.
                  ``(E) The education and outreach programs already 
                underway to convey currently available research results 
                that are pertinent to a critical agricultural issue, 
                including efforts to encourage multi-county cooperation 
                in the dissemination of research results.
          ``(4) Extension protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of 
        multi-State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary 
        extension activities and joint research and extension 
        activities in addressing critical agricultural issues 
        identified in the plans of work submitted under this section. 
        The Secretary shall develop the protocols in consultation with 
        the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and universities.
          ``(5) Treatment of plans of work for other purposes.--To the 
        extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of work 
        submitted under this section to satisfy other appropriate 
        Federal reporting requirements.''.
  (b) Agricultural Research At 1890 Institutions.--Section 1445(c) of 
such Act (7 U.S.C. 3222(c)) is amended--
          (1) by striking ``(c)'' and inserting the following:
  ``(c) Program and Plans for Work.--
          ``(1) Initial comprehensive program of agricultural 
        research.--''; and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
          ``(2) Plan of work required.--Before funds may be provided to 
        an eligible institution under this section for any fiscal year, 
        plans for the work to be carried on under this section shall be 
        submitted by the research director specified in subsection (d) 
        and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
          ``(3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each research 
        plan of work required under paragraph (2) shall contain 
        descriptions of the following:
                  ``(A) The critical short-term, intermediate, and 
                long-term agricultural issues in the State in which the 
                eligible institution is located and the current and 
                planned research programs and projects targeted to 
                address such issues.
                  ``(B) The process established to consult with users 
                of agricultural research regarding the identification 
                of critical agricultural issues in the State and the 
                development of research programs and projects targeted 
                to address such issues.
                  ``(C) Other colleges and universities in the State 
                and other States that have unique capacity to address 
                the identified agricultural issues in the State.
                  ``(D) The current and emerging efforts to work with 
                these other institutions and States to build on each 
                other's experience and take advantage of each 
                institution's unique capacities.
                  ``(E) The manner in which research and extension, 
                including research and extension activities funded 
                other than through formula funds, will cooperate to 
                address the critical issues in the State, including the 
                activities to be carried out separately, the activities 
                to be carried out sequentially, and the activities to 
                be carried out jointly.
          ``(4) Research protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
        develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of multi-
        State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary research 
        activities and joint research and extension activities in 
        addressing critical agricultural issues identified in the plans 
        of work submitted under paragraph (2). The Secretary shall 
        develop the protocols in consultation with the Advisory Board 
        and land-grant colleges and universities.''.
  (c) Effective Date.--
          (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
        take effect on October 1, 1998.
          (2) Delayed applicability.--With respect to a particular 
        eligible institution (as described in sections 1444(a) and 
        1445(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
        Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a), 3222(a))), the 
        Secretary of Agriculture may delay the applicability of the 
        requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section 
        until not later than October 1, 1999, if the Secretary finds 
        that the eligible institution will be unable to meet such 
        requirements by October 1, 1998, despite the good faith efforts 
        of the eligible institution.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ``Subtitle I--International Research, Extension, and Teaching''.

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

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

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

SEC. 231. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.

  Subtitle D of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5851-5855) is amended to read as follows:

     ``Subtitle D--National Agricultural Weather Information System

``SEC. 1637. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSES.

  ``(a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the `National 
Agricultural Weather Information System Act of 1997'.
  ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subtitle are--
          ``(1) to facilitate the management and coordination of a 
        national agricultural weather and climate station network for 
        Federal and State agencies, colleges and universities, and the 
        private sector;
          ``(2) to ensure that timely and accurate information is 
        obtained and disseminated; and
          ``(3) to aid research and education that requires a 
        comprehensive agricultural weather and climate database.

``SEC. 1638. AGRICULTURAL WEATHER SYSTEM.

  ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture may establish the 
National Agricultural Weather Information System (referred to in this 
subtitle as the `System'). The System shall be comprised of the 
operational and research activities of the Federal, State, and regional 
agricultural weather information systems.
  ``(b) Authority.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United 
States Code, to carry out this subtitle, the Secretary may--
          ``(1) enter into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements 
        and interagency agreements without regard to competitive 
        requirements, except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, 
        with other Federal and State agencies to--
                  ``(A) support operational weather and climate data 
                observations, analysis, and derived products;
                  ``(B) preserve historical data records for research 
                studies useful in agriculture;
                  ``(C) jointly develop improved computer models and 
                computing capacity for storage, retrieval, 
                dissemination and analysis of agricultural weather and 
                climate information;
                  ``(D) enhance the quality and availability of weather 
                and climate information needed by the private sector 
                for value-added products and agriculturists for 
                decisionmaking; and
                  ``(E) sponsor joint programs to train private sector 
                meteorologists and agriculturists about the optimum use 
                of agricultural weather and climate data;
          ``(2) obtain standardized weather observation data collected 
        in near real time through regional and State agricultural 
        weather information systems;
          ``(3) coordinate the activities of the Chief Meteorologist of 
        the Department of Agriculture and weather and climate research 
        activities of the Department of Agriculture with other Federal 
        agencies and the private sector;
          ``(4) make grants to plan and administer State and regional 
        agricultural weather information systems, including research in 
        atmospheric sciences and climatology;
          ``(5) encourage private sector participation in the System 
        through cooperation with the private sector, including 
        cooperation in the generation of weather and climate data 
        useful for site-specific agricultural weather forecasting; and
          ``(6) make competitive grants to carry out research in all 
        aspects of atmospheric sciences and climatology regarding the 
        collection, retention, and dissemination of agricultural 
        weather and climate observations and information, with priority 
        given to proposals that emphasize--
                  ``(A) techniques and processes that relate to--
                          ``(i) weather- or climate-induced 
                        agricultural losses; and
                          ``(ii) improvement of information on weather 
                        and climate extremes (such as drought, floods, 
                        freeze, and storms) well in advance of their 
                        occurrence;
                  ``(B) the improvement of site-specific weather data 
                collection and forecasting;
                  ``(C) the impact of weather on economic and 
                environmental costs in agricultural production; or
                  ``(D) the preservation and management of the 
                ecosystem.

``SEC. 1639. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.

  ``(a) Use of Funds.--
          ``(1) National oceanic and atmospheric administration work.--
        Not more than \2/3\ of the funds made available for a fiscal 
        year to carry out this subtitle shall be used for work with the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
          ``(2) Administrative costs.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
        retain for administration of the System up to four percent of 
        the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle, 
        notwithstanding the availability of any appropriation for 
        administrative expenses to carry out this subtitle.
          ``(3) Limitations.--
                  ``(A) Buildings or facilities.--Funds made available 
                to carry out this subtitle shall not be used for the 
                planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or 
                construction of a building or facility.
                  ``(B) Equipment purchases.--Of funds made available 
                under a grant award under this subtitle, a grantee may 
                use for equipment purchases not more than the lesser 
                of--
                          ``(i) $15,000; or
                          ``(ii) \1/3\ of the amount of the grant 
                        award.
  ``(b) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board 
created for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals 
submitted for grants under section 1638.

``SEC. 1640. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  ``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
$15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002.''.

SEC. 232. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

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

``SEC. 1671. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

  ``(a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a 
research initiative for the purpose of--
          ``(1) supporting basic and applied research and technology 
        development in the area of genome structure and function in 
        support of agriculturally important species, with a particular 
        focus on research projects that will yield scientifically 
        important results that will enhance the usefulness of many 
        agriculturally important species;
          ``(2) studying and mapping agriculturally significant genes 
        to achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production;
          ``(3) ensuring that current gaps in existing agricultural 
        genetics knowledge are filled;
          ``(4) identifying and developing a functional understanding 
        of genes responsible for economically important traits in 
        agriculturally important species, including emerging plant and 
        animal diseases causing economic hardship;
          ``(5) ensuring the future genetic improvement of 
        agriculturally important species;
          ``(6) supporting the preservation of diverse germplasm; and
          ``(7) ensuring the preservation of biodiversity to maintain 
        access to genes that may be of importance in the future.''.
  (b) Competitive Grants.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended by 
striking ``subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)''.
  (c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--Subsection 
(c) of such section is amended to read as follows:
  ``(c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply 
with respect to the making of grants under this section.''.
  (d) Matching Funds.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended to 
read as follows:
  ``(d) Matching of Funds.--
          ``(1) General requirement.--If a grant under this section is 
        to the particular benefit of a specific agricultural commodity, 
        the Secretary shall require the recipient of the grant to 
        provide funds or in-kind support to match the amount of funds 
        provided by the Secretary in the grant.
          ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
        requirement specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a 
        research project if the Secretary determines that--
                  ``(A) the results of the project, while of particular 
                benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are 
                likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities 
                generally; or
                  ``(B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals 
                with scientifically important research, and the grant 
                recipient would be unable to satisfy the matching funds 
                requirement.''.
  (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (g) of such section 
is amended by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting 
``fiscal years 1998 through 2002''.

                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

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

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

                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

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

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

``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

  ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
          ``(1) Forests and rangelands, and the resources of forests 
        and rangelands, are of strategic economic and ecological 
        importance to the United States, and the Federal Government has 
        an important and substantial role in ensuring the continued 
        health, productivity, and sustainability of the Nation's 
        forests and rangelands.
          ``(2) Over 75 percent of the productive commercial forest 
        land in the United States is in private ownership, with some 60 
        percent owned by small nonindustrial private owners. These 
        10,000,000 nonindustrial private owners are critical to 
        providing both commodity and noncommodity values to the 
        citizens of the United States.
          ``(3) The National Forest System manages only 17 percent of 
        the Nation's commercial timberlands, with over half of the 
        standing softwoods inventory located on those lands. Dramatic 
        changes in Federal agency policy during the early 1990's have 
        significantly curtailed the management of this vast timber 
        resource, causing abrupt shifts in the supply of timber from 
        public to private ownership. As a result of these shifts in 
        supply, some 60 percent of total wood production in the United 
        States is now coming from private forest lands in the southern 
        United States.
          ``(4) At the same time that pressures are building for the 
        removal of even more land from commercial production, the 
        Federal Government is significantly reducing its commitment to 
        productivity-related research regarding forests and rangelands, 
        which is critically needed by the private sector for the 
        sustained management of remaining available timber and forage 
        resources for the benefit of all species.
          ``(5) Uncertainty over the availability of the United States 
        timber supply, increasing regulatory burdens, and the lack of 
        Federal Government support for research is causing domestic 
        wood and paper producers to move outside the United States to 
        find reliable sources of wood supplies, which in turns results 
        in a worsening of the United States trade balance, the loss of 
        employment and infrastructure investments, and an increased 
        risk of infestations of exotic pests and diseases from imported 
        wood products.
          ``(6) Wood and paper producers in the United States are being 
        challenged not only by shifts in Government policy, but also by 
        international competition from tropical countries where growth 
        rates of trees far exceed those in the United States. Wood 
        production per acre will need to quadruple from 1996 levels for 
        the United States forestry sector to remain internationally 
        competitive on an ever decreasing forest land base.
          ``(7) Better and more frequent forest inventorying and 
        analysis is necessary to identify productivity-related forestry 
        research needs and to provide forest managers with the current 
        data necessary to make timely and effective management 
        decisions.''.
  (b) High Priority Forestry Research and Education.--Subsection (d) of 
section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act 
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is amended to read as follows:
  ``(d) High Priority Forestry and Rangelands Research and Education.--
The Secretary may conduct, support, and cooperate in forestry and 
rangelands research and education that is of the highest priority to 
the United States and to users of public and private forest lands and 
rangelands in the United States. Such research and education priorities 
include the following:
          ``(1) The biology of forest organisms and rangeland 
        organisms.
          ``(2) Functional characteristics and cost-effective 
        management of forest and rangeland ecosystems.
          ``(3) Interactions between humans and forests and rangelands.
          ``(4) Wood and forage as a raw material.
          ``(5) International trade, competition, and cooperation.''.
  (c) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--Section 3 of the Forest and 
Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  ``(e) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--
          ``(1) Program required.--In compliance with existing 
        statutory authority, the Secretary shall establish a program to 
        inventory and analyze, in a timely manner, public and private 
        forests and their resources in the United States.
          ``(2) Annual state inventory.--Not later than the end of each 
        full fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall prepare for each State, in 
        cooperation with the State forester for the State, an inventory 
        of forests and their resources in the State. For purposes of 
        preparing the inventory for a State, the Secretary shall 
        measure annually 20 percent of all sample plots that are 
        included in the inventory program for that State. Upon 
        completion of the inventory for a year, the Secretary shall 
        make available to the public a compilation of all data 
        collected for that year from measurements of sample plots as 
        well as any analysis made of such samples.
          ``(3) Five-year reports.--At intervals not greater than every 
        five full fiscal years after the date of the enactment of this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall prepare, publish, and make 
        available to the public a report, prepared in cooperation with 
        State foresters, that--
                  ``(A) contains a description of each State inventory 
                of forests and their resources, incorporating all 
                sample plot measurements conducted during the five 
                years covered by the report;
                  ``(B) displays and analyzes on a nationwide basis the 
                results of the annual reports required by paragraph 
                (2); and
                  ``(C) contains an analysis of forest health 
                conditions and trends over the previous two decades, 
                with an emphasis on such conditions and trends during 
                the period subsequent to the immediately preceding 
                report under this paragraph.
          ``(4) National standards and definitions.--To ensure uniform 
        and consistent data collection for all public and private 
        forest ownerships and each State, the Secretary shall develop, 
        in consultation with State foresters and Federal land 
        management agencies not under the jurisdiction of the 
        Secretary, and publish national standards and definitions to be 
        applied in inventorying and analyzing forests and their 
        resources under this subsection. The standards shall include a 
        core set of variables to be measured on all sample plots under 
        paragraph (2) and a standard set of tables to be included in 
        the reports under paragraph (3).
          ``(5) Protection for private property rights.--The Secretary 
        shall obtain written authorization from property owners prior 
        to collecting data from sample plots located on private 
        property pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).
          ``(6) Strategic plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        prepare and submit to Congress a strategic plan to implement 
        and carry out this subsection, including the annual updates 
        required by paragraph (2) and the reports required by paragraph 
        (3), that shall describe in detail--
                  ``(A) the financial resources required to implement 
                and carry out this subsection, including the 
                identification of any resources required in excess of 
                the amounts provided for forest inventorying and 
                analysis in recent appropriations Acts;
                  ``(B) the personnel necessary to implement and carry 
                out this subsection, including any personnel in 
                addition to personnel currently performing inventorying 
                and analysis functions;
                  ``(C) the organization and procedures necessary to 
                implement and carry out this subsection, including 
                proposed coordination with Federal land management 
                agencies and State foresters;
                  ``(D) the schedules for annual sample plot 
                measurements in each State inventory required by 
                paragraph (2) within the first five-year interval after 
                the date of the enactment of this subsection;
                  ``(E) the core set of variables to be measured in 
                each sample plot under paragraph (2) and the standard 
                set of tables to be used in each State and national 
                report under paragraph (3); and
                  ``(F) the process for employing, in coordination with 
                the Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics 
                and Space Administration, remote sensing, global 
                positioning systems, and other advanced technologies to 
                carry out this subsection, and the subsequent use of 
                such technologies.''.
  (d) Forestry and Rangelands Competitive Research Grants.--Section 5 
of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 
(16 U.S.C. 16442) is amended--
          (1) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 5.'' and 
        inserting the following:

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

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

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

                         Subtitle A--Extensions

SEC. 301. NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE UNDER COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND 
                    FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANT ACT.

  Subsection (b)(10) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(10)) is amended by striking 
``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

SEC. 302. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 1994.

  Sections 533(b) and 535 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note) are amended 
by striking ``2000'' each place it appears and inserting ``2002''.

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

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

SEC. 304. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

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

SEC. 305. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR EXTENSION EDUCATION.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 308. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 311. FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 312. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTINUING RESEARCH.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 315. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTENNIAL CENTERS.

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

SEC. 316. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS RESEARCH.

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

SEC. 317. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

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

SEC. 318. RANGELAND RESEARCH.

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

SEC. 319. FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

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

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

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

SEC. 321. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 322. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 323. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

  Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a)(6)(B), by striking ``1997'' and 
        inserting ``2002''; and
          (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``1997'' and inserting 
        ``2002''.

SEC. 324. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

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

SEC. 325. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT.

  Section 16(a) of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 
178n(a)) is amended by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2002''.

                          Subtitle B--Repeals

SEC. 341. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES.

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

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

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

SEC. 343. LIVESTOCK PRODUCT SAFETY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 344. GENERIC AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  Sections 897 and 898 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 110 Stat. 1184) are repealed.

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

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

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

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

SEC. 402. ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTNERSHIPS.

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

SEC. 403. ELEMENTS OF GRANT MAKING PROCESS.

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

SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND RELATED PROVISIONS.

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

                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

SEC. 411. DEFINITIONS.

  For purposes of this subtitle:
          (1) Precision agriculture.--The term ``precision 
        agriculture'' means an integrated information- and production-
        based farming system that is designed to increase long-term, 
        site specific and whole farm production efficiencies, 
        productivity, and profitability while minimizing unintended 
        impacts on wildlife and the environment by--
                  (A) combining agricultural sciences, agricultural 
                inputs and practices, agronomic production databases, 
                and precision agriculture technologies to efficiently 
                manage agronomic and livestock production systems;
                  (B) gathering on-farm information pertaining to the 
                variation and interaction of site-specific spatial and 
                temporal factors affecting crop and livestock 
                production;
                  (C) integrating such information with appropriate 
                data derived from field scouting, remote sensing, and 
                other precision agriculture technologies in a timely 
                manner in order to facilitate on-farm decisionmaking; 
                or
                  (D) using such information to prescribe and deliver 
                site-specific application of agricultural inputs and 
                management practices in agricultural production 
                systems.
          (2) Precision agriculture technologies.--The term ``precision 
        agriculture technologies'' includes--
                  (A) instrumentation and techniques ranging from 
                sophisticated sensors and software systems to manual 
                sampling and data collection tools that measure, 
                record, and manage spatial and temporal data;
                  (B) technologies for searching out and assembling 
                information necessary for sound agricultural production 
                decision making;
                  (C) open systems technologies for data networking and 
                processing that produce valued systems for farm 
                management decisionmaking; or
                  (D) machines that deliver information based 
                management practices.
          (3) Advisory board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
        Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
        Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123).
          (4) Agricultural inputs.--The term ``agricultural inputs'' 
        includes all farm management, agronomic, and field applied 
        agricultural production inputs, such as machinery, labor, time, 
        fuel, irrigation water, commercial nutrients, feed stuffs, 
        veterinary drugs and vaccines, livestock waste, crop protection 
        chemicals, agronomic data and information, application and 
        management services, seed, and other inputs used in agriculture 
        production.
          (5) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                  (A) a State agricultural experiment station;
                  (B) a college or university;
                  (C) a research institution or organization;
                  (D) a Federal or State government entity or agency;
                  (E) a national laboratory;
                  (F) a private organization or corporation;
                  (G) an agricultural producer or other land manager; 
                or
                  (H) a precision agriculture partnership referred to 
                in section 414.
          (6) Systems research.--The term ``systems research'' means an 
        integrated, coordinated, and iterative investigative process, 
        which considers the multiple interacting components and aspects 
        of precision agriculture systems, including synthesis of new 
        knowledge regarding the physical-chemical-biological processes 
        and complex interactions with cropping, livestock production 
        practices, and natural resource systems, precision agriculture 
        technologies development and implementation, data and 
        information collection and interpretation, production scale 
        planning, production-scale implementation, and farm production 
        efficiencies, productivity, and profitability.

SEC. 412. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO PROMOTE PRECISION AGRICULTURE.

  (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make 
competitive grants, for periods not to exceed five years, to eligible 
entities to conduct research, education, or information dissemination 
projects for the development and advancement of precision agriculture. 
Such grants shall be limited to those projects that the Secretary 
determines are unlikely to be financed by the private sector in the 
absence of a grant under this section. The Secretary shall make such 
grants in consultation with the Advisory Board.
  (b) Purpose of Projects.--Research, education, or information 
dissemination projects supported by a grant under subsection (a) shall 
address one or more of the following:
          (1) The study and promotion of components of precision 
        agriculture technologies using a systems research approach that 
        would increase long-term, site-specified and whole farm 
        production efficiencies, productivity, profitability.
          (2) The improvement in the understanding of agronomic 
        systems, including, soil, water, land cover (including grazing 
        lands), pest management systems, and meteorological 
        variability.
          (3) The provision of training and educational programs for 
        State cooperative extension services agents, and other 
        professionals involved in the agricultural production and 
        transfer of integrated precision agriculture technology.
          (4) The development, demonstration, and dissemination of 
        information regarding precision agriculture technologies and 
        systems and the potential benefits of precision agriculture as 
        it relates to increased long-term farm production efficiencies, 
        productivity, profitability, and the maintenance of the 
        environment, and improvements in international trade into an 
        integrated program to educate agricultural producers and 
        consumers, including family owned and operated farms.
  (c) Grant Priorities.--In making grants to eligible entities under 
subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, 
shall give priority to research, education, or information 
dissemination projects designed to accomplish the following:
          (1) Evaluate the use of precision agriculture technologies 
        using a systems research approach to increase long-term site-
        specific and whole farm production efficiencies, productivity, 
        profitability.
          (2) Integrate research, education, and information 
        dissemination components in a practical and readily available 
        manner so that the findings of the project will be made readily 
        usable by farmers.
          (3) Demonstrate the efficient use of agricultural inputs, 
        rather than the uniform reduction in the use of agricultural 
        inputs.
          (4) Maximize the involvement and cooperation of precision 
        agriculture producers, certified crop advisers, State 
        cooperative extension services agents, agricultural input 
        machinery, product and service providers, nonprofit 
        organizations, agribusiness, veterinarians, land-grant colleges 
        and universities, and Federal agencies in precision agriculture 
        systems research projects involving on-farm research, 
        education, and information dissemination of precision 
        agriculture.
          (5) Maximize collaboration with multiple agencies and other 
        partners that include leveraging of funds and resources.
  (d) Matching Funds.--The amount of a grant under this section to an 
eligible entity (other than a Federal agency) may not exceed the amount 
which the eligible entity makes available out of non-Federal funds for 
precision agriculture research and for the establishment and 
maintenance of facilities necessary for conducting precision 
agriculture research.

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

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

SEC. 414. PRECISION AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIPS.

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

SEC. 415. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

  (a) Prohibition on Use of Funds for Certain Purposes.--The Secretary 
of Agriculture may not make a grant under section 412 for the planning, 
repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or 
facility.
  (b) Application of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2281et seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board created for the 
purpose of reviewing applications or proposals submitted under this 
subtitle.

SEC. 416. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

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

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

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

  ``(a) Competitive Specialized Research and Extension Grants 
Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
Advisory Board, may make competitive grants to support research and 
extension activities in the high-priority research and extension areas 
specified in subsection (e).
  ``(b) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply 
with respect to the making of grants under this section.
  ``(c) Matching Funds Required.--
          ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require the recipient 
        of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-kind 
        support from non-Federal sources in an amount at least equal to 
        the amount provided by the Federal Government.
          ``(2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a 
        research project if the Secretary determines that--
                  ``(A) the results of the project, while of particular 
                benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are 
                likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities 
                generally; or
                  ``(B) the project involves a minor commodity, deals 
                with scientifically important research, and the grant 
                recipient would be unable to satisfy the matching funds 
                requirement.
  ``(d) Partnerships Encouraged.--Following the completion of a peer 
review process for grant proposals received under this section, the 
Secretary may give priority to those grant proposals found to be 
scientifically meritorious that involve the cooperation of multiple 
institutions.
  ``(e) High-Priority Research and Extension Areas.--
          ``(1) Brown citrus aphid and citrus tristeza virus research 
        and extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of--
                  ``(A) developing methods to control or eradicate the 
                brown citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza virus from 
                citrus crops grown in the United States; or
                  ``(B) adapting citrus crops grown in the United 
                States to the brown citrus aphid and the citrus 
                tristeza virus.
          ``(2) Ethanol research and extension.--Research and extension 
        grants may be made under this section for the purpose of 
        carrying on or enhancing research on ethanol derived from 
        agricultural crops as an alternative fuel source.
          ``(3) Aflatoxin research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of identifying and controlling aflatoxin in the food and feed 
        chains.
          ``(4) Mesquite research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing enhanced production methods and commercial uses 
        of mesquite.
          ``(5) Prickly pear research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of investigating enhanced genetic selection and processing 
        techniques of prickly pears.
          ``(6) Deer tick ecology research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of studying the population ecology of deer ticks and other 
        insects and pests which transmit Lyme disease.
          ``(7) Red meat safety research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing--
                  ``(A) intervention strategies that reduce microbial 
                contamination on carcass surfaces;
                  ``(B) microbiological mapping of carcass surfaces; 
                and
                  ``(C) model hazard analysis and critical control 
                point plans.
          ``(8) Grain sorghum ergot research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of developing techniques for the eradication of sorghum 
        ergot.
          ``(9) Animal waste and odor management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of--
                  ``(A) identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating 
                innovative technologies for animal waste management and 
                odor control; and
                  ``(B) conducting information workshops to disseminate 
                the results of such research.
          ``(10) Fire ant research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of control, management, and eradication of fire ants.
          ``(11) Wheat scab research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to a consortium 
        of land-grant colleges and universities for the purpose of 
        understanding and combating diseases of wheat and barley caused 
        by Fusarium graminearum and related fungi (commonly known as 
        wheat scab).
          ``(12) Peanut market enhancement research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of evaluating the economics of applying 
        innovative technologies for peanut processing in a commercial 
        environment.
          ``(13) Dairy financial risk management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of providing research, 
        development, or education materials, information, and outreach 
        programs regarding risk management strategies for dairy 
        producers and for dairy cooperatives and other processors and 
        marketers of milk.
          ``(14) Cotton research and extension.--Research and extension 
        grants may be made under this section for the purpose of 
        improving pest management, fiber quality enhancement, economic 
        assessment, textile production, and optimized production 
        systems for short staple cotton.
          ``(15) Methyl bromide research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of--
                  ``(A) developing and evaluating chemical and 
                nonchemical alternatives, and use and emission 
                reduction strategies, for pre-planting and post-harvest 
                uses of methyl bromide; and
                  ``(B) transferring the results of such research for 
                agricultural producer use.
          ``(16) Water quality and aquatic ecosystem research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of investigating the impact on 
        aquatic food webs, especially commercially important aquatic 
        species and their habitats, of microorganisms of the genus 
        Pfiesteria and other microorganisms that are a threat to human 
        or animal health.
          ``(17) Potato research and extension.--Research and extension 
        grants may be made under this section for the purpose of 
        developing and evaluating new strains of potatoes which are 
        resistant to blight and other diseases, as well as insects. 
        Emphasis may be placed on developing potato varieties that lend 
        themselves to innovative marketing approaches.
          ``(18) Wood utilization research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing new uses for wood from underutilized tree species 
        as well as investigating methods of modifying wood and wood 
        fibers to produce better building materials.
          ``(19) Low-bush blueberry research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of evaluatingmethods of propagating and developing low-
bush blueberry as a marketable crop.
          ``(20) Formosan termite eradication research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of--
                  ``(A) conducting research for the control, 
                management, and possible eradication of Formosan 
                termites in the United States; and
                  ``(B) collecting data on the effectiveness of 
                research projects conducted under this paragraph.
          ``(21) Swine waste management and odor control research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of investigating the microbiology 
        of swine waste and developing improved methods to effectively 
        manage air and water quality in animal husbandry.
          ``(22) Wetlands utilization research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of better utilizing wetlands in diverse ways to provide 
        various economic, agricultural, and environmental benefits.
          ``(23) Wild pampas grass control and eradication research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of control, management, and 
        eradication of wild pampas grass.
          ``(24) Pathogen detection and limitation research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under 
        this section for the purpose of identifying advanced detection 
        and processing methods to limit the presence of pathogens, 
        including hepatitis A and E. coli 0157:H7, in domestic and 
        imported foods.
          ``(25) Financial risk management research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of providing research, development, or 
        education materials, information, and outreach programs 
        regarding financial risk management strategies for agricultural 
        producers and for cooperatives and other processors and 
        marketers of any agricultural commodity.
          ``(26) Ornamental tropical fish research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of meeting the needs of commercial producers of 
        ornamental tropical fish and aquatic plants for improvements in 
        the areas of fish reproduction, health, nutrition, predator 
        control, water use, water quality control, and farming 
        technology.
          ``(27) Sheep scrapie research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of investigating the genetic aspects of scrapie in sheep.
          ``(28) Animal waste management at rural/urban interfaces.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
        for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating 
        innovative technologies to be used for animal waste management 
        (including odor control) in rural areas adjacent to urban or 
        suburban areas in connection with waste management activities 
        undertaken in urban or suburban areas.
          ``(29) Gypsy moth research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of developing biological control, management, and eradication 
        methods against nonnative insects, including Lymantria dispar 
        (commonly known as the Gypsy Moth), that contribute to 
        significant agricultural, economical, or environmental harm.
          ``(30) Dairy efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness 
        research and extension.--Research and extension grants may be 
        made under this section for the purpose of improving the 
        efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of dairy 
        production on farms that are heavily dependent on manufacturing 
        uses of milk.
          ``(31) Animal feed research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
        of maximizing nutrition management for livestock, while 
        limiting risks, such as mineral bypass, associated with 
        livestock feeding practices.
          ``(32) Forestry research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to develop and 
        distribute new, high-quality, science-based information for the 
        purpose of improving the long-term productivity of forest 
        resources and contributing to forest-based economic development 
        by addressing such issues as forest land use policies, 
        multiple-use forest management, including wildlife habitat 
        development, improved forest regeneration systems, and timber 
        supply, and improved development, manufacturing, and marketing 
        of forest products.
  ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002 such sums 
as may be necessary to make grants under this section in each of the 
high-priority research and extension areas specified in subsection (e).
  ``(g) Use of Task Forces.--
          ``(1) Establishment.--To facilitate the making of research 
        and extension grants under this section in a high-priority 
        research and extension area specified in subsection (e), the 
        Secretary may appoint a task force to make recommendations to 
        the Secretary.
          ``(2) Limitation on costs.--The Secretary may not incur costs 
        in excess of $1,000 in any fiscal year in connection with each 
        task force established under this subsection.
          ``(3) Application of other laws.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and 
        Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply 
        to a task force established under this subsection.''.

SEC. 422. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  ``(a) Research and Development Program.--The Secretary may provide 
for an agricultural research and development program with the United 
States/Mexico Foundation for Science, which will focus on binational 
problems facing agricultural producers and consumers in the two 
countries, in particular pressing problems inthe areas of food safety, 
plant and animal pest control, and the natural resources base on which 
agriculture depends.
  ``(b) Administration.--Grants under the research and development 
program shall be awarded competitively through the Foundation.
  ``(c) Matching Requirements.--The provision of funds to the 
Foundation by the United States Government shall be subject to the 
condition that the Government of Mexico match, on at least an equal 
ratio, any funds provided by the United States Government.
  ``(d) Limitation on Use of Funds.--Funds provided under this section 
may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, 
or construction of a building or facility.''.

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

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

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

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

SEC. 425. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.

  (a) Continuation of Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
continue operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database 
program (referred to in this section as the ``FARAD program'') through 
appropriate colleges or universities.
  (b) Activities.--In carrying out the FARAD program, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall--
          (1) provide livestock producers, extension specialists, 
        scientists, and veterinarians with information to prevent drug, 
        pesticide, and environmental contaminant residues in food 
        animal products;
          (2) maintain up-to-date information concerning--
                  (A) withdrawal times on FDA-approved food animal 
                drugs and appropriate withdrawal intervals for drugs 
                used in food animals in the United States, as 
                established under section 512(a) of the Federal Food, 
                Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(a));
                  (B) official tolerances for drugs and pesticides in 
                tissues, eggs, and milk;
                  (C) descriptions and sensitivities of rapid screening 
                tests for detecting residues in tissues, eggs, and 
                milk; and
                  (D) data on the distribution and fate of chemicals in 
                food animals;
          (3) publish periodically a compilation of food animal drugs 
        approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
          (4) make information on food animal drugs available to the 
        public through handbooks and other literature, computer 
        software, a telephone hotline, and the Internet;
          (5) furnish producer quality-assurance programs with up-to-
        date data on approved drugs;
          (6) maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date, residue 
        avoidance database;
          (7) provide professional advice for determining the 
        withdrawal times necessary for food safety in the use of drugs 
        in food animals; and
          (8) engage in other activities designed to promote food 
        safety.
  (c) Grants.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
Advisory Board, may make grants to colleges and universities to operate 
the FARAD program. The term of a grant shall be three years, with 
options to extend the term of the grant triennially.

