[House Report 112-574]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 414
112th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 112-574
THIRD SEMIANNUAL
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
DURING THE 112TH CONGRESS
(DECEMBER 15, 2011 TO JUNE 27, 2012)
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 29, 2012.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_____
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COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma, Chairman
BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia, COLLIN C. PETERSON, Minnesota,
Vice Chairman Ranking Minority Member
TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania
STEVE KING, Iowa MIKE McINTYRE, North Carolina
RANDY NEUGEBAUER, Texas LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa
K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas JOE BACA, California
JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California
JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio DAVID SCOTT, Georgia
GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania HENRY CUELLAR, Texas
THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida JIM COSTA, California
MARLIN A. STUTZMAN, Indiana TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota
BOB GIBBS, Ohio KURT SCHRADER, Oregon
AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia LARRY KISSELL, North Carolina
SCOTT R. TIPTON, Colorado WILLIAM L. OWENS, New York
STEVE SOUTHERLAND II, Florida CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine
ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD, Arkansas JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut
MARTHA ROBY, Alabama PETER WELCH, Vermont
TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio
SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN,
RENEE L. ELLMERS, North Carolina Northern Mariana Islands
CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON, New York TERRI A. SEWELL, Alabama
RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts
VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
ROBERT T. SCHILLING, Illinois
REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin
KRISTI L. NOEM, South Dakota
------
Professional Staff
Nicole Scott, Staff Director
Kevin J. Kramp, Chief Counsel
Tamara Hinton, Communications Director
Robert L. Larew, Minority Staff Director
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, D.C., June 27, 2012.
Hon. Karen L. Haas,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Ms. Haas: Pursuant to rule XI, clause 1(d), of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, I herewith submit to the
House a report of the activities of the Committee on
Agriculture during the first quarter of the 112th Congress.
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely,
Hon. Frank D. Lucas,
Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
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Page
I. Summary of Organization, Jurisdiction, and Oversight Plan of
the Committee on Agriculture................................... 1
A. Organization.............................................. 1
B. Committee Jurisdiction.................................... 4
C. Oversight Plan............................................ 8
II. Committee Activities During the 112th Congress............... 16
A. Main Legislative Activities............................... 16
B. Statistical Summary of Activities......................... 25
C. Digest of Bills Within the Jurisdiction of the Committee
on Which Action Has Been Taken............................. 26
1. Bills Enacted into Law................................ 26
2. Bills Acted on by the House But Not the Senate........ 36
3. House Resolutions Considered in the House............. 50
4. Bills Reported........................................ 51
D. Oversight................................................. 59
E. Meetings Not Printed...................................... 73
F. Committee Prints.......................................... 74
III. Appendix.................................................... 74
A. Executive Communications.................................. 74
B. Statutory and Special Reports............................. 110
Union Calendar No. 414
112th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 112-574
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE ON ACTIVITIES DURING THE 112TH
CONGRESS
_______
June 29, 2012.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Lucas, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the following
R E P O R T
In accordance with rule XI, clause 1(d), of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture
reports herewith on its activities during the 112th Congress.
I. Summary of Organization, Jurisdiction, and Oversight Plan of the
Committee on Agriculture
a. organization
The House of Representatives established the total
authorized membership of the Committee on Agriculture for the
112th Congress at 46, with a party division of 26 Republicans
and 20 Democrats. Among the committee members were 16
Representatives who were serving their first terms (Gibbs,
Austin Scott, Fincher, Tipton, Southerland, Crawford, Roby,
Huelskamp, DesJarlais, Ellmers, Gibson, Hultgren, Hartzler,
Schilling, Ribble, Sewell, and Noem ).
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Resigned from Committee May 11, 2011.
Appointed to Committee and Subcommittee June 14, 2011.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
(Ratio includes ex officio Members.)
(Frank D. Lucas, Chairman, and Collin C. Peterson, Ranking
Minority Member, are ex officio Members of all Subcommittees.)
The Committee organized on January 25, 2011, into six
subcommittees, five of which were assigned jurisdiction over
major agricultural commodities and one that dealt with various
related agricultural operations. The six subcommittees were
constituted as follows:
Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
(Ratio 12-10 (Total 22))
GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania,
Chairman
TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania, Ranking Minority MemberE, Virginia
KURT SCHRADER, Oregon MARLIN A. STUTZMAN, Indiana
WILLIAM L. OWENS, New York BOB GIBBS, Ohio
MIKE McINTYRE, North Carolina STEPHEN LEE FINCHER, Tennessee
JIM COSTA, California SCOTT R. TIPTON, Colorado
TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota STEVE SOUTHERLAND II, Florida
CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine MARTHA ROBY, Alabama
MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, Northern Mariana Islandsinois
REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin
KRISTI L. NOEM, South Dakota
Jurisdiction: Soil, water, and resource conservation, small
watershed program, energy and bio-based energy production,
rural electrification, forestry in general and forest reserves
other than those created from the public domain.
------
Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit
(Ratio 6-4 (Total 10))
JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska,
Chairman
MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio, Ranking Minority Member. JOHNSON, Illinois
JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts STEVE KING, Iowa
JOE BACA, California ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD,
Arkansas
STEPHEN LEE FINCHER, Tennessee
KRISTI L. NOEM, South Dakota
Jurisdiction: Agency oversight, review and analysis,
special investigations, and agricultural credit.
------
Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture
(Ratio 6-4 (Total 10))
JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio, Chairwoman
JOE BACA, California, Ranking Minority MemberNG, Iowa
CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, Northern Mariana IslandsI, Florida
ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD,
Arkansas
Jurisdiction: Food stamps, nutrition and consumer programs,
fruits and vegetables, honey and bees, marketing and promotion
orders, plant pesticides, quarantine, adulteration of seeds and
insect pests, and organic agriculture.
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Resigned from Committee May 11, 2011.
Appointed to Committee and Subcommittee June 14, 2011.
------
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
(Ratio 15-11 (Total 26))
K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas,
Chairman
LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa, Ranking Minority MemberIowa
MIKE McINTYRE, North Carolina RANDY NEUGEBAUER, Texas
TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio
LARRY KISSELL, North Carolina BOB GIBBS, Ohio
JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD,
DAVID SCOTT, Georgia Arkansas
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut MARTHA ROBY, Alabama
PETER WELCH, Vermont TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
TERRI A. SEWELL, Alabama RENEE L. ELLMERS, North Carolina
CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON, New York
RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois
VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
ROBERT T. SCHILLING, Illinois
Jurisdiction: Program and markets related to cotton,
cottonseed, wheat, feed grains, soybeans, oilseeds, rice, dry
beans, peas, lentils, the Commodity Credit Corporation, risk
management, including crop insurance, commodity exchanges, and
specialty crops.
------
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
(Ratio 11-9 (Total 20))
THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida,
Chairman
DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California, Ranking Minority Memberginia
DAVID SCOTT, Georgia STEVE KING, Iowa
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut RANDY NEUGEBAUER, Texas
TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa STEPHEN LEE FINCHER, Tennessee
JOE BACA, California TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
KURT SCHRADER, Oregon SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
WILLIAM L. OWENS, New York CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON, New York
REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin
KRISTI L. NOEM, South Dakota
Jurisdiction: Livestock, dairy, poultry, meat, seafood and
seafood products, inspection, marketing, and promotion of such
commodities, aquaculture, animal welfare, and grazing.
------
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture
(Ratio 8-6 (Total 14))
TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois,
Chairman
JIM COSTA, California, Ranking Minority MemberMPSON, Pennsylvania
HENRY CUELLAR, Texas MARLIN A. STUTZMAN, Indiana
PETER WELCH, Vermont AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
TERRI A. SEWELL, Alabama RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois
LARRY KISSELL, North Carolina VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
ROBERT T. SCHILLING, Illinois
Jurisdiction: Rural Development, farm security and family
farming matters; research, education and extension,
biotechnology, foreign agriculture assistance, and trade
promotion programs, generally.
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Resigned from Committee May 11, 2011.
Appointed to Committee and Subcommittee June 14, 2011.
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b. committee jurisdiction
Under Rules adopted by the House of Representatives for the
111th Congress, the Committee on Agriculture's (hereinafter
also referred to as Committee) jurisdiction (See Rule X, clause
1 of the Rules of the House of Representatives) extended to--
(1) Adulteration of seeds, insect pests, and protection of
birds and animals in forest reserves.
(2) Agriculture generally.
(3) Agricultural and industrial chemistry.
(4) Agricultural colleges and experiment stations.
(5) Agricultural economics and research.
(6) Agricultural education extension services.
(7) Agricultural production and marketing and stabilization
of prices of agricultural products, and commodities
(not including distribution outside of the United
States).
(8) Animal industry and diseases of animals.
(9) Commodity exchanges.
(10) Crop insurance and soil conservation.
(11) Dairy industry.
(12) Entomology and plant quarantine.
(13) Extension of farm credit and farm security.
(14) Inspection of livestock, poultry, meat products, and
seafood and seafood products.
(15) Forestry in general, and forest reserves other than
those created from the public domain.
(16) Human nutrition and home economics.
(17) Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering.
(18) Rural electrification.
(19) Rural development.
(20) Water conservation related to activities of the
Department of Agriculture.
The revised edition of the Rules and Manual of the House of
Representatives for the 107th Congress (House Document No. 106-
320) provides the following concerning the Committee on
Agriculture:\1\
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\1\References are to the volume and section of Hinds' (volumes I-V,
e.g., IV, 500) and Cannon's (volumes VI-VIII, e.g., VI, 400) Precedents
of the House of Representatives, and to the Congressional Record by
date and page (e.g., January 3, 1953, p. 500).
``This Committee was established in 1820 (IV, 4149).
In 1880 the subject of forestry was added to its
jurisdiction, and the Committee was conferred authority
to receive estimates of and to report appropriations
(IV, 4149). However, on July 1, 1920, authority to
report appropriations for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture was transferred to the Committee on
Appropriations (VII, 1860).
The basic form of the present jurisdictional
statement was made effective January 2, 1947, as a part
of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat.
812). Subparagraph (7) was altered by the 93d Congress,
effective January 3, 1975, to include jurisdiction over
agricultural commodities (including the Commodity
Credit Corporation) while transferring jurisdiction
over foreign distribution and non-domestic production
of commodities to the Committee on International
Relations (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct 8, 1974, p.
34470). Nevertheless, the Committee has retained a
limited jurisdiction over measures to release CCC
stocks for such foreign distribution (Sept. 14, 1989,
p. 20428). Previously unstated jurisdictions over
commodities exchanges and rural development were
codified effective January 3, 1975.
The 104th Congress consolidated the Committee's
jurisdiction over inspection of livestock and meat
products to include inspection of poultry, seafood, and
seafood products, and added subparagraph (20) relating
to water conservation (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4,
1995, p.464). Clerical and stylistic changes were
effected when the House recodified its rules in the
106th Congress (H. Res. 5. Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47).
The Committee has had jurisdiction of bills for
establishing and regulating the Department of
Agriculture (IV, 4150), for inspection of livestock and
meat products, regulation of animal industry, diseases
of animals (IV, 4154; VII, 1862), adulteration of
seeds, insect pests, protection of birds and animals in
forest reserves (IV, 4157; VII, 1870), the improvement
of the breed of horses, even with the cavalry service
in view (IV, 4158; VII, 1865), and in addition to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, amending Horse
Protection Act to prevent the shipping, transporting,
moving, delivering, or receiving of horses to be
slaughtered for human consumption (July 13, 2006, p.
5270).
The Committee, having charge of the general subject
of forestry, has reported bills relating to timber, and
forest reserves other than those created from the
public domain (IV, 4160). The Committee on Natural
Resources, and not this committee, has jurisdiction
over a bill to convey land that is part of a National
Forest created from the public domain (March 23, 2004,
p. 1344). It has also exercised jurisdiction of bills
relating to agricultural colleges and experiment
stations (IV, 4152), incorporation of agricultural
societies (IV, 4159), and establishment of a highway
commission (IV, 4153), to discourage fictitious and
gambling transactions in farm products (IV, 4161; VII,
1861), to regulate the transportation, sale and
handling of dogs and cats intended for use in research
and the licensing of animal research facilities (July
29, 1965, p. 18691); and to designate an agricultural
research center (May 14, 1995, p. 11070). The Committee
shares with the Committee on the Judiciary jurisdiction
over a bill comprehensively amending the Immigration
and Nationality Act and including food stamp
eligibility requirements for aliens (Sept. 19, 1995, p.
25533).
The House referred the President's message dealing
with the refinancing of farm-mortgage indebtedness to
the Committee, thus conferring jurisdiction (April 4,
1933, p. 1209).
The Committee has jurisdiction over a bill relating
solely to executive level position in the Department of
Agriculture (Mar. 2, 1976, p. 4958) and has
jurisdiction over bills to develop land and water
conservation programs on private and non-Federal lands
(June 7, 1976, p. 16768).''
Some of the specific areas in which the Committee on
Agriculture exercises its jurisdiction or that have been
created for the Committee by historical reference include:
(1) Public Law 480, Eighty-third Congress, the
restoration, expansion, and development of foreign
markets for United States agricultural products; and
the effect of the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (and the North American Free Trade Agreement),
bilateral free trade agreements, the European
Community, and other regional economic agreements and
commodity marketing and pricing systems on United
States agriculture.
(2) All matters relating to the establishment and
development of an effective Foreign Agricultural
Service.
(3) Matters relating to rural development, including rural
telephone companies, farm credit banks, farm rural
housing loans, rural water supply, rural flood control
and water pollution control programs, and loans for
rural firehouses, community facilities, and businesses.
(4) Production and use of energy from agricultural and
forestry resources.
(5) Matters relating to the development, use, and
administration of the National Forests, including, but
not limited to, development of a sound program for
general public use of the National Forests consistent
with watershed protection and sustained-yield timber
management, study of the forest fire prevention and
control policies and activities of the Forest Service
and their relation to coordinated activities of other
Federal, State, and private agencies; Forest Service
land exchanges; and wilderness and similar use
designations applied to National Forest land.
(6) Price spreads of agricultural commodities between
producers and consumers.
(7) The formulation and development of improved programs
for agricultural commodities; matters relating to the
inspection, grading, and marketing of such commodities,
including seafood; and food safety generally.
(8) Matters relating to trading in futures contracts for
all commodities and similar instruments, including
commodity options and commodity leverage contracts.
(9) The administration and operation of agricultural
programs through State and county committees and the
administrative policies and procedures relating to the
selection, election, and operation of such committees.
(10) The administration and development of small watershed
programs under Public Law 566, Eighty-third Congress,
as amended, and the development of resource
conservation and development programs for rural areas.
(11) Programs of food assistance or distribution supported
in whole or in part by funds of the Department of
Agriculture, including but not limited to the food
stamp program and the commodity distribution program.
(12) Aquaculture programs of the Department of Agriculture.
(13) Sugar legislation, including import control programs
that stabilize domestic prices.
(14) All matters relating to pesticides, the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as
amended, the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control
Act of 1972, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act Amendments of 1988, and the Food
Quality Protection Act of 1996, including, but not
limited to, the registration, marketing, and safe use
of pesticides, groundwater contamination, and the
coordination of the pesticide program under FIFRA with
food safety programs.
(15) Agricultural research programs, including, but not
limited to, the authorization of specific research
projects and agricultural biotechnology development
efforts.
(16) All matters relating to the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act.
(17) Legislation relating to the control of the entry into
the United States of temporary, nonresident aliens for
employment in agricultural production.
(18) Legislation relating to the general operations and the
Organic Act of the Department of Agriculture, the
Commodity Credit Corporation, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, Farm Credit Administration, Farm Credit
System, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, and
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
(19) Producer-funded research, promotion, and consumer and
industry information programs for agricultural
commodities.
(20) Legislation regarding reclamation water projects where
the pricing of water delivered by such projects is
affected by whether the water will be used in the
production of a crop for which an acreage reduction
program is in effect.
(21) Legislation regarding reclamation water projects for
which the Secretary of Agriculture is required to make
a determination regarding commodity availability prior
to the determination of the price to be charged for the
delivery of such project water.
(22) Legislation establishing the level of fees charged by
the Federal Government for the grazing of livestock on
Federal lands.
(23) Legislation governing the Federal regulation of
transactions involving swaps contracts, hybrid
financial instruments, and derivative securities and
financial products.
(24) Legislation regarding the Federal Reserve Board with
respect to its authority to regulate the establishment
of appropriate levels of margin on stock index futures
contracts.
The Committee also reviews and studies, on a continuing
basis, the current and prospective application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws,
the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of the
Committee, and the organization and operation of the Federal
agencies and entities having responsibilities in or for the
administration and execution thereof. In addition, the
Committee, along with other standing Committees of the House,
has the function of reviewing and studying on a continuing
basis the effect or probable effect of tax and other fiscal and
monetary policies affecting subjects within their jurisdiction.
c. oversight plan
The Committee on Agriculture met on February 10, 2011 to
also fulfill the General Oversight Responsibility reporting
requirements of Rule X 2(d)(1) of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
The following outline was prepared in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member and approved by the Full Committee
which was forwarded to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform and the Committee on House Administration on
February 10, 2011:
Oversight Plan House Committee on Agriculture 112TH Congress
The committee expects to exercise appropriate oversight
activity with regard to the following issues:
2008 Farm Bill and Current Agricultural Conditions
Review the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
implementation of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (FCEA);
Conduct an audit or inventory of every farm bill
program under the committee's jurisdiction;
Review programs that may be inefficient,
duplicative, outdated or more appropriately
administered by State or local governments for possible
cuts or elimination;
Review programs for waste, fraud and abuse;
Review the current state of health of the U.S. farm
economy;
Review USDA's initial and subsequent implementation
of FCEA payment limit and adjusted gross income
provisions;
Review USDA's use of Ad Hoc Disaster Assistance;
Review the state of credit conditions and
availability in rural America;
Review the impact of weather conditions on crop
production;
Review USDA's activities regarding implementation of
the U.S. Warehouse Act;
Review of market situation, including impact of crop
reports and projections;
Review colony collapse disorder and other long term
threats to pollinator health;
Review USDA's implementation of the U.S. Grain
Standards Act;
Review USDA's implementation of the Fair and
Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004;
Review the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) management
controls for Finality Rule and equitable relief
decisions;
Review how Administrative Pay-Go is affecting
Department actions; and
Review discretionary actions by USDA that are not
directly authorized by legislation.
Energy
Assess implementation of energy programs authorized
by FCEA;
Review administration of the Biomass Crop Assistance
Program (BCAP);
Review activities funded by the Biomass Research and
Development Act (BRDA) and input from the external BRDA
Advisory Board;
Review availability of agriculture and forestry
feedstocks for renewable energy production;
Review current status of research on energy crops
and feedstocks;
Review RUS electric loan program;
Review electricity reliability in rural America;
Review current provisions in existing law that
support agriculture-based energy production and use;
Review the implementation of the Renewable Fuels
Standard (RFA);
Review programs that may be inefficient,
duplicative, outdated or more appropriately
administered by State or local governments for possible
cuts or elimination;
Review renewable fuel programs and their impact on
agriculture; and
Review USDA's energy infrastructure initiative.
Conservation and the Environment
Review the impact of regulatory activities by the
EPA and its effect on agriculture productivity;
Review the impact of regulatory activities carried
out pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), or
any proposed legislative changes to such Act, on
agricultural producers;
Review the impact of the Administration's regulatory
activity relative to methyl bromide on production of
agriculture in the U.S.;
Review of EPA's resource needs as they pertain to
the collection of pesticide user fees;
Review any proposed legislation to implement the
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants to the
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution,
and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed
Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and
Pesticides in International Trade;
Review the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture;
Review budget and program activities of the NRCS;
Review implementation of all of USDA's conservation
programs;
Review conservation streamlining initiatives to
eliminate duplicative and overlapping programs;
Review programs that may be inefficient,
duplicative, outdated or more appropriately
administered by State or local governments for possible
cuts or elimination;
Review EPA's jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act
(CWA) and its impact to U.S. agriculture;
Review of potential impacts of EPA's Clean Air Act
(CAA) regulatory program on U.S. agriculture;
Review ongoing discussions and potential
consequences for American agriculture under the United
Nations Climate Change Conference;
Review EPA's implementation of the Food Quality
Protection Act (FQPA), FIFRA and Pesticide Registration
Improvement Renewal Act (PRIA II);
Review the impact of litigation and rulemaking
concerning FIFRA, ESA, CAA, CWA, the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right
to Know Act (EPCRA) and for impacts agricultural
operations;
Review the EPA's regulatory actions in regard to
pesticide evaluations;
Review of EPA's regulation of Animal Feeding
Operations;
Review of the non-emergency haying and grazing
provisions of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP);
Review of the operation of the Resource,
Conservation and Development Program; and
Review of Total Maximum Daily Load strategies and
impacts on production agriculture.
Federal Crop Insurance and Risk Management
Review USDA's implementation of crop insurance
provisions of the FCEA;
Review the effectiveness of the Supplemental Revenue
Assistance Payments Program (SURE);
Review the role and effectiveness of the Federal
Crop Insurance Program;
Review USDA's and the Risk Management Agency's (RMA)
administration and oversight of the Federal Crop
Insurance Program;
Review the availability of crop insurance as a risk
management tool;
Review programs that may be inefficient,
duplicative, outdated or more appropriately
administered by State or local governments for possible
cuts or elimination;
Review USDA's activities designed to find and reduce
crop insurance program waste, fraud, and abuse;
Review USDA's handling of the SRA process;
Review RMA's combination of revenue protection crop
insurance programs;
Review the operations of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (CFTC);
Review the growing consolidation and
internationalization of futures exchange trading;
Review market machinations for exchange traded
energy and agricultural future products;
Review enforcement and oversight capabilities of the
CFTC both domestically and internationally; and
Review the role of the CFTC in light of potential
climate change legislation.
Implementation of Title VII of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act
Review the process by which the CFTC engages in
rulemaking as directed by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank
Act to ensure--
(1) it is a transparent process;
(2) the sequence, timing and comment deadlines of rule
proposals allow for meaningful public comment;
(3) cost benefit analysis is adequately performed and
reflected in rule proposals;
(4) the CFTC is well coordinated with other Federal
financial regulators responsible for implementing
Title VII;
(5) regulations do not impose undue or excessive burdens
on financial markets and the economy;
(6) regulations are consistent with the intent and
statutory language of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Examine the CFTC, SEC and Federal Reserve rules as
they relate to the exemption for commercial end-users,
including the application of margin and capital to end-
user OTC transactions;
Examine the feasibility of timetables established by
Dodd-Frank in building the data, technology and
connectivity necessary to meet regulatory objectives;
Review the impact of Title VII on market structure;
Review the impact of proposed transparency
mechanisms on trade pricing and liquidity;
Review the impact of Title VII on the global
competitiveness of U.S. firms.
Agriculture Trade and International Food Aid
Review ongoing multilateral, regional, and bilateral
trade negotiations (including WTO accession agreements)
to assess their potential impact on U.S. agriculture;
Review implementation of existing trade agreements
and commitments as well as proposed new trade
agreements and commitments to determine--
(1) whether they are consistent with current U.S. law;
(2) whether they will promote economic development in
rural areas of the U.S.;
(3) their impact or potential impact on current
production of import sensitive agricultural
commodities, and on exports of U.S. agricultural
products; and
(4) their impact or potential impact on the overall
competitiveness of the U.S. agricultural sector,
including the production, processing and
distribution of agricultural products.
Monitor existing trade agreements to ensure trading
partners are meeting obligations and enforcing trade
commitments;
Review farm export programs to determine how well
they are promoting the interests of U.S. agriculture
and examine proposals to improve, modify or expand such
programs;
Assess U.S. food aid programs to determine their
impact or potential impact on the reduction of world
hunger. In particular, the committee will examine the
potential impact of multilateral trade negotiations on
the effectiveness of U.S. food aid programs; and
Address sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) barriers
and other technical barriers to U.S. agricultural
exports and examine USDA efforts to eliminate such
barriers.
Agricultural Research and Promotion
Review implementation of biosecurity protocols at
USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratories;
Review USDA's implementation of research, education
and extension programs authorized in FCEA;
Review the administration of the ARS research
stations and worksites;
Review USDA's continuing ability to conduct foreign
animal disease research, training and diagnostic
programs at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
following the transfer of the center to the Department
of Homeland Security;
Assess Federal efforts to facilitate research and
development of aquacultural enterprises, specifically
focusing on the activities of the Joint Committee on
Aquaculture;
Review implementation of USDA's regulation on
organic standards;
Review implementation of USDA's collection of
organic production and market data;
Review implementation of National Institute of Food
and Agriculture (NIFA);
Review coordination between ARS, Economic Research
Service (ERS), NIFA and action agencies in USDA--such
as NRCS and FSA--in order to prevent duplicative
research;
Review operation of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory
Board;
Review USDA's efforts to expand research and
development of pathogen reduction technologies;
Evaluate the current mix of research funding
mechanisms to ensure maximum benefits from these
investments to producers, processors and consumers;
Review administration of USDA's agricultural
marketing and promotion programs;
Review of coordination between USDA and DOE on
energy research programs;
Review of congressional appropriation process and
implications on research funding under ARS, ERS, NASS
and NIFA;
Review of ARS, ERS, NASS and NIFA national program
priorities;
Oversight of research grant process to coordinate
and prevent overlapping research; and
Review the potential for research and technology
transfer to address the needs of both the biofuels and
livestock industries.
Biotechnology
Review current regulations and research regarding
animal and plant biotechnology;
Review the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
findings regarding cloned animal products and
regulation of genetically engineered animals;
Assess USDA's efforts to develop and promote
benefits of biotechnology for increasing agricultural
productivity and combating hunger globally; and
Review USDA's management and controls over
biotechnology-derived material.
U.S. Forest Service Administration
Review U.S. Forest Service (USFS) budget, with
special attention to land acquisition and easement
programs;
Continue to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency
of the Forest Service fire management program,
including the impact of hazardous fuels management,
forest health efforts and fire preparedness;
Review the impact of fire expenses on other USFS
program delivery;
Assess the USFS strategy for timber harvesting on
Federal lands; and
Review USFS efforts to promote utilization of
Federal forests for renewable energy purposes.
Dairy
Review options to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of dairy programs; and
Review efficiency of Federal market order system.
Outreach and Civil Rights
Review implementation of Section 14012 of the FCEA;
Review the implementation of the Office of Advocacy
and Outreach;
Monitor USDA's outreach efforts to small and
minority farmers/ranchers;
Review of the operations of the office of the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights;
Review USDA process for evaluating discrimination
claims under the Pigford settlement;
Review of the delivery of USDA services and outreach
efforts on Indian reservations and tribal lands;
Review current status of Agricultural Census and
efforts to reach undercounted farmers and ranchers; and
Review participation of minority farmers in FSA
County/Local Committees as well as outreach to increase
participation in County Committee elections.
USDA General Administration
Review confidentiality of information provided to
USDA by agricultural producers;
Review USDA's field office structure for the purpose
of delivering commodity, conservation, energy and rural
development programs;
Review USDA's plan to modernize its Information
Technology (IT) systems; and
Review the administrative structure of USDA for
effectiveness and additional efficiencies.
Farm Credit, Rural Development, and the Rural Economy
Review Farm Credit Administration's (FCA) regulatory
program and activities regarding the Farm Credit System
(FCS) to assure the its safety and soundness;
Review of Farmer Mac activities and programs;
Review of FSA's direct and guaranteed loan programs
and graduation efforts;
Review of the Rural Electrification Act (REA);
Review of the farm economy and access to credit;
Review implementation of rural development policies
and authorities contained in FCEA and the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act;
Review programs that may be inefficient,
duplicative, outdated or more appropriately
administered by State or local governments for possible
cuts or elimination;
Conduct oversight of the USDA's Rural Broadband
Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program;
Conduct oversight of new Rural Microentrepreneur
Assistance Program;
Conduct oversight of the implementation of the
USDA's Telecommunications Programs;
Review the status of the Rural Telephone Bank;
Assess state of rural water systems and
effectiveness of Federal funding to build and upgrade
those systems;
Assess rural infrastructure and business needs and
effectiveness of USDA programs targeted to those needs;
Review of agriculture lending practices;
Review of definition of ``rural'' under rural
development programs; and
Review of rural development loan programs and
default rates.
USDA Food and Nutrition Programs
Review food and nutrition programs including the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), fruit
and vegetable initiatives, the Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food Distribution on
Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and other commodity
distribution programs;
Assess the level of participation by states in SNAP
and examine state options for expanding SNAP
participation;
Review buying patterns of SNAP recipients and
methods for encouraging balanced lifestyles;
Review programs that may be inefficient,
duplicative, outdated or more appropriately
administered by State or local governments for possible
cuts or elimination;
Review efforts by state SNAP administrators to
modernize and streamline their programs;
Review the Community Food Project Program to ensure
cooperative grants are working;
Review of the SNAP retailer approval process; and
Review of the implementation of changes made to the
SNAP Nutrition Education Program.
Food Safety
Review implementation of the FDA Food Safety
Modernization Act;
Review implementation of the recent FDA Egg Safety
Rule;
Review USDA's administration of meat and poultry
inspection laws and the FDA's food inspection
activities to ensure the development of scientifically
sound systems for food safety assurance;
Review USDA's implementation of the catfish
inspection program;
Review USDA's efforts to educate consumers regarding
safe food handling practices and streamline the
assessment and approval of food safety technologies;
Review implementation of new protocols for meat,
poultry, eggs, or seafood safety inspection; and
Review USDA's enforcement of the Humane Methods of
Slaughter Act and humane handling regulations.
Plant and Animal Health
Review enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act;
Assess Federal efforts to reduce threats to human,
animal, and plant health due to predatory and invasive
species;
Assess USDA's Animal Disease Traceability Plan; and
Review implementation of Sec. 10201--Plant pest and
disease management and disaster prevention.
Livestock Marketing
Assess the effectiveness of the Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) in
determining market manipulation in the livestock
industry;
Review structural changes in agribusiness and the
potential cost and benefits for agricultural producers;
and
Review the USDA's mandatory livestock price
reporting system.
Homeland and Agricultural Security
Oversight of USDA's preparedness against terrorist
threats to agriculture production; and
Review of agriculture inspection activities under
the Department of Homeland Security.
Miscellaneous
Review the implementation and impact of The American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on USDA
programs;
Review implementation of the Specialty Crop
Competitiveness Act;
Review of the impact of transportation
infrastructure issues on agriculture and forestry;
Review USDA's implementation and enforcement of the
country of origin labeling rule; and
Assess operation of the Fruit and Vegetable (FAV)
planting prohibition pilot program.
Consultation With Other Committees To Reduce Duplication
With Natural Resources Committee on forestry issues,
ESA issues and other public land issues;
With Science Committee on Research;
With Ways and Means and Education and the Workforce
on nutrition programs;
With Ways and Means on trade issues;
With Homeland Security on importation of animal and
plant material and on research related to
agroterrorism;
With Judiciary on immigrant agricultural labor;
With Energy and Commerce on food safety and biomass
energy programs both existing and new;
With Transportation and Infrastructure on CWA
compliance issues;
With Financial Services Committee on Dodd-Frank Act
issues; and
With any other committee as appropriate.
II. Committee Activities During the 112th Congress
a. main legislative activities
The Committee on Agriculture reported or otherwise
considered a variety of bills in the 112th Congress covering
many of the diverse areas within its jurisdictional interests.
Some of the major activities of the committee during the
112th Congress included the following:
Agenda for the House Agriculture Committee
The Agriculture Committee approached its business in
an open, transparent manner and maintained the strong
bipartisan tradition of the Committee. One of the main
priorities of the Committee during this Congress was to
provide oversight to the various federal agencies
through the hearing process.
The Agriculture Committee held 25 full committee
hearings and business meetings during the 112th
Congress. Various subcommittees held 40 hearings during
the 112th Congress.
The Committee heard testimony from Administration
officials on 66 occasions, including 45 testimonies
from U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives,
and 9 from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Additional testimony heard by the Committee was offered
by university researchers, nonprofit organizations,
trade groups, and farmers and ranchers from across the
United States and totaled 220 testimonies all together.
