[Senate Report 114-259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                      Calendar No. 474
114th Congress     }                                      {     Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session        }                                      {    114-259

======================================================================


 
   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2017
                                _______
                                

                  May 19, 2016--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

           Mr. Moran, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                                 REPORT

                         [To accompany S. 2956]

    The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2956) 
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, 
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.



New obligational authority

Total of bill as reported to the Senate.................$148,253,346,000
Amount of 2016 appropriations........................... 140,965,695,000
Amount of 2017 budget estimate.......................... 169,876,786,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
    2016 appropriations.................................  +7,287,651,000
    2017 budget estimate................................ -21,623,440,000








                                CONTENTS

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Breakdown by Title...............................................     4
Overview and Summary of the Bill.................................     5
Reports to Congress..............................................     6
Title I:
    Agricultural Programs:
        Production, Processing, and Marketing:
            Office of the Secretary..............................     7
            Executive Operations.................................    10
            Office of the Chief Information Officer..............    11
            Office of the Chief Financial Officer................    12
            Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights...    12
            Office of Civil Rights...............................    13
            Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.................    13
            Hazardous Materials Management.......................    14
            Office of Inspector General..........................    14
            Office of the General Counsel........................    15
            Office of Ethics.....................................    15
            Office of the Under Secretary for Research, 
              Education, and Economics...........................    16
            Economic Research Service............................    16
            National Agricultural Statistics Service.............    16
            Agricultural Research Service........................    22
            National Institute of Food and Agriculture...........    23
            Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
              Regulatory Programs................................    29
            Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service...........    30
            Agricultural Marketing Service.......................    35
            Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
              Administration.....................................    38
            Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety........    39
            Food Safety and Inspection Service...................    39
            Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
              Agricultural Services..............................    41
            Farm Service Agency..................................    41
            Risk Management Agency...............................    45
        Corporations:
            Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund..............    46
            Commodity Credit Corporation Fund....................    46
Title II:
    Conservation Programs:
        Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
          Environment............................................    49
        Natural Resources Conservation Service...................    49
Title III:
    Rural Development Programs:
        Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development......    53
        Rural Housing Service....................................    54
        Rural Community Facilities Program Account...............    59
        Rural Business--Cooperative Service......................    60
        Rural Utilities Service..................................    65
Title IV:
    Domestic Food Programs:
        Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and 
          Consumer Services......................................    69
        Food and Nutrition Service...............................    69
Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs: Foreign 
  Agricultural Service...........................................    77
Title VI:
    Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration:
        Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug 
          Administration.........................................    81
        Independent Agency: Farm Credit Administration...........    93
Title VII: General Provisions....................................    94
Program, Project, and Activity...................................    97
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the 
  Senate.........................................................    97
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 
  of the Senate..................................................    98
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the 
  Senate.........................................................    99
Budgetary Impact of Bill.........................................   100
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................   101

                           BREAKDOWN BY TITLE

    The amounts of obligational authority for each of the seven 
titles are shown in the following table. A detailed tabulation, 
showing comparisons, appears at the end of this report. 
Recommendations for individual appropriation items, projects 
and activities are carried in this report under the appropriate 
item headings.


                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Fiscal year 2016      Committee
                                         enacted         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I: Agricultural programs....         23,065,823         30,718,168
Title II: Conservation programs...            863,754          1,015,375
Title III: Rural economic and               2,770,977          2,836,651
 community development programs...
Title IV: Domestic food programs..        109,796,981        109,721,128
Title V: Foreign assistance and             1,868,468          2,006,883
 related programs.................
Title VI: Related agencies and              2,729,596          2,771,766
 Food and Drug Administration.....
Title VII: General provisions.....           -129,904           -816,625
                                   -------------------------------------
      Total, new budget                   140,965,695        148,253,346
       (obligational) authority...
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill 
provides funding for a wide array of Federal programs, mostly 
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]. These programs 
include agricultural research, education, and extension 
activities; natural resources conservation programs; farm 
income and support programs; marketing and inspection 
activities; domestic food assistance programs; rural housing, 
economic and community development, and telecommunication and 
electrification assistance; and various export and 
international activities of the USDA.
    The bill also provides funding for the Food and Drug 
Administration [FDA] and allows the use of collected fees for 
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration 
[FCA].
    The discretionary programs and activities of USDA and FDA 
that are supported by this bill include high priority 
responsibilities entrusted to the Federal Government and its 
partners to protect human health and safety, contribute to 
economic recovery, and achieve policy objectives strongly 
supported by the American people. The ability to provide for 
these measures is made difficult by growing pressure on 
available levels of discretionary spending as a consequence of 
the overall public debate on Federal spending, revenues, and 
size of the Federal debt.
    Too often, the USDA programs funded by this bill are 
confused with farm subsidies and other mandatory spending more 
properly associated with multi-year farm bills. In contrast, 
this bill provides annual funding for programs familiar to all 
Americans such as protecting food safety through the Food 
Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug 
Administration, which also plays a vital role in maintaining 
the safety of the Nation's blood supply and availability of 
safe and effective medical products and other components of our 
health system. This bill also provides funding to fight against 
the introduction and spread of noxious or infectious and often 
invasive pests and disease that threaten our plant and animal 
health environments, as well as funding for many other missions 
of dire importance to the American people.
    In the context of overall pressures on spending and the 
competing priorities that the Committee faces, this bill as 
reported provides the proper amount of emphasis on 
agricultural, rural development, and other programs and 
activities funded by the bill. It is consistent with the 
subcommittee's allocation for fiscal year 2017.
    All accounts in the bill have been closely examined to 
ensure that an appropriate level of funding is provided to 
carry out the programs of USDA, FDA, and FCA. Details on each 
of the accounts, the funding level, and the Committee's 
justifications for the funding levels are included in the 
report.

                          REPORTS TO CONGRESS

    The Committee has, throughout this report, requested 
agencies to provide studies and reports on various issues. The 
Committee utilizes these reports to evaluate program 
performance and make decisions on future appropriations. The 
Committee directs that all studies and reports be provided to 
the Committee as electronic documents in an agreed upon format 
within 120 days after the date of enactment, unless an 
alternative submission schedule is specifically stated in the 
report request.

                                TITLE I

                         AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

                 Production, Processing, and Marketing

                        Office of the Secretary

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $45,555,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      64,403,000
Committee recommendation................................      54,150,000

    The Secretary of Agriculture, assisted by the Deputy 
Secretary, Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Chief 
Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and members of 
their immediate staffs, directs and coordinates the work of the 
Department. This includes developing policy, maintaining 
relationships with agricultural organizations and others in the 
development of farm programs, and maintaining liaison with the 
Executive Office of the President and Members of Congress on 
all matters pertaining to agricultural policy.
    The general authority of the Secretary to supervise and 
control the work of the Department is contained in the Organic 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2201-2202). The delegation of regulatory 
functions to Department employees and authorization of 
appropriations to carry out these functions is contained in 7 
U.S.C. 450c-450g.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $54,150,000 
for the Office of the Secretary. The Committee recommendation 
includes the following accounts under the Office of the 
Secretary: Office of the Secretary; Office of Tribal Relations; 
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination; Office 
of Advocacy and Outreach; Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration; Departmental Administration; Office of 
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; and Office of 
Communications. The following table reflects the amount 
provided by the Committee for each office and activity:

                                             OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017 budget       Committee
                                                                 2016 enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary......................................            5,051           10,178           10,178
Office of Tribal Relations...................................              502              755              505
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination.......            1,496            1,592            1,592
Office of Advocacy and Outreach..............................            1,209           11,220            4,220
Office of Assistance Secretary for Administration............              804              807              807
Departmental Administration..................................           25,124           27,420           25,396
Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations....            3,869            3,919            3,919
Office of Communications.....................................            7,500            8,512            7,533
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total..................................................           45,555           64,403           54,150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Advertising Transparency.--The Committee is aware that 
agencies funded through this bill do a variety of different 
types of advertising. The Committee directs the agencies to 
clearly state within the text, audio, or video used for 
advertising or educational purposes, including emails or 
advertising/posting on the Internet, that the communications 
are printed, published, or produced and disseminated at U.S. 
taxpayer expense.
    Biobased Products.--The Committee recognizes the 
opportunity that exists for biobased products to be used in 
food packaging and the food service industry. Bioplastics made 
from renewable resources such as canola can play an important 
role in this effort. The Committee encourages USDA to continue 
to work with companies bringing these types of products to 
market under the BioPreferred label.
    Century Farms.--The Committee encourages the Secretary to 
recognize farms that have been in operation for 100 years, with 
prioritization for small, family farms, and encourages the 
establishment of a National Century Farms Designation.
    Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] Obligations and 
Commitments.--The Secretary is directed to notify the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in writing 
15 days prior to the obligation or commitment of any emergency 
funds from the CCC.
    Cotton.--The Committee remains committed to ensuring a 
long-term and sustainable solution to problems facing American 
cotton farmers and commends the Secretary for exploring ways in 
which to provide relief with respect to the 2015 crop year. 
While the Committee is disappointed that the Secretary declined 
Congressional requests to designate cottonseed as an oilseed 
under the authority granted under the 2014 Farm Bill, the 
Committee encourages the Secretary to continue to work with 
Congress and industry to find a path forward on providing an 
adequate safety net for cottonseed.
    Drought Relief.--The Committee continues its directive for 
USDA to provide quarterly reports to the Senate and House 
Committees on Appropriations detailing USDA's efforts to 
provide drought relief to States where all or the majority of 
counties are declared to be in a drought disaster, as well as 
any unmet needs or backlogs for USDA drought relief programs.
    Multi-Agency Transparency.--The Committee expresses support 
for increasing transparency within all agencies of the 
Department of Agriculture. The agencies are encouraged to 
disclose costs associated with analyses required by the 
National Environmental Policy Act.
    National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility [NBAF].--Upon its 
completion, NBAF will serve as the Nation's primary research 
facility to counter foreign animal diseases and will enable the 
phase out of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center [PIADC]. As 
such, it is critical to develop a robust plan that ensures a 
qualified workforce, assesses the transition of existing 
research and development [R&D] efforts, and considers any new 
capabilities that may be necessary for future operations at 
NBAF. While the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] is 
responsible for the PIADC facilities, the R&D activities 
continue to be managed by USDA. Similarly, while DHS is 
responsible for building NBAF, the Committee understands that 
virtually all of the R&D activities will be under USDA 
auspices. Therefore, the Committee encourages DHS and USDA to 
work together on a plan for the future operation of NBAF, 
including consideration of the appropriate agency to manage the 
facility.
    Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and 
Ranchers.--The Committee supports the efforts of the Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach to increase the accessibility of USDA 
programs to underserved constituents, and notes that 
$10,000,000 in mandatory funds is available to assist socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and 
operating farms and ranches to meet the growing need for 
financial, production, management, and other assistance to 
those communities and address workforce shortages. 
Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes an increase 
of $3,000,000 in discretionary funding for these activities.
    Resource Conservation and Development Councils.--Since 
1964, the Resource Conservation and Development [RC&D] Councils 
have worked at the grassroots level with local leaders to plan, 
develop, and carry out programs for land and water conservation 
and management. The Committee encourages the Secretary to 
consider the maximum practical use of RC&D Councils, where such 
RC&D Councils meet agency performance requirements, in the 
delivery of USDA programs and services.
    Transitional Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture.--The 
Department is encouraged to help maintain diversity in 
commercial agriculture by providing due support for 
significant-scale tropical and subtropical agricultural 
operations that are in transition due to economic hardship.
    Vector Control.--The Department is encouraged to use its 
technical expertise in pest management to support Federal 
efforts to control Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for Zika, 
dengue, and chikungunya, all of which have now been reported in 
the United States. The Department may extend its technical 
support to include field trials, if appropriate, in physically 
isolated locales where cases of these diseases have already 
been reported.
    Veteran Farming Career and Therapeutic Initiatives.--The 
Committee recognizes that nearly 40 percent of the Nation's 
farms are operated and owned by farmers over the age of 65, 
there will be a demand for 1 million new farmers over the next 
15 years and 800,000 servicemembers are expected to transition 
out of the military in the coming years. Nearly half of Iraq 
and Afghanistan veterans return to rural communities and while 
many express a desire to have careers in farming or ranching, 
only 2 percent of these rural veterans currently work in 
agriculture. The Committee is encouraged by USDA's goal to 
develop and deepen the pipeline that will create paths for 
veterans transitioning from military service to careers in 
agriculture. Funding for the Food and Agriculture Resilience 
Program for Military Veterans [FARM-Vets] affirms the 
Committee's commitment to explore career opportunities, promote 
individual and community economic development, as well as, 
develop initiatives that engage veterans experiencing post-
traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury with proven and 
promising agricultural, animal, environmental, and 
horticultural therapies. With as many as one in five veterans 
who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom 
experiencing post-traumatic stress, the Committee urges the 
Department to seek opportunities that converge veteran 
agribusiness training and access to behavioral healthcare. The 
Committee recommendation provides $5,000,000 within the Office 
of the Secretary and $2,500,000 for FARM-Vets to advance 
initiatives and support programs that offer educational or 
vocational training in agriculture, provide behavioral health 
services by licensed providers and create pathways to 
employment in agribusiness.

                          Executive Operations

    Executive operations were established as a result of the 
reorganization of the Department to provide a support team for 
USDA policy officials and selected department-wide services. 
Activities under the executive operations include the Office of 
the Chief Economist, the National Appeals Division, and the 
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.

                     OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $17,777,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      17,592,000
Committee recommendation................................      16,917,000

    The Office of the Chief Economist advises the Secretary of 
Agriculture on the economic implications of Department policies 
and programs. The Office serves as the single focal point for 
the Nation's economic intelligence and analysis, risk 
assessment, and cost-benefit analysis related to domestic and 
international food and agriculture issues, provides policy 
direction for renewable energy development, conducts analyses 
of climate change impacts on agriculture and forestry, and is 
responsible for coordination and review of all commodity and 
aggregate agricultural and food-related data used to develop 
outlook and situation material within the Department.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $16,917,000 
for the Office of the Chief Economist.
    Policy Research.--The Committee recommendation includes 
$4,000,000 for policy research under 7 U.S.C. 3155 for entities 
with existing institutional capacity to conduct complex 
economic and policy analysis and a lengthy and well-documented 
record of conducting policy analysis for the benefit of the 
Department of Agriculture, the Congressional Budget Office, or 
the Congress. To maximize resources, the Committee expects the 
Department to focus efforts on entities that have developed 
models, databases, and staff necessary to conduct in-depth 
analysis of impacts of agriculture or rural development policy 
proposals on rural communities, farmers, agribusiness, 
taxpayers, and consumers.