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

  (a) Biobased Product Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``biobased product'' means a product suitable for food or nonfood use 
that is derived in whole or in part from renewable agricultural and 
forestry materials.
  (b) Cooperative Agreements for Biobased Products.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture may enter into cooperative agreements with private entities 
described in subsection (c), under which the facilities and technical 
expertise of the Agricultural Research Service may be made available to 
operate pilot plants and other large-scale preparative facilities for 
the purpose of bringing technologies necessary for the development and 
commercialization of new biobased products to the point of practical 
application. Cooperative activities may include research on potential 
environmental impacts of a biobased product, methods to reduce the cost 
of manufacturing a biobased product, and other appropriate research.
  (c) Eligible Partners.--The following entities shall be eligible to 
enter into a cooperative agreement under this section:
          (1) A party that has entered into a cooperative research and 
        development agreement with the Secretary under section 12 of 
        the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
        U.S.C. 3710a).
          (2) A recipient of funding from the Alternative Agricultural 
        Research and Commercialization Corporation established under 
        section 1658 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
        Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5902).
          (3) A recipient of funding from the Biotechnology Research 
        and Development Corporation.
          (4) A recipient of funding from the Secretary under a Small 
        Business Innovation Research Program established under section 
        9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
  (d) Source of Funds.--To carry out this section, the Secretary may 
use--
          (1) funds appropriated to carry out this section; and
          (2) funds available for cooperative research and development 
        agreements (as described in subsection (b)).
  (e) Sale of Developed Products.--The Secretary shall authorize the 
private partner or partners in a cooperative agreement consistent with 
this section to sell new biobased products produced at a pilot plant 
under the agreement for the purpose of determining the market potential 
for the products.
  (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 427. THOMAS JEFFERSON INITIATIVE FOR CROP DIVERSIFICATION.

  (a) Initiative Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide 
for a research initiative (to be known as the ``Thomas Jefferson 
Initiative for Crop Diversification'') for the purpose of conducting 
research and development, in cooperation with other public and private 
entities, on the production and marketing of new and nontraditional 
crops needed to strengthen and diversify the agricultural production 
base of the United States. The initiative shall include research and 
education efforts regarding new and nontraditional crops designed--
          (1) to identify and overcome agronomic barriers to profitable 
        production;
          (2) to identify and overcome other production and marketing 
        barriers; and
          (3) to develop processing and utilization technologies for 
        new and nontraditional crops.
  (b) Purposes.--The initiative is established--
          (1) to develop a focused program of research and development 
        at the regional and national level to overcome barriers to 
        development of new crop opportunities for farmers and related 
        value-added enterprise development in rural communities; and
          (2) to ensure a broad-based effort encompassing research, 
        education, market development, and support of entrepreneurial 
        activity leading to increased agricultural diversification.
  (c) Establishment of Initiative.--The Secretary shall coordinate the 
initiative through a nonprofit center or institute that will coordinate 
research and education programs in cooperation with other public and 
private entities. The Secretary shall administer research and education 
grants made under this section.
  (d) Regional Emphasis.--The Secretary shall support development of 
multi-State regional efforts in crop diversification. Of funding made 
available to carry out the initiative, 50 percent shall be used for 
regional efforts centered at land-grant colleges and universities in 
order to facilitate site-specific crop development efforts.
  (e) Eligible Grantee.--The Secretary may award funds under this 
section to colleges or universities, nonprofit organizations, or public 
agencies.
  (f) Administration.--
          (1) Grants and contracts.--Grants awarded through the 
        initiative shall be selected on a competitive basis. The 
        recipient of a grant may use a portion of the grant funds for 
        standard contracts with private businesses, such as for test 
        processing of a new or nontraditional crop.
          (2) Terms.--The term of a grant awarded through the 
        initiative may not exceed five years.
          (3) Matching funds.--The Secretary shall require the 
        recipient of a grant awarded through the initiative to 
        contribute an amount of funds from non-Federal sources at least 
        equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.
  (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

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

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

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

  The Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 
103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section--

``SEC. 536. RESEARCH GRANTS.

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

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

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

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

SEC. 502. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.

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

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

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

SEC. 504. NUTRIENT COMPOSITION DATA.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall update, on a 
periodic basis, nutrient composition data.
  (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that 
describes--
          (1) the method the Secretary will use to update nutrient 
        composition data, including the quality assurance criteria that 
        will be used and the method for generating the data; and
          (2) the timing for updating the data.

SEC. 505. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS RECEIVED OR COLLECTED ON BEHALF OF 
                    NATIONAL ARBORETUM.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 508. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE 
                    EMPHASIS ON IN FIELD RESEARCH REGARDING METHYL 
                    BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES.

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

SEC. 509. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED 
                    AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

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

SEC. 510. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT CRISIS 
                    MANAGEMENT TEAM.

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

                           Brief Explanation

    H.R. 2534 provides for improved administration of 
agricultural research, extension, and education programs by 
requiring public input into priority setting for research and 
extension programs; requiring that all research programs 
administered by the Department of Agriculture be peer reviewed; 
mandating that as a condition of receipt of Federal formula 
funds for research and extension, land grant colleges and 
universities develop and implement a system of merit review; 
and by increasing the resources available for agricultural 
research, extension, and education programs by requiring that 
Federal funds be matched on a 1 to 1 basis with non-federal 
funds. In addition, H.R. 2534 repeals, reforms, or amends other 
authorities for agricultural research, extension, and education 
programs.

                         Summary of Legislation

    This legislation, the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reauthorization Act of 1997, re-authorizes and 
reforms these programs. Among the major provisions are--

1. Improved mechanisms for user input

    Under current law, the Secretary of Agriculture may develop 
and set priorities for most Federally funded agricultural 
research, extension, and education programs with limited or no 
opportunity for the users of agricultural research, extension, 
and education to provide input. This act requires that in 
setting priorities, the Secretary solicit and consider input of 
users of the various products of such programs, as well as 
consult with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board. In carrying out this 
consultation, the Secretary is required to receive written 
recommendations from the Advisory Board as well as provide a 
written response to the Board concerning the manner and extent 
to which their recommendations will be implemented.

2. Accountability reforms

    All Federal research, extension, and education funding 
would be subject to scientific peer review and merit review. 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service 
competitively awarded funds for research, extension, and 
education activities and Agricultural Research Service research 
activities must address high priority concerns and be of 
national or multi-state significance. All intramural research 
conducted by agencies of the Department of Agriculture would 
have to be peer reviewed for scientific merit with the majority 
of the review panel members coming from outside the agency 
whose work is being reviewed.

3. Leveraging of Federal funds

    The Agricultural Research Service, land grant universities 
and private agri-businesses each have their strengths, however, 
the public desire for greater accountability demands more 
emphasis on role definition and coordination between the 
various groups. In so doing, the legislation seeks to prevent 
unnecessary duplication of research efforts and adopt policies 
which enhance partnerships through the requirement for matching 
funds, thereby increasing the amount of total resources 
available for these important activities.

                    Purpose and Need of Legislation

    Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, major changes have been 
taking place in world trade policy, and domestic budget policy. 
The 1995 debate over Federal farm programs has re-affirmed the 
federal budget as the driving force in agricultural program 
policy. The reforms accomplished in the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996 were the first step 
in helping transition U.S. agricultural producers into a new 
era of Federal farm policy. At the same time, most discussions 
regarding agricultural research policy were postponed to 
provide Congress with the opportunity to review Federal 
programs in relation to the changes in overall farm policy. 
Agricultural research, extension, and education should be an 
important part of the report to be filed January 1, 2001 by the 
Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture as provided 
in the FAIR Act.
    The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act 
of 1996 authorized agricultural research, education, and 
extension programs for two years with general authority for the 
Appropriations Committee to fund research programs through 
2002. During the 104th Congress, the House Committee on 
Agriculture, in making the decision to push for a shortened 
authorization period for agricultural research in the FAIR Act, 
considered three major points:
          (1) The House and Senate Agriculture Committees had 
        not conducted a comprehensive review of the nearly $1.8 
        billion spent on Agricultural research, education, and 
        extension since the 1980's;
          (2) As agriculture moves to a situation where more 
        and more of the farmers income will come from the 
        market, the agricultural research, education, and 
        extension community will need to focus on this, 
        particularly how farmers can produce for the global 
        market; and
          (3) The USDA budget and the Farm Bill were to be 
        reconciled to a balanced budget scenario. This forced 
        substantial cuts in the commodity programs. It made 
        little sense to adopt a research title that may not 
        track the future needs of producers in the 21st 
        Century.
    As part of the process, the House Agriculture Committee 
began a comprehensive review of agricultural research, 
education, and extension programs that included four 
components:
          (1) 57 questions focusing on the research needs of a 
        market-oriented production agriculture industry were 
        distributed to over 100 individuals or organizations. 
        The process was announced by press release, and the 36 
        responses were compiled in a Committee Print which was 
        distributed to all members of the Committee. In 
        addition, committee staff prepared a summary of the 
        responses which was edited and subsequently published 
        by the Congressional Research Service as an Issue Brief 
        (96-221-ENR);
          (2) The General Accounting Office (GAO) was asked to 
        conduct a comprehensive accounting of USDA administered 
        agricultural research, education, and extension 
        programs. This review was completed in March, 1996 and 
        submitted to the Congress (GAO/RECD-96-92);
          (3) A series of three hearings were held by the 
        Subcommittee on Resource Conservation, Research, and 
        Forestry focusing on program goals and priority 
        setting; research program administration and results; 
        and information management and dissemination 
        (Extension), respectively in 1996; and
          (4) In 1997, the Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource 
        Conservation, and Research held four additional 
        hearings focussing on the current research 
        infrastructure; public-private partnerships in 
        agricultural research; public-private partnerships in 
        agricultural extension; and policy options for the 
        Committee's consideration.
    Based on the record of these activities, three major themes 
emerged that the Committee chose to concentrate on during 
consideration of re-authorizing legislation: public input in 
developing research priorities; accountability; and leveraging 
Federal funds.

Public input

    As with any government program, limited funds demand that 
there be a functional and efficient priority setting process to 
insure that available funds are available are being used as 
effectively as possible.
    Most observers believe that consolidation of the various 
research, education, and extension advisory boards accomplished 
as part of the FAIR Act will facilitate improved coordination 
of the priority setting process. However, the current mechanism 
by which the new board obtains and disseminates input is 
unclear.

Accountability

    Improved public access to research results as well as 
information concerning how research projects are funded may 
facilitate increased public support for programs designed to 
achieve the purposes of agricultural research.
    For example, Congress has repeatedly affirmed the authority 
for the Secretary of Agriculture to shift funds to address 
emerging research priorities. At the same time, public scrutiny 
of the process for directing funds to specific projects in the 
absence of a transparent peer or merit review process has 
raised questions regarding the quality of associated research 
results

Leveraging of Federal funds

    While most organizations agree that investment in research 
should remain a priority for public funding, the need to 
balance government budgets has limited the amount of resources 
available for Agricultural research, education, and extension.
    In this regard, while the Agricultural Research Service, 
academic institutions, and private agri-businesses each have 
their strengths, the public desire for greater accountability 
demands more emphasis on role definition and coordination 
between the various groups. In so doing, the opportunity exists 
to prevent unnecessary duplication of research efforts and 
adopt policies which enhance partnerships, thereby increasing 
the amount of total resources available for these important 
activities.

                               Background

Federal agricultural research structure

    Agricultural research, education, and extension is 
coordinated by the Secretary of Agriculture. Federal funds are 
distributed to four agencies coordinated under one 
Undersecretary. The four agencies include the Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), the 
Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Economic Research 
Service (ERS), and the National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS).
    Of the approximately $1.8 billion spent on agricultural 
research, education, and extension programs, about 46% is spent 
on state-level programs through CSREES, 40% is spent on in-
house research programs conducted by the ARS, 3% is directed to 
economic research conducted in-house by ERS, 6% is spent on 
statistical services conducted by the NASS, and the remainder 
is used for buildings and facilities.

Cooperative-State-Research, Education, and Extension Service

    Beginning in the 1850's, Congress, lead by Sen. Justin 
Morrill, recognized the importance of agriculture to the 
American economy. To meet the needs of the nation's largely 
rural population and farm based economy, Congress began passing 
a series of bills designed to promote agricultural development. 
Four major pieces of legislation were the Morrill Act of 1862, 
the Second Morrill Act of 1890, the Hatch Act of 1887, and the 
Smith-Lever Act of 1914.

Land grant colleges

    In 1862, Congress passed the ``Morrill Act'' in order to 
``promote education in agriculture and the mechanical arts.'' 
Under this Act, each state was given public lands, provided 
that the lands be sold or used for profit, and the proceeds be 
used to establish at least one agricultural college (land 
grants for the establishment of colleges of agriculture and 
mechanical arts were also later given to U.S. territories and 
the District of Columbia).
    Public universities existed already in some states; 
however, most states responded to the Morrill Act by 
legislating new agricultural and mechanical arts colleges 
rather than endowing existing state institutions. The act gave 
rise to a network of often poorly financed colleges known as 
``1862's.'' The Second Morrill Act, passed in 1890 however, 
provided for an annualappropriation to each state to support 
its land grant college.
    In addition to providing funds for education at land grant 
colleges, the act of 1890 specifically forbade racial 
discrimination in admissions. A state could avoid the 
discrimination clause only if separate institutions were 
maintained and the funds ``equitably divided.'' Thus, the 1890 
act led to the establishment of land grant institutions for 
African Americans. Today, there are 17 1890's institutions 
(1890's).
    Over the decades, as the U.S. economy grew and changed, so 
did the nature and demands for education and scientific 
pursuit. As more and more U.S. citizens began to attend 
college, most colleges of agriculture were transformed into 
full-fledged universities.
    Currently, in addition to the 59 1862's and 17 1890's, 
there are 15 non-land grant colleges that obtain USDA funds 
primarily through forestry and natural resource programs 
authorized under the McIntire-Stennis Act, and 29 tribal 
colleges which were afforded land grant college status under 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Re-authorization Act of 
1994.

State Agricultural Experiment Stations

    The 1862 Morrill Act gave land grant colleges their mandate 
to teach. In 1887, recognizing the need for research in the 
agricultural sciences, Congress passed the ``Hatch Act'' to 
provide money to each state for the purpose of establishing, 
within the land-grant college, an Agricultural Experiment 
Station.
    Today, State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES) 
operate in conjunction with and, in almost all cases, on 
locations at colleges of agriculture. Connecticut and New York, 
in addition to on-campus SAES's, have an off-campus SAES. Many 
other states have branch stations, that is, SAES subsidiaries 
located off-campus and often in agricultural areas of direct 
interest to the branch station's research.
    Most faculty at land grant colleges of agriculture have 
SAES appointments. This grants them access to ``Hatch'' 
research funds administered by USDA-CSREES and distributed to 
the SAES's on a formula basis.
    In regard to research programs conducted at the SAES's, 
many funding mechanisms exist and vary widely within and 
between states. Funding sources include USDA (19%), 
other non-USDA federal (12%), other non-federal 
(7%), industry (7%), sales 
(5%), and state (49%).

Cooperative extension service

    The final piece of the puzzle was added in 1914 when 
Congress passed the ``Smith-Lever Act.'' Under this act, the 
Cooperative Extension Service was created to aid in 
disseminating to the public useful and practical information 
about subjects relating to agriculture and home economics and 
to encourage its application.
    Under the Authority of this act, the land-grant colleges 
and USDA were to cooperate in extension work, which was to 
consist of instruction and practical demonstration in 
agriculture and home economics to persons not attending the 
land-grant college. Information was to be supplied through 
field demonstration.
    Agricultural extension was designed at the outset to be a 
cooperative program. As a result, funding for these programs 
has been a joint venture between the federal government, State 
and local governments, and the land-grant universities. Roughly 
one-third of extension funding comes from Federal sources, with 
the remainder coming from State and local government.
    Under the authority of the Smith-Lever Act, there are three 
federal funding mechanisms. Section 3(b) of the Smith-Lever Act 
provides that each State and the Federal Extension Service 
shall be entitled to receive annually a sum of money based on a 
formula which takes into consideration the rural population of 
each State.
    Section 3(c) provides funding to seven ``results-oriented'' 
base programs which include: (1) Agriculture; (2) Community 
Resources and Economic Development; (3) Family Development and 
Resource Management; (4) 4-H and Youth Development; (5) 
Leadership and Volunteer Development; (6) Natural Resources and 
Environmental Management; and (7) Nutrition, Diet and Health.
    Section 3(d) are national initiatives, intended to be 
established for limited time periods in order to develop 
educational models on which future base programs can be 
developed. Currently, the national initiatives include: (1) 
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP); (2) Pest 
Management; (3) Pesticide Impact Assessment; (4) Farm Safety; 
(5) Rural Development Centers; (6) Water Quality; (7) Children/
Youth and Families at Risk; (8) Food Safety; (9) Indian 
Reservations; and (10) Sustainable Agriculture.

Agricultural Research Service

    The ARS was established by the Secretary of Agriculture in 
1953 under the authority of the Reorganization Act of 1949. 
Pursuant to the Agricultural Reorganization Act of 1994, ARS 
includes functions previously performed by the Human Nutrition 
Information Service and the National Agricultural Library. ARS 
is USDA's in-house research agency, and as such, conducts basic 
and applied research in the fields of animal sciences, plant 
sciences, entomology, soil and water conservation, agricultural 
engineering, utilization and development, human nutrition and 
consumer use, marketing, development of integrated farming 
systems, and development of methods to eradicate narcotic-
producing plants.
    ARS also directs research beneficial to the United States 
which can be advantageously conducted in foreign countries 
through agreements with foreign research institutions and 
universities, using foreign currencies for such purposes. This 
program is carried out under the authority of P.L. 480, and the 
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act.

Special research grants

    In 1965, Congress enacted Public Law 89-106 which 
established a special research grants program to finance 
selected programs for a maximum of 5 years. The earmarking of 
funds by Congress to address specific problems of constituent 
concern or multistate problems was originally intended to be 
based on requests transmitted to Congress via the Cooperative 
State Research Service (now CSREES).
    While most observers agree on the need to retain a 
mechanism for the Administration to direct research funds to 
issues of national and regional significance, many point out 
that concerns remain regarding Congressional earmarking, 
however, to keep this situation in perspective, Special 
Research Grant earmarks accounted for roughly 2.7% of the 
entire agricultural research, education, and extension FY97 
budget. In FY97, these funds were used to support 109 
individual research projects around the country.

Competitive research grants

    The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 amended the 1965 act to authorize a 
Competitive Research Grant Program. This program was further 
modified in the 1990 Farm Bill in order to create a National 
Research Initiative (NRI) which was first proposed by the 
National Academy of Sciences. The NRI is currently authorized 
at $500 million per year. However, the NRI has received limited 
support with funding barely reaching the $100 million mark. As 
a result, some groups have suggested that the potential 
benefits of this program have been significantly muted.

Fund for Rural America

    The FAIR Act established a new mandatory spending program, 
the ``Fund for Rural America'' (the Fund). One third of the 
funds are set aside for competitive research activities, 
another third for rural development activities, and the final 
third may be used for either research or rural development at 
the discretion of the Secretary.
    The research funds are available for grants to increase 
international competitiveness, efficiency, and farm 
profitability; reduce economic and health risks; conserve and 
enhance natural resources; develop new crops, new crop uses, 
and new agricultural applications of biotechnology; enhance 
animal agricultural resources; preserve plant and animal 
germplasm; increase economic opportunities in farming and rural 
communities; and expand locally owned value added processing.

National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
        Advisory Board

    Prior to passage of the FAIR Act, there were numerous 
research advisory boards working within USDA to address issues 
ranging from agricultural biotechnology to sustainable 
agriculture to animal health and disease and beyond. In theory, 
this structure should have provided a forum for constituent 
groups to discuss individual research priorities and formulate 
an efficient action agenda for each. Unfortunately, funding 
limitations prevented most of the boards from meeting at all, 
as well as significantly limiting the effectiveness of those 
that were able to meet.
    One of the major research policy initiatives adopted in the 
FAIR Act was to consolidate these various boards into a single 
board with broad but defined representation, as well as 
specific statutory mandates designed to guarantee input, and as 
a result, improve public accountability. In an attempt to allow 
the Advisory Board some time to become oriented, several issues 
were not addressed in the FAIR Act, including how the Advisory 
Board would be integrated throughout the priority setting 
process.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis

Sec. 1. Short title; Table of contents

    Section 1 states that this Act may be cited at the 
``Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reauthorization Act of 1997''.

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

Sec. 101. Priorities and management principles for federally supported 
        and conducted agricultural research, education, and extension

    Section 101 requires the Secretary, in consultation with 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board (Advisory Board) and persons who 
conduct or use agricultural research, to establish priorities 
for Federally funded agricultural research, extension, and 
education activities that are conducted by or funded by the 
Department.
    This section also adds a list of management principles for 
research, education, and extension activities funded by the 
Department to ensure that Federal funding integrates 
information dissemination, encourages multi-institutional and 
multi-State programs to better leverage resources, and is 
awarded to the best equipped facility.
    The Committee intends that the Advisory Board, in order to 
insure that the views of agricultural producers are adequately 
addressed, develop a user-driven approach for developing 
recommendations regarding research, extension, and teaching 
priorities. The Advisory Board shall solicit the opinions and 
recommendations of the users of agricultural research, 
extension, and education in advance of making policy 
recommendations to the Secretary.

Sec. 102. Principal definitions regarding agricultural research, 
        education, and extension

    Section 102 amends the definition of ``Food and 
Agricultural Sciences'' as it currently appears in the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 to simplify the references to animal and plant production 
and health; specify food safety as a research objective; 
substitute the term ``rural human ecology'' for rural community 
welfare and development; and add information management, 
technology transfer, and agricultural biotechnology as subject 
areas under the food and agricultural sciences.
    Subsection (b) clarifies that references to ``Teaching'' 
shall mean ``Teaching and Education.''
    Subsection (c) defines ``in-kind support'' and designates 
the definitions included in the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 as the principle 
definitions when used in this title or any law pertaining to 
the Department of Agriculture relating to research, extension, 
or education regarding the food and agricultural sciences 
unless the context requires otherwise.
    The Committee is aware of regulations (7 C.F.R. 3019.23) 
which specify what contributions qualify as ``in-kind'' support 
and intends that the Secretary should refer to these 
regulations in implementing this section.

Sec. 103. Consultation with National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
        Education, and Economics Advisory Board

    Section 103 amends section 1408 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 by requiring that the Advisory Board, whenever there is a 
required consultation, solicit opinions and recommendations 
from persons who will benefit from and use Federally funded 
agricultural research, extension, education, and economics. 
Whenever the Secretary proposes to perform any duty or activity 
that requires the Secretary to consult or cooperate with the 
Advisory Board or authorizes the Advisory Board to submit 
recommendations with regard to that duty or activity, the 
Secretary shall solicit written opinions and recommendations 
from the Advisory Board and provide a written response to the 
Advisory Board regarding the manner and extent to which the 
Secretary will implement the recommendations.
    The Committee expects that the written recommendations of 
the Advisory Board and the written responses of the Secretary 
should be available to the general public, either in published 
or electronic format, in a timely manner. Further, the 
Committee believes that such information can be made available 
to the public within 10 days and expects the Secretary to work 
toward that goal.

Sec. 104. Relevance and merit of federally funded agricultural 
        research, extension, and education

    Section 104 amends subtitle K of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 by 
inserting a new section before section 1463. This new section 
requires the Secretary to establish procedures to ensure 
scientific peer- review of each agricultural research grant 
funded on a competitive basis by CSREES. The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Advisory Board, must establish procedures 
that ensure merit review of each agricultural extension or 
education grant competitively funded by CSREES.
    When formulating a request for proposals involving an 
agricultural research, extension, or education activity funded 
on a competitive basis, the Secretary shall solicit and 
consider input from the Advisory Board and users of 
agricultural research, extension, and education regarding the 
request for proposals from the previous year. If the activity 
has not been the subject of a previous request for proposals, 
the Secretary shall solicit and consider input from the 
Advisory Board and users of such research, extension, and 
education.
    This section requires the Secretary to establish procedures 
for a scientific peer-review of all research activities 
conducted by the Department. A review panel comprised of 
individuals with scientific expertise, majority of which can 
not be USDA employees, shall verify that each research project 
has scientific merit, and the panel shall review each research 
activity at least once every three years.
    Beginning October 1, 1998, each 1862 and 1890 Institution 
shall develop a process for merit review of the activity and 
review the activity in accordance with that process as a 
condition for receiving Federal formula funds for research or 
extension.
    Beginning October 1, 1998, each 1994 Institution shall 
develop a process for merit review of the activity and review 
the activity in accordance with that process as a condition for 
receiving Federal formula funds for extension.
    This section repeals outdated provisions of the Smith-Lever 
Act, Hatch Act of 1887, and the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 that require the 
Secretary to report to the President when the Secretary 
withholds funds from a land-grant college or university.
    The Committee understands the efficiency and cost 
effectiveness of using scientific experts from within an agency 
to review the work of the agency. However, the Committee 
intends that the Secretary should, to the maximum extent 
possible, ensure the credibility and quality of the research 
conducted by minimizing any individual agency's influence over 
the peer review of its own work.
    While wanting to encourage multi-state cooperation, the 
Committee recognizes that regional research within a state 
fulfills the test of national significance and therefore should 
be considered by the Secretary as qualifying under this 
standard.

Sec. 105. Expansion of authority to enter into cost-reimbursable 
        agreements

    Section 105 amends section 1473A of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 to expand current authority of the Secretary to enter into 
cost-reimbursableagreements with State cooperative institutions 
(i.e. land-grant colleges and universities) for the acquisition of 
goods and services, including personnel services, to carry out 
agricultural research, extension, or teaching activities of mutual 
interest by additionally allowing the Secretary to enter into such 
agreements with any college or university.
    The Committee expects the Department to fully use this new 
authority in an inclusive manner utilizing the resources of all 
land grant and non-land grant institutions with a demonstrated 
expertise in food and agricultural sciences.

Sec. 106. Evaluation and assessment of agricultural research, 
        extension, and education programs

    The Secretary shall create guidelines for performance 
measurement of agricultural research, extension, and education 
programs and then conduct an evaluation to determine whether 
agricultural research, extension, and education programs 
conducted or funded by the Department result in public benefits 
that have national or multi-State significance.
    The Committee recognizes that a performance evaluation is 
needed to produce a consensus based set of guidelines to 
evaluate the performance and rates of return for agricultural 
research, extension, and education programs. These guidelines 
should cover the spectrum from broad programs to specific 
projects and activities, basic to applied work, and across the 
social, biological, and physical sciences. The evaluation team 
should draw from land grant university personnel and USDA 
representatives implementing Government Performance and Results 
Act (GPRA). To ensure an unbiased evaluation, the Committee 
expects the Secretary to make the leadership of this evaluation 
independent of the Department of Agriculture.
    The Committee is concerned with the final GPRA strategic 
plan submitted on September 30, 1997 by the Research, 
Education, and Economics mission area (REE). Specifically, the 
Committee has identified four areas in the REE strategic plan 
which should be addressed by the Secretary.
    1. The strategic plan incorporates goals which the 
Committee believes are too general and broad in scope and which 
do not seem to reflect the goals of the research mission but 
rather reflect the goals of the agencies and departments which 
the research mission is supposed to support. The Committee 
expects REE to rework its strategic plan to reflect the goals 
of the research mission specifically.
    2. The strategic plan makes no mention of who the relevant 
REE customers are or how their input was incorporated in the 
construction of the strategic plan. The Committee is concerned 
that the level of input from users of agricultural research, 
extension, and education which occurred in the development of 
the REE strategic plan was insufficient. Input from relevant 
and affected parties within the research mission must be more 
aggressively sought in future Results Act planning by REE.
    3. The strategic plan identifies no duplication or overlap 
of agency or departmental functions.
    4. The strategic plan provides no discernable baseline 
projections or targets. With the current broadly based goals 
borrowed from the agencies which the research mission is meant 
to serve, the committee does not see how the REE strategic plan 
can successfully link outputs to outcomes for purposes of 
performance measurements without first focusing on its own 
goals.
    The Committee expects REE to act on these recommendations 
and report to the relevant committees before the performance 
measures are delivered to the Congress in the Department's 
Budget recommendations for fiscal year 1999.

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

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

Sec. 201. Adoption of short titles for Smith-Lever and Hatch Act of 
        1887

    Section 201 amends the Smith-Lever and Hatch Acts to 
include short titles of each Act.

Sec. 202. Consistent matching funds requirements under Hatch Act of 
        1887 and Smith-Lever Act

    Subsection (a) amends the Hatch Act of 1887 to clarify that 
States receiving Federal formula funds for research and 
education under the Act must provide a minimum of a one-to-one 
match with non-Federal dollars for each fiscal year and 
eliminates a 1955 amendment that gave States a $90,000 
allocation before requiring the one-to-one match. This section 
requires the Secretary to withhold the difference between the 
total amount that should have been provided and the non-Federal 
funds that were actually provided during the fiscal year from 
States which fail to provide matching funds for the fiscal 
year. The Secretary shall re-apportion withheld funds among the 
States satisfying the matching requirement for the fiscal year, 
and the re-apportionment shall be subject to the match 
requirement. An exception to the match requirement is granted 
to States for funds received for regional research.
    Subsection (b) amends the Smith-Lever Act to clarify that 
States receiving Federal formula funds for extension under the 
Act must provide a minimum of a one-to-one match with non-
Federal dollars for each fiscal year. The section requires the 
Secretary to withhold the difference between the total amount 
that should have been provided and the non-Federal funds that 
were actually provided during the fiscal year from States which 
fail to provide matching funds for any fiscal year. The 
Secretary shall re-apportion withheld funds among the States 
satisfying the matching requirement for the fiscal year, and 
the re-apportionment shall be subject to the match requirement. 
An exception to the match requirement is granted for matching 
funds to 1994 Institutions.
    Throughout the hearing process, the Committee received 
testimony regarding the need to maximize federal resources 
spent on agricultural research, extension and education. 
Inaddition, the agricultural community expressed the need for 
leveraging federal dollars with non-federal resources. As a result, the 
Committee considers it important that all federal dollars going to 
land-grant institutions should be leveraged with non-federal funds to 
the maximum extent possible.

Sec. 203. Plans of work to address critical research and extension 
        issues and use of protocols to measure success of plans

    Section 203 amends section 4 of the Smith-Lever Act. 
Beginning October 1, 1998, as a condition of receipt for 
Federal formula funds for extension, this section requires that 
institutions develop a plan of work that contains a description 
of important State agricultural issues and activities in which 
two or more State institutions cooperate to address those 
issues; identifies other colleges and universities in the State 
and other States with capacity to participate in current and 
emerging efforts towards improved collaborations; and provides 
a summary of current programs. The Secretary, in consultation 
with the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and 
universities, shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate 
the plans of work. To the extent practicable, the Secretary 
shall consider how plans of work submitted under this section 
may satisfy other appropriate Federal reporting requirements.
    This section amends section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887. 
Beginning October 1, 1998, as a condition of receipt for 
Federal formula funds for extension, this section requires that 
institutions develop a plan of work that contain a description 
of important State agricultural issues and activities in which 
two or more State institutions cooperate to address those 
issues; describes the consultation process with users of funds; 
identifies other colleges and universities in the State and 
other States with capacity to participate with them in current 
and emerging efforts towards improved collaborations; and 
provides a summary of current programs. The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges 
and universities, shall develop protocols to be used to 
evaluate the plans of work.
    The Secretary may delay the applicability of these 
requirements until October 1, 1999 if the Secretary finds that 
the State will be unable to meet such requirements despite good 
faith efforts.
    In keeping with the Committee's goal of leveraging federal 
funds and maximizing public/private partnerships, the Committee 
expects the Secretary to ensure that the recipients of federal 
research and extension formula funds shall make all reasonable 
efforts to partner with other institutions in their states or 
institutions in other parts of the country which may have 
similar goals and objectives.
    The Committee intends for Sec. 203 and Sec. 211 to ensure 
that federal funds provided for research, extension and 
education be managed so as to maximize the impact of the 
federal investment through coordinating and integrating 
research, extension and education projects and programs, 
minimizing unnecessary duplication, and fostering appropriate 
partnerships with other institutions and organizations to solve 
specific problems.
    The Committee is well aware that the Secretary is charged 
to develop protocols to account for federal investments through 
the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). As well, 
there are a number of activities through which the Department 
and the States are working to report on State research, 
extension and education activities, including the development 
of impact statements, improvements to the Current Research and 
Information System (CRIS), and the development of a new 
Research, Extension, and Education Information System (REEIS) 
authorized in the 1996 Farm Bill. In addition, there are 
additional federal reporting requirements and processes. Each 
of the reporting activities and processes are somewhat 
different in scope and purpose, but it is the intent of 
Committee that the Department and the land-grant institutions 
work together to develop as integrated a reporting process as 
is possible. The protocols and requirements for these plans of 
work should be developed in such a way that they are not 
duplicative of other federal reporting requirements; paperwork 
and bureaucracy should be minimized. The Committee expects that 
the plans of work fulfill the reporting requirements 
anticipated from the Department under GPRA. The States should 
not be required to provide the same information to the Federal 
government more than once. Moreover, the plans of work are not 
intended to provide exhaustive lists or compendiums. Plans of 
work should include a simple summary of basic and readily 
obtainable data.