Biotechnology
In January 2011, the Committee held a public forum
to review the biotechnology product regulatory approval
process. The public forum was held to explore the issue
in advance of that decision.
Trade
On April 7, 2011, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson, Chairman
of the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research,
Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture, held a public
hearing to review market promotion programs and their
effectiveness on expanding exports of U.S. agricultural
products.
Oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission
On February 17, 2011, the House Agriculture
Committee held a public hearing to review the state of
the farm economy. Members of the committee heard
testimony from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary
Tom Vilsack and questioned him on a variety of topics
including the many regulatory burdens affecting the
livelihoods of farmers and ranchers. The committee also
discussed economic trends in prices, input costs, and
farm output.
March 31, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee held
a public hearing to review the definitions of key terms
included in Title VII of the Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act, such as ``swap,'' ``Swap
Dealer,'' and ``Major Swap Participant.'' Additionally,
Members examined how end-users will be impacted by
these definitions and regulatory designations. The Act
does not define an end-user explicitly. In order to
qualify for the end-user exemption, a company must not
be designated a Swap Dealer, Major Swap Participant, or
a financial entity.
On April 13, 2011, Rep. K. Michael Conaway, Chairman
of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and
Risk Management held a public hearing to further review
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC)
rulemaking process for implementing title VII of the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act.
On May 4, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee
approved H.R. 1573, to facilitate implementation of
title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act,
promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market
disruption. This legislation gives regulators
additional time to write and vet the rules governing
derivatives, and brings the U.S. into alignment with
our G20 partners on financial reform.
On April 15, 2011, U.S. Representatives Frank D.
Lucas, Spencer Bachus, K. Michael Conaway, and Scott
Garrett introduced H.R. 1573, which would extend the
deadline by 18 months for implementing Title VII of the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act. The bill gives the regulatory agencies more time
to effectively meet the objectives of the derivatives
title, to prioritize deliberation over speed, to
consider the costs and benefits, and to understand the
cumulative impact of the rules that will be applied to
the marketplace. Additionally, the bill realigns the
U.S. with the G20 agreement to implement reform by
December 2012.
On July 21, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee
held a public hearing to review the impact of
derivatives reform on end users and smaller financial
institutions. Members of the Committee heard from a
diverse group of witnesses representing community
banks, public power companies, rural electric co-ops,
and manufacturers who expressed concerns that the
CFTC's regulations may go too far, imposing unnecessary
costs on their businesses. The witnesses expressed
concerns that these costs would be passed on to their
customers in the form of higher costs.
On October 12, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee
held a public hearing to review seven legislative
proposals amending Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The
proposals are the culmination of the committee's
oversight efforts of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) as it writes rules for Dodd-Frank.
Throughout the year, the committee has held several
hearings on Title VII that have included testimony from
every type of market participant. Businesses across
America in a variety of industries have shared
consistent concerns the CFTC is overreaching in its
rulemaking and it will have a negative impact on
businesses and on the economy.
Oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Programs
On February 15, 2011, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson,
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture held a
public hearing to review the various definitions of
rural applied under programs operated by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
On April 14, 2011, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Chairman
of the Subcommittee on Department Operations,
Oversight, and Credit held a public hearing to review
credit conditions in rural America. A number of
institutions provide credit to our nation's farmers,
ranchers, and rural constituents. It is important to
ensure credit is readily available through institutions
that are fundamentally sound.
On March 21, 2012, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture, held a public hearing to identify
duplicative Federal rural development programs. Members
questioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
Undersecretary for Rural Development and the Director
of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the
efforts being made to streamline duplicative programs
and improve coordination among agencies that administer
programs.
Livestock
April 6, 2011, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney, Chairman of
the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held
a public hearing to review the state of the beef
industry. Members of the Subcommittee heard testimony
from a cow-calf producer, an owner of a feeding
business, and a beef packer. In addition to educating
Members about the structure and economic conditions of
the beef sector, witnesses also highlighted a range of
issues impacting the beef industry such as
environmental policies, feed availability, input
prices, trade, and the proposed Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule.
April 13, 2011, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney, Chairman of
the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held
a public hearing to review the state of the poultry
industry. Members of the Subcommittee heard testimony
from a chicken grower, a chicken integrator, and a
turkey grower who is also the chairman of a poultry
processing cooperative. In addition to educating
Members about the structure and economic conditions of
the poultry sector, witnesses also highlighted a range
of issues impacting the poultry industry, such as
environmental policies, feed availability, input
prices, trade, and the proposed Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule.
On May 4, 2011, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney, Chairman of
the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, held
a public hearing to review the state of America's pork
industry. Members of the Subcommittee heard statements
from witnesses that represented a cross-section of the
pork industry, including a small farrow-to-finish
producer, an owner of a large family-owned pork farming
network, and a packer. The witnesses discussed the
economic and policy issues currently affecting the pork
industry, including international trade, feed
availability, animal health and welfare, environmental
policies, and the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers
and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule adding new
regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
On September 14, 2011, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a
public hearing to examine the issue of feed
availability and its effect on the livestock, dairy,
and poultry industries.
Environmental Protection Agency
On February 16, 2011, Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairman of
the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture and Rep.
Bob Gibbs, Chairman of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a joint public hearing
to consider reducing the regulatory burdens posed by
the case National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009)
and to review related draft legislation.
On March 2, 2011, Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Jean
Schmidt (R-OH), and Joe Baca (D-CA) introduced H.R.
872, a bipartisan bill to reduce the regulatory burdens
posed by the case National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th
Cir. 2009).
On March 9, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee
approved H.R. 872, The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act
of 2011. It was a bipartisan bill that would amend the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
and the Clean Water Act (CWA) to clarify Congressional
intent and eliminate the requirement of a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit
for pesticides approved for use under FIFRA. The
legislation was cosponsored by 39 of the 46 Agriculture
Committee members.
On March 31, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives
passed H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of
2011 in a bipartisan vote, 292-130.
Rep. Glenn ``G.T.'' Thompson, Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry held
a public hearing on March 16, 2011 to further review
the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL),
agricultural practices, and their implications on
national watersheds. Members of the subcommittee
highlighted the importance of conservation programs and
their impact on the health of the Chesapeake Bay, as
well as the voluntary steps farmers have taken to
preserve and protect this watershed.
On March 10, 2011, the Committee held a public
hearing to review the impact of Environmental
Protection Agency regulations on agriculture.
Farm Bill
On June 24, 2011, Rep. K. Michael Conaway, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, held the
first audit hearing on farm policy. This audit of
agricultural programs is the first step in the farm
bill process. This hearing examined the Federal Crop
Insurance Program, which is a cornerstone of U.S. farm
policy.
On July 7, 2011, Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairwoman of
the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Nutrition and Horticulture, held an audit hearing to
examine specialty crop programs.
On July 7, 2011, Rep. Glenn `GT' Thompson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, continued the audit
hearings on farm policy, which is the first step in the
farm bill process. Subcommittee Members questioned USDA
Administrators on how these programs can be streamlined
to be more effective and efficient. Although the past
two farm bills saw dramatic increases in conservation
spending, several of the programs do not have a budget
baseline beyond the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill.
On July 13, 2011, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture, held an audit hearing to examine trade,
food aid and agricultural development programs operated
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign
Agricultural Service (FAS) and the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID).
On July 14, 2011, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Chairman of
the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit, held an
audit hearing to examine the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency's (FSA) loan
programs.
On July 20, 2011, Rep. Glenn `GT' Thompson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, held an audit
hearing to review energy and forestry programs within
the subcommittee's jurisdiction.
On July 21, 2011, Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairwoman of
the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Nutrition and Horticulture, held an audit hearing to
examine Title IV nutrition programs. The nutrition
title accounts for more than 75 percent of the entire
farm bill spending.
On July 27, 2011, Rep. K. Michael Conaway, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, held an
audit hearing to examine Title I programs and the
Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE)
program. Title I programs, plus crop insurance, form
the backbone of the farm safety net, but only account
for roughly 16 percent of all farm bill spending.
On July 28, 2011, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture, held an audit hearing to examine U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) research programs.
Research programs are vital to enhancing agricultural
productivity, decreasing input costs, and ensuring
American consumers continue to enjoy safe, abundant,
affordable, and nutritious food supply.
On September 8, 2011, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held an
audit hearing to examine U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) dairy programs. Members of the Subcommittee
heard testimony about how these programs are working,
current conditions and productivity in the dairy
industry, and possible public policy challenges, moving
forward.
On September 13, 2011, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research,
Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture, held an audit
hearing to examine U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) rural development programs. This is the eleventh
and final hearing in the audit series designed to
provide members of the committee with a greater
understanding of farm policy.
Farm Bill Field Hearings
On March 9, 2012, Chairman Frank D. Lucas held a
field hearing in Saranac Lake, New York. It was the
first of a series to be held throughout March and April
to gather input in advance of writing the 2012 Farm
Bill. Members heard testimony from producers in the
northeastern United States on the future of farm
policy.
On March 23, 2012, Chairman Frank D. Lucas continued
the House Agriculture Committee's field hearing series
in Galesburg, Illinois. It was the second of four
hearings to be held across the country throughout March
and April to gather input in advance of writing the
2012 Farm Bill. Members heard testimony from Midwest
producers of corn, rice, soybeans, wheat, sorghum,
specialty crops and beef.
On March 30, 2012, Chairman Frank D. Lucas continued
the House Agriculture Committee's field hearing series
in State University, Arkansas. It was the third of four
hearings to be held across the country throughout March
and April to gather input in advance of writing the
2012 Farm Bill. Members heard from Southeast producers
of aquaculture, beef, and a variety of commodities,
including rice and cotton, about the contributions U.S.
agriculture has made to the U.S. economy.
On April 20, 2012, Chairman Frank D. Lucas wrapped
up the House Agriculture Committee's field hearing
series in Dodge City, Kansas. It was the final hearing
that was held across the country to listen directly to
producers on the ground and gather input in advance of
writing the 2012 Farm Bill. Members heard from
producers of a variety of commodities and beef about
the tools they need to continue to produce a safe and
affordable food and fiber supply. Witnesses explained
that one of the goals of the Farm Bill should be to
provide opportunities for effective risk management for
all of agriculture.
Farm Bill Formulation
On April 25, 2012, Rep. Timothy V. Johnson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture, held a hearing to review U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) rural development programs in
advance of writing the 2012 Farm Bill. Members heard
from two panels of witnesses who explained how programs
can be improved to increase their effectiveness.
On April 26, 2012, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing on
reforming dairy programs in the 2012 Farm Bill.
Witnesses discussed problems with current dairy
programs and provided feedback on proposals being
considered to address those inadequacies.
On April 26, 2012, Rep. Glenn `GT' Thompson,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry,
held a hearing to learn from members of the agriculture
community on how conservation programs should be
structured in the 2012 Farm Bill. Witnesses testified
to the importance of conservation programs to assist
producers and landowners with voluntary conservation
initiatives, while also acknowledging the difficult
budget circumstances for reauthorizing Farm Bill
programs.
On May 8, 2012, Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairwoman of the
House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Nutrition
and Horticulture, held a hearing to continue receiving
input on agricultural programs in preparation for
writing the 2012 Farm Bill. This hearing focused on
specialty crop and nutrition programs.
On May 10, 2012, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Chairman of
the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit held a
public hearing to learn more about how credit programs
are working for farmers and how they should continue in
the 2012 Farm Bill.
On May 16 & 17, 2012, Rep. K. Michael Conaway,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management, held a two-day hearing that focused on
commodity programs and crop insurance in preparation of
the 2012 Farm Bill. The four panels of witnesses
included economists and leaders from various commodity
and agricultural groups highlighting the diversity of
agriculture across the country. Witnesses described how
programs are working under current law and how reforms
can be made while stressing the need for a fair and
effective safety net and a strong crop insurance
program.
On May 18, 2012, Rep. Glenn `GT' Thompson, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, wrapped up the
third and final hearing series on agricultural programs
in advance of writing the next Farm Bill. This series
was held on the Subcommittee level and gathered
agricultural leaders in Washington to share their
policy priorities. This hearing focused on energy and
forestry programs.
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
On July 8, 2011, the House Agriculture Subcommittee
on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry joined with the
Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral
Resources to hold a joint hearing on ``Challenges
facing Domestic Oil and Gas Development: Review of
Bureau of Land Management/U.S. Forest Service Ban on
Horizontal Drilling on Federal Lands.'' The panel heard
from a number of experts regarding the U.S. Forest
Service's proposed ban of horizontal drilling in the
George Washington National Forest, as well as the
Interior Departments' potential regulation of hydraulic
fracturing on Federal lands.
On November 3, 2011, Rep. Glenn `GT' Thompson,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry held
a public hearing to review the implementation of Phase
II of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) Watershed Implementation Plans (WIP) and their
impact on states and rural communities. The
implementation of the TMDL is complex and far-reaching,
affecting communities in six states and the District of
Columbia. States are now in the second phase of a
three-part process to limit discharge into the Bay and
several of them have raised concerns about the cost and
the regulatory burden they face in meeting the new
limits. Witnesses testified that the process is being
driven by arbitrary deadlines from the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) instead of economic and
scientific assessments. This creates difficulties for
states and municipalities attempting to meet EPA's
requirements.
On March 27, 2012, Rep. Glenn `GT' Thompson,
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry,
held a public hearing to review several aspects
affecting forest health, including timber harvests,
wildlife management, invasive species, and the U.S.
Forest Service's planning rule.
MF Global Bankruptcy
On December 5, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee
approved the issuance of a subpoena to compel the
attendance of Hon. Jon S. Corzine, the former Chief
Executive Officer of MF Global, at the full committee
hearing scheduled for December 8 to examine the MF
Global bankruptcy.
On December 8, 2011, the House Agriculture Committee
held a public hearing to examine the MF Global
bankruptcy and reports that as much as $1.2 billion in
customer funds have gone missing. The disappearance of
customer funds from MF Global has badly shaken the
trust that farmers, ranchers, and businesses across
America place in futures trading. The hearing marked
the first public comments about the circumstances
surrounding the bankruptcy from MF Global's former CEO,
Jon S. Corzine. Members questioned Mr. Corzine and
other witnesses about the events leading up to the
bankruptcy and the whereabouts of customer funds.
Dodd-Frank
On January 25, 2012, the House Agriculture Committee
advanced by voice vote six bills that amend Title VII
of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act. The legislation is the culmination of
the committee's oversight efforts of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as it writes rules
for Dodd-Frank. The bills passed included: H.R. 3336,
H.R. 3527, H.R. 2779, H.R. 2682, H.R. 2586, and H.R.
1840.
On February 29, 2012, the House Agriculture
Committee held a public hearing to review the 2012
agenda of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(CFTC) as the agency continues to investigate the
collapse of MF Global and promulgate rules pursuant to
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act. Members of the Committee pressed CFTC
Chairman Gary Gensler on the strength of customer
protections in place in light of the collapse of MF
Global and the Dodd-Frank rulemaking process.
On March 28, 2012, Rep. K. Michael Conaway, Chairman
of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, held a
public hearing to consider three pieces of legislation
designed to mitigate unintended consequences of certain
provisions of Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and clarify the
reach of new regulatory requirements to swaps
activities that occur outside the U.S. Members of the
Subcommittee reviewed H.R. 3283, the ``Swap
Jurisdiction Certainty Act'', H.R. 1838 to repeal
Section 716 of Dodd-Frank, and H.R. 4235, the ``Swap
Data Repository & Clearinghouse Indemnification
Correction Act of 2012''.
Budget
On March 7, 2012, the House Agriculture Committee
held a business meeting to consider the Budget Views
and Estimates Letter of the Committee on Agriculture
for the agencies and programs under jurisdiction of the
Committee for FY 2013.
Reconciliation Requirement
On April 18, 2012, the House Agriculture Committee
held a business meeting. Advancing, by voice vote, the
proposal to satisfy reconciliation instructions
required by House Concurrent Resolution 112.
Instructions included making policy changes that
resulted in one, five, and 10 year saving estimates of
$7.7 billion, $19.7 billion, and $33.2 billion,
respectively.
b. statistical summary of activities
(1) Statistics on bills referred to the Committee on
Agriculture
Number of bills referred:
House bills................................................ 200
Senate bills............................................... 1
House joint resolutions.................................... 1
House concurrent resolutions............................... 0
Senate joint resolutions................................... 0
Senate concurrent resolutions.............................. 0
House resolutions.......................................... 6
------------
Total.................................................... 208
(2) Disposition of Bills Containing Items Under the
Jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture
Bills enacted into law..................................... 3
Bills acted on by the Committee included in other bills 0
that became law...........................................
Bills vetoed............................................... 0
Bills acted on by both Houses, but not enacted............. 0
Bills acted on by the House but not the Senate............. 7
Concurrent Resolutions approved............................ 0
Bills reported to the House but not considered............. 11
Bills ordered reported, but not reported................... 0
Bills defeated in the House................................ 0
(3) Statistics on hearings and markups:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open business Washington
meetings hearings/forum Field hearings Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Committee.................................. 10 11 4 25
Subcommittees:
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.. 0 7 0 7
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry................. 0 6 0 6
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, 0 8 1 9
and Foreign Agriculture......................
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry............ 0 9 0 9
Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit.. 0 5 0 5
Nutrition and Horticulture.................... 0 4 0 4
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 10 50 5 65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c. digest of bills within the jurisdiction of the committee on which
action has been taken
1. Bills Enacted into Law
P.L. 112-46, (H.R. 765)
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011
H.R. 765 was introduced on February 17, 2011 by
Representative Rob Bishop and referred to the Committee on
Agriculture and in addition to the Committee on Natural
Resources. On June 15, 2011 the Committee on Natural Resources
ordered reported the bill without amendment by unanimous
consent. On July 20, 2011, the bill was reported to House, H.
Rept. 112-164, Part I. On October 3, 2011 the bill passed the
House under suspension of the rules by a recorded vote of 394
yeas to 0 nays. On October 18, 2011 the bill passed the Senate
by unanimous consent clearing the measure for the President. On
November 7, 2011 the bill was signed by the President into
Public Law 112-46.
The Act amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of
1986 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to permit
seasonal and year-round natural resource based, recreational
activities and associated facilities at ski areas, in addition
to those that support Nordic and alpine skiing and other snow
sports that are currently authorized by the Act. Current law
does not address activities other than Nordic and alpine
skiing, snow sports, and their ancillary facilities at ski
areas on U.S. Forest Service lands. Congress intended the term
`appropriate ancillary facilities' to include `only those
facilities directly necessary for the operation and support of
a winter sports facility.' The Act will allow for new
activities such as ziplines, climbing walls, mountain biking,
and alpine slides.
The additional seasonal and year-round recreational
activities and associated facilities authorized by the Act
would encourage outdoor recreation and require such activities
to harmonize with the natural environment. The Act also will
make clear that the primary purpose of the authorized use and
occupancy would continue to be skiing and other snow sports.
The Act will not waive existing laws such as the Endangered
Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act to allow
for these new activities to take place. Ski areas on Forest
Service lands are themselves `developed sites' so these new
activities will be in keeping with the intended use of these
areas.
P.L. 112-96 (H.R. 3630)
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012
H.R. 3630 was introduced on December 9, 2011 by
Representative Dave Camp and referred to the Committee on Ways
and Means, and in additional to the Committees on Energy and
Commerce; Financial Services; Foreign Affairs; Transportation
and Infrastructure, Agriculture; Oversight and Government
Reform; House Administration; Budget; Natural Resources; Rules;
and Intelligence (Permanent Select). On December 13, 2011 the
bill passed the House, amended, by a recorded vote of 234 yeas
to 193 nays. On December 17, 2011, the bill passed the Senate,
amended, by unanimous consent. On December 20, 2011, House
disagreed to the Senate amendment, and appointed conferees:
Camp, Upton, Brady (TX), Walden, Price (GA), Reed, Ellmers, and
Hayworth. On December 23, 2011, the Senate insisted on its
amendment, agreed to a conference. On that same date the House
appointed additional conferees: Levin, Beccerra, Van Hollen,
Schwartz, and Waxman. On January 3, 2012, the Senate appointed
conferees: Baucus, Reed; Cardin, Casey, Kyl, Crapo, and
Barrasso. A conference was held on: January 24, 2012, February
1, 2012, February 2, 2012, and February 7, 2012 with a
conference report filed on February 16, 2012, H. Rept. 112-399.
The conference report passed the House on February 17, 2012 by
a recorded vote of 293 yeas to 13 nays. On that same date, the
Senate agreed to the conference report by a recorded vote of 60
yeas to 36 nays. On February 22, 2012 the bill was presented to
the President and signed into Public Law 112-96.
The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012
provided an extension of the payroll tax rates for the
remainder of the calendar year 2012. In addition, the Act
provided a fully-offset delay it the implementation of the
Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (the so-called ``Doc-fix'')
and extended and reformed Federal funded Unemployment Insurance
benefits for the remainder of calendar year 2012. Title IV of
the Act extends the authorization of the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) state block grant program at current
level of $16.5 billion annually, through September 30, 2012.
The Act also improves program administration by standardizing
date elements to improve integrity and collaboration. The
measure would also prohibit welfare funds from being accessed
in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos by blocking welfare
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from working in ATMs
there.
The measure requires states receiving Federal grants
through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
program to maintain policies that prevent TANF assistance from
being used in a transaction in an liquor store, gaming
establishment, or any retail establishment that provides adult
entertainment in which performers disrobe.
The measure further requires that Federal TANF assistance
be reduced by 5 percent in any state that does not report its
implementation of these policies within 2 years. The reduction
would be enforced in the fiscal year immediately succeeding the
year in which two-year period end s and would continue each
year until the state demonstrates that these policies have been
implemented. (Note: See also the discussion of H. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
P.L. 112-132 (S. 3261)
To allow the Chief of the Forest Service to award certain
contracts for large air tankers.
S. 3261 was introduced on June 4, 2012 by Senator Wyden and
referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry. The bill was discharged from Committee and passed by
the Senate by Unanimous Consent on June 7, 2012. On that same
day the bill was received in the House and referred to the
Committee on Agriculture. The measure was discharged from
Committee and passed by the House by Unanimous Consent on June
8, 2012. On June 13, 2012, the bill was presented to the
President and signed into Public Law 112-132.
The Act waives the congressional mandated 30-day
notification period before the Forest Service can issue new
contracts for aircraft for its air tanker fleet. The West is
currently experiencing a drought that drastically increased the
hazards of wildfire this year and the measure gives the Forest
Service the tools to modernize its fleet of air tankers
immediately. The fleet is currently using several tankers that
have been in service for 50 years or longer.
Other Bills: Several bills acted on by other committees,
but not acted on by the Committee on Agriculture contain
provisions relating to matters with the Committee's
jurisdiction. The following are abbreviated summaries of these
bills, including some of the relevant provisions.
Legislative Matters
P.L. 112-41, (H.R. 3080)
United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
H.R. 3080 was introduced on October 3, 2011 by
Representative Eric Cantor and referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means. On October 5, 2011 the bill was ordered
reported by a recorded vote of 31 yeas to 5 nays. On October 6,
2011 the bill was reported to the House, H. Rept. 112-239. On
October 12, 2011 the bill passed the House by a recorded vote
of 278 yeas to 151 nays. On that same date the bill passed the
Senate by a recorded vote of 83 yeas to 15 nays. On October 21,
2011 the bill was signed by the President into Public Law 112-
41.
The Act will implement the agreement establishing a free
trade area between the United States and Korea that was signed
on June 30, 2007. The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement
covers all agricultural and industrial sectors, provides for
expanded market access for U.S. services, contains greater
protections for U.S. intellectual property rights holders, and
includes strong labor and environment provisions.
Currently, U.S. industrial goods face an average tariff of
6.2 percent in Korea, paying over $1.3 billion a year. Korean
exports enter the United States at an average tariff of only
2.8 percent--less than \1/2\ the Korean rate. The agreement
will significantly open up the Korean market, helping U.S.
exporters gain greater access. The International Trade
Commission (`ITC') estimates that U.S. exports to Korea would
increase by $9.7-10.9 billion as a result of tariff reductions
alone.
U.S. agriculture exports to Korea currently face an average
tariff of 54 percent, whereas Korean agricultural exports to
the United States face average tariffs of just 9 percent. The
agreement would remedy this by making more than \1/2\ of
current U.S. farm exports to Korea by value duty-free
immediately upon implementation, including U.S. exports of
wheat, corn for feed, soybeans for crushing, whey for feed use,
hides and skins, cotton, cherries, pistachios, almonds, grape
juice, and wine. The agreement would also address key non-
tariff barriers. For example, Korea would recognize the
equivalence of the U.S. food safety system for meat, poultry,
and processed foods.
P.L. 112-42, (H.R. 3078)
United States-Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement
Implementation Act
H.R. 3078 was introduced on October 3, 2011 by
Representative Eric Cantor and referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means. On October 5, 2011 the bill was ordered
reported by a recorded vote of 24 yeas to 12 nays. On October
6, 2011 the bill was reported to the House, H. Rept. 112-237.
On October 12, 2011 the bill passed the House by a recorded
vote of 262 yeas to 167 nays. On that same date the bill passed
the Senate by a recorded vote of 66 yeas to 33 nays. On October
21, 2011 the bill was signed by the President into Public Law
112-42.
The Act will implement the agreement establishing a free
trade area between the United States and Colombia that was
signed on November 22, 2006. That agreement was approved by the
Columbian Congress in June 2007 and again in October 2007 after
it was modified to include new provisions after the May 10,
2007 bipartisan understanding between Congressional leaders and
the Administration. The agreement will immediately eliminate
duties on 80% of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial
products to Colombia. Most remaining tariffs will be eliminated
within 10 years of implementation.
Currently, U.S. agriculture exports to Colombia face an
average tariff of 20 percent, whereas only two Colombian
agricultural exports to the United States face tariffs above
three percent. The agreement would remedy this by providing
immediate duty-free treatment for 77.5 percent of Colombia's
agricultural tariff lines, including U.S. exports of soybeans,
cotton, wheat, barley, peanuts, bacon, high-quality beef, the
vast majority of processed products, and almost all fruit and
vegetable products, with tariffs eliminated on almost 93
percent of agricultural tariff lines within 10 years. The
agreement would immediately eliminate Colombia's separate
`price band' variable tariffs for U.S. exports, which the
European Union's trade agreement with Colombia does not
eliminate for EU exports.
As a result, the ITC estimates significant gains in U.S.
agricultural exports. For example, the ITC estimates that U.S.
exports of grains could increase by 55 to 77 percent and
soybeans, soybean products, and animal feeds by 30 to 50
percent. The agreement would also provide guarantees against
key non-tariff barriers. For example, Colombia has committed to
continuing to recognize the equivalence of the U.S. food safety
system for meat and poultry and would provide access for all
U.S. beef and beef products consistent with international
norms.
P.L. 112-43, (H.R. 3079)
United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
Implementation Act
H.R. 3079 was introduced on October 3, 2011 by
Representative Eric Cantor and referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means. On October 5, 2011 the bill was ordered
reported by a recorded vote of 32 yeas to 3 nays. On October 6,
2011 the bill was reported to the House, H. Rept. 112-238. On
October 12, 2011 the bill passed the House by a recorded vote
of 300 yeas to 129 nays. On that same date the bill passed the
Senate by a recorded vote of 77 yeas to 22 nays. On October 21,
2011 the bill was signed by the President into Public Law 112-
43.
The United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
Implementation Act approves the United States-Panama Trade
Promotion Agreement that was signed on June 28, 2007, with the
Government of Panama, and the statement of administrative
action proposed to implement the agreement, both submitted to
Congress on October 3, 2011.
The agreement covers all agricultural and industrial
sectors, provides for greatly expanded market access for U.S.
services, contains greater protections for U.S. intellectual
property rights holders, and includes strong labor and
environmental provisions.
Currently, U.S. industrial goods face an average tariff of
7 percent in Panama, with some tariffs as high as 81 percent.
Almost all Panamanian exports enter the United States duty free
due to low U.S. tariffs and U.S. trade preference programs. The
agreement would transition the U.S.-Panama trading relationship
from one-way preferences to full partnership and reciprocal
commitments, helping U.S. exporters gain greater access to the
Panamanian market, one of the fastest growing in Latin America.
The International Trade Commissions (`ITC') estimates that U.S.
exports to Panama for certain sectors would increase up to 145
percent.
U.S. agriculture exports to Panama currently face an
average tariff of 15 percent, whereas more than 99 percent of
Panamanian agricultural exports to the United States enter
duty-free. The agreement would remedy this by making more than
\1/2\ of current U.S. farm exports to Panama by value duty-free
immediately upon implementation, including U.S. exports of
pork, rice, soybeans, cotton, wheat, and most fresh fruit. The
agreement would also address key non-tariff barriers. For
example, Panama would recognize the equivalence of the U.S.
food safety system for meat, poultry, and processed foods and
would provide access for all U.S. beef and beef products
consistent with international norms.
P.L. 112-105, (S. 2038)
Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (STOCK
Act)
S. 2038 was introduced on January 26, 2012 by Senator
Joseph Lieberman and referred to the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. On February 2, 2012
the bill passed the Senate by a recorded vote of 96 yeas to 3
nays. On February 6, 2012 the bill was received by House and
held at the desk. On February 9, 2012 the bill passed the
House, amended, under suspension of the rules by a recorded
vote of 417 yeas to 2 nays. On March 22, 2012 the Senate agreed
to the House amendment to the bill by unanimous consent.
The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012
requires the congressional ethics committees to issue
interpretive guidance of the rules of each chamber, including
rules on conflicts of interest and gifts, with respect to the
prohibition against the use by Members of Congress and
congressional employees including Legislative Branch offices
and employees), as a means for making a private profit, of any
nonpublic information derived from their positions a members or
congressional employees, or gained from performance of the
individual's official responsibilities.
The Act declares that such Members and employees are not
exempt from the insider trading prohibitions arising under the
securities laws, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and Rule 10b-5.
The measure amends the Securities Exchange Act of 2934 to
declare that such Members and employees owe a duty arising from
a relationship of trust and confidence to Congress, the U.S.
Government and U.S. citizens with respect to material,
nonpublic information derived from their positions as Members
or congressional employees or gained from performance of the
individual's official responsibilities.
The Act also amends the Commodity Exchange Act to apply to
Members and congressional employees, or to judicial officers or
employees its prohibitions against certain transactions,
involving the purchase or sale of any commodity in interstate
commerce, or for future delivery, or any swap.
Appropriations
P.L. 112-4, (H.J. Res. 44)
Further Continuing Appropriations Amendments
H.J. Res. 44 was introduced on February 28, 2011 by
Representative Harold Rogers and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations and in addition to the Committee on the Budget.
On March 1, 2011 the resolution passed the House by a recorded
vote of 335 yeas to 91 nays. On March 2, 2011 the resolution
passed the Senate by a recorded vote of 91 yeas to 9 nays,
clearing the measure for the President. On that same date the
resolution was presented to the President and signed into
Public Law 112-4.
The Act amends the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011
(P.L. 111-242) to extend through March 18, 2011, specified
continuing appropriations for FY 2011.
The measure also makes certain provisions under the
Agriculture, Rural Development, food and Drug Administration,
and Related Appropriations Act, 2010 relating to ``Rural
Development Programs--Rural Utilities Service--Distance
Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program'' for the
principal amount of broadband telecommunication loans and for
the cost of certain broadband loans inapplicable to funds
appropriated by the Continuing Appropriation Act of 2011.
P.L. 112-6 (H.J. Res. 48)
Additional Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011
H.J. Res. 48 was introduced on March 11, 2011 by
Representative Harold Rogers and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations. On March 15, 2011 the resolution passed the
House by a recorded vote of 271 yeas to 158 nays. On March 17,
2011 the resolution passed the Senate by a recorded vote of 87
yeas to 13 nays clearing the measure for the President. On
March 18, 2011 the resolution was signed by the President into
Public Law 112-6.
The Additional Continuing Appropriations Act amends the
Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (P.L. 111-242) to extend
through April 8, 2011, specified continuing appropriations for
FY 2011.