                       NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $13,317,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      13,481,000
Committee recommendation................................      13,481,000

    The National Appeals Division conducts administrative 
hearings and reviews of adverse program decisions made by the 
Rural Development mission area, the Farm Service Agency, the 
Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $13,481,000 
for the National Appeals Division.

                 OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $9,392,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       9,525,000
Committee recommendation................................       9,525,000

    The Office of Budget and Program Analysis provides 
direction and administration of the Department's budgetary 
functions including development, presentation, and execution of 
the budget; reviews program and legislative proposals for 
program, budget, and related implications; analyzes program and 
resource issues and alternatives, and prepares summaries of 
pertinent data to aid the Secretary and departmental policy 
officials and agency program managers in the decisionmaking 
process; and provides departmentwide coordination for and 
participation in the presentation of budget-related matters to 
the committees of the Congress, the media, and interested 
public. The Office also provides department-wide coordination 
of the preparation and processing of regulations and 
legislative programs and reports.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,525,000 for 
the Office of Budget and Program Analysis.

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $44,538,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      65,716,000
Committee recommendation................................      49,917,000

    The Office of the Chief Information Officer was established 
in August 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), pursuant to the 
Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, which required the establishment of 
a Chief Information Officer for major Federal agencies. This 
Office provides policy guidance, leadership, coordination, and 
direction to the Department's information management and 
information technology investment activities in support of USDA 
program delivery, and is the lead office in USDA e-gov efforts. 
The Office provides long-range planning guidance, implements 
measures to ensure that technology investments are economical 
and effective, coordinates interagency information resources 
management projects, and implements standards to promote 
information exchange and technical interoperability. In 
addition, the Office of the Chief Information Officer is 
responsible for certain activities financed under the 
Department's Working Capital Fund (7 U.S.C. 2235). The Office 
also provides telecommunication and automated data processing 
[ADP] services to USDA agencies through the National 
Information Technology Center with locations in Fort Collins, 
Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri and Washington, DC. Direct ADP 
operational services are also provided to the Office of the 
Secretary, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of 
Communications, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and 
Departmental Management.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $49,917,000 
for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. This amount 
also includes not less than $33,000,000 to support 
cybersecurity requirements of the Department, which is an 
increase of $5,000,000 for increased cybersecurity tools to 
meet the growing demands of cyber security threats and known 
vulnerability risks.
    Software Licenses.--The Committee encourages the 
Department's Chief Information Officer to perform periodic 
automated inventories of software licenses in use across the 
Department. The Department should compare those usage numbers 
to its purchased licenses and seek to increase efficiency 
wherever it identifies discrepancies. The Department is to 
consider using this information to obtain department-wide 
acquisitions as opposed to component-specific purchases of 
licenses.

                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $6,028,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       9,119,000
Committee recommendation................................       8,119,000

    The Office of the Chief Financial Officer is responsible 
for the dual roles of Chief Financial Management Policy Officer 
and Chief Financial Management Advisor to the Secretary and 
mission area heads. The Office provides leadership for all 
financial management, accounting, travel, Federal assistance, 
and strategic planning performance measurement activities 
within the Department. The Office is also responsible for the 
management and operation of the National Finance Center and the 
Departmental Working Capital Fund.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,119,000 for 
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, including an 
increase of $2,000,000 for implementation of the Digital 
Accountability and Transparency Reporting Act.

           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         901,000
Committee recommendation................................         901,000

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
provides oversight of civil rights and related functions. This 
includes coordination of the administration of civil rights 
laws and regulations for employees of the Department of 
Agriculture and participants in programs of the Department, and 
ensuring compliance with civil rights laws.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for 
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

                         Office of Civil Rights

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $24,070,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      24,750,000
Committee recommendation................................      24,342,000

    The Office of Civil Rights provides overall leadership 
responsibility for all department-wide civil rights activities. 
These activities include employment opportunity as well as 
program nondiscrimination policy development, analysis, 
coordination, and compliance. The Office is responsible for 
providing leadership in facilitating the fair and equitable 
treatment of USDA employees, and for monitoring program 
activities to ensure that all USDA programs are delivered in a 
nondiscriminatory manner. The Office's outreach functions 
provide leadership, coordination, facilitation, and expertise 
to internal and external partners to ensure equal and timely 
access to USDA programs for all constituents, with emphasis on 
the underserved, through information sharing, technical 
assistance, and training.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,342,000 
for the Office of Civil Rights.

                  Agriculture Buildings and Facilities

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $64,189,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      84,365,000
Committee recommendation................................      74,365,000

    Department headquarters presently operates in a two-
building, Government-owned complex in downtown Washington, DC, 
the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland, 
and in leased buildings in the metropolitan Washington, DC, 
area. Under an arrangement with the General Services 
Administration, USDA operates, maintains, and repairs these 
facilities, in lieu of rental payments. For the last several 
years the Department has implemented a strategic space plan to 
locate staff more efficiently, renovate its buildings, and 
eliminate safety hazards, particularly in the Agriculture South 
Building.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $74,365,000 
for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.

                     Hazardous Materials Management

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $3,618,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       3,633,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,633,000

    Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act and the Resource Conservation 
and Recovery Act, the Department has the responsibility to meet 
the same standards regarding the storage and disposition of 
hazardous materials as private businesses. The Department is 
required to contain, cleanup, monitor, and inspect for 
hazardous materials in areas under the Department's 
jurisdiction.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,633,000 for 
Hazardous Materials Management, including the requested 
increase for cleanup efforts at high-priority sites that pose 
the greatest threats to human life and safety.

                      Office of Inspector General

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $95,738,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     100,998,000
Committee recommendation................................      99,378,000

    The Office of Inspector General [OIG] was established 
October 12, 1978, by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public 
Law 95-452). This act expanded and provided specific 
authorities for the activities of OIG which had previously been 
carried out under the general authorities of the Secretary of 
Agriculture.
    The Office is administered by an inspector general who 
reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture. Functions and 
responsibilities of this Office include direction and control 
of audit and investigative activities within the Department, 
formulation of audit and investigative policies and procedures 
regarding Department programs and operations, and analysis and 
coordination of program-related audit and investigation 
activities performed by other Department agencies.
    The activities of this Office are designed to assure 
compliance with existing laws, policies, regulations, and 
programs of the Department's agencies, and to provide 
appropriate officials with the means for prompt corrective 
action where deviations have occurred. The scope of audit and 
investigative activities is large and includes administrative, 
program, and criminal matters. These activities are 
coordinated, when appropriate, with various audit and 
investigative agencies of the executive and legislative 
branches of the Government.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $99,378,000 
for the Office of Inspector General. The recommendation also 
includes funding for OIG to address violations of section 26 of 
the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156) and to coordinate with 
State and local law enforcement personnel in this effort.

                     Office of the General Counsel

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $44,383,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      49,599,000
Committee recommendation................................      45,010,000

    The Office of the General Counsel provides all legal 
advice, counsel, and services to the Secretary and to all 
agencies, offices, and corporations of the Department. The 
Office represents the Department in administrative proceedings; 
nonlitigation debt collection proceedings; State water rights 
adjudications; proceedings before the Environmental Protection 
Agency, Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Maritime 
Administration, and International Trade Commission; and, in 
conjunction with the Department of Justice, in judicial 
proceedings and litigation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,010,000 
for the Office of the General Counsel.

                            Office of Ethics

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $3,654,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       4,617,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,715,000

    The Office of Ethics is the centralized and consolidated 
office implementing USDA's ethics program throughout the 
Department. The Office provides ethics services to all 
employees at the Department concerning advice, training, and 
guidance about compliance with conflict of interest and 
impartiality rules. This includes complying with the 
requirements of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge 
Act, Public Law 112-105 (the STOCK Act), and the Office of 
Government Ethics regulatory requirements (5 CFR parts 2634 
through 2641).

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,715,000 for 
the Office of Ethics.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $893,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         901,000
Committee recommendation................................         901,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, 
and Economics provides direction and coordination in carrying 
out the laws enacted by the Congress for food and agricultural 
research, education, extension, and economic and statistical 
information. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Agricultural Research Service; 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Economic Research 
Service; and National Agricultural Statistics Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics.
    Industrial Hemp.--The Committee urges the Secretary to 
clarify the Agency's authority to award Federal funds to 
research projects deemed compliant with Section 7606 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014.
    Pollinators.--The Committee directs the Department to 
coordinate its research efforts and to institute longitudinal, 
in-the-field studies along major migratory bee routes, and to 
develop associated sensor and analytical technologies to 
identify the key factors causing honey bee loss.

                       Economic Research Service

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $85,373,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      91,278,000
Committee recommendation................................      86,757,000

    The Economic Research Service [ERS] provides economic and 
other social science research and analysis for public and 
private decisions on agriculture, food, the environment, and 
rural America. The information that ERS produces is for use by 
the general public and to help the executive and legislative 
branches develop, administer, and evaluate agricultural and 
rural policies and programs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $86,757,000 
for the Economic Research Service.
    Organic Data Analysis.--The organic industry has grown at a 
tremendous rate over the past several years, and accurate data 
for the production, pricing and marketing of organic products 
is essential. Therefore, the Committee encourages ERS to 
continue and expand the efforts relating to organic data 
analysis.

                National Agricultural Statistics Service

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $168,443,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     176,639,000
Committee recommendation................................     169,639,000

    The National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS] 
administers the Department's program of collecting and 
publishing current national, State, and county agricultural 
statistics. These statistics provide accurate and timely 
projections of current agricultural production and measures of 
the economic and environmental welfare of the agricultural 
sector which are essential for making effective policy, 
production, and marketing decisions. NASS also furnishes 
statistical services to other USDA and Federal agencies in 
support of their missions, and provides consulting, technical 
assistance, and training to developing countries.
    NASS is also responsible for administration of the Census 
of Agriculture, which is taken every 5 years and provides 
comprehensive data on the agricultural economy including: data 
on the number of farms, land use, production expenses, farm 
product values, value of land and buildings, farm size and 
characteristics of farm operators, market value of agricultural 
production sold, acreage of major crops, inventory of livestock 
and poultry, and farm irrigation practices.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $169,639,000 
for the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
    Chemical Use Data Series.--The Committee believes that the 
Chemical Use Data Series provides timely, valuable information 
on fertilizer and chemical use data on major field crops and 
selected specialty crops. The Committee encourages the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service to continue funding the 
collection and analysis of chemical use data as well as 
practices such as integrated pest management. The Committee 
directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
continue collecting Fruit Chemical Use data and Vegetable 
Chemical Use data in alternating years.
    Organic Data Collection.--The Committee believes the 
Organic Production Survey is essential to the growth of the 
organic industry, and should be conducted on a regular basis to 
properly assess the characteristics, trends, and changes in the 
sector. The Committee expects NASS to incorporate funding for 
an annual organic production survey into its internal budgeting 
process.

                     Agricultural Research Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $1,143,825,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   1,161,340,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,177,938,000