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

Sec. 211. Plans of Work for 1890 Institutions to address critical 
        research and extension issues and use of protocols to measure 
        success of plans

    Section 211 amends section 1444(d) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teach Policy Act of 1977. 
Beginning October 1, 1998, as a condition of receipt for 
Federal formula funds for extension, 1890 Institutions shall 
develop a plan of work that contains a description of important 
State agricultural issues and activities in which two or more 
State institutions cooperate to address those issues; describes 
the consultation process with users of funds; identifies other 
colleges and universities in the State and other States with 
capacity to participate with them in current and emerging 
efforts towards improved collaborations; and provides a summary 
of current programs. The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and universities, shall 
develop protocols to be used to evaluate the plans of work. To 
the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of 
work submitted under this section to satisfy other appropriate 
Federal reporting requirements.
    This section requires that beginning October 1, 1998 as a 
condition of receipt for Federal formula funds for research, 
1890 Institutions shall develop a plan of work that contains a 
description of important State agricultural issues and 
activities in which two or more State institutions cooperate to 
address those issues; identifies other colleges and 
universities in the State and other States with capacity to 
participate with them in current and emerging efforts towards 
improved collaborations; and provides a summary of current 
programs. The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory 
Board and land-grant colleges and universities, shall develop 
protocols to be used to evaluate the plans of work.
    The Secretary may delay the applicability of these 
requirements until October 1, 1999, if the Secretary finds that 
the eligible institution will be unable to meet such 
requirements despite good faith efforts.
    (Note: See Committee Intent for Section 203 of this 
Section-by-Section Analysis.)

Sec. 212. Matching funds requirement for research and extension 
        activities at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee 
        University.

    Section 212 amends the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to phase-in a non-
Federal matching requirement for research and extension formula 
funds to 1890 Institutions. In fiscal year 1999, 1890 
Institutions shall submit a report describing sources of non-
Federal funds available to the institution for fiscal year 
1999. The phase-in schedule begins in fiscal year 2000 with 70% 
of the formula allocation requiring no match and 30% requiring 
a non-Federal match. In fiscal year 2001, the matching 
requirement increases to 45% of the Federal allocation; and 50% 
in fiscal year 2002 and thereafter. Based on the 1999 report, 
the Secretary may waive the match requirement for specific 
institutions in the fiscal year 2000; however, these 
institutions would be required to make the 45% match for fiscal 
year 2001.
    Non-Federal matching funds may be directed to agricultural 
research, extension, or teaching programs at the discretion of 
the 1890 institution. The Secretary shall withhold the 
difference between the total amount that should have been 
provided and the non-Federal funds that were actually provided 
during the fiscal year from States which fail to provide funds 
for the fiscal year. The Secretary shall redistribute the 
withheld funds to other eligible 1890 institutions satisfying 
the matching funds requirement for that fiscal year, and the 
re-apportioned funds shall be subject to a match requirement.
    For more than 25 years the Congress has provided funding to 
the 1890 colleges and universities to carry out their land 
grant functions. For the most part, the respective States have 
provided only limited support to these institutions. At the 
same time, these States have provided substantial and sustained 
support to the 1862 land grant institutions.
    The 1890 institutions play an integral role in the 
agricultural research capacity of this country; however, the 
Committee is concerned about their reliance on federal dollars 
in many cases. The Committee expects that the 1890 institutions 
would dramatically increase and improve their land grant 
programs and services if additional non-Federal funds were 
provided. To this end, the Committee intends that the States 
should increase support to 1890 institutions for their land 
grant functions.
    The Committee's intent in including this provision is not 
to jeopardize the current funding of the 1890 institutions, but 
to encourage States and other sources to share in the 
responsibility for funding agricultural research and extension 
activities. These additional funds will help to sustain and 
enhance the agricultural research and extension capabilities 
for the next century.
    The Committee expects that those states that currently 
provide funds to their 1890 institutions would continue to do 
so at no less than the current levels provided. The Committee 
intends that the matching requirements specified in this bill 
are to be the minimum level of support expected from states and 
other sources.

Sec. 213. International research, extension, and teaching

    Section 213 adds the word ``teaching'' throughout Section 
1458 of the National Agriculture Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 concerning international 
agricultural research and extension programs. In the case of 
the cooperative agreement entered into between the Secretary 
and Israel, the full amount of appropriated funds shall be 
transferred directly to the Binational Agricultural Research 
and Development Fund. This section prohibits the Secretary from 
retaining any portion of the funds for overhead or any other 
administrative expense.
    The Committee intends that in managing the competitive 
research grants under the authority of the Binational 
Agricultural Research and Development Program, the Board of 
Directors shall ensure eligibility for all colleges and 
universities with expertise in food and agricultural sciences.

Sec. 214. Task Force on 10-year strategic plan for agricultural 
        research facilities

    Section 214 repeals the Research Facilities Act but 
transfers the existing authority for the task force on 
agriculture research facilities to the National Agriculture 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977.

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

Sec. 231. National Agricultural Weather Information System

    Section 231 amends Subtitle D of title XVI of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to provide 
that section 1637 of the Act may be cited as the ``National 
Agriculture Weather Information System Act of 1997.''
    This section authorizes the Secretary to establish the 
National Agricultural Weather Information System (NAWIS). The 
Secretary may enter into contracts, grants, cooperative 
agreements, and interagency agreements with other Federal and 
State agencies to support the development and dissemination of 
agricultural weather and climate information; to collect 
weather data through regional and State agricultural weather 
information systems; to coordinate the weather activities of 
the Department of Agriculture with other Federal agencies and 
the private sector; to make grants regarding State and regional 
agricultural weather information systems; and to encourage 
private sector participation in NAWIS activities. This section 
also authorizes a competitive grants program to support 
projects to improve the manner in which agricultural weather 
and climate information is collected, retained, and 
distributed.
    This section prohibits more than two-thirds of the funds 
appropriated for the subtitle to be used for work with the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This section 
also prohibits the Secretary from awarding any grant funds for 
the construction of facilities and limits the purchase of 
equipment with grant funds to no more than the lesser of one-
third of the award or $15,000.
    This authorizes $15,000,000 to be appropriated for each of 
the 1998 through 2002 fiscal years to carryout the purposes of 
the revised subtitle.
    The Committee is keenly aware of the budget restrictions 
imposed upon the National Weather Service and the impacts of 
those cuts on specialized agricultural weather services. The 
recent closure of Agricultural Weather Service Centers has 
resulted in the loss of weather data from important 
agricultural areas that are not now being provided adequately 
by the National Weather Service. The Committee recognizes that 
the recent National Weather Service proposal to discontinue 
funding for the six Regional Climate Centers will result in the 
loss of data and jeopardize the future of the cooperative 
reporting network which is the source of invaluable 
agricultural weather data used by National Weather Service 
forecasters, USDA analysts, university researchers, and the 
private sector. The Committee expects that the National 
Agricultural Weather Information System will address this 
deficiency in data as expeditiously and effectively as 
possible.
    The intent of NAWIS is to re-establish and maintain a 
national infrastructure for the collection of agricultural 
weather observations. The Committee recognizes that the 
establishment of this infrastructure was not intended to be 
done under the privatized agricultural weather system. The 
Committee acknowledges that the private sector has expanded and 
agricultural weather services are, or soon will be available 
nationwide. the Committee expects the private to use NAWIS 
agricultural weather observations in the preparation of 
agricultural weather forecasts, products, and advisories. NAWIS 
will enhance the ability of private sector firms in providing 
these services, not compete with the private sector.
    In developing this section, the Committee specifically 
authorized the Secretary to encourage private sector 
participation in the system through coordination with the 
private sector, including cooperation in the generation of 
weather and climate data useful for site-specific agricultural 
weather forecasting. The Committee therefore expects the 
Secretary to evaluate the current status and future potential 
of private sector involvement in agricultural weather 
information collection and dissemination.

Sec. 232. Agricultural genome initiative

    Section 232 amends the heading of Section 1671 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to 
``Agricultural Genome Initiative.'' The Secretary shall conduct 
research for the purposes of supporting basic and applied 
research and technology, studying and mapping agriculturally 
significant genes, ensuring that current gaps in existing 
agricultural genetics knowledge are filled, and preserving 
diverse germplasm and biodiversity.
    Grants made under this section shall be awarded on a 
competitive basis, and no funds awarded under this section may 
be used to fund construction. A one-to-one match or in-kind 
support is required for any grant which is to benefit a 
specific commodity. The Secretary may waive the matching 
requirement with respect to an individual project if (1) the 
Secretary determines the results of the project, while of 
particular benefit to a specific commodity, are likely to be 
applicable to agricultural commodities generally or (2) the 
project involves a minor commodity, deals with scientifically 
important research, and the grant recipient would be unable to 
satisfy the matching requirement.
    This section authorizes the necessary funds to be 
appropriated for each of the 1998 through 2002 fiscal years to 
carryout the purposes of the revised section.
    With regard to the matching funds required under this 
section, the Committee intends that this apply to all research 
projects where the results are intended to support a specific 
agricultural commodity.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to utilize funds 
provided under this section to make research grants for the 
purpose of studying resistance to plant and animal diseases 
which cause severe economic hardship for producers.

                Subtitle D--National Research Initiative

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

    Section 241 amends the matching requirement provision for 
equipment purchase of the National Research Initiative, 
Competitive Grants Program to provide that the Secretary may 
waive all or a portion of the matching requirement in the case 
of small colleges or universities if (1) the cost of the 
equipment does not exceed $25,000 and (2) has multiple uses 
within a single research project or is usable in more than one 
research project.

                    Subtitle E--Other Existing Laws

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

    Section 251 amends the congressional statement of findings 
and purposes of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Act of 1978. The Secretary is authorized to conduct, support, 
and cooperate in forestry and rangeland research and education 
that is of the highest priority to the United States and users 
of public and private forest lands and rangelands in the United 
States. This section includes 5 priorities for Federal forest 
and range research and education which include: the biology of 
forest and range organisms; functional characteristics and 
cost-effective management of forest and rangelands ecosystems; 
interactions between humans and forests and rangelands; wood 
and forage as a raw material; and international trade, 
competition, and cooperation.
    In compliance with other existing law, the Secretary shall 
inventory and analyze public and private forests and their 
resources at least every five years as compared with the 
current eight to ten years. The Secretary shall also prepare a 
State forest inventory for each State. At least every five 
years, the Secretary shall prepare a report that contains a 
description of the State forest inventories, analyzes the 
results of the annual nationwide reports, and analyzes forest 
health trends.
    This section also modifies the competitive grants authority 
under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Act of 1978 
to allow the Secretary to use up to 5% of appropriated funds to 
make competitive grants for forestry research and up to 5% for 
rangeland research in the five priority areas. The Secretary 
shall give priority to proposals with collaborative research, 
matching funds, and in cooperation with existing research 
efforts.
    Amendments to Section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 require the United 
States Forest Service, in cooperation with the State forester 
or head of the forestry agency in each State, to conduct an 
annual inventory of each state's forests and associated 
resources. It is the intent of the Committee that this process 
be carried out through the development and implementation of a 
strategic plan, in coordination with Federal land management 
agencies, State foresters, the forest industry, and other 
important interest groups.
    The Committee expects that the Secretary, in cooperation 
with the State foresters and the forestry community, shall use 
the strategic plan to prioritize the states for purposes of 
collecting annual inventory data. The Committee recognizes that 
some states may not require an annual inventory update based on 
the size of the forest resource, unique conditions and 
circumstances, and other factors. The Committee urges the 
Secretary to accommodate such circumstances, when requested by 
the State forester, and to describe in the strategic plan the 
reasons for each such accommodation.
    The Committee recognizes that confidentiality of 
information gathered from private land is essential to the 
continued success of the Forest Inventory and Analysis program. 
The Committee acknowledges that the inventory information 
gathered by Forest Service personnel is currently aggregated at 
a regional and state level in order to ensure this strict 
confidentiality. It is the intent of the Committee that such 
confidentiality continue during the administration of the 
improved Inventory and Analysis program established under this 
Act.
    The Forestry Inventory and Analysis Program mission has 
historically been to improve the understanding and management 
of our nation's forests by maintaining a comprehensive 
inventory of key data used by forest planners and land owners. 
Such data include forest tree species type, current inventory, 
forest tree and vegetation growth, mortality and removals. It 
is the expectation of the Committee that the collection and 
analysis of such data will continue to be the principal focus 
of the improved forest inventory and analysis program. The 
Committee further expects that any change, expansion or shift 
in program emphasis will be made in close cooperation with 
state forester, forest landowners and other primary 
constituents of the program.
    The Competitive Research Grants program provides an 
important mechanism for the Forest Service to cooperate with 
and build trust among the various groups interested in forestry 
and rangeland research, as well as address priorities on state, 
and private industrial, and to a greater extent, non-industrial 
lands. The competitive Grants program is intended to be in 
addition to other Cooperative Research Agreements and 
relationships the Forest Service has with its cooperators. The 
Committee strongly encourages the Secretary to utilize this 
authority to establish a competitive grants program within the 
next fiscal year and address collaborative research in its 
long- range strategic planning. The Committee expects the 
Forest Service to maximize leveraging of outside cooperation 
and sources of funding through competitive grants and other 
cooperative programs.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary, when making 
competitively awarded research grants under section (3) of the 
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act as 
amended, to give priority to research initiatives to increasing 
the productivity of non-industrial private forest lands through 
emphasis on spatial information technologies, growth and yield 
relationships for bottomland hardwoods, intensive management 
systems for yellow pine plantations and their impact on 
wildlife populations, and improved harvesting and utilization 
technologies for yellow pine plantations. When making grants 
under this section, the Committee recommends that the Secretary 
give preference to research proposals that are conducted as 
part of an existing private and public partnership or 
cooperative research effort and involves several interested 
research partners
    The Committee recognizes the importance of both private and 
public-owned range and pasture lands. It is the committee's 
intent to provide greater emphasis on this vitally important 
area of research and extension programming. Rangelands and 
pasturelands, covering 55 percent of the land area in the 
United States, are highly important economically and 
environmentally. They are the dominant land type in many of our 
50 states and territories, and include grasslands, shrublands, 
deserts, riparian areas, tundra, and coastal marshes. More than 
half of these lands are privately owned, 43 percent are owned 
by the federal government, and the remainder are owned by state 
and local governments. These lands provide a wide array of 
goods and services, such as: food, water and habitat for wild 
and domestic animals; water for municipal and industrial uses; 
mineral and energy resources; and scenic, open spaces for 
recreational activities. Today, we are challenged by new 
questions about the condition and sustainability of many of 
these lands and their associated resources, arising in part 
from debates over proper uses of public lands, concepts 
underlying the methods used for land/resource management and 
assessment, and potential impacts associated with climate and 
environmental changes. The current debate over these issues 
suffers from lack of an adequate research base.
    It is the intent of the Committee that research priorities 
for rangelands and pasturelands be established through the 
process outlined in Sections 101 of this bill.
    The Committee strongly urges the Forest Service to utilize 
the specific forestry research priorities identified by the 
Forestry Research Advisory Council (FRAC), within the 
parameters of the broad priorities outlined in this Act, to 
guide its Competitive Research Grants program. The Committee 
expects the Forest Service to report to Congress annually on 
how it is incorporating FRAC research priorities into the 
grants program. If the Forest Service chooses other research 
priorities, the Committee expects the agency to explain why 
those priorities should be different than those established by 
the FRAC.

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

Sec. 301. National Research Initiative under Competitive, Special, and 
        Facilities Research Grant Act

    Section 301 reauthorizes existing research program until 
fiscal year 2002.

Sec. 302. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994

    Section 302 reauthorizes existing program at tribal 
colleges until fiscal year 2002.

Sec. 303. Education grants programs for Hispanic-serving institutions

    Section 303 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 304. General authorization for agricultural research programs

    Section 304 reauthorizes existing research programs until 
fiscal year 2002.

Sec. 305. General authorization for extension education

    Section 305 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 306. Grants and fellowships for food and agricultural science 
        education

    Section 306 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 307. Grants for research on the production and marketing of 
        alcohols and industrial hydrocarbons from agricultural 
        commodities and forest products

    Section 307 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 308. Policy research centers

    Section 308 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.
    The Federal government focus on research has emphasized 
those tasks which no other segment of society either can or 
will provide. In most cases that focus has been basic or pure 
research.
    Yet, with respect to applied policy and markets research in 
the agricultural sector, neither the private sector nor state 
and local governments have provided such research that is 
broadly available, informative and timely. It has fallen to the 
federal government, through the centers of rural and 
agricultural policy and markets research, to provide core 
institutional support to sustain applied policy research.
    These institutions provide a valuable, independent source 
of policy analysis that is not addressed by private sector or 
local- and state-funded research. Policy analysis research has 
neither the proprietary value for private sector funding nor 
the specific geographical focus to stimulate state and local 
government funding. The rich data bases and detailed analytical 
methodology of the policy centers enables them to provide 
policy decision support appropriate to national, state, and 
local policy makers.
    In contrast, competitively awarded research grants are 
inclined to focus on new analytic methods, often independent of 
extended data sets. Even when available in a timely fashion, 
competitive grant research, which is likely to favor more basic 
than applied research and tends to be reductionist, often 
oversimplifies the complex reality and nuances that policy 
makers face.
    At the national level, policy center analysis has assisted 
policy makers in modifying national policies through a better 
understanding of the local, national and international impacts. 
The long term effect of the centers' research has been to 
enhance policy stability. The independence and reliability of 
the centers' research have given Congress analysis to focus 
debate on policy, rather than on disputes over specific 
estimates and analytic techniques. Congressional confidence in 
the centers' research has grown as baseline projections and 
policy option analysis is continually subjected to review from 
university and government researchers as well constituent 
groups affected by policy decisions. The centers' research has 
also proved useful in especially contentious and difficult 
policy issues by validating the analysis in and outside of 
government of those advocating a particular position. The 
confidence arising from the centers' independence and 
continuity has resulted in less abrupt shifts in policy than 
might otherwise be the case.
    With a funding level of $3.7 million in recent years, these 
centers in more than 10 universities have collaborated on their 
research with over 150 scientists in 16 disciplines in more 
than 60 universities and 40 states. When the Federal government 
seeks to leverage its resources to increase agricultural 
research, it is the Committee's intent that centers for rural 
and agricultural policy and markets research should continue to 
be funded and utilized.

Sec. 309. Human nutrition intervention and health promotion research 
        program

    Section 309 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 310. Pilot research program to combine medical and agricultural 
        research

    Section 310 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 311. Food and nutrition education program

    Section 311 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 312. Animal health and disease continuing research

    Section 312 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 313. Animal health and disease national or regional research

    Section 313 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 314. Grant program to upgrade agricultural and food sciences 
        facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges

    Section 314 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 315. National research and training centennial centers

    Section 315 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 316. Supplemental and alternative crops research

    Section 316 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 317. Aquaculture research and extension

    Section 317 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 318. Rangeland research

    Section 318 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 319. Federal agricultural research facilities

    Section 319 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 320. Water quality research, education, and coordination

    Section 320 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.
    The Committee encourages the Department to continue 
research into the effect of various agricultural drainage 
practices on water quality and flooding including, but not 
limited to, evaluations of ridge till, minimum till, no till, 
moldboard plowing, chisel plowing, pattern tiling, surface 
versus subsurface intakes, filter strips, and buffer zones 
around intake points.
    The Committee intends that the Secretary should use this 
authority by promoting the adoption of incentive based, 
voluntary best management practices that maintain water 
quality. The Committee recommends that the Secretary consider 
utilizing resources under this authority to develop 
demonstration projects involving cooperation between State and 
Federal government entities, private sector, and commodity 
organizations.

Sec. 321. National genetics resources program

    Section 321 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 322. Agricultural telecommunications program

    Section 322 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 323. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities

    Section 323 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.
    The Committee recognizes that people with disabilities are 
a vital part of America's agricultural and rural workforce and 
economy. Over 500,000 farmers and ranchers have physical 
impairments that limit their ability to perform one or more 
essential farm tasks. Annually, 200,000 agricultural workers 
are injured in farm-related accidents, with thousands incurring 
permanent disabilities. Tens of thousands more in the 
agricultural community develop disabilities in ways unrelated 
to farming, including auto accidents, cancer, heart disease, 
diabetes, and the process of aging. With some support, the 
majority of these individuals can continue to earn their 
livelihoods in agriculture.
    Seven years ago, the Easter Seal Society apprised the 
Committee of the quiet crisis among disabled farmers and 
ranchers, who were ``falling through the cracks'' of rural 
service delivery systems and being needlessly forced out of 
agriculture. At that time, and in much of the country today, 
farmers, ranchers, and farm workers with disabilities were 
unable to obtain services otherwise available to urban 
residents with disabilities, or were offered services that 
failed to address the unique circumstances of their 
agricultural occupations and lifestyles.
    The Congress responded by creating the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), AgrAbility Program in the 1990 Farm Bill, 
to mobilize the expertise of State Cooperative Extension 
Services and nonprofit disability agencies to jointly provide 
practical, hands-on education and assistance to enable people 
with disabilities and their families to succeed in agricultural 
production. Each year, State level partnerships formed by an 
Extension Service and one or more disability organizations 
compete for USDA AgrAbility funding. Successfulapplicants 
receive a four year commitment of support from the USDA, after which 
time, they must compete again. Since 1991, twenty-two States have 
received Federal support to initiate and sustain AgrAbility projects.
    The Committee is concerned that the funding floor 
established in the 1990 Farm Bill for State AgrAbility projects 
has yet to be reached by a single State project. Although 
support at lesser amounts was reasonable in launching the 
program years ago, current allocations of about half of that 
needed to support mature statewide programs is causing farm and 
ranch families in need to be put on waiting lists for help; is 
forcing the downsizing of rural professional education efforts; 
and is placing undue strain on dedicated staff that are too few 
in number. The Committee also recognizes that agricultural 
producers in States not served by AgrAbility are significantly 
hindered in their attempts to make disability-related 
accommodations in their farm or ranch operations.
    The Committee expects the Secretary to fully utilize and 
integrate the spirit and expertise of AgrAbility and its 
proponents, such as the Easter Seals Society, in departmental 
operations and programs to improve opportunities for people 
with disabilities who work and agriculture and related 
occupations.

Sec. 324. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse

    Section 324 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

Sec. 325. Critical Agricultural Materials Act

    Section 325 reauthorizes existing program until fiscal year 
2002.

                          Subtitle B--Repeals

Sec. 341. Aquaculture research facilities

    Section 341 repeals Section 1476 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 which authorized research grants for aquaculture at only 
two institutions.

Sec. 342. Agricultural research program under National Agricultural 
        Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981

    Section 342 repeals Section 1432 (b) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
Amendments of 1981 which authorized a dairy goat research 
grant.

Sec. 343. Livestock product safety and inspection program

    Section 343 repeals Section 1670 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 which authorized the 
Assistant Secretary for Science and Education to make a 
research grant for livestock product safety and inspection.

Sec. 344. Generic authorization of appropriations

    Section 344 repeals an unnecessary appropriations 
authorization.

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

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

Sec. 401. Definitions

    Section 401 defines ``eligible partnership,'' ``high-value 
agricultural product,'' and ``Secretary.''

Sec. 402. Establishment and characteristics of partnerships

    Section 402 authorizes the Secretary to make competitive 
grants to establish partnerships to coordinate and manage 
research and extension activities to enhance the quality of 
high-value agricultural products. The primary institution 
involved in a partnership shall be a land-grant college or 
university acting in partnership with other colleges or 
universities, nonprofit research and development entities, and 
Federal laboratories. Partnerships shall prioritize research 
and extension activities to enhance the competitiveness of 
agricultural products, increase agricultural exports, and 
substitute such products for imports.
    The partnership may address a spectrum of production, 
processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing issues 
regarding effective and environmentally responsible pest 
management alternatives and biotechnology, genetic research, 
refinement of field production practices, processing and 
packaging technology, and research to facilitate diversified, 
value-added enterprises in rural areas.

Sec. 403. Elements of grant making process

    Grants may be awarded for a maximum of 5 years with a 
possibility for renewal. The Secretary shall give preference to 
multi-institutional proposals that guarantee matching funds in 
excess of the required amount. The non-Federal sponsors of a 
partnership shall contribute, at a minimum, the same amount 
awarded by the Federal Government.

Sec. 404. Authorization of appropriations and related provisions

    Section 404 authorizes the necessary funds to be 
appropriated for this subtitle for fiscal years 1998 through 
2002.

                   Subtitle B--Precision Agriculture

Sec. 411. Definitions

    Section 411 defines ``precision agriculture'' as an 
integrated information and production-based farming system that 
is designed to increase long-term, site specific and whole farm 
production efficiencies, productivity, and profitability while 
minimizing unintended impacts on wildlife and the environment 
in specified ways. This section also defines ``precision 
agricultural technologies,'' ``Advisory Board,'' ``agricultural 
inputs,'' ``eligible entity,'' and ``systems research.''

Sec. 412. Competitive grants to promote precision agriculture

    Section 412 authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Advisory Board, to make 5 year competitive grants for 
research, education, or information dissemination projects for 
precision agriculture. The Secretary may only give grants to 
projects that are unlikely to be financed by the private sector 
in the absence of a grant, and the partnership must match the 
amount of Federal funds. Priority shall be given to research, 
education, or information dissemination projects that evaluate 
precision agricultural technologies to increase long-term 
efficiencies, make the findings readily available to farmers, 
demonstrates the efficient use of agricultural inputs, 
maximizes cooperation between all interested parties, and 
maximizes leveraging of funds and resources.

Sec. 413. Reservation of funds for education and information 
        dissemination projects

    Section 413 provides that, of the funds appropriated for 
precision agriculture research grants, the Secretary shall 
reserve a portion for grants for projects regarding precision 
agriculture related to education and information dissemination.

Sec. 414. Precision agriculture partnerships

    Section 414 provides that the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Advisory Board, shall encourage the establishment of 
multi-State and national partnerships between land-grant 
institutions, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, State 
cooperative extension services, other colleges and 
universities, USDA agencies, national laboratories, 
agribusinesses, certified crop advisers, commodity 
organizations, other Federal or State government entities, non-
agricultural industries and nonprofit organizations, and 
agricultural producers and agricultural producers or other land 
managers.

Sec. 415. Miscellaneous provisions

    Section 415 prohibits the use of grant money to be used for 
facility construction.

Sec. 416. Authorization of appropriations

    Section 416 authorizes $40,000,000 to be appropriated for 
each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002 for this subtitle. 
This section also limits the amount retained by the Secretary 
for administrative costs to 3% of the amount appropriated.

                     Subtitle C--Other Initiatives

Sec. 421. High-priority research and extension initiatives

    Section 421 amends Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) to allow 
the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, to make 
competitive grants for high-priority research and extension 
grants.
    Subsection (b) provides that the Secretary shall seek 
proposals for grants and perform peer-review of the proposals 
from State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and 
universities, Federal agencies, and the private sector for high 
priority research and extension. The grant may not be used for 
construction of a facility.
    Subsection (c) requires grant recipients to contribute non-
Federal matching funds or in-kind support. The Secretary may 
waive this matching funds requirement if the Secretary 
determines that the results of the project are likely to be 
applicable to agricultural commodities generally or that the 
project involves a minor commodity, deals with scientifically 
important research, and the recipient would be unable to 
satisfy the match requirement.
    Subsection (d) permits the Secretary to give priority, 
after the peer-review process for all grant proposals, to 
proposals involving the cooperation of multiple institutions.
    Subsection (e) identifies and describes the thirty-two 
high-priority research and extension areas for which the 
Secretary will make grants.
    Subsection (f) authorizes the necessary funds to be 
appropriated for fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
    Subsection (g) authorizes the Secretary to establish task 
forces to make recommendations in the high priority research 
and extension areas. The Secretary may not incur costs greater 
than $1,000 in any fiscal year in connection with each task 
force.
            Paragraph (e)(9)
    The Committee recognizes that animal waste management 
research involves the investigation of the nutrient properties 
of manure that can be used in crop and pasture production 
systems, including composting to enhance manure 
characteristics. Furthermore, it is clear that efforts need to 
be directed toward methods to assess manure quality, processing 
to improve nutrient value and methods of reducing water content 
to improve transport characteristics. As this research 
continues to progress, the Committee further encourages the 
integration of research concepts into demonstration trials in 
order to transfer this information to producers.
            Paragraph (e)(11)
    The Committee recognizes the severe losses suffered by the 
nation's wheat growers as a result of Fusarium graminearum, 
commonly known as wheat scab. The Committee has therefore 
authorized research and extension grants to better understand 
and combat this disease. The Committee encourages the Secretary 
to make the funds provided under this section available for the 
purposes of:
          (1) Identification and understanding of the 
        epidemiology of wheat scab and the toxicological 
        properties of vomitoxin;
          (2) Development of crop management strategies to 
        reduce the risk of wheat scab occurrence;
          (3) Development of efficient and accurate methods to 
        monitor wheat and barley for the presence of wheat scab 
        and resulting vomitoxin contamination, post-harvest 
        management techniques for wheat and barley infected 
        with wheat scab, and milling and food processing 
        techniques to render contaminated grain safe;
          (4) Strengthening and expansion of plant-breeding 
        activities to enhance the resistance of wheat and 
        barley to wheat scab, including the establishment of a 
        regional advanced breeding material evaluation system; 
        and
          (5) Development and deployment of alternative 
        fungicide application systems and formulations to 
        control wheat scab and consideration of other technical 
        control strategies to assist farmers until new more 
        resistant wheat and barley varieties available.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to establish a task 
force, composed of producers, scientists and extension experts 
to facilitate prioritization of activities eligible for 
research and extension grants under this section regarding the 
plant disease Fusarium graminearium, commonly known as wheat 
scab.
            Paragraph (e)(12)
    The Committee encourages the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Advisory Board, to consider projects designed to 
evaluate the economics of applying proven research technology 
in peanut processing in a ``real world'' commercial 
environment. Further, the Committee encourages that projects be 
developed in order to scientifically compare the current 
marketing and handling system against a proposed modified 
system that incorporates the latest technology and to identify 
areas for increasing system efficiency through increased value 
and/or cost savings. The Committee believes that the objective 
of research conducted under this section should be to determine 
if implementation of the latest technology can add value 
beginning at the farm level, reduce cost throughout processing, 
improve quality and increase U.S. competitiveness.
            Paragraph (e)(16)
    Given the continued uncertainty about the effects of 
various farm and non-farm practices on the ecosystems of 
watersheds, the Committee encourages the Secretary to direct 
continued research efforts toward on-farm and watershed scale 
research wherever practicable. Linkages along all of the 
ecological components within a watershed need to be more fully 
understood before management changes can be instituted. 
Furthermore, since a number of watershed scale studies are 
already in place around the nation, the Secretary is encouraged 
to use these facilities when addressing components to this 
problem.
            Paragraph (e)(21)
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to direct research 
efforts toward practices that preserve the nutrient value of 
manure and its use as a crop nutrient source. This would 
include methods to alter the storage and use of manure from 
different production systems but would also include the 
assessment of the nutrient value of manure once applied to the 
soil. Research should especially focus on gaining understanding 
of the process of odor formation, transport across landscapes, 
and effective techniques for odor reduction.
            Paragraph (e)(22)
    Managed wetlands represent a largely untapped resource for 
the sustainable production of food and fiber. Wetlands are 
enormously productive because they contain an ample supply of 
ingredients for life: soil, water, air, and sunlight. In 
addition they are uniquely adapted to capture and use the 
minerals and nutrients carried by water as it filters through 
the wetland.
    Managed agricultural wetlands are used to produce high 
value crops such as rice, cranberries, crawfish, fin fish, and 
frogs. In many cases, multiple species can be profitably 
produced in the same wetland system. Wetlands hold the 
potential for supporting even greater diversity, which allow 
farmers to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability 
for aquaculture producers. Research connecting managed wetlands 
to the nutrient and water cycles of the of the farming 
operation will enhance the productivity of agriculture while 
helping farmers.
            Paragraph (e)(32)
    The Committee encourages the Secretary, to give priority to 
research initiatives to increasing the productivity of non-
industrial private forest lands through emphasis on spatial 
information technologies, growth and yield relationships for 
bottomland hardwoods, intensive management systems for yellow 
pine plantations and their impact on wildlife populations, and 
improved harvesting and utilization technologies for yellow 
pine plantations. When making grants under this section, the 
Committee recommends that the Secretary give preference to 
research proposals that are conducted as part of an existing 
private and public partnership or cooperative research effort 
and involves several interested research partners.

Sec. 422. Organic agricultural research and extension initiative

    Section 422 authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Advisory Board, to make competitive specialized research 
and extension grants for organically grown and processed 
agricultural commodities. The recipient must provide matching, 
non-Federal funds; however, the Secretary may waive the match 
if the results of the project, while of particular benefit to 
one commodity, are likely to be applicable to agriculture 
generally or the project involves a minor commodity, deals with 
scientifically important research, and the recipient would be 
unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
    After the peer review process, the Secretary may give 
priority to scientifically meritorious proposals that involve 
the cooperation of multiple institutions.