The Act provides funding at a specified rate of operations
for certain agricultural, conservation, and rural development
programs. Eliminates specified funding for: (1) the
Agricultural Research Service; (2) the Natural Resources
Conservation Service; (3) the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration; (4) the Federal Payment to the
Office of the Chief Financial Officer for the District of
Columbia; (5) the International Fund for Ireland; (6) the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Brownfields
Redevelopment; and (7) the Federal Railroad Administration.
The Act also eliminated specified funds made available in
the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010
for: (1) a certain grant to the National Center for Natural
Products Research; (2) an agricultural pest facility in Hawaii;
(3) the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program; (4) grants to the
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer
Protection, to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Foods, and
Markets, and to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade
and Consumer Protection; (5) development of a prototype for a
national carbon inventory and accounting system for forestry
and agriculture; (6) the International Food Protection Training
Institute; and (7) the Center for Foodborne Illness Research
and Prevention.
P.L. 112-8 (H.R. 1363)
Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Amendments,
2011
H.R. 1363 was introduced on April 4, 2011 by
Representatives Harold Rogers and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations and in addition to the Committee on the Budget.
On April 7, 2011 the bill passed the House by a recorded vote
of 247 yeas to 181 nays. On April 8, 2011 the Senate passed the
bill, amended, by a voice vote. On April 9, 2011 the House
agreed to the Senate amendment by a recorded vote of 348 yeas
to 70 nays. On that same date the bill was presented to the
President and signed into Public Law 112-8.
The Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
amends the Continuing Appropriations, 2011 to extend from
December 3, 2010, to April 15, 2011, the date by which
appropriations and funds made available authority granted
pursuant to such Act shall be available.
P.L. 112-10 (H.R. 1473)
Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2011
H.R. 1473 was introduced on April 11, 2011 by
Representatives Harold Rogers and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations and in addition to the Committee on the Budget
and Ways and Means. On April 14, 2011 the bill passed the House
by a recorded vote of 260 yeas to 167 nays. On that same day
the bill passed the Senate by a recorded vote of 81 yeas to 19
nays. On April 15, 2011 the bill was presented to the President
and signed into Public Law 112-10.
Division B of the Act makes continuing appropriations for
FY 2011 by appropriating FY 2011 amounts at FY 2010 level for
such operating, projects or activities as were conducted in FY
2010 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority
were made available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2010; (2) the Energy and Water Development
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010; (3) the
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010; (4)
the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010; (5) the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2010; (6) the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2010; and (7) chapter 1 of title I of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2010, addressing guaranteed loans in the
rural housing insurance fund. (Note: See also the discussion of
H.R. 1 under ``2. Bills Acted on by the House But Not the
Senate.'')
P.L. 112-33, (H.R. 2017)
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012
H.R. 2017 was introduced and reported as an original
measure by Representative Robert Aderholt on May 26, 2011, H.
Rept. 112-91. On June 2, 2011 the bill passed the House,
amended, by a recorded vote of 231 yeas to 188 nays. On
September 7, 2011 the Senate Committee on Appropriations
reported the bill with amendment, S. Rept. 112-74. On September
26, 2011 the Senate adopted a full substitute amendment
converting the measure into a Continuing Appropriations Act and
passed the bill, as amended, by a voice vote. On September 29,
2011 the House agreed to the Senate amendments by unanimous
consent. On September 30, 2011 the bill was presented to the
President and signed into Public Law 112-33.
The Continuing Appropriations Act makes continuing
appropriations for FY 2012 thru October 4, 2011.
P.L. 112-36 (H.R. 2608)
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012
H.R. 2608 was introduced by Representative Sam Graves on
July 21, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Small Business.
On July 26, 2011 the bill passed the House under suspension of
the rules, as amended by a voice vote. On July 28, 2011 the
bill passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.
On September 21, 2011, a complete substitute amendment
converting the measure into a Continuing Appropriations Act was
rejected by the House by a recorded vote of 195 yeas to 230
nays. On September 23, 2011 the House adopted a second
amendment by a recorded vote of 219 yeas to 203 nays. This
amendment was identical to the first, except it included a $100
million rescission of FY 2011 spending from DOE's Title XVII
Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program. On September 26,
2011 the Senate concurred in the House amendment to the Senate
amendment with an amendment by a recorded vote of 79 yeas to 12
nays. On October 4, 2011 the House agreed to the Senate
amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment by a
recorded vote of 352 yeas to 66 nays. On October 5, 2011 the
bill was signed by the President into Public Law 112-36.
The Continuing Appropriations Act makes continuing
appropriations for FY 2012 thru November 18, 2011.
P.L. 112-55 (H.R. 2112)
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act,
2012
H.R. 2112 was introduced and reported as an original
measure by Representative Jack Kingston on June 3, 2011, H.
Rept. 112-101. On June 16, 2011 the bill passed the House by a
vote of 217 yeas to 203 nays. On September 7, 2011 the Senate
Committee on Appropriations reported the bill with an amendment
in the nature of a substitute, S. Rept. 112-73. On November 1,
2011 the bill was passed by the Senate with an amendment and an
amendment to the Title by a recorded vote of 65 yeas to 30 nays
converting the measure into a Consolidated and Further
Continuing Appropriations Act. On November 14, 2011 conference
report, H. Rept. 112-284 was filed and agreed to in the House
by a roll call vote of 298 yeas to 121 nays as well as in the
Senate by a recorded vote of 70 yeas to 30 nays. The bill was
presented to the President on November 17 and signed into
Public Law 112-55 on November 18, 2011.
The agricultural agencies addressed in this bill will
receive a total of $136.6 billion in both discretionary and
mandatory funding, a reduction of $4.6 billion from the
President's request based on the Administration's Mid-Session
Review. Discretionary funding in the legislation totals $19.8
billion--a reduction of $350 million below last year's level
and a cut of $2.5 billion from the President's request.
The Act also provides more than $2.5 billion for
agricultural research programs, including the Agricultural
Research Service and the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture. This is a reduction of $53 million from the Fiscal
Year 2011 level; includes $820 million--$47 million below last
year's level--for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS); provides $1.2 billion for FSA Salaries and
Expenses, a decrease of $9 million below the Fiscal Year 2011
level and $158 million below the President's request. Of the
total, the bill provides not less than $66.7 million for the
continued modernization (MIDAS) of FSA's information technology
systems; provides $844 million for Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) programs--a reduction of $45
million below the Fiscal Year 2011 level; includes $1 billion
for food safety and inspection programs--approximately the same
as last year's level; provides a total of nearly $2.5 billion
in discretionary funding for U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA)--$50 million above last year's level and $234 million
below the President's request. Total funding for the FDA,
including user fees, is $3.8 billion.
Mandatory food and nutrition programs within the Department
of Agriculture--including SNAP and child nutrition--are funded
at $98.6 billion--$2 billion less than the President's request.
This funding includes $3 billion in reserve funds in case of
unanticipated increases in participation or food price
increases.
The Act places restrictions on the implementation of a
Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration
(GIPSA) rule.
The Act also provides $2.25 billion for rural development
programs--$180 million below the Fiscal Year 2011 level. This
funding includes $42.5 million to support $900 million in loan
authority for the ``502'' direct single-family housing loan
program, provides $900 million for the rental assistance
program, $75 million for the Business and Industry Loan
Guarantee program, $513 million for rural water and waste
programs, $7.7 billion in loans for the rural electric and
telecommunications program, and $212 million in loans for
broadband deployment in rural areas.
The Act further provides $205 million for the CFTC--a
reduction of $103 million below the President's request.
P.L 112-67 (H.J. Res. 94)
Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year
2012, and for other purposes.
H.J. Res. 94 was introduced by Representative Harold Rogers
on December 16, 2011. On that same date the resolution was
passed by the House and the Senate by unanimous consent and
signed by the President into Public Law 112-67.
H.J. Res. 94 amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012
(P.L. 112-36) to extend through December 17, 2011, specified
continuing appropriations for FY 2012.
P.L 112-68 (H.J. Res. 95)
Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year
2015, and for other purposes.
H.J. Res. 95 was introduced by Representative Harold Rogers
on December 16, 2011. On that same date the resolution was
passed by the House and the Senate by unanimous consent. On
December 17, 2011 the resolution was signed by the President
into Public Law 112-68.
H.J. Res. 95 amend the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012
(P.L. 112-36) to extend through December 23, 2011, specified
continuing appropriations for FY 2012.
P.L 112-74 (H.R. 2055)
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012
H.R. 2055 was introduced and reported as an original
measure by Representative John Abney Culberson on May 31, 2011,
H. Rept. 112-94. As reported, H.R. 2055 was the Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, FY 2012
Appropriations bill. However, H.R. 2055 became the vehicle for
a number of unenacted appropriations, and a conference began on
December 8, 2011. A conference report, H. Rept. 112-331 was
filed on December 15, 2011. On December 16, 2011 the House
agreed to the Conference Report by a recorded vote of 296 yeas
to 121 nays. On December 17, 2011 the Senate agreed to the
Conference Report by a recorded vote of 67 yeas to 32 nays. On
December, 23, 2011 the bill was signed by the President in to
Public Law 112-74.
H.R. 2055 makes appropriations for FY 2012 to the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of
Agriculture for the Forest Service for (1) forest and rangeland
research; (2) state and private forestry; (3) the National
Forest System; (4) land acquisitions, including specified
National Forest areas in Utah, Nevada, and California; (5)
range rehabilitation, protection, and improvement; (6) gifts,
donations, and bequests for forest and rangeland research; (7)
Federal land management in Alaska; (8) wildland fire management
(including transfers of funds); and (9) the FLAME Wildfire
Suppression Reserve Fund (including transfers of funds).
The Act authorizes the EPA Administrator to collect and
obligate pesticide registration service fees in accordance with
the Federal Insecticide Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The Act also makes funds appropriated to the Forest Service
available for assistance to or through the Agency for
International Development (USAID) to support forestry and
related natural resource activities outside the United States
and U.S. territories and possessions. Authorizes the Forest
Service to sign direct funding agreements with foreign
governments and institutions, as well as other domestic
agencies, U.S. private sector firms, institutions, and
organizations to provide technical assistance and training
programs overseas on forestry and rangeland management.
The measure prohibits subjecting funds made available to
the Forest Service in this Act or any other Act to transfer
under certain transfer authorities under the Department of
Agriculture Organic Act of 1944, P.L. 106-224 (the Plant
Protection Act of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000)
and P.L. 107-107 (the Animal Health Protection Act of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002).
The Act also makes funds appropriated to the Forest Service
available for making annual payments to certain counties within
the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon and
Washington state pursuant to P.L. 99-663 (Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area Act).
The Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the
Forest Service, to make the requirements of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 which provide for a pre-decisional
objection process respecting an authorized hazardous fuel
reduction project on Forest Service land applicable to proposed
actions of the Forest Service concerning projects and
activities that implement land and resource management plans
developed under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources
Planning Act of 1974.
2. Bills Acted on by the House But Not the Senate
H.R. 872, Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011
H.R. 872 was introduced on March 2, 2011 by Representative
Bob Gibbs, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture.
On March 9, 2011, the Committee on Agriculture ordered reported
the bill, amended, by a voice vote. On March 16, 2011, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered reported
the bill, amended, by a recorded vote of 46 yeas to 8 nays. The
measure was reported to the House on March 29, 2011, by both
committees of jurisdiction, H. Rept. part 1 and II. On March
30, 2011, the bill was considered in the House under suspension
of the rules with the vote postponed until the following day.
The bill then passed the House, amended, by a recorded vote of
292 yeas to 130 nays on March 31, 2011. On April 4, 2011, the
measure was received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011, H.R. 872,
amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify
Congressional intent regarding the regulation of application of
pesticides or residue of pesticides in or near navigable
waters.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(``FIFRA'') is a regulatory statute that governs the sale and
use of pesticides in the United States through the registration
and labeling of such products. Its objective is to protect
human health and the environment from unreasonable adverse
effects of pesticides, taking into account the costs and
benefits of various product uses. Pesticides regulated under
FIFRA include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides,
rodenticides, and other designated substances. The
Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'') reviews scientific
data submitted by chemical manufacturers on toxicity and
behavior in the environment to evaluate risks and exposure
associated with a product's use.
FIFRA prohibits the sale of any pesticide unless it is
registered and labeled indicating approved uses and
restrictions. It is a violation of Federal law to use such a
chemical in a manner that is inconsistent with the label
instructions. If a registration is granted, EPA makes a finding
that the chemical ``when used in accordance with widespread and
commonly recognized practice it will not generally cause
unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.'' (7
U.S.C.136a(c)(5)(D).) EPA then specifies the approved uses and
conditions of use of the pesticide, and this is required to be
explained on the product label.
The Clean Water Act
The objective of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(commonly known as the ``Clean Water Act'' or the ``CWA'') is
to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological
integrity of the nation's waters. The primary mechanism for
achieving this objective is the CWA's prohibition on the
discharge of any pollutant without a National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (``NPDES'') permit. EPA has the
authority to regulate the discharge of pollutants either
through general permits or through individual permits. NPDES
permits specify limits on what pollutants may be discharged
from point sources and in what amounts. Under the CWA, 47
states and territories have been authorized to implement NPDES
permits and enforce permits. EPA manages the Clean Water Act
program in the remaining states and territories.
NPDES permits are the basic regulatory tool of the CWA. EPA
or an authorized state may issue compliance orders, or file
civil suits against those who violate the terms of a permit. In
addition, in the absence of Federal or state action,
individuals may bring a citizen suit in United States district
court against those who violate the terms of an NPDES permit,
or against those who discharge without a valid permit.
Litigation
In over 30 years of administering the CWA, EPA had never
required an NPDES permit for the application of a pesticide,
when the pesticide is applied in a manner consistent with FIFRA
and its regulations. While the CWA contains a provision
granting citizen suits against those who violate permit
conditions or those who discharge without an NPDES permit,
FIFRA has no citizen suit provision. As a result, beginning in
the late 1990s, a series of citizen lawsuits were filed by
parties, contending that an NPDES permit is necessary when
applying a FIFRA-regulated product over, into, or near
waterbodies. These cases generated several Court of Appeals
decisions that created confusion and concern among pesticide
users regarding the applicability of the CWA with regard to
pesticide use.
As the litigation continued, concern and confusion grew
among farmers, forest landowners, and public health officials,
prompting EPA to issue interim, and later final, interpretive
guidance in August 2003 and January 2005, and then to undertake
a rulemaking to clarify and formalize the Agency's
interpretation of the CWA as it applied to pesticide use. The
EPA rule was finalized in November 2006 (71 Fed. Reg. 68483
(Nov. 27, 2006)), and was the culmination of a three year
participatory rulemaking process that began with the interim
interpretive statement in 2003 and involved two rounds of
public comment.
The 2006 EPA rule codified EPA's long-standing
interpretation that the application of chemical and biological
pesticides for their intended purpose and in compliance with
pesticide label restrictions is not a discharge of a
``pollutant'' under the CWA, and therefore, that an NPDES
permit is not required. The rule clearly defined specific
circumstances in which the use of pesticides in accordance with
all relevant requirements under FIFRA is not a CWA ``discharge
of a pollutant,'' explaining in detail the rationale for the
Agency's interpretation.
When the rule was finalized, environmental groups, as well
as farm and pesticide industry groups, filed petitions for
review of the rule in several Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal.
The petitions were consolidated in the Sixth Circuit. The Sixth
Circuit ultimately vacated the rule on January 7, 2009 in
National Cotton Council v. EPA (553 F.3d 927; hereinafter,
National Cotton Council), concluding that the final rule was
not a reasonable interpretation of the CWA's permitting
requirements. The court rejected EPA's contention that, when
pesticides are applied over, into, or near waterbodies to
control pests, they are not considered pollutants as long as
they comply with FIFRA, and held that NPDES permits are
required for all pesticide applications that may leave a
residue in water.
EPA estimated that the ruling would affect approximately
365,000 pesticide applicators that perform some 5.6 million
pesticide applications annually. The court's decision, which
would apply nationally, was to be effective seven days after
the deadline for rehearing expires or seven days after a denial
of any petition for rehearing. Parties had until April 9, 2009
to seek rehearing.
On April 9, 2009, the government chose not to seek
rehearing in the National Cotton Council case. The government
instead filed a motion to stay issuance of the court's mandate
for two years to provide EPA time to develop an entirely new
NPDES permitting process to cover pesticide use. As part of
this, EPA needed to propose and issue a final NPDES general
permit for pesticide applications, for states to develop
permits, and for EPA to provide outreach and education to the
regulated community. Industry groups filed a petition seeking
en banc review, asking the full Sixth Circuit to reconsider the
decision from the three-judge panel.
On June 8, 2009, the Sixth Circuit granted EPA a two-year
stay of the court's mandate, in response to their earlier
request. The Sixth Circuit denied the industry groups' petition
for rehearing in August 2009. The court-ordered deadline for
EPA to promulgate a new permitting process for pesticides under
the Clean Water Act is April 9, 2011. On March 3, 2011, EPA
filed another request for an extension with the court. The new
deadline or effective date is October 31, 2011.
Two petitions were filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in
December 2009 by representatives of the agriculture community
and the pesticide industry, requesting that the U.S. Supreme
Court review the National Cotton Council case. A number of
parties, including numerous Members of Congress, filed amicus
briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court, in support of or opposition
to the petitions. On February 22, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court
denied the petitioners' request without comment.
EPA Development of a New Permitting Process to Cover
Pesticide Use
With a two-year stay of the Sixth Circuit's mandate in
place, EPA moved ahead with developing a new NPDES permitting
process to cover pesticide use by the court-ordered deadline of
April 9, 2011. The permit covers four pesticide uses: (1)
mosquito and other flying insect pest control; (2) aquatic weed
and algae control; (3) aquatic nuisance animal control; and (4)
forest canopy pest control. It does not cover terrestrial
applications to control pests on agricultural crops or forest
floors, and does not cover activities exempt from permitting
under the CWA (irrigation return flow, agricultural stormwater
runoff) and discharges that will require coverage under an
individual permit, such as discharges of pesticides to
waterbodies that are considered impaired under CWA 303(d) for
that discharged pesticide.
Implications
The Committee has received testimony and other information
on the implications of the Sixth Circuit's holding in the
National Cotton Council case, and the new permitting process
that EPA has to develop under the CWA as a result of that
holding, on state and local agencies, mosquito control
districts, water districts, pesticide applicators, agriculture,
forest managers, and other stakeholders. On February 16, 2011,
the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a
joint hearing with the Nutrition and Horticulture Subcommittee
of the House Committee on Agriculture to consider means for
reducing the regulatory burdens posed by the case, National
Cotton Council v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009), and to consider related
draft legislation.
Despite being limited to four categories of pesticide uses,
EPA's new general permit for covered pesticides stands to be
the single greatest expansion of the permitting process in the
history of the NPDES program. EPA has estimated that it can
expect approximately 5.6 million covered pesticide applications
per year by approximately 365,000 applicators--virtually
doubling the number of entities currently subject to NPDES
permitting. (U.S. EPA, Fact Sheet for 2010 Public Notice of:
Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Pesticides General Permit (PGP) for Discharges from the
Application of Pesticides to or over, including near Waters of
the U.S., at 14, available at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/
proposed_pgp_fs.pdf.)
With this unprecedented expansion comes real and tangible
burdens for EPA and the states that will have to issue the
permits, those whose livelihoods depend on the use of
pesticides, and even everyday citizens going about their daily
lives.
EPA has said that it will be able to conform its current
process to meet the Sixth Circuit's mandate. Even so, much of
the responsibility of developing and issuing general permits
falls on the states. Forty-five states (and the Virgin Islands)
will face increased financial and administrative burdens in
order to comply with the new permitting process. In a time when
too many states are being forced to make difficult budgetary
cuts, the nation cannot afford to impose more financial
burdens.
The expanded permitting process also imposes enormous
burdens on pesticide users who encompass a wide range of
individuals from state agencies, city and county
municipalities, mosquito control districts, water districts,
pesticide applicators, farmers, ranchers, forest managers,
scientists and others. The new and duplicative permitting
process will increase both the administrative difficulty and
costs for pesticide applicators to come into compliance with
the law. Compliance will no longer mean simply following
instructions on a pesticide label. Instead, applicators will
have to navigate a complex process of identifying the relevant
permit, filing with the regulatory authority a valid notice of
intent to comply with the permit and having a familiarity with
all of the permit's conditions and restrictions. Along with
increased administrative burdens comes an increased monetary
burden. Estimates are that the cost associated with the EPA
permit scheme to small businesses could be as high as $50,000
annually.
In addition to the costs of coming into compliance,
pesticide users will be subject to an increased risk of
litigation and exorbitant fines. Applicators not in compliance
face fines of up to $37,500 per day per violation, not
including attorney's fees. Given the fact that a large number
of applicators have never been subject to NPDES and its
permitting process, even a good faith effort to be in
compliance could fall short. Moreover, the CWA allows for
private actions against individuals who may or may not have
committed a violation. Thus, while EPA may exercise its
judgment and refrain from prosecuting certain applicators, they
remain vulnerable to citizen suits. Unless Congress acts,
hundreds of thousands of farmers, foresters, and public health
pesticide users will go into the next season under threat of
lawsuits once the Sixth Circuit's April 9, 2011 deadline
passes.
It is not only pesticide regulators and applicators who
will be affected by new permitting requirements. Rather, the
Sixth Circuit's decision will affect everyday citizens, who
rely on the benefits provided by pesticides and their
responsible application. Pesticide use is an essential part of
agriculture. Imposing a burdensome and duplicative permitting
process on our nation's farmers threatens their ability to
continue to provide the country with a safe and reliable food
supply. Many family farmers and small applicators lack the
resources to ensure compliance with a cumbersome and detailed
permit scheme. Moreover, for those farmers who are able to
comply, delays that are inherent in permitting schemes are ill-
suited for prompt pest control actions necessary in
agriculture. Failure to apply a pesticide soon after a pest is
first detected could result in recurring and greater pest
damage in subsequent years if a prolific insect were to become
established in plant hosts. The Secretary of Agriculture, Hon.
Thomas J. Vilsack, has said that a permitting system under the
CWA for pesticide use ``is ill-suited to the demands of
agricultural production.'' (Letter, Hon. Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of Agriculture, to Hon. Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Subject:
The National Cotton Council of America, et al., v. United
States Environmental Protection Agency (Mar. 6, 2009)).
Forest landowners also will suffer under the new permit
scheme. EPA's permit scheme will result in a reduction in the
use of forest pest control as a forest management tool,
resulting in the acceleration of tree mortality and general
decline in overall forest health. It will also erect barriers
for the control of pests, such as Gypsy Moth and Forest Tent
Caterpillar. This may result in a higher incidence of
preventable tree kills and defoliated landscapes.
Finally, the Sixth Circuit's holding could have significant
implications for public health. The National Centers for
Disease Control officially recognizes the following as a
partial list of mosquito-borne diseases--Eastern Equine
Encephalitis, Japanese Encephalitis, La Crosse Encephalitis,
St. Louis Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Western Equine
Encephalitis, Dengue Fever, Malaria, Rift Valley Fever, and
Yellow Fever. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/list_mosquitoborne.htm.)
EPA's permit program poses the possibility of critical delays
in emergency responses to insect and disease outbreaks and will
divert resources from controlling environmental pests to
litigation and administrative burdens.
Development of Legislation in Response to the Sixth Circuit
Decision
As a result of concerns raised by Federal, state, local,
and private stakeholders regarding the interrelationship
between FIFRA and the CWA and the concerns posed by the new and
duplicative permitting process under the CWA, the House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and House
Committee on Agriculture sought technical assistance from EPA
to draft very narrow legislation targeted only at addressing
the Sixth Circuit's holding in National Cotton Council and
return the state of pesticide regulation to the status quo--
before the courts got involved. H.R. 872 is based on the
technical assistance that EPA provided to the Committees, and
is intended to be consistent with EPA's final rule from
November 2006. The bill amends FIFRA and the CWA to eliminate
the requirement of an NPDES permit for applications of
pesticides authorized for sale, distribution, or use under
FIFRA. (Note: See also the discussion of H. Res. 72 under ``3.
House Resolutions Considered in the House'' and the discussion
under ``D. Oversight.'')
H.R. 1343, To return unused or reclaimed funds made
available for broadband awards in the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the
Treasury of the United States.
H.R. 1343 was introduced by Representative Charles F. Bass
on April 4, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On
April 5, 2011 the Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered
reported the bill, as amended by a voice vote. On September 29,
2011 the bill was reported by the Committee on Energy Commerce,
H. Rept. 112-228, Part I. On that same date the Committee on
Agriculture was discharged from further consideration, however
there was an exchange of letters between the respective
committees that was printed in the Congressional Record during
consideration on the House floor. On October 5, 2011 the bill
passed the House, amended, under suspension of the rules by a
voice vote. On October 6, 2011 the bill was received in the
Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
H.R. 1343 requires the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service or the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information to terminate for cause any award
(including grants and loans) made under the Broadband
Initiatives Program or the Broadband Technology Opportunities
Program established pursuant to the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, if the Administrator or Assistant
Secretary determines that cause exists (including insufficient
level of performance, wasteful spending, or fraudulent
spending) to terminate the award.
The bill directs the Administrator or the Assistant
Secretary to deobligate, upon terminating such an award, an
amount equivalent to such award, less allowable costs, to the
extent funds with respect to such award are available in the
account relating to the respective programs (requires that any
additional amount subsequently recovered be deobligated
immediately upon receipt) and be returned to the Treasury's
General Fund such deobligated amounts and any award returned or
disclaimed by a recipient after enactment of this Act.
The bill also requires the Administrator or the Assistant
Secretary, upon receiving information from the Inspector
General of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Inspector
General of the Department of Commerce, or the Comptroller
General pertaining to material noncompliance with award terms
or improper usage of award funds, to: (1) review such
information immediately, (2) determine whether cause exists to
terminate such award (unless the relevant official recommends
that such a determination not be made), and (3) notify Congress
of any such determination.
H.R. 2682, Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization
Act of 2011
H.R. 2682 was introduced by Representative Michael Grimm
July 28, 2011 and refereed to the Committee on Financial
services in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On
November 30, 2011 the Committee on Financial Services held a
business meeting and ordered reported the bill, amended, by a
voice vote. The Committee on Financial Services filed a report,
H. Rept. 112-343, Part I, on December 23, 2011. The Committee
on Agriculture held a business meeting January 25, 2012, and
ordered reported the bill, amended, by a voice vote. On
February 8, 2012 the Committee on Agriculture filed a report,
H. Rept. 112-343, Part II. On March 26, 2012 the bill passed
the House, as amended, under suspension of the rules by a
recorded vote of 370 yeas to 24 nays. On March 27, 2012 the
measure was received in the Senate. The bill was placed on the
Legislative Calendar in the Senate on March 28, 2012 under
General Orders, Calendar No. 342.
H.R. 2682 amends the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) to
exempt, from the rules of prudential regulators for swap
dealers and major swap participants with respect to initial and
variation margin requirements for swaps not cleared by a
registered derivatives clearing organization, those swaps in
which one of the counterparties is: (1) not a financial entity,
and (2) is eligible for exception from clearing requirements
for certain significant price discovery agreements, contracts,
or transactions in a commodity exempt from regulation by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The measure also amends the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, with respect to registration and regulation of security-
based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants,
to exempt from initial and variation margin requirements for
swaps not cleared by a registered derivatives clearing
organization any security-based swap in which one of the
counterparties is: (1) not a financial entity, and (2) is
eligible for exception from clearing requirements. (Note: See
also the discussion under ``D. Oversight.'')
H.R. 2779, To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain
regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act.
H.R. 2779 was introduced by Representative Steve Stivers
August 1, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Financial
Services, in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. The
Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored
Enterprises held a business meeting November 15, 2011 and
forwarded the measure to the full committee by a recorded vote
of 23 yeas to 6 nays. On November 30, 2011 the Committee on
Financial Services held a business meeting and ordered reported
H.R. 2779, amended, by a recorded vote of 53 yeas to 0 nays.
The Committee on Financial Services filed a report, H. Rept.
112-344, Part I, on December 23, 2011. The Committee on
Agriculture held a business meeting January 25, 2012, and
ordered reported H.R. 2779, amended, by a voice vote. On
February 8, 2012, a report was filed by the Committee on
Agriculture, H. Rept. 112-344, Part II. On March 26, 2012 the
bill passed the House, as amended, under suspension of the
rules by a recorded vote of 357 yeas to 36 nays. On March 27,
2012 the measure was received in the Senate. The bill was
placed on the Legislative Calendar in the Senate on March 28,
2012 under General Orders, Calendar No. 343.
This measure amends the Commodity Exchange Act and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to exempt from
certain regulatory requirements swaps and security-based swaps
entered into by a party that is controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with its counterparty.
The proposal requires that such exempted agreements,
contracts, or transactions be reported to an appropriate data
repository, or, if there is no such repository that would
accept them, to: (1) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(CFTC) in the case of exempted swaps, or (2) the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) in the case of exempted security-
based swaps. (Note: See also the discussion under ``D.
Oversight.'')
H.R. 3336, Small Business Credit Availability Act
H.R. 3336 was introduced by Representative Vicky Hartzler
November, 3 2011 and referred to the House Committee on
Agriculture. January 25, 2012, the committee held a business
meeting and ordered reported H.R. 3336, amended, by a voice
vote. On February 8, 2012, the bill was reported, amended, H.
Rept. 112-390, and placed on the Union Calendar No. 269. On
April 25, 2012 the bill passed the House, as amended, under
suspension of the rules by a recorded vote of 312 yeas to 111
nays. On April 26, 2012 the bill was received in the Senate and
referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
This measure amends the Commodity Exchange Act (as amended
by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act) with respect to the exclusion of an insured depository
institution from regulation as a ``swap dealer.'' The criterion
for such exclusion as to the extent to which the institution
offers to enter into a swap with a customer in connection with
originating a loan with that customer are eliminated.
A new criteria is added for such exclusion the extent to
which the institution enters into a swap: (I) with a customer
that is seeking to manage risk in connection with an extension
of credit by the institution to, on behalf of, or for the
benefit of, the customer; or (2) to offset the risks arising
from a swap that meets such requirement.
The proposal excludes from regulation as a swap dealer,
under the same criteria, an institution chartered and operating
under the Farm Credit Act of 1971.
It revises the criteria for exemption of a swap from the
requirement that it be submitted for clearing to a derivatives
clearing organization either registered under this Act or
exempt from registration. The bill also revises in particular
the exemption from this requirement of a swap one of whose
counterparties is not a financial institution. The definition
of ``financial entity'' is modified with respect to a small
bank, savings association, farm credit system institution, or
credit union which the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(CFTC) may consider whether to exempt from such definition.
CFTC's discretion to make such an exemption is repealed.
Finally, the Small Business Credit Availability Act excludes
outright from the meaning of financial entity any small bank,
savings association, farm credit system institution, or credit
union if: (1) its total assets are $30 billion or less, or (2)
its aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure plus aggregate
potential outward exposure with respect to its swaps does not
exceed $1 billion. (Thus exempts such a small bank, savings
association, farm credit system institution, or credit union
from the clearing requirement.) (Note: See also the discussion
under ``D. Oversight.'')
H.R. 4089, Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012
H.R. 4089 was introduced by Representative Jeff Miller on
February 27, 2012 and referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture and
Energy and Commerce. On April February 29, 2012 the Committee
on Natural Resources ordered reported the bill, amended, by a
recorded vote of 27 yeas to 16 nays. On April 13, 2012 the
Committee on Natural Resources reported the bill, as amended,
H. Rept. 112-426, Part 1. On that same date the Committee on
Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Commerce was
discharged from further consideration. The bill passed the
House, as amended, on April 17, 2012 by a recorded vote of 274
yeas to 146 nays. On April 18, 2012 the measure was received in
the Senate.
H.R. 4089 would require Federal public land management
officials to use their authority to facilitate access to
Federal lands and waters for fishing, sport hunting, and
recreational shooting. The requirement to provide access to
Federal land could be limited for reasons of national security,
public safety, or resource conservation. In addition, access
could be limited because of any Federal statutes that
specifically preclude these uses on Federal land or by any
discretionary limitations on recreational fishing, hunting, and
shooting determined to be ``necessary and reasonable.''
The bill would also require that the head of each Federal
land management agency exercise its land management discretion
in a manner that supports and facilitates recreational fishing,
hunting, and shooting opportunities, in accordance with
applicable Federal law.