    The Agricultural Research Service [ARS] is responsible for 
conducting basic, applied, and developmental research through 
its major program areas of New Products/Product Quality/Value 
Added; Livestock/Crop Production; Food Safety; Livestock/Crop 
Protection; Human Nutrition; and Environmental Stewardship. The 
research applies to a wide range of goals; commodities; natural 
resources; fields of science; and geographic, climatic, and 
environmental conditions.
    ARS is also responsible for the Abraham Lincoln National 
Agricultural Library which provides agricultural information 
and library services through traditional library functions and 
modern electronic dissemination to agencies of the USDA, public 
and private organizations, and individuals.
    As the USDA's in-house agricultural research unit, ARS has 
major responsibilities for conducting and leading the national 
agricultural research effort. It provides initiative and 
leadership in five areas: research on broad regional and 
national problems, research to support Federal action and 
regulatory agencies, expertise to meet national emergencies, 
research support for international programs, and scientific 
resources to the executive branch and Congress.
    The mission of ARS research is to develop and transfer 
solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority 
and provide information access and dissemination to ensure 
high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products; assess 
the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive 
agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the 
environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural 
citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,177,938,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research Service. 
The Committee does not concur with the President's budget 
request regarding the termination of research programs. The 
Committee expects extramural research to be funded at no less 
than the fiscal year 2016 levels.
    Aerial Application Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the ARS Aerial Application Technology Program. 
The program conducts innovative research making aerial 
applications more efficient, effective and precise. Research 
for aerial application serves the public good as a vital tool 
for the future, as agriculture strives to meet the food, fiber, 
and bio-energy demands of a growing population.
    Agricultural Genomics.--The Committee provides $1,500,000 
for agricultural genomic research to expand the knowledge of 
public and private sector entities and persons concerning 
genomes for species of importance to the food and agriculture 
sectors in order to maximize the return on the investment in 
genomics of agriculturally important species.
    Agroforestry.--Agroforestry can provide on-farm financial 
and environmental benefits while also addressing the regional 
and national-scale issues of clean water, wildlife habitat, and 
hypoxia. Agroforesters manage trees with crops, livestock, and 
pasture to combine the best of both agriculture and forestry. 
Recognizing the importance of agroforestry to farm practices 
and the environment, the Committee recommendation includes no 
less than the fiscal year 2016 level to develop integrated 
strategies to manage multifunctional agricultural landscapes 
that combine trees with agricultural and horticultural crops, 
forages and grazing livestock for optimal economic, 
environmental, and natural resources benefits.
    Alfalfa Research.--The Committee notes that research into 
alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems holds the potential to 
increase yields, increase milk production, and improve 
genetics, and encourages ARS to support research focused on 
alfalfa improvement. Research should focus on using tools to 
accelerate and enhance existing breeding programs focused on 
improving yield and quality parameters; developing innovative 
harvesting and utilization systems; developing new markets for 
co-products; and quantifying environmental benefits from 
alfalfa-based systems.
    ARS Field Stations.--The Committee recognizes the 
successful utilization of authorities granted previously in 
annual appropriations acts to further the cooperation between 
industry and the Canal Point, Florida, Sugarcane Field Station. 
However, the Committee is concerned that this partnership is 
jeopardized by requirements that have nothing to do with the 
functionality of facilities. The Committee directs ARS to 
resolve these issues, thus allowing this model partnership to 
continue.
    Classical Plant Breeding.--The Committee is aware of the 
need to enhance classical plant breeding, and encourages ARS to 
invest in research to improve genetic resources and cultivars 
for the benefit of U.S. producers, seed companies, processors 
and consumers. This research should focus on breeding improved 
germplasm and varieties with higher yields, improved disease 
and pest resistance and resilience to weather extremes. 
Additionally, methods and tools should be developed to enable 
classical breeders to choose better breeding parents and speed 
up variety development.
    Cotton Ginning.--The Committee recognizes the importance of 
pollution abatement, improving fiber quality, ginning 
efficiency, cotton seed and other byproducts, and provides an 
additional $1,500,000 to expand research in cotton ginning and 
innovation by existing laboratories.
    Cover Crops Research and Outreach.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of developing profitable and 
practicable cover crop options for use in dairy, grain, and 
vegetable production systems, including for use in no-till 
organic systems and as forages. Therefore, the Committee 
recommendation includes $750,000 for ARS to support research 
with the purposes of improving measures of soil health and 
resiliency, varietal development, optimizing dairy forage 
species combinations, timing and strategies for cover crop 
seeding and termination, forage integration into organic dairy 
systems, and mitigation of environmental and extreme rainfall 
impacts on water quality and soil security for diverse cover 
crop systems.
    Emerging Cereal Rust Diseases.--The Committee is aware that 
emerging cereal rust diseases are a threat to domestic and 
world food supplies. Therefore, the Department should continue 
to dedicate funding to speed efforts to combat cereal rust 
disease, including development of Ug99-resistant wheat 
varieties.
    Forage Production Systems.--The Committee recommendation 
includes no less than the fiscal year 2016 level to develop 
management practices that improve the production efficiency of 
grazing operations in temperate pastures.
    Forest Products.--The Committee recognizes the important 
role of the forests products sector to the U.S. economy. The 
need to create new and improved value-added products and 
renewable energy from our Nation's wood supply is critical to 
the sustainability of the national economy. The Committee 
recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year 2016 level 
to support research on wood quality improvement and improvement 
in forest products evaluation standards and valuation 
techniques. ARS shall conduct this research in consultation 
with the Forest Products Laboratory.
    Genomes to Fields.--The Committee encourages ARS to expand 
the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize [GEM] project and has 
provided $1,250,000 to complement the existing USDA maize 
germplasm programs and support the emerging large-scale public 
sector effort to investigate the interaction of maize genome 
variation and environments, known as the Genomes to Fields 
project.
    Human Nutrition Research.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the high rates of obesity in this country, and believes 
that research into human nutrition is important to help prevent 
childhood obesity and the medical issues obesity brings. The 
Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year 
2016 level to expand research regarding the growth, health 
promotion, diet, immune function, and disease prevention of the 
developing child.
    Leafy Green Vegetables.--The Committee encourages ARS to 
support the research and development of leafy green vegetables, 
including vertically stacked farming production at scale, with 
improved taste, texture, size, appearance and nutritional 
content in order to increase consumption, particularly by 
children and adolescents.
    National Agricultural Library.--The Committee encourages 
the Agricultural Research Service to maintain its focus on 
agriculture-related legal issues within the National 
Agricultural Library. The Committee notes that as the 
agriculture sector faces increasing fiscal stress, there is a 
necessity that agriculture-related legal issues be addressed on 
an increasingly frequent basis. Further, agricultural-related 
legal issues are increasingly complex and the impact of these 
legal issues continues to broaden in scope. Therefore, the 
Committee recommends that the National Agricultural Library 
maintain the Agricultural Law Information Partnership.
    National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Workforce 
Development.--The Committee notes that significant resources 
have been invested in the new National Bio and Agro-Defense 
Facility [NBAF] and is concerned about the potential shortage 
of qualified scientists, including DVM-PhDs, when the facility 
opens in 2022. The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 
for ARS to develop the necessary mechanisms to ensure a viable 
and qualified scientific workforce is available, and to 
implement a program to recruit and train scientists, and other 
technical positions, focused on pathology, virology, 
immunology, entomology, epidemiology, microbiology, and 
computational biology for productive USDA careers at NBAF.
    Nutrition Research and Aging.--Food and nutrition play a 
central role in U.S. health, environment, and economic 
development. In fact, diet-related disease has become America's 
largest single cause of premature death and disability. More 
research is needed to address the needs of all Americans, with 
a particular focus on the elderly, the fastest growing segment 
of the population. Therefore, the Agricultural Research Service 
is encouraged to prioritize human nutrition research to explore 
the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and 
healthy and active aging.
    Office of Pest Management Policy.--The Committee recognizes 
the critical role that the Office of Pest Management Policy 
[OPMP] plays in fulfilling USDA's statutory role in the 
interagency consultative process under the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The importance of OPMP's 
mission has increased commensurately with the increased actions 
undertaken by EPA, and the Committee provides $3,000,000 for 
OPMP to fulfill its obligations on behalf of USDA.
    Poultry Research.--The Committee recognizes the important 
role of the poultry sector to the U.S. economy. The Committee 
provides $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 funding level to 
expand the research capacity for poultry production and health.
    Research Assistance.--The Committee encourages the 
Agricultural Research Service to provide direct, place-based 
assistance to 1862 Institutions in States that do not have 
Agricultural Research Service facilities to address the 
research priorities of such States, such as invasive plant 
species and insects that cause significant impacts to 
agriculture, aquaculture, and communities in such States and to 
assist in the development of specialty and horticultural crops 
to increase food security and expand marketing opportunities 
for small farmers.
    Research Facilities.--The Committee notes the delivery of 
the report pursuant to a provision in the report accompanying 
the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriation Act, which directed ARS to submit a report 
containing recommendations to better utilize Federal labs in 
cooperation with land-grant universities. It is concerning, 
however, that the report contained no such recommendations and 
many issues regarding the underutilization of established labs 
remain unresolved. The Committee therefore directs ARS, in 
consultation with land-grant universities and Center Directors, 
to submit a report to the Committee by January 30, 2017, that 
includes an assessment of the current utilization of each ARS 
facility, the views of land-grant universities and/or Center 
Directors, and specific recommendations to better utilize 
Federal labs to explore new scientific opportunities that 
benefit the Nation's food and agriculture system.
    Safe and Abundant Water Supplies.--The Committee recognizes 
the importance of a coordinated approach to the management of 
water supplies as water demands increase in drought prone areas 
and elsewhere. The Committee recommendation includes an 
increase of $5,000,000 for research to enhance agricultural 
production despite increased competition for water resources 
and declining water availability.
    Sage Steppe Restoration Science.--The Committee includes an 
increase of $1,000,000 for ARS to advance sagebrush habitat 
restoration science in the Northern Great Basin including 
cooperative research, testing and deploying precision 
restoration methods to restore habitat impacted by significant 
disturbance such as wildfire and invasive species.
    Sclerotinia.--The Committee is aware of the economic 
importance of controlling sclerotinia, which affects 
sunflowers, soybeans, canola, edible beans, peas, and lentils 
and encourages ARS to continue both core research and 
cooperative projects of the National Sclerotinia Initiative.
    Shellfish Research.--The Committee encourages the 
Agricultural Research Service to increase its investment in 
partnerships with research institutions on research to improve 
shellfish survival and growth rates and to classify and 
preserve natural genetic variation.
    Small Grains Genomic Initiative.--The Committee recognizes 
that ARS small grains genotypic research provides a critical 
resource to facilitate the application of genomic information 
and DNA marker technologies to the improvement and breeding of 
barley and wheat, with a current major need to update to next-
generation genotypic to accelerate marker-assisted breeding. 
Adequate resources are also needed to enhance barley and wheat 
quality phenotyping, doubled haploid research and small grains 
genomic research, and the Committee supports the Small Grains 
Genomic Initiative.
    Sorghum Genetic Database.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of phenotyping and genotyping that allows breeders 
to understand which genes are responsible for improvements in 
drought tolerance and yield. The Committee recommends an 
increase of $1,650,000 to further facilitate the partnership 
between ARS and the Department of Energy on sorghum genome 
mapping--particularly the creation of an easily-accessed 
database to house the information generated from the ongoing 
genetic sequencing research which will facilitate further crop 
development efforts.
    Sustainable Water Use Research.--The alluvial plain within 
the Lower Mississippi River Basin is one of most productive 
agricultural regions in the United States. The Committee 
remains concerned with the unsustainable use of water in the 
Alluvial Aquifer as a result of increasing water withdrawals 
and stagnant recharging. The Committee provides an increase of 
$4,500,000 million for research to improve the recharge 
capabilities of the Alluvial Aquifer and to develop new 
conservation and irrigation techniques to reduce water usage in 
agriculture production.
    Tropical and Subtropical Research.--Research on Tropical 
and Subtropical crops is critical as the presence of and 
destruction by invasive pests such as fruit flies, coffee berry 
borer, and plant viruses increase and threaten crop security in 
the Pacific and Insular Areas, and the Committee encourages ARS 
to support this research.
    U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative [USWBSI].--The 
Committee recognizes that fusarium head blight is a major 
threat to agriculture, inflicting substantial yield and quality 
losses throughout the U.S. The Committee supports research 
carried out through the USWBSI. The Committee recommendation 
includes an additional $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
level to conduct further research on reducing the impact of 
fusarium head blight on wheat and barley.
    Wheat and Sorghum Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
potential impact heat and drought can have on the yield and 
quality of wheat and sorghum and the need for new cultivars to 
adapt to changing climatic conditions. The Committee provides 
an increase of $1,000,000 for research to improve the 
productivity and quality of wheat and sorghum during uncertain 
growing seasons resulting from extended droughts and increased 
temperatures. Within this increase, funding is included to 
initiate gene flow research to advance the durability and 
sustainability of fitness traits in sorghum.

                     Agricultural Research Service


                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $212,101,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      94,500,000
Committee recommendation................................      64,300,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $64,300,000 
for Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and Facilities.

               National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    Section 7511(f)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) by establishing an agency to be 
known as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture [NIFA]. 
The Secretary transferred to the Director of NIFA, effective 
October 1, 2009, all authorities administered by the 
Administrator of the Cooperative State, Research, Education and 
Extension Service. The mission is to work with university 
partners and customers to advance research, extension, and 
higher education in the food and agricultural sciences and 
related environmental and human sciences to benefit people, 
communities, and the Nation.

                   RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $819,685,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     836,915,000
Committee recommendation................................     851,496,000

    Research and Education programs administered by NIFA are 
USDA's principal entree to the university system of the United 
States for the purpose of conducting agricultural research and 
education programs as authorized by the Hatch Act of 1887, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 361a-361i); the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative 
Forestry Act of 1962, as amended (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.); the 
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 450i); the National Agricultural, Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 3101 et seq.); the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note); the Agricultural 
Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (Public 
Law 105-185), as amended; the Food, Agriculture, Conservation 
and Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624); the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171); and the 
Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246). 
Through these authorities, USDA participates with State and 
other cooperators to encourage and assist the State 
institutions in the conduct of agricultural research and 
education through the State Agricultural Experiment Stations of 
the 50 States and the territories; by approved Schools of 
Forestry; the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions and Tuskegee 
University and West Virginia State University; 1994 Land-Grant 
Institutions; by Colleges of Veterinary Medicine; and other 
eligible institutions. The appropriated funds provide Federal 
support for research and education programs at these 
institutions.
    The research and education programs participate in a 
nationwide system of agricultural research program planning and 
coordination among the State institutions, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, and the agricultural industry of America.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $851,496,000 
for research and education activities of the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for research and education activities:

                  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
               Program/Activity                                  Authorization                    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hatch Act.....................................  7 U.S.C. 361a-i................................          243,701
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act.....  16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7.....................           33,961
Research at 1890 Institutions (Evans-Allen      7 U.S.C. 3222..................................           54,185
 Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions.............  534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382................            3,439
Education Grants for 1890 Institutions........  7 U.S.C. 3152(b)...............................           19.336
Education Grants for Hispanic-Serving           7 U.S.C. 3241..................................            9,219
 Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native   7 U.S.C. 3156..................................            3,194
 Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994 Institutions.........  536 of Public Law 103-382......................            1,801
Capacity Building for Non Land-Grant Colleges   7 U.S.C. 3319i.................................            5,000
 of Agriculture.
Resident Instruction and Distance Education     7 U.S.C. 3362 and 3363.........................            2,000
 Grants for Insular Areas.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative......  7 U.S.C. 450i(b)...............................          375,000
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment............  7 U.S.C. 3151a.................................            5,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program.............  7 U.S.C. 3151b.................................            2,500
Food and Agriculture Resiliency Program for     7 U.S.C. 2662(e)...............................            2,500
 Military Veterans.
Continuing Animal Health and Disease Research   7 U.S.C. 3195..................................            4,000
 Program.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops............  7 U.S.C. 3319d.................................              825
Multicultural Scholars, Graduate Fellowship     7 U.S.C. 3152(b)...............................            9,000
 and Institutions Challenge Grants.
Secondary and 2-year Post-Secondary Education.  7 U.S.C. 3152(j)...............................              900
Aquaculture Centers...........................  7 U.S.C. 3322..................................            4,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education  7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812, 5831, and 5832............           27,000
Farm Business Management......................  7 U.S.C. 5925f.................................            1,450
Sun Grant Program.............................  7 U.S.C. 8114..................................            3,000
Improved Pest Control:
    Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4).........  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)...............................           11,913
    Alfalfa Forage and Research Program.......  7 U.S.C. 5925..................................            2,250
Special Research Grants:7 U.S.C. 450i(c):
    Global Change/UV Monitoring...............  ...............................................            1,405
    Potato Research...........................  ...............................................            2,250
    Aquaculture Research......................  ...............................................            1,350
                                                                                                ----------------
        Total, Special Research Grants........  ...............................................            5,005
                                                                                                ================
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
 Activities:
    Grants Management System..................  ...............................................            7,830
    Federal Administration--Other Necessary     ...............................................           13,487
     Expenses for Research and Education
     Activities.
                                                                                                ----------------
        Total, Necessary Expenses.............  ...............................................           21,317
                                                                                                ================
        Total, Research and Education           ...............................................          851,496
         Activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.--The Committee 
recommendation includes $375,000,000 for the Agriculture and 
Food Research Initiative [AFRI].
    Section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 specifies priority areas with the Agriculture and Food 
Research Initiative [AFRI], including an emphasis on 
conventional (classical) plant and animal breeding. The 
Committee strongly concurs with the intent of this section, and 
continuing its fiscal year 2016 guidance, encourages the agency 
to create a distinct funding stream within the AFRI program for 
development of publically available, regionally adapted 
cultivars that are bred specifically to meet unique regional 
soil, climate, and cropping system conditions, for the benefit 
of U.S. producers, seed companies, processors and consumers. 
The Committee further directs the agency to report its progress 
in meeting this requirement.
    Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards.--The Committee 
remains determined to see that quality research and enhanced 
human resources development in the agricultural and related 
sciences be a nationwide commitment. Therefore, the Committee 
continues its direction that not less than 15 percent of the 
competitive research grant funds be used for USDA's 
agricultural research enhancement awards program, including 
USDA-EPSCoR.
    Alfalfa and Forage Research.--The Committee notes that 
research into alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems holds the 
potential to increase yields, increase milk production, and 
improve genetics. The Committee recommendation includes 
$2,250,000 to support research into the improvement of yields, 
water conservation, creation of new uses, and the development 
of new storage and harvest systems.
    Aquaculture Disease Research.--The Committee encourages 
USDA to support aquaculture disease and vaccine research, 
including research on coldwater aquaculture vaccines. There is 
currently no national facility for pathogen testing. Research 
into finfish vaccines and pathogens has the potential to 
accelerate the growth of sustainable U.S. aquaculture, reduce 
the trade deficit attributable to imported seafood, and reduce 
the pressure on overfished species.
    Aquaculture Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the domestic aquaculture industry to the U.S. 
economy. The Committee recommendation includes $1,350,000 for 
aquaculture research to address issues related to genetics, 
disease, systems, and economics.
    Cereal Crop Research.--Research on cereal crops has 
historically been conducted by USDA and public universities, 
and the Committee recognizes the importance of continuing 
investment in cereal crop research. The Committee strongly 
encourages USDA to provide funding for cereal crop research in 
the areas of genetic and genomic research, plant pest research, 
and improved production systems.
    Countering Seafood Fraud.--The Committee remains concerned 
about countering economic fraud and improving food safety of 
the U.S. food supply. The Committee is concerned that adequate 
technology is not yet available to provide for appropriate 
sampling of the food supply. The Committee believes NIFA should 
conduct research to develop technologies that will provide 
rapid, portable and facile screening of fish species at port 
sites, wholesale, and retail centers.
    Food Safety.--The Committee recommends that NIFA prioritize 
research on funding for new food safety technologies relating 
to the Nation's meat supply that helps researchers, producers, 
and manufacturers.
    Lowbush Blueberries.--The Committee directs NIFA to work 
with research institutions to develop and refine predictive 
models and monitoring technologies for native and invasive 
pests for incorporation into integrated pest management 
programs for naturally seeded, native berry crops to increase 
the margin of food safety and product quality.
    Organic Research.--USDA's National Organic Standards Board 
[NOSB] has identified key organic research priorities, many of 
which would help to address challenges that have limited the 
growth in organic production in this country. The Committee 
encourages NIFA to give strong consideration to the NOSB 
organic research priorities when crafting the fiscal year 2017 
RFAs for AFRI and the Organic Transition Program.
    Regional Research Priorities.--The Committee encourages 
NIFA to consider providing funding within AFRI to assist with 
State and regional research priorities, with USDA oversight and 
review.
    Seafood.--The Committee encourages USDA, in partnership 
with universities with established domestic shrimp farming 
programs, to support the development of a domestic industry 
that will help ensure the safety and quality of the Nation's 
seafood supply, promote environmentally sustainable 
aquaculture, create new opportunities for U.S. agriculture, and 
forge new markets for U.S. grain and oilseed products and 
technology services.
    Specialty Crop Research Initiative.--The Committee 
emphasizes the important role of the Specialty Crop Research 
Initiative in addressing the critical needs of the specialty 
crop industry through research and extension activities, and 
encourages NIFA to prioritize proposals for and enhance its 
overall commitment to identifying and addressing threats to 
pollinators from pests and diseases.
    Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.--The 
Committee is strongly supportive of the SARE program and 
directs USDA to ensure that research, education and extension 
activities carried out within SARE remain intact.
    Veterinary Corps.--Veterinarians fulfilling the terms of a 
contract under USDA's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment 
Program, authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services 
Act, shall be members of the National Veterinary Medical 
Services Corps and members who have fulfilled the terms of 
their contract shall be alumni of the Corps.
    Zoonotic Disease Research.--Federal and State animal health 
officials have made eradicating livestock diseases with 
significant wildlife reservoirs a national animal health 
priority. This need is reflected in the Agricultural Act of 
2014 which made the research and development of surveillance 
methods, vaccines, vaccination delivery systems or diagnostic 
tests a priority research area under the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act particularly for bovine 
brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis. The Committee recognizes 
the need for this research and encourages the agency to make 
competitive grants available to study improved management tools 
for zoonotic livestock diseases with significant wildlife 
reservoirs.

 HISPANIC-SERVING AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ENDOWMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     $10,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      10,000,000

    Section 7129 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008, provides for the establishment of an endowment fund for 
the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities 
[HSACU]. The Hispanic/Latino community is the fastest-growing 
sector of the American population. This investment in the 
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities is 
needed to ensure institutions can effectively compete for NIFA 
competitive grants.
    On the termination of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
withdraw the income from the endowment fund for the fiscal 
year, and after making adjustments for the cost of 
administering the endowment fund, shall distribute the adjusted 
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income shall be 
distributed among the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges 
and Universities on a pro rata basis based on the Hispanic 
enrollment count of each institution; and 40 percent shall be 
distributed in equal shares to the Hispanic-Serving 
Agricultural Colleges and Universities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,000,000 
for the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities 
Endowment Fund.

              NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $11,880,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      11,880,000
Committee recommendation................................      11,880,000

    The Native American Institutions Endowment Fund authorized 
by Public Law 103-382, the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act, provides an endowment for the 1994 land-grant 
institutions (34 tribally controlled colleges). This program 
will enhance educational opportunity for Native Americans by 
building educational capacity at these institutions in the 
areas of student recruitment and retention, curricula 
development, faculty preparation, instruction delivery systems, 
and scientific instrumentation for teaching. Income funds are 
also available for facility renovation, repair, construction, 
and maintenance. On the termination of each fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall withdraw the income from the endowment fund for 
the fiscal year, and after making adjustments for the cost of 
administering the endowment fund, distribute the adjusted 
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income from these 
funds shall be distributed among the 1994 land-grant 
institutions on a pro rata basis, the proportionate share being 
based on the Indian student count; and 40 percent of the 
adjusted income shall be distributed in equal shares to the 
1994 land-grant institutions.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $11,880,000 
for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.

                          EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $475,891,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     501,859,000
Committee recommendation................................     476,230,000

    Cooperative extension work was established by the Smith-
Lever Act of May 8, 1914, as amended. The Department of 
Agriculture is authorized to provide, through the land-grant 
colleges, cooperative extension work that consists of the 
development of practical applications of research knowledge and 
the giving of instruction and practical demonstrations of 
existing or improved practices or technologies in agriculture 
and related subjects, and to encourage the application of such 
information by demonstrations, publications, through 4-H clubs, 
and other means to persons not in attendance or resident at the 
colleges.
    To fulfill the requirements of the Smith-Lever Act, State 
and county extension offices in each State, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and Micronesia conduct 
educational programs to improve American agriculture and 
strengthen the Nation's families and communities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $476,230,000 
for extension activities of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for extension activities:

                        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
               Program/Activity                                  Authorization                    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(b) and (c) and       7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c) and 208(c) of Public             300,000
 Cooperative Extension.                          Law 93-471.
Extension Services at 1890 Institutions.......  7 U.S.C. 3221..................................           45,620
Extension Services at 1994 Institutions.......  7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3).............................            4,446
Facility Improvements at 1890 Institutions....  7 U.S.C. 3222b.................................           19,730
Renewable Resources Extension Act.............  16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq..........................            4,060
Rural Health and Safety Education Programs....  7 U.S.C. 2662(i)...............................            1,500
Food and Animal Residue Avoidance Database      7 U.S.C. 7642..................................            1,250
 Program.
Women and Minorities in STEM Fields...........  7 U.S.C. 5925..................................              400
Food Safety Outreach Program..................  7 U.S.C. 7625..................................            5,000
Smith-LeverAct, Section 3(d):
    Food and Nutrition Education..............  7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................           67,934
    Farm Safety and Youth Farm Safety           7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            4,610
     Education Programs.
    New Technologies for Agricultural           7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            1,550
     Extension.
    Children, Youth, and Families at Risk.....  7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            8,395
    Federally Recognized Tribes Extension       7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            3,039
     Program.
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Section 3(d).....................  ...............................................           85,528
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
 Activities:
    Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom.........  ...............................................              552
    Federal Administration--Other Necessary     ...............................................            8,144
     Expenses for Research and Education
     Activities.
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Necessary Expenses.............  ...............................................            8,696
        Total, Extension Activities...........  ...............................................          476,230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $30,900,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      35,200,000
Committee recommendation................................      36,000,000

    Section 406, as amended, of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 authorizes an 
integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
grants program.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $36,000,000 
for integrated activities of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for integrated activities:

                        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
               Program/Activity                                  Authorization                    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methyl Bromide Transition Program.............  7 U.S.C. 7626..................................            2,000
Organic Transition Program....................  7 U.S.C. 7626..................................            4,000
Regional Rural Development Centers............  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)...............................            2,000
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative.......  7 U.S.C. 3351..................................            8,000
Crop Protection/Pest Management...............  7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................           20,000
                                                                                                ----------------
      Total, Integrated Activities............  ...............................................           36,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Potato Research.--To minimize the application of pesticides 
and to maximize the yield and quality of harvested potatoes, 
the Committee directs the Secretary to support pest management 
programs in potato growing States. Such programs help 
scientists track potential pest outbreaks and provide growers 
and industry professionals with current information on specific 
and timely treatments. Additionally, the programs help identify 
serious diseases, such as late blight disease, in their early 
stages, allowing for preventive measure to be put into place 
quickly to avoid crop losses.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $893,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         901,000
Committee recommendation................................         901,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs provides direction and coordination in 
carrying out laws with respect to the Department's marketing, 
grading, and standardization activities related to grain; 
competitive marketing practices of livestock, marketing orders, 
and various programs; veterinary services; and plant protection 
and quarantine. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service; Agricultural Marketing Service; and Grain Inspection, 
Packers and Stockyards Administration.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory 
Programs.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $894,415,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     901,196,000
Committee recommendation................................     939,286,000

    The Secretary of Agriculture established the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] on April 2, 1972, under 
the authority of reorganization plan No. 2 of 1953, and other 
authorities. The major objectives of APHIS are to protect the 
animal and plant resources of the Nation from diseases and 
pests. These objectives are carried out under the major areas 
of activity, as follows:
    Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/Response.--The 
agency monitors plant and animal health worldwide, and sets 
import polices to prevent the introduction of foreign plant and 
animal pests and diseases. Domestically, the agency works 
cooperatively to conduct plant and animal health monitoring 
programs, pursue eradication, or limit the spread of the 
threat. The agency also conducts diagnostic laboratory 
activities that support disease prevention, detection, control, 
and eradication programs. In addition, the agency protects 
agriculture from detrimental animal predators, and through its 
regulatory structure helps advance genetic research while 
protecting against the release of harmful organisms.
    Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance.--The 
agency helps resolve technical trade issues to ensure the 
smooth and safe movement of agricultural commodities into and 
out of the United States. The agency negotiates animal and 
plant health certification requirements and assists U.S. 
exporters meet foreign regulatory demands. In addition, the 
agency assists developing countries in improving their 
safeguarding systems, to protect the United States from 
emerging plant and animal pests and diseases.
    Animal Care.--The agency conducts regulatory activities 
that ensure the humane care and treatment of animals and horses 
as the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts require. These 
activities include inspection of certain establishments that 
handle animals intended for research, exhibition, and as pets, 
and monitoring certain horse shows.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $939,286,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service. The Committee does not concur with the 
proposed program reductions to absorb a percentage of statutory 
pay increases for agency employees and provides an additional 
$7,245,000 to fully cover increases in pay.
    The following table reflects the Committee's specific 
recommendations for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service:

                                   ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017 budget       Committee
                                                                 2016 enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeguarding and International Technical Assistance:
    Animal Health Technical Services.........................           35,339           36,941           35,438
    Aquatic Animal Health....................................            2,253            2,282            2,287
    Avian Health.............................................           55,340           55,597           55,642
    Cattle Health............................................           91,500           92,215           92,339
    Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant Health.................           19,500           19,658           19,685
    National Veterinary Stockpile............................            3,973            5,723            5,723
    Swine Health.............................................           24,800           24,971           25,001
    Veterinary Biologics.....................................           16,417           16,560           16,585
    Veterinary Diagnostics...................................           36,540           31,843           39,832
    Zoonotic Disease Management..............................            9,523           19,523           14,622
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Animal Health................................          295,185          305,313          307,154
                                                              ==================================================
    Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)........           27,900           29,827           29,913
    Cotton Pests.............................................           11,520            8,270           11,520
    Field Crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests..................            8,826            8,902            8,915
    Pest Detection...........................................           27,446           27,636           27,669
    Plant Protection Methods Development.....................           20,686           20,870           20,902
    Specialty Crop Pests.....................................          158,000          146,076          158,000
    Tree & Wood Pests........................................           54,000           45,933           54,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Plant Health.................................          308,378          287,514          310,919
                                                              ==================================================
    Wildlife Damage Management...............................          101,177           85,919          102,085
    Wildlife Services Methods Development....................           18,856           19,070           19,107
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Wildlife Services............................          120,033          104,989          121,192
                                                              ==================================================
    Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement.............           16,224           16,410           16,442
    Biotechnology Regulatory Services........................           18,875           18,996           19,017
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Regulatory Services..........................           35,099           35,406           35,459
                                                              ==================================================
    Contingency Fund.........................................              470              476              477
    Emergency Preparedness & Response........................           16,966           44,155           44,175
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Emergency Management.........................           17,436           44,631           44,652
                                                              ==================================================
      Subtotal, Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/               776,131          777,853          819,376
       Response..............................................
                                                              ==================================================
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance:
    Agriculture Import/Export................................           15,099           19,751           16,247
    Overseas Technical & Trade Operations....................           22,114           22,227           22,247
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Safe Trade...................................           37,213           41,978           38,494
                                                              ==================================================
Animal Welfare:
    Animal Welfare...........................................           28,410           28,696           28,746
    Horse Protection.........................................              697              705              706
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Animal Welfare...............................           29,107           29,401           29,452
                                                              ==================================================
Agency Management:
    APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure..............            4,251            4,251            4,251
    Physical/Operational Security............................            5,146            5,146            5,146
    Rent and DHS security payments...........................           42,567           42,567           42,567
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Agency Management............................           51,964           51,964           51,964
                                                              ==================================================
      Total, Direct Appropriation............................          894,415          901,196          939,286
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Agricultural Quarantine Inspection.--The Committee 
recognizes that prevention of infestations of pests and 
diseases is much more cost effective than subsequent control or 
eradication. This is an important Federal responsibility and 
the Committee provides $29,913,000 for the agricultural 
quarantine inspections [AQI] function, including pre-departure 
and interline inspections.
    The Committee directs APHIS to consult with the 
Transportation Security Administration [TSA] and within 120 
days of enactment prepare a report on the costs, benefits, and 
any security issues related to consolidating APHIS and TSA 
inspection stations, and requirements for collocating 
operations, including changes to statutory authorities and 
accommodations needed to maintain the integrity of both 
inspection operations.
    Antibiotic Resistance.--The Committee provides a $5,000,000 
increase under Zoonotic Disease Management for data collection, 
sampling, surveillance, testing, and other activities 
associated with antibiotic resistant bacteria.
    Bee Pests.--The Committee remains concerned with declining 
bee populations and the tragic implications for pollination of 
U.S. agriculture. The Committee directs the agency to continue 
priority work with other Federal and State agencies and the 
public to manage, suppress, and eradicate varroa mites, small 
hive beetles, and other pests and diseases contributing to 
colony collapse disorder.
    Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis.--Prior to finalizing 
the proposed rule on Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis, 
Update to General Provisions (Docket No. APHIS-2011-0044), the 
Committee urges USDA-APHIS to develop and submit to the 
Committee a detailed report on the amount of Federal and state 
funding required to carry-out the various provisions of the 
proposed rule.
    Brucellosis.--The Committee encourages APHIS to work with 
relevant local, State, and Federal agencies to improve 
communication and utilize sound science to develop effective 
strategies for managing brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone 
area.
    Ceratocystis Disease.--The Department is directed to study 
reported recent outbreaks of Ceratocystis in the State of 
Hawai'i and report within 90 days of enactment recommended 
actions for response and management.
    Chronic Wasting Disease.--The national deer farming 
industry is adapting to a 2012 interim final rule that 
established a national, voluntary herd certification program 
[HCP] that provides uniform herd certification standards and 
will support the domestic and international marketability of 
U.S. cervid herds. The Committee believes the industry requires 
funding support to ensure that the newly implemented chronic 
wasting disease HCP is successful. Therefore, APHIS should 
spend no less than $3,000,000 for cervid health activities. 
Within the funds provided, APHIS should give consideration to 
indemnity payments if warranted.
    Citrus Imports.--The Committee is aware that APHIS has 
proposed a rule to allow the importation of lemons from 
Argentina into the United States. The Committee is concerned 
that the U.S. citrus industry is already facing significant 
threats from introduced diseases and pests and notes that 
citrus canker and black spot are two diseases of ongoing 
concern affecting Argentina's citrus production. The Committee 
therefore directs APHIS to conduct a site visit in Argentina 
this fall in order to complete a comprehensive pest and disease 
risk assessment and provide an opportunity for the U.S. citrus 
industry to review the results of such visits. The Committee is 
also concerned that the proposed rule could result in an 
economic impact exceeding $100,000,000 annually. If that is 
demonstrated to be the case based on comments made on the 
proposed rule, the Committee directs APHIS to conduct this 
rulemaking according to the procedures required for economic 
significance as referenced in section 6(a)(3)(C) of Executive 
Order 12866 before finalizing the rule.
    Emergency Preparedness and Response.--The Committee 
provides an increase of $27,209,000 to implement lessons 
learned from the recent avian influenza outbreak including 
increasing veterinarians and animal health technicians, health, 
safety and biosecurity officers and developing resources and 
technologies for the early detection of foreign animal diseases 
and improved response options.
    Feral Swine Management.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the National Feral Swine Damage Management 
Program in reducing adverse ecological and economic impacts 
caused by feral swine. The Committee provides an additional 
$5,400,000 in support of APHIS efforts to decrease these 
invasive pests' damage and risk to agriculture, natural 
resources, and property.
    Gypsy Moth Eradication.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of supporting eradication and containment of the 
European and Asian gypsy moth in the Western United States. 
These pests pose a considerable threat to both deciduous and 
conifer forests, which are essential to the economic and 
environmental well-being of the region. If moth populations are 
allowed to establish themselves, it is costly and difficult to 
eliminate these pests and would devastate forests.
    National Animal Health Laboratory Network [NAHLN].--Funding 
for the NAHLN shall be administered in consultation with the 
NAHLN Coordinating Council.
    National Bio and Agro-Defense Human Capital Development.--
The Committee notes that significant resources have been 
invested in the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility 
[NBAF] and is concerned about projected staffing shortages of 
qualified veterinary diagnosticians and scientists for the 
NBAF, which is slated for full operation in 2022. The Committee 
provides an additional $3,000,000 to APHIS to ensure necessary 
steps are taken to develop a qualified workforce that are 
subject matter experts in foreign, emerging and zoonotic 
diseases capable of developing, validating and conducting 
needed diagnostics, performing epidemiologic studies, and 
completing bioinformatics analyses.
    Pacific Ants Prevention Plan.--The Committee encourages 
APHIS to work with its partners to revise the Pacific Ants 
Prevention Plan to effectively combat invasive ants throughout 
the Pacific Region.
    Peer-Reviewed Accreditation.--The Committee notes APHIS's 
collaboration with accrediting organizations in the 
establishment and operation of the Zoo and Aquarium Hazards 
Preparedness, Response and Recovery Fusion Center. The Center's 
role in facilitating and enhancing collaboration between the 
emergency management community and the greater managed wildlife 
community will assist in emergency preparedness and response 
for a wide range of circumstances including natural disasters 
and animal disease outbreaks. This effort is commended and is 
expected and encouraged to continue.
    West Nile Virus.--The Committee remains concerned with the 
threats to human and animal health posed by West Nile virus and 
recognizes that a critical strategy for addressing these 
threats is necessary to prevent the infection and transmission 
by known vectors, including farm-raised alligators. The 
Committee encourages APHIS to further investigate West Nile 
virus and other infectious diseases affecting farm raised 
alligators and develop treatments and methods to prevent 
infection and transmission.
    Wildlife Damage Management.--APHIS is responsible for 
providing Federal leadership in managing problems caused by 
wildlife. The Committee provides $102,085,000 for wildlife 
damage control to maintain priority initiatives, including 
preventing the transport of invasive snakes and other harmful 
species.
    The Committee maintains support for assistance to 
aquaculture producers to help mitigate wildlife depredation, 
particularly as it pertains to fish-eating and disease-carrying 
birds. The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 for 
damage management efforts and the development of methods to 
assist producers in combatting the persistent threat and 
economic hardship caused by cormorants, pelicans, and other 
birds.
    The Committee provides $26,000,000 for the National Rabies 
Management Program to fortify existing barriers and advance 
prevention and eradication efforts.
    The Committee is aware of the economic loss sunflower 
growers can incur due to blackbird infestations, and encourages 
Wildlife Services to do further research into the use of bird 
repellents to minimize blackbird depredation.
    Wildlife Services Education and Training.--The Committee is 
aware of the wide range of hazardous procedures and materials 
utilized by APHIS personnel in the conduct of daily duties. In 
addition, a recent comprehensive study noted the critical need 
to provide standardized safety training, certification, and 
database management for tracking, to ensure the safest working 
environment possible. As such, the Committee provides 
$2,000,000 within Wildlife Damage Management to maintain a 
National Training Academy focused on those areas of greatest 
concern such as pyrotechnics, firearms, hazardous materials, 
immobilization and euthanasia drugs, pesticides, animal care 
and handling, land vehicles, watercraft, and zoonotic diseases.
    Wildlife Services Methods Development.--The Committee 
appreciates the important work done by the National Wildlife 
Research Center and its affiliated field locations to resolve 
problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society. 
The Committee provides $19,107,000 to ensure continued 
development of technical and scientific information on wildlife 
damage management.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $3,175,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       3,175,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,175,000

    The APHIS appropriation for ``Buildings and Facilities'' 
funds major nonrecurring construction projects in support of 
specific program activities and recurring construction, 
alterations, preventive maintenance, and repairs of existing 
APHIS facilities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommendation includes an appropriation of 
$3,175,000 for buildings and facilities of the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service. This funding is necessary to allow 
APHIS to maintain existing facilities, and perform critically 
needed repairs to and replacements of building components, such 
as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning on a prioritized 
basis at APHIS facilities. The Committee notes that due to the 
environmentally sensitive nature of many APHIS facilities, 
closure of a facility could result if APHIS is unable to 
complete the required repairs.

                     Agricultural Marketing Service


                           MARKETING SERVICES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $81,223,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      81,933,000
Committee recommendation................................      82,933,000

    The Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS] was established by 
the Secretary of Agriculture on April 2, 1972. AMS carries out 
programs authorized by more than 50 different statutory 
authorities, the primary ones being the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, 1635-1638); the U.S. Cotton 
Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65); the Cotton Statistics and 
Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476); the Tobacco Inspection Act (7 
U.S.C. 511-511q); the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act 
(7 U.S.C. 499a-499t); the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 1031-1056); and section 32 of the Act of 1935 (Public 
Law 74-320, 7 U.S.C. 612c).
    Programs administered by this agency include the market 
news services, standardization, grading, classing, shell egg 
surveillance services, transportation services, wholesale 
farmers and alternative market development, grant payments to 
States for marketing activities, the Federal administration of 
marketing agreements and orders, commodity purchases, 
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the Plant Variety 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.), and market protection 
and promotion activities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $82,933,000 
for Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
    National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program.--The 
Committee directs USDA to act to the full extent of its 
authority in administering the National Organic Certification 
Cost-Share Program, including reimbursing State organic program 
fees, as well as costs associated with transitional 
certification.
    Organic Data Initiative.--The Committee encourages AMS and 
NASS to coordinate activities related to expanding organic 
price reporting and organic data collection.
    Organic Livestock Proposed Rule.--The Committee is aware 
that USDA released a proposed rule on April 7, 2016, titled 
``National Organic Program: Organic Livestock and Poultry 
Practices.'' The Committee directs the Secretary to ensure that 
all comments are taken into consideration, including those from 
producers adversely impacted by the proposal's new compliance 
requirements, when finalizing the proposed rule.
    Sunset Review Process.--The Committee is aware of the 
National Organic Standards Board sunset review process for 
reviewing substances on the National List. It is important that 
this process includes sound science and robust stakeholder 
participation. The Committee expects the National Organic 
Program and USDA to fully consider all currently available 
scientific information during the sunset review and rulemaking 
procedures.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Limitation, 2016........................................     $60,982,000
Budget limitation, 2017.................................      61,227,000
Committee recommendation................................      61,227,000

    The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 
97-35) initiated a system of user fees for the cost of grading 
and classing cotton, and tobacco. These activities, authorized 
under the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51 et seq.), the 
Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511 et seq.), and other 
provisions of law are designed to facilitate commerce and 
protect participants in the industry.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $61,227,000 on 
administrative expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service.

          FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY
                              (SECTION 32)

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $20,489,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      20,705,000
Committee recommendation................................      20,705,000

    Under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, (7 U.S.C. 
612c), an amount equal to 30 percent of customs receipts 
collected during each preceding calendar year and unused 
balances are available for encouraging the domestic consumption 
and exportation of agricultural commodities. An amount equal to 
30 percent of receipts collected on fishery products is 
transferred to the Department of Commerce. Additional transfers 
to the child nutrition programs of the Food and Nutrition 
Service have been provided in recent appropriations Acts.
    The following table reflects the status of this fund for 
fiscal years 2016-2017:

              ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD--PFISCAL YEARS 2016-2017
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fiscal year 2016  Fiscal year 2017      Committee
                                                                 enacted        budget request   recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30% of Customs Receipts)...................        10,316,645        10,929,841        10,929,841
 
Less Transfers:
    Food and Nutrition Service............................        -8,969,178        -9,462,665        -9,462,665
    Commerce Department...................................          -145,811          -145,175          -145,175
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, Transfers....................................        -9,114,989        -9,607,840        -9,607,840
 
Prior Year Appropriation Available, Start of Year.........           223,344           125,000           125,000
Transfer of Prior Year Funds to FNS (F&V).................          -122,000          -125,000          -125,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Budget Authority, Farm Bill.........................         1,303,000         1,322,001         1,322,001
 
Rescission of Current Year Funds..........................          -215,636          -231,443          -237,443
Appropriations Temporarily Reduced - Sequestration........           -77,384           -79,557           -79,557
Unavailable for Obligations (Fruit and Veg transfer to              -125,000          -125,000          -125,000
 FNS).....................................................
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Budget Authority, Appropriations Act................           884,980           886,000           880,000
                                                           =====================================================
Less Obligations:
    Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement Commodities)....           465,000           465,000           465,000
    State Option Contract.................................             5,000             5,000             5,000
    Removal of Defective Commodities......................             2,500             2,500             2,500
    Emergency Surplus Removal.............................           118,500           206,000           206,000
    Disaster Relief.......................................             5,000             5,000             5,000
    Additional Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Purchases.....           107,500  ................  ................
    Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.....................            40,000            44,000            44,000
    Estimated Future Needs................................            87,192           102,355            98,355
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, Commodity Procurement........................           830,692           829,855           825,855
 
Administrative Funds:
    Commodity Purchase Support............................            33,799            35,440            33,440
    Marketing Agreements and Orders.......................            20,489            20,705            20,705
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, Administrative Funds.........................            54,288            56,145            54,145
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total Obligations...................................           884,980           886,000           880,000
                                                           =====================================================
Unobligated Balance, End of Year..........................  ................  ................  ................
Unavailable for Obligations (Fruit and Veg transfer to               125,000           125,000           125,000
 FNS).....................................................
Balances, Collections and Recoveries Not Available........  ................  ................  ................
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total End of Year Balances..........................           125,000           125,000           125,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a transfer from section 32 funds 
of $20,705,000 for the formulation and administration of 
marketing agreements and orders.
    Section 32 Authorities.--Under the authority described in 
clause 3 of 7 U.S.C. 612c, the Secretary is able to direct 
funds from the section 32 account to increase the purchasing 
power of producers. This practice has been used on various 
occasions to provide direct assistance to producers when market 
forces or natural conditions adversely affect the financial 
condition of farmers and ranchers. The Committee notes the 
importance of the ability of the Secretary to utilize this 
authority, but believes that communication between the 
Department and the Congress should be improved when this 
practice is used. Therefore, the Committee directs the 
Secretary to provide notification to the Appropriations 
Committee in advance of any public announcement or release of 
section 32 funds under the specific authorities cited above.