Sec. 423. United States-Mexico joint agricultural research

    Section 423 amends the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291) by 
inserting a new section which authorizes the Secretary to 
establish an agricultural research and development program with 
the United States/Mexico Foundation for Science. The Foundation 
shall award competitive grants, with a matching funds 
requirement by the Mexican government, to focus on binational 
problems such as food safety, plant and animal pest control, 
and the natural resource base on which agriculture depends.
    This section authorizes a research and development program 
conducted jointly by the United States and Mexico, utilizing 
the U.S.-Mexico Foundation (Foundation) for Science. The 
Foundation was launched in 1992, patterned after the Binational 
Agricultural Research and Development (BARD) program between 
the U.S. and Israel. The Foundation program is a partnership 
between the two countries, each of which puts in half of the 
funding, to perform research on issues of common interest to 
both countries. Initial funding of $2 million from each country 
was obtained in 1993, with additional funding from the Hewlett 
Foundation for a graduate and summer scholarship program. The 
research funded to date focused on health, environment, and 
agricultural problems. The grant size has ranged from $70,000-
$90,000 per project, with slightly more than 50% of the funding 
made in the U.S. Grants are awarded competitively and must 
involve researchers from both countries in an equal role.
    The Foundation is run by a Board of Governors consisting of 
Science and Technology representatives from both countries, 
with Mexican Government officials serving on their side and the 
National Academy of Science and National Academy of Engineering 
serving on the U.S. side. The Mexican Government has pledged to 
match any U.S. contribution up to $25 million over a 5 year 
period.
    Many of the research needs identified by the partners in 
the Foundation are in the agriculture area, such as plant and 
animal pest control, food safety, and environmental protection. 
The Committee intends for this authorization to help to move 
this essential research ahead.

Sec. 424. Competitive Grants for International Agricultural Science and 
        Education Programs

    Section 424 amends the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 by adding a section 
authorizing the Secretary to award competitive grants to 
colleges and universities to strengthen U.S. economic 
competitiveness and promote international market development. 
Grants will be awarded to research, extension, and teaching 
activities that enhance the international content of curricula 
in colleges and universities, disseminates the findings of 
agricultural research outside the United States to students and 
users of agricultural research within the United States, 
enhances collaborative research with other countries, and 
enhances the capability of U.S. colleges and institutions in 
assisting food production, processing, and distribution.
    The Committee recognizes the need to help American 
agricultural producers and processors become even more 
competitive in international markets. The Committee understands 
that agricultural research, extension and teaching programs at 
American colleges and universities play a vital role in this 
effort. By coordinating research, extension and teaching 
programs, land-grant and other colleges and universities can 
continue to assist U.S. agriculture to strengthen our 
competitive position in world markets. However, the U.S. must 
gain a better understanding of specific cultural preferences, 
foreign distribution systems, marketing opportunities for 
value-added exports, and other factors. Additionally, 
interacting with other countries enables the U.S. to capitalize 
on technologies developed overseas to provide our farmers, 
ranchers, and processors the latest and best information 
available.
    The Committee understands that American colleges and 
universities have educated countless executives and managers in 
other countries, but many of our own students enter the job 
market without an adequate understanding of global trade issues 
or the implications of these global issues for U.S. production 
and processing. The Committee therefore intends that 
competitive grants authorized by the section help achieve these 
and other important goals.
    The Committee intends that the Secretary ensure that these 
agricultural research, extension and education programs promote 
and enhance the economic viability and international 
competitiveness of U.S. producers. Accordingly, the Secretary 
should work with the Administrator of the Agency for 
International Development to ensure a coordinated agricultural 
research, education, and extension agenda.

Sec. 425. Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program

    Section 425 provides that the Secretary shall continue 
operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program 
(FARAD program). The Secretary shall provide the necessary 
information to the appropriate specialists, maintain up-to-date 
information, disseminate information to the public, furnish up-
to-date data on approved drugs, maintain a comprehensive 
residue avoidance database, provide professional advice for 
determining the withdrawal times necessary for food safety in 
the use of drugs in food animals, and engage in other 
activities that promote food safety.
    The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, may 
make 3 year grants to colleges and universities to operate the 
FARAD program.

Sec. 426. Development and commercialization of new biobased products

    Section 426 authorizes the Secretary to enter into 
cooperative agreements with eligible partners, as specified, so 
that the facilities and technical expertise of ARS may be made 
available to operate pilot plants in order to bring 
technologies of biobased products to the point of practical 
application. This section defines ``biobased products'' as a 
product suitable for food and nonfood use that is derived in 
whole or in part from renewable agricultural and forestry 
materials.
    The Secretary may use funds appropriated under this section 
and cooperative research and development agreement funds to 
carry out this program.
    The Secretary shall authorize the private partner to sell 
biobased products for the purpose of determining market 
potential.

Sec. 427. Thomas Jefferson initiative for crop diversification

    Section 427 establishes the Thomas Jefferson Initiative in 
order to conduct research and development, in cooperation with 
other public and private entities, on the production and 
marketing of new and nontraditional crops. The Secretary shall 
arrange to fund and coordinate the initiative through a 
centrally located nonprofit center that will conduct and 
coordinate research and education programs in cooperation with 
other public and private entities.
    The Secretary shall support development of multi-State 
regional efforts in crop diversification, and 50% of available 
funding shall be used for regional efforts centered at land-
grant institutions. The Secretary may award the remaining funds 
to colleges or universities, nonprofit organizations, or public 
agencies in 5 year, competitive grants. Recipients must 
contribute matching non-Federal funds.
    The Committee recognizes that the Secretary has the 
existing authority to reallocate funds from other programs to 
this initiative on a discretionary basis.
    The Committee intends that the Jefferson Initiative be 
administered through the Cooperative States Research, 
Education, and Extension Service. Through the grant-making 
authority of that agency, the Secretary may provide allocated 
funds to set up a national program with regional components. 
The Committee further intends that the national center shall 
carry out research, education, and market development 
activities, and provide relevant information for policy 
decisions specific to new crop commercialization, such as data 
for crop insurance or grain grading standards. These grants 
would occur as sub-awards of primary grant awards made from the 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service to 
the national center. Funding for regional programs should 
preferably go through the national center for coordination 
purposes, but may be awarded directly to regional programs from 
the agency.
    Where appropriate, other institutions or organizations may 
provide regional leadership in cooperation with a land-grant 
institution.

Sec. 428. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
        grants program

    This section authorizes the Secretary to award competitive 
grants to colleges and universities for integrated research, 
education, and extension projects that address priorities of 
U.S. agriculture. The Secretary shall require matching funds or 
in-kind support if the grant will benefit a particular 
commodity; however, the Secretary may waive the requirement if 
the results are likely to benefit agriculture generally or the 
project involves a minor commodity, deals with scientifically 
important research, and the recipient would be unable to meet 
the match requirement.

Sec. 429. Research grants under Equity in Education Land-Grant States 
        Act of 1994

    Section 429 amends the Equity in Education Land-Grant 
States Act to authorize the Secretary to make competitive 
grants to 1994 Institutions to conduct agricultural research 
that addresses high priority concerns of tribal, national, and 
multi-State significance. Research will be conducted under a 
cooperative agreement with land-grant colleges and 
universities.

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Role of Secretary of Agriculture regarding food and 
        agricultural sciences research, education, and extension

    Section 501 designates the Secretary of Agriculture as the 
principal official in the Executive branch responsible for 
coordinating all Federal research and extension activities 
related to food and agricultural sciences.

Sec. 502. Office of Pest Management Policy

    Section 502 requires the Secretary to establish an Office 
of Pest Management Policy. This Office of Pest Management 
Policy shall, in addition to its assigned responsibilities 
within the Department of Agriculture, shall provide leadership 
in coordinating interagency activities with the EPA, FDA, and 
other Federal and State agencies and coordinate agricultural 
policies within the Department related to pesticides. This 
section requires the Office of Pest Management Policy to 
consult with and provide services to producer groups and 
interested parties.
    The Committee believes that the creation of an Office of 
Pest management Policy is necessary to focus and coordinate the 
many pest management and pesticide-related activities carried 
out within the Department. The Committee feels strongly that 
this is a necessary step if the Department is to be effective 
in carrying out its statutory responsibilities with respect to 
pesticide issues and pest management research.
    The Committee also expects the Office of Pest Management 
Policy to coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency 
to ensure effective implementation of the Food Quality 
Protection Act of 1996. The Committee recommends the Director 
of the office work with EPA, producers, and other appropriate 
groups to develop effective, efficient mechanisms for gathering 
data necessary for making regulatory decisions under FQPA. The 
Committee expects the Director and the Administrators of the 
relevant Departmental agencies to work with producers in 
reorienting research priorities in pest management to 
facilitate development, evaluation and delivery of alternative 
pest management tools.
    The Committee expects the Department to carry out the 
establishment of this new office as expeditiously as possible. 
The Committee expects the office to be created within and 
staffed by an official within the Office of the Secretary. The 
Committee intends for the Director of the office to report to 
the Secretary or the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

Sec. 503. Food Safety Research Information Office and national 
        conference

    Section 503 directs the Secretary to establish a Food and 
Safety Research Information Office at the National Agricultural 
Library to provide information on food safety research 
initiatives to the research community and the general public.
    This section further directs the Secretary to sponsor a 
National Conference on Food Safety Research within 120 days 
after the enactment of this Act as well as annual workshops in 
each of the subsequent four years after the conference.
    This section directs that the National Academy of Sciences' 
study include recommendations to ensure that the food safety 
inspection system.

Sec. 504. Nutrient composition data

    Section 504 directs the Secretary to update nutrient 
composition data periodically.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to place an emphasis 
on human nutrition research in the areas of preventative 
nutrition, diet, and obesity.

Sec. 505. Availability of funds received or collected on behalf of 
        National Arboretum

    Section 505 provided a technical amendment to clarify that 
fees collected at the National Arboretum under the Act of March 
4, 1927, are available for use by the Secretary without further 
appropriation.

Sec. 506. Retention and use of agricultural research service patent 
        culture collection fees

    Section 506 provides that fees collected by ARS from the 
Patent Culture Collection shall be retained by ARS for 
maintenance and operation of the Patent Culture Collection.

Sec. 507. Reimbursement of expenses incurred under Sheep Promotion, 
        Research, and Information Act of 1994

    The Agricultural Marketing Service may use its funds to 
reimburse the American Sheep Industry Association for expenses 
incurred by the Association in preparation for the 
implementation of a sheep and wool promotion, research, 
education, and information order.
    On April 4, 1997, the Department of Agriculture announced 
that the October 1, 1996, sheep referendum on the Sheep and 
Wool Promotion, Research, Education, and Information Order 
(Order) had failed. Prior to this action, USDA announced on 
March 5, 1996, that the Order had been approved in the February 
6, 1996, referendum. Following the February 6, 1996, referendum 
and before the Order was suspended on May 17, 1996, the 
American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) incurred costs 
approaching at least $80,000 on behalf of the proposed National 
Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Board for (1) 
informing producers, importers, and informing persons about 
collection and remittance procedures, (2) the reproduction and 
distribution of forms, and (3) the preparation for the first 
Board meeting. The Committee recognizes that these types of 
activities are traditionally carried out by the industry trade 
association which urged for the introduction of the checkoff 
legislation and an association's expenditures usually are 
reimbursed by the Board once it has checkoff funds available. 
However, in light of the irregularities in the first referendum 
which were the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, 
and the resultant unanticipated costs associated with 
conducting the second referenda, it is the intent of the 
Committee that USDA reimburse ASI for expenses incurred in 
seeking to implement this program.

Sec. 508. Sense of Congress regarding Agricultural Research Service 
        emphasis on field research regarding methyl bromide 
        alternatives

    It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of 
Agriculture should use a substantial portion of the ARS funds 
appropriated for the development of agricultural alternatives 
to methyl bromide for research to be conducted in real field 
conditions such as pre-planting and post-harvest conditions.
    The Committee is concerned that despite the allocation 
funds over the past several years for research to identify and 
evaluate pest management tools that can serve as alternatives 
to Methyl Bromide, the progress of this effort has been much 
slower than anticipated. The Committee understands the Economic 
Research Service is in the process of doing a study on current 
Methyl Bromide uses and potential alternatives. The Committee 
recommends that the Department also undertake an evaluation of 
the current methyl Bromide research projects and assess their 
applicability in averting negative impacts on U.S. agricultural 
production resulting from the phase-out of methyl Bromide. 
Adjustment should then be made to align research priorities and 
funding to the areas of greatest need. The Committee encourages 
the Department to make most effective use of resources to 
address the most imminent problem through cooperative research 
and evaluation efforts with producer groups.

Sec. 509. Sense of Congress regarding importance of school-based 
        agricultural education

    It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of 
Agriculture and the Secretary of Education cooperate in 
providing support for school-based agricultural education.
    The Committee is very proud that the highly successful U.S. 
agricultural industry provides Americans with the luxury of the 
highest quality, most abundant, and affordable supply of food, 
clothing and other essential goods of any country in the world. 
Unfortunately, many Americans have taken this luxury for 
granted and this has lead to a lack of understanding among our 
society of basic agriculture issues.
    Since school-based agricultural education primarily 
operates at the federal level under the authority of the U.S. 
Department of Education, the Committee feels that it is 
important that the expertise and resources of the Department of 
Agriculture be available to support these educational efforts. 
Therefore, the Committee expects the Secretary of Agriculture 
and the Secretary of Education to maintain a strong 
collaborative and cooperative relationship in providing both 
teaching and technical support for school-based agricultural 
education. The Committee feels that these efforts are important 
at all primary educational levels including the elementary 
through high school levels. Further, the Committee encourages 
the Secretary of Agriculture to serve as a focal point and 
resource for coordination of private and public efforts aimed 
at expanding agricultural literacy under the general public.

Sec. 510. Sense of Congress regarding designation of department crisis 
        management team

    Based on congressional findings, it is the sense of 
Congress that the Secretary should designated a Crisis 
Management Team, composed of senior departmental personnel in 
relevant areas, to develop and implement a department-wide 
crisis management plan and enter into cooperative agreements 
with other Federal agencies that have related programs.
    The Committee is concerned that when incidents occur, such 
as natural disasters, personnel management problems, threats to 
public health, and trade disruptions, appropriate authorities 
do not act in a timely fashion to educate the media about 
important, relevant facts. Many of these incidents require the 
coordination of multiple agencies across the federal government 
and also with state & local authorities. Without clear, 
scientific, and authoritative information, those who choose to 
promote fear, lack of information, anxiety and pseudo-science 
are allowed to shape the story. Department of Agriculture 
employees, program participants, consumer confidence, and the 
food production sector have been adversely impacted as a result 
of these challenges.
    The Committee intends that this provision will encourage 
the Secretary of Agriculture to put a mechanism in place with 
at least these characteristics:
    1. It must consist of a known core of individuals with 
sufficient organizational standing to perform interagency 
coordination and present policy options directly to Cabinet 
level official;
    2. USDA employees must be aware of the role of this Crisis 
Management Team and be directed to bring emerging situations to 
the team's attention;
    3. When a problem is identified, the team should suspend 
all other duties until the situation is brought under control;
    4. One of the primary duties of the team is the 
dissemination of information about what is known, what is not 
known, and when questions will be answered. This effort must 
consider the implications of the incident for all stakeholders; 
and
    5. A credible spokesman, speaking on behalf of all the 
relevant agencies, should convey a focused, scientifically-
sound message. The focus should be on pushing for rapid 
information gathering and clear communication with a minimum of 
jargon and maximum transmission of actual risk in terms the 
general public can understand.
            Other miscellaneous report language
    The Committee is aware of the Office of Energy Policy and 
New Uses within the Economic Research Service. The Office has 
been instrumental in the development of biofuels and new uses 
and in representing rural America on energy policy issues. The 
Committee expects that the Secretary will take appropriate 
action to ensure improved linkages between this office and the 
upper levels of management within the Department of 
Agriculture.

                        COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

                              I--Hearings

    The Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and 
Research held a series of hearings in the 105th Congress. 
However, because most research, education, and extension 
programs were reauthorized for only two years by the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
127) which was enacted into law on April 4, 1996, the Committee 
began gathering information in the 104th Congress that was 
important in crafting future legislation for Federal 
agricultural research, education, and extension programs.
    During the 104th Congress, the Committee approved hearings 
to be held by one of its subcommittees, the then Subcommittee 
on Resource Conservation, Research, and Forestry, on March 27, 
May 14, and July 17, 1996, to evaluate program goals, priority 
setting, research program administration and results; and 
information management and dissemination (Extension), 
respectively. At these three hearings, testimony was received 
from over 30 witnesses representing USDA and a wide variety of 
research, education, and extension specialists and analysts 
regarding the evaluation of Federal programs in agricultural 
research, education, and extension. This information gathered 
was valuable to the Committee for the purpose of determining 
how to use available Federal research dollars most effectively 
and efficiently while addressing possible future decline in 
Federal funding.
    The first hearing of the 105th Congress occurred on June 
17, 1997 to review the role of Federal, state and private 
research. This hearing gave insight to the profile of ongoing 
research efforts by engaging the three main elements of the 
agricultural research structure--federal, state and private--in 
the discussion about their current and future roles. Testimony 
was heard from witnesses representing the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; universities; and farmer supported foundations and 
organizations.
    The second hearing occurred on June 18, 1997 to review 
public and private partnership efforts in agricultural 
research. This hearing focused on how the federal, state and 
private sectors coordinate their activities. Seven witnesses 
representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture; universities; 
and farmer supported foundations and organizations testified.
    The third hearing occurred on July 9, 1997 to review 
public, private partnerships in agricultural extension and 
education program. Testimony was received from witnesses 
representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture; universities; 
and farmer supported foundations and organizations.
    The fourth and final hearing occurred on July 22, 1997 to 
review authorization proposals in agricultural research, 
education and extension programs. This hearing focused on 
specific proposals for reauthorization legislation with the 
goal of improving efficiencies, eliminating any duplication of 
efforts and striving to accomplish more with the same or very 
possibly fewer dollars. Testimony was received from witnesses 
representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture; universities; 
and farmer-supported foundations and organizations.

                            II--Subcommittee

    Chairman Combest, Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource 
Conservation, and Research, called the meeting to order on 
September 25, 1997, for the purpose of marking up H.R. 2534, 
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reauthorization Act of 1997, a bill introduced by Messrs. 
Combest, Dooley, Smith of Oregon, and Stenholm to reform, 
extend, and repeal certain agricultural research, extension, 
and education programs, and for other purposes. Chairman 
Combest made brief opening comments and noted the extensive 
process of hearings and negotiations which had gone into the 
bill, H.R. 2534, that was before the Subcommittee. Chairman 
Combest stated that his intention was to improve current 
research and accomplish more with the same or fewer dollars.
    Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Dooley was recognized 
for brief opening comments and noted that the bill included 
provisions which would encourage greater competition for some 
of the research dollars at the Federal level.
    Chairman Combest recognized counsel for a brief explanation 
of the bill and lengthy discussion occurred on section 202, 
Expanded Eligibility of Colleges and University for Extension 
Funding, and section 204, Use of Funds for Multi-State and 
Multi-Institutional Activities under Smith-Lever Act.
    Messrs. LaHood, Cooksey, and Ms. Stabenow and others 
expressed concern over what they considered to be a dramatic 
change from only funding land-grant institutions to allowing 
other institutions to be able to bid competitively for 
extension funding. Members expressed the view that land-grant 
universities had the infrastructure and expertise in place to 
do the best agricultural research. Concern was also expressed 
about smaller states and smaller universities not being able to 
compete effectively.
    Chairman Combest, Mr. Dooley, Mr. Brown and others 
expressed their concern about the status quo and indicated that 
the intent of the provision was to provide for the best 
extension available for a limited amount of funds. Mr. Brown 
noted that the land-grant universities were the foundation on 
which competitive agriculture had been built, but that they 
were not necessarily at the cutting edge of newer technologies. 
Chairman Combest indicated that he was aware of the views of 
those Members who had land-grant universities in their 
districts, but that the provision was to provide for the most 
appropriate and most qualified schools and universities to be 
given an opportunity to bid competitively for the extension 
activity grants.
    Mr. Everett was then recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would strike section 204, Use of Funds for 
Multi-State and Multi-Institutional Activities Under Smith-
Lever Act. Mr. Dooley was recognized to speak in opposition to 
the amendment and noted that the provision in the bill was very 
similar to a provision which the Administration had requested 
to be included in the bill and that the intent is to maximize 
the investment of Federal dollars and to not have redundancy in 
individual institutions being involved in similar research. By 
a voice vote, the amendment was adopted. Mr. Dooley requested a 
rollcall vote, and the amendment was adopted by a recorded vote 
of 17 yeas, 6 nays. See Rollcall Vote No. 1.
    Chairman Combest requested unanimous consent to have the 
bill H.R. 2534 open for amendment at any point and to place 
before the Subcommittee the Combest En Bloc amendment to be 
open for amendment at any point also to accommodate the needs 
of Members, and there was no objection. Chairman Combest 
explained that the en bloc amendment included some 30 requests 
from individual Members and addressed them by subject matter 
rather than specific locations. The en bloc amendment also 
would reauthorize expiring provisions of the research title in 
current law.
    Mr. LaHood was recognized to offer and explain an amendment 
which would provide for swine waste management and odor control 
research and extension. Chairman Combest and Ranking Minority 
Member Dooley indicated their support for the amendment and by 
a voice vote, the amendment was adopted. Mr. John was 
recognized to offer and explain an amendment which would 
provide for wetlands utilization research and extension. Mr. 
Brown spoke in support of the amendment and by a voice vote the 
amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Lewis was then recognized to offer and explain a 
perfecting amendment to Sec. 412, Competitive Grants to Promote 
Precision Agriculture. Chairman Combest commended Mr.Lewis and 
Mr. Dooley for their work and cooperation in coming to agreement on the 
provision concerning precision agriculture and by a voice vote the 
amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Dooley was also recognized to offer and explain a 
perfecting amendment to Sec. 401, Establishment and 
Characteristics of Partnerships, designed to enhance the 
competitiveness and quality of high-value agricultural products 
and by a voice vote, the amendment was adopted.
    Mrs. Clayton was recognized to offer and explain three 
amendments regarding imposition of matching funds requirement 
for research and extension activities at 1890 land-grant 
colleges, including Tuskegee University. Mrs. Clayton described 
the first amendment which would strike Section 212, which would 
require matching funds of the 1890 land-grant colleges. 
Discussion occurred, and Chairman Combest and Ranking Minority 
Member Dooley complimented Mrs. Clayton on attempting to solve 
the matching funds issue, but both also indicated they opposed 
the amendment to delete the requirement for matching funds. 
Without objection, Mrs. Clayton withdrew the amendment to 
strike Section 212.
    Mrs. Clayton then offered a second amendment on behalf of 
herself and Mr. Hilliard which would be a Sense of the Congress 
that States should provide matching funds for agricultural 
research and extension funds provided by the Federal Government 
to land-grant colleges and universities eligible to receive 
funds. Discussion occurred on the amendment. Mrs. Clayton 
requested a vote on the amendment, and by voice vote, the 
Clayton-Hilliard amendment was not adopted.
    Mrs. Clayton then offered a third amendment which would 
require a 50 percent match formula, phased in over a period of 
time, for research and extension activities at 1890 land-grant 
colleges and universities. It was noted that this provision was 
similar to a provision proposed by the Administration and by a 
voice vote, the amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Smith of Michigan was recognized to offer and explain 
an amendment which would provide for evaluation and assessment 
of agricultural research, extension, and education programs. 
Mr. Smith explained that his amendment would direct the 
Secretary to develop a uniform assessment for evaluating the 
effectiveness and the contribution of research. Discussion 
occurred, and Mr. Smith noted that there was a provision in the 
Senate bill that named an independent contractor to do the 
assessment. Mr. Smith also indicated that CBO estimates that 
his amendment would cost approximately $250,000, and the Senate 
provision could cost as much as $500,000. By voice vote, the 
amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Combest then offered and explained an amendment which 
would allow "in-kind contributions" to be considered in meeting 
the matching funds requirement for the recipient of a grant for 
high-priority research and extension initiatives. By voice 
vote, the amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Brown was recognized to offer and explain an amendment 
to provide for a Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop 
Diversification. Mr. Brown explained that his amendment was a 
recommendation of the Council on Science and Technology for 
Agricultural Science and Technology to provide for a focused 
research effort that would work on diversification of 
agricultural commodities of various kinds on a national basis 
and would involve the cooperation of all the research 
organizations in agriculture. Discussion occurred on whether 
this was a mandate with the wording "shall" and "such funds as 
may be appropriated." Counsel noted that the amendment gave the 
Secretary sufficient flexibility in carrying out the provision. 
By voice vote, the Brown amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Pombo was recognized to offer and explain an amendment 
which would establish a Food Safety Research Information Office 
and National Conference. Mr. Pombo explained that his amendment 
would establish this office at the National Agricultural 
Library in cooperation with other relevant agencies, such as 
Center for Disease Control, and Food and Drug Administration 
and the National Institutes of Health in order to provide a 
central repository for information on food safety and reduce 
the duplication of research. Mr. Brown expressed his support 
for the amendment and noted that the National Library of 
Medicine performed a similar function for health research. 
Discussion occurred, and the amendment was adopted by a voice 
vote.
    Mr. Pomeroy was recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would allow the Secretary to waive the matching 
funds requirement for high-priority and extension initiatives 
if the results of a project would be applicable to agricultural 
commodities generally or the scientifically important research 
involved a minor commodity and the grant recipient were unable 
to meet the matching funds requirement. Discussion occurred, 
and Mr. Pomeroy noted the waiver language was taken from Sec. 
232, the Agricultural Genome Initiative.
     Chairman Combest indicated that the Subcommittee in its 
oversight authority would carefully monitor the process and the 
way in which the Department implemented the waiver authority 
provided by the Pomeroy amendment as it was subjective and it 
could be difficult to justify for some projects and not for 
others. Discussion occurred, and the Pomeroy amendment was 
adopted by a voice vote.
    Chairman Combest stated that a subject which would be 
debated as the research bill moved through the Committee 
legislative process would be formula funding, and that he 
wished to discuss the matter while Departmental representatives 
were present. Mr. Dooley was recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment with background information on the use of current 
rural population and farm population census data for allotments 
of formula funds under the Hatch Act and Smith-Lever Act.
    Mr. Dooley noted that the issue of formula funding and 
making any changes was a most controversial matter and 
explained that his amendment did not change the formula, but it 
would use the most current census data, 1990, to allocate the 
funds. At present, the formula is based on census figures from 
1955 and Mr. Dooley noted that the controversy emerges because 
there will be winners and losers in the way the dollars are 
allocated under the current census data. Mr. Dooley expressed 
his view that it was important for the Committee to begin the 
dialogue on what would be the most equitable and responsible 
allocation of Federal research dollars.
    Mr. Pickering commended Mr. Dooley and expressed his 
interest in working with him to find a solution to the formula 
funding matter. Mr. Pickering suggested that the percentage of 
the farm sector in each State's economy should be considered in 
the formula also, and he noted that the South would receive 
reduced funding under the Dooley amendment.
    Discussion occurred, and Departmental representatives 
indicated they would work with the Committee as it explored 
different approaches to resolving formula funding. Mr. Combest 
indicated that the matter might best be taken up in a free 
standing bill as the Senate had not included formula changes in 
its bill. Mr. Moran expressed his concern that some States in 
which agriculture is an important segment of their economy may 
also be experiencing population declines and would suffer the 
most by reductions in research funding.
    Mr. Dooley requested unanimous consent to withdraw his 
amendment and without objection his amendment was withdrawn.
    Mr. Farr was then recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would add to the list of high-priority research 
and extension areas a provision to allow for wild papas grass 
control and eradication research and extension. By voice vote, 
the Farr amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Schaffer was recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would designate a red meat safety research 
center. Discussion occurred, and Mr. Schaffer indicated that 
the red meat safety research center had been authorized 
previously and that there was a great need for research on 
matters such as E.Coli. It was noted that no appropriations had 
been provided for the center. There was also discussion on the 
designation of a specific facility or center rather than on 
specific research, and that the research is included in the 
Combest En Bloc Amendment. Departmental representatives 
indicated the priority and money which the Department was 
presently spending on the microbiology of food safety.
    Chairman Combest suggested that Mr. Schaffer withdraw his 
amendment and work with staff and the Department to find out 
more about the matter before the full Committee considers the 
research bill. Without objection, Mr. Schaffer withdrew his 
amendment.
    Ms. Stabenow was then recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would strike Section 202, Expanded Eligibility 
of Colleges and Universities for Extension Funding. Ms. 
Stabenow reiterated her concern that the present provision 
would allow up to 15 percent of the funding to go to places 
other than land grant universities. Chairman Combest and 
Ranking Minority Member Dooley again expressed their opposition 
to the amendment and that the intent to Section 202 was in no 
way to discredit land-grant universities but to try and expand 
the most efficient and effective way to spend limited extension 
dollars. Mr. Baldacci stated his concern that the smaller, more 
rural States would not benefit in the area of competitive 
grants, and that there were many other provisions in the bill 
which allowed for matching funds, competitive grants, and 
allowed for multi-State and other research.
    Lengthy discussion and debate occurred on the amendment. A 
clarification was made that no matching funds were required on 
Sec. 3(d) Smith-Lever funds for coordinating extension 
activities. By voice vote, the Stabenow amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Everett asked for clarification of discretionary 
language in Section 205, Transfer of Smith-Lever Act and Hatch 
Act of 1887 funds between research and extension activities. 
Staff indicated that total authority was given to the 
institution as to whether it used the provision or how it used 
the provision.
    Mr. Smith of Michigan was then recognized to offer and 
explain an amendment to allow research and extension grants for 
pathogen detection and limitation. Mr. Smith noted that 300 
people from his district had come down with Hepatitis A and by 
a voice vote, the amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Berry questioned Departmental officials concerning an 
unsuccessful research proposal for grants under the Fund for 
Rural America. Departmental officials stated they would look 
into the matter and get the information back to Mr. Berry.
    Mr. Chambliss noted for the record his interest in 
continuing research into forestry and timber resources to 
ensure that the U.S. forestry industry remain internationally 
competitive. It was noted that the forestry research provision 
would be considered when the bill is before the full Committee.
    Mr. Cooksey was then recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would allow any agricultural commodity, not 
just dairy, for risk management research and extension. By 
voice vote, the amendment was adopted.
    Mr. Cooksey was again recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment which would mandate not less than 15 percent of high- 
priority research and extension initiatives be awarded to 
smaller institutions. Discussion occurred on the amendment and 
Chairman Combest and Ranking Minority Member Dooley expressed 
serious concerns about the amendment and what it would mean for 
other competitive research and the issue of earmarking certain 
funds. Departmental representatives indicated that in other 
research initiatives that certain amounts were set aside for 
smaller institutions.
    Chairman Combest requested that Mr. Cooksey withdraw his 
amendment and attempt to find answers to questions which were 
raised during the debate on the amendment. Without objection, 
Mr. Cooksey withdrew his amendment.
    By a voice vote, the Combest En Bloc amendment, as amended, 
was adopted and Mr. Dooley moved that the bill, H.R. 2534, as 
amended, be reported to the full Committee with the 
recommendation that it do pass. By voice vote, H.R. 2534, as 
amended, was ordered reported to full Committee in the presence 
of a quorum.
    Chairman Combest reminded Members that he and staff would 
work with them in preparation for consideration of the bill 
before the full Committee. Without objection, staff was given 
the usual instruction to make technical, clarifying, and 
conforming changes as appropriate without changing the 
substance of the legislation and Chairman Combest adjourned the 
meeting subject to the call of the Chair.