The bill would provide that any Federal public land
planning documents (including land management plans and
resource management plans) include a specific evaluation of the
effects that such plans would have on opportunities to engage
in recreational fishing, hunting, or shooting. Under the bill,
the fact that recreational fishing, hunting, or shooting occurs
on adjacent or nearby public or private lands would not be
considered in determining which Federal public lands would be
open for these activities or for setting levels of use for
these activities.
Federal lands could be closed to hunting and fishing for
numerous reasons including resource conservation, public
safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or
transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities and
national security. Proposals to close lands would require a
scientific review and consideration through a ``transparent
public process.'' If an agency moved to close a parcel larger
than 640 acres, it would be required to publish notice of its
intent to close the land to hunting activities, demonstrate
coordination with relevant state entities and submit a report
to Congress regarding the closure.
H.R. 4480, Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012
H.R. 4480 was introduced on April 14, 2012 by
Representative Cory Gardner and referred to the Committee
Energy and Commerce and in addition to the Committees on
Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Armed Services. On June 8,
2012, the Committee on Energy Commerce reported the bill,
amended, H. Rept. 112-520 Part 1. On that same date the
Committees on Agriculture, National Resources, and Armed
Services were discharged from further consideration and placed
the bill on the Union Calendar, No. 367. The measure was
considered in the House on June 20, 2012 as unfinished
business. On June 21, 2012 the bill passed the House, amended,
by a recorded vote of 248 yeas to 163 nays.
The bill would require the Secretary of Energy to develop a
plan to increase the percentage of Federal lands under the
jurisdictions of the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of
Energy, Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Defense
leased for oil and gas exploration, development, and production
following the first drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
(SPR).
The bill also requires that the plan: (1) increase the
total percentage of Federal lands leased for oil and gas
exploration, development, and production commensurate with the
percentage of petroleum in the SPR that was drawn down; (2)
limit the total percentage of Federal lands leased as a result
of the plan to 10 percent; (3) exclude lands managed under the
National Park System or that are part of the National
Wilderness Preservation System; (4) be consistent with a
national energy policy to meet present and future energy needs
of the U.S.; and (5) promote the interests of consumers through
the provision of an adequate and reliable supply of domestic
transportation fuels at the lowest reasonable cost.
Other Bills: Several bills acted on by other committees,
but not acted on by the Committee on Agriculture contain
provisions relating to matters within the Committee's
jurisdiction. The following are abbreviated summaries of these
bills, including some of the relevant provisions.
Legislative Matters
H. Con. Res. 112, Establishing the budget for the United
States Government for fiscal year 2013 and setting
forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years
2014 through 2022.
H. Con. Res. 112 was introduced and reported by the
Representative Paul Ryan on March 23, 2012, H. Rept. 112-421.
On March 29, 2012 the resolution passed the House by a recorded
vote of 228 yeas to 191 nays. On April 16, 2012 the resolution
was received in the Senate and placed on the Legislative
Calendar under General Orders, Calendar No. 354. On May 16,
2012 a motion to proceed to consideration failed in the Senate
by a recorded vote of 41 yeas to 58 nays.
H. Con. Res. 112 sets forth the congressional budget for
the Federal government for FY 2013, including the appropriate
budgetary levels for FY 2014-FY 2022.
The resolution gives reconciliation instructions to six
House Committees including the Committee on Agriculture; Energy
and Commerce, Financial Services, the Judiciary, Oversight and
Government Reform; and Ways and Means.
The measure requires the House Budget Committee to report a
bill that amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 to replace the sequester for enforcement of
the $1.2 trillion budget goal established by the Budget Control
Act of 2011 and include language making it application
contingent upon the enactment of the required reconciliation
bill. (Note: See also the discussion of H.R. 5652 under ``2.
Bills Acted on by the House But Not the Senate.'')
H.R. 910, to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning,
taking action relating to, or taking into
consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to
address climate change, and for other purposes.
H.R. 910 was introduced by Representative Fred Upton on
March 3, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce. On April 1, 2011 the bill was reported to the House,
amended, H. Rept. 112-50. The bill passed the House, amended,
by a recorded vote on April 7, 2011 and was then referred to
the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on April
8, 2011.
The Act prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation
concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into
consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address
climate change under the Clean Air Act. The bill would also
repeal a number of EPA rules and actions and allow the term
``air pollutant'' to include a GHG for the purpose of
addressing other concerns.
The Act also exempts from such prohibition: (1)
implementation and enforcement of the rule, ``Light-Duty
Vehicle Greenhouse Emission Standards and Corporate Average
Fuel Economy Standards'' and finalization implementation,
enforcement, and revision of the proposed rule, ``Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for
Medium and Heavy Duty Engines and Vehicles''; (2)
implementation of the renewable fuel program, statutorily
authorized Federal research, development, and demonstration
programs and voluntary programs addressing climate change; (3)
implementation and enforcement of stratospheric ozone
protection to the extent that such implementation or
enforcement only involves class I or II substances; and (4)
implementation and enforcement of requirements for monitoring
and reporting of carbon dioxide emission.
The measure prohibits the Administrator from waiving, and
invalidates waivers given by the Administrator, the ban on
states from adopting or enforcing standards relating to the
control of emissions from new motor vehicles or engines with
respect to GHG emissions for model year 2017 or any subsequent
model year.
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there is
established scientific concern over warming of the climate
system based upon evidence from observations of increases in
global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting
of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level; (2)
addressing climate change is an international issue, involving
complex scientific and economic consideration; (3) the United
States has a role to play in resolving global climate change
matters on an international basis; and (4) Congress should
fulfill that role by developing policies that do not adversely
affect the American economy, energy supplies, and employment.
(Note: See also the discussion of H. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
H.R. 1633, Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011
H.R. 1633 was introduced by Representative Kristi L. Noem
on April 15, 2011 and referred to the House Committee on Energy
and Commerce. The bill was reported (amended) to the House, H.
Rept. 112-316. December 6, 2011 and agreed to in the House by a
recorded vote of 268 yeas to 150 nays December 8. The bill was
then received and placed on the legislative calendar in the
Senate December 12, 2011.
The Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 prohibits
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
from proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any
regulation revising the national primary ambient air quality
standard or the national secondary ambient air quality standard
applicable to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter
greater than 2.5 micrometers under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for
one year.
The bill exempts nuisance dust from the CAA and excludes
nuisance dust from references in such Act to particulate
matter, except with respect to geographic areas where such dust
is not regulated under state, tribal, or local law if the
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of
Agriculture, finds that: (1) nuisance dust (or any subcategory
of nuisance dust) causes substantial adverse public health and
welfare effects at ambient concentrations; and (2) the benefits
of applying CAA standards and other requirements to such dust
outweigh the costs.
``Nuisance dust'' is defined as particulate matter that:
(1) is generated primarily from natural sources, unpaved roads,
agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities
typically conducted in rural areas; (2) consists primarily of
soil, other natural or biological materials, windblown dust, or
some combination thereof; (3) is not emitted directly into the
ambient air from combustion, such as exhaust from combustion
engines and emissions from stationary combustion processes; (4)
is not comprised of residuals from the combustion of coal; and
(5) does not include radioactive particulate matter produced
from uranium mining or processing.
The measure expresses the sense of Congress that the
Administrator should implement an approach to excluding
exceptional events, or events that are not reasonably
controllable or preventable, from determinations of whether an
area is in compliance with any national ambient air quality
standard (NAAQS) applicable to coarse particulate matter that
maximizes transparency and predictability for states, tribes,
and local governments and minimizes their regulatory and cost
burdens.
Under the proposed legislation, the Administrator, before
taking a covered action, to analyze its impact, disaggregated
by state, on employment levels in the agriculture industry and
on agricultural economic activity, utilizing the best available
economic models. Defines a ``covered action'' as an action by
the Administrator under the Clean Air Act, relating to
agriculture and the primary and secondary NAAQS for particulate
matter to: (1) issue a regulation, policy statement, guidance,
response to a petition, or other requirement; or (2) implement
a new or substantially altered program. Requires the
Administrator to: (1) post such analysis on the main page of
EPA's website; (2) request the Secretary of Agriculture to post
it on the main page of the Department of Agriculture's website;
and (3) request the governor of any state experiencing more
than a de minimis negative impact to post such analysis in the
state's capitol.
Finally, the bill requires the Administrator to: (1) hold a
public hearing in each state in which a covered action will
have more than a de minimis negative impact on agricultural
employment levels or agricultural economic activity, at least
30 days prior to the effective date of the action; and (2) give
notice of such impact to the state's congressional delegation,
governor, and legislature at least 45 days before the effective
date of the action. Defines ``de minimis negative impact'' as:
(1) a loss of more than 100 jobs related to the agriculture
industry, or (2) a decrease in agricultural economic activity
of more than $1 million over any calendar year. (Note: See also
the discussion of H. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions
Considered in the House.'')
H.R. 5652, Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012
H.R. 5652 was introduced and reported as an original
measure by Representatives Paul Ryan on May 9, 2012, H. Rept.
112-470. On May 10, 2012 the bill passed the House by a
recorded vote 218 yeas to 199 nays, and 11 present. On May 14,
2012 the bill was received in the Senate, read for a first time
and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar. On May 15, 2012
the bill was read for a second time and placed on the Senate
Legislative Calendar under General Orders, Calendar No. 398.
Title I of H.R. 5652 amends the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 to terminate the increase in the value
of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly
the food stamp program) benefits for Puerto Rico and American
Samoa on June 30, 2012.
The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to limit
categorical SNAP eligibility to households receiving specified
other program benefits in cash.
The bill also eliminates the requirement that a state
agency using a standard utility allowance provide such
allowance to a household that receives assistance under the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 or other energy
assistance program if such household incurs out-of-pocket
heating or cooling expenses exceeding such assistance.
The measure eliminates: (1) administrative cost sharing to
states for certain employment and training programs, (2) state
bonus programs for effective SNAP administration, and (3)
indexing for the nutrition education and obesity prevention
grant program. The bill also reduces FY 2013 funding for
employment and training programs. (Note: See also the
discussion of H. Con. Res. 112 under ``2. Bills Acted on by the
House But Not the Senate.'')
Finally, the bill authorizes FY 2013 appropriations to
carry out the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
Appropriations
H.R. 1, Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
H.R. 1 was introduced on February 11, 2011 by
Representative Harold Rogers and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations and in addition to the Committee on the Budget.
On February 19, 2011 the bill passed the House by a recorded
vote of 235 yeas to 189 nays. On February 28, 2011, the bill
was received in the Senate and placed on the Legislative
Calendar. On March 9, 2011 the bill not having achieved 60
votes in the affirmative, failed passage by a vote of 44 yeas
to 56 nays.
The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 makes FY
2011 appropriations for the Department of Defense, with some
specified items at levels reduced from FY 2010 levels. The bill
makes FY 2011 appropriations for other Federal departments and
agencies, with many specified programs at levels reduced from
FY 2010 levels and funding for certain programs eliminated
entirely.
Specifically division B of the Act appropriates FY 2011
amounts at the FY 2010 level for such continuing operations,
projects, or activities as were conducted in FY 2010 and for
which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made
available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2010 (P.L. 111-80); (2) the Energy and Water Development and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-85); (3)
the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010
(P.L. 111-83); (4) the Department of the Interior, Environment,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (division A of
P.L. 111-88); (5) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act,
2010 (division A of P.L. 111-68); (6) the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117); (7) chapter 1 of title
I of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-212),
addressing guaranteed loans in the rural housing insurance
fund; and (8) the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-224) for the
United States Patent and Trademark Office. (Note: See also the
discussion of P.L. 112-10 under ``1. Bills Enacted into Law.'')
3. House Resolutions Considered in the House
H. Res. 72, Directing certain standing committees to
inventory and review existing, pending, and
proposed regulations and orders from agencies of
the Federal Government, particularly with respect
to their effect on jobs and economic growth.
H. Res. 72 was introduced on February 8, 2011 by
Representative Pete Sessions and referred to the Committee on
Rules. On February 8, 2011 the Committee on Rules reported an
original measure, H. Rept. 112-6. On February 11, 2011, the
resolution passed the House by a recorded vote of 391 yeas to
28 nays.
H. Res. 72 requires Committees, including the Committee on
Agriculture to inventory and review existing, pending, and
proposed regulations, orders, and other administrative actions
or procedures by Federal agencies within its jurisdiction. The
resolution also requires each committee, upon completion of its
inventory and review to: (1) consider specified matters; (2)
conduct any hearings and other oversight activities necessary
in support of the inventory and review, and (3) identify in a
report on the first session of the 112th Congress any oversight
or legislative activity conducted in support of, or as a result
of, such inventory and review. (Note: See the discussion of
H.R. 872 under ``2 Bills Acted on by the House But Not the
Senate'', H.R. 1573 under ``4. Bills Ordered Reported, and D.
Oversight.'')
4. Bills Reported
H.R. 1505, National Security and Federal Lands Protection
Act
H.R. 1505 was introduced April 13, 2011, by Representative
Rob Bishop and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources,
in addition to the Committees on Agriculture and Homeland
Security. On October 5, 2011, the Committee on Natural
Resources held a business meeting and ordered reported, H.R.
1505, amended, by a recorded vote of 26 yeas to 17 nays. The
Committee on Natural Resources filed a report (H. Rept. 112-
448, Part I) on April 17, 2012. On the same day, the bill was
discharged from the Committees on Agriculture and Homeland
Security and placed on the Union Calendar, No. 312.
As reported, this measure prohibits the Secretary of the
Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) from
prohibiting or restricting activities on land under their
respective jurisdictions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
to achieve operational control over the international land
borders of the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection access to such lands is
granted in order to conduct the following activities: (1)
construction and maintenance of roads and fences; (2) use of
patrol vehicles and aircraft; (3) installation, maintenance,
and operation of surveillance equipment and sensors; and (4)
deployment of temporary tactical infrastructure, including
forward operating bases.
The bill states that a waiver by the Secretary of Homeland
Security (DHS) of specified laws regarding sections of the
international border between the United States and Mexico and
between the United States and Canada shall apply to all land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior or the
Secretary of Agriculture within 100 miles of the international
land borders of the United States with respect to U.S. Customs
and Border Protection activities under this Act.
It also states that this Act shall not be construed to
restrict legal use (grazing, hunting, or mining) on, or legal
access to, land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the
Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture.
Finally, the bill language terminates this Act five years
after enactment
H.R. 1573, To facilitate implementation of title VII of the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination,
and avoid market disruption.
H.R. 1573 was introduced on April 15, 2011 by Chairman
Lucas and referred to the Committee on Financial Services and
in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On May 4, 2011,
the Committee on Agriculture held a business meeting and
ordered reported, H.R. 1573, amended, by a voice vote. On May
24, 2011, the Committee on Financial Services held a business
meeting and ordered reported, H.R. 1573, amended, by a recorded
vote of 30 yeas to 24 nays. On June 11, 2011 both the Committee
on Financial Services and the Committee on Agriculture filed a
report, H. Rept. 112-109 pt. 1 and 2.
The bill as ordered reported extends the statutory deadline
for the implementation of most provisions of Title VII of the
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203)
by 18 months. The bill does not extend the deadline for the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue final rules further
defining key terms in Section 712(d)(1) of swap, security based
swap, swap dealer, security-based swap dealer, major swap
participant, major security-based swap participant and eligible
contract participant. The bill also does not extend the
deadline for the reporting requirements in Sections 2(h)(5) and
4r of the Commodity Exchange Act and Sections 3C(e) and 13A(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. To facilitate the
reporting of swaps data, the bill gives the CFTC and the SEC
interim authority to designate swap data repositories that meet
certain criteria. In addition, the bill requires the CFTC and
SEC, prior to prescribing any final rules required under Title
VII, to hold additional roundtables and public hearings to
receive public testimony and factor it into the rule proposals.
Lastly, H.R. 1573 gives the CFTC and SEC authority to exempt
certain persons from registration or related regulatory
requirements if they are subject to comparable regulation by a
U.S. or foreign regulatory authority.
Beginning in February, the Committee held 4 hearings, two
Full Committee and two General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management Subcommittee hearings to examine the implementation
of Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Committee took
testimony from witnesses that represented a broad spectrum of
participants in the derivatives markets. The Committee heard
from a wide array of end-users, including agricultural
cooperatives, manufacturers, commercial energy firms and
electric utilities. The Committee also heard from large
financial market participants, such as a global exchanges and
clearinghouses, electronic trading platforms, swap dealers,
hedge funds and mutual funds. Witnesses also included
representatives from pension funds, community banks and farm
credit banks. Across the spectrum of expertise, an overwhelming
majority of witnesses expressed concerns that the compressed
statutory deadlines and sheer volume of regulations were having
a negative impact on the implementation process, particularly
at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In short, a
common concern was that the statutory deadlines forced the
regulatory agencies to prioritize speed over deliberation,
making it difficult for stakeholders to comment, and
undermining the economic analysis associated with each proposed
rule. Witnesses also expressed concerns that many of the CFTC's
rule proposals exceed or conflict with congressional intent,
are inconsistent with proposals from other regulatory agencies,
and may be detrimental for U.S. businesses, for our markets,
and for our economy. The Committee also heard testimony from
multiple witnesses about the role of speculation in the
commodities markets, including the impact on the price of food
and fuel. When he testified before the Committee, Chairman
Gensler cited the need for transparency and confidence in
commodity trading that Dodd-Frank will provide for users of
energy and food and that is ``critical for our economy.'' The
Committee also heard testimony from multiple witnesses about
the role of speculation in the commodities markets, including
the impact on the price of food and fuel. When he testified
before the Committee, Chairman Gensler cited the need for
transparency and confidence in commodity trading that Dodd-
Frank will provide for users of energy and food and that is
``critical for our economy.''
In addition, there are efforts around the world to
implement financial regulatory reform in the wake of the global
financial crisis. In September of 2009, the leaders of the G20
Nations agreed to implement certain OTC derivatives reforms by
the end of December of 2012. Many of the witnesses, along with
a broad cross section of industry and academics, have cited
concerns about the U.S. moving on a much faster timetable than
the European Union (EU) or Asian regulators, creating the
potential for regulatory arbitrage and negative consequences to
the competitiveness of U.S. businesses. The extreme pace of
rulemaking diminishes the opportunity for regulators to
coordinate and harmonize international regulatory regimes,
creates opportunities for regulatory arbitrage, and gives
foreign countries a ``learn from our mistakes'' advantage.
While it would not be possible or wise to tie the timing of our
regulatory reforms to unpredictable deadlines of the EU and
other jurisdictions, slowing the process down would enhance the
opportunity for coordination and greater consistency among
regulatory regimes.
Last, the CFTC Inspector General (IG) recently issued an
investigative report of the CFTC's cost-benefit analysis
performed in connection with Dodd-Frank rulemakings. In
general, the report found that the CFTC takes a minimalist
approach to considering the costs and benefits of proposed
regulations and focuses more on meeting the legal obligation
under the Commodity Exchange Act than performing a legitimate
economic analysis. Put simply, the CFTC IG concluded the report
by saying ``We are mindful of the adage, `just because
something is legal, doesn't make it right.' And we
wholeheartedly agree that, `[in] the end, economic analysis is
more than about satisfying procedural requirements for
regulatory rulemaking.''' In addition, the report found that
the irrational sequence of rule proposals that many witnesses
cited as an impediment to their ability to provide meaningful
comment was created by the compressed timeframes. Specifically
the report stated ``Staff and management were aware that market
participants might refrain from comment on conduct regulations
in the mistaken belief that they would not fall within the
definitions. However, at this stage in the process, staff
indicated the overriding concern was meeting the rule-making
deadline under Dodd-Frank.''
H.R. 1573 gives the regulatory agencies an additional 18
months to promulgate most rules required by Title VII. A common
concern, particularly among end-users, was that the sequence of
rule proposals made it difficult for them to comment
meaningfully. For example, one of the last rules proposed by
the CFTC in the initial proposing phase was the definition of
``swap.'' Stakeholders were asked to comment on each rule
prescribing a regulatory regime without clarification regarding
the scope of products impacted. For certain industries, such as
the electric power industry, the definition of swap was a
significant factor in understanding which regulations they may
be subject to. In addition, rules were proposed to govern Major
Swap Participants and Swap Dealers before a rule had been
proposed to define Major Swap Participant and Swap Dealer. To
provide for a more rational sequence of rule proposals, H.R.
1573 does not extend the deadline for the definitions required
under Section 712(d)(1). This will provide clarity to market
participants about their regulatory status, and to facilitate
productive comment on the succeeding rules prescribing the
relevant regulatory requirements.
H.R. 1573 also does not extend the deadline for the
regulatory reporting requirements applicable to swaps in
Sections 723 and 729 and the similar provisions applicable to
security-based swaps. This provision will ensure transparency
and reporting of all swap transactions are not delayed, both to
give the regulatory agencies access to market data to monitor
for systemic risk, and to further instruct the rulemaking
process by providing swap market data that the agencies
currently do not have. To facilitate the reporting of swaps
data and encourage further development of swap data
repositories, H.R. 1573 gives the regulatory agencies interim
authority to designate swap data repositories during the period
in which the regulations governing swap data repositories are
being finalized.
The bill also requires the CFTC and the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) to hold additional public roundtables
and hearings to take testimony from affected market
participants prior to the finalization of any rules. Providing
stakeholders additional time to offer input will help to
mitigate unintended consequences of poorly vetted proposals,
and permit comment once all rules have been proposed and can be
considered in light of their interdependence and cumulative
impact on the markets. During consideration of H.R. 1573,
Representative Joe Courtney offered an amendment to exempt the
establishment of position limits from the bill in order to
reduce speculation on food and energy commodities. While the
amendment was ultimately defeated by one vote, the amendment
received bipartisan support and highlighted the need for strong
oversight by the CFTC over the influence of speculation on
commodity markets. During consideration of H.R. 1573,
Representative Courtney offered an amendment to exempt the
establishment of position limits from the bill in order to
reduce speculation on food and energy commodities. While the
amendment was ultimately defeated by one vote, the amendment
received bipartisan support and highlighted the need for strong
oversight by the CFTC over the influence of speculation on
commodity markets. (Note: See also the discussion of H. Res. 72
under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House'' and the
discussion of ``D. Oversight.'')
H.R. 1838, Swaps Bailout Prevention Act
H.R. 1838 was introduced May 11, 2011, by Representative
Nan Hayworth and referred to the Committee on Financial
Services in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On
November 15, 2011, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and
Government Sponsored Enterprises of the Committee on Financial
Services held a mark up and forwarded the measure to the Full
Committee as amended by a recorded vote of 21 yeas to 12 nays.
The full Committee on Financial Services held a business
meeting February 16, 2012, and ordered reported, H.R. 1838,
amended, by voice vote and filed a report, H. Rept. 112-476,
Part I on May 11, 2012.
This measure amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act to repeal the prohibition against
Federal government assistance to (bailouts of) registered swap
dealers, security-based swap dealers, major swap participants,
or major security-based swap participants with respect to any
swap, security-based swap, or other activity. (Note: See also
the discussion under ``D. Oversight.'')
H.R. 1840, To improve consideration by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission of the costs and
benefits of its regulations and orders.
H.R. 1840 was introduced by Representative K. Michael
Conaway on May 5, 2011, and referred to the House Committee on
Agriculture. The committee held a business meeting on January
25, 2102 and ordered reported H.R. 1840, amended, by a voice
vote. A report, H. Rept. 112-482, was filed by the committee on
May 16, 2012, and the bill was placed on the Union Calendar,
No. 337.
The measure amends the Commodity Exchange Act to revise the
requirement that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(CFTC), before promulgating a regulation or issuing an order,
consider the costs and benefits of the action. It also requires
the CFTC, through the Office of the Chief Economist, to: (1)
assess the costs and benefits, both qualitative and
quantitative, of an intended regulation; and (2) propose or
adopt a regulation only on a reasoned determination that the
benefits justify the costs.
Finally, the bill lists additional mandatory considerations
for the CFTC to evaluate in making a reasoned determination of
the costs and the benefits, including the impact on market
liquidity in the futures and swaps markets, as well as
alternatives to direct regulation. (Note: See also the
discussion under ``D. Oversight.'')
H.R. 2172, Utilizing America's Federal Lands for Wind
Energy Act
H.R. 2172 was introduced by Representative Kristi L. Noem
June 14, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On
December 1 the measure was discharged by the Committee on
Agriculture and reported (amended) by the Committee on Natural
Resources, H. Rept. 112-300, Part I. It was placed on the Union
Calendar (Calendar No. 200) the same day.
This bill exempts projects determined by the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) or the Forest Service to be meteorological
site testing and monitoring projects from environmental impact
statement requirements under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA).
``Meteorological site testing and monitoring project'' is
defined as a project that is carried out on land administered
by BLM or the Forest Service to test or monitor weather using
towers or other devices, that is decommissioned within five
years of its commencement, that provides meteorological
information to such agencies, that causes less than one acre of
soil or vegetation disruption at the location of each
meteorological tower or other device and no more than five
acres of soil or disruption within the proposed right-of-way
for the project, and that is installed: (1) using existing
access roads; (2) in a manner that does not require off-road
motorized access other than one installation activity and one
decommissioning activity along an identified off-road route
approved by the BLM Director or the Chief of the Forest
Service; (3) without construction of new roads other than
upgrading of existing minor drainage crossings for safety
purposes; and (4) without the use of digging or drilling
equipment vehicles other than rubber-tired vehicles with gross
weight ratings under 8,500 pounds.
The measure requires the BLM Director or Chief of the
Forest Service to: (1) decide whether to issue a permit for
such a project within 30 days after receiving an application
for such permit, and (2) provide to the applicant reasons why
an application was denied and an opportunity to remedy any
deficiencies.
H.R. 2586, Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act
H.R. 2586 was introduced by Representative Scott Garret
July 19, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Financial
Services as in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. The
Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored
Enterprises held a business meeting November 15, 2011 and
forwarded the measure to the full committee by voice vote. On
November 30, 2011 the Committee on Financial Services held a
business meeting and ordered reported H.R. 2586, amended, by a
voice vote. The Committee on Financial Services filed a report,
H. Rept. 112-345, Part I on December 23, 2011. The Committee on
Agriculture held a business meeting January 25, 2012, and
ordered reported H.R. 2586, amended, by a voice vote. February
8, 2012, the Committee on Agriculture filed a report, 112-345,
Part II and the measure was placed on the Union Calendar, No.
266.
This measure amends the Commodity Exchange Act and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit both the Commodity
Futures Exchange Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), in interpreting or defining a
``security-based swap execution facility,'' from requiring one
to: (1) have a minimum number of participants receive a bid or
offer or respond to any trading system or platform
functionality, (2) display or delay bids or offers for any
period of time, (3) limit the means of interstate commerce used
by market participants to enter into and execute swap
transactions on the trading system or platform; or (4) require
bids or offers on one trading system or platform operated by
the swap execution facility to interact with bids or offers on
another trading system or platform operated by the swap
execution facility. (Note: See also the discussion under ``D.
Oversight.'')
H.R. 3283, Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act
H.R. 3283 was introduced October 31, 2011, by
Representative James Himes and referred to the Committee on
Financial Services in addition to the Committee on Agriculture.
The Committee on Financial Services held a business meeting and
ordered reported H.R. 3283, amended by a recorded vote of 41
yeas to 18 nays. The report, H. Rept. 112-477, Part I was filed
by the Committee on Financial Services May 11, 2012,
This measure amends the Commodity Exchange Act and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding extra-territorial
swap transactions to exempt swaps, including security-based
swaps, from regulation under the Wall Street Transparency and
Accountability Act of 2010 (WSTAA) (title VII of the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) as long as the
swap dealer: (1) is either a U.S. person or a person whose
parent company is a U.S. person; and (2) reports such swap or
security-based swap to a swap data repository registered with
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or a security-
based swap data repository registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), as appropriate.
The language also subjects to WSTAA requirements, any non-
U.S. person that is a registered swaps or security-based swaps
dealer and that has entered into swaps or security-based swaps
with a U.S. person who is not a U.S. subsidiary, branch, or
affiliate of that non-U.S. person.
Finally, the proposal requires the CFTC and the SEC to
permit non-U.S. persons that are registered swaps or security-
based swaps dealers to comply with WSTAA capital requirements
by complying with comparable requirements established by the
appropriate governmental authorities in their respective home
countries, so long as those home countries are signatories to
the Basel Accords. (Note: See also the discussion under ``D.
Oversight.'')
H.R. 3527, Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive
Regulation
H.R. 3527 was introduced by Representative Randy Hultgren
November 30, 2011 and was referred to the House Committee on
Agriculture. The committee held a business meeting on January
25, 2012 and ordered reported H.R. 3527, amended, by a voice
vote. February 8, 2011, the Committee on Agriculture filed a
report, H. Rept. 112-391 and the measure was placed on the
Union Calendar, No. 270.
Section 2 of the bill amends the Commodity Exchange Act to
revise the current exception to the definition of ``swap
dealer'' to state that, in determining whether a person is a
``swap dealer,'' no consideration shall be given to any
transaction entered into for the person's own account for the
purpose of hedging or mitigating commercial risk.
The proposal also directs the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) to adopt standards distinguishing: (1) the
activities of a swap dealer specified in current law, and (2)
entering into swaps for a person's own account in order to
achieve its own trading objectives as determined by the CFTC.
The CFTC is required to exempt from designation as a swap
dealer, an entity that enters into swap dealing transactions
with or on behalf of its customers if the aggregate gross
notional amount of the outstanding swap dealing transactions
entered into over the course of the preceding calendar year
does not exceed $3 billion (or a greater amount, as market
conditions warrant), adjusted for inflation. (Note: See also
the discussion under ``D. Oversight.'')
Section 3 of the proposal states that this Act shall be
implemented: (1) without regard to Federal law regarding
coordination of Federal information policy or rulemaking
requirements concerning notice and comment, and (2) through
promulgation of an interim final rule.
H.R. 3685, To amend the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library
Group Forest Recovery Act to extend and expand the
scope of the pilot forest management project
required by that Act.
H.R. 3685 was introduced by Representative Wally Herger on
December 15, 2011 and referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On
June 7, 2012, the Committee on Natural Resources held a
business meeting and ordered reported the bill, as amended, by
a recorded vote of 21 yeas to 16 nays. The Committee on Natural
Resources reported the bill, amended, H. Rept. 112-524, Part 1
on June 15, 2012. On that same date the Committee on
Agriculture was discharged from further consideration and the
bill was placed on the Union Calendar, No. 372.
The bill amends the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group
Forest Recovery Act to extend the term of the pilot forest
management project for the Plumas, Lassen, and Tahoe National
Forests in California.
The measure directs the Regional Forester for Region 5 to
initiate the process of amending or revising such plans for the
pilot project area (the federal lands within the Plumas and
Lassen National Forests and the Sierraville Ranger District of
Tahoe National Forest designated as available for group
selection). Requires such process to include the preparation of
at least one alternative that incorporates the pilot project
and area designations, the resource management activities, and
other aspects of the Quincy Library Group Community Stability
Proposal.
The proposal also authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to expand the pilot project area to include all of the National
Forest System lands in California or Nevada that lie within the
Sierra Nevada and Cascade Province, Lake Tahoe Basin Management
Unit, and Humboldt-Toiyabe and Inyo National Forests.
H.R. 4234, Grazing Improvement Act of 2012
H.R. 4234 was introduced by Representative Raul Labrador on
March 21, 2012 and referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. On
June 7, 2012, the Committee on Natural Resources held a
business meeting and ordered reported the bill, as amended, by
a recorded vote of 21 yeas to 15 nays. The Committee on Natural
Resources reported the bill, amended, H. Rept. 112-533, Part 1
on June 15, 2012. On that same date the Committee on
Agriculture was discharged from further consideration and the
bill was placed on the Union Calendar, No. 381.
H.R. 4234 amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976 to double from 10 to 20 years the period of a term for
grazing permits and leases for domestic livestock grazing on
public lands or lands within national forests in 16 contiguous
western states. Permits the issuance of permits and leases for
a period shorter than 20 years (under current law, shorter than
10 years).