                   PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $1,235,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       1,235,000
Committee recommendation................................       1,235,000

    The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program [FSMIP] is 
authorized by section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
of 1946 and is also funded from appropriations. Matching grants 
are awarded on a competitive basis to State marketing agencies 
to identify and test market alternative farm commodities, 
determine methods of providing more reliable market 
information, and develop better commodity grading standards. 
This program has made possible many types of projects, such as 
electronic marketing and agricultural product diversification. 
Current projects are focused on the improvement of marketing 
efficiency and effectiveness, and seeking new outlets for 
existing farm produced commodities. The legislation grants the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture authority to establish 
cooperative agreements with State departments of agriculture or 
similar State agencies to improve the efficiency of the 
agricultural marketing chain. The States perform the work or 
contract it to others, and must contribute at least one-half of 
the cost of the projects.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,235,000 for 
Payments to States and Possessions for Federal-State marketing 
projects and activities.

        Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $43,057,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      43,482,000
Committee recommendation................................      43,482,000

    The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
[GIPSA] was established pursuant to the Secretary's 1994 
reorganization. Grain inspection and weighing programs are 
carried out under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 71 et 
seq.) and other programs under the authority of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, including the inspection 
and grading of rice and grain-related products; conducting 
official weighing and grain inspection activities; and grading 
dry beans and peas, and processed grain products. Under the 
Packers and Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), assurance of 
the financial integrity of the livestock, meat, and poultry 
markets is provided. The Administration monitors competition in 
order to protect producers, consumers, and industry from 
deceptive and fraudulent practices which affect meat and 
poultry prices.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $43,482,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Grain Inspection, Packers and 
Stockyards Administration.

        LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES

Limitation, 2016........................................     $55,000,000
Budget limitation, 2017.................................      57,500,000
Committee recommendation................................      57,500,000

    The agency provides an official grain inspection and 
weighing system under the U.S. Grain Standards Act [USGSA], and 
official inspection of rice and grain-related products under 
the Agricultural Marketing Act [AMA] of 1946. The USGSA was 
amended in 1981 to require the collection of user fees to fund 
the costs associated with the operation, supervision, and 
administration of Federal grain inspection and weighing 
activities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $57,500,000 on 
inspection and weighing services expenses.

             Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $816,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         819,000
Committee recommendation................................         819,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety provides 
direction and coordination in carrying out the laws enacted by 
the Congress with respect to the Department's inspection of 
meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The Office has 
oversight and management responsibilities for the Food Safety 
and Inspection Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $819,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety.

                   Food Safety and Inspection Service

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $1,014,871,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   1,030,405,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,033,806,000

    The major objectives of the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service are to assure that meat and poultry products are 
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged, as 
required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et 
seq.); and to provide continuous in-plant inspection to egg 
processing plants under the Egg Products Inspection Act.
    The Food Safety and Inspection Service was established on 
June 17, 1981, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1000-1, issued 
pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953.
    The inspection program of the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service provides in-plant inspection of all domestic plants 
preparing meat, poultry or egg products for sale or 
distribution; reviews foreign inspection systems and 
establishments that prepare meat or poultry products for export 
to the United States; and provides technical and financial 
assistance to States which maintain meat and poultry inspection 
programs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,033,806,000 
for the Food Safety and Inspection Service [FSIS]. The 
Committee finds the implementation schedule set forth by FSIS 
for revised inspections processes unrealistically rapid and 
provides additional funds to accomplish this transition in a 
more feasible manner.
    Game Birds.--The Committee directs the FSIS to provide a 
report on the impact of defining games birds, such as quail, as 
amendable in Federal code in regard to inspection.
    Humane Slaughter.--The Committee directs FSIS to continue 
to provide annual reports to the Committee on the 
implementation of objective scoring methods undertaken by FSIS 
to enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
    The Committee also directs FSIS to ensure that personnel 
hired with funding previously provided specifically for Humane 
Methods of Slaughter Act enforcement focus their attention on 
overseeing compliance with humane handling rules for live 
animals as they arrive and are offloaded and handled in pens, 
chutes, and stunning areas and that all inspectors receive 
robust training.
    Inspections.--Adequate import reinspection and foreign 
country equivalence are of great importance to food safety and 
fair trade. Upon the date of enactment of this act, the 
Committee directs FSIS to reinspect all imported Siluriformes 
fish and fish product shipments, just as all imported meat and 
poultry products from equivalent countries that export product 
to the United States are reinspected. The Committee further 
directs FSIS to complete a determination of equivalence for the 
Siluriformes inspection program in a foreign country exporting 
Siluriformes fish and fish products to the United States not 
later than 180 days after the end of the 18-month transition 
period described in the preamble of the final rule entitled 
``Mandatory Inspection of Fish of the Order Siluriformes and 
Products Derived From Such Fish'' issued on December 2, 2015 
(80 Fed. Reg. 75590 et seq.).
    The following table represents the Committee's specific 
recommendations for the Food Safety and Inspection Service as 
compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget request levels:

                            FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SALARIES AND EXPENSES
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fiscal year
                                                                    Fiscal year    2017  budget      Committee
                                                                   2016  enacted      request     recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food safety inspection:
    Federal.....................................................         898,795         914,098         917,499
    State.......................................................          60,976          61,568          61,568
    International...............................................          16,744          16,487          16,487
    Codex Alimentarius..........................................           3,776           3,672           3,672
    PHDCIS......................................................          34,580          34,580          34,580
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
      Total.....................................................       1,014,871       1,030,405       1,033,806
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
                                Services

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         901,000
Committee recommendation................................         901,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services provides direction and coordination in 
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to 
the Department's international affairs (except for foreign 
economic development), commodity programs, farm loans, disaster 
assistance, crop insurance, and some conservation and energy 
programs. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Farm Service Agency (including the 
Commodity Credit Corporation), Risk Management Agency, and the 
Foreign Agricultural Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services.

                          Farm Service Agency

    The Farm Service Agency [FSA] was established October 13, 
1994, pursuant to the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public 
Law 103-354. The FSA administers a variety of activities, such 
as the commodity price support and production adjustment 
programs financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation; the 
Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]; the Emergency Conservation 
Program; the Commodity Operation Programs including the 
warehouse examination function; farm ownership, farm operating, 
emergency disaster, and other loan programs; and the Noninsured 
Crop Disaster Assistance Program [NAP], which provides crop 
loss protection for growers of many crops for which crop 
insurance is not available. In addition, FSA currently provides 
certain administrative support services to the Foreign 
Agricultural Service [FAS] and to the Risk Management Agency 
[RMA].

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Transfers from    Total, FSA,
                                                                Appropriations      program        salaries and
                                                                                    accounts         expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016.........................................        1,200,180          309,880        1,510,060
Budget estimate, 2017........................................        1,209,751          309,610        1,519,361
Committee recommendation.....................................        1,210,412          309,610        1,520,022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The account Salaries and Expenses, Farm Service Agency, 
funds the administrative expenses of program administration and 
other functions assigned to FSA. The funds consist of 
appropriations and transfers from the CCC export credit 
guarantees, Food for Peace loans, and Agricultural Credit 
Insurance Fund program accounts, and miscellaneous advances 
from other sources. All administrative funds used by FSA are 
consolidated into one account. The consolidation provides 
clarity and better management and control of funds, and 
facilitates accounting, fiscal, and budgetary work by 
eliminating the necessity for making individual allocations and 
allotments and maintaining and recording obligations and 
expenditures under numerous separate accounts.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,520,022,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency, including 
a direct appropriation of $1,210,412,000. The Committee 
supports the mission of FSA and the important services that 
they provide across the country; therefore, the Committee does 
not accept the full decrease for information technology as 
proposed in the budget. The Committee also provides for pay 
costs for Federal and non-Federal employees, $5,000,000 for 
personnel and physical security programs across county offices, 
$2,000,000 for New Beginning and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, 
and $90,000 to support a certified training program for veteran 
farmers to be prequalified for FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans 
as proposed in the budget.
    Continuous Conservation Reserve Program.--The Secretary is 
strongly encouraged to, within the total acreage made available 
for enrollment in the conservation reserve program and without 
reducing the periodic availability of general signup, enroll, 
to the maximum extent practicable, acreage for activities 
included in the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement practice 
or other similar administratively established wetland and 
habitat practices that benefit priority fish and wildlife 
species identified in State, regional, and national 
conservation initiatives with a priority for initiatives that 
provide large blocks of cover ideal for wildlife nesting.
    Information Technology.--The Committee remains dedicated to 
ensuring FSA has reliable and functioning IT systems because it 
is critical that farmers and ranchers have access to the tools 
they need to succeed. The Committee has invested significant 
taxpayer dollars to modernize outdated systems and continues to 
provide resources above the budget request. The Committee 
continues statutory language that allows funds for IT to be 
obligated only after the Secretary meets certain reporting 
requirements. The Committee understands a third-party analysis, 
required in the fiscal year 2016 bill, will be released soon 
and looks forward to working with the agency on those 
recommendations.
    National Agriculture Imagery Program.--The Committee 
recommends that funding shall be allocated to purchase imagery 
products to meet programmatic requirements.

                         STATE MEDIATION GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $3,404,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       3,404,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,904,000

    This program is authorized under title V of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.). 
Originally designed to address agricultural credit disputes, 
the program was expanded by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform 
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(Public Law 103-354) to include other agricultural issues such 
as wetland determinations, conservation compliance, rural water 
loan programs, grazing on National Forest System lands, and 
pesticides. Grants are made to States whose mediation programs 
have been certified by the FSA. Grants will be solely for 
operation and administration of the State's agricultural 
mediation program.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,904,000 for 
State Mediation Grants.
    The Committee recognizes the rapidly growing complexity of 
American agriculture and as agriculture practices, markets, and 
technologies continue to evolve, new challenges and potential 
conflicts arise. Accordingly, the Committee directs the 
Secretary to review ways that the State Mediation Programs can 
address new issues impacting agricultural producers, including 
issues involving agricultural leases, right-to-farm laws, and 
family farm transitions.

               GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $6,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation................................       6,500,000

    This program is intended to assist in the protection of 
groundwater through State rural water associations.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,500,000 for 
Grassroots Source Water Protection.

                        DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         500,000
Committee recommendation................................         500,000

    Under the program, the Department makes indemnification 
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products 
who, through no fault of their own, suffer income losses 
because they are directed to remove their milk from commercial 
markets due to contamination of their products by registered 
pesticides. The program also authorizes indemnity payments to 
dairy farmers for losses resulting from the removal of cows or 
dairy products from the market due to nuclear radiation or 
fallout.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as 
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2017 to be $500,000, 
for indemnity payments to dairy farmers.

           AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

    The Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account is 
used to provide direct and guaranteed farm ownership, farm 
operating, conservation, Indian highly fractioned land, and 
emergency loans to individuals, as well as the following types 
of loans to associations: irrigation and drainage, grazing, 
Indian tribe land acquisition, and boll weevil eradication.
    FSA is also authorized to provide financial assistance to 
borrowers by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders having 
a contract of guarantee from FSA as approved by the Secretary 
of Agriculture and to establish Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Individual Development grant accounts.
    The following programs are financed through this fund:
    Boll Weevil Eradication Loans.--Made to assist foundations 
in financing the operations of the boll weevil eradication 
programs provided to farmers.
    Credit Sales of Acquired Property.--Property is sold out of 
inventory and is made available to an eligible buyer by 
providing FSA loans.
    Emergency Loans.--Made to producers to aid recovery from 
production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other 
natural disasters, or quarantine. The loans may be used to: 
restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of 
production costs associated with the disaster year; pay 
essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming 
operation; and refinance certain debts.
    Farm Operating Loans.--Provide short-to-intermediate term 
production or chattel credit to farmers who cannot obtain 
credit elsewhere, to improve their farm and home operations, 
and to develop or maintain a reasonable standard of living. The 
term of the loan varies from 1 to 7 years.
    Farm Ownership Loans.--Made to borrowers who cannot obtain 
credit elsewhere to restructure their debts, improve or 
purchase farms, refinance nonfarm enterprises which supplement 
but do not supplant farm income, or make additions to farms. 
Loans are made for 40 years or less.
    Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans.--Made to any Indian 
tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or tribal 
corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization 
Act (Public Law 93-638) which does not have adequate 
uncommitted funds to acquire lands or interest in lands within 
the tribe's reservation or Alaskan Indian community, as 
determined by the Secretary of the Interior, for use of the 
tribe or the corporation or the members thereof.
    Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans.--Made to Indian 
tribal members to purchase highly fractionated lands, as 
authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a total loan level of 
$6,655,053,000 for programs within the Agricultural Credit 
Insurance Fund Program Account. The Committee includes funding 
to waive application fees for veteran farmers, as proposed in 
the budget.
    Loan Programs.--The Committee continues to support FSA loan 
programs that ensure farmers and ranchers have access to credit 
to maintain and improve their operations. The Committee is 
aware of the heightened operating loan activity in fiscal year 
2016 and notes the statutory authority allowing program level 
increases that do not require additional budget authority. The 
Committee will continue to monitor program demand in the coming 
months and directs FSA to provide timely estimates for future 
needs.
    The following table reflects the program levels for farm 
credit programs administered by the Farm Service Agency 
recommended by the Committee, as compared to the fiscal year 
2016 and the budget request levels:

                                    AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS--LOAN LEVELS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Ownership:
    Direct...................................................        1,500,000        1,500,000        1,500,000
    Guaranteed...............................................        2,000,000        2,000,000        2,000,000
Farm Operating:
    Direct...................................................        1,252,004        1,460,047        1,460,047
    Guaranteed unsubsidized..................................        1,393,443        1,432,430        1,432,430
Emergency Loans..............................................           34,667           22,576           22,576
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition................................            2,000           20,000           20,000
Conservation Loans:
    Guaranteed...............................................          150,000          150,000          150,000
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................           10,000           10,000           10,000
Boll Weevil Eradication......................................           60,000           60,000           60,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the 
program account. Appropriations to this account are used to 
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct 
loans obligated and loan guarantees committed, as well as for 
administrative expenses.
    The following table reflects the cost of programs under 
credit reform:

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Operating:
    Direct...................................................           53,961           62,198           62,198
    Guaranteed unsubsidized..................................           14,352           15,327           15,327
Emergency Loans..............................................            1,262            1,262            1,262
Individual Development Account Grants........................  ...............            1,500            1,500
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................  ...............            2,550            2,550
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Risk Management Agency

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $74,829,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      66,615,000
Committee recommendation................................      75,750,000

    The Risk Management Agency performs administrative 
functions relative to the Federal crop insurance program that 
is authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508), as amended by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 
2000 [ARPA], Public Law 106-224, and the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113-79).
    ARPA authorized significant changes in the crop insurance 
program. This act provides higher government subsidies for 
producer premiums to make coverage more affordable; expands 
research and development for new insurance products and under-
served areas through contracts with the private sector; and 
tightens compliance. Functional areas of risk management are: 
research and development; insurance services; and compliance, 
whose functions include policy formulation and procedures and 
regulations development.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $75,750,000 
for the Risk Management Agency.
    The Committee recognizes that there are many research 
priorities that competitive funding may be used to address, 
including the feasibility of insurance programs to cover 
business interruption due to integrator bankruptcy and 
catastrophic loss in the poultry industry. The Committee 
encourages RMA to support research into these priorities.

                              CORPORATIONS


                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $7,870,934,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   8,849,090,000
Committee recommendation................................   8,849,090,000

    The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended by the Federal 
Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994, authorizes the payment of 
expenses which may include indemnity payments, loss adjustment, 
delivery expenses, program-related research and development, 
startup costs for implementing this legislation such as 
studies, pilot projects, data processing improvements, public 
outreach, and related tasks and functions.
    All program costs, except for Federal salaries and 
expenses, are mandatory expenditures subject to appropriation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as 
may be necessary, estimated to be $8,849,090,000 in fiscal year 
2017 for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.

                   Commodity Credit Corporation Fund

    The Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] is a wholly owned 
Government corporation created in 1933 to stabilize, support, 
and protect farm income and prices; to help maintain balanced 
and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities, including 
products, foods, feeds, and fibers; and to help in the orderly 
distribution of these commodities. CCC was originally 
incorporated under a Delaware charter and was reincorporated 
June 30, 1948, as a Federal corporation within the Department 
of Agriculture by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, 
approved June 29, 1948 (15 U.S.C. 714).
    The Commodity Credit Corporation engages in buying, 
selling, lending, and other activities with respect to 
agricultural commodities, their products, food, feed, and 
fibers. Its purposes include stabilizing, supporting, and 
protecting farm income and prices; maintaining the balance and 
adequate supplies of selected commodities; and facilitating the 
orderly distribution of such commodities. In addition, the 
Corporation makes available materials and facilities required 
in connection with the storage and distribution of such 
commodities. The Corporation also disburses funds for sharing 
of costs with producers for the establishment of approved 
conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land and 
subsequent rental payments for such land for the duration of 
Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
    Corporation activities are primarily governed by the 
following statutes: the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter 
Act (Public Law 80-806), as amended; the Agricultural Act of 
1949 (Public Law 81-439), as amended (1949 Act); the 
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (Public Law 75-430), as 
amended (the 1938 Act); the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public 
Law 99-198), as amended (1985 Act); the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246); and the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79).
    Management of the Corporation is vested in a board of 
directors, subject to the general supervision and direction of 
the Secretary of Agriculture, who is an ex officio director and 
chairman of the board. The board consists of seven members, in 
addition to the Secretary, who are appointed by the President 
of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
Officers of the Corporation are designated according to their 
positions in the Department of Agriculture.
    The activities of the Corporation are carried out mainly by 
the personnel and through the facilities of the Farm Service 
Agency [FSA] and the Farm Service Agency State and county 
committees. The Foreign Agricultural Service, the General Sales 
Manager, other agencies and offices of the Department, and 
commercial agents are also used to carry out certain aspects of 
the Corporation's activities.
    Under Public Law 87-155 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11, 713a-12), 
annual appropriations are authorized for each fiscal year, 
commencing with fiscal year 1961. These appropriations are to 
reimburse the Corporation for net realized losses.

                 REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $6,871,132,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  13,476,854,000
Committee recommendation................................  13,476,854,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as 
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2017 to be 
$13,476,854,000, for the payment to reimburse the Commodity 
Credit Corporation for net realized losses.

                       HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

Limitation, 2016........................................      $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,000,000

    The Commodity Credit Corporation's [CCC] hazardous waste 
management program is intended to ensure compliance with the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.). The CCC 
funds operations and maintenance costs as well as site 
investigation and cleanup expenses. Investigative and cleanup 
costs associated with the management of CCC hazardous waste are 
also paid from USDA's hazardous waste management appropriation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $5,000,000 for the 
Commodity Credit Corporation's hazardous waste management 
program.

                                TITLE II

                         CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

  Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         901,000
Committee recommendation................................         901,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment provides direction and coordination in carrying out 
the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to natural 
resources and the environment. The Office has oversight and 
management responsibilities for the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service and the Forest Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment.
    Innovative Financing for Restoration Projects.--The 
Committee recognizes the challenge of managing millions of 
acres of land that increasingly need forest health restoration 
treatments to reduce wildfire, restore forest ecosystems and 
provide economic support to communities. The Committee further 
recognizes that Federal funding to address these needs is 
increasingly constrained. The Under Secretary for Natural 
Resources and Environment, in consultation with the Forest 
Service and National Conservation Resources Service and other 
affected agencies, is directed to evaluate the feasibility of 
innovative financing mechanisms that could leverage non-Federal 
investments in forest health restoration projects on private 
and public lands, and to provide a report on such mechanisms to 
the Committee within 60 days of enactment. Such mechanisms 
could include financing agreements that include contributions 
from entities benefiting from corollary benefits of forest 
health restoration such as water providers or hydropower 
electricity providers who benefit from increased water flows.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service

    The Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] was 
established pursuant to Public Law 103-354, the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962). The 
NRCS works with conservation districts, watershed groups, and 
Federal and State agencies to bring about physical adjustments 
in land use that will conserve soil and water resources, 
provide for agricultural production on a sustained basis, and 
reduce flood damage and sedimentation.

                        CONSERVATION OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $850,856,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     860,374,000
Committee recommendation................................     864,474,000

    Conservation operations are authorized by Public Law 74-46 
(16 U.S.C. 590a-590f). Activities include:
    Conservation Technical Assistance provides assistance to 
district cooperators and other land users in the planning and 
application of conservation treatments to control erosion and 
improve the quantity and quality of soil resources, improve and 
conserve water, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, conserve 
energy, improve woodland, pasture and range conditions, and 
reduce upstream flooding; all to protect and enhance the 
natural resource base.
    Resource appraisal and program development ensures that 
programs administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the 
conservation of soil, water, and related resources shall 
respond to the Nation's long-term needs.
    Plant Materials Centers assemble, test, and encourage 
increased use of plant species which show promise for use in 
the treatment of conservation problem areas.
    Snow Survey and Water Forecasting provides estimates of 
annual water availability from high mountain snow packs and 
relates to summer stream flow in the Western States and Alaska. 
Information is used by agriculture, industry, and cities in 
estimating future water supplies.
    Soil Surveys inventory the Nation's basic soil resources 
and determine land capabilities and conservation treatment 
needs. Soil survey publications include interpretations useful 
to cooperators, other Federal agencies, State, and local 
organizations.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $864,474,000 
for Conservation Operations. The Committee recommendation 
includes $759,211,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance, 
$80,802,000 for Soil Surveys, $9,380,000 for Snow Survey and 
Water Forecasting, and $9,481,000 for Plant Materials Centers.
    Acre-for-Acre Wetlands Mitigation.--The Secretary is 
encouraged to use mitigation with the conversion of a natural 
wetland and equivalent wetlands functions at a ratio not to 
exceed a ratio of 1-to-1 acreage.
    Pollinator Health and Monarch Recovery.--The Committee 
reiterates its concern for the need to address threats posed to 
pollinator health, and urges the Department to continue to 
support the Fish and Wildlife Service's Monarch Conservation 
Strategy. The Committee directs NRCS to leverage resources, 
relationships and partnerships, including with non-governmental 
organizations that are perceived positively by the private land 
and agriculture communities and that possess experience working 
directly with agricultural producers and other conservation 
partners. The Committee recommends the Department continue to 
support monarch conversation on private lands in fiscal year 
2017 and expects to see a multi-year recovery effort 
undertaken, focusing on the deployment of conservation 
practices.
    Puget Sound Federal Caucus.--The Committee commends the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service for signing the Puget 
Sound Federal Caucus Memorandum of Understanding on February 
28, 2014. The recovery and cleanup of Puget Sound is essential 
to our Nation's economy and continued coordination and sharing 
of expertise among Federal partners is critical to furthering 
current efforts. The Committee directs the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service to work with its counterparts in the Puget 
Sound Federal Caucus to renew and strengthen the MOU prior to 
its expiration on March 27, 2017.
    Salinity, Soil Health and Conservation Planning.--The 
Committee encourages the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
to work in partnership with one or more states, conservation 
districts, and, as appropriate, salinity control associations 
to investigate and address salinity issues to improve soil 
health and water quality. The Committee encourages NRCS to 
utilize existing programs to support producers' voluntary 
implementation of conservation practices that directly address 
salinity control, including soil salinity investigations, 
producer assistance to implement saline soil reclamation 
methods, and implementation of soil salinity management systems 
and soil conservation practices.
    Technical Assistance.--The Committee directs NRCS to 
maintain a record of total technical assistance dollars for the 
past 3 years and annually in the future, and provide the data 
to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. This report 
should differentiate mandatory and discretionary allocations.

               WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation................................    $150,000,000

    The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public 
Law 566, 83d Cong.) (16 U.S.C. 1000-1005, 1007-1009) provides 
for cooperation between the Federal Government and the States 
and their political subdivisions in a program to prevent 
erosion, floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds or 
rivers and streams and to further the conservation, 
development, utilization, and disposal of water, and to further 
the conservation and proper utilization of land in authorized 
watersheds.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $150,000,000 
for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program.
    The Committee recognizes the critical challenges facing 
rural water resource management and protection and supports 
needed investments in watershed operations that have been 
absent since fiscal year 2010. These Federal-State-local 
partnerships are uniquely positioned to identify critical 
watershed protection and flood prevention needs in rural 
communities and implement projects that deliver multiple 
streams of benefits for homes, businesses, and transportation 
infrastructure and natural resources. In selecting projects for 
funding, the Committee expects the Agency to balance the needs 
of addressing the project backlog, remediation of existing 
structures, and new projects.

                    WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $12,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation................................................

    The watershed rehabilitation program account provides for 
technical and financial assistance to carry out rehabilitation 
of structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the 
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, approved August 
4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1012, U.S.C. 1001, et seq.), as amended by 
section 313 of Public Law 106-472, November 9, 2000, and by 
section 2803 of Public Law 110-246.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for the 
Watershed Rehabilitation Program.

                               TITLE III

                       RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

    The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354) 
abolished the Farmers Home Administration, Rural Development 
Administration, and Rural Electrification Administration and 
replaced those agencies with the Rural Housing and Community 
Development Service, (currently, the Rural Housing Service), 
Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (currently, 
the Rural Business--Cooperative Service), and Rural Utilities 
Service and placed them under the oversight of the Under 
Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development, 
(currently, Rural Development). These agencies deliver a 
variety of programs through a network of State and field 
offices.

          Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $893,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         896,000
Committee recommendation................................         896,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development 
provides direction and coordination in carrying out laws with 
respect to the Department's rural economic and community 
development activities. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Rural Housing Service, Rural 
Business--Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $896,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development.
    Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.--The Committee is 
concerned with the interim rule proposed by the Department 
under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels program 
(section 9005 of the Energy title of the farm bill, Public Law 
113-79), which is intended to promote the development of 
different qualifying advanced fuel categories. The Committee is 
concerned that the allocation formula for distribution of 
section 9005 funds among the qualified fuel categories is 
inequitable, disproportionate, and inconsistent with the 
purpose and intent of the section 9005 program. The Committee 
urges the Department to administer the section 9005 program in 
a way that is fuel and technology-neutral. Consistent with 
these objectives, the Committee directs USDA to propose 
amendments to the interim rule to ensure that any final rule to 
implement section 9005 provides for a more equitable and 
proportional allocation of funding among the qualified advanced 
biofuels and the energy pathways they represent.

                                     RURAL DEVELOPMENT SALARIES AND EXPENSES
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation................................................          225,835          230,679          226,283
Transfer from:
    Rural Housing Insurance Fund Loan Program Account........          417,854          426,821          417,854
    Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Program                34,707           36,451           34,707
     Account.................................................
    Rural Development Loan Program Account...................            4,468            4,564            4,468
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, Rural Development salaries and expenses.........          682,864          698,515          683,312
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These funds are used to administer the loan and grant 
programs of the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Housing 
Service, and the Rural Business--Cooperative Service, including 
reviewing applications, making and collecting loans and 
providing technical assistance and guidance to borrowers; and 
to assist in extending other Federal programs to people in 
rural areas.
    Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with 
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts. 
Appropriations to the salaries and expenses account will be for 
costs associated with grant programs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends $683,312,000 for salaries and 
expenses of Rural Development. The Committee maintains the 
fiscal year 2016 funding level for Strikeforce, but no 
resources are provided for the numerous new initiatives 
proposed.