                          III--Full Committee

    The Committee on Agriculture met, pursuant to notice, with 
a quorum present, on October 23, 1997, to consider H.R. 2534, 
the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Act of 1997.
    Chairman Smith made a brief opening statement and thanked 
Chairman Combest, of the Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource 
Conservation, and Research, for all the work that had gone into 
the bill as reported by the Subcommittee.
    Chairman Smith suggested that the Committee order the bill 
reported but to hold the bill until the Senate completed 
action. At that time, the Members of the Committee would meet 
to determine what action should be taken regarding any 
additional funding, if any to be provided in the bill, in which 
case, the bill could be taken promptly to the Floor and to 
conference with the Senate.
    Ranking Minority Member Stenholm was recognized for an 
opening statement and stated that he was disappointed that 
provisions regarding competitive funding and the ability to 
leverage Federal funds had been removed in Subcommittee. Mr. 
Stenholm also raised the issue of additional funding for the 
bill and his previous proposal to take savings from 
administrative costs in the food stamp program to provide 
additional funding for research, the fund for Rural America, 
nutrition, and crop insurance. Mr. Stenholm indicated that he 
would not offer a similar amendment to the bill at this time as 
he was aware the Chairman was planning to bring the bill up 
under Suspension of the Rules.
    Chairman Smith offered an Amendment in the Nature of a 
Substitute to H.R. 2534, as amended by the Subcommittee, and 
noted that the Amendment would be open for amendment at any 
point.
    Counsel was then recognized for an explanation of the 
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute.
    Mr. Minge was recognized to offer and explain an amendment 
which would exclude from consideration for an award of research 
and extension financial institutions that receive research and 
extension funds through a process other than a competitive, 
merit-based award process. Mr. Minge explained that his 
amendment was to discourage earmarking in appropriation bills 
and conference reports in order to circumvent a competitive 
award principle.
    Discussion occurred on the amendment, with some Members 
expressing concern that the amendment may be too broad in 
addressing the problem. Mr. Dooley stated that the amendment 
reinforced what the Subcommittee had tried to do to ensure that 
an institution receiving Federal research dollars to through a 
prescribed competitive process and have a merit review of the 
project, and that he supported the amendment.
    Chairman Smith requested Mr. Minge to withdraw his 
amendment as the Committee wanted to take the bill to Floor for 
prompt action and with the least controversy possible. Both 
Chairman Smith and Subcommittee Chairman Combest indicated that 
the thrust of his amendment was valid and one that needed to be 
raised and discussed in the future.
    Mr. Stenholm also encouraged Mr. Minge to withdraw his 
amendment and stated that if authorizing legislation were 
passed that some of the problems regarding earmarking of funds 
may be avoided.
    Without objection, Mr. Minge withdrew his amendment.
    Mrs. Clayton was recognized and expressed her appreciation 
to the Chairman, Subcommittee Chairman and Subcommittee Ranking 
Minority Member Dooley for the changes to Section 212, the 
matching funds requirement for research and extension 
activities at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee 
University.
    Mr. Stenholm stated that the honey industry was working on 
amendments to the Honey Research Promotion and Consumer Act, 
but that it was his understanding that the industry had not 
been able to reach a consensus at this time. Mr. Stenholm 
indicated his desire to pursue this issue further if the 
industry could reach consensus and noted that a provision on 
the issue was in the Senate research bill.
    Mr. Minge questioned what actually would be considered a 
minor commodity under the provision for waiver authority for 
matching funds on organically grown minor commodities. 
Discussion occurred, and Mr. Minge urged the Department to be 
flexible in implementing this provision.
    Chairman Smith called for a vote on the Amendment in the 
Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 2534 and by a voice vote the 
Substitute was adopted.
    Mr. Combest was then recognized and moved that H.R. 2534, 
as amended be adopted and favorably reported to the House with 
the recommendation that it pass. Mr. Combest's motion was 
agreed to by a voice vote of the Committee.
    Mr. Combest also moved, pursuant to clause 1, rule XX, that 
the Committee authorize the Chairman to offer such motions as 
may be necessary in the House to go to conference with the 
Senate on the bill H.R. 2534 or any similar Senate bill.
    Chairman Smith noted there would be adequate time before 
the Committee report would be filed to give Members two working 
days to file minority, supplemental, or other views. Without 
objection, staff was given permission to make any necessary 
technical, clarifying or conforming changes as were 
appropriation without changing the substance of the 
legislation.
    The meeting was adjourned, subject to the call of the 
Chair.

                   Reporting The Bill--Rollcall Votes

    In compliance with clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee sets forth the record 
of the following rollcall votes taken with respect to H.R. 
2534.

                             RollCall No. 1

    Summary: To strike section 204, Use of Funds for Multi-
State and Multi-Institutional Activities Under Smith-Lever Act.
    Offered By: Mr. Everett.
    Results: The amendment was adopted with 17 yeas/6 nays/10 
not voting.
    Yeas.--Representatives Pombo, Smith of Michigan, Everett, 
Lucas, Lewis, LaHood, Pickering, Schaffer, Jenkins, Cooksey, 
Stabenow, Peterson, Clayton, Hilliard, Pomeroy, Baldacci, and 
Goode.
    Nays.--Representatives Combest, Barrett, Dooley, Brown, 
Farr, and Berry.
    Not voting.--Representatives Doolittle, Chenoweth, 
Hostettler, Chambliss, Emerson, Moran, John, Minge, Holden, and 
Baesler.

           Budget Act Compliance (Sections 308, 403, and 424)

    The provisions of clause 2(l)(3)(B) of rule XI of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (relating to estimates of new 
budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority, 
or increased or decreased revenues or tax expenditures) are not 
considered applicable. The estimate and comparison required to 
be prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
under clause 2(l)(3)(C) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives and sections 403 and 424 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 submitted to the Committee prior to the 
filing of this report are as follows:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                  Washington, DC, November 4, 1997.
Hon. Robert F. Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2534, the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization 
Act of 1997.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contacts for federal 
costs are Jim Langley and Dave Hull. The CBO staff contact for 
the state and local impact is Marjorie Miller.
            Sincerely,
                                              James L. Blum
                                             (For June E. O'Neill).
    Enclosures.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

H.R. 2534.--Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
        Reauthorization Act of 1977

                                summary

    This legislation would reauthorize, reform, or eliminate 
certain agricultural research, extension, and education 
programs, and would authorize appropriations for several new 
research programs over fiscal years 1998 through 2002. Assuming 
appropriation of the authorized or estimated amounts, 
implementing the bill would require about $14.7 billion in 
discretionary spending authority over the 1998-2002 period. Of 
that total, appropriations totaling $1.7 billion for 1998 have 
recently been cleared by the Congress (in H.R. 2160, the 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998).
    The bill also would require the Secretary of Agriculture to 
spend funds currently being held in special Treasury accounts 
for authorized research and education activities at the 
National Arboretum and the Agricultural Research Service Patent 
Culture Collection. Because the bill would affect direct 
spending, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply. However, CBO 
estimates that the increase in direct spending would be only 
about $115,000 per year.
    H.R. 2534 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(UMRA). A large part of the funds authorized by this bill would 
be spent on grants to state and tribal institutions, mostly 
colleges and universities. The bill would give grantees some 
new flexibility but it also would establish new grant 
conditions. It would impose no other costs on state, local or 
tribal governments.

               DESCRIPTION OF THE BILL'S MAJOR PROVISIONS

    The bill consists of five titles. Title I would establish 
priorities and coordination, planning, and review procedures 
for agricultural research, extension, and education activities 
conducted by and for the Department of Agriculture.
    Title II would reform existing research, extension, and 
education authorities. The bill would establish consistent 
requirements for matching funds across relevant legislative 
authorities. Those requirements would be phased in for ``1890 
institutions'' and Tuskegee University (the historically black 
colleges and universities) beginning in fiscal year 2000, but 
would not be required for ``1994 institutions'' (the 
historically Indian colleges).
    Title III would extend most of the authorizations for 
appropriations for agricultural research, extension, and 
education programs through fiscal year 2002, and repeal certain 
agricultural research programs.
    Title IV would establish or reauthorize several research, 
extension, and education initiatives, including:
          partnerships for research on agricultural products 
        with high value (such as processed products and 
        specialty crops);
          precision agriculture (defined as integrated 
        information- and production-based farming systems 
        designed to increase productivity and profitability 
        while minimizing unintended effects on wildlife and the 
        environment);
          organic agriculture;
          joint agricultural research between the United States 
        and Mexico;
          continuation of the food animal residue avoidance 
        database program (FARAD);
          development and commercialization of new biobased 
        industrial products;
          the Thomas Jefferson initiative for crop 
        diversification; and
          31 other high-priority research and extension 
        initiatives.
    Title V contains miscellaneous provisions. This title 
would:
          declare the Secretary of Agriculture to be the 
        principal executive branch official to coordinate food 
        and agricultural sciences research, education, and 
        extension;
          establish two new offices in the Department of 
        Agriculture (the Office of Pest Management Policy and 
        the Food Safety Research Information Office);
          require the Secretary to update nutrient composition 
        data periodically; and
          make funds received or collected by the National 
        Arboretum and the Agricultural Research Service Patent 
        Culture Collection available to the respective 
        entities.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: For the purposes 
of this estimate, CBO assumes that all amounts authorized or 
estimated to be authorized will be appropriated for each fiscal 
year. Amounts totaling $1.7 billion have recently been 
appropriated for 1998 for many of the authorized programs. CBO 
estimates that additional appropriations, totaling almost $13.1 
billion over the 1998-2000 period, would be required to 
implement H.R. 2534. The estimated budgetary impact of the bill 
is shown in Table 1. Most of the costs of this legislation fall 
within budget function 350 (agriculture).

Basis of estimate

            Spending subject to appropriation
    The bill would reauthorize appropriations for agricultural 
research, extension, and education activities--most of the 
previous authorizations expired at the end of fiscal year 
1997--and would authorize appropriations for several new 
activities over fiscal years 1998 through 2002. In addition to 
the amounts already provided for 1998, and assuming 
appropriation of the specified or estimated amounts for all 
programs, implementing the bill would result in about $13.1 
billion in additional discretionary spending authority and 
$10.7 billion in additional discretionary outlays over the 
1998-2002 period.

                                  TABLE 1. ESTIMATED IMPACT ON FEDERAL SPENDING                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   By Fiscal Year, in Millions of Dollars       
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              1997     1998     1999     2000     2001     2002 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spending Subject to Appropriation:                                                                              
    Spending Under Current Law:                                                                                 
        Budget Authority \1\..............................    1,698    1,680        0        0        0        0
        Estimated Outlays.................................    1,656    1,706      642      186       31        0
    Proposed Changes:                                                                                           
        Estimated Authorization Level.....................        0    1,266    2,945    2,945    2,950    2,950
        Estimated Outlays.................................        0      513    1,900    2,539    2,815    2,950
    Spending Under H.R. 2534 \1\:                                                                               
        Estimated Authorization Level.....................    1,698    2,946    2,945    2,945    2,950    2,950
        Estimated Outlays.................................    1,656    2,219    2,542    2,725    2,846    2,950
Changes in Direct Spending:                                                                                     
    Estimated Budget Authority............................        0    (\2\)    (\2\)    (\2\)    (\2\)    (\2\)
    Estimated Outlays.....................................        0    (\2\)    (\2\)    (\2\)    (\2\)    (\2\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 1997 and 1998 levels are the amounts appropriated for those years. They include spending for the        
  Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, and associated 
  buildings and facilities accounts.                                                                            
\2\ Less than $500,000 a year.                                                                                  

    Programs with Specific Authorized Appropriations.--The bill 
would authorize the appropriation of specific amounts for each 
fiscal year from 1998 through 2002 for a number of programs and 
research areas. Table 2 shows the specified amounts. The bill 
contains specific authorizations totaling $2.5 billion a year, 
for a five-year total of $12.4 billion. (About $1.4 billion of 
those amounts has already been appropriated for 1998.)
    Estimated Authorizations.--The bill also would either 
authorize the appropriation, or would imply an authorization, 
of such sums as necessary to carry out certain programs. We 
estimate that implementing these programs would require funding 
of about $2.3 billion over the 1998-2002 period. CBO's basis 
for estimating that sum is provided below. Except where noted, 
CBO's estimate is based on information obtained from the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the appropriation for 
fiscal year 1998. CBO's estimate of the total cost of each 
program over fiscal years 1998-2002 appears in brackets after 
each description.

   TABLE 2. SPECIFIED ANNUAL AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1998  
                              THROUGH 2002                              
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Authorized annual   
                                                  amount (in millions of
                                                         dollars)       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Agricultural Weather Information                               
 System........................................                       15
Assistive technology for farmers with                                   
 disabilities..................................                        6
Grants and fellowships for food and                                     
 agricultural education........................                       60
Grants for production and marketing of alcohol                          
 fuels and industrial hydrocarbons.............                       20
Expanded food and nutrition education..........                       83
Grants to upgrade agricultural research                                 
 facilities at 1890 schools, including Tuskegee                         
 University....................................                       15
National research and training centennial                               
 centers.......................................                        2
Education grants for Hispanic-serving                                   
 institutions..................................                       20
Existing and certain new agricultural research                          
 programs......................................                      850
Agricultural experiment stations...............                      310
Extension education............................                      460
Aquaculture assistance program.................                        8
National Rural information Clearing House......                        1
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research                           
 Grant Act.....................................                      500
1994 schools \1\...............................                        5
National Aquaculture Act of 1980...............                        3
Agricultural telecommunications program........                       12
Pilot research program to combine medical and                           
 agricultural research.........................                       10
Animal health and disease research.............                       25
Research on national and regional problems.....                       35
Rangeland Research.............................                       10
Precision agriculture..........................                       40
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For 2001 and 2002 only.                                             

    Partnerships for High-Value Agricultural Product Quality 
Research.--The bill would authorize the Secretary of 
Agriculture to make competitive grants to establish 
partnerships to coordinate and manage research to enhance the 
quality of high-value agricultural products. Research would 
focus on such areas as effective and environmentally 
responsible pest management alternatives, genetic research, 
refinement of field production practices, processing and 
packaging technology, and diversification of value-added 
enterprises in rural areas. The bill would authorize such sums 
as necessary for the 1998-2002 period. [$45 million over fiscal 
years 1998 through 2002.]
    National Agricultural Genome Initiative.--Section 1671 of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a research 
program through competitive grants to support basic and applied 
research and technology development in the area of plant genome 
structure and function. The 1990 act authorized the 
appropriation of such sums as necessary for fiscal years 1996 
and 1997. This bill would amend the 1990 act to require the 
Secretary to carry out a National Agricultural Genome 
Initiative to study and map agriculturally significant genes to 
achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production and for 
other purposes. It would authorize the Secretary to enter into 
or make contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. One-to-
one matching funds or in-kind support would be required for any 
grant that benefits a specific commodity. [$150 million in 
fiscal years 1998 through 2002.]
    Organic Agricultural Research and Extension Initiative.--
Section 422 of the bill would authorize the Secretary, in 
consultation with the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, to make 
competitive specialized research and extension grants for 
organic activities. The recipient would have to provide 
matching, nonfederal funds, unless the match were to be waived 
by the Secretary because of the broad applicability of the 
potential results or for certain other reasons. [$6 million 
over the 1998-2002 period.]
    United States-Mexico Joint Agricultural Research.--The bill 
would establish a new authorization for the Secretary to 
establish an agricultural research and development program with 
the United States/Mexico Foundation for Science. The foundation 
would award competitive grants, with a matching funds 
requirement, to focus on binational problems facing 
agricultural producers and consumers. [$5 million over the 
1998-2002 period.]
    Competitive Grants for International Agricultural Science 
and Education Programs.--The bill would authorize the Secretary 
to award competitive grants to colleges and universities to 
strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and promote 
international market development. Grants would be awarded for 
research, extension, and teaching activities that enhance the 
international content of curricula or other activities that 
would assist in the dissemination of research conducted outside 
of the United States. [$10 million over the 1998-2002 period.]
    Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database (FARAD) Program.--
Section 425 of the bill would require the Secretary to continue 
operation of the FARAD program, which is designed to maintain 
up-to-date information on such items as approved drugs for 
animals, disseminate such information to the public, and engage 
in other activities that would promote food safety. [$3 million 
over the 1998-2002 period.]
    Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification.--The 
bill would establish an initiative for the purpose of 
conducting research and development on the production and 
marketing of new and nontraditional crops. The Secretary would 
be required to arrange to fund and coordinate the initiative 
through a centrally located nonprofit center. One-half of the 
available funding would be used for regional efforts centered 
at land-grant institutions, with the remaining funds awarded to 
colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, or public 
agencies in five-year competitive grants. Recipients would have 
to contribute matching nonfederal funds. [$8 million over the 
1998-2002 period.]
    Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive 
Grants Program.--The bill would authorize the Secretary to 
award competitive grants to colleges and universities for 
integrated research, education, and extension projects that 
would address priorities of U.S. agriculture. The bill would 
require that recipients provide matching funds unless the 
likely results of the grants would have general benefits to 
agriculture or certain other conditions are met. [$20 million 
over the 1998-2002 period.]
    Research Grants under Equity in Education Land-Grant States 
Act of 1994.--The bill would authorize the Secretary to make 
competitive grants to 1994 institutions to conduct agricultural 
research that addresses high-priority concerns of tribal, 
national, and multistate significance. Research would be 
conducted under cooperative agreements with land-grant colleges 
and universities. [$10 million over the 1998-2002 period.]
    Office of Pest Management Policy.--The bill would require 
the Secretary to establish a new office that would be 
responsible for developing and coordinating USDA policy on pest 
management and pesticides and in assisting the department in 
fulfilling its responsibilities related to pest management 
under applicable laws. CBO's estimate is based on information 
from USDA regarding expenditures for other similar offices and 
the cost of current related activities. [$8 million over the 
1998-2002 period.]
    Food Safety Research Information Office and National 
Conference.--The bill would require the Secretary to establish 
a Food Safety Research Information Office at the National 
Agricultural Library. This new office would provide information 
to the research community and the general public on publicly 
funded food safety research initiatives. The bill would also 
require the Secretary to sponsor, within 120 days of enactment, 
a national conference on food safety research for the purpose 
of beginning the task of establishing priorities for research 
on food safety. Additional workshops would be required in each 
subsequent year to update and adjust priorities. CBO's estimate 
is based on information from USDA regarding expenditures for 
other similar offices, conferences, and workshops. [$4 million 
over the 1998-2002 period.]
    Nutrient Composition Data.--The bill would require the 
Secretary to update, on a periodic basis, nutrient composition 
data, and to report to the Congress within 180 days on the 
methodology, quality assurance criteria, and timing for making 
the updates. [$10 million over the 1998-2002 period.]
    Other Programs.--The bill would continue several existing 
programs and authorize such sums as necessary for the 1998-2002 
period. For the purposes of this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
necessary appropriations for policy research centers, health 
promotion research, the national genetic research program, 
activities under the Critical Agricultural Materials Act, water 
quality research, and the planning, construction, acquisition, 
and repair of buildings would be equivalent to the 1998 
appropriation for these programs and activities. [Estimated 
funding totals $1.2 billion for the 1998-2002 period.]
    High-Priority Research and Extension Initiatives.--The bill 
would authorize such sums as necessary for fiscal years 1998 
through 2002 for 31 designated high-priority research and 
extension initiatives. Based on information from USDA and 
taking into account appropriated amounts for some of the 
initiatives for fiscal year 1998, CBO estimates that the total 
cost of these 31 initiatives would be about $860 million over 
the 1998-2002 period. Table 3 lists the initiatives and the 
estimated annual funding level for each initiative.

TABLE 3. ESTIMATED ANNUAL AUTHORIZATIONS FOR 1998 THROUGH 2002 FOR HIGH-
               PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Authorized annual   
                                                  amount (In millions of
                                                         dollars)       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brown citrus aphid and citrus tristeza virus                            
 research and extension........................                        3
Ethanol research...............................                       20
Aflatoxin research.............................                    (\1\)
Mesquite research and extension................                    (\1\)
Prickly pear research and extension............                    (\1\)
Deer tick ecology research and extension.......                    (\1\)
Red meat safety research and extension.........                        3
Grain sorghum ergot research and extension.....                    (\1\)
Animal waste and odor management research and                           
 extension.....................................                        5
Fire ant research and extension................                        6
Wheat scab research and extension..............                    (\1\)
Peanut market enhancement research and                                  
 extension.....................................                    (\1\)
Dairy financial risk management research and                            
 extension.....................................                    (\1\)
Cotton research and extension..................                    (\1\)
Methyl bromide research and extension..........                       15
Water quality and aquatic ecosystems research                           
 and extension.................................                        2
Potato research and extension..................                        1
Wood utilization research and extension........                        4
Low-bush blueberry research and extension......                    (\1\)
Formosan termite eradication research and                               
 extension.....................................                       10
Swine waste management and odor control                                 
 research and extension........................                    (\1\)
Wetlands utilization research and extension....                        5
Wild pampas grass control and eradication                               
 research and extension........................                    (\1\)
Pathogen detection and limitation research and                          
 extension.....................................                       55
Financial risk management research and                                  
 extension.....................................                    (\1\)
Ornamental tropical fish research and extension                    (\1\)
Sheep scrapie research and extension...........                        2
Animal waste management at rural/urban                                  
 interface.....................................                    (\1\)
Gypsy moth research and extension..............                        4
Dairy efficiency, profitability, and                                    
 competitiveness research and extension........                       28
Animal feed research and extension.............                        2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Less than $500,000.                                                 

    Direct Spending.--The bill also would require the Secretary 
of Agriculture to spend funds currently being held by the 
Treasury for authorized research and education activities at 
the National Arboretum and the Agricultural Research Service 
Patent Culture Collection.
    National Arboretum.--The Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127) gave the National 
Arboretum authority to negotiate agreements granting 
concessions at the arboretum to nonprofit scientific or 
educational organizations, except that the net proceeds from 
the concessions would be used exclusively for research and 
education work for the benefit of the National Arboretum. Any 
funds received or collected by the arboretum as a result of 
such activities were to be retained in a special fund in the 
Treasury for the use and benefit of the National Arboretum as 
the Secretary considered appropriate. The Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS) estimates that the funds currently held by 
Treasury total about $11,000. The Office of Management and 
Budget determined that the Department of Agriculture could not 
spend these funds under current law. The bill would require the 
Secretary of Agriculture to spend these funds for authorized 
activities at the arboretum. Requiring the expenditure of funds 
that currently are not being spent would increase direct 
spending. CBO estimates that this provision would cost less 
than $15,000 per year.
    Patent Culture Collection.--The Agricultural Research 
Service maintains the Patent Culture Collection at its facility 
in Peoria, Illinois. ARS collects fees in connection with the 
acceptance of microorganisms for deposit in, or the 
distribution of microorganisms from, the Patent Culture 
Collection. These fees, which ARS estimates average $50,000 to 
$70,000 per year, go directly to the Treasury. ARS does not 
currently have authority to spend the amount collected. This 
provision would give ARS authority to use such fees to carry 
out its responsibilities under law (including international 
treaties) with respect to the Patent Culture Collection. 
Granting authority to spend fees which currently go to the 
Treasury would increase direct spending by less than $100,000 
per year.
    Pay-as-you-go considerations.--The Balanced Budget and 
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 specifies pay-as-you-go 
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or 
receipts. While H.R. 2534 would affect direct spending, the 
amounts involved would be insignificant. The bill would not 
affect governmental receipts.
    Estimated Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments.--
H.R. 2534 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in 
UMRA. A large part of the funds authorized by this bill would 
be spent on grants to state and tribal institutions, mostly 
colleges and universities.
    The bill would impose some new conditions on grants. Some 
of these new conditions involve procedures intended to ensure 
that agricultural research and extension funds are used for 
high-priority activities. For example, H.R. 2534 would require 
that state research and extension plans identify specific 
agricultural issues to be addressed by these programs. Further, 
the bill would require that institutions receiving agricultural 
research or extension funds establish a process for merit 
review of funded activities. Based on information provided by 
state officials. CBO estimates that these requirements would 
not impose significant new costs on grant recipients. These 
institutions generally follow procedures that would comply with 
these provisions. They could face additional burdens if the 
specific requirements imposed by USDA's implementing 
regulations were to differ significantly from current practice.
    Other provisions in the bill would impose additional 
matching requirements on grant recipients. Specifically, H.R. 
2534 would broaden existing requirements that states provide 
nonfederal funds at least equal to the amount of federal funds 
received for the basic extension an research formula grant 
programs. (Most of these programs are already covered by the 
existing requirement.) Further, it would impose a new matching 
requirement on formula funds received by 1890 institutions. To 
the extent that these institutions do not already do so, they 
would be required to provide increasing levels of matching 
funds reaching 50 percent of federal funds in fiscal years 2002 
and beyond.
    Estimated Impact on the Private Section.--This bill would 
impose no new private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
    Previous CBO Estimates.--On September 4, 1997, CBO prepared 
an estimate of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1997, as ordered reported by the Senate 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. That bill--
later designated as S. 1150--would authorize appropriations of 
about $14 billion for similar purposes, and would also provide 
direct spending of about $1 billion for agricultural research 
through the Found for Rural America and the proposed Initiative 
for the Future of Agriculture and Food Systems. However, 
savings in administrative costs for the Food Stamp program 
would offset the direct spending in S. 1150.
    The primary difference between the two bills is that H.R. 
2534 would neither provide direct spending authority for the 
Fund for Rural America nor create a new initiative for 
mandatory research spending. Instead, H.R. 2534 contains only 
two minor direct spending effects. The two bills would both 
authorize appropriations of close to $3 billion a year. While 
the specific projects differ, both bills would reauthorize most 
current research, extension, and education initiatives, and 
authorize several new ones.
    Estimate prepared by.--Federal Costs: Jim Langley and Dave 
Hull. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Marjorie 
Miller.
    Estimate approved by.--Robert A. Sunshine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Pursuant to clause 2(l)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the 
Constitutional authority for this legislation in Article I, 
clause 8, section 18, that grants Congress the power to make 
all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers 
vested by Congress in the Government of the United States or in 
any department or officer thereof.

                          Oversight Statement

    No summary of oversight findings and recommendations made 
by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight as provided 
for in clause 2(l)(3)(D) of rule XI, and under clause 42(c)(2) 
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives was 
available to the Committee with reference to the subject matter 
specifically addressed by H.R. 2534.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    Pursuant to clause 2(l)(3)(A) of rule XI, and clause 
2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, 
the Committee on Agriculture's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 7(a) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee report incorporates the 
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office pursuant to sections 403 and 424 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this 
legislation.

                Applicability to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act (Public Law 104-4).

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the 
bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed 
to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is 
printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed 
is shown in roman):

 NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING POLICY ACT OF 
                                  1977

  TITLE XIV--NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING 
                           POLICY ACT OF 1977

                              short title

  Sec. 1401. This title may be cited as the ``National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977''.

            Subtitle A--Findings, Purposes, and Definitions

SEC. 1402. PURPOSES, PRIORITIES, AND MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES OF 
                    AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

  (a) Purposes.--The purposes of federally supported 
agricultural research, extension, and education are to--
            (1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (b) Priority Setting Process.--Consistent with subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall establish priorities for agricultural 
research, extension, and education activities conducted or 
funded by the Department. In establishing such priorities, the 
Secretary shall solicit and consider input and recommendations 
from the Advisory Board and persons who conduct or use 
agricultural research, extension, or education.
  (c) Management Principles.--To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that agricultural 
research, education, and extension activities conducted or 
funded by the Department are accomplished in a manner that--
          (1) integrates agricultural research, education, and 
        extension functions to better link research to 
        technology transfer and information dissemination 
        activities;
          (2) encourages multi-State and multi-institutional 
        programs to address relevant issues of common concern 
        and to better leverage scarce resources; and
          (3) achieves agricultural research, education, and 
        extension objectives through multi-institutional and 
        multifunctional approaches and by conducting research 
        at facilities and institutions best equipped to achieve 
        those objectives.
          * * * * * * *

                              [definitions

  [Sec. 1404. When used in this title--]

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

  When used in this title or any other law relating to any 
research, extension, or education activities of the Department 
of Agriculture regarding the food and agricultural sciences 
(unless the context requires otherwise):
          (1) [the] The term ``Advisory Board'' means the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, 
        and Economics Advisory Board[;].
          (2) [the] The term ``agricultural research'' means 
        research in the food and agricultural sciences[;].
          (3) [the] The term ``aquaculture'' means the 
        propagation and rearing of aquacultural species, 
        including, but not limited to, any species of finfish, 
        mollusk, or crustacean (or other aquatic invertebrate), 
        amphibian, reptile, ornamental fish, or aquatic plant, 
        in controlled or selected environments[;].
          (4) [the] The terms ``college'' and ``university'' 
        mean an educational institution in any State which (A) 
        admits as regular students only persons having a 
        certificate of graduation from a school providing 
        secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of 
        such a certificate, (B) is legally authorized within 
        such State to provide a program of education beyond 
        secondary education, (C) provides an educational 
        program for which a bachelor's degree or any other 
        higher degree is awarded, (D) is a public or other 
        nonprofit institution, and (E) is accredited by a 
        nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
        association[;].
          (5) [the] The term ``cooperative extension services'' 
        means the organizations established at the land-grant 
        colleges and universities under the Smith-Lever Act of 
        May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 372-374, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 
        341-349), and section 209(b) of the Act of October 26, 
        1974 (88 Stat. 1428, as amended; D.C. Code, sec. 31-
        1719(b))[;].
          (6) [the] The term ``Department of Agriculture'' 
        means the United States Department of Agriculture[;].
          (7) [the] The term ``extension'' means the informal 
        education programs conducted in the States in 
        cooperation with the Department of Agriculture[;].
          [(8) the term ``food and agricultural sciences'' 
        means basic, applied, and developmental research, 
        extension, and teaching activities in the food, 
        agricultural, renewable natural resources, forestry, 
        and physical and social sciences, in the broadest sense 
        of these terms, including but not limited to, 
        activities relating to:
                  [(A) agriculture, including soil and water 
                conservation and use, the use of organic waste 
                materials to improve soil tilth and fertility, 
                plant and animal production and protection, and 
                plant and animal health;
                  [(B) the processing, distributing, marketing, 
                and utilization of food and agricultural 
                products;
                  [(C) forestry, including range management, 
                production of forest and range products, 
                multiple use of forest and rangelands, and 
                urban forestry;
                  [(D) aquaculture;
                  [(E) home economics, including consumer 
                affairs, food and nutrition, clothing and 
                textiles, housing, and family wellbeing and 
                financial management;
                  [(F) rural community welfare and development;
                  [(G) youth development, including 4-H clubs;
                  [(H) domestic and export market expansion for 
                United States agricultural products;
                  [(I) production inputs, such as energy, to 
                improve productivity; and
                  [(J) international food and agricultural 
                issues, such as agricultural development, 
                development of institutions, germ plasm 
                collection and preservation, information 
                exchange and storage, and scientific 
                exchanges;]
          (8) Food and agricultural sciences.--The term ``food 
        and agricultural sciences'' means basic, applied, and 
        developmental research, extension, and teaching 
        activities in food and fiber, agricultural, renewable 
        natural resources, forestry, and physical and social 
        sciences, including (but not limited to) activities 
        relating to the following:
                  (A) Animal health, production, and well-
                being.
                  (B) Plant health and production.
                  (C) Animal and plant germ plasm collection 
                and preservation.
                  (D) Aquaculture.
                  (E) Food safety.
                  (F) Soil and water conservation and 
                improvement.
                  (G) Forestry, horticulture, and range 
                management.
                  (H) Nutritional sciences and promotion.
                  (I) Farm enhancement, including financial 
                management, input efficiency, and 
                profitability.
                  (J) Home economics.
                  (K) Rural human ecology.
                  (L) Youth development and agricultural 
                education, including 4-H.
                  (M) Expansion of domestic and international 
                markets for agricultural commodities and 
                products, including agricultural trade barrier 
                identification and comprehension.
                  (N) Information management and technology 
                transfer related to agriculture.
                  (O) Biotechnology related to agriculture.
          (9) [the] The term ``Hispanic-serving institution'' 
        has the meaning given the term by section 316(b)(1) of 
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1059c(b)(1))[;].
          (10) [the] The term ``land-grant colleges and 
        universities'' means those institutions eligible to 
        receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 
        503-505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301-305, 307 and 308), or 
        the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417-419, as 
        amended; 7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328), including the 
        [Tuskegee Institute;] Tuskegee University.
          (11) [the] The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture of the United States[;].
          (12) [the] The term ``State'' means any one of the 
        fifty States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, 
        American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, 
        the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the 
        District of Columbia[;].
          [(13)] The the term ``State agricultural experiment 
        stations'' means those institutions eligible to receive 
        funds under the Act of March 2, 1887 (24 Stat. 440-442, 
        as amended; 7 U.S.C. 361a-361i)[;].
          (14) [the term ``teaching'' means] Teaching and 
        education.--The terms ``teaching'' and ``education'' 
        mean formal classroom instruction, laboratory 
        instruction, and practicum experience in the food and 
        agricultural sciences and matters relating thereto 
        (such as faculty development, student recruitment and 
        services, curriculum development, instructional 
        materials and equipment, and innovative teaching 
        methodologies) conducted by colleges and universities 
        offering baccalaureate or higher degrees[;].
          (15) [the] The term ``cooperating forestry schools'' 
        means those institutions eligible to receive funds 
        under the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a et 
        seq.), commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Act of 
        1962[;].
          (16) [the] The term ``State cooperative 
        institutions'' or ``State cooperative agents'' means 
        institutions or agents designated by--
                  (A) the Act of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et 
                seq.), commonly known as the First Morrill Act;
                  (B) the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 
                et seq.), commonly known as the Second Morrill 
                Act, including the [Tuskegee Institute] 
                Tuskegee University;
                  (C) the Act of March 2, 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a 
                et seq.), commonly known as the Hatch Act of 
                1887;
                  (D) the Act of May 8, 1914 (7 U.S.C. 341 et 
                seq.), commonly known as the Smith-Lever Act;
                  (E) the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 
                582a et seq.), commonly known as the McIntire-
                Stennis Act of 1962; and
                  (F) subtitles E, G, L, and M of this title[; 
                and].
          (17) [the] The term ``sustainable agriculture'' means 
        an integrated system of plant and animal production 
        practices having a site-specific application that will, 
        over the long-term--
                  (A) satisfy human food and fiber needs;
                  (B) enhance environmental quality and the 
                natural resource base upon which the 
                agriculture economy depends;
                  (C) make the most efficient use of 
                nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources 
                and integrate, where appropriate, natural 
                biological cycles and controls;
                  (D) sustain the economic viability of farm 
                operations; and
                  (E) enhance the quality of life for farmers 
                and society as a whole.
          (18) In-kind support.--The term ``in-kind support'', 
        with regard to a requirement that the recipient of 
        funds provided by the Secretary match all or some 
        portion of the amount of the funds, means contributions 
        such as office space, equipment, and staff support.