The bill directs that grazing permits or leases issued by
the Secretary of the Interior respecting lands under the
jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and grazing
permits issued by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA)
respecting National Forest System lands that expire, are
transferred, or are waived after this Act's enactment be
renewed or reissued, as appropriate, under the Act, Granger-
Thye Act, Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, or California Desert
Protection Act of 1994.
The bill also excludes the renewal, reissuance, or transfer
of a grazing permit or lease by the Secretary concerned from
the requirement under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 to prepare an environmental analysis if such decision
continues current grazing management of the allotment. States
that crossing and trailing permits are an administrative
decision and shall be excluded from the requirement to prepare
an environmental analysis.
The proposal makes provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act applicable to appeals made by grazing permittees
regarding grazing permits or leases under the Act and the
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.
H.R. 4235, Swap Data Repository and Clearinghouse
Indemnification Correction Act of 2012
H.R. 4235 was introduced March 21, 2012, by Representative
Robert Dold and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, in
addition to the Committee on Financial Services. On March 27,
2012, the Committee on Financial Services held a business
meeting and ordered reported H.R. 4235, amended, by a voice
vote. The Committee on Financial Services filed a report, H.
Rept. 112-470, Part I on May 9, 2012.
The proposal amends the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), with
respect to derivatives clearing organizations and swap data
repositories, to repeal the prerequisite that, before the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) may share
information with specified regulatory agencies, such agencies
must agree to indemnify the CFTC for expenses arising from
litigation relating to information so provided.
It also amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (SEA) to
repeal similarly the prerequisite that, before a security-based
swap data repository may share information with specified
regulatory entities, such entities must agree to indemnify both
such repository and the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) for expenses arising from litigation relating to
information so provided. (Note: See also the discussion under
``D. Oversight.'')
d. oversight
The Committee on Agriculture and its Subcommittees were
active in their oversight functions, holding a number of
oversight hearings and activities during the first quarter of
the 112th Congress. The hearings related to the application,
administration, and effectiveness of laws that lie within the
Committee's jurisdiction as well as the organization and
operation of the Department of Agriculture and other Federal
agencies having responsibility for the administration of such
laws. The hearings often result in recommendations for
improvements in the administration of the laws, regulations and
policies in effect in the Executive Branch as they relate to
the Committee's jurisdiction. Information gathered at these
hearings was useful in preparing legislation for consideration
in the House of Representatives.
As part of its hearings, the Committee and its
Subcommittees reviewed the way the particular Federal agency or
department (usually the Department of Agriculture) administered
existing laws related to the subject matter of the legislation
before, or to be considered by, the Committee. In some cases,
legislation favorably reported to the House carries a
termination date (a ``sunset'') to ensure that in the future
Congress will again review the effectiveness and the methods
with which the Executive Branch of Government has carried out
the letter and the spirit of that statute.
In keeping with the objective of the Oversight Plan as
submitted to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
and House Administration, H.J. Res. 72, and Rule XI, clause 2
of the House of Representatives, the Committee and its
subcommittees conducted the following chronological oversight
hearings during the first quarter of the 112th Congress (Note:
To see a copy of the Oversight Plan as submitted, see ``I.
Summary of Organization, Jurisdiction, and Oversight Plan of
the Committee on Agriculture'' and to see the description of
H.J. Res. 72, see ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the
House''.):
January 20, 2011: Public Forum To Review the Biotechnology
Product Regulatory Approval Process. Full Committee. Committee
Print No. 112-00.
The purpose of this forum was to review the biotechnology
product regulatory approval process. The forum was held prior
to an expected announcement by the USDA regarding genetically
engineered alfalfa. The USDA has proposed an option that would
be a departure from existing policy and would partially
deregulate the product and impose geographic restrictions and
isolation distances. Testimony was heard from two witnesses on
two panels, including Thomas Vilsack, Secretary, U.S.
Department of Agriculture. (Note: See also the discussion of
H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the
House.'')
February 10, 2011: Hearing to review implementation of
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act, Part I. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-
01.
The purpose of this hearing was to review implementations
of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act. Many expressed concerns that the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission is issuing too many rules too
quickly to the detriment of adequate cost benefit analysis,
deliberation and meaningful public comment. The subcommittee
heard testimony from six witnesses on two panels, including
Chairman Gary Gensler of the Commodity Futures trading
Commission, as well as buyers and sellers of derivatives, and
providers of clearing and execution platforms. (Note: See also
the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions
Considered in the House'' and the discussion of H.R. 1573 under
``4. Bills Reported.'')
February 15, 2011: Hearing to review the Various
Definitions of Rural Applied Under Programs Operated by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Subcommittee on Rural
Development, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture.
Hearing Serial No. 112-02.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the various
definitions of rural applied under programs operated by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. The definition of rural plays a
key role in targeting scarce Federal dollars to communities in
need. The 2008 Farm Bill made several changes to these
definitions to ensure that funds are not used in and around
urban areas. The 2008 Farm Bill also directed the Secretary of
Agriculture to submit a report on the various definitions of
rural as used by the USDA within two years of passage of the
bill. Concern was expressed because the report has not been
completed. There were five witnesses on two panels, including
Ms. Cheryl Cook, Deputy Under Secretary, Rural Development,
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Note: See also the discussion
of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the
House'' and the discussion of H.R. 1573 under ``4. Bills
Reported.'')
February 15, 2011: Hearing to review implementation of
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act, Part II. Subcommittee on General Farm
Commodities and Risk Management. Hearing Serial No. 112-01.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the
implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This was part two of last
weeks hearing to further review the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission's effort to write rules that will implement a new
regulatory regime for the derivatives market. Topics discussed
were the potential impact of the more than thirty new
regulatory proposals the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
has issued since September. Testimony was heard from six
witnesses on a single panel. (Note: See also the discussion of
H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the
House'' and the discussion of H.R. 1573 under ``4. Bills
Reported.'')
February 16, 2011: Joint Hearing To Consider Reducing the
Regulatory Burdens Posed by the Case, National Cotton Council
v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009) and To Review Related Draft Legislation.
Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture of the Committee on
Agriculture and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Hearing
Serial No. 112-03.
The purpose of this hearing was to consider reducing the
regulatory burdens posed by the case National Cotton Council v.
EPA (6th Cir. 2009) and to review related draft legislation.
Members of the subcommittee considered draft legislation
targeted at addressing the 6th Circuit Court ruling under
which, pesticide users would have to obtain a duplicate permit
under the Clean Water Act for the use of pesticides. Pesticides
are used by farmers, ranchers, forest managers, mosquito
control districts, water districts, and others and pesticide
applications are highly regulated under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act. Testimony was heard
from five witnesses on two panels. (Note: See also the
discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions
Considered in the House'' and the discussion of the H.R. 872
under ``2. Bills Acted on by the House But Not the Senate.'')
February 17, 2011: Hearing to review the state of the farm
economy. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-04.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the state of the
farm economy. Topics discussed include the many regulatory
burdens affecting the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers,
economic trends in prices, input costs, and farm output. The
committee heard testimony from the Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
March 10, 2011: Hearing to review the impact of EPA
Regulation on Agriculture. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No.
112-05.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the impact of EPA
regulations on agriculture. The committee discussed the
aggressive regulatory agenda the agency is pursing at the
expense of the livelihoods of America's farmers and ranchers.
Testimony was heard from Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. (Note: See also the discussion
of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the
House.'')
March 16, 2011: Hearing to review the Chesapeake Bay TMDL,
Agricultural Conservation Practices, and Their Implications on
National Watersheds. Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and
Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-06.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the Chesapeake
Bay TMDL, agriculture conservation practices, and their
implications on national watersheds. Topics discussed were the
importance of conservation programs and their impacts on the
health of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the steps farmers have
taken to preserve and protect the watershed. Many expressed
concerns that the EPA is not recognizing the contributions
producers have made to ensuring a healthy bay, that the EPA is
not considering the economic consequences of its Chesapeake Bay
cleanup program on the agricultural community, and that the EPA
could use the process from this effort and eventually apply it
to other watersheds across the country which would subject
farmers there to heavy regulations. The subcommittee heard
testimony from seven witnesses on two panels. (Note: See also
the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions
Considered in the House.'')
March 31, 2011: Defining the market: Entity and product
classifications under Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Full Committee. Hearing
Serial No. 112-07.
The purpose of this hearing, titled ``Define the Market:
Entity and Product Classifications under Title VII of the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,'' was to
review the definitions of key terms included in Dodd-Frank,
such as ``swap,'' ``swap dealer,'' and ``major swap
participant.'' Members of the committee considered how end-
users will be impacted by these definitions and regulatory
designations. There were six witnesses on two panels, including
the Honorable Gary Gensler, Chairman, Commodity Futures Trading
Commission. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72
under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House'' and the
discussion of H.R. 1573 under ``4. Bills Reported.'')
April 6, 2011: Hearing to review the state of the beef
industry. Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Hearing Serial No. 112-08.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the state of the
beef industry. Topics discussed included the structure and
economic conditions of the beef sector and a range of issues
impacting the beef industry such as environmental policies,
feed availability, input process, trade, and the proposed Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule.
The subcommittee heard testimony from three witnesses on one
panel.
April 7, 2011: Hearing to review market promotion programs
and their effectiveness on expanding exports of U.S.
agricultural products. Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture. Hearing
Serial No. 112-09.
The purpose of this hearing was to review market promotion
programs and their effectiveness on expanding exports of U.S.
agricultural products. Topics discussed included the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service which
operates five market promotion programs. These programs are all
designed to facilitate exports and include the Market Access
Program, Foreign Market Development Program, Emerging Markets
Program, Quality Samples Program, and the Technical Assistance
for Specialty Crops program. Testimony was heard from six
witnesses on two panels, including John Brewer, Administrator,
Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
April 13, 2011: Implementing Dodd-Frank: A review of the
CFTC's rulemaking process. Subcommittee on General Farm
Commodities and Risk Management. Hearing Serial No. 112-10.
The purpose of this hearing was to review CFTC's Rulemaking
Process for implementing title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This was the third
hearing in a series of hearings to review the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Testimony was heard
from six witnesses on two panels.
April 13, 2011: Hearing to review the state of the poultry
industry. Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Hearing Serial No. 112-11.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the state of the
poultry industry. The subcommittee heard testimony from a
chicken grower, a chicken integrator, and a turkey grower on
the structure and economic conditions of the poultry sector.
Testimony from three witnesses was heard on a single panel.
(Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House'' and the discussion of
H.R. 1573 under ``4. Bills Reported.'')
April 14, 2011: Hearing to review credit conditions in
rural America. Subcommittee on Department Operations,
Oversight, and Credit. Hearing Serial No. 112-12.
The purpose of this hearing was to review credit conditions
in rural America. Many expressed concern over credit being
readily available through institutions that are fundamentally
sound, since a number of institutions provide credit to our
nations farmers, ranchers, and rural constituents. The
subcommittee heard testimony from seven witnesses from two
panels. Witnesses included representatives from the FSA, FCA,
Farmer Mac, the Federal Reserve Bank, local banks, and the
agricultural community.
May 3, 2011: Joint hearing to review the costs of Federal
regulatory dysfunction to American jobs, agriculture, health &
species. Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural
Resources. Hearing Serial No. 112-13.
The purpose of this hearing was to bring together the
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees to focus on
pesticide registration consultations under section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) carried out between the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and either the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the Department of Commerce,
or the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the
Interior (FWS).
Committee members encouraged Federal agencies to include a
transparent analysis of the economic impacts to production
agriculture and forestry in the scope of work of the recently
requested review by the National Academies of Science (NAS) and
to commit to re-initiating consultation on the first several
biological opinions following completion of the review by the
NAS of the scientific models and economic impacts used by the
Federal agencies. The Committees heard from ten witnesses on
two panels including USDA Chief Economist Dr. Joseph Glauber.
(Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
May 4, 2011: Hearing to review the state of the pork
industry. Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Hearing Serial No. 112-14.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the state of the
pork industry. The subcommittee discussed the economic and
policy issues currently affecting the pork industry. These
included international trade, feed availability, animal health
and welfare, environmental policies, and the proposed Grain
Inspection. The subcommittee heard testimony from three
witnesses, including a small farrow-to-finish producer, a
packer, and an owner of a large family-owned pork farming
network.
May 5, 2011: Hearing to review the U.S. Forest Service's
proposed forest planning rule. Subcommittee on Conservation,
Energy, and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-15.
The purpose of this hearing was to review U.S. Forest
Service's proposed Forest Planning Rule. The proposed planning
rule was issued on February 14, 2011 and has a public comment
period open until May 16, 2011. The rule revises the Forest
Service's current planning process for its 155 national
forests, 20 grasslands, and 1 prairie. Many expressed concerns
that the rule is too complex, does nothing to reduce the
regulatory burden on those working in the forest products
industry, and does not adequately promote forestry job growth.
The subcommittee heard testimony from five witnesses on two
panels.
May 12, 2011: Hearing to review pending free trade
agreements. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-16.
The purpose of this hearing was to review pending free
trade agreements. The Committee examined pending free trade
agreements between the U.S. and Colombia, Panama, and South
Korea. Witnesses discussed the potential benefits of reducing
tariffs under the three pending agreements and the U.S.
experience with past trade agreements. The Committee heard
testimony from two panels with eight witnesses, including Hon.
Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
and Hon. Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative.
May 25, 2011: Harmonizing global derivatives reform: Impact
on U.S. competitiveness and market stability Subcommittee on
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Hearing Serial
No. 112-17.
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the need to
harmonize reforms with other G20 nations, perform cost-benefit
analysis, and avoid opportunities for regulatory arbitrage. The
subcommittee heard testimony from eight witnesses on two panels
including two commissioners from the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
June 2, 2011: Hearing to review recent investigations and
audits conducted by the USDA Inspector General. Subcommittee on
Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit. Hearing Serial
No. 112-18.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the work of the
USDA Office of the Inspector General. Members of the
subcommittee discussed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program misuse, the Natural Resources Conservation Service
audit, minority programs investigations, Biomass Crop
Assistance Program implementation oversight, and USDA
information technology improvement progress. Members heard
testimony from a single panel of one witness, The Honorable
Phyllis K. Fong, who was accompanied by three other OIG staff
members. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
June 23, 2011: Hearing to review the opportunities and
benefits of agricultural biotechnology. Subcommittee on Rural
Development, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture.
Hearing Serial No. 112-19.
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the current
issues and trends in biotechnology research, results, and
regulation. Members of the Subcommittee discussed the use of
science-based agriculture in relation to food security, reduced
chemicals use, and global development. The costs of
deregulation and the use of Environmental Impact Statements
were also discussed. The subcommittee heard testimony from
three witnesses on one panel.
June 24, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Subcommittee on General
Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Hearing Serial No. 112-
20.
The purpose of this hearing was to audit the Federal Crop
Insurance Program as overseen by the Risk Management Agency in
preparation for future Farm Bill reauthorization. Subcommittee
members discussed the status of the Standard Reinsurance
Agreement, maintaining public-private policy liability
partnerships, available products for dairy and livestock,
service gaps, and effects of severe weather in 2011. Data
sharing and mining to streamline services and prevent fraud
were also discussed. The Subcommittee heard testimony from one
witness, the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency.
(Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 7, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
Conservation Programs. Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy,
and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this hearing was to audit the currently-
implemented conservation programs as overseen by the USDA Farm
Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service in
preparation for future Farm Bill reauthorization. Subcommittee
members talked about the distinct roles and levels of
effectiveness of the more than 20 existing conservation
programs. Ways to streamline and prioritize program outcomes
were also discussed. The Subcommittee heard testimony from two
witnesses, the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency and the
Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, on one
panel. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 7, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
Specialty Crop Programs. Subcommittee on Nutrition and
Horticulture. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this hearing was to audit the specialty crop
programs, including those for horticulture and organic
agriculture found in Title X of the 2008 Farm Bill and in
Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935, in
preparation for future farm bill reauthorization. Subcommittee
members talked about the need to support specialty crops such
as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and
horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture through
targeted nutrition, conservation, research, crop insurance,
disaster assistance, and trade promotion programs. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from two witnesses on one panel
including the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing
Service. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 8, 2011: Joint hearing to examine the challenges
facing Domestic Oil and Gas Development and review the Bureau
of Land Management/U.S. Forest Service Ban on Horizontal
Drilling on Federal Lands. Subcommittee on Conservation,
Energy, and Forestry with the Subcommittee on Energy and
Mineral Resources of the Committee on Natural Resources.
Hearing Serial No. 112-21.
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the reasoning
and implications of a potential ban on horizontal drilling and
fracking in the George Washington National Forest. Subcommittee
Members discussed potential economic and environmental concerns
related to drilling and potential administrative bans. The
subcommittees heard testimony from eight witnesses on two
panels.
July 13, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
Foreign Agriculture and Food Aid Programs. Subcommittee on
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the efficiency
and effectiveness of foreign agriculture and food aid programs
as administered by the United States Agency for International
Development and the United States Department of Agriculture
through the Foreign Agricultural Service before writing a new
farm bill. Subcommittee Members discussed the impacts of
existing market development and trade programs as well as the
need for and budget implications of foreign food assistance
programs. The Subcommittee heard testimony from two witnesses
on one panel, the acting Administrator of the Foreign
Agriculture Service (USDA) and the Assistant Administrator for
the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance
(USAID). (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 14, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
USDA Farm Loan Programs. Subcommittee on Department Operations,
Oversight, and Credit. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this audit hearing was to examine USDA Farm
Loan programs before future farm bill reauthorization.
Subcommittee Members discussed credit availability and urban
program eligibility as well as the need to transition borrowers
to commercial lenders when possible. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from one witness, the Administrator of the Farm
Service Agency. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72
under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 20, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
USDA Energy and Forestry Programs. Subcommittee on
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this hearing was to review current energy
and forestry programs as administered by the USDA in
preparation for writing a new farm bill. Members of the
Subcommittee discussed technical innovation and industry growth
as well as current project-area implementations. Subcommittee
Members also questioned the panel on the programs' relationship
to agriculture and their current relevance to the general
public. The Subcommittee heard testimony from three witnesses
on one panel: the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, the
Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and
the Deputy Administrator of the Farm Service Agency. (Note: See
also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 21, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
Title IV Nutrition Programs. Subcommittee on Nutrition and
Horticulture. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this audit hearing was to evaluate the Title
IV nutrition assistance programs of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 as administered by the USDA's Food and
Nutrition Service. Subcommittee Members discussed Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program enrollment, categorical
eligibility, improper payments, benefits trafficking, program
overlaps, and state accountability. Question topics also
included healthy food availability, farmers' markets
eligibility, and Pacific Islands aid requirements. Testimony
was given by the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition
Service. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 21, 2011: Derivatives reform: The View from Main
Street. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-22.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the impact of
derivatives reform on end-users and small financial
institutions and to examine implementation progress of Title
VII of the Dodd-Frank Act. Committee Members discussed the
definition of ``swaps dealer'' as well as the derivatives title
implementation responsibility for regulators outside of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Proposed regulations and
the current rule-making timeline were also discussed. The
Committee heard testimony from seven witnesses on two panels
including The Honorable Gary Gensler, Chairman of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission.
July 27, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
Title I and the SURE Program. Subcommittee on General Farm
Commodities and Risk Management. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this audit hearing was to review the
effectiveness of the Title I programs of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 including the Supplemental
Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program and Average Crop
Revenue Election (ACRE). Subcommittee Members discussed the
advantages and disadvantages of crop insurance, direct
payments, countercyclical payments, and the marketing loan
assistance program in preparation for likely cuts mandated
before the writing of the next farm bill. The Subcommittee
heard testimony from the Administrator of the Farm Service
Agency. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
July 28, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of
USDA Research Programs. Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture. Hearing
Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this audit hearing was to provide
Subcommittee Members a better understanding of the Research,
Education, and Economics division of the USDA which is divided
into four specialized branches: Agriculture Research Service
(ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS), National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), and the National Institute of Food
and Agriculture (NIFA). Specific research areas and monetary
costs of each branch were discussed in preparation for the
writing of the next farm bill. The Subcommittee heard testimony
from the Administrator of ARS, Acting Director of NIFA,
Administrator of NASS, and Acting Administrator of ERS. (Note:
See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
September 6, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination
of USDA Dairy Programs. Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and
Poultry. Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this audit hearing was to examine the
effectiveness of USDA's dairy support programs including the
Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP), Milk Income Loss
Contract Program (MILC), Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP),
Livestock Gross Margin Insurance for Dairy (LGM-Dairy), and
Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). The Subcommittee Members
discussed the dairy crisis of 2009 and ways to prevent such
issues in the future. Testimony was heard from the Acting
Deputy Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, and the Deputy
Administrator for Dairy Programs through the Agricultural
Marketing Service. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res.
72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
September 13, 2011: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination
of USDA Rural Development Programs. Subcommittee on Rural
Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture.
Hearing Serial No. 112-20.
The purpose of this audit hearing was to review the
effectiveness of programs administered by USDA's Rural
Development Agency including the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and the Rural
Utilities Service (RUS). Subcommittee Members discussed ways to
streamline and improve these programs in preparation for the
upcoming farm bill. Testimony was provided by the Administrator
for Rural Utilities Service, Administrator for Rural Business-
Cooperative Services, and Administrator for Rural Housing
Services. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under
``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
September 14, 2011: Examination of the issue of feed
availability and its effect on the livestock and poultry
industries. Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Hearing Serial No. 112-23.
The purpose of this hearing was to provide Members a better
understanding of the causes and effects of the nation's
currently tight feed supply. Subcommittee Members heard
testimony from a panel of six witnesses representing all
sectors of the animal agriculture industry. Ethanol and its
effect on corn prices and supplies was one of the main topics
of debate. All witnesses agreed that feed availability was a
top concern that significantly impacted their respective
operations.
September 24, 2011: Public field hearing to review the role
of broadband access in rural economic development. Subcommittee
on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign
Agriculture. Hearing Serial No. 112-24.
The purpose of this public field hearing was to provide
Members a better understanding of the benefits of broadband
access in rural areas. Subcommittee Members discussed ways of
streamlining current programs in efforts to connect rural
America to the global economy. The Subcommittee heard testimony
from one panel comprised of five witnesses representing various
companies with vested interests in the progression of broadband
access in their respective regions.
October 12, 2011: Hearing to review legislative proposals
amending Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No.
112-25.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the pros and
cons of seven different legislative proposals to amend Title
VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act: four bills already before the House and three
discussion drafts. The Members heard testimony from a panel of
six witnesses representing a variety of market participation
who voiced concerns that the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) is overreaching in its rulemaking and will
have a negative impact on business and the economy if current
legislation is not amended. (Note: See also the discussion of
H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the
House.'')
November 3, 2011: Hearing to review implementation of Phase
II of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Watershed Implementation Plans
and their impacts on rural communities. Subcommittee on
Conservation Energy and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-26.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss concerns
regarding the cost and regulatory burden surrounding cities and
states are faced with in the second stage of a three-part
process to limit discharge into the Chesapeake Bay. Members
heard testimony from the Region 3 EPA Administrator on the
first panel of witnesses, and from four additional witnesses on
the second panel. (Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res.
72 under ``3. House Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
December 1, 2011: Hearing to review updates on USDA
Inspector General audits, including SNAP fraud detection
efforts and IT compliance. Subcommittee on Department
Operations, Oversight, and Credit. Hearing Serial No. 112-27.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the progress of
reports from the USDA Office of the Inspector General on
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud
detection and USDA's use of additional funding for information
technology to improve program delivery. Members of the
Subcommittee heard testimony from the USDA Inspector General
and questioned her and two of her assistant Inspectors General
regarding four recently released reports. Members emphasized
the necessity of timely and accurate reports from the Inspector
General in order to help them make sound policy decisions.
(Note: See also the discussion of H.J. Res. 72 under ``3. House
Resolutions Considered in the House.'')
December 8, 2011: Examination of the MF Global bankruptcy.
Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-28.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the details and
implications of the MF Global bankruptcy and reports of as much
as $1.2 billion in missing customer funds. Members of the
Committee heard testimony from nine witnesses divided amongst
three panels--one of which was a single-witness panel comprised
of the Honorable Jon S. Corzine, former CEO of MF Global. The
hearing marked the first public comments about the
circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy from Mr. Corzine.
February 29, 2012: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission
2012 Agenda. Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-29.
The purpose of this hearing was to review the 2012 agenda
of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission including the
agency's investigations of the collapse of MF Global and
announcement of rules regarding the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Members of the Committee
questioned the strength of customer protections as well as the
status of the rulemaking process. Despite 28 finalized rules,
more than 20 rules related to the Dodd-Frank Act remain
unfinalized by the CFTC. Vague definitions included in the
finalized rules for terms such as ``swap,'' ``swap dealer,''
and ``major swap participant,'' have caused participants
trouble in comprehending the rules' influence. Testimony was
heard from the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, The Honorable Gary Gensler. (Note: See also the
discussion of H.R. 2682, H.R. 2779, and H.R. 3336 under ``2.
Bills Acted on by the House but not the Senate'' and the
discussion of H.R. 1838, H.R. 1840, H.R. 2586, H.R. 3283, H.R.
3527, and H.R. 4235 under ``4. Bills Reported.'')
March 09, 2012: The Future of U.S. Farm Policy: Formulation
of the 2012 Farm Bill--Field Hearing--Saranac Lake, NY. Full
Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 1.
The purpose of this hearing was to gather insight from
producers in the northeastern portion of the United States in
regards to what policies they felt should be included in the
2012 Farm Bill. Policies impacting specialty crops and major
agricultural industries in New York were of top concern amongst
the eight witnesses who testified on two panels. This hearing
marked the first in a series of field hearings targeted at
gathering information from farmers and ranchers across the
nation in an effort to develop a comprehensive package of
reforms that are financially responsible and balanced in their
approach to meeting the needs of a wide array of producers in a
variety of regions.
March 21, 2012: Hearing to Identify Duplicative Federal
Rural Development Programs. Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture. Hearing
Serial No. 112-31.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the need to
streamline duplicative programs and improve agency coordination
through the USDA and other agricultural related government
entities. Two witnesses testified before the subcommittee
discussing government accountability office findings and the
increased need for government efficiency. A key topic of
discussion was how modernization and efficiency can further
serve rural communities.
March 23, 2012: The Future of U.S. Farm Policy: Formulation
of the 2012 Farm Bill--Field Hearing--Galesburg, IL. Full
Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 1.
The purpose of this hearing was to continue gathering
producer input on recommended farm policy changes in advance of
the 2012 Farm Bill. Members of the Committee heard testimony
from 10 witnesses divided amongst two panels. The witnesses
represented the views of corn, rice, soybean, wheat, sorghum,
specialty crop and beef producers throughout the Midwest. They
expressed the need for an effective safety net and a choice of
risk management tools in order to continue producing a safe,
affordable and stable food supply.
March 27, 2012: Hearing to review the U.S. Forest Service
Land Management: Challenges and Opportunities. Subcommittee on
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-32.
The purpose of this hearing was to review multiple areas of
forest management and discuss job creation in rural forested
areas. Five witnesses testified regarding the Forest Service
and work regarding conservation, maintenance and recreation.
The public hearing covered topics including forest health,
wildlife management, and invasive species.
March 28, 2012: Hearing to review H.R. 3283, H.R. 1838, and
H.R. 4235. Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management. Hearing Serial No. 112-33.
The purpose of this hearing was to consider three bills
intended to mitigate unintended consequences from Title VII of
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
and to make clarifications of requirements for trading outside
of the United States. A panel of four testified to the
subcommittee regarding the possible impact of these pieces of
legislation.
H.R. 3283, the Swap Jurisdiction Act, would limit the
extraterritorial scope of Title VII by defining key terms. H.R.
1838 would modify Dodd-Frank to limit risk and costs to
producers. H.R. 4235, the Swap Data Repository & Clearinghouse
Indemnification Correction Act of 2012, removes provisions from
Dodd-Frank to increase market transparency and monitor for
risk. (Note: See also the discussion of H.R. 2682, H.R. 2779,
and H.R. 3336 under ``2. Bills Acted on by the House but not
the Senate'' and the discussion of H.R. 1838, H.R. 1840, H.R.
2586, H.R. 3283, H.R. 3527, and H.R. 4235 under ``4. Bills
Reported.'')
March 30, 2012: The Future of U.S. Farm Policy: Formulation
of the 2012 Farm Bill--Field Hearing--State University, AR.
Full Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt.1.
The purpose of this hearing was to continue gaining
producer insight in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill. Committee
members heard testimony from 10 witnesses divided amongst two
panels, including producers of aquaculture, beef and multiple
commodities, including rice and cotton, from the southeast
region of the United States. The producers discussed the
hardships they face, such as catastrophic weather, and the
importance of maintaining an adequate safety net, especially
during difficult economic conditions.
April 20, 2012: The Future of U.S. Farm Policy: Formulation
of the 2012 Farm Bill--Field Hearing--Dodge City, KS. Full
Committee. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 1.
The purpose of this hearing was to continue gaining
producer insight regarding recommended farm policy changes in
advance of the 2012 Farm Bill. Members of the Committee heard
testimony from 10 witnesses divided amongst two panels
representing commodity and beef producers. They testified about
the importance of effective risk management opportunities in
the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill.
April 25, 2012: Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Rural
Development Programs. Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture. Hearing
Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 2.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the
effectiveness of existing programs and potential changes in
rural development programs for the 2012 Farm Bill. Subcommittee
members heard testimony from two public panels comprised of
seven total witnesses representing rural development entities
across the United States. They provided feedback on the
programs administered by USDA's Rural Development agency,
including the Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBS), the
Rural Housing Service (RHS), and the Rural Utilities Service
(RUS). Witnesses testified that continued investments in water,
energy and broadband infrastructure are vital for economic
development in rural communities.
April 26, 2012: Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill:
Conservation Programs. Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy,
and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 2.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the
effectiveness of current programs and potential changes in
conservation programs for the 2012 Farm Bill. The Subcommittee
heard testimony from ten witnesses divided amongst two panels
representing conservationists and agricultural producers from
around the United States. They acknowledged the difficult
circumstances for reauthorizing budget provisions of Farm Bill
programs, but reiterated the importance of conservation
programs to assist produces with voluntary conservation
initiatives.
April 26, 2012: Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Dairy
Programs. Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 2.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the
effectiveness of current programs and potential changes to
dairy programs for the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from five witnesses representing
dairy organizations from across the United States. They
testified about existing problems with dairy policy and
provided feedback on possible Farm Bill changes to address
those issues.
May 8, 2012: Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Specialty
Crop and Nutrition Programs. Subcommittee on Nutrition and
Horticulture. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 2.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the
effectiveness of current programs and potential changes to
specialty crop and nutrition programs in the 2012 Farm Bill.
The Subcommittee heard testimony from two public panels
comprised of nine total witnesses. The first panel included
representatives of the specialty crop community and explained
how government programs enhance the competitiveness of
specialty crop promotion. The second panel discussed nutrition
programs under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction, such as the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which all
together, account for almost 80 percent of Farm Bill spending.
May 10, 2012: Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Credit
Programs. Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and
Credit. Hearing Serial No. 112-30, Pt. 2.
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the
effectiveness of current programs and potential changes to
credit programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from five witnesses regarding the impact of credit on
agricultural producers and their operations. They explained the
importance of both initial and sustained support because of the
inherent risks of production agriculture and discussed the role
commercial lenders play in rural economic growth.
May 16-17, 2012: Hearing to review the Formulation of 2012
Farm Bill: Commodity Programs and Crop Insurance. Subcommittee
on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Hearing Serial
No. 112-30, Pt. 2.
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the agricultural
safety net created through Title I programs and crop insurance.
Members heard from four public panels comprised of 18 total
witnesses who included economists and leaders from various
commodity and agricultural groups highlighting the diversity of
agriculture across the country. Witnesses described how
programs are working under current law and how reforms can be
made while stressing the need for a fair and effective safety
net and a strong crop insurance program which ultimately ensure
that consumers have a stable food and fiber supply.
May 18, 2012: Hearing to review the Formation of 2012 Farm
Bill: Energy and Forestry Programs. Subcommittee on
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry. Hearing Serial No. 112-30,
Pt. 2
The purpose of this hearing was to allow subcommittee
members and public witnesses share policy goals for the
upcoming Farm Bill related to energy and forestry programs. Two
panels of five members testified before the subcommittee about
their industry experiences in energy and forestry. Testimony
centered on the energy titles of the past two Farm Bills and
potential changes for the 2012 version. The energy and forestry
budget, biomass programs and rural energy were prominent topics
of discussion as was the need to develop forestry provisions
that promote healthier and better managed Federal, state, and
private forests.
e. meetings not printed
January 25, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting.
Organizational meeting for the 112th Congress. Approval by
voice vote of the Committee rules.
February 10, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting.
Approval by voice vote of the Oversight Plan for the 112th
Congress.
March 9, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting.
Approval by voice vote of H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory
Burdens Act of 2011.
March 15, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting.
Approval by voice vote of the Budget Views and Estimates Letter
for FY 2012, offering budget recommendations of the Committee
on Agriculture for the agencies and programs under its
jurisdiction.
May 4, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting. Approval
by voice vote H.R. 1573, to facilitate implementation of title
VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid
market disruption.
June 23, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting.
Approval by voice vote of the Activity Report of the Committee
on Agriculture for the 1st Quarter of the 112th Congress as
required by House Rule XI, clause 1(d).
December 2, 2011--Full Committee open business meeting.
Approval by voice vote of the authorization and the issuance of
a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness at the
subsequent hearing to examine the MF Global Bankruptcy.
January 25, 2012--Full Committee open business meeting. To
consider: H.R. 1840, to improve consideration by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its
regulations and orders; H.R. 2682, Swap Execution Facility
Clarification Act; H.R. 2779, to exempt inter-affiliate swaps
from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; H.R.
2586, Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act; H.R. 3336,
Small Business Credit Availability Act; and H.R. 3527,
Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive Regulation.
March 7, 2012--Full Committee open business meeting.
Approval by a voice vote of the Budget Views and Estimates
Letter for FY 2013, offering budget recommendations of the
Committee on Agriculture for the agencies and programs under
its jurisdiction
April 18, 2012--Full Committee open business meeting. To
consider a proposal to satisfy the Committee's reconciliation
instructions required by H. Con. Res. 112, the Concurrent
Resolution on the Budget for FY 2013.
f. committee prints
Public Forum To Review the Biotechnology Product Regulatory
Approval Process. January 20, 2011. Print No. 112-1.
Committee on Agriculture Rules. Print. No. 112-2.
Ceremony Unveiling the Portrait of the Honorable Collin C.
Peterson. April 5, 2011. Print No. 112-3.
III. Appendix
a. executive communications
E.C. 25--Jan. 6, 2011: A letter from the Office of Research
and Analysis, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP): Clarifications and Corrections to Recipient
Claim Establishment and Collection Standards [FNS-2008-0034]
(RIN: 0584-AD25) received January 4, 2011.
E.C. 44--Jan. 7, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Tobacco Transition
Payment Program; Tobacco Transition Assessments (RIN: 0560-
AH30) received January 4, 2011.
E.C. 119--Jan. 19, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Tobacco Transition
Payment Program; Tobacco Transition Assessments (RIN: 0560-
AH30) received January 6, 2011.
E.C. 172--Jan. 24, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Emerald Ash Borer; Quarantined Areas;
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin [Doc. No.: APHIS-2008-
0072] received January 11, 2011.
E.C. 173--Jan. 24, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pine Shoot Beetle; Additions to
Quarantined Areas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2008-0111] received January
11, 2011.
E.C. 174--Jan. 24, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Asian Longhorned Beetle; Additions to
Quarantined Areas in Massachusetts and New York [Doc. No.:
APHIS-2009-0014] received January 11, 2011.
E.C. 193--Jan. 25, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's ``Major'' final rule--Subpart B--
Advanced Biofuel Payment Program (RIN: 0570-AA75) received
January 21, 2011.
E.C. 194--Jan. 25, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's ``Major'' final rule--Biorefinery
Assistance Guaranteed Loans (RIN: 0570-AA73) received January
21, 2011.
E.C. 257--Feb. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2-Propenoic Acid,
Methyl Ester, Polymer with Ethenyl Acetate, Hydrolyzed, Sodium
Salts; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0603 FRL-8114-9]
received January 13, 2011.
E.C. 335--Feb. 9, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting a report entitled
``Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act
Pilot Project''; jointly to the Committees on Natural Resources
and Agriculture.
E.C. 336--Feb. 10, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluazinam;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0032; FRL-8859-3]
received January 14, 2011.
E.C. 416--Feb. 14, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Black Stem Rust; Additions of Rust-
Resistant Varieties [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0088] received
January 21, 2011.
E.C. 478--Feb. 14, 2011: A letter from the Management
Analyst, Directives and Regulations Branch, Forest Service,
transmitting the Service's final rule--Prohibitions in Areas
Designated by Order Closure of National Forest System Lands to
Protect Privacy of Tribal Activities (RIN: 0596-AC93) received
January 21, 2011, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); jointly to
the Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture.
E.C. 508--Feb. 16, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Congressional Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Emerald Ash Borer;
Addition of Quarantined Areas in Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota,
New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin [Doc. No.:
APHIS-2009-0098] received February 4, 2011.
E.C. 509--Feb. 16, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Prevention of
Payments to Deceased Persons (RIN: 0560-AH91) received January
19, 2011.
E.C. 510--Feb. 16, 2011: A letter from the Chief Planning
and Regulatory Affairs Branch, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, Regulation Restructuring:
Issuance Regulation Update and Reorganization To Reflect the
End of Coupon Issuance Systems (RIN: 0584-AD48) received
January 21, 2011.
E.C. 511--Feb. 16, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
[Doc. No.: APHIS-2006-0074] (RIN: 0579-AC36) received January
25, 2011.
E.C. 512--Feb. 16, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Loan Servicing; Farm
Loan Programs (RIN: 0560-AI05) received February 4, 2011.
E.C. 538--Feb. 17, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's ``Major'' final rule--Subpart A--
Repowering Assistance Payments to Eligible Biorefineries (RIN:
0570-AA74) received January 24, 2011.
E.C. 539--Feb. 17, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluazifop-P-
butyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0980; FRL-8861-1]
received January 25, 2011.
E.C. 540--Feb. 17, 2011:A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Sulfentrazone;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0125; FRL-8860-1]
received January 25, 2011.
E.C. 558--Feb. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Sodium and
Potassium salts of N-alkyl (C8-C18)-beta-iminodipropionic acid;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-
0098; FRL-8861-9] received January 31, 2011.
E.C. 559--Feb. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fludioxonil;
Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions [EPA-Q-OPP-2010-
0982; FRL-8859-6] received January 31, 2011.
E.C. 560--Feb. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--n-Octyl alcohol
and n-Decyl alcohol; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0181; FRL-8860-7] received January
31, 2011.
E.C. 561--Feb. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--(S,S)-
Ethylenediamine Disuccinic Acid Trisodium Salt; Exemption from
the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0733; FRL-8860-
6] received January 31, 2011.
E.C. 562--Feb. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Cyprodinil;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0385; FRL-8860-3]
received January 31, 2011.
E.C. 563--Feb. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Isobutane;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-
0676; FRL-8860-4] received January 31, 2011.
E.C. 564--Feb. 18, 2011:A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bispyribac-
sodium; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0796; FRL-8860-2]
received January 31, 2011.
E.C. 597--Mar. 1, 2011: A letter from the Regulatory
Officer, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Adjustment of Appendices to the Dairy
Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Regulation for the 2010
Tariff-Rate Quota Year received January 19, 2011.
E.C. 598--Mar. 1, 2011:A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Mefenoxam;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0713; FRL-8855-1]
received January 28, 2011.
E.C. 717--Mar. 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Polymerized Fatty
Acid Esters with Aminoalcohol Alkoxylates; Exemption from the
Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0275; FRL-8860-8]
received February 11, 2011.
E.C. 718--Mar. 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Clothianidin;
Time-Limited Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0217; FRL-
8858-3] received February 11, 2011.
E.C. 719--Mar. 3, 2011:A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--1,4-
Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, Dimethyl Ester, Polymer with 1,4-
Butanediol, Adipic Acid, and Hexamethylene Diisocyanate;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-
0838; FRL-8863-9] received February 11, 2011.
E.C. 762--Mar. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Difenoconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0823; FRL-8864-9]
received February 28, 2011.
E.C. 763--Mar. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Potassium
hypochlorite; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0996; FRL-8859-5] received February 28, 2011.
E.C. 802--Mar. 10, 2011: A letter from the Director, Policy
Issuances Division, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Nutrition Labeling of Single-
Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry
Products [Doc. No.: FSIS-2005-0018] (RIN: 0583-AC60) received
February 18, 2011.
E.C. 803--Mar. 10, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Citrus Seed Imports; Citrus Greening
and Citrus Variegated Chlorosis [Doc. No.: APHIS-2008-0052]
(RIN: 0579-AD07) received February 16, 2011.
E.C. 842--Mar. 14, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Asparagus Revenue
Market Loss Assistant Payment Program (RIN: 0560-AI02) received
February 18, 2011.
E.C. 881--Mar. 15, 2011: A letter from the Commissioner,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting a letter
regarding the current budget deliberations for the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission; jointly to the Committees on
Agriculture and Appropriations.
E.C. 903--Mar. 17, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's report
entitled, ``2010 Packers and Stockyards Program Annual
Report'', pursuant to the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921,
as amended.
E.C. 1002--Apr. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Potassium
benzoate; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-
HQ-OPP-2011-0117; FRL-8863-2] received March 3, 2011.
E.C. 1003--Apr. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Peroxyacetic
Acid; Amendment to an Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0021; FRL-8865-3] received March 3,
2011.
E.C. 1004--Apr. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fomesafen;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0122; FRL-8858-5]
received March 3, 2011.
E.C. 1065--Apr. 6, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus
thuringiensis eCry3.1Ab Protein in Corn; Temporary Exemption
from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0609; FRL-
8866-5] received March 10, 2011.
E.C. 1148--Apr. 8, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Changes in Disease Status of the
Brazilian State of Santa Catarina With Regard to Certain
Ruminant and Swine Diseases; Technical Amendment [Doc. No.:
APHIS-2009-0034] (RIN: 0579-AD12) received March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1149--Apr. 8, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Poultry Improvement Plan and
Auxiliary Provisions [Doc. No.: APHIS-2009-0031] (RIN: 0579-
AD21) received March 24, 2011.
E.C. 1106--Apr. 7, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Removal of the List of Ports of
Embarkation and Export Inspection Facilities From the
Regulations [Doc. No.: APHIS-2009-0078] (RIN: 0579-AD25)
received April 4.
E.C. 1107--Apr. 7, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Dichlormid;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0477; FRL-8866-2]
received March 16, 2011.
E.C. 1188--Apr. 11, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Sodium Ferric
Ethylenediaminetetraacetate; Exemption from the Requirement of
a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0097; FRL-8867-7] received March
29, 2011.
E.C. 1189--Apr. 11, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Mancozeb;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307; FRL-8864-1]
received March 29, 2011.
E.C. 1190--Apr. 11, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting the Agency's final rule--Indaziflam; Pesticide
Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0636; FRL-8864-3] received March
29, 2011.
E.C. 1218--Apr. 12, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Congressional Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Importation of Horses
From Contagious Equine Metritis-Affected Countries [Doc. No.:
APHIS-2008-0112] (RIN: 0579-AD31) received March 29, 2011.
E.C. 1285--Apr. 15, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--U.S. Honey Producer Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Order; Termination of Referendum Procedures [Doc.
No.: AMS-FV-07-0091; FV-07-706-FR] (RIN: 0581-AC78) received
March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1286--Apr. 15, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--National Organic Program; Amendment to the National List
of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Livestock) [Document No.:
AMS-NOP-10-0051; NOP-10-04FR] (RIN: 0581-AD04) received March
23, 2011.
E.C. 1287--Apr. 15, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Walnuts Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0060; FV-10-984-1FIR] received March 23,
2011.
E.C. 1288--Apr. 15, 2011: A letter from the Assistant
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Marketing Order Regulating the
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of
the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 3
(Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2010-2011 Marketing Year [Docket
Nos.: AMS-FV-09-0082; FV-10-985-1A IR] received March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1289--Apr. 15, 2011:A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Country of Origin Labeling of Packed Honey [Document No.:
AMS-FV-08-0075] (RIN: 0581-AC89) received March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1290--Apr. 15, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order;
Section 610 Review [Docket Number: AMS-FV-10-0006] received
March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1291--Apr. 15, 2011:A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Avocados Grown in South Florida; Increased Assessment
Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0067; FV-10915-1FIR] received March
23, 2011.
E.C. 1292--Apr. 15, 2011:A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.;
Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2010-2011 Crop
Year for Tart Cherries [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-930-4FR] received
March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1306--May 2, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Kiwifruit Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing
Order No. 920; Correction [Doc. No.: AO-FV-08-0174; AMS-FV-08-
0085; FV-08-920-3 C] received April 19, 2011.
E.C. 1363--May 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Flubendiamide;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0099; FRL-8863-8]
received March 22, 2011.
E.C. 1364--May 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Aspergillus
flavus AF36; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0101; FRL-8868-7] received March 22, 2011.
E.C. 1365--May 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Hexythiazox;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0325; FRL-8868-6]
received April 4, 2011.
E.C. 1366--May 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Ethiprole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0493; FRL-8863-1]
received April 4, 2011.
E.C. 1424--May 5, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and
Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States; Section 610
Review [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0030; FV10-996-610 Review] received
March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1425--May 5, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Olives Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0115; FV11-932-1 IR] received March 23,
2011.
E.C. 1426--May 5, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Amendment To Allow
Additional Exemptions [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0072; FV10-927-1 IR]
received March 23, 2011.
E.C. 1427--May 5, 2011: A letter from the Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Development
Utilities Programs, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan
Guarantees (RIN: 0572-AC06) received April 6, 2011.
E.C. 1480--May 10, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Etoxazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0063; FRL-8867-5]
received April 8, 2011.
E.C. 1481--May 10, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Escherichia coli
O157:H7 Specific Bacteriophages; Temporary Exemption From the
Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0274; FRL-8868-4]
received April 8, 2011.
E.C. 1482--May 10, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting the Agency's final rule--Glyphosate (N-
(phosphonomethyl)glycine; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-
2009-0988; FRL-8866-8] received April 8, 2011.
E.C. 1552--May 12, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Gypsy Moth Generally Infested Areas;
Additions in Indiana, Maine, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and
Wisconsin [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0075] received April 20, 2011.
E.C. 1553--May 12, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Citrus Canker, Citrus Greening, and
Asian Citrus Psyllid; Interstate Movement of Regulated Nursery
Stock [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0048] (RIN: 0579-AD29) received May
2, 2011.
E.C. 1598--May 23, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--General
Provisions; Operating and Strategic Business Planning (RIN:
3052-AC66) received May 3, 2011.
E.C. 1635--May 24, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Metiram;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0308; FRL-8869-1]
received April 26, 2011.
E.C. 1636--May 24, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Mefenpyr-diethyl;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0267; FRL-8870-9]
received April 26, 2011.
E.C. 1637--May 24, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pyrasulfotole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0266; FRL-8869-5]
received April 26, 2011.
E.C. 1706--May 27, 2011: A letter from the Chief, Planning
& Regulatory Affairs Branch, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Food Distribution
Program on Indian Reservations: Amendments Related to the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 [FNS-2009-0006] (RIN:
0584-AD95) received May 2, 2011.
E.C. 1707--May 27, 2011: A letter from the Director of
Legislative Affairs, NRCS, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Wetland Conservation
[Doc. No.: NRCS-2011-0010] (RIN: 0578-AA58) received May 2,
2011.
E.C. 1713--May 31, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Aluminum
tris(Oethylphosphonate), Butylate, Chlorethoxyfos, Clethodim,
et al.; Tolerance Actions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0490; FRL-8869-6]
received April 12, 2011.
E.C. 1714--May 31, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Carbon Dioxide;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-
1077; FRL-0873-1] received May 2, 2011.
E.C. 1715--May 31, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Clothianidin;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0771; FRL-8873-3]
received May 26, 2011.
E.C. 1716--May 31, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Metarhizium
anisopliae strain F52; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0194; FRL-8872-3] received May 2,
2011.
E.C. 1717--May 31, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
CEO, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting the
Administration's final rule--Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation Governance and Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation Funding and Fiscal Affairs; Risk-Based Capital
Requirements (RIN: 3052-AC51) received May 3, 2011.
E.C. 1745--Jun. 1, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Glyphosate;
Pesticide Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0938; FRL-8872-6] received
May 6, 2011.
E.C. 1746--Jun. 1, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Propiconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-1009; FRL-8873-2]
received May 6, 2011.
E.C. 1747--Jun. 1, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Saflufenacil;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0755; FRL-8872-7]
received May 6, 2011.
E.C. 1748--Jun. 1, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's 2011 compensation program
adjustments, including the Agency's current salary range
structure and the performance-based merit pay matrix, in
accordance with section 1206 of the Financial Institutions,
Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989.
E.C. 1812--Jun. 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Triflusulfuron-
methyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0102; FRL-8871-4]
received April 19, 2011.
E.C. 1813--Jun. 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Data Requirements
for Antimicrobial Pesticides; notification to the Secretaries
of Agriculture and Health and Human Services [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-
0110; FRL-8861-7] (RIN: 2010-AD30) received April 19, 2011.
E.C. 1814--Jun. 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluopicolide;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0481; FRL-8859-9]
received April 19, 2011.
E.C. 1872--Jun. 9, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Spirotetramat;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0263; FRL-8865-8]
received May 12, 2011.
E.C. 1903--Jun. 14, 2011: A letter from the Chief, Planning
and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Geographic Preference Option for
the Procurement of Unprocessed Agricultural Products in Child
Nutrition Programs (RIN: 0584-AE03) received May 24, 2011.
E.C. 1904--Jun. 14, 2011: A letter from the Regulatory
Contact, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Export Inspection and Weighing Waiver
for High Quality Specialty Grains Transported in Containers
[Doc. No.: GIPSA-2010-FGIS-0002] (RIN: 0580-AB18) received May
5, 2011.
E.C. 1962--Jun. 14, 2011: A letter from the Fiscal
Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury, transmitting
the annual reports that appear on pages 120-147 of the March
2011 ``Treasury Bulletin'', pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 9602(a);
jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and
Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Education and
the Workforce, and Energy and Commerce.
E.C. 1963--Jun. 15, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Swine Hides and Skins,
Bird Trophies, and Ruminant Hides and Skins; Technical
Amendment [Doc. No.: APHIS-2006-0113] (RIN: 0579-AC11) received
May 23, 2011.
E.C. 1964--Jun. 15, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Brucellosis in Swine; Add Texas to
List of Validated Brucellosis-Free States [Doc. No.: APHIS-
2011-0005] received May 23, 2011.
E.C. 2024--Jun. 16, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Plum Pox Virus; Update of Quarantined
Areas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0089] received May 13, 2011.
E.C. 2025--Jun. 16, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
CEO, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting the
Administration's final rule--Loan Policies and Operations; Loan
Purchases from FDIC (RIN: 3052-AC62) received May 31, 2011.
E.C. 2067--Jun. 20, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Plants for Planting;
Establishing a Category of Plants for Planting Not Authorized
for Importation Pending Pest Risk Analysis [Doc. No.: APHIS-
2006-0011] (RIN: 0579-AC03) received May 31, 2011.
E.C. 2068--Jun. 20, 2011: A letter from the Chief Planning
and Regulatory Affairs Branch, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program: Civil Rights Protections for SNAP
Households (RIN: 0584-AD89) received May 31, 2011.
E.C. 2069--Jun. 20, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
CEO, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting the
Administration's final rule--Loan Policies and Operations;
Lending and Leasing Limits and Risk Management (RIN: 3052-AC60)
received May 31, 2011.
E.C. 2086--Jun. 21, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bromoxzynil;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0268; FRL-8873-9]
received June 2, 2011.
E.C. 2087--Jun. 21, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulation Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Ethylene Glycol;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0361; FRL-8870-7] received June 2, 2011.
E.C. 2088--Jun. 21, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pyraflufen-ethyl;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0426; FRL-8873-5]
received June 2, 2011.
E.C. 2260--Jul. 6, 2011: A letter from the Director, Policy
Issuances Division, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Cooperative Inspection Programs:
Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products [Doc. No.:
FSIS-2008-0039] (RIN: 0538-AD37) received June 15, 2011.
E.C. 2261--Jul. 6, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Diethylene Glycol
MonoEthyl Ether (DEGEE); Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0474; FRL-8877-1] received June 15,
2011.
E.C. 2262--Jul. 6, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--C9 Rich Aromatic
Hydrocarbons, C10-11 Rich Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and C11-12
Rich Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0517; FRL-8876-2] received June 15,
2011.
E.C. 2302--Jul. 7, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Difenoconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0296; FRL-8876-4]
received June 10, 2011.
E.C. 2303--Jul. 7, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pesticide
Tolerances; Technical Amendments [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1081; FRL-
8875-4] received June 10, 2011.
E.C. 2338--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Modification of the
Rules and Regulations [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0024; FV11-946-31R]
received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2339--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Sorghum Promotion, Research and
Information Program; State Referendum Results [AMS-LS-11-0040]
received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2340--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil
Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment
Percentages for the 2011-2012 Marketing Year [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-
10-0094; FV11-985-1 FR] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2341--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-08-0023] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2342--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--National Organic Program; Amendment to the National List
of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Livestock) [Doc. No.:
AMS-NOP-10-005; NOP-10-04FR] (RIN: 0581-AD04) received June 13,
2011.
E.C. 2343--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education
and Industry Information Order [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0015; PR-
A2] (RIN: 0581-AD03) received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2344--Jul. 8, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Fresh Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington
and in Umatilla County, OR; Termination of Marketing Order 924
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0053; FV10-924-1 FR] received June 13,
2011.
E.C. 2367--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Amendment To Allow
Additional Exemptions [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0072; FV10-927-1
FIR] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2368--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--User Fees for 2011 Crop Cotton Classification Services to
Growers [AMS-CN-10-0111; CN-11-001] (RIN: 0581-AD11) received
June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2369--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Suspension of
Handling Requirements [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0019; FV11-916/917-5
IR] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2370--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Grapes Grown in Designated Area of Southeastern
California; Increases Assessment Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-
0104; FV11-925-1 FR] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2371--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Olives Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0115; FV11-932-1 IR] received June 13,
201.
E.C. 2372--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California;
Increased Assessment Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0090; FV10989-3
FR] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2373--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Federal Seed Act Regulations [Doc. No.: AMS-LS-08-0002]
(RIN: 0581-AC74) received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2374--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Regulations Issued Under the Export Grape and Plum Act;
Revision to the Minimum Requirements [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0091;
FV1135-1 FR] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2375--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Decreased Assessment
Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0012; FV11-946-2 IR] received June
13, 2011.
E.C. 2376--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order;
Section 610 Review [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0006] received June 13,
2011.
E.C. 2377--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Deputy
Director, Food and Community Resources, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-Formula Federal Assistance
Programs--Specific Administrative Provisions for the Beginning
Farmer and Rancher Development Program (RIN: 0524-AA59)
received June 20, 2011.
E.C. 2378--Jul. 11, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--Federal
Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Funding and Fiscal Affairs;
Farmer Mac Risk-Based Capital Stress Test, Version 5.0 (RIN:
3052-AC70) received June 24, 2011.
E.C. 2393--Jul. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Cloquintocet-
mexyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0980; FRL-8877-2]
received June 24, 2011.
E.C. 2394--Jul. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Diethylene glycol
mono butyl ether; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0474; FRL-8876-5] received June 24, 2011.
E.C. 2395--Jul. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Propylene Oxide;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0253; FRL-8877-7]
received June 24, 2011.
E.C. 2416--Jul. 12, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting the 2010 annual report on the operation of the
Enterprise for the Americas Initiative and the Tropical Forest
Conservation Act; jointly to the Committees on Foreign Affairs
and Agriculture.
E.C. 2418--Jul. 13, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act: Impact of Post-
Default Agreements on Trust Protection Eligibility [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-09-0047] received June 13, 2011.
E.C. 2419--Jul. 13, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2-meghyl-2,4-
pentanediol; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0330; FRL-8875-9] received June 20, 2011.
E.C. 2554--Jul. 20, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-Formula Federal
Assistance Programs--Administrative Provisions for the Sun
Grant Program (RIN: 0524-AA64) received July 8, 2011.
E.C. 2595--Jul. 25, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Risk Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Common Crop Insurance Regulations;
Extra Long Staple Cotton Crop Provisions [Doc. No.: FCIC-10-
0002] (RIN: 0563-AC27) received June 28, 2011.
E.C. 2627--Jul. 27, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting proposed
legislation to collect certain fees under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA); jointly to the Committees on Agriculture
and Energy and Commerce.
E.C. 2631--Jul. 28, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2-Propenoic acid,
2-methyl-, phenylmethyl ester, polymer with 2-propenoic acid
and sodium 2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)amino]-1-
propanesulfonate(1:1), peroxydisulfuric acid ([HO)S(O)2]202)
sodium salt (1:2)-initiated; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-
2011-0327; FRL-8878-4] received July 7, 2011.
E.C. 2632--Jul. 28, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Maneb; Tolerance
Actions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0327; FRL-8878-6] received July 7,
2011.
E.C. 2650--Jul. 29, 2011: A letter from the Deputy
Director, Food and Community Resources, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Competitive and Noncompetitive Nonformula Federal Assistance
Programs--Administrative Provisions for Biomass Research and
Development Initiative (0524-AA61) received June 20, 2011.
E.C. 2665--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Decreased Assessment
Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0012; FV11-946-2 FIR] received July
25, 2011.
E.C. 2666--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Redistricting and
Importer Representation [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0093] received
July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2667--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Beef Promotion and Research; Reapportionment [Doc. No.:
MSLS-10-0086] received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2668--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown In California;
Increase in Desirable Carryout Used To Compute Trade Demand
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0013; FV11-989-1 FR] received July 25,
2011.
E.C. 2669--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order;
Reapportionment [Doc. No.: AMSFV-10-0092] received July 25,
2011.
E.C. 2670--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia; Change in Late Payment
and Interest Requirements on Past Due Assessments [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-11-0016; FV11-955-1 FR] received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2671--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil
Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and
Allotment Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the
2010-2011 Marketing Year [Doc. Nos.: AMS-FV-09-0082; FV10-985-
1A FIR] received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2672--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Olives Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0115; FV11-932-1 FIR] received July 25,
2011.
E.C. 2673--Jul. 30, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Suspension of
Handling Requirements [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0019; FV11-916/917-5
FIR] received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2679--Aug. 1, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern
California; Section 610 Review [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-06-0185; FV06-
925-610 Review] received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2680--Aug. 1, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Conditions of Guarantee (RIN: 0570-AA81) received July
18, 2011.
E.C. 2699--Aug. 2, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Movement of Hass Avocados From Areas
Where Mediterranean Fruit Fly or South American Fruit Fly Exist
[Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0127] (RIN: 0579-AD34) received July 25,
2011.
E.C. 2700--Aug. 2, 2011: A letter from the Manager,
BioPreferred Program, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Designation of Biobased Items for
Federal Procurement (RIN: 0503-AA36) received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2778--Aug. 19, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--U.S. Honey Producer Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Order; Termination of Referendum Procedures [Doc.
No.: AMS-FV-07-0091; FV-07-706-FR] (RIN: 0581-AC78) received
July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2779--Aug. 23, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--
Chlorantraniliprole; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-
0888; FRL-8875-5] received July 25, 2011.
E.C. 2884--Sep. 2, 2011: A letter from the Secretary to the
Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting
the Commission's final rule--Removing Any Reference to or
Reliance on Credit Ratings in Commission Regulations; Proposing
Alternatives to the Use of Credit Ratings (RIN: 3038-AD11)
received August 3, 2011.
E.C. 2885--Sep. 2, 2011: A letter from the Secretary of the
Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting
the Commission's final rule--Process for Review of Swaps for
Mandatory Clearing (RIN: 3038-AD00) received August 3, 2011.
E.C. 2886--Sep. 2, 2011: A letter from the Secretary of the
Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting
the Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Swap Data Repositories:
Registration Standards, Duties, and Core Principles (RIN: 3038-
AD20) received August 24, 2011.
E.C. 2887--Sep. 2, 2011: A letter from the Secretary of the
Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting
the Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Final Rules for
Implementing the Whistleblower Provisions of Section 23 of the
Commodity Exchange Act (RIN: 3038-AD04) received August 24,
2011.
E.C. 2888--Sep. 2, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Provisions Common to Registered
Entities (RIN: 3038-AD07) received August 3, 2011.
E.C. 2889--Sep. 2, 2011: A letter from the Regulatory
Analyst, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Export Inspection and Weighting Waiver
for High Quality Specialty Grain Transported in Containers
(RIN: 0580-AB18) received August 1, 2011.
E.C. 2946--Sep. 6, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Large Trader Reporting for Physical
Commodity Swaps (RIN: 3038-AD17) received July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2947--Sep. 6, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Prohibition on the Employment, or
Attempted Employment, of Manipulative and Deceptive Devices and
Prohibition on Price Manipulation (RIN: 3038-AD27) received
July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2948--Sep. 6, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Privacy of Consumer Financial
Information; Conforming Amendments Under Dodd-Frank Act (RIN:
3038-AD13) received July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2949--Sep. 6, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Effective Date for Swap Regulation
received July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2950--Sep. 6, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Agricultural Commodity Definition
(RIN: 3038-AD23) received July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2951--Sep. 6, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Business Affiliate Marketing and
Disposal of Consumer Information Rules (RIN: 3038-AD12)
received July 28, 2011.
E.C. 2996--Sep. 9, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Shepherd's Purse With
Roots From the Republic of Korea Into the United States [Doc.
No.: APHIS-2009-0086] (RIN: 0579-AD26) received July 29, 2011.
E.C. 2997--Sep. 9, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Karnal Bunt; Regulated Areas in
Arizona, California, and Texas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2009-0079]
received July 29, 2011.
E.C. 2998--Sep. 9, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Carboxymenthyl
guar gum sodium salt and Carboxymethylhydroxyproyl guar;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0531; FRL-8880-5] received July 20, 2011.
E.C. 2999--Sep. 9, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--Funding and
Fiscal Affairs, Loan Policies and Operations, and Funding
Operations; Investment Management (RIN: 3052-AC50) received
August 2, 2011.
E.C. 3035--Sep. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluoxastrobin;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0725; FRL-8884-4]
received August 15, 2011.
E.C. 3036--Sep. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Metconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0621; FRL-8882-7]
received August 15, 2011
E.C. 3037--Sep. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Thiamethoxam;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0481; FRL-A8874-9]
received August 15, 2011
E.C. 3038--Sep. 12, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Tetraconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0583; FRL-8885-1]
received August 25, 2011.
E.C. 3187--Sep. 22, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Agricultural Swaps (RIN: 3038-AD21)
received August 23, 2011.
E.C. 3188--Sep. 22, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Dairy Promotion and Research
Program; Final Rule on Amendments to the Order [Doc. No.: DA-
08-07; AMS-DA-08-0050] (RIN: 0581-AC87) received August 22,
2011.
E.C. 3189--Sep. 22, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington;
Modifications of the Rules and Regulations [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-
11-0024; FV11-946-3 FIR] received August 22, 2011.
E.C. 3190--Sep. 22, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Organic Program (NOP); Sunset
Review (2011) [Doc. No.: AMS-TM-07-0136; TM-07-14FR] (RIN:
0581-AC77) received August 22, 2011.
E.C. 3191--Sep. 22, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion,
Consumer Education and Industry Information Order [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-10-0015; FR] (RIN: 0581-AD03) received August 22, 2011.
E.C. 3217--Sep. 23, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Veterinary Accreditation
Program; Currently Accredited Veterinarians Performing
Accredited Duties and Electing To Participate [Doc. No.: APHIS-
2006-0093] (RIN: 0579-AC04) received August 29, 2011.
E.C. 3218--Sep. 23, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Peppers From Panama
[Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0002] (RIN: 0579-AD16) received August
29, 2011.
E.C. 3219--Sep. 23, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--European Larch Canker; Expansion of
Regulated Areas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-0029] received August 29,
2011.
E.C. 3220--Sep. 23, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Asian Longhorned Beetle; Quarantined
Areas and Regulated Articles [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0128]
received August 29, 2011.