    Subtitle B--Coordination and Planning of Agricultural Research, 
                        Extension, and Teaching

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1408. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND 
                    ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  [(d) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the 
Advisory Board shall solicit opinions and recommendations from 
persons who will benefit from and use federally funded 
agricultural research, extension, education, and economics.]
  (d) Consultation.--
          (1) As affecting advisory board.--In carrying out 
        this section, the Advisory Board shall solicit opinions 
        and recommendations from persons who will benefit from 
        and use federally funded agricultural research, 
        extension, education, and economics.
          (2) As affecting secretary.--To comply with a 
        provision of this title or any other law that requires 
        the Secretary to consult or cooperate with the Advisory 
        Board or that authorizes the Advisory Board to submit 
        recommendations to the Secretary, the Secretary shall--
                  (A) solicit the written opinions and 
                recommendations of the Advisory Board; and
                  (B) provide a written response to the 
                Advisory Board regarding the manner and extent 
                to which the Secretary will implement 
                recommendations submitted by the Advisory 
                Board.
          * * * * * * *

 Subtitle C--Agricultural Research and Education Grants and Fellowships

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1417. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 
                    EDUCATION.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated for carrying out this section $60,000,000 for 
each of the fiscal years 1990 through [1997] 2002.
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1419. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF 
                    ALCOHOLS AND INDUSTRIAL HYDROCARBONS FROM 
                    AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND FOREST PRODUCTS.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out this section 
$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 
2002.

SEC. 1419A. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section for [fiscal years 1996 and 1997] each of fiscal years 
1996 through 2002.
          * * * * * * *

 Subtitle D--National Food and Human Nutrition Research and Extension 
                                Program

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1424. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH 
                    PROGRAM.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section for [fiscal years 1996 and 1997] each of fiscal years 
1996 through 2002.

SEC. 1424A. PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND AGRICULTURAL 
                    RESEARCH.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated $10,000,000 for [fiscal year 1997] each of 
fiscal years 1997 through 2002 to carry out the pilot program.

                      nutrition education program

  Sec. 1425. (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (c) Beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 
1982--
            (1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
          (3) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
        out the expanded food and nutrition education program 
        established under section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 
        1914 (38 Stat. 373, chapter 79; 7 U.S.C. 343(d) and 
        this section, $83,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 
        [and 1997] through 2002.
          * * * * * * *

             Subtitle E--Animal Health and Disease Research

          * * * * * * *

   appropriations for continuing animal health and disease research 
                                programs

  Sec. 1433. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated such 
funds as Congress may determine necessary to support continuing 
animal health and disease research programs at eligible 
institutions, but not to exceed $25,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 2002, and not in excess of 
such sums as may after the date of enactment of this title be 
authorized by law for any subsequent fiscal year. Funds 
appropriated under this section shall be used: (1) to meet 
expenses of conducting animal health and disease research, 
publishing and disseminating the results of such research, and 
contributing to the retirement of employees subject to the 
provisions of the Act of March 4, 1940 (54 Stat. 39-40, as 
amended; 7 U.S.C. 331); (2) for administrative planning and 
direction; and (3) to purchase equipment and supplies necessary 
for conducting such research.
          * * * * * * *

      appropriations for research on national or regional problems

  Sec. 1434. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated such 
funds as Congress may determine necessary to support research 
on specific national or regional animal health or disease 
problems, or national or regional problems relating to pre-
harvest, on-farm food safety, or animal well-being, but not to 
exceed $35,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 
[1997] 2002, and not in excess of such sums as may after the 
date of enactment of this title be authorized by law for any 
subsequent fiscal year.
          * * * * * * *

  [extension at 1890 land-grant colleges, including tuskegee institute

  [Sec. 1444.]

SEC. 1444. EXTENSION AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE 
                    UNIVERSITY.

  (a) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated annually 
such sums as Congress may determine necessary to support 
continuing agricultural and forestry extension at colleges 
eligible to receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 
Stat. 417-419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328), including 
[Tuskegee Institute] Tuskegee University (hereinafter in this 
section referred to as ``eligible institutions''). Beginning 
with the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, and ending with 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, there shall be 
appropriated under this section for each fiscal year an amount 
not less than 4 per centum of the total appropriations for such 
year under the Act of May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 372-374, as 
amended; 7 U.S.C. 341-349): Provided, That the amount 
appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, 
shall not be less than the amount made available for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 1978, to such eligible institutions 
under section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 373, as 
amended; 7 U.S.C. 343(d)). Beginning with the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 1982, there shall be appropriated under 
this section an amount not less than 5 \1/2\ per centum, and 
for each fiscal year thereafter an amount not less than 6 per 
centum of the total appropriations for such year under the Act 
of May 8, 1914 (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), and related acts 
pertaining to cooperative extension work at the land-grant 
institutions identified in the Act of May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 
372, chapter 79; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), except that for the 
purpose of this calculation, the total appropriations shall not 
include amounts made available after September 30, 1995, under 
section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)), to carry out 
programs or initiatives for which no funds were made available 
under section 3(d) of that Act for fiscal year 1995, or any 
previous fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary, and shall 
not include amounts made available after September 30, 1995, to 
carry out programs or initiatives funded under section 3(d) of 
that Act prior to that date that are in excess of the highest 
amount made available for the programs or initiatives for 
fiscal year 1995, or any previous fiscal year, as determined by 
the Secretary. Funds appropriated under this section shall be 
used for expenses of conducting extension programs and 
activities, and for contributing to the retirement of employees 
subject to the provisions of the Act of March 4, 1940 (54 Stat. 
30-40, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 331). No more than 20 per centum of 
the funds received by an institution in any fiscal year may be 
carried forward to the succeeding fiscal year.
  (b) Beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 
1979--
          (1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
In computing the distribution of funds allocated under 
paragraph (2) of this subsection, the allotments to [Tuskegee 
Institute] Tuskegee University and Alabama Agricultural and 
Mechanical University shall be determined as if each 
institution were in a separate State.
          * * * * * * *
  [(d)] (d) Ascertainment of Entitlement to Funds; Time and 
Manner of Payment; State Reporting Requirements; and Plans for 
Work.--
          (1) Ascertainment of entitlement.--On or about the 
        first day of October in each year after enactment of 
        this title, the Secretary shall ascertain whether each 
        eligible institution is entitled to receive its share 
        of the annual appropriation for extension work under 
        this section and the amount which it is entitled to 
        receive. Before the funds herein provided shall become 
        available to any eligible institution for any fiscal 
        year, plans for the work to be carried out under this 
        section shall be submitted, as part of the State plan 
        of work, and approved by the Secretary. [Such sums]
          (2) Time and manner of payment; related reports.--The 
        amount to which an eligible institution is entitled 
        shall be paid in equal quarterly payments on or about 
        October 1, January 1, April 1, and July 1 of each year 
        to the treasurer or otherofficer of the eligible 
institution duly authorized to receive such payments and such officer 
shall be required to report to the Secretary on or about the first day 
of December of each year a detailed statement of the amount so received 
during the previous fiscal year and its disbursement, on forms 
prescribed by the Secretary.
          (3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each 
        extension plan of work for an eligible institution 
        required under this section shall contain descriptions 
        of the following:
                  (A) The critical short-term, intermediate, 
                and long-term agricultural issues in the State 
                in which the eligible institution is located 
                and the current and planned extension programs 
                and projects targeted to address such issues.
                  (B) The process established to consult with 
                extension users regarding the identification of 
                critical agricultural issues in the State and 
                the development of extension programs and 
                projects targeted to address such issues.
                  (C) The efforts made to identify and 
                collaborate with other colleges and 
                universities within the State and other States 
                that have unique capacity to address the 
                identified agricultural issues in the State and 
                current and emerging efforts (including 
                regional research efforts) to work with these 
                other institutions and States.
                  (D) The manner in which research and 
                extension, including research and extension 
                activities funded other than through formula 
                funds, will cooperate to address the critical 
                issues in the State, including the activities 
                to be carried out separately, the activities to 
                be carried out sequentially, and the activities 
                to be carried out jointly.
                  (E) The education and outreach programs 
                already underway to convey currently available 
                research results that are pertinent to a 
                critical agricultural issue, including efforts 
                to encourage multi-county cooperation in the 
                dissemination of research results.
          (4) Extension protocols.--The Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall develop protocols to be used to 
        evaluate the success of multi-State, multi-
        institutional, and multidisciplinary extension 
        activities and joint research and extension activities 
        in addressing critical agricultural issues identified 
        in the plans of work submitted under this section. The 
        Secretary shall develop the protocols in consultation 
        with the Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and 
        universities.
          (5) Treatment of plans of work for other purposes.--
        To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider 
        plans of work submitted under this section to satisfy 
        other appropriate Federal reporting requirements.
          * * * * * * *
  [(f) If the Secretary finds that an eligible institution is 
not entitled to receive its share of the annual appropriation, 
the facts and reasons therefor shall be reported to the 
President, and the amount involved shall be kept separate in 
the Treasury until the expiration of the next Congress in order 
that the institution may, if it should so desire, appeal to 
Congress from the determination of the Secretary. If the next 
Congress does not direct such sum to be paid, it shall be 
carried to surplus.]
  [(g)] (f) To the extent that the official mail consists of 
correspondence, bulletins, and reports for furtherance of the 
purposes of this section, it shall be transmitted in the mails 
of the United States under penalty indicia: Provided, That each 
item shall bear such indicia as are prescribed by the 
Postmaster General and shall be mailed under such regulations 
as the Postmaster General may from time to time prescribe. Such 
items may be mailed from a principal place of business of each 
eligible institution or from an established subunit of such 
institution.
          * * * * * * *

[agricultural research at 1890 land-grant colleges, including tuskegee 
                               institute

  [Sec. 1445.]

SEC. 1445. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING 
                    TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

  (a) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated annually 
such sums as Congress may determine necessary to support 
continuing agricultural research at colleges eligible to 
receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417-
419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328), including [Tuskegee 
Institute] Tuskegee University (hereinafter referred to in this 
section as ``eligible institutions''). Beginning with the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, there shall be 
appropriated under this section for each fiscal year an amount 
not less than 15 per centum of the total appropriations for 
such year under section 3 of the Act of March 2, 1887 (24 Stat. 
441, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 361c): Provided, That the amount 
appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, 
shall not be less than the amount made available in the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 1978, to such eligible institutions 
under the Act of August 4, 1965 (79 Stat. 431, 7 U.S.C. 450i). 
Funds appropriated under this section shall be used for 
expenses of conducting agricultural research, printing, 
disseminating the results of such research, contributing to the 
retirement of employees subject to the provisions of the Act of 
March 4, 1940 (54 Stat. 39-40, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 331), 
administrative planning and direction, and purchase and rental 
of land and the construction, acquisition, alteration, or 
repair of buildings necessary for conducting agricultural 
research. The eligible institutions are authorized to plan and 
conduct agricultural research in cooperation with each other 
and such agencies, institutions, and individuals as may 
contribute to the solution of agricultural problems, and moneys 
appropriated pursuant to this section shall be available for 
paying the necessary expenses of planning, coordinating, and 
conducting such cooperative research. No more than 5 percent of 
the funds received by an institution in any fiscal year, under 
this section, may be carried forward to the succeeding fiscal 
year.
  (b) Beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, 
the funds appropriated in each fiscal year under this section 
shall be distributed as follows:
          (1) * * *
          (2) The remainder shall be allotted among the 
        eligible institutions as follows:
                  (A) * * *
                  (B) Of funds in excess of the amount 
                allocated under subparagraph (A) of this 
                paragraph, 20 per centum shall be allotted 
                among eligible institutions in equal 
                proportions; 40 per centum shall be allotted 
                among the eligible institutions in the 
                proportion that the rural population of the 
                State in which each eligible institution is 
                located bears to the total rural population of 
                all the States in which eligible institution 
                are located, as determined by the last 
                preceding decennial census current at the time 
                each such additional sum is first appropriated; 
                and the balance shall be allotted among the 
                eligible institutions in the proportion that 
                the farm population of the State in which each 
                eligible institution is located bears to the 
                total farm population of all the States in 
                which the eligible institutions are located, as 
                determined by the last preceding decennial 
                census current at the time each such additional 
                sum is first appropriated. In computing the 
                distribution of funds allocated under this 
                subparagraph, the allotments to [Tuskegee 
                Institute] Tuskegee University and Alabama 
                Agricultural and Mechanical University shall be 
                determined as if each institution were in a 
                separate State.
  [(c)] (c) Program and Plans for Work.--
          (1) Initial comprehensive program of agricultural 
        research.--The director of the State agricultural 
        experiment station in each State where an eligible 
        institution is located and the research director 
        specified in subsection (d) of this section in each of 
        the eligible institutions in such State shall jointly 
        develop, by mutual agreement, a comprehensive program 
        of agricultural research in such State, to be submitted 
        for approval by the Secretary within one year after the 
        date of enactment of this title.
          (2) Plan of work required.--Before funds may be 
        provided to an eligible institution under this section 
        for any fiscal year, plans for the work to be carried 
        on under this section shall be submitted by the 
        research director specified in subsection (d) and 
        approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
          (3) Requirements related to plan of work.--Each 
        research plan of work required under paragraph (2) 
        shall contain descriptions of the following:
                  (A) The critical short-term, intermediate, 
                and long-term agricultural issues in the State 
                in which the eligible institution is located 
                and the current and planned research programs 
                and projects targeted to address such issues.
                  (B) The process established to consult with 
                users of agricultural research regarding the 
                identification of critical agricultural issues 
                in the State and the development of research 
                programs and projects targeted to address such 
                issues.
                  (C) Other colleges and universities in the 
                State and other States that have unique 
                capacity to address the identified agricultural 
                issues in the State.
                  (D) The current and emerging efforts to work 
                with these other institutions and States to 
                build on each other's experience and take 
                advantage of each institution's unique 
                capacities.
                  (E) The manner in which research and 
                extension, including research and extension 
                activities funded other than through formula 
                funds, will cooperate to address the critical 
                issues in the State, including the activities 
                to be carried out separately, the activities to 
                be carried out sequentially, and the activities 
                to be carried out jointly.
          (4) Research protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall develop protocols to be used to evaluate the 
        success of multi-State, multi-institutional, and 
        multidisciplinary research activities and joint 
        research and extension activities in addressing 
        critical agricultural issues identified in the plans of 
        work submitted under paragraph (2). The Secretary shall 
        develop the protocols in consultation with the Advisory 
        Board and land-grant colleges and universities.
          * * * * * * *
  (g)(1) * * *
  [(2) If it appears to the Secretary from the annual statement 
of receipts and expenditures of funds by any eligible 
institution that an amount in excess of 5 percent of the 
preceding annual appropriation allotted to that institution 
under this section remains unexpended, such amount in excess of 
5 percent of the preceding annual appropriation allotted to 
that institution shall be deducted from the next succeeding 
annual allotment to the institution.
  [(3) If the Secretary withholds from any eligible institution 
any portion of the appropriations available for allotment, the 
facts and reasons therefor shall be reported to the President 
and the amount involved shall be kept separate in the Treasury 
until the close of the next Congress. If the next Congress does 
not direct such sum to be paid, it shall be carried to 
surplus.]
  [(4)] (2) The Secretary shall make an annual report to 
Congress during the first regular session of each year of the 
receipts and expenditures and work of the eligible institutions 
under the provisions of this section and also whether any 
portion of the appropriation available for allotment to any 
institution has been withheld and if so the reasons therefor.
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1447.  GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES 
                    AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE 
                    UNIVERSITY.

  (a) * * *
  (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture for the 
purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, 
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 [and 1997] through 
2002, and such sums shall remain available until expended.
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1448. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTENNIAL CENTERS.

  (a) Competitive Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture may make a competitive grant to five national 
research and training centennial centers located at colleges 
(or a consortia of such colleges) eligible to receive funds 
under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), 
including Tuskegee University, that--
          (1) have been designated by the Secretary for the 
        fiscal years 1991 through 1995, or fiscal years 1996 
        [and 1997] through 2002, as national research and 
        training centennial centers; and
          * * * * * * *
  (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 
through [1997] 2002 for grants under this section.
          * * * * * * *

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

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

         Subtitle H--Programs for Hispanic-Serving Institutions

SEC. 1455. EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to make grants under this section $20,000,000 
for [fiscal year 1997] each of the fiscal years 1997 through 
2002.

    [Subtitle I--International Agricultural Research and Extension]

      Subtitle I--International Research, Extension, and Teaching

SEC. 1458. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL [RESEARCH AND EXTENSION] 
                    RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

  (a) Authority of the Secretary.--To carry out the policy of 
this subtitle, the Secretary (in consultation with the Agency 
for International Development and subject to such coordination 
with other Federal officials, Departments, and agencies as the 
President may direct) may--
          (1) expand the operational coordination of the 
        Department of Agriculture with institutions and other 
        persons throughout the world performing agricultural 
        and [related research and extension] related research, 
        extension, and teaching activities by--
                  (A) exchanging research materials and results 
                with the institutions or persons; and
                  (B) conducting with the institutions or 
                persons joint or coordinated [research and 
                extension on] research, extension, and teaching 
                activities addressing problems of significance 
                to food and agriculture in the United States;
          (2) enter into cooperative arrangements with 
        Departments and Ministries of Agriculture in other 
        nations to conduct research, extension, and [education] 
        teaching activities in support of the development of a 
        viable and sustainable global agricultural system, 
        including efforts to establish a global system for 
        plant genetic resources conservation;
          (3) enter into agreements with land-grant colleges 
        and universities, the Agency for International 
        Development, and international organizations (such as 
        the United Nations, World Bank, regional development 
        banks, the International Agricultural Research Center), 
        or other organizations, institutions or individuals 
        with comparable goals, to promote and support the 
        development of a viable and sustainable global 
        agricultural system;
          (4) further develop within the Department highly 
        qualified and experienced [scientists and experts] 
        science and education experts who specialize in 
        international programs, to be available to carry out 
        the activities described in this section;
          (5) work with transitional and more advanced 
        countries in food, agricultural, and related research, 
        development, teaching, and extension (including 
        providing technical assistance, training, and advice to 
        persons from the countries engaged in the activities 
        and the stationing of scientists and other specialists 
        at national and international institutions in the 
        countries);
          (6) expand collaboration and coordination with the 
        Agency for International Development regarding food and 
        agricultural research, extension, and [education] 
        teaching programs in developing countries;
          (7) assist colleges and universities in strengthening 
        their capabilities for food, agricultural, and related 
        [research and extension that is] research, extension, 
        and teaching programs relevant to agricultural 
        development activities in other countries through--
                  (A) * * *
          * * * * * * *
          (8) continue, in cooperation with the Secretary of 
        State, a program, coordinated through the International 
        Arid Land Consortium, to enhance collaboration and 
        cooperation between institutions possessing [research 
        capabilities] research, extension, and teaching 
        capabilities applied to the development, management, 
        and reclamation of arid lands.
  (b) Enhancing Linkages.--The Secretary shall draw upon and 
enhance the resources of the land-grant colleges and 
universities, and other colleges and universities, for 
developing linkages among these institutions, the Federal 
Government, international research centers, and [counterpart 
agencies] counterpart research, extension, and teaching 
agencies and institutions in both the developed and less-
developed countries to serve the purposes of agriculture and 
the economy of the United States and to make a substantial 
contribution to the cause of improved food and agricultural 
progress throughout the world.
          * * * * * * *
  (d) Full Payment of Funds Made Available for Certain 
Binational Projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the full amount of any funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available to carry out cooperative projects under the 
arrangement entered into between the Secretary and the 
Government of Israel tosupport the Israel-United States 
Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund shall be paid 
directly to the Fund.

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

  (a) Research and Development Program.--The Secretary may 
provide for an agricultural research and development program 
with the United States/Mexico Foundation for Science, which 
will focus on binational problems facing agricultural producers 
and consumers in the two countries, in particular pressing 
problems in the areas of food safety, plant and animal pest 
control, and the natural resources base on which agriculture 
depends.
  (b) Administration.--Grants under the research and 
development program shall be awarded competitively through the 
Foundation.
  (c) Matching Requirements.--The provision of funds to the 
Foundation by the United States Government shall be subject to 
the condition that the Government of Mexico match, on at least 
an equal ratio, any funds provided by the United States 
Government.
  (d) Limitation on Use of Funds.--Funds provided under this 
section may not be used for the planning, repair, 
rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or 
facility.

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

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

            Subtitle K--Funding and Miscellaneous Provisions

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

  (a) Review of Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service.--
          (1) Peer review of research grants.--The Secretary 
        shall establish procedures that provide for scientific 
        peer review of each agricultural research grant 
        administered, on a competitive basis, by the 
        Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
        Service of the Department.
          (2) Merit review of extension and education.--The 
        Secretary shall establish procedures that provide for 
        merit review of each agricultural extension or 
        education grant administered, on a competitive basis, 
        by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
        Extension Service. The Secretary shall consult with the 
        Advisory Board in establishing such merit review 
        procedures.
  (b) Requests for Proposals: Request and Consideration of 
Input.--When formulating a request for proposals involving an 
agricultural research, extension, or education activity to be 
funded by the Secretary on a competitive basis, the Secretary 
shall solicit and consider input from the Advisory Board and 
users of agricultural research, extension, and education 
regarding the request for proposals for the preceding year. If 
an agricultural research, extension, or education activity has 
not been the subject of a previous request for proposals, the 
Secretary shall solicit and consider input from the Advisory 
Board and users of agricultural research, extension, and 
education before publication of the first request for proposals 
regarding the activity.
  (c) Scientific Peer Review of Agricultural Research.--
          (1) Peer review procedures.--The Secretary shall 
        establish procedures that ensure scientific peer review 
        of all research activities conducted by the Department 
        of Agriculture.
          (2) Review panel required.--As part of the procedures 
        established under paragraph (1), a review panel shall 
        verify, at least once every three years, that each 
        research activity of the Department and research 
        conducted under each research program of the Department 
        have scientific merit and relevance. If the research 
        activity or program to be reviewed is included in the 
        research, educational, and economics mission area of 
        the Department, the review panel shall consider--
                  (A) the scientific merit and relevance of the 
                activity or research in light of the priorities 
                established pursuant to section 1402(b) ; and
                  (B) the national or multi-State significance 
                of the activity or research.
          (3) Composition of review panel.--A review panel 
        shall be composed of individuals with scientific 
        expertise, a majority of whom are not employees of the 
        agency whose research is being reviewed. To the extent 
        possible, the Secretary shall use scientists from 
        colleges and universities to serve on the review 
        panels.
          (4) Submission of results.--The results of the panel 
        reviews shall be submitted to the Advisory Board.
          (5) Applicability of other laws.--The Federal 
        Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII 
        of this Act (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to 
        a review panel.
  (d) Merit Review of College and University Research and 
Extension Activities.--
          (1) Land-grant institutions.--Effective beginning 
        October 1, 1998, to be eligible to obtain agricultural 
        research or extension funds from the Secretary for an 
        activity, a land-grant college or university shall--
                  (A) establish a process for merit review of 
                the activity; and
                  (B) review the activity in accordance with 
                the process.
          (2) 1994 institutions.--Effective beginning October 
        1, 1998, to obtain agricultural extension funds from 
        the Secretary for an activity, each 1994 Institution 
        (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational 
        Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 
        U.S.C. 301 note)) shall--
                  (A) establish a process for merit review of 
                the activity; and
                  (B) review the activity in accordance with 
                the process.

     authorization for appropriations for existing and certain new 
                     agricultural research programs

  Sec. 1463. (a) Notwithstanding any authorization for 
appropriations for agricultural research in any Act enacted 
prior to the date of enactment of this title, there are hereby 
authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out 
the provisions of this title, except sections 1417, 1419, 1420, 
and the competitive grants program provided for in section 
1414, and except that the authorization for moneys provided 
under the Act of March 2, 1887 (24 Stat. 440-442, as amended; 7 
U.S.C. 361a-361i), is excluded and is provided for in 
subsection (b) of this section, $850,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 2002.
  (b) Notwithstanding any authorization for appropriations for 
agricultural research at State agricultural experiment stations 
in any Act enacted prior to the date of enactment of this 
title, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the 
purpose of conducting agricultural research at State 
agricultural experiment stations pursuant to the Act of March 
2, 1887 (24 Stat. 440-442, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 361a-361i), 
$310,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 
2002.
          * * * * * * *

        authorization for appropriations for extension education

  Sec. 1464. Notwithstanding any authorization for 
appropriations for the Cooperative Extension Service in any Act 
enacted prior to the date of enactment of this title, there are 
hereby authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of 
carrying out the extension programs of the Department of 
Agriculture $420,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $430,000,000 for 
fiscal year 1992, $440,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, 
$450,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and $460,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 1995 through [1997] 2002.
          * * * * * * *

                         [withholding of funds

  [Sec. 1468. Except as provided elsewhere in this Act or any 
other Act of Congress, if the Secretary determines that an 
institution or State is not entitled to receive its allotment 
of an annual appropriation under any provision of this title 
because of a failure to satisfy requirements of this title or 
regulations issued under it, the Secretary shall withhold such 
amounts, the facts and reasons concerning the determination and 
withholding shall be reported to the President, and the amount 
involved shall be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts of 
the Treasury.]
          * * * * * * *

                      cost-reimbursable agreements

  Sec. 1473A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Agriculture may enter into cost-reimbursable 
agreements with State cooperative institutions or other 
colleges and universities without regard to any requirement for 
competition, for the acquisition of goods or services, 
including personal services, to carry out agricultural 
research, extension, or teaching activities of mutual interest. 
Reimbursable costs under such agreements shall include the 
actual direct costs of performance, as mutually agreed on by 
the parties, and the indirect costs of performance, not 
exceeding 10 percent of the direct cost.

SEC. 1473B. TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL 
                    RESEARCH FACILITIES.

  (a) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996, the Secretary shall establish a task force, to be 
known as the ``Strategic Planning Task Force''. The task force 
shall be comprised of 15 members.
  (b) Composition.--The Secretary shall select the members of 
the task force from a list of individuals recommended by the 
Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123). In submitting the list to the Secretary, 
the Board may recommend for selection individuals (including 
members of the Advisory Board) who have expertise in facilities 
development, modernization, construction, consolidation, and 
closure.
  (c) Duties.--The task force shall review all currently 
operating agricultural research facilities constructed in whole 
or in part with Federal funds, and all planned agricultural 
research facilities proposed to be constructed with Federal 
funds, pursuant to criteria established by the Secretary, to 
ensure that a comprehensive research capacity is maintained.
  (d) 10-Year Strategic Plan.--Not later than 2 years after the 
task force is established, the task force shall prepare and 
submit to the Secretary and the congressional agriculture 
committees a 10-year strategic plan, reflecting both national 
and regional perspectives, for development, modernization, 
construction, consolidation, and closure of Federal 
agricultural research facilities and agricultural research 
facilities proposed to be constructed with Federal funds.
  (e) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
          (1) Public meetings.--All meetings of the task force 
        shall be publicly announced in advance and shall be 
        open to the public. Detailed minutes of meetings and 
        other appropriate records of the activities of the task 
        force shall be kept and made available to the public on 
        request.
          (2) Exemption.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
        U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and 
        Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall 
        not apply to the task force.
  (f) Definition of Agricultural Research Facility.--In this 
section the term ``agricultural research facility'' means a 
facility for research in food and agricultural sciences.
          * * * * * * *

                   supplemental and alternative crops

  Sec. 1473D. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
during the period beginning October 1, 1986, and ending 
September 30, [1997] 2002, the Secretary shall develop and 
implement a research project for the development of 
supplemental and alternative crops, using such funds as are 
appropriated to the Secretary each fiscal year under this 
title.
          * * * * * * *

                        Subtitle L--Aquaculture

[SEC. 1476. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES.

  [(a) Grant Authorized.--In order to gain further knowledge of 
intensive water recirculating aquaculture systems, the 
Secretary may make grants for the purpose of further developing 
and expanding aquaculture research facilities at Illinois State 
University in Normal, Illinois, and Virginia Polytechnic 
Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, and to 
conduct such programs as are necessary to do basic and applied 
research for intensive water recirculating aquaculture systems.
  [(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized, 
in the event the Secretary decides to take action under 
subsection (a), to be appropriated $500,000 for each of the two 
facilities for fiscal years 1991 through 1997 to carry out this 
section.]

                    authorization for appropriations

  Sec. 1477. There is authorized to be appropriated $7,500,000 
for each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 2002. Funds 
appropriated under this section or section 1476 may not be used 
to acquire or construct a building.

                     Subtitle M--Rangeland Research

          * * * * * * *

                             appropriations

  Sec. 1483. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated, to 
implement the provisions of this subtitle, such sums not to 
exceed $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 
[1997] 2002.
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


                            SMITH-LEVER ACT

          * * * * * * *
  Sec. 3. (a) * * *
  (b)(1) Out of such sums, each State and the [Federal 
Extension Service] Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled 
to receive annually a sum of money equal to the sums available 
from Federal cooperative extension funds for the fiscal year 
1962, and subject to the same requirements as to furnishing of 
equivalent sums by the State, except that amounts heretofore 
made available to the Secretary for allotment on the basis of 
special needs shall continue available for use on the same 
basis.
          * * * * * * *
  (c) Any sums made available by the Congress or further 
development of cooperative extension work in addition to those 
referred to in subsection (b) hereof shall be distributed as 
follows:
  1. Four per centum of the sum so appropriated for each fiscal 
year shall be allotted to the [Federal Extension Service] 
Secretary of Agriculture for administrative, technical, and 
other services, and for coordinating the extension work of the 
Department and the several States, Territories and possessions.
  2. Of the remainder so appropriated for each fiscal year 20 
per centum shall be paid to the several States in equal 
proportions, 40 per centum shall be paid to the several States 
in the proportion that the rural population of each bears to 
the total rural population of the several States as determined 
by the census, and the balance shall be paid to the several 
States in the proportion that the farm population of each bears 
to the total farm population of the several States as 
determined by the census: Provided, [That payments out of the 
additional appropriations for further development of extension 
work authorized herein may be made subject to the making 
available of such sums of public funds by the States from non-
Federal funds for the maintenance of cooperative agricultural 
extension work provided for in this Act, as may be provided by 
the Congress at the time such additional appropriations are 
made: Provided further,] That any appropriation made hereunder 
shall be allotted in the first and succeeding years on the 
basis of the decennial census current at the time such 
appropriation is first made,and as to any increase, on the 
basis of decennial census current at the time such increase is first 
appropriated.
  (d) The [Federal Extension Service] Secretary of Agriculture 
shall receive such amounts as Congress shall determine for 
administration, technical, and other services and for 
coordinating the extension work of the Department and the 
several States, Territories, and possessions. A college or 
university eligible to receive funds under the Act of August 
30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University, 
may apply for and receive directly from the Secretary of 
Agriculture--
          (1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  [(e) Insofar as the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of 
this section, which require or permit Congress to require 
matching of Federal funds, apply to the Virgin Islands of the 
United States and Guam, such provisions shall be deemed to have 
been satisfied, for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1978, 
and September 30, 1979, only, if the amounts budgeted and 
available for expenditure by the Virgin Islands of the United 
States and Guam in such years equal the amounts budgeted and 
available for expenditure by the Virgin Islands of the United 
States and Guam in the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977.
  [(f) There shall be no matching requirement for funds made 
available pursuant to subsection (b)(3).]
  (e) Matching Funds.--
          (1) Requirement.--No allotment shall be made to a 
        State under subsections (b) and (c), and no payments of 
        such allotment shall be made to a State, in excess of 
        the amount which the State makes available out of non-
        Federal funds for cooperative extension work.
          (2) Failure to provide matching funds.--If a State 
        fails to comply with the requirement to provide 
        matching funds for a fiscal year under paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary of Agriculture shall withhold from 
        payment to the State for that fiscal year an amount 
        equal to the difference between--
                  (A) the amount that would be allotted and 
                paid to the State under subsections (b) and (c) 
                (if the full amount of matching funds were 
                provided by the State); and
                  (B) the amount of matching funds actually 
                provided by the State.
          (3) Reapportionment.--The Secretary shall reapportion 
        amounts withheld under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year 
        among the States satisfying the matching requirement 
        for that fiscal year. Any reapportionment of funds 
        under this paragraph shall be subject to the matching 
        requirement specified in paragraph (1).
  (f) Matching Funds Exception for 1994 Institutions.--There 
shall be no matching requirement for funds made available to 
1994 Institutions pursuant to subsection (b)(3).
  (g)(1) The Secretary of Agriculture may conduct educational, 
instructional, demonstration, and publication distribution 
programs [through the Federal Extension Service] and enter into 
cooperative agreements with private nonprofit and profit 
organizations and individuals to share the cost of such 
programs through contributions from private sources as provided 
in this subsection.
          * * * * * * *
  [Sec. 4.]