E.C. 3221--Sep. 23, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Horses From Contagious
Equine Metritis-Affected Countries [Doc. No.: APHIS-2008-0112]
(RIN: 0579-AD31) received August 29, 2011.
E.C. 3267--Sep. 29, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Congressional Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Commercial
Transportation of Equines to Slaughter [Doc. No.: APHIS-2006-
0168] (RIN: 0579-AC49) received September 8, 2011.
E.C. 3268--Sep. 29, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Tebuconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0120; FRL-8885-4]
received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3269--Sep. 29, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--Funding and
Fiscal Affairs, Loan Policies and Operations, and Funding
Operations; Capital Adequacy Risk-Weighting Revisions:
Alternatives to Credit Ratings (RIN: 3052-AC71) received
September 6, 2011.
E.C. 3297--Oct. 3, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities
Service, transmitting the Service's final rule--Emergency
Restoration Plan (ERP) (RIN: 0572-AC16) received September 6,
2011.
E.C. 3329--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Atrazine,
Chloroneb, Chlorpyrifos, Clofencent, Endosulfan, et al.;
Tolerance Actions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0104; FRL-8883-9] received
September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3330--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Sulfur Dioxide;
Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0684; FRL-8887-2] received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3331--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2,4-D; Pesticide
Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0905; FRL-8881-7] received
September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3332--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Chromobacterium
subtsugae strain PRAA4-1T; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0054; FRL-8887-4] received September
12, 2011.
E.C. 3333--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Dicamba;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0496; FRL-8881-6]
received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3334--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Flubendiamide;
Pesticide Tolerances; Technical Amendment [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-
0099; FRL-8870-8] received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3335--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Lipase,
Triacylglycerol; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0271; FRL-8882-4] received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3336--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Mandipropamid;
Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0639; FRL-8886-8] received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3337--Oct. 4, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Novaluron;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0466; FRL-8882-1]
received September 12, 2011.
E.C. 3380--Oct. 6, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluazifop-P-
butyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0849; FRL-8889-1]
received September 20, 2011.
E.C. 3381--Oct. 6, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--
Chlorantraniliprole; Pesticide Tolerances; Correction [EPA-HQ-
OPP-2010-0888; FRL-8888-3] received September 20, 2011.
E.C. 3410--Oct. 7, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Cotton Board Rules and Regulations:
Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports [Doc. No.: AMS-CN-
11-0026; CN-11-002] received September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3411--Oct. 7, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion,
Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Correction
[Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0015C; FR] (RIN: 0581-AD03) received
September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3412--Oct. 7, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington;
Assessment Rate Decrease for Processed Pears [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-
11-0070 FV11-927-3 IR] received September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3413--Oct. 7, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington;
Assessment Rate Decrease for Fresh Pears [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-
0060; FV11-927-2 IR] received September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3414--Oct. 7, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Dried Prunes Produced in California;
Decreased Assessment Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0068; FV11-993-1
IR] received September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3425--Oct. 11, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Emergency Assistance
for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program,
Livestock Indemnity Program, and General Provisions for
Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs (RIN:
0560-AH95) received September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3426--Oct. 11, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus
thuringiensis eCry3.1Ab Protein in Corn; Temporary Exemption
From the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0609; FRL-
8889-2] received September 15, 2011.
E.C. 3427--Oct. 11, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--
Tetrachlorvinphos; Extension of Time-Limited Interim Pesticide
Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0360; FRL-8887-5] received
September 15, 2011.
E.C. 3445--Oct. 12, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison;
State and Zone Designations; Michigan [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-
0075] received September 14, 2011.
E.C. 3465--Oct. 13, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Intergovernmental Review received
September 16, 2011.
E.C. 3495--Oct. 14, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Program Development & Regulatory Analysis, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Expansion of 911 Access; Telecommunications Loan Program (RIN:
0572-AC24) received October 5, 2011.
E.C. 3496--Oct. 14, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Gypsy Moth Generally Infested Areas;
Additions in Indiana, Maine, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and
Wisconsin [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0075] received October 3, 2011.
E.C. 3497--Oct. 14, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Golden Nematode; Removal of Regulated
Areas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-0036] received October 3, 2011.
E.C. 3498--Oct. 14, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Phytosanitary Treatments; Location of
and Process for Updating Treatment Schedules; Technical
Amendment [Doc. No.: APHIS-2008-0022] (RIN: 0579-AC94) received
October 3, 2011.
E.C. 3511--Oct. 18, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2-Propenoic acid,
polymer with ethenylbenzene and (1-methylethenyl) benzene,
sodium salt; Tolerance exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0430; FRL-
8888-5] received August 18, 2011.
E.C. 3541--Oct. 21, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison;
State and Zone Designations; New Mexico [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-
0093] received October 5, 2011.
E.C. 3542--Oct. 21, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pseudomonas
fluorescens strain CL145; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0087; FRL-8884-6] received August
18, 2011.
E.C. 3561--Oct. 24, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison;
State and Zone Designations; Minnesota [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-
0100] received October 5, 2011.
E.C. 3562--Oct. 24, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Amisulbron;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0186; FRL-8885-3]
received September 26, 2011.
E.C. 3563--Oct. 24, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Isaria
fumosorosea Apopka strain 97; Exemption from the Requirement of
a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0087; FRL-8889-8] received
September 26, 2011.
E.C. 3617--Oct. 27, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Foreign Futures and Options Contracts
on a Non-Narrow-Based Security Index; Commission Certification
Procedures (RIN: 3038-AC54) received September 27, 2011.
E.C. 3618--Oct. 27, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Isopyrazam;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0906; FRL-8874-6]
received October 6, 2011.
E.C. 3619--Oct. 27, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Prothicocnazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0053; FRL-8884-2]
received October 4, 2011.
E.C. 3689--Nov. 1, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Retail Foreign Exchange Transactions;
Conforming Changes to Existing Regulations in Response to the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
received September 27, 2011.
E.C. 3690--Nov. 1, 2011: A letter from the Administrator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Intergovernmental Review received October 4, 2011.
E.C. 3691--Nov. 1, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Guaranteed Loan Fees
(RIN: 0560-AH41) received September 27, 2011.
E.C. 3692--Nov. 1, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Biomass Crop
Assistance Program: Corrections (RIN: 0560-AI13) received
September 27, 2011.
E.C. 3730--Nov. 3, 2011: A letter from the Chief, Planning
and Regulatory Affairs Branch, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC):
Implementation of Nondiscretionary, Non-Electronic Benefits
Transfer-Related Provisions (RIN: 0584-AE13) received October
12, 2011.
E.C. 3731--Nov. 3, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Tomatoes With Stems
From the Republic of Korea Into the United States [Doc. No.:
APHIS-2010-0020] (RIN: 0579-AD33) received October 31, 2011.
E.C. 3766--Nov. 7, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Fresh Baby Kiwi From
Chile Under a Systems Approach [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0018]
(RIN: 0579-AD37) received October 27, 2011.
E.C. 3767--Nov. 7, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Poultry Improvement Plan and
Auxiliary Provisions; Correction [Doc. No.: APHIS-2009-0031]
(RIN: 0579-AD21) received October 27, 2011.
E.C. 3806--Nov. 14, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Brucellosis in Swine; Add Texas to
List of Validated Brucellosis-Free States [Doc. No.: APHIS-
2011-0005] received October 27, 2011.
E.C. 3869--Nov. 16, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacteriophage of
Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies michiganensis; Exemption
from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0538; FRL-
8891-3] received October 18, 2011.
E.C. 3930--Nov. 18, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Bromeliad Plants in
Growing Media From Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands [Doc.
No.: APHIS-2010-0005] (RIN: 0579-AD36) received November 3,
2011.
E.C. 3931--Nov. 18, 2011: A letter from the Regulatory
Officer, Department of Commerce, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Adjustment of Appendices to the Dairy Tariff-Rate
Import Quota Licensing Regulation for the 2011 Tariff-Rate
Quota Year received October 31, 2011.
E.C. 3968--Nov. 25, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Reporting by Investment
Advisers to Private Funds and Certain Commodity Pool Operators
and Commodity Trading Advisors on Form PF [Release No.: IA-
3308; File No. S7-05-11] (RIN: 3235-AK92) received November 17,
2011.
E.C. 3969--Nov. 25, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Position Limits for Futures
and Swaps (RIN: 3038-AD17) received November 16, 2011.
E.C. 4067--Dec. 1, 2011: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of French Beans and Runner
Beans From the Republic of Kenya Into the United States [Doc.
No.: APHIS-2010-0101] (RIN: 0579-AD39) received November 4,
2011.
E.C. 4088--Dec. 2, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fenamidone;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0866; FRL-9325-4]
received November 16, 2011.
E.C. 4089--Dec. 2, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Polyethylene
glycol; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0606; FRL-8892-1]
received November 16, 2011.
E.C. 4090--Dec. 2, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Prohexadione
Calcium; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0780; FRL-9326-
4] received November 16, 2011.
E.C. 4176--Dec. 7, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Christmas Tree Promotion, Research,
and Information Order [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0008-FR-1A] (RIN:
0581-AD00) received November 15, 2011.
E.C. 4177--Dec. 7, 2011: A letter from the Management and
Program Analyst, Directives and Regulations, Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
(RIN: 0596-AC84) received November 15, 2011.
E.C. 4205--Dec. 7, 2011: A letter from the Management and
Program Analyst, Directives and Regulations, Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Prohibitions--Developed Recreation Sites (RIN: 0596-AC98)
received November 15, 2011; jointly to the Committees on
Agriculture and Natural Resources.
E.C. 4206--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Walnuts Grown in California; Increased
Assessment Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0062; FV11-984-1 FR]
received November 17, 2011.
E.C. 4207--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Onions Grown in Certain Designated
Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, OR; Modification of
Handling Regulations [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0025; FV11-958-1 FR]
received November 17, 2011.
E.C. 4208--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Abamectin
(avermectin); Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0619; FRL-
8890-2] received November 4, 2011.
E.C. 4209--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Amides, C5-C9, N-
[3-(dimethylamino)propyl] and amides, C6-C12, N-[3-
(dimethylamino)propyl]; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0093; FRL-8890-8] received November
4, 2011.
E.C. 4210--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Flutriafol;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0876; FRL-9325-6]
received November 4, 2011.
E.C. 4211--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Methacrylic acid-
methy methacrylate-polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether
methacrylate graft copolymer; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-
2011-0583; FRL-8891-4] received November 4, 2011.
E.C. 4212--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Methacrylic
Polymer; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0333; FRL-8891-1]
received November 4, 2011.
E.C. 4213--Dec. 8, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Trifloxystrobin;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0456; FRL-8890-1]
received November 4, 2011.
E.C. 4236--Dec. 9, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Nectarines and Fresh Peaches Grown in
California; Termination of Marketing Order 916 and the Peach
Provision of Marketing Order 917 [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0018;
FV11-916/917-4 FR] received November 17, 2011.
E.C. 4237--Dec. 9, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Cotton Board Rules and Regulations:
Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports; Corrections [Doc.
No.: AMS-CN-11-0026C; CN-11-002] received November 17, 2011.
E.C. 4238--Dec. 9, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Christmas Tree Promotion, Research,
and Information Order; Referendum Procedures [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-
10-0008-FR] (RIN: 0581-AD00) received November 17, 2011.
E.C. 4276--Dec. 13, 2011: A letter from the Secretary of
the Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
transmitting the Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Derivatives
Clearing Organization General Provisions and Core Principles
(RIN: 3038-AC98) received November 29, 2011.
E.C. 4277--Dec. 13, 2011: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Saflufenacil;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1026; FRL-9325-2]
received December 2, 2011.
E.C. 4307--Dec. 15, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Christmas Tree Promotion, Research,
and Information Order; Stay of Regulations [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-
10-0008-1A] (RIN: 0581-AD00) received December 2, 2011.
E.C. 4317--Dec. 16, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting proposed amendments to title 12, chapter VI of the
Code of Federal Regulations.
E.C. 4327--Dec. 19, 2011: A letter from the Acting Deputy
Associate Administrator, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program: Quality Control Error Tolerance
Threshold [FNS-2011-0060] (RIN: 0584-AE24) received November
30, 2011.
E.C. 4328--Dec. 19, 2011: A letter from the Acting
Congressional Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Karnal Bunt;
Regulated Areas in California [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-0074]
received November 30, 2011.
E.C. 4366--Dec. 21, 2011: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Investment of Customer Funds
and Funds Held in an Account for Foreign Futures and Foreign
Options Transactions (RIN: 3038-AC79) received December 19,
2011.
E.C. 4367--Dec. 21, 2011: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--Funding and
Fiscal Affairs, Loan Policies and Operations, and Funding
Operations; Liquidity and Funding (RIN: 3052-AC54) received
December 7, 2011.
E.C. 4386--Dec. 22, 2011: A letter from the Management
Analyst, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Implementation of Regulations Required
Under Title XI of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of
2008; Suspension of Delivery of Birds, Additional Capital
Investment Criteria, Breach of Contract, and Arbitration (RIN:
0580-AB07) received December 14, 2011.
E.C. 4458--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Registration of Foreign Boards of
Trade (RIN: 3038-AD19) received December 19, 2011.
E.C. 4459--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Standards and
Specifications for Timber Products Acceptable for Use by Rural
Utilities Service Electric and Telecommunications Borrowers
received December 14, 2011.
E.C. 4460--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Farm Loan Programs
Loan Making Activities (RIN: 0560-AI03) received December 13,
2011.
E.C. 4461--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Amending 7 CFR Part 4290, Rural Business Investment Program,
and 7 CFR Part 1940, General (RIN: 0570-AA80) received December
19, 2011.
E.C. 4462--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Extension of
Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions (Multiple Chemicals) [EPA-
HQ-OPP-2011-0972; FRL-9329-9] received December 22, 2011.
E.C. 4463--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Isoxaflutole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0845; FRL-8885-8]
received December 7, 2011.
E.C. 4464--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Butyl acrylate-
methacrylic acid-styrene polymer; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-
OPP-2011-0732; FRL-9327-6] received December 14, 2011.
E.C. 4465--Jan. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Hexythiazox;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0916; FRL-9327-7]
received December 14, 2011.
E.C. 4618--Jan. 19, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Real-Time Public Reporting
of Swap Transaction Data (RIN: 3038-AD08) received January 9,
2012.
E.C. 4630--Jan. 23, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Cyhalofop-butyl;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0283; FRL-9330-1]
received December 28, 2011.
E.C. 4631--Jan. 23, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Difenoconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0959; FRL-9328-6]
received December 28, 2011.
E.C. 4632--Jan. 23, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Tepraloxydim;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0865; FRL-9330-2]
received December 28, 2011.
E.C. 4661--Jan. 24, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Live Swine, Swine
Semen, Pork and Pork Products from Liechtenstein and
Switzerland [Doc. No.: APHIS-2009-0093] received December 21,
2011.
E.C. 4691--Jan. 25, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower
Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Increased Assessment Rate [Doc.
No.: AMS-FV-11-0057; FV11-906-1 FR] received January 3, 2012.
E.C. 4692--Jan. 25, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens strain D747; Exemption from the Requirement
of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0944; FRL-9330-4] received
January 4, 2012.
E.C. 4721--Jan. 27, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Highly Erodible Land
and Wetland Conservation (RIN: 0560-AH97) received January 6,
2012.
E.C. 4732--Jan. 31, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern
States; Suspension of Marketing Order Provisions [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-11-0027; FV11-953-1 FR] received January 3, 2012.
E.C. 4733--Jan. 31, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pistachios Grown in California,
Arizona, and New Mexico; Decreased Assessment Rate [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-11-0077; FV-983-2 IR] received January 3, 2012.
E.C. 4734--Jan. 31, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--United States Standards for Grades of
Frozen Okra [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-07-0100, FV-11-327] received
January 3, 2012.
E.C. 4735--Jan. 31, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Marketing Order Regulating the
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of
the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 1
(Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2011-2012
Marketing Year [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-10-0094; FV11-985-1A IR]
received January 3, 2012.
E.C. 4763--Feb. 1, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern
States; Suspension of Marketing Order Provisions [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-11-0027; FV11-953-1 FR] received January 3, 2012.
E.C. 4801--Feb. 2, 2012: A letter from the Acting Director,
Policy Issuances Division, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Classes of Poultry
[Doc. No.: FSIS-2007-0048] (RIN: 0583-AC83) received January 3,
2012.
E.C. 4802--Feb. 2, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Lists of Regions Classified With
Respect to Certain Animal Diseases and States Approved To
Receive Certain Imported Horses [Doc. No.: APHIS-2009-0035]
(RIN: 0579-AD05) received January 10, 2012.
E.C. 4803--Feb. 2, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus subtilis
strain CX-9060; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0104; FRL-9330-9] received January 11, 2012.
E.C. 4856--Feb. 6, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--European Larch Canker; Expansion of
Regulated Areas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-0029] received January
10, 2012.
E.C. 4876--Feb. 7, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Real-Time Public Reporting
of Swap Transaction Data (RIN: 3038-AD08) received February 7,
2012.
E.C. 4877--Feb. 7, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens strain D747; Exemption from the Requirement
of a Tolerance; Technical Correction [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0944;
FRL-9334-3] received January 17, 2012.
E.C. 4905--Feb. 8, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Swap Data record-keeping and Reporting
Requirements (RIN: 3038-AD19) received January 12, 2012.
E.C. 4906--Feb. 8, 2012: A letter from the Deputy Director,
Regulations Policy and Management Staff, Department of Health
and Human Services, transmitting the Department's final rule--
New Animal Drugs; Cephalosporin Drugs; Extralabel Animal Drug
Use; Order of Prohibition [Doc. No.: FDA-2008-N-0326] received
January 17, 2012.
E.C. 4935--Feb. 9, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Registration of Swap Dealers and Major
Swap Participants (RIN: 3038-AC95) received January 19, 2012.
E.C. 4936--Feb. 9, 2012: A letter from the Administrator,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Definitions and
Abbreviations (RIN: 0570-AA87) received January 17, 2012.
E.C. 4937--Feb. 9, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Credit, Travel and Grants Policy Division, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Administration's final rule--
Implementation of Office of Management and Budget Guidance on
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (RIN: 0505-AA14) received
January 10, 2012.
E.C. 4938--Feb. 9, 2012: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--Organization;
Standards of Conduct and Referral of Known or Suspected
Criminal Violations; Definitions; Disclosure to Shareholders;
and Disclosure to Investors in System-wide and Consolidated
Bank Debt Obligations of the Farm Credit System; Compensation,
Retirement Programs, and Related Benefits (RIN: 3052-AC41)
received January 17, 2012.
E.C. 4985--Feb. 14, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Cyazofamid;
Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0697; FRL-9332-5] received January 24, 2012.
E.C. 4986--Feb. 14, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Etoxazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0968; FRL-9334-9]
received January 24, 2012.
E.C. 4987--Feb. 14, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Rimsulfuron;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1017; FRL-9332-1]
received January 24, 2012.
E.C. 5004--Feb. 15, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Trichoderma
virens strain G-41; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0053; FRL-9333-5] received January
30, 2012.
E.C. 5055--Feb. 21, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Registration of Swap Dealers and Major
Swap Participants (RIN: 3038-AC95) January 26, 2012.
E.C. 5056--Feb. 21, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Protection of Cleared Swaps
Customer Contracts and Collateral; Conforming Amendments to the
Commodity Broker Bankruptcy Provisions (RIN: Number 3038-AC99)
received February 7, 2012.
E.C. 5057--Feb. 21, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Program Dev. and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Development
Utilities Program, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Electric Engineering, Architectural
Services, Design Policies and Construction Standards (RIN:
0572-AC20) received January 31, 2012.
E.C. 5058--Feb. 21, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Dairy Promotion and Research
Program; Amendments to the Order [Doc. No.: AMS-DA-11-0007; DA-
11-02] received January 31, 2012.
E.C. 5059--Feb. 21, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Irish potatoes Grown in Colorado;
Modification of the Handling Regulation for Area No. 3 [Doc.
No.: AMS-FV-11-0051; FV11-948-1 FR] received January 31, 2012.
E.C. 5060--Feb. 21, 2012: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--Disclosure to
Investors in Systemwide and Consolidated Bank Debt Obligations
of the Farm Credit System (RIN: 3052-AC77) received January 31,
2012.
E.C. 5196--Mar. 7, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Indoxacarb;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0578; FRL-9336-7]
received February 7, 2012.
E.C. 5217--Mar. 8, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Business Conduct Standards
for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants With
Counterparties (RIN: 3038-AD25) received February 17, 2012.
E.C. 5218--Mar. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluopyram;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0364; FRL-9336-9]
received February 11, 2012.
E.C. 5219--Mar. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Metaflumizone;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0168; FRL-9333-4]
received February 11, 2012.
E.C. 5220--Mar. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Mevinphos; Order
Revoking Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0423; FRL-9338-3] received
February 11, 2012.
E.C. 5221--Mar. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Flazasulfuron;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0494; FRL-8883-1]
received February 11, 2012.
E.C. 5252--Mar. 13, 2012: A letter from the Manager,
BioPreferred Program, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Designation of Biobased Items for
Federal Procurement (RIN: 0503-AA39) received February 13,
2012.
E.C. 5253--Mar. 13, 2012: A letter from the Manager,
BioPreferred Program, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--BioPreferred Program (RIN: 0503-
AA41) received February 13, 2012.
E.C. 5254--Mar. 13, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Kiwifruit Grown in California; Change
in Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection [Doc.
No.: AMS-FV-11-0041; FV11-920-1 FR] received March 2, 2012.
E.C. 5255--Mar. 13, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus
thuringiensis Cry2Ae Protein in Cotton; Exemption from the
Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0573; FRL-9333-7]
received February 2, 2012.
E.C. 5273--Mar. 16, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Aureobasidium
pullulans strains DSM 14940 and DSM 14941; Exemption from the
Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0099; FRL-9337-3]
received February 14, 2012.
E.C. 5274--Mar. 16, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pasteuria
nishizawae-Pn1; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0807; FRL-9337-2] received February 14, 2012.
E.C. 5275--Mar. 16, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Spirotetramat;
Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0783; FRL-9332-9] received February 14, 2012.
E.C. 5341--Mar. 20, 2012: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting a report on the proposed fiscal year 2013 budget;
jointly to the Committees on Agriculture and Oversight and
Government Reform.
E.C. 5343--Mar. 21, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting
[Doc. No.: AMSDA-10-0089; DA-11-01] (RIN: 0581-AD12) received
February 17, 2012.
E.C. 5344--Mar. 21, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Marketing Order Regulating the
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of
the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 1
(Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2011-2012
Marketing Year [Doc. Nos.: AMS-FV-10-0094; FV11-985-1A FIR]
received February 17, 2012.
E.C. 5345--Mar. 21, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Organic Program (NOP);
Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances (Crops and Processing) [Doc. No.: AMS-NOP-10-0079;
NOP-09-02FR] (RIN: 0581-AD06) received February 17, 2012.
E.C. 5346--Mar. 21, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Revision of Cotton Futures
Classification Procedures [Doc. No.: AMS-CN-10-0073; CN-10-005]
(RIN: 0581-AD16) received February 17, 2012.
E.C. 5367--Mar. 22, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pyroxasulfone;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0717; FRL-9334-2]
received February 13, 2012.
E.C. 5427--Mar. 27, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Wooden Handicrafts From
China [Doc. No.: APHIS-2007-0117] (RIN: 0597-AC90) received
March 2, 2012.
E.C. 5428--Mar. 27, 2012: A letter from the Management and
Program Analyst, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Community Forest and Open Space
Conservation Program (RIN: 0596-AC84) received March 14, 2012.
E.C. 5502--Mar. 30, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's report
entitled, ``2011 Packers and Stockyards Program Annual
Report''; to the Committee on Agriculture.
E.C. 5503--Mar. 30, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Penthiopyrad;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0349; FRL-9335-7]
received March 7, 2012.
E.C. 5504--Mar. 30, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Aspergillus
flavus AF36; Amendment to an Exemption from the Requirement of
a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0158; FRL-9341-5] received March
9, 2012.
E.C. 5505--Mar. 30, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Pyriofenone;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0659; FRL-9336-6]
received March 9, 2012.
E.C. 5522--Apr. 16, 2012: A letter from the Chief
Information Officer, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Modification of Interlibrary Loan
Fee Schedule (RIN: 0518-AA04) received March 22, 2012.
E.C. 5523--Apr. 16, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2-Propenoic acid,
2-methyl-, 2-ethylhexyl ester, telomere with 1-dodecanethiol,
ethenylbenzene and 2-methyloxiraine polymer with oxirane
monoether with 1,2-propanediol mono(2-methyl-2-propenoate),
hydrogen 2-sulfobutanedioate, sodium salt, 2, 2-(1,2-
diazenediyl)bis[[2-ethylpropanenitrile] initiated; Tolerance
Exception [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0975; FRL-9339-9] received March 28,
2012.
E.C. 5524--Apr. 16, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Acetamiprid;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0403; FRL-9340-7]
received March 28, 2012.
E.C. 5658--Apr. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Policy Issuances Division, Office of Policy and Program
Development, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Changes to the Schedule of Operations
Regulations [Doc. No.: FSIS-2010-0014] (RIN: 0583-AD35)
received March 28, 2012.
E.C. 5659--Apr. 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Bacillus pumilus
strain GHA 180; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0536; FRL-9343-1] received March 23, 2012.
E.C. 5689--Apr. 19, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Customer Clearing
Documentation, Timing of Acceptance for Clearing, and Clearing
Member Risk Management (RIN: 3038-0092, -0094) received April
10, 2012.
E.C. 5690--Apr. 19, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity
Trading Advisors: Compliance Obligations (RIN: 3038-AD30)
received March 26, 2012.
E.C. 5691--Apr. 19, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Congressional Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Tuberculosis in
Cattle and Bison; State and Zone Designations; NM; Correction
[Doc. No.: APHIS-2008-0124] received March 26, 2012.
E.C. 5692--Apr. 19, 2012: A letter from the Administrator,
Risk Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Common Crop Insurance Regulations;
Onion Crop Insurance Provisions [Doc. No.: FCIC-11-0004] (RIN:
0563-AC29) received March 26, 2012.
E.C. 5766--Apr. 25, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Silicic Acid,
Sodium Salt etc.; Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0934;
FRL-9333-6] received April 11, 2012.
E.C. 5797--Apr. 26, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Swap Dealer and Major Swap
Participant record-keeping, Reporting, and Duties Rules;
Futures Commission Merchant and Introducing Broker Conflicts of
Interest Rules; and Chief Compliance Officer Rules for Swap
Participants, and Futures Commission Merchants (RIN: 3038-AC96)
received April 3, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Agriculture.
E.C. 5827--Apr. 27, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--2-Ethyl-1-
hexanol; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-
OPP-2011-0604; FRL-9342-5] received April 4, 2012.
E.C. 5828--Apr. 27, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Acibenzolar-S-
methyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0086; FRL-9343-3]
received April 4, 2012.
E.C. 5858--May 7, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Conservation Loan
Program (RIN: 0560-AI04) received April 2, 2012.
E.C. 5917--May 8, 2012: A letter from the Management and
Program Analyst, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--National Forest System Land Management
Planning (RIN: 0596-AD02) received April 19, 2012.
E.C. 5945--May 10, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Thiamethoxam;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1079; FRL-9331-8]
received February 18, 2012.
E.C. 5946--May 10, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Trifloxystrobin;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0138; FRL-9336-5]
received February 18, 2012.
E.C. 5947--May 10, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Trinexapac-ethyl;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0524; FRL-9337-9]
received February 18, 2012.
E.C. 6021--May 16, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Pomegranates From Chile
Under a Systems Approach [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0024] (RIN:
0579-AD38) received April 18, 2012.
E.C. 6022--May 16, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Fresh Pitaya Fruit From
Central America Into the Continental United States [Doc. No.:
APHIS-2010-0113] (RIN: 0579-AD40) received April 18, 2012.
E.C. 6023--May 16, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Importation of Clementines From Spain;
Amendment to Inspection Provisions [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0036]
(RIN: 0579-AD27) received April 18, 2012.
E.C. 6026--May 16, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Asian Longhorned Beetle; Additions to
Quarantined Areas in Massachusetts [Doc. No.: APHIS-2010-0128]
received April 18, 2012.
E.C. 6048--May 17, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Quizalofop Ethyl:
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1018; FRL-9340-5]
received April 18, 2012.
E.C. 6069--May 18, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Golden Nematode; Removal of Regulated
Areas [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-0036] received April 19, 2012.
E.C. 6070--May 18, 2012: A letter from the Congressional
Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Karnal Bunt; Regulated Areas in
California [Doc. No.: APHIS-2011-0074] received April 19, 2012.
E.C. 6103--May 25, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Director--National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities
(HSACU) Certification Process (RIN: 0524-AA39) received April
26, 2012.
E.C. 6133--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Manager,
BioPreferred Program, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Designation of Product Categories
for Federal Procurement (RIN: 0599-AA14) received April 13,
2012.
E.C. 6134--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Dried Prunes Produced in California;
Decreased Assessment Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-0068; FV11-993-1
FIR] received April 27, 2012.
E.C. 6135--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Revision of Cotton Classification
Procedures for Determining Cotton Leaf Grade [Doc. No.: AMSCN-
11-0066] (RIN: 0581-AD19) received April 24, 2012.
E.C. 6136--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Review Group, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Upland Cotton Base
Quality (RIN: 0560-AI16) received April 11, 2012.
E.C. 6137--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Mango Promotion, Research, and
Information Order; Assessment Increase [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-
0021] received April 27, 2012.
E.C. 6138--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Marketing Order Regulating the
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of
the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 1
(Scotch) Spearmint Oil for the 2011-2012 Marketing Year [Doc.
No.: AMS-FV-10-0094; FV11-985-1B 1R] received April 27, 2012.
E.C. 6139--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pistachios Grown in California,
Arizona, and New Mexico; Decreased Assessment Rate [Doc. No.:
AMS-FV-11-0077; FV11-983-2 FIR] received April 27, 2012.
E.C. 6140--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington;
Assessment Rate Decrease for Fresh Pears [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-11-
0060; FV11-927-2 FIR] received April 27, 2012.
E.C. 6141--May 29, 2012: A letter from the Acting
Administrator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington;
Assessment Rate Decrease for Processed Pears [Doc. No.: AMS-FV-
11-0070 FV11-927-3 FIR] received April 27, 2012.
E.C. 6281--Jun. 5, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's ``Major'' final rule--Further Definition of ``Swap
Dealer'', ``Security-Based Swap Dealer'', ``Major Swap
Participant'', ``Major Security-Based Swap Participant'' and
``Eligible Contract Participant'' [Release No.: 34-66868; File
No. S7-39-10] (RIN: 3235-AK65) received May 23, 2012.
E.C. 6321--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Secretary,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Commodity Options (RIN: 3038-AD62)
received April 30, 2012.
E.C. 6322--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Administrator,
Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Community Facility Loans (RIN:
0575-AC78) received May 9, 2012.
E.C. 6323--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Deputy
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Specification for 15 kV and 25 kV Primary Underground Power
Cable received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6324--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Acequinocyl;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0449; FRL-9346-4]
received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6325--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Thiamethoxam;
Pesticide Tolerances; Technical Correction [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-
1079; FRL-9344-9] received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6326--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluoxastrobin;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0677; FRL-9345-3]
received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6327--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Dimethomorph;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-2011-0388; FRL-9346-6]
received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6328--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Metconazole;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0179; FRL-9345-6]
received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6329--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Carfentrazone-
ethyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0428; FRL-9346-5]
received May 1, 2012.
E.C. 6330--Jun. 6, 2012: A letter from the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration,
transmitting the Administration's final rule--General
Provisions; Operating and Strategic Business Planning (RIN:
3052-AC66) received May 9, 2012.
E.C. 6381--Jun. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Acetone;
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-
0039; FRL-3944-2] received May 11, 2012.
E.C. 6382--Jun. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Fluxapyroxad;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0421; FRL-9346-7]
received May 11, 2012.
E.C. 6383--Jun. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Penflufen;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0425; FRL-9341-8]
received May 11, 2012.
E.C. 6384--Jun. 8, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Propylene oxide;
Tolerance Actions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0253; FRL-9346-8] (RIN:
2070-ZA16) received May 11, 2012.