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

  (a) Ascertainment of Entitlement.--On or about the first day 
of October in each year after the passage of this Act, the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall ascertain as to each State 
whether it is entitled to receive its share of the annual 
appropriation for cooperative agricultural extension work under 
this Act and the amount which it is entitled to receive. Before 
the funds herein provided shall become available to any college 
for any fiscal year, plans for the work to be carried on under 
this Act shall be submitted by the proper officials of each 
college and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. The 
Secretary shall ensure that each college seeking to receive 
funds under this Act has in place appropriate guidelines, as 
determined by the Secretary, to minimize actual or potential 
conflicts of interest among employees of such college whose 
salaries are funded in whole or in part with such funds. [Such 
sums]
  (b) Time and Manner of Payment; Related Reports.--The amount 
to which a State is entitled shall be paid in equal quarterly 
payments in or about July, October, January, and April of each 
year to the treasurer or other officer of the State duly 
authorized by the laws of the State or receive the same, and 
such officer shall be required to report to the Secretary of 
Agriculture on or about the first day of April of each year, a 
detailed statement of the amount so received during the 
previous fiscal year and its disbursement, on forms prescribed 
by the Secretary of Agriculture.
  (c) Requirements Related to Plan of Work.--Each extension 
plan of work for a State required under subsection (a) shall 
contain descriptions of the following:
          (1) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-
        term agricultural issues in the State and the current 
        and planned extension programs and projects targeted to 
        address such issues.
          (2) The process established to consult with extension 
        users regarding the identification of critical 
        agricultural issues in the State and the development of 
        extension programs and projects targeted to address 
        such issues.
          (3) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
        other colleges and universities within the State and 
        other States that have unique capacity to address the 
        identified agricultural issues in the State and current 
        and emerging efforts to work with these other 
        institutions and States.
          (4) The manner in which research and extension, 
        including research and extension activities funded 
        other than through formula funds, will cooperate to 
        address the critical issues in the State, including the 
        activities to be carried out separately, the activities 
        to be carried out sequentially, and the activities to 
        be carried out jointly.
          (5) The education and outreach programs already 
        underway to convey currently available research results 
        that are pertinent to a critical agricultural issue, 
        including efforts to encourage multi-county cooperation 
        in the dissemination of research results.
  (d) Extension Protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of multi-
State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary extension 
activities and joint research and extension activities in 
addressing critical agricultural issues identified in the plans 
of work submitted under subsection (a). The Secretary shall 
develop the protocols in consultation with the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and universities.
  (e) Treatment of Plans of Work for Other Purposes.--To the 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of work 
submitted under subsection (a) to satisfy other appropriate 
Federal reporting requirements.
          * * * * * * *
  [Sec. 6. If the Secretary of Agriculture finds that a State 
is not entitled to receive its share of the annual 
appropriation, the facts and reasons therefor shall be reported 
to the President, and the amount involved shall be kept 
separate in the Treasury until the expiration of the Congress 
next succeeding a session of the legislature of the State from 
which funds have been withheld in order that the State may, if 
it should so desire, appeal to Congress from the determination 
of the Secretary of Agriculture. If the next Congress shall not 
direct such sum to be paid, it shall be covered into the 
Treasury.]
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Smith-Lever Act''.
                              ----------                              


                           HATCH ACT OF 1877

  Section 1. It is the policy of Congress to continue the 
agricultural research at State agricultural experiment stations 
which has been encouraged and supported by the Hatch Act of 
1887, the Adams Act of 1906, the Purnell Act of 1925, the 
Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935, and title I, section 9, of that Act 
as added by the Act of August 14, 1946, and Acts amendatory and 
supplementary thereto, and to promote the efficiency of such 
research by a codification and simplification of such laws. As 
used in this Act, the terms ``State'' or ``States'' are defined 
to include the several States, including the District of 
Columbia, [Alaska, Hawaii,] Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin 
Islands. As used in this Act, the term ``State agricultural 
experiment station'' means a department which shall have been 
established, under direction of the college or university or 
agricultural departments of the college or university in each 
State in accordance with an Act approved July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 
503), entitled ``An Act donating public lands to the several 
States and Territories which may provide colleges for the 
benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts''; or such other 
substantially equivalent arrangements as any State shall 
determine.
          * * * * * * *
    Sec. 3. (a) * * *
  (b)(1) Out of such sums each State shall be entitled to 
receive annually a sum of money equal to and subject to the 
same requirement as to use for marketing research projects as 
the sums received from Federal appropriations for State 
agricultural experiment stations for the fiscal year 1955, 
except that amounts heretofore made available from the fund 
known as the ``Regional research fund. Office of Experiment 
Stations'' shall continue to be available for the support of 
cooperative regional projects as defined in [subsection 
3(c)(3)] subsection (c)3, and the said fund shall be designated 
``Regional research fund, State agricultural experiment 
stations'', and the Secretary of Agriculture shall be entitled 
to receive annually for the administration of this Act, a sum 
not less than that available for this purpose for the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1955: Provided, That if the appropriations 
hereunder available for distribution in any fiscal year are 
less than those for the fiscal year 1955 the allotment to each 
State and the amounts for Federal administration and the 
regional research fund shall be reduced in proportion to the 
amount of such reduction.
          * * * * * * *
  [(d) Of any amount in excess of $90,000 available under this 
Act for allotment to any State, exclusive of the regional 
research fund, State agricultural experiment stations, no 
allotment and no payments thereof shall be made in excess of 
the amount which the State makes available out of its own funds 
for research and for the establishment and maintenance of 
facilities necessary for the prosecution of such research: And 
provided further, That if any State fails to make available for 
such research purposes for any fiscal year a sum equal to the 
amount in excess of $90,000 to which it may be entitled for 
such year, the remainder of such amount shall be withheld by 
the Secretary of Agriculture and reapportioned among the 
States.]
  (d) Matching Funds.--
          (1) Requirement.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (4), no allotment shall be made to a State under 
        subsections (b) and (c), and no payments of such 
        allotment shall be made to a State, in excess of the 
        amount which the State makes available out of non-
        Federal funds for agricultural research and for the 
        establishment and maintenance of facilities for the 
        performance of such research.
          (2) Failure to provide matching funds.--If a State 
        fails to comply with the requirement to provide 
        matching funds for a fiscal year under paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary of Agriculture shall withhold from 
        payment to the State for that fiscal year an amount 
        equal to the difference between--
                  (A) the amount that would be allotted and 
                paid to the State under subsections (b) and (c) 
                (if the full amount of matching funds were 
                provided by the State); and
                  (B) the amount of matching funds actually 
                provided by the State.
          (3) Reapportionment.--The Secretary shall reapportion 
        amounts withheld under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year 
        among the States satisfying the matching requirement 
        for that fiscal year. Any reapportionment of funds 
        under this paragraph shall be subject to the matching 
        requirement specified in paragraph (1).
          (4) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
        funds provided to a State from the Regional research 
        fund, State agricultural experiment stations.
  (e) ``Administration'' as used in this section shall include 
participation in planning and coordinating cooperative regional 
research as defined in [subsection 3(c)3] subsection (c)3.
          * * * * * * *
  Sec. 5. Sums available for allotment to the States under the 
terms of this Act, excluding the [regional research fund 
authorized by subsection 3(c)(3)] Regional research fund, State 
agricultural experiment stations, shall be paid to each State 
agricultural experiment station in equal quarterly payments 
beginning on the first day of October of each fiscal year upon 
vouchers approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. Each such 
station authorized to receive allotted funds shall have a chief 
administrative officer known as a director, and a treasurer or 
other officer appointed by the government board of the station. 
Such treasurer or other officer shall receive and account for 
all funds allotted to the State under the provisions of this 
Act and shall report, with the approval of the director to the 
Secretary of Agriculture on or before the first day of December 
of each year a detailed statement of the amount received under 
provisions of this Act during the preceding fiscal year, and of 
its disbursement on schedules prescribed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture. If any portion of the allotted moneys received by 
the authorized receiving officer of any State agricultural 
experiment station shall by any action or contingency be 
diminished, lost, or misapplied, it shall be replaced by the 
State concerned and until so replaced no subsequent 
appropriation shall be allotted or paid to such State.
          * * * * * * *
  [Sec. 7.]

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

  (a) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture is 
hereby charged with the responsibility for the proper 
administration of this Act, and is authorized and directed to 
prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to 
carry out its provisions. It shall be the duty of the Secretary 
to furnish such advice and assistance as will best promote the 
purposes of this Act, including participation in coordination 
of research initiated under this Act by the State agricultural 
experiment stations, from time to time to indicate such lines 
of inquiry as to him seem most important, and to encourage and 
assist in the establishment and maintenance of cooperation by 
and between the several State agricultural experiment stations, 
and between the stations and the United States Department of 
Agriculture.
  [On or before] (b) Ascertainment of Entitlement.--On or 
before the first day of October in each year after the passage 
of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall ascertain as to 
each State whether it is entitled to receive its share of the 
annual appropriations for agricultural experiment stations 
under this Act and the amount which thereupon each is entitled, 
respectively, to receive.
  [Whenever it shall appear] (c) Effect of Failure to Expend 
Full Allotment.--Whenever it shall appear to the Secretary of 
Agriculture from the annual statement of receipts and 
expenditures of funds by any State agricultural experiment 
station that any portion of the preceding annual appropriation 
allotted to that station under this Act remains unexpended, 
such amount shall be deducted from the next succeeding annual 
allotment to the State concerned.
  [If the Secretary of Agriculture shall withhold from any 
State any portion of the appropriations available for 
allotment, the facts and reasons therefor shall be reported to 
the President and the amount involved shall be kept separate in 
the Treasury until the close of the next Congress. If the next 
Congress shall not direct such sum to be paid, it shall be 
carried to surplus.]
  (d) Plan of Work Required.--Before funds may be provided to a 
State under this Act for any fiscal year, plans for the work to 
be carried on under this Act shall be submitted by the proper 
officials of the State and approved by the Secretary of 
Agriculture.
  (e) Requirements Related to Plan of Work.--Each research plan 
of work for a State required under subsection (d) shall contain 
descriptions of the following:
          (1) The critical short-term, intermediate, and long-
        term agricultural issues in the State and the current 
        and planned research programs and projects targeted to 
        address such issues.
          (2) The process established to consult with users of 
        agricultural research regarding the identification of 
        critical agricultural issues in the State and the 
        development of research programs and projects targeted 
        to address such issues.
          (3) The efforts made to identify and collaborate with 
        other colleges and universities within the State and 
        other States that have unique capacity to address the 
        identified agricultural issues in the State and current 
        and emerging efforts (including regional efforts) to 
        work with these other institutions and States.
          (4) The manner in which research and extension, 
        including research and extension activities funded 
        other than through formula funds, will cooperate to 
        address the critical issues in the State, including the 
        activities to be carried out separately, the activities 
        to be carried out sequentially, and the activities to 
        be carried out jointly.
  (f) Research Protocols.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
develop protocols to be used to evaluate the success of multi-
State, multi-institutional, and multidisciplinary research 
activities and joint research and extension activities in 
addressing critical agricultural issues identified in the plans 
of work submitted under subsection (d). The Secretary shall 
develop the protocols in consultation with the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board and land-grant colleges and universities.
  (g) Treatment of Plans of Work for Other Purposes.--To the 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider plans of 
worksubmitted under subsection (d) to satisfy other appropriate Federal 
reporting requirements.
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 10. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Hatch Act of 1887''.
                              ----------                              


                        RESEARCH FACILITIES ACT

[SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  [This Act may be cited as the ``Research Facilities Act''.

[SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

  [In this Act:
          [(1) Agricultural research facility.--The term 
        ``agricultural research facility'' means a proposed 
        facility for research in food and agricultural sciences 
        for which Federal funds are requested by a college, 
        university, or nonprofit institution to assist in the 
        construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, 
        renovation, or remodeling of the facility.
          [(2) Congressional agriculture committees.--The term 
        ``congressional agriculture committees'' means the 
        Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
        Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
          [(3) Food and agricultural sciences.--The term ``food 
        and agricultural sciences'' means--
                  [(A) agriculture, including soil and water 
                conservation and use, the use of organic 
                materials to improve soil tilth and fertility, 
                plant and animal production and protection, and 
                plant and animal health;
                  [(B) the processing, distribution, marketing, 
                and utilization of food and agricultural 
                products;
                  [(C) forestry, including range management, 
                production of forest and range products, 
                multiple use of forests and rangelands, and 
                urban forestry;
                  [(D) aquaculture (as defined in section 
                1404(3) of the National Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
                U.S.C. 3103(3));
                  [(E) human nutrition;
                  [(F) production inputs, such as energy, to 
                improve productivity; and
                  [(G) germ plasm collection and preservation.
          [(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Agriculture.
          [(5) Task force.--The term ``task force'' means the 
        Strategic Planning Task Force established under section 
        4.

[SEC. 3. REVIEW PROCESS.

  [(a) Submission to Secretary.--Each proposal for an 
agricultural research facility shall be submitted to the 
Secretary for review. The Secretary shall review the proposals 
in the order in which the proposals are received.
  [(b) Application Process.--In consultation with the 
congressional agriculture committees, the Secretary shall 
establish an application process for the submission of 
proposals for agricultural research facilities.
  [(c) Criteria for Approval.--
          [(1) Determination by secretary.--With respect to 
        each proposal for an agricultural research facility 
        submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
        determine whether the proposal meets the criteria set 
        forth in paragraph (2).
          [(2) Criteria.--A proposal for an agricultural 
        research facility shall meet the following criteria:
                  [(A) Non-federal share.--The proposal shall 
                certify the availability of at least a 50 
                percent non-Federal share of the cost of the 
                facility. The non-Federal share shall be paid 
                in cash and may include funding from private 
                sources or from units of State or local 
                government.
                  [(B) Nonduplication of facilities.--The 
                proposal shall demonstrate how the agricultural 
                research facility would be complementary to, 
                and not duplicative of, facilities of colleges, 
                universities, and nonprofit institutions, and 
                facilities of the Agricultural Research 
                Service, within the State and region.
                  [(C) National research priorities.--The 
                proposal shall demonstrate how the agricultural 
                research facility would serve--
                          [(i) 1 or more of the national 
                        research policies and priorities set 
                        forth in section 1402 of the National 
                        Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
                        Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
                        3101); and
                          [(ii) regional needs.
                  [(D) Long-term support.--The proposal shall 
                demonstrate that the recipient college, 
                university, or nonprofit institution has the 
                ability and commitment to support the long-
                term, ongoing operating costs of--
                          [(i) the agricultural research 
                        facility after the facility is 
                        completed; and
                          [(ii) each program to be based at the 
                        facility.
  [(d) Evaluation of Proposals.--Not later than 90 days after 
receiving a proposal under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall--
          [(1) evaluate and assess the merits of the proposal, 
        including the extent to which the proposal meets the 
        criteria set forth in subsection (c); and
          [(2) report to the congressional agriculture 
        committees on the results of the evaluation and 
        assessment.

[SEC. 4. TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
                    FACILITIES.

  [(a) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform 
Act of 1996, the Secretary shall establish a task force, to be 
known as the ``Strategic Planning Task Force''. The task force 
shall be comprised of 15 members.
  [(b) Composition.--The Secretary shall select the members of 
the task force from a list of individuals recommended by the 
Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123). In submitting the list to the Secretary, 
the Board may recommend for selection individuals (including 
members of the Advisory Board) who have expertise in facilities 
development, modernization, construction, consolidation, and 
closure.
  [(c) Duties.--The task force shall review all currently 
operating agricultural research facilities constructed in whole 
or in part with Federal funds, and all planned agricultural 
research facilities proposed to be constructed with Federal 
funds, pursuant to criteria established by the Secretary, to 
ensure that a comprehensive research capacity is maintained.
  [(d) 10-Year Strategic Plan.--Not later than 2 years after 
the task force is established, the task force shall prepare and 
submit to the Secretary and the congressional agriculture 
committees a 10-year strategic plan, reflecting both national 
and regional perspectives, for development, modernization, 
construction, consolidation, and closure of Federal 
agricultural research facilities and agricultural research 
facilities proposed to be constructed with Federal funds.
  [(e) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
          [(1) Public meetings.--All meetings of the task force 
        shall be publicly announced in advance and shall be 
        open to the public. Detailed minutes of meetings and 
        other appropriate records of the activities of the task 
        force shall be kept and made available to the public on 
        request.
          [(2) Exemption.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
        (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and 
        Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall 
        not apply to the task force.
  [(f) Definition of Agricultural Research Facility.--
Notwithstanding section 2(1), in this section the term 
``agricultural research facility'' means a facility for 
research in food and agricultural sciences.

[SEC. 5. APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.

  [The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title 
XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et 
seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board created solely for 
the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals submitted 
under this Act.

[SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  [(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), there are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for 
fiscal years 1996 and 1997 for the study, plan, design, 
structure, and related costs of agricultural research 
facilities under this Act.
  [(b) Allowable Administrative Costs.--Not more than 3 percent 
of the funds made available for any project for an agricultural 
research facility shall be available for administration of the 
project.]
                              ----------                              


         FOOD, AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND TRADE ACT OF 1990

          * * * * * * *

                        TITLE XIV--CONSERVATION

          * * * * * * *

    Subtitle G--Water Quality Research, Education, and Coordination

SEC. 1481.  SHORT TITLE, PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS, AND AUTHORIZATION OF 
                    APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
1991 through [1997] 2002 to carry out this subtitle.
          * * * * * * *

                          TITLE XVI--RESEARCH

          * * * * * * *

             Subtitle C--National Genetic Resources Program

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1635. DEFINITIONS AND AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) * * *
  (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out 
this subtitle for each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 
2002.
          * * * * * * *

     [Subtitle D--National Agricultural Weather Information System

[SEC. 1637. SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSES.

  [(a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
``National Agricultural Weather Information System Act of 
1990''.
  [(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subtitle are--
          [(1) to provide a nationally coordinated agricultural 
        weather information system, based on the participation 
        of universities, State programs, Federal agencies, and 
        the private weather consulting sector, and aimed at 
        meeting the weather and climate information needs of 
        agricultural producers;
          [(2) to facilitate the collection, organization, and 
        dissemination of advisory weather and climate 
        information relevant to agricultural producers, through 
        the participation of the private sector and otherwise;
          [(3) to provide for research and education on 
        agricultural weather and climate information, aimed at 
        improving the quality and quantity of weather and 
        climate information available to agricultural 
        producers, including research on short-term forecasts 
        of thunderstorms and on extended weather forecasting 
        techniques and models;
          [(4) to encourage, where feasible, greater private 
        sector participation in providing agricultural weather 
        and climate information, to encourage private sector 
        participation in educating and training farmers and 
        others in the proper utilization of agricultural 
        weather and climate information, and to strengthen 
        their ability to provide site-specific weather 
        forecasting for farmers and the agricultural sector in 
        general; and
          [(5) to ensure that the weather and climate data 
        bases needed by the agricultural sector are of the 
        highest scientific accuracy and thoroughly documented, 
        and that such data bases are easily accessible for 
        remote computer access.

[SEC. 1638. AGRICULTURAL WEATHER OFFICE.

  [(a) Establishment of the Office and Administration of the 
System.--
          [(1) Establishment required.--The Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall establish in the Department of 
        Agriculture an Agricultural Weather Office to plan and 
        administer the National Agricultural Weather 
        Information System. The system shall be comprised of 
        the office established under this section and the 
        activities of the State agricultural weather 
        information systems described in section 1640.
          [(2) Director.--The Secretary shall appoint a 
        Director to manage the activities of the Agricultural 
        Weather Office and to advise the Secretary on 
        scientific and programmatic coordination for climate, 
        weather, and remote sensing.
  [(b) Authority.--The Secretary, acting through the Office, 
may undertake the following activities to carry out this 
subtitle:
          [(1) Enter into cooperative projects with the 
        National Weather Service to--
                  [(A) support operational weather forecasting 
                and observation useful in agriculture;
                  [(B) sponsor joint workshops to train 
                agriculturalists about the optimum utilization 
                of agricultural weather and climate data;
                  [(C) jointly develop improved computer models 
                and computing capacity; and
                  [(D) enhance the quality and availability of 
                weather and climate information needed by 
                agriculturalists.
          [(2) Obtain standardized weather observation data 
        collected in near real time through State agricultural 
        weather information systems.
          [(3) Make, through the Cooperative State Research 
        Service, competitive grants under subsection (c) for 
        research in atmospheric sciences and climatology.
          [(4) Make grants to eligible States under section 
        1640 to plan and administer State agricultural weather 
        information systems.
          [(5) Coordinate the activities of the Office with the 
        weather and climate research activities of the 
        Cooperative State Research Service, the National 
        Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation 
        Atmospheric Services Program, and the National Climate 
        Program.
          [(6) Encourage private sector participation in the 
        National Agricultural Weather Information System 
        through mutually beneficial cooperation with the 
        private sector, particularly in generating weather and 
        climatic data useful for site-specific agricultural 
        weather forecasting.
  [(c) Competitive Grants Program.--
          [(1) Grants authorized.--With funds allocated to 
        carry out this subsection, the Secretary of Agriculture 
        may make grants to State agricultural experiment 
        stations, all colleges and universities, other research 
        institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, 
        private organizations and corporations, and individuals 
        to carry out research in all aspects of atmospheric 
        sciences and climatology that can be shown to be 
        important in both a basic and developmental way to 
        understanding, forecasting, and delivering agricultural 
        weather information.
          [(2) Competitive basis.--Grants made under this 
        subsection shall be made on a competitive basis.
  [(d) Priority.--In selecting among applications for grants 
under subsection (c), the Secretary shall give priority to 
proposals which emphasize--
          [(1) techniques and processes that relate to weather-
        induced agricultural losses, and to improving the 
        advisory information on weather extremes such as 
        drought, floods, freezes, and storms well in advance of 
        their actual occurrence;
          [(2) the improvement of site-specific weather data 
        collection and forecasting; or
          [(3) the impact of weather on economic and 
        environmental costs in agricultural production.

[SEC. 1639. NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD ON AGRICULTURAL WEATHER.

  [(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
establish the Advisory Board on Agricultural Weather 
(hereinafter referred to in this section as the ``Board'') to 
advise the Director of the Agricultural Weather Office with 
respect to carrying out this subtitle.
  [(b) Composition.--The Board shall be composed of nine 
members, appointed by the Secretary in consultation with the 
Director of the National Weather Service. Two of the members 
shall be from each of the four regions of the cooperative 
extension service. Of the two members from each region, one 
shall be an agricultural producer and one shall be an 
agricultural or atmospheric scientist. At least two members of 
the Board shall be appointed from among individuals who are 
engaged in providing private meteorology services or consulting 
with a private meteorology firm.
  [(c) Chairperson.--The Board shall elect a chairperson from 
among its members.
  [(d) Term.--Each Board member shall be appointed for a three-
year term, except that to ensure that members of the Board 
serve staggered terms, the Secretary shall appoint three of the 
original members of the Board to appointments for one year, and 
three of the original members to appointments for two years.
  [(e) Meetings.--The Board shall meet not less than twice 
annually.
  [(f) Compensation.--Members of the Board shall serve without 
compensation, but while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of services for the Board, 
members of the Board shall be allowed travel expenses, 
including a per diem allowance in lieu of subsistence, in the 
same manner as individuals employed in Government service are 
allowed travel expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United 
States Code.
  [(g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
with respect to the Board.

[SEC. 1640. STATE AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS.

  [(a) Advisory Program Grants.--
          [(1) Grants required.--With funds allocated to carry 
        out this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
        make grants to not fewer than 10 eligible States to 
        plan and administer, in cooperation with persons 
        described in paragraph (2), advisory programs for State 
        agricultural weather information systems.
          [(2) Persons described.--The persons referred to in 
        paragraph (1) are the Director of the Agricultural 
        Weather Office, the Administrator of the Extension 
        Service, the Administrator of the Cooperative State 
        Research Service, and other persons as appropriate 
        (such as the directors of the appropriate State 
        agricultural experiment stations and State extension 
        programs).
  [(b) Consultation.--For purposes of selecting among 
applications submitted by States for grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall take into consideration the recommendation 
of the Advisory Board on Agricultural Weather and consult with 
the Director.
  [(c) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this section, the chief executive officer of a 
State shall submit to the Secretary an application that 
contains--
          [(1) assurances that the State will expend such grant 
        to plan and administer a State agricultural weather 
        system that will--
                  [(A) collect observational weather data 
                throughout the State and provide such data to 
                the National Weather Service and the 
                Agricultural Weather Office;
                  [(B) develop methods for packaging 
                information received from the national system 
                for use by agricultural producers (with State 
                Cooperative Extension Services and the private 
                sector to serve as the primary conduit of 
                agricultural weather forecasts and climatic 
                information to producers); and
                  [(C) develop programs to educate agricultural 
                producers on how to best use weather and 
                climate information to improve management 
                decisions; and
          [(2) such other assurances and information as the 
        Secretary may require by rule.

[SEC. 1641. FUNDING.

  [(a) Allocation of Funds.--
          [(1) Cooperative work.--Not less than 15 percent and 
        not more than 25 percent of the funds appropriated for 
        a fiscal year to carry out this subtitle shall be used 
        for cooperative work with the National Weather Service 
        entered into under section 1638(b)(1).
          [(2) Competitive grants program.--Not less than 15 
        percent and not more than 25 percent of such funds 
        shall be used by the Cooperative State Research Service 
        for a competitive grants program under section 1638(c).
          [(3) Weather information systems.--Not less than 25 
        percent and not more than 35 percent of such funds 
        shall be divided equally between the participating 
        States selected for that fiscal year under section 
        1640.
          [(4) Other purposes.--The remaining funds shall be 
        allocated for use by the Agricultural Weather Office 
        and the Extension Service in carrying out generally the 
        provisions of this subtitle.
  [(b) Limitations on Use of Funds.--Funds provided under the 
authority of this subtitle shall not be used for the 
construction of facilities. Each State or agency receiving 
funds shall not use more than 30 percent of such funds for 
equipment purchases. Any use of the funds in facilitating the 
distribution of agricultural and climate information to 
producers shall be done with consideration for the role that 
the private meteorological sector can play in such information 
delivery.
  [(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this subtitle for 
each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1997.]

      Subtitle D--National Agricultural Weather Information System

SEC. 1637. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSES.

  (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
``National Agricultural Weather Information System Act of 
1997''.
  (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subtitle are--
          (1) to facilitate the management and coordination of 
        a national agricultural weather and climate station 
        network for Federal and State agencies, colleges and 
        universities, and the private sector;
          (2) to ensure that timely and accurate information is 
        obtained and disseminated; and
          (3) to aid research and education that requires a 
        comprehensive agricultural weather and climate 
        database.

SEC. 1638. AGRICULTURAL WEATHER SYSTEM.

  (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
establish the National Agricultural Weather Information System 
(referred to in this subtitle as the ``System''). The System 
shall be comprised of the operational and research activities 
of the Federal, State, and regional agricultural weather 
information systems.
  (b) Authority.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, 
United States Code, to carry out this subtitle, the Secretary 
may--
          (1) enter into contracts, grants, cooperative 
        agreements and interagency agreements without regard to 
        competitive requirements, except as otherwise provided 
        in this subtitle, with other Federal and State agencies 
        to--
                  (A) support operational weather and climate 
                data observations, analysis, and derived 
                products;
                  (B) preserve historical data records for 
                research studies useful in agriculture;
                  (C) jointly develop improved computer models 
                and computing capacity for storage, retrieval, 
                dissemination and analysis of agricultural 
                weather and climate information;
                  (D) enhance the quality and availability of 
                weather and climate information needed by the 
                private sector for value-added products and 
                agriculturists for decisionmaking; and
                  (E) sponsor joint programs to train private 
                sector meteorologists and agriculturists about 
                the optimum use of agricultural weather and 
                climate data;
          (2) obtain standardized weather observation data 
        collected in near real time through regional and State 
        agricultural weather information systems;
          (3) coordinate the activities of the Chief 
        Meteorologist of the Department of Agriculture and 
        weather and climate research activities of the 
        Department of Agriculture with other Federal agencies 
        and the private sector;
          (4) make grants to plan and administer State and 
        regional agricultural weather information systems, 
        including research in atmospheric sciences and 
        climatology;
          (5) encourage private sector participation in the 
        System through cooperation with the private sector, 
        including cooperation in the generation of weather and 
        climate data useful for site-specific agricultural 
        weather forecasting; and
          (6) make competitive grants to carry out research in 
        all aspects of atmospheric sciences and climatology 
        regarding the collection, retention, and dissemination 
        of agricultural weather and climate observations and 
        information, with priority given to proposals that 
        emphasize--
                  (A) techniques and processes that relate to--
                          (i) weather- or climate-induced 
                        agricultural losses; and
                          (ii) improvement of information on 
                        weather and climate extremes (such as 
                        drought, floods, freeze, and storms) 
                        well in advance of their occurrence;
                  (B) the improvement of site-specific weather 
                data collection and forecasting;
                  (C) the impact of weather on economic and 
                environmental costs in agricultural production; 
                or
                  (D) the preservation and management of the 
                ecosystem.

SEC. 1639. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.

  (a) Use of Funds.--
          (1) National oceanic and atmospheric administration 
        work.--Not more than \2/3\ of the funds made available 
        for a fiscal year to carry out this subtitle shall be 
        used for work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
          (2) Administrative costs.--The Secretary of 
        Agriculture may retain for administration of the System 
        up to four percent of the amounts made available to 
        carry out this subtitle, notwithstanding the 
        availability of any appropriation for administrative 
        expenses to carry out this subtitle.
          (3) Limitations.--
                  (A) Buildings or facilities.--Funds made 
                available to carry out this subtitle shall not 
                be used for the planning, repair, 
                rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of 
                a building or facility.
                  (B) Equipment purchases.--Of funds made 
                available under a grant award under this 
                subtitle, a grantee may use for equipment 
                purchases not more than the lesser of--
                          (i) $15,000; or
                          (ii) \1/3\ of the amount of the grant 
                        award.
  (b) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and 
Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply 
to a panel or board created for the purpose of reviewing 
applications or proposals submitted for grants under section 
1638.

SEC. 1640. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subtitle $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 
2002.
          * * * * * * *

             Subtitle H--Miscellaneous Research Provisions

          * * * * * * *

[SEC. 1670. LIVESTOCK PRODUCT SAFETY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.

  [(a) Establishment.--The Assistant Secretary for Science and 
Education, acting through the Cooperative State Research 
Service special grants program, may provide assistance to 
eligible entities to encourage and assist efforts made by 
research institutions to improve the efficiency and 
effectiveness of safety and inspection systems for livestock 
products.
  [(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive assistance 
under this section an entity shall be a land-grant college or 
university or any other college or university which 
demonstrates capability in the agriculture sciences, an 
individual research institution, or a consortia of such 
institutions.
  [(c) Contribution by Entity.--
          [(1) Requirement.--To be eligible to receive 
        assistance under this section, an entity shall agree 
        that such entity will, with respect to the costs to be 
        incurred by the entity in conducting the research for 
        which the assistance is provided, make available 
        (directly or through donations) non-Federal 
        contributions toward such costs in an amount equal to 
        50 percent of such costs.
          [(2) Non-federal contributions.--Non-Federal 
        contributions required under paragraph (1) may be in 
        cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, 
        equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal 
        Government, or services assisted or subsidized to any 
        significant extent by the Federal Government, may not 
        be included in determining the amount of such non-
        Federal contributions.
  [(d) Administration.--In providing assistance under this 
section, the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education 
shall to the extent practicable ensure that the amount of such 
assistance is provided equally to eligible entities 
representing the beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and aquaculture 
industries.
  [(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as 
necessary for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1997.

[SEC. 1671. PLANT GENOME MAPPING PROGRAM.

  [(a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
shall conduct a research program for the purpose of--
          [(1) supporting basic and applied research and 
        technology development in the area of plant genome 
        structure and function;
          [(2) providing United States leadership in 
        biotechnology; and
          [(3) providing crop varieties that may be cultivated 
        profitably without negatively impacting the 
        environment.]

SEC. 1671. AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.

  (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
conduct a research initiative for the purpose of--
          (1) supporting basic and applied research and 
        technology development in the area of genome structure 
        and function in support of agriculturally important 
        species, with a particular focus on research projects 
        that will yield scientifically important results that 
        will enhance the usefulness of many agriculturally 
        important species;
          (2) studying and mapping agriculturally significant 
        genes to achieve sustainable and secure agricultural 
        production;
          (3) ensuring that current gaps in existing 
        agricultural genetics knowledge are filled;
          (4) identifying and developing a functional 
        understanding of genes responsible for economically 
        important traits in agriculturally important species, 
        including emerging plant and animal diseases causing 
        economic hardship;
          (5) ensuring the future genetic improvement of 
        agriculturally important species;
          (6) supporting the preservation of diverse germplasm; 
        and
          (7) ensuring the preservation of biodiversity to 
        maintain access to genes that may be of importance in 
        the future.
  (b) Competitive Grants.--The Secretary may make competitive 
grants, for periods not to exceed five years, to State 
agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and 
universities, other researchinstitutions and organizations, 
Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and 
individuals for research projects in the research areas identified in 
subsection [(c)] (a).
  [(c) Research Areas.--Grants available under subsection (b) 
shall be awarded in the following research areas:
          [(1) Construction of plant genome maps.
          [(2) Identification, characterization, transfer, and 
        expression of genes of agricultural importance.
          [(3) Technology development in the areas of plant 
        genome mapping, sequencing, gene transfer, and data 
        management.
          [(4) Research on microorganisms associated with 
        plants, such as plant pathogens and plant symbionts.
  [(d) Plan for Making Grants.--Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Congress a detailed plan for awarding grants 
under this section.]
  (c) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of the 
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 
U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making of grants 
under this section.
  (d) Matching of Funds.--
          (1) General requirement.--If a grant under this 
        section is to the particular benefit of a specific 
        agricultural commodity, the Secretary shall require the 
        recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind 
        support to match the amount of funds provided by the 
        Secretary in the grant.
          (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) with 
        respect to a research project if the Secretary 
        determines that--
                  (A) the results of the project, while of 
                particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
                commodity, are likely to be applicable to 
                agricultural commodities generally; or
                  (B) the project involves a minor commodity, 
                deals with scientifically important research, 
                and the grant recipient would be unable to 
                satisfy the matching funds requirement.
          * * * * * * *
  (g) Authorizations of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated for [fiscal years 1996 and 1997] fiscal 
years 1998 through 2002 such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out this section.

[SEC. 1672. SPECIALIZED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

  [(a) Brown Citrus Aphid and Citrus Tristeza Virus.--
          [(1) Research grants authorized.--The Secretary of 
        Agriculture may make competitive grants available to 
        support research for the purpose of--
                  [(A) developing methods to eradicate the 
                brown citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza 
                virus from citrus crops grown in the United 
                States; or
                  [(B) adapting citrus crops grown in the 
                United States to the brown citrus aphid and the 
                citrus tristeza virus.
          [(2) Method of providing grants.--Grants authorized 
        under this subsection shall be made in the same manner, 
        and shall be subject to the same conditions, as 
        provided for competitive grants under the Competitive, 
        Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
        450i).
          [(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.
  [(b) Ethanol Research.--In order to further carry on and 
enhance needed ethanol research, the facility of the 
Agricultural Research Service located at Peoria, Illinois 
(authorized by section 202 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act 
of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1292)), may enter into cooperative 
agreements, contracts, and the exchange of scientific 
information with the Department of Energy in the area of 
ethanol research. Such facility shall hereafter be referred to 
as the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, 
Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture.
  [(c) Aflatoxin Research.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
conduct a research program for the purpose of determining the 
presence of aflatoxin in the food and feed chains. The research 
required under this subsection shall include research in the 
following areas:
          [(1) The examination of agricultural commodities, 
        products, and feeds for the presence and quantity of 
        aflatoxin.
          [(2) The examination of human populations to assess 
        the exposure level to aflatoxin.
          [(3) The examination of safe levels of aflatoxin in 
        the food and feed chains.
          [(4) The development and assessment of control 
        methods for aflatoxin, including methods to handle, 
        store, detoxify, and dispose of aflatoxin-contaminated 
        agricultural commodities, products, and feeds.
          [(5) The development of effective methods of 
        controlling the aflatoxin contamination of agricultural 
        products in international trade when the level of such 
        contamination exceeds an acceptable level.
          [(6) The development of plants resistant to aflatoxin 
        contamination.
          [(7) The improvement of sampling and analysis methods 
        for aflatoxin.
          [(8) The effect of aflatoxin on animal disease 
        through immunosuppression and interaction with other 
        disease agents.
          [(9) The economic consequences of aflatoxin 
        contamination.
  [(d) Mesquite Research.--
          [(1) Research required.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall conduct a research program for the purpose of 
        developing enhanced production methods and commercial 
        uses of mesquite.
          [(2) Competitive grants.--The Secretary shall make 
        competitive grants, for periods not to exceed 5 years, 
        to a State agricultural  experiment  station,  a  
        college  or  university,  or  a consortium of such 
        entities, for a research project in the research areas 
        identified in paragraph (3).
          [(3) Research areas.--A grant available under 
        paragraph (2) shall be awarded to an applicant to 
        conduct research in--
                  [(A) the development of techniques to 
                produce, from small-diameter, short-length, or 
                otherwise irregular mesquite logs, solid-wood 
                products useful as flooring, furniture parts, 
                turning blanks, and such other uses as may have 
                potential economic value;
                  [(B) the development of management techniques 
                designed to improve stands for quality lumber 
                production from mesquite; and
                  [(C) such other methods of production, 
                harvesting, processing, and marketing that are 
                designed to provide viable markets for mesquite 
                and lead to the commercialization of mesquite 
                as a cash crop.
          [(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years 1991 through 1997 to carry out this 
        subsection.
  [(e) Prickly Pear Research.--
          [(1) Research required.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall conduct a research program for the purpose of 
        investigating enhanced genetic selection and processing 
        techniques of prickly pears.
          [(2) Competitive grants.--The Secretary shall make 
        competitive grants, for periods not to exceed 5 years, 
        to a State agricultural  experiment  station,  a  
        college  or  university,  or  a consortium of such 
        entities, for research projects in the research areas 
        identified in paragraph (3).
          [(3) Research areas.--A grant available under 
        paragraph (2) shall be awarded to an applicant to 
        conduct research--
                  [(A) to investigate, through genetic 
                selection, the development of varieties of 
                prickly pear with improved growth, freeze 
                tolerance, and harvest characteristics;
                  [(B) to develop techniques to produce and 
                process prickly pear as a food source; and
                  [(C) to continue to investigate the 
                nutritional value and health benefits of 
                prickly pears.
          [(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years 1991 through 1997 to carry out this 
        subsection.
  [(f) Deer Tick Ecology and Related Research.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated $250,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 1991 through 1997 to be used by the Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through the Cooperative State Research 
Service, to make competitive grants to assist research in the 
field of population ecology of deer ticks and other insects and 
pests which transmit Lyme disease.
  [(g) Administrative Provisions.--
          [(1) Peer review.--Research funded under this section 
        shall be subject to peer review at such times as the 
        Secretary considers necessary for the purpose of 
        reviewing the progress and efficacy of the research and 
        the justification and need for continued funding.
          [(2) Limitation on use of funds.--Funds provided 
        under this section may not be used for the planning, 
        repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of 
        a building or facility.
          [(3) General eligibility.--Unless otherwise specified 
        in this section, State agricultural experiment 
        stations, all colleges and universities, other research 
        institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, 
        private organizations or corporations, and individuals 
        shall be eligible to participate in the programs 
        established by this section.]

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

  (a) Competitive Specialized Research and Extension Grants 
Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with 
the National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and 
Economics Advisory Board, may make competitive grants to 
support research and extension activities in the high-priority 
research and extension areas specified in subsection (e).
  (b) Grant Types and Process; Prohibition on Construction.--
Paragraphs (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of the 
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 
U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making of grants 
under this section.
  (c) Matching Funds Required.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall require the 
        recipient of a grant under this section to provide 
        funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an 
        amount at least equal to the amount provided by the 
        Federal Government.
          (2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
        matching funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) 
        with respect to a research project if the Secretary 
        determines that--
                  (A) the results of the project, while of 
                particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
                commodity, are likely to be applicable to 
                agricultural commodities generally; or
                  (B) the project involves a minor commodity, 
                deals with scientifically important research, 
                and the grant recipient would be unable to 
                satisfy the matching funds requirement.
  (d) Partnerships Encouraged.--Following the completion of a 
peer review process for grant proposals received under this 
section, the Secretary may give priority to those grant 
proposals found to be scientifically meritorious that involve 
the cooperation of multiple institutions.
  (e) High-Priority Research and Extension Areas.--
          (1) Brown citrus aphid and citrus tristeza virus 
        research and extension.--Research and extension grants 
        may be made under this section for the purpose of--
                  (A) developing methods to control or 
                eradicate the brown citrus aphid and the citrus 
                tristeza virus from citrus crops grown in the 
                United States; or
                  (B) adapting citrus crops grown in the United 
                States to the brown citrus aphid and the citrus 
                tristeza virus.
          (2) Ethanol research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of carrying on or enhancing research on ethanol 
        derived from agricultural crops as an alternative fuel 
        source.
          (3) Aflatoxin research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of identifying and controlling aflatoxin in the 
        food and feed chains.
          (4) Mesquite research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of developing enhanced production methods and 
        commercial uses of mesquite.
          (5) Prickly pear research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for 
        the purpose of investigating enhanced genetic selection 
        and processing techniques of prickly pears.
          (6) Deer tick ecology research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purpose of studying the population 
        ecology of deer ticks and other insects and pests which 
        transmit Lyme disease.
          (7) Red meat safety research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for 
        the purpose of developing--
                  (A) intervention strategies that reduce 
                microbial contamination on carcass surfaces;
                  (B) microbiological mapping of carcass 
                surfaces; and
                  (C) model hazard analysis and critical 
                control point plans.
          (8) Grain sorghum ergot research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purpose of developing techniques for 
        the eradication of sorghum ergot.
          (9) Animal waste and odor management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of--
                  (A) identifying, evaluating, and 
                demonstrating innovative technologies for 
                animal waste management and odor control; and
                  (B) conducting information workshops to 
                disseminate the results of such research.
          (10) Fire ant research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of control, management, and eradication of fire 
        ants.
          (11) Wheat scab research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to a 
        consortium of land-grant colleges and universities for 
        the purpose of understanding and combating diseases of 
        wheat and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum and 
        related fungi (commonly known as wheat scab).
          (12) Peanut market enhancement research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of evaluating the 
        economics of applying innovative technologies for 
        peanut processing in a commercial environment.
          (13) Dairy financial risk management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of providing 
        research, development, or education materials, 
        information, and outreach programs regarding risk 
        management strategies for dairy producers and for dairy 
        cooperatives and other processors and marketers of 
        milk.
          (14) Cotton research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of improving pest management, fiber quality 
        enhancement, economic assessment, textile production, 
        and optimized production systems for short staple 
        cotton.
          (15) Methyl bromide research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for 
        the purpose of--
                  (A) developing and evaluating chemical and 
                nonchemical alternatives, and use and emission 
                reduction strategies, for pre-planting and 
                post-harvest uses of methyl bromide; and
                  (B) transferring the results of such research 
                for agricultural producer use.
          (16) Water quality and aquatic ecosystem research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of investigating the 
        impact on aquatic food webs, especially commercially 
        important aquatic species and their habitats, of 
        microorganisms of the genus Pfiesteria and other 
        microorganisms that are a threat to human or animal 
        health.
          (17) Potato research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of developing and evaluating new strains of 
        potatoes which are resistant to blight and other 
        diseases, as well as insects. Emphasis may be placed on 
        developing potato varieties that lend themselves to 
        innovative marketing approaches.
          (18) Wood utilization research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purpose of developing new uses for wood 
        from underutilized tree species as well as 
        investigating methods of modifying wood and wood fibers 
        to produce better building materials.
          (19) Low-bush blueberry research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purpose of evaluating methods of 
        propagating and developing low-bush blueberry as a 
        marketable crop.
          (20) Formosan termite eradication research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of--
                  (A) conducting research for the control, 
                management, and possible eradication of 
                Formosan termites in the United States; and
                  (B) collecting data on the effectiveness of 
                research projects conducted under this 
                paragraph.
          (21) Swine waste management and odor control research 
        and extension.--Research and extension grants may be 
        made under this section for the purpose of 
        investigating the microbiology of swine waste and 
        developing improved methods to effectively manage air 
        and water quality in animal husbandry.
          (22) Wetlands utilization research and extension.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purpose of better utilizing wetlands in 
        diverse ways toprovide various economic, agricultural, 
and environmental benefits.
          (23) Wild pampas grass control and eradication 
        research and extension.--Research and extension grants 
        may be made under this section for the purpose of 
        control, management, and eradication of wild pampas 
        grass.
          (24) Pathogen detection and limitation research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of identifying 
        advanced detection and processing methods to limit the 
        presence of pathogens, including hepatitis A and E. 
        coli 0157:H7, in domestic and imported foods.
          (25) Financial risk management research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of providing 
        research, development, or education materials, 
        information, and outreach programs regarding financial 
        risk management strategies for agricultural producers 
        and for cooperatives and other processors and marketers 
        of any agricultural commodity.
          (26) Ornamental tropical fish research and 
        extension.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of meeting the needs 
        of commercial producers of ornamental tropical fish and 
        aquatic plants for improvements in the areas of fish 
        reproduction, health, nutrition, predator control, 
        water use, water quality control, and farming 
        technology.
          (27) Sheep scrapie research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for 
        the purpose of investigating the genetic aspects of 
        scrapie in sheep.
          (28) Animal waste management at rural/urban 
        interfaces.--Research and extension grants may be made 
        under this section for the purpose of identifying, 
        evaluating, and demonstrating innovative technologies 
        to be used for animal waste management (including odor 
        control) in rural areas adjacent to urban or suburban 
        areas in connection with waste management activities 
        undertaken in urban or suburban areas.
          (29) Gypsy moth research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of developing biological control, management, 
        and eradication methods against nonnative insects, 
        including Lymantria dispar (commonly known as the Gypsy 
        Moth), that contribute to significant agricultural, 
        economical, or environmental harm.
          (30) Dairy efficiency, profitability, and 
        competitiveness research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of improving the efficiency, profitability, and 
        competitiveness of dairy production on farms that are 
        heavily dependent on manufacturing uses of milk.
          (31) Animal feed research and extension.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for 
        the purpose of maximizing nutrition management for 
        livestock, while limiting risks, such as mineral 
        bypass, associated with livestock feeding practices.
          (32) Forestry research and extension.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to 
        develop and distribute new, high-quality, science-based 
        information for the purpose of improving the long-term 
        productivity of forest resources and contributing to 
        forest-based economic development by addressing such 
        issues as forest land use policies, multiple-use forest 
        management, including wildlife habitat development, 
        improved forest regeneration systems, and timber 
        supply, and improved development, manufacturing, and 
        marketing of forest products.
  (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2002 
such sums as may be necessary to make grants under this section 
in each of the high-priority research and extension areas 
specified in subsection (e).
  (g) Use of Task Forces.--
          (1) Establishment.--To facilitate the making of 
        research and extension grants under this section in a 
        high-priority research and extension area specified in 
        subsection (e), the Secretary may appoint a task force 
        to make recommendations to the Secretary.
          (2) Limitation on costs.--The Secretary may not incur 
        costs in excess of $1,000 in any fiscal year in 
        connection with each task force established under this 
        subsection.
          (3) Application of other laws.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the 
        Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et 
        seq.) shall not apply to a task force established under 
        this subsection.

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

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

SEC. 1673. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purposes of 
implementing the program established under this section, there 
are hereby authorized to be appropriated not more than 
$12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 
2002.
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 1680. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

  (a) Special Demonstration Grants.--
          (1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
          (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection--
                  (A) not less than $3,000,000 for each of the 
                fiscal years 1991 and 1992; and
                  (B) not less than $5,000,000 for each of the 
                fiscal years 1993 through [1997] 2002.
  (b) National Grant for Technical Assistance, Training and 
Dissemination.--
          (1) * * *
          (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out 
        this subsection for each of the fiscal years 1991 
        through [1997] 2002.
          * * * * * * *

                     TITLE XXIII--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

          * * * * * * *

                  Subtitle H--Miscellaneous Provisions

SEC. 2381. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (e) Limitation on Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated 
$500,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 2002.
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


        COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANT ACT

SEC. 2. COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANTS.

  (a) Establishment of Grant Program.--(1) In order to promote 
research in food, agriculture, and related areas, a research 
grants program is hereby established in the Department of 
Agriculture.
  (2) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
``Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act''.
  (b) Competitive Grants.--(1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (8) Matching Funds.--(A) * * *
  (B) In the case of grants under paragraph (3)(D), the amount 
provided under this subsection may not exceed 50 percent of the 
cost of the special research equipment or other equipment 
acquired. The Secretary may waive all or a portion of the 
matching requirement under this subparagraph in the case of a 
smaller college or university (as described in subsection 
(c)(2)(C)(ii) of section 793 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204f)) if the 
equipment to be acquired costs not more than $25,000 and has 
multiple uses within a single research project or is usable in 
more than one research project.
          * * * * * * *
  (10) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $150,000,000 
for fiscal year 1991, $275,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, 
$350,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, $400,000,000 for fiscal year 
1994, and $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 through 
[1997] 2002, of which each fiscal year--
          (A) * * *
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


     FOREST AND RANGELAND RENEWABLE RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 1978

  [Sec. 2. (a)(1) Congress finds that scientific discoveries 
and technological advances must be made and applied to support 
the protection, management, and utilization of the Nation's 
renewable resources. It is the purpose of this Act to authorize 
the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in this Act referred 
to as the ``Secretary'') to implement a comprehensive program 
of forest and rangeland renewable resources research and 
dissemination of the findings of such research.
  [(2) Congress further finds that the forest and rangeland 
renewable resources of the world are threatened by 
deforestation due to conversion to agriculture of lands better 
suited to other uses, overgrazing, over-harvesting, and other 
causes that pose a direct adverse threat to people, the global 
environment, and the world economy.]

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

  (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
          (1) Forests and rangelands, and the resources of 
        forests and rangelands, are of strategic economic and 
        ecological importance to the United States, and the 
        Federal Government has an important and substantial 
        role in ensuring the continued health, productivity, 
        and sustainability of the Nation's forests and 
        rangelands.
          (2) Over 75 percent of the productive commercial 
        forest land in the United States is in private 
        ownership, with some 60 percent owned by small 
        nonindustrial private owners. These 10,000,000 
        nonindustrial private owners are critical to providing 
        both commodity and noncommodity values to the citizens 
        of the United States.
          (3) The National Forest System manages only 17 
        percent of the Nation's commercial timberlands, with 
        over half of the standing softwoods inventory located 
        on those lands. Dramatic changes in Federal agency 
        policy during the early 1990's have significantly 
        curtailed the management of this vast timber resource, 
        causing abrupt shifts in the supply of timber from 
        public to private ownership. As a result of these 
        shifts in supply, some 60 percent of total wood 
        production in the United States is now coming from 
        private forest lands in the southern United States.
          (4) At the same time that pressures are building for 
        the removal of even more land from commercial 
        production, the Federal Government is significantly 
        reducing its commitment to productivity-related 
        research regarding forests and rangelands, which is 
        critically needed by the private sector for the 
        sustained management of remaining available timber and 
        forage resources for the benefit of all species.
          (5) Uncertainty over the availability of the United 
        States timber supply, increasing regulatory burdens, 
        and the lack of Federal Government support for research 
        is causing domestic wood and paper producers to move 
        outside the United States to find reliable sources of 
        wood supplies, which in turn results in a worsening of 
        the United States trade balance, the loss of employment 
        and infrastructure investments, and an increased risk 
        of infestations of exotic pests and diseases from 
        imported wood products.
          (6) Wood and paper producers in the United States are 
        being challenged not only by shifts in Government 
        policy, butalso by international competition from 
tropical countries where growth rates of trees far exceed those in the 
United States. Wood production per acre will need to quadruple from 
1996 levels for the United States forestry sector to remain 
internationally competitive on an ever decreasing forest land base.
          (7) Better and more frequent forest inventorying and 
        analysis is necessary to identify productivity-related 
        forestry research needs and to provide forest managers 
        with the current data necessary to make timely and 
        effective management decisions.
          * * * * * * *

                         research authorization

  Sec. 3. (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  [(d) The Secretary is authorized to conduct, support, and 
cooperate in studies and other activities the Secretary deems 
necessary to--
          [(1) evaluate renewable resource management problems 
        associated with urban-forest interface;
          [(2) assess effects of changes in Federal revenue 
        codes on private forest management and investment; and
          [(3) develop improved delivery systems for 
        information and technical assistance provided to 
        private landowners.]
  (d) High Priority Forestry and Rangelands Research and 
Education.--The Secretary may conduct, support, and cooperate 
in forestry and rangelands research and education that is of 
the highest priority to the United States and to users of 
public and private forest lands and rangelands in the United 
States. Such research and education priorities include the 
following:
          (1) The biology of forest organisms and rangeland 
        organisms.
          (2) Functional characteristics and cost-effective 
        management of forest and rangeland ecosystems.
          (3) Interactions between humans and forests and 
        rangelands.
          (4) Wood and forage as a raw material.
          (5) International trade, competition, and 
        cooperation.
  (e) Forest Inventory and Analysis.--
          (1) Program required.--In compliance with existing 
        statutory authority, the Secretary shall establish a 
        program to inventory and analyze, in a timely manner, 
        public and private forests and their resources in the 
        United States.
          (2) Annual state inventory.--Not later than the end 
        of each full fiscal year beginning after the date of 
        the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        prepare for each State, in cooperation with the State 
        forester for the State, an inventory of forests and 
        their resources in the State. For purposes of preparing 
        the inventory for a State, the Secretary shall measure 
        annually 20 percent of all sample plots that are 
        included in the inventory program for that State. Upon 
        completion of the inventory for a year, the Secretary 
        shall make available to the public a compilation of all 
        data collected for that year from measurements of 
        sample plots as well as any analysis made of such 
        samples.
          (3) Five-year reports.--At intervals not greater than 
        every five full fiscal years after the date of the 
        enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        prepare, publish, and make available to the public a 
        report, prepared in cooperation with State foresters, 
        that--
                  (A) contains a description of each State 
                inventory of forests and their resources, 
                incorporating all sample plot measurements 
                conducted during the five years covered by the 
                report;
                  (B) displays and analyzes on a nationwide 
                basis the results of the annual reports 
                required by paragraph (2); and
                  (C) contains an analysis of forest health 
                conditions and trends over the previous two 
                decades, with an emphasis on such conditions 
                and trends during the period subsequent to the 
                immediately preceding report under this 
                paragraph.
          (4) National standards and definitions.--To ensure 
        uniform and consistent data collection for all public 
        and private forest ownerships and each State, the 
        Secretary shall develop, in consultation with State 
        foresters and Federal land management agencies not 
        under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, and publish 
        national standards and definitions to be applied in 
        inventorying and analyzing forests and their resources 
        under this subsection. The standards shall include a 
        core set of variables to be measured on all sample 
        plots under paragraph (2) and a standard set of tables 
        to be included in the reports under paragraph (3).
          (5) Protection for private property rights.--The 
        Secretary shall obtain written authorization from 
        property owners prior to collecting data from sample 
        plots located on private property pursuant to 
        paragraphs (2) and (3).
          (6) Strategic plan.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a 
        strategic plan to implement and carry out this 
        subsection, including the annual updates required by 
        paragraph (2) and the reports require by paragraph (3), 
        that shall describe in detail--
                  (A) the financial resources required to 
                implement and carry out this subsection, 
                including the identification of any resources 
                required in excess of the amounts provided for 
                forest inventorying and analysis in recent 
                appropriations Acts;
                  (B) the personnel necessary to implement and 
                carry out this subsection, including any 
                personnel in addition to personnel currently 
                performing inventorying and analysis functions;
                  (C) the organization and procedures necessary 
                to implement and carry out this subsection, 
                including proposed coordination with Federal 
                land management agencies and State foresters;
                  (D) the schedules for annual sample plot 
                measurements in each State inventory required 
                by paragraph (2) within the first five-year 
                interval after the date of the enactment of 
                this subsection;
                  (E) the core set of variables to be measured 
                in each sample plot under paragraph (2) and the 
                standard set of tables to be used in each State 
                and national report under paragraph (3); and
                  (F) the process for employing, in 
                coordination with the Department of Energy and 
                the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration, remote sensing, global 
                positioning systems, and other advanced 
                technologies to carry out this subsection, and 
                the subsequent use of such technologies.
          * * * * * * *

                      [competitive research grants

  [Sec. 5.]

SEC. 5. FORESTRY AND RANGELANDS COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS.

  (a) Competitive Grant Authority.--In addition to any grants 
made under other laws, the Secretary is authorized to make 
competitive grants that will further research activities 
authorized by this Act to Federal, State, and other 
governmental agencies, public or private agencies, 
institutions, universities, and organizations, and businesses 
and individuals in the United States. In making these grants, 
the Secretary shall emphasize basic and applied research 
activities that are important to achieving the purposes of this 
Act, and shall obtain, through review by qualified scientists 
and other methods, participation in research activities by 
scientists throughout the United States who have expertise in 
matters related to forest and rangeland renewable resources. 
Grants under this section shall be made at the discretion of 
the Secretary under whatever conditions the Secretary may 
prescribe, after publicly soliciting research proposals, 
allowing sufficient time for submission of the proposals, and 
considering qualitative, quantitative, financial, 
administrative, and other factors that the Secretary deems 
important in judging, comparing, and accepting the proposals. 
The Secretary may reject any or all proposals received under 
this section if the Secretary determines that it is in the 
public interest to do so.
  (b) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Forestry Research.--The 
Secretary may use up to five percent of the amounts made 
available for research under section 3 to make competitive 
grants regarding forestry research in the high priority 
research areas identified in section 3(d).
  (c) Emphasis on Certain High Priority Rangelands Research.--
The Secretary may use up to five percent of the amounts made 
available for research under section 3 to make competitive 
grants regarding rangelands research in the high priority 
research areas identified in section 3(d).
  (d) Priorities.--In making grants under subsections (b) and 
(c), the Secretary shall give priority to research proposals in 
which--
          (1) the proposed research will be collaborative 
        research organized through a center of scientific 
        excellence;
          (2) the applicant agrees to provide matching funds 
        (in the form of direct funding or in-kind support) in 
        an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the 
        grant amount; and
          (3) the proposed research will be conducted as part 
        of an existing private and public partnership or 
        cooperative research effort and involves several 
        interested research partners.
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


          EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 1994

          * * * * * * *

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

          * * * * * * *

                       PART C--1994 INSTITUTIONS

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 533. LAND-GRANT STATUS FOR 1994 INSTITUTIONS.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated $4,600,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 
through [2000] 2002. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this 
section shall be held and considered to have been granted to 
1994 Institutions to establish an endowment pursuant to 
subsection (c).
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 535. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS.

  (a) * * *
  (b) In General.--
          (1) Institutional capacity building grants.--For each 
        of fiscal years 1996 through [2000] 2002, the Secretary 
        shall make two or more institutional capacity building 
        grants to assist 1994 Institutions with constructing, 
        acquiring, and remodeling buildings, laboratories, and 
        other capital facilities (including fixtures and 
        equipment) necessary to conduct instructional 
        activities more effectively in agriculture and 
        sciences.
          * * * * * * *
  (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Department of Agriculture to carry out 
this section, $1,700,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 through 
[2000] 2002.
          * * * * * * *

SEC. 536. RESEARCH GRANTS.

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


  SECTION 1431 OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
                 TEACHING POLICY ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1985

  authorization for appropriations for federal agricultural research 
                               facilities

  Sec. 1431. There are authorized to be appropriated for each 
of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 2002, such sums as may 
be necessary for the planning, construction, acquisition, 
alternation, and repair of buildings and other public 
improvements, including the cost of acquiring or obtaining 
rights to use land, of or used by the Agricultural Research 
Service, except that--
          (1) the cost of planning any one facility shall not 
        exceed $500,000; and
          (2) the total cost of any one facility shall not 
        exceed $5,000,000.
                              ----------                              


         SECTION 16 OF THE CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT

  Sec. 16. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of Agriculture such sums as are necessary to carry 
out this Act in each of the fiscal years 1991 through [1997] 
2002.
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


  SECTION 1432 OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
                 TEACHING POLICY ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1981

 agriculture research in 1890 land-grant colleges, including tuskegee 
                               institute

  Sec. 1432. (a) * * *
  [(b)(1) The Secretary of Agriculture shall make a grant of 
funds appropriated under paragraph (5) of this subsection to 
the one college of all the colleges eligible to receive funds 
under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), 
including Tuskegee Institute, which on the date of the 
enactment of this title--
          [(A) has initiated a dairy goat research program; and
          [(B) has the best demonstrable capacity to carry out 
        dairy goat research.
  [(2) Any grant received under paragraph (1) by such college 
may be expended to--
          [(A) pay expenses incurred in conducting dairy goat 
        research;
          [(B) print and disseminate the results of such 
        research;
          [(C) contribute to the retirement of employees 
        engaged in such research;
          [(D) plan, administer, and direct such research; and
          [(E) construct, acquire, alter, and repair buildings 
        necessary to conduct such research.
  [(3)(A) Under the terms of such grant, funds appropriated 
under paragraph (5) of this subsection for a fiscal year shall 
be paid to such college in equal quarterly installments 
beginning on or about the first day of October of such year 
upon vouchers approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
  [(B) Not later than sixty days after the end of each fiscal 
year for which funds are paid under this subsection to such 
college, the research director of such college shall submit to 
the Secretary a detailed statement of the disbursements in such 
fiscal year of funds received by such college under this 
subsection.
  [(C) If any of the funds so received by such college are by 
any action or contingency misapplied, lost, or diminished, 
then--
          [(i) such college shall replace such funds; and
          [(ii) the Secretary shall not distribute to such 
        college any other funds under this subsection until 
        such replacement is made.
  [(4) For purposes of section 1445(e) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222(e)), research and experiments funded under 
this subsection shall be deemed to be research and experiments 
funded under section 1445 of such Act.
  [(5) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
to carry out this subsection, for each of the fiscal years 1991 
through 1997 an amount equal to one per centum of the aggregate 
amount of funds appropriated under section 1445 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222) in the fiscal year preceding the fiscal 
year for which funds are authorized to be appropriated under 
this paragraph.]
                              ----------                              


         FEDERAL AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT OF 1996

          * * * * * * *

             TITLE VIII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION

          * * * * * * *

         Subtitle E--Research Authority After Fiscal Year 1997

[SEC. 897. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  [Subject to section 898, there are authorized to be 
appropriated for fiscal years 1998 through 2002 such sums as 
are necessary to carry out the agricultural research, 
extension, and education activities and initiatives of the 
Department of Agriculture.

[SEC. 898. ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  [During each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall conduct only those agricultural research, 
extension, and education activities and initiatives of the 
Department of Agriculture for which funds are specifically 
provided for the fiscal year in an appropriation Act.]
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


                 SECTION 6 OF THE ACT OF MARCH 4, 1927

AN ACT Authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a national 
                   arboretum, and for other purposes

SEC. 6. CONCESSIONS, FEES, AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES.

  (a) * * *
  (b) Use of Funds.--Any funds received or collected by the 
Secretary of Agriculture as a result of activities described in 
subsection (a) shall be retained in a special fund in the 
[Treasury] Treasury. Amounts in the special fund shall be 
available to the Secretary of Agriculture, without further 
appropriation, for the use and benefit of the National 
Arboretum as the Secretary of Agriculture considers 
appropriate.
          * * * * * * *

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

    Black land-grant colleges and universities (commonly 
referred to as ``1890s'') constitute some of the largest and 
most prestigious historically Black institutions of higher 
education in the nation. They are located in 17 states and 
enroll approximately 50 percent of all students in four-year 
programs. As economic instruments of the state and the nation, 
these institutions are committed to carrying out their historic 
land-grant mission of teaching, research and extension. Through 
the land-grant mission, 1890s have had an extraordinary 
influence on the lives of African Americans and particularly 
those in limited resource communities.
    While challenging historic inequities, the 1890s have been 
exemplary role models, have served as a fertile source of 
professional leadership and have fostered an unyielding 
commitment to academic excellence, social equality and the 
assurance of a decent future for students from the lowest 
economic strata of the Nation. Although the 1890s have played a 
major role in fostering equality of opportunity in agricultural 
sciences and beyond, they continue to face nearly 
insurmountable barriers in generating in the level and quality 
of resources traditionally available to comparable institutions 
of higher learning. Indeed, the 1890s are products of a 
tenaciously segregated system of higher education. 
Discriminatory policies and practices at the state level 
continue to have an adverse impact on the capacity of these 
institutions to create competitive programs in research, 
teaching and extension.
    For a number of reasons, since passage of the Justice 
Morril Acts states have failed to provide matching support for 
land-grand programs comparable to appropriations to 1862 land-
grand institutions. Alcorn State University is the only Black 
land-grant university receiving 100 percent matching support 
commensurate with federal formula funds. Other 1890s receive 
either no state support or less than 25 percent. This virtual 
absence of state support is compounded by the lack of federal 
support, which was not appropriated until 1967.
    It is our view that to promote preeminence in the nation's 
land-grant system, states should be encouraged to provide the 
level and quality of support that will contribute significantly 
to the overall vitality of the university community and the 
students and families they serve. The 1890s are in a strategic 
position to serve as economic instruments to the nation in 
serving limited resource farmers and families, and the 
necessity of containing this mission has recently been 
highlighted by the finding of the USDA's Civil Rights Action 
Team Report (February 1997).
    Thus, it is critical that the Congress recognize these 
historic factors, and it is our hope that section 212 and other 
relevant sections of HR 2543, the 1997 Research Reauthorization 
Bill, adequately account for the systemic inequities in the 
land-grant and particularly in the allocation of state matching 
support to the 1890s. It is equally critical that he Congress 
and the Secretary encourage states, USDA and 1890 universities 
to formulate appropriate policies and programs that foster 
fiscal parity, while resolving a range of other disparities--
state of the art facilities, basic and applied research in food 
and agriculture sciences, information technology and 
telecommunications graduate and doctoral programs, and 
comprehensive outreach programs to limited source communities.

                                   Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.,
                                   Earl F. Hilliard,
                                   Bennie G. Thompson,
                                   Eva M. Clayton.

                                
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