E.C. 6476--Jun. 19, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Office of Procurement and Property Management, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Guidelines for the Transfer of Excess Computers or Other
Technical Equipment Pursuant to Section 14220 of the 2008 Farm
Bill (RIN: 0599-AA13) received May 15, 2012.
E.C. 6477--Jun. 19, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--1-
Naphthaleneacetic acid; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-
0144; FRL-9346-9] (RIN: 2070-ZA16) received May 8, 2012.
E.C. 6478--Jun. 19, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--a-(p-
Nonylphenol)-whydroxypoly(oxyethylene) Sulfate and Phosphate
Esters; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-
OPP-2011-0526; FRL-9340-2] received May 8, 2012.
E.C. 6479--Jun. 19, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--a-[p-(1,1,3,3-
Tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-whydroxypoly(oxyethylene) Exemption
from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0525; FRL-
9340-1] received May 8, 2012.
E.C. 6480--Jun. 19, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule--Ametoctradin;
Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0261; FRL-9339-7]
received May 8, 2012.
E.C. 6555--Jun. 21, 2012: A letter from the Director,
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting the Department's final rule--Acibenzolar-
S-methyl; Time-Limited Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-
0674; FRL-9349-3] received May 22, 2012.
b. statutory and special reports
USDA: Report on the plans developed by the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for funding provided under
Section 10201 of the Act for Plant Pest and Disease Management
and Disaster Prevention as requested by the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008. Submitted by USDA, January 11, 2011.
USDA: List of statutory reporting requirements that USDA
would like to prioritize or eliminate in order to reduce their
administrative burden. Submitted by USDA, January 21, 2011.
USDA: Record of Decision on Glyphosate--Tolerant Alfalfa
Events J101 and J163: Request for Nonregulated Status (APHIS
decision to fully deregulate Roundup Ready alfalfa). Submitted
by USDA, January 28, 2011.
USDA: Annual report describing the activities of the
Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and
Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products as required by
Section 3205(h) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy act of
2008. Submitted by USDA, January 28, 2011.
USDA: Report titled as the ``Equitable Relief Report'' as
required by Section 1613 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002. Submitted by USDA, February 2, 2011.
USDA: Report on implementation of concluded appeals to the
National Appeals Division (NAD) fro the Farm Service Agency as
required by Section 14009 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008. Submitted by USDA January 27, 2011.
FCA: Farm Credit Administration's Proposed Fiscal Year 2012
Budget and Performance Budget. Submitted by FCA, February 14,
2011.
USDA: Termination notice of Marketing Order 924 (order)
regulating the handling of fresh prunes grown in designated
counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon, pursuant
to section 8c(16)(A) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement
Act of 1937. Submitted by USDA, February 2, 2011.
USDC: Quarterly Report to Congress on activities undertaken
by the Department of Commerce pursuant to Section 906(b) of the
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.
Submitted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, February 7, 2011.
USDA: Charter for the Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory
Committee in compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. Submitted by USDA, February 15, 2011.
USDA: Charter for the Forest Research Advisory Committee in
compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory Committee
Act. Submitted by USDA, February 16, 2011.
GAO: Report on a major rule promulgated by the USDA, Rural
Business Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service,
entitled ``Advanced Biofuel Payment Program'', pursuant to
section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, U.S.C. Submitted by GAO,
February 28, 2011.
EPA: Report titled ``FY2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan'', as
required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993.
Submitted by EPA, March 1, 2011.
USDA: Report titled ``Rural Development Housing and
community Facilities Programs for July through December, 2010''
as required by Section 14009 of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act. Submitted by USDA, February 23, 2011.
USDA: The ``2010 Packers and Stockyards Program Annual
Report''. Submitted by USDA, March 1, 2011.
GAO: Report on a major rule promulgated by the USDA, Rural
Business Cooperative and Rural Utilities Service, ``Biorefinery
Assistance Guaranteed Loans'', pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A)
of title 5, U.S.C. Submitted by GAO, March 1, 2011.
USDA: Charter for the U.S. Forest Service's Recreation
Resources Advisory Committee and Forest Resource Coordinating
Committee, in compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. Submitted by USDA, March 2, 2011.
USDA: Charter for the National Wildlife Services Advisory
Committee, in compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. Submitted by USDA, March 2, 2011.
USDA: The ``Annual Crops and the Federal Crop Insurance
Program'' report as required by section 12030 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Submitted by USDA, March
3, 2011.
EPA: Draft copy of a proposed rule entitled ``Pesticides
Data Requirements for Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) and
Certain Exemptions for PIPS'' as required by section 25(a)(3)
of the FIFRA Act. Submitted by EPA, March 4, 2011.
USDA: Report on the ``Global Effort to Reduce Child Hunger
and Increase School Attendance'' as directed by Section 3107 of
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Submitted
by USDA, March 16, 2011.
USDA: Fiscal Year 2010 Report to Congress on State Payment
Statistics Related to Enrollments in Selected Conservation
Programs as Required by Section 1241(h) of the Food Security
Act of 1985. Submitted by USDA, March 17, 2011.
USDA: Report on the activities of the Agricultural Research
Service as required by section 7409 of the 2008 Farm Bill (P.L.
110-246). Submitted by USDA, March 18, 2011.
USDA: Letter to Chairman Lucas from Secretary Thomas J.
Vilsack concerning the Department's of Agriculture's final
Environmental Impact Statement for the petition to grant
nonregulated status for Roundup Ready (RR) alfalfa. Submitted
by USDA, March 17, 2011.
USDA: Letter approving the proposed McChesney and Steed
land purchase referred to as Submission No. 011/03-11. In
accordance with requirements in Section 17(b) of the National
Forest Management Act of 1976, P.L. 94-588 (90 Stat. 2949).
Submitted by USDA, March 18, 2011.
USDI: Two reports: ``A National Cohesive Wildland Fire
Management Strategy'' and ``The Federal Land Assistance,
Management and Enhancement Act of 2009--Report to Congress'' as
required by Title V, section 503, of the 2010 Department of the
Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Submitted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, March 25,
2011.
EPA: Draft copy of proposed rule that will provide several
changes and corrections to the Microbial Pesticides data
requirements at 40 CFR part 158, subpart V. Section 25(a)(3) of
the FIFRA Act. Submitted by EPA, March 11, 2011.
USDA: Letter approving the proposed John Hoskins land
exchange referred to as Submission No. 011/3-11. In accordance
with the requirements in Section 17(b) of the National Forest
Management Act of 1976, P.L. 94-588 (90 Stat. 2949). Submitted
by USDA, March 18, 2011.
USDA: Letter approving the proposed South Appalachian
Highlands Conservancy land purchase referred to as Submission
No. 07/02-11. In accordance with the requirements in Section
17(b) of the National Forest Management Act of 1976, P.L. 94-
588 (90 Stat. 2949). Submitted by USDA, March 22, 2011.
USDA: Letter to Chairman Lucas from Secretary Thomas J.
Vilsack advising that the Department of Agriculture's Office of
the Chief Economist will close its one-person weather office in
Stoneville, Mississippi. Submitted by USDA, March 24, 2011.
FCSIC: Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation 2011 annual
report demonstrating FCSIC's commitment to equal employment
opportunity while fulfilling its mission to insure the timely
payment of principal and interest on System-wide and
consolidated bonds and obligations as required under the
Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and
Retaliation Act of 2002. Submitted by FCSIC, March 28, 2011.
FCA: Fiscal year 2011 annual report describing the Farm
Credit Administration's many advancements in incorporating
equal employment opportunity in the performance of its mission
to serve U.S. agriculture and rural America as required by the
Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and
Retaliation Act of 2002. Submitted by FCA, March 28, 2011.
USDA: Appraisal of the status and trends of natural
resources on non-Federal lands pursuant to the Soil and Water
Resources Conservation Act of 1977. Submitted by USDA, March
30, 2011.
CBO: Review of CBO's activities in 2010 under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act. Submitted by CBO, March 2011.
CFTC: Report transmitting the fiscal year 2010 Federal
Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 for the
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Submitted by CFTC,
March 30, 2011.
USDA: Letter approving the proposed Sumter National Forest
Tripartite Exchange, using timber receipts for a land purchase
referred to as Submission No. 04/01-11. Pursuant under the
authority of the Act of March 1, 1911 (P.L. 61-435; 90 Stat.
2756, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 516); Act of August 20, 1988 (P.L.
100-409; 102 Stat. 1086; 43 U.S.C. 1716, 43 U.S.C. 751.) in
accordance with the requirements in Section 17(b) of the
National Forest Management Act of 1976, P.L. 94-588 (90 Stat.
2949). Submitted by USDA, March 31, 2011.
EPA: Draft final rule entitled ``Data Requirements for
Antimicrobial Pesticides'' identified in the Regulatory Agenda
under RIN 2070-AD30 as required by Section 25(a)(4) of the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Submitted
by EPA, April 7, 2011.
GAO: Report on a major rule promulgated by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, entailed
``Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees'' pursuant
to section 801 (a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code.
Submitted by GAO, April 7, 2011.
FCA: Letter notifying that the Farm Credit Administration
is currently working with several agencies to issue a proposed
joint regulation for which they are unable to provide an
advance copy of, as required by the Farm Credit Act of 1971.
Submitted by FCA, April 7, 2011.
USDA: A report which describes the expenditures for each
State under the National Organic Certification Cost-Share
Program as required by Section 10301 of the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246). Submitted by USDA, April
8, 2011.
CFTC: Joint Study on the Feasibility of Mandating
Algorithmic Descriptions for Derivatives pursuant to the
requirements of section 719 (b)(4) of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Submitted by CFTC,
April 8, 2011.
USDA: Annual report for Fiscal Year 2010 required by the
Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and
Retaliation Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-174). Submitted by
USDA, April 12, 2011.
USHR: Letter from Representatives Frank D. Lucas, Fred
Upton, and Sam Graves to the FDA regarding potential regulatory
action by the Food and Drug Administration that are of
significant concern to the nation's producers, veterinarians
and consumers. Submitted by United State House of
Representatives, April 12, 2011.
USDA: Letter to Congressmen Kurt Schrader and Tim Holden
thanking them and responding to one which they sent that was
cosigned on February 16, 2011, supporting the use of
domestically grown and produced wood products across the United
States. Submitted by USDA, April 20, 2011.
USDC: Report to the Congress the export licensing actions
taken by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and
Security relating to exports of agricultural commodities to
Cuba during January through March 2011 required by Section
906(b) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act
of 2000 (TSRA) (Title IX of Pub. L. 106-387). Submitted by
USDC, April 21, 2011.
FCA: Final rule adopted by the Farm Credit Administration
Board under the provisions of the Farm Credit Act of 1971,
amending Title 12, Chapter VI of the Code of Federal
Regulations. Submitted by FCA, April 21, 2011.
FCA: Proposed amendments to title 12, chapter VI of the
Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the Farm Credit
Administration. Submitted by FCA, April 21, 2011.
USDA: Report pursuant to Section 154 of the Farmland
Protection Policy Act, 7 U.S.C. 4207. Submitted by USDA, April
27, 2011.
SEC: Letter to Chairman Lucas from U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission concerning the implementation of Title VII
of the Dodd-Frank Act. Submitted by USSEC, April 26, 2011.
CFTC: Most recent charter of the Commission's Agricultural
Advisory Committee pursuant to Section 9(c) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, 9(c). Submitted by
CFTC, April 27, 2011.
USHR: Letter to Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack concerning
improving the nutritional profiles of meals severed in schools
and maintaining participation rates. Submitted by the United
States House of Representatives, May 5, 2011.
USHR: Letter to Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack concerning
improving the nutritional profiles of meals severed in schools
and maintaining participation rates. Submitted by the United
States House of Representatives, May 5, 2011.
USAID: Report titled ``Fiscal Year 2010 Report on U.S.
Humanitarian Assistance to North Korea'' pursuant to Section
201 of the North Korean Human Rights Act Reauthorization Act of
2008 (P.L. 110-346). Submitted by USAID, May 12, 2011.
Embassy of Mauritius: Letter from Ambassador Somduth
Soburun to Chairman Frank D. Lucas informing him of the pivotal
economic role the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, has
on sub Saharan Africa, including Mauritius. In particular, the
Ambassador wishes to inform the Chairman of the impending
expiration of the Third Country Fabric Provision in September
2012. Submitted on May 11, 2011.
USDC: Copy of the Department of Commerce's Performance and
Accountability Report for fiscal year 2010. It highlights the
Department's efforts to maximize U.S. competitiveness and
foster science leadership. Submitted on May 16, 2011.
FCA: Copy of a final rule adopted by the Farm Credit
Administration Board under the provisions of the Farm Credit
Act of 1971. The rule amends Title 12, Chapter VI of the Code
of Federal Regulations, which now allows Farm Credit
institutions to directly purchase loans to Farmers and other
agriculturists from the FDIC. Submitted on May 19, 2011. (056)
FCA: Copy of a final rule adopted by the Farm Credit
Administration Board under the provisions of the Farm Credit
Act of 1971. The rule amends Title 12, Chapter VI of the Code
of Federal Regulations, which now permits a lower minimum
lending limit on extensions of credit from a Federal Credit
System Institution. Submitted on May 19, 2011.
EPA: Draft copy of a proposed rule entitled ''Synchronizing
the Expiration Dates of EPA Pesticide Applicator Certificates
with the Underlying State or Tribal Applicator Certificate''
identified with Regulatory Agenda under RIN 2070-AJ77 Section
25(a)(3). Submitted on May 25, 2011.
USDOT: Letter informing Chairman Frank D. Lucas of the
activities of the Department under a one year licensing
agreement set forth under the Trade Sanctions reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000. The enclosed report details
Exportation activities to Iran and the Sudan from the period
between April 1 and June 30, 2010. Submitted on June 1, 2011.
USDA: Report informing Chairman Lucas of the most recent
Semi Annual Report to Congress published by the Office of the
Inspector General at the Department of Agriculture. The report
spans the Department's accomplishments from October 1, 2010,
through March 31, 2011. Submitted on June 14, 2011.
USDA: The report contains the appeals to the National
Appeals Division from the Risk Management Agency, as is
required by Section 14009(b) of the Food, Energy, and
Conservation Act of 2008. Submitted on June 14, 2011.
CFTC: Letter to Members of the House and Senate
Appropriations Committee regarding the reorganization to
structure its staff for implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to oversee an
increasingly electronic marketplace, and plan for, manage and
utilize agency resources pursuant to the Department of Defense
and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. Submitted on
May 6, 2011.
USDA: An Analysis of the Limited Base Acre Provision of the
2008 Farm Act, prepared by the Economic Research Service in
cooperation with Farm Service Agency. Submitted May 24, 2011.
FCA: Farm Credit Administration Strategic Plan, 2011-2016,
which was approved by the FCA Board on May 25, 2011. The plan
was updated in accordance with the requirements of the
Government Performance and Results Act and supersedes the FCA
Strategic Plan, 2008-2013, which was approved in 2008.
Submitted June 9, 2011.
FCA: An advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) by
the Farm Credit Administration. The purpose of this ANPRM is to
gather information for revising existing Federal Agricultural
Mortgage Corporation Risk-Based Capital Stress Test regulation
to remove or reduce the reliance on data from credit rating
agencies. Submitted June 10, 2011.
USDA: Charters for the following committees: Agricultural
Policy Committee Trade, Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committee for Trade in Animal and Animal Products; Agricultural
Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and
Vegetables; Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade
in Grain, Feed, and Oilseeds; Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committee for Trade in Processed Foods; Agricultural Technical
Advisory Committee for Trade in Sweeteners; Agricultural
Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, and
Peanuts National Genetic Resources Advisory Council. Submitted
June 17, 2011.
USDA: Recommendation of moving forward with the proposed
Laurence Rom purchase referred to as Submission No. 18/6-27. In
accordance with the requirements in Section 17(b) of the
National Management Act of 1976, P.L. 94-588 (90 Stat. 2949).
Submitted June 27, 2011.
USDA: Recommendation of moving forward with the proposed
Belleview School District purchase to as Submission No. 17/16-
17. In accordance with the requirements in Section 17(b) of the
National Management Act of 1976, P.L. 94-588 (90 Stat. 2949).
Submitted June 27, 2011.
USDA: Report ``Grassland to Cropland Conversion in the
Northern Plains; The Role of Crop Insurance, Commodity, and
Disaster Programs'' as required by Manager's Report
accompanying H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008. Submitted June 22, 2011.
FDA: Letter requesting a response on FDA's possible ban of
extralabel use of cephalosporin. Submitted June 24, 2011.
USDA: Letter regarding USDA's Forest Service efforts to
develop regulations for activities associated with the
development of non-Federal mineral interests underlying
National Forest System (NFS) lands. Submitted June 27, 2011.
National Academy of Sciences: Letter to EPA with concerns
to further expand its regulatory coverage over transgenic
crops. Submitted July 5, 2011.
FCA: Letter addressing the financial regulatory agencies
regarding the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act implementation process. Submitted July 7, 2011.
USDA: In compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, enclosed are copies of 2 recent approved
committee charters: Re-establishment of the Northwest Forest
Plan Provincial Advisory Committees; and Agricultural Marketing
Service, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. Submitted June 25, 2011.
FDIC: Thank you letter for comments to Chairman Bair
regarding the Joint Agency Proposed Rule to implement Section
941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act concerning credit risk retention. Submitted June
30, 2011.
CFTC: Report on enhanced supervision of systemically
important clearing entities as required by Title VIII, Section
813 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act of 2010. Submitted July 1, 2011.
USDA: Notification of AMS intention to terminate Marketing
Order 916 and certain provisions of Marketing Order 917. The
orders regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in
California. Submitted July 5, 2011.
USDA: As required by section 14216 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008--reporting on
``Consideration of Proposed Recommendations of Study on Use of
Cats and Dogs in Federal Research.'' Submitted July 8, 2011.
SEC: Letter regarding the implementation of Title VII of
the Dodd-Frank Act. Submitted July 8, 2011. Submitted July 8,
2011.
USAID: Formal response for the USAID to the GAO report
entitled ``International Food Assistance: Better Nutrition and
Quality Control Can Further Improve U.S. Food Aid.'' Submitted
July 14, 2011.
EPA: FACA Charter renewing the Environmental Laboratory
Advisory Board. Submitted July 15, 2011.
Senate of South Carolina Committee on Agriculture and
Natural Resources: Letter regarding South Carolina tobacco
farmers and the Trans Pacific Pact Free Trade Agreement.
Submitted July 18, 2011.
FCA: Proposed amendments to title 12, chapter VI of the
Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the Farm Credit
Administration. Submitted July 18, 2011.
GAO: Acknowledging request for the GAO to review the
implications of categorical eligibility for the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Programs. Submitted July 19, 2011.
DHHS: Report entitled as ``Organic Content Claims.''
Submitted July 20, 2011.
FCA: Report as required by section 939A of the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Submitted July
21, 2011.
EPA: As required by section 25(a) of FIFRA a draft rule
entitled ``Prions; Proposed Amendment to Clarify Product
Performance Data for Products with Prion-Related Claims and
Availability of Draft Test Guidelines.'' Submitted July 27,
2011.
EPA: Charter Renewal of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory
Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2. Submitted July 29,
2011.
USDA: Recommendation of moving forward with the proposed
Monroe County Board of Education purchase referred to as
Submission No. 22/7-27. Submitted August 2, 2011.
USDA: Letter regarding the ongoing study that requires the
Department of Agriculture to conduct a study of the efficacy
and accuracy of the application s of pact factors regarding the
measurement of farm-stored production for purposes of insurance
under the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Submitted August 3, 2011.
USDA: Letter recommending moving forward with the proposed
Sugar Pine Ridge purchase referred to as Submission No. 21/7-19
within Laurel County, Kentucky on the Daniel Boone National
Forest. Submitted August 9, 2011.
USDA: Pursuant to Senate Report 111-221 accompanying the
Appropriations Bill of 2011, a report on FSIS's implementation
of the catfish inspection program. Submitted August 10, 2011.
Department of the Treasury: Quarterly report for the period
July 1 thru September 20, 2011 submitted under section 906(b)
of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of
2011. Submitted August 10, 2011.
CFTC: Report Titled as the ``Financial Stability Oversight
Council, 2011 Annual Report.'' Submitted August10, 2011.
USAID: Formal response to GAO report entitled
``International Food Assistance: Funding Development Projects
through the Purchase and Sale of U.S. Commodities is
Inefficient and Can Cause Adverse Market Impacts'', including
four recommendations. Submitted August 29, 2011.
GAO: Notice of a major rule promulgated by the CFTC
entitled ``Whistleblower Incentives and Protection''. Published
in the Federal Register as a final rule on August 25, 2011,
with an effective date of October 24, 2011. Letter submitted
September 9, 2011.
New Mexico Department of Agriculture: Letter of support for
Kingston and Calvert amendments to Interior and Environment
Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bills that address
challenges associated with the Endangered Species Act.
Submitted September 14, 2011.
EPA: Letter from Administrator Jackson announcing the
renewal of the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. Submitted September 16, 2011.
GAO: Notice of a major rule promulgated by the CFTC
entitled ``Swap Data Repositories: Registration Standards,
Duties, and Core Principles.'' Published in the Federal
Register as a final rule on September 1, 2011. Submitted
September 16, 2011.
Department of the Treasury: Quarterly report for the period
October 1-December 31, 2010 submitter under section 906(b) of
the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.
Submitted September 19, 2011.
EPA: Letter sending a draft copy of a final rule entitled
``Protections for Subjects in Human Research Involving
Pesticides'' as required by section 25(a) of FIFRA. Submitted
November 3, 2011.
USDA: Notice of moving forward with the proposed Susan
Miller purchase referred to as Submission No. 01/11-1. A 78.39
acre tract of land located in Taylor County, Wisconsin.
Submitted November 1, 2011.
USDA: Submission of a draft report from the Farm Service
Agency entitled ``A Report to Congress on Base Acre Reduction
When Base Acres are Converted to a Non-Agricultural Use'' in
accordance with Section 1101(c) of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008. Submitted September 22, 2011.
USDA: Submission of a report from the Farm Service Agency
entitled ``A Report to Congress on Base Acre Reduction When
Base Acres are Converted to a Non-Agricultural Use'' in
accordance with Section 1101(c) of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008. Submitted September 29, 2011.
USDA: Submission of an annual as required by section
3205(h) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
describing the activities of the Consultative Group to
Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported
Agricultural Products. Submitted November 22, 2011.
USDA: Letter informing of the actions taken at USDA in
light of the funding reductions in the FY 2012 Agriculture
Appropriations Act. Submitted October 4, 2011.
USDA: Notice of moving forward with the proposed Bear
Canyon/Trail Creek Land Exchange referred to as No. 23/8-24. A
land exchange located on the Gallatin National Forest within
Gallatin County, Montana. Submitted October 17, 2011.
USAID: Submission of a report entitled as ``U.S.
International Food Assistance Report 2010'' as required by
Section 407 of the Food for Peace Act. Submitted October 19,
2011.
USDA: Submission of a report entitled as ``Direct
Certification in the National School Lunch Program: State
Implementation Progress School Year 2010-2011'' as required by
section 4301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
Submitted November 1, 2011.
USDC: Submission of report on export licensing actions
taken by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and
Security (BIS) relating to exports of agricultural commodities
to Cuba, as required by the Trade Sanctions Reform and
Enhancement Act of 2000. Submitted November 3, 2011.
EPA: Submission of draft proposed rule entitled
``Pesticides; Revisions to Minimum Risk Exemption'' as required
by section 25(a)(3) of FIFRA. Submitted November 28, 2011.
USDA: Notice of moving forward with the proposed Mulberry
Creek purchase referred to as Submission No. 25/9-28. A 517.27
acre tract of land located within Caldwell County, NC on the
Pisgah National Forest. Submitted November 4, 2011.
USDA: Notice of moving forward with the proposed B&F Realty
purchase referred to Submission No. 24/9-7. A 121.33 acre tract
of land located in Bennington County, Vermont on the Green
Mountain National Forest. Submitted November 4, 2011.
USDA: Submission of the USDA 2011 Conference Transparency
Report as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008. Submitted November 21, 2011.
OMB: Submission of a report to Congress on the
Implementation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Submitted November 23,
2011.
FCA: Submission of proposed amendment to title 12, chapter
VI of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the
Farm Credit Administration. Submitted November 18, 2011.
FCA: Submission of the semiannual report by the Inspector
General of the FCA for the period of April 1, 2011 through
September 30, 2011, pursuant to section 5 of the Inspector
General Act of 1978. Submitted November 18, 2011.
USDA: Submission of a report to Congress titled as
``Biobased Economy Indicators'', as required by section 948 of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Submitted November 30, 2011.
USDA: Semiannual Report to Congress published by the Office
of Inspector General. Submitted December 2, 2011.
GAO: Report on Commodity Futures Trading Commission:
Position Limits for Futures and Swaps, pursuant to section
801(a)(2)(A) of title 5 U.S.C. Submitted December 5, 2011.
USDA: Submission of proposed University of New Hampshire
purchase referred to as Submission No. 02/12/1 as required by
section 17(b) of the National Forest management Act of 1976.
The two tracts of land are located within Carroll County, New
Hampshire on White Mountain National Forest. Submitted December
13, 2011.
CFTC: Semiannual Report of the Office of the Inspector
General (OIG) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for
the period from April 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010.
Submitted December 15, 2011.
EPA: Charter Renewal of the Local Government Advisory
Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2. Submitted December 30,
2011. Submitted December 30, 2011.
USDC: Department of Commerce's Performance and
Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2011. Submitted December
22, 2011.
GAO: Commodity Futures Trading Commission: Investment of
Consumer Funds and Funds Held in an Account for Foreign Options
Transactions. Submitted January 3, 2012.
GAO: GAO Study on State Use of Broad-Based Categorical
Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). Submitted January 5, 2012.
USDA: Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) Annual Report
to the U.S. Congress. Submitted January 5, 2012.
CFTC: Letter from Commissioner Bart Chilton regarding
protection of customer funds in the MF Global operation.
Submitted December 15, 2011.
USDA: In compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, enclosed is copy of the Committee Charter:
National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National
Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. Submitted January
20, 2012.
GAO: Report on Commodity Futures Trading Commission: Real-
Time Public Reporting of Swap Transaction Data, pursuant to
section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5 U.S.C. Submitted January 23,
2012.
NRCS: Report titled ``Implementation Report for Natural
Resources Conservation Services National Appeals Division
Cases'' as required by Section 14009 of Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act. Submitted January 26, 2012.
GAO: Report on Commodity Futures Trading Commission: Swap
Data record-keeping and Reporting Requirements, pursuant to
section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5 U.S.C. Submitted January 27,
2012.
U.S. Treasury: Submission of a quarterly report by section
906(b) of the Trade Sanction Reform and Export Enhancement Act
of 2000 describing the activities of the Department of
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Submitted January
31, 2012.
CFTC: Joint Study of International Swap Regulation pursuant
to the requirements of section 719(c) of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Submitted February
1, 2012.
USDA: In compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, enclosed is a copy of a recently approved
Committee Charter: National Urban and Community Forestry
Advisory Council. Submitted February 1, 2012.
GAO: Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, U.S.C., a
report on a major rule promulgated by the Dept. of Agriculture,
Food and Nutrition Service: Nutrition Standards in the National
School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Submitted February
15, 2012.
GAO: Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, U.S.C., a
report on a major rule promulgated by the CFTC, entitled
``Business Conduct Standards for Swap Dealers and Major Swap
Participants With Counterparties.'' Submitted March 5, 2012.
GAO: Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, U.S.C., a
report on a major rule promulgated by the CFTC, entitled ``CFTC
Protection of Cleared Swaps Customer Contracts and Collateral;
Conforming Amendments to the Commodity Broker Bankruptcy
Provisions.'' Submitted February 22, 2012.
USDA: In compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act approved Charter: Black Hills National Forestry
Advisory Board. Submitted February 29, 2012.
EPA: Charter of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee, 5 U.S.C. App 2. Submitted March 9, 2012.
USDA: The 2011 Packers and Stockyards Program Annual Report
as required by the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as
amended. Submitted March 1, 2012.
EPA: Draft copy of a final rule entitled ``Synchronizing
the Expiration Dates of EPA Pesticide Applicator Certificates
with the Underlying State or Tribal Applicator Certificate'' as
required by FIFRA. Submitted March 12, 2012.
USDA: Report on the Evaluation of the Rural Development,
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program Financing of
Locally or Regionally Produced Food Products. Submitted March
15, 2012.
USDA: AMS National Organic Program Cost-Share Programs 2012
Report to Congress as required by section 10301 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Submitted March 19, 2012.
USDA: Colony Collapse Disorder 2010 Annual Report as
required by section 7204(h)(4) of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008. Submitted March 23, 2012.
USDA: The Federal Information Security Management Act
Report for fiscal year 2011. Submitted March 23, 2012.
USDA: Review and recommendation of moving forward with the
Sugar Creek Gap Land Exchange, referred to as Submission No.
03/12-13 located in the Nantahala National Forest. Submitted
March 29, 2012.
USDA: Review and Recommendation of moving forward with the
Estep/Wangelin purchase referred to as Submission No. 05/01-30
located in Ripley County, Missouri on the Mark Twain National
Forest. Submitted March 29, 2012.
GAO: Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, U.S.C., a
report on a major rule promulgated by the CFTC entitled ``CFTC
Swap Dealer and Major Swap Participant record-keeping,
Reporting, and Duties Rules; Futures Commission Merchant and
Introducing Broker Conflicts of Interest Rules; and Chief
Compliance Officer Rules for Swap Dealers, Major Swap
Participants, and Futures Commission Merchants.'' Submitted
April 18, 2012.
USDC: Report to Congress relating to exports of
agricultural commodities to Cuba from October through December
20122. Submitted February 2, 2012.
USDA: Pursuant to 17.108(a) of the Federal Acquisition
Regulations stipulates that any multi-year contract with a
cancellation ceiling in excess of $12.5 million may not be
awarded until the head of the Agency gives written notification
of the proposed contract and cancellation. Submitted May 25,
2012.
USDA: Report of the status and disposition of cases
returned to the agency by the National appeal Division (NAD) as
required by section 14009 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008. Submitted March 12, 2012.
USDA: Letter to Chairman Lucas in response to issues raised
regarding placing a moratorium on the implementation of the ski
area water clause. Submitted April 2, 2012.
USDA: Letter to Chairman Lucas in response regarding
Taiwan's unwarranted restrictions on mean imports from the
United States. Submitted April 27, 2012.
FCA: Semiannual report by the Inspector General of the FCA
for the period of October 1, 2011 thru March 31, 2012.
Submitted May 7, 2012.
CFTC: Charter for the Commission's renewal of the Joint
CFTC-SEC Advisory Committee pursuant to section 14 of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 section 14
relevant implementing regulations and guidelines. Submitted May
8, 2012.
USDA: Recommendation on moving forward with the proposed
Land Trust for the Little TN purchase referred to as Submission
No. 08/05-09. Submitted May 11, 2012.
GAO: Report on major rule promulgated by the USDA Food and
Nutrition Service entitled ``Certification of Compliance With
Meal Requirements for the National School Program Under the
Healthy-Hunger Kids Act of 2010.'' Submitted May 15, 2012.
USDA: Copy of USDA's annual report on civil rights
complaints, resolutions, and actions, corresponding to Fiscal
Year 2011, in accordance with the requirements of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Submitted May 30, 2012.
USDA: Copy of Administrative Expenses for Programs
Established under the Commodity Promotion Laws as required by
section 501(d) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996. Submitted June 4, 2012.
GAO: Copy of the CFTC and SEC report entitled ``Further
Definition of `Swap Dealer,' `Security-Based Swap Dealer,'
`Major Swap Participant,' `Major Security-Based Swap
Participant' and 'Eligible Contract Participant''' as required
by section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5 U.S.C. Submitted June 7,
2012.
USDA: Charter titled as the ``National Agricultural
Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board'' in
compliance with P.L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory Committee
Act. Submitted June 4, 2012.
EPA: Charter titled as the ``Great Lakes Advisory Board''
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2. Submitted June 15, 2012.
USDA: Repot on implementation of concluded appeals to the
National Appeals Division (NAD) from the Risk Management Agency
(RMA) as required by section 14009(b) of the Food, Energy, and
Conservation Act of 2008. Submitted June 15, 2012.