                         Rural Housing Service

    The Rural Housing Service [RHS] was established under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994, dated October 13, 1994.

              RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016 (budget authority).................    $505,567,000
Budget estimate, 2017 (budget authority)................     517,120,000
Committee recommendation (budget authority).............     510,203,000

    This fund was established in 1965 (Public Law 89-117) 
pursuant to section 517 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 
(42 U.S.C. 517(d)), as amended. This fund may be used to insure 
or guarantee rural housing loans for single-family homes, 
rental and cooperative housing, farm labor housing, and rural 
housing sites. Rural housing loans are made to construct, 
improve, alter, repair, or replace dwellings and essential farm 
service buildings that are modest in size, design, and cost. 
Rental housing insured loans are made to individuals, 
corporations, associations, trusts, or partnerships to provide 
low-cost rental housing and related facilities in rural areas. 
These loans are repayable in terms up to 30 years.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $510,203,000 
for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account [RHIF].
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) 
established the RHIF program account. Appropriations to this 
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs 
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees 
committed in 2017, as well as for administrative expenses. The 
following table presents the loan subsidy levels as compared to 
the 2016 levels and the 2017 budget request:

                                  RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
    Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
        Direct...............................................          900,000          900,000          900,000
        Guaranteed...........................................       24,000,000       24,000,000       24,000,000
    Housing repair (sec. 504)................................           26,278           26,277           26,278
    Direct rental housing (sec. 515).........................           28,398           33,074           40,000
    Guaranteed rental housing (sec. 538).....................          150,000          230,000          230,000
    Site development loans (sec. 524)........................            5,000            5,000            5,000
    Credit sales of acquired property........................           10,000           10,000           10,000
    Self help land development loans (sec. 523)..............            5,000            5,000            5,000
    Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)......................           23,855           23,857           23,857
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, loan levels.....................................       25,148,531       25,233,208       25,240,135
                                                              ==================================================
Loan Subsidies and Grants:
    Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
        Direct...............................................           60,750           60,930           60,930
    Housing repair (sec. 504)................................            3,424            3,663            3,663
    Direct rental housing (sec. 515).........................            8,414            9,790           11,840
    Site development (sec. 524)..............................  ...............              111              111
    Self help land development (sec. 523)....................  ...............              417              417
    Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)......................            6,789            7,052            7,052
    Farm labor housing grants (sec. 516).....................            8,336            8,336            8,336
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, loan subsidies and grants.......................           87,713           90,299           92,349
                                                              ==================================================
Administrative expenses......................................          417,854          426,821          417,854
                                                              ==================================================
      Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses......          505,567          517,120          510,203
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Energy Efficiency.--The Committee recognizes opportunities 
to reduce costs for rural housing and save taxpayer money by 
embracing energy efficiency standards in rural housing, with 
measures such as air sealing, and installing insulation, window 
films, and roofs.
    Housing Repair Program.--The Committee commends the Rural 
Housing Service [RHS] for its efforts to reform the Section 504 
Housing Repair program in order to serve more very-low income 
families in need. The Committee directs the RHS to report to 
the Committee within 120 days of enactment on recommendations 
to modernize the program, including updates to loan and grant 
limits which have not kept pace with modern home repair costs. 
The RHS should also include recommendations on how it can 
flexibly allocate Section 504 loans and grants on a need basis.
    Maturing Mortgages.--The Committee is very concerned about 
the alarming number of multi-family housing mortgages scheduled 
to mature in the next few years. As these mortgages mature, 
projects and units will be removed from USDA's affordable rural 
housing program, placing very low income rural residents in 
jeopardy of untenable rent increases and possible eviction. In 
spite of numerous requests from the Committee, the Department 
has failed to identify and develop potential solutions to this 
looming crisis.
    The Secretary is directed to engage affordable housing 
advocates, project owners, tenants, and others as practicable, 
to find acceptable and effective long term solutions that will 
retain projects in the affordable rural housing program. The 
need for affordable rural housing is too great to allow the 
program to expire.
    The Committee is providing short-term, stop gap assistance 
designed to delay the loss of affordable units pending 
development of comprehensive long-term solutions. This 
assistance has three components: increased direct section 515 
loans; regulatory relief from onerous, self-imposed 
requirements; and a pilot project to provide technical 
assistance to facilitate transfers of projects to new owners. 
Section 515 loans are increased by $11,602,000 to $40,000,000. 
In addition to essential repairs and rehabilitation, this 
funding is to be used for transfers to new owners, and for re-
amortizations and other servicing actions that will trigger 
new, extended restricted use agreements retaining the 
properties in the program. Regulatory relief involves allowing 
non-profit entities and public housing authorities to earn 
rates of return on investment [ROI] comparable to other 
entities, and to allow reimbursement of costs associated with 
asset management fees of up to $7,500 per property annually. 
The Committee also includes $1,000,000 for a pilot program to 
provide technical assistance to facilitate transfers of 
properties to non-profits and other new owners. Requirements to 
transfer these properties are cumbersome and onerous, so 
dedicated technical assistance will smooth and accelerate those 
transactions.

                       RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $1,389,695,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   1,405,033,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,405,033,000

    Rental assistance is authorized under section 521(a)(2) of 
the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490a). The 
objective of the program is to reduce rents paid by low-income 
families living in Rural Housing Service financed rental 
projects and farm labor housing projects. Under this program, 
low-income tenants will contribute the higher of: (1) 30 
percent of monthly adjusted income; (2) 10 percent of monthly 
income; or (3) designated housing payments from a welfare 
agency.
    Payments from the fund are made to the project owner for 
the difference between the tenant's payment and the approved 
rental rate established for the unit.
    The program is administered in tandem with the Rural 
Housing Service section 515 rural rental housing program and 
the farm labor loan and grant programs. Priority is given to 
existing projects for units occupied by rent over-burdened low-
income families and projects experiencing financial 
difficulties beyond the control of the owner.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,405,033,000 
for the Rental Assistance Program.
    Rental Assistance.--The Committee remains very concerned 
with USDA's ability to estimate accurately the needs to renew 
expiring Rental Assistance [RA] agreements that support very 
low and low income rural households. Crises stemming from 
inaccurate requests, as happened in fiscal year 2016, that put 
very-low income households in jeopardy of untenable rent 
increases and possible eviction, will not be tolerated. USDA is 
now relying on a new, project-based, forecasting tool to 
determine future RA needs. The Committee directs the Secretary, 
within 120 days of enactment, to perform a detailed analysis of 
the accuracy of this tool and to report its findings to the 
Committee. Any inadequacies found in the forecasting tool 
should be reported immediately.

          MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING REVITALIZATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $37,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      37,362,000
Committee recommendation................................      40,000,000

    The Rural Housing Voucher Program was authorized under the 
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1940r) to assist very low income 
families and individuals who reside in rental housing in rural 
areas. Housing vouchers may be provided to residents of rental 
housing projects financed by section 515 loans that have been 
prepaid after September 30, 2005. Voucher amounts reflect the 
difference between comparable market rents and tenant-paid rent 
prior to loan prepayment. Vouchers allow tenants to remain in 
existing projects or move to other rental housing.
    The Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program includes 
funding for housing vouchers and a demonstration program for 
the preservation and revitalization of affordable multi-family 
housing projects. Rural Development's multi-family housing 
portfolio faces dual pressures for loan prepayments and repair/
rehabilitation stemming from inadequate reserves resulting in 
deferred property maintenance.
    Provision of affordable rental housing can be accomplished 
more economically by revitalizing existing housing stock rather 
than funding new construction. The Multi-family Housing 
Revitalization Program includes revitalization tools for 
maintenance of existing units and vouchers to protect tenants 
in those projects that prepay. Flexibility is provided to allow 
Rural Development to utilize funding to meet the most urgent 
local needs for tenant protection and project revitalization.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,000,000 
for the Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program, including 
$18,000,000 for vouchers and $22,000,000 for a housing 
preservation demonstration program.

                  MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $27,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      18,493,000
Committee recommendation................................      27,500,000

    The Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants Program is 
authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949. Grants are 
made to local organizations to promote the development of 
mutual or self-help programs under which groups of usually 6 to 
10 families build their own homes by mutually exchanging labor. 
Funds may be used to pay the cost of construction supervisors 
who work with families in the construction of their homes and 
for administrative expenses of the organizations providing the 
self-help assistance.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $27,500,000 
for Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants.

                    RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $32,239,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      28,701,000
Committee recommendation................................      32,239,000

    The Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program consolidates 
funding for rural housing grant programs. This consolidation of 
housing grant funding provides greater flexibility to tailor 
financial assistance to applicant needs.
    Very Low-Income Housing Repair Grants.--The Very Low-Income 
Housing Repair Grants Program is authorized under section 504 
of title V of the Housing Act of 1949. The rural housing repair 
grant program is carried out by making grants to very low-
income families to make necessary repairs to their homes in 
order to make such dwellings safe and sanitary, and remove 
hazards to the health of the occupants, their families, or the 
community.
    These grants may be made to cover the cost of improvements 
or additions, such as repairing roofs, providing toilet 
facilities, providing a convenient and sanitary water supply, 
supplying screens, repairing or providing structural supports 
or making similar repairs, additions, or improvements, 
including all preliminary and installation costs in obtaining 
central water and sewer service. A grant can be made in 
combination with a section 504 very low-income housing repair 
loan.
    No assistance can be extended to any one individual in the 
form of a loan, grant, or combined loans and grants in excess 
of $27,500, and grant assistance is limited to persons, or 
families headed by persons who are 62 years of age or older.
    Supervisory and Technical Assistance Grants.--Supervisory 
and technical assistance grants are made to public and private 
nonprofit organizations for packaging loan applications for 
housing assistance under sections 502, 504, 514/516, 515, and 
533 of the Housing Act of 1949. The assistance is directed to 
very low-income families in underserved areas where at least 20 
percent of the population is below the poverty level and at 
least 10 percent or more of the population resides in 
substandard housing. In fiscal year 1994 a Homebuyer Education 
Program was implemented under this authority. This program 
provides low-income individuals and families education and 
counseling on obtaining and/or maintaining occupancy of 
adequate housing and supervised credit assistance to become 
successful homeowners.
    Compensation for Construction Defects.--Compensation for 
construction defects provides funds for grants to eligible 
section 502 borrowers to correct structural defects, or to pay 
claims of owners arising from such defects on a newly 
constructed dwelling purchased with RHS financial assistance. 
Claims are not paid until provisions under the builder's 
warranty have been fully pursued. Requests for compensation for 
construction defects must be made by the owner of the property 
within 18 months after the date financial assistance was 
granted.
    Rural Housing Preservation Grants.--Rural housing 
preservation grants (section 533) of the Housing and Urban-
Rural Recovery Act of 1983 (42 U.S.C. 1490m) authorizes the 
Rural Housing Service to administer a program of home repair 
directed at low- and very low-income people.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $32,239,000 
for the Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program.
    The following table compares the grant program levels 
recommended by the Committee to the fiscal year 2016 levels and 
the budget request:

                                         RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very low-income housing repair grants........................           28,701           28,701           28,701
Housing preservation grants..................................            3,538  ...............            3,538
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total..................................................           32,239           28,701           32,239
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee recommends that the Rural Housing Service 
prioritize funding for communities with unique weather patterns 
in need of replacing antiquated heating systems with more 
efficient technologies.

               Rural Community Facilities Program Account

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $42,278,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      37,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      42,278,000

    Community facility loans were created by the Rural 
Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 1926 et seq.) to finance a 
variety of rural community facilities. Loans are made to 
organizations, including certain Indian tribes and corporations 
not operated for profit and public and quasi-public agencies, 
to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community 
facilities providing essential services to rural residents. 
Such facilities include those providing or supporting overall 
community development, such as fire and rescue services, 
healthcare, transportation, traffic control, and community, 
social, cultural, and recreational benefits. Loans are made for 
facilities which primarily serve rural residents of open 
country and rural towns and villages of not more than 20,000 
people. Healthcare, fire and rescue facilities, and educational 
facilities are the priorities of the program and receive the 
majority of available funds.
    The Community Facility Grant Program authorized in the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public 
Law 104-127), is used in conjunction with the existing direct 
and guaranteed loan programs for the development of community 
facilities, such as hospitals, fire stations, and community 
centers. Grants are targeted to the lowest income communities. 
Communities that have lower population and income levels 
receive a higher cost-share contribution through these grants, 
to a maximum contribution of 75 percent of the cost of 
developing the facility.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $42,278,000 
for the Rural Community Facilities Program Account.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget 
request levels:

                                   RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
    Community facilities direct loans........................        2,200,000        2,200,000        2,200,000
    Community facilities guaranteed loans....................          148,305  ...............          156,250
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total loan levels......................................        2,348,305        2,200,000        2,356,250
                                                              ==================================================
Budget authority:
    Community facilities guaranteed loans....................            3,500  ...............            3,500
    Community facilities grants..............................           25,000           25,000           25,000
    Economic initiative grants...............................            5,778  ...............            5,778
    Rural community development initiative...................            4,000            4,000            4,000
    Tribal college grants....................................            4,000            8,000            4,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total budget authority.................................           42,278           37,000           42,278
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Rural Business--Cooperative Service

    The Rural Business--Cooperative Service [RBS] was 
established by Public Law 103-354, Federal Crop Insurance 
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994, dated October 13, 1994. Its programs were previously 
administered by the Rural Development Administration, the Rural 
Electrification Administration, and the Agricultural 
Cooperative Service.

                     RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $62,687,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      90,779,000
Committee recommendation................................      63,883,000

    The Rural Business and Industry Loan Program was created by 
the Rural Development Act of 1972, and finances a variety of 
rural industrial development loans. Loans are made for rural 
industrialization and rural community facilities under Rural 
Development Act amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 et seq.) authorities. Business 
and industrial loans are made to public, private, or 
cooperative organizations organized for profit, to certain 
Indian tribes, or to individuals for the purpose of improving, 
developing or financing business, industry, and employment or 
improving the economic and environmental climate in rural 
areas. Such purposes include financing business and industrial 
acquisition, construction, enlargement, repair or 
modernization, financing the purchase and development of land, 
easements, rights-of-way, buildings, payment of startup costs, 
and supplying working capital.
    Rural business development grants were authorized by the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 and can be made to governmental and 
nonprofit entities, and Indian tribes. Up to 10 percent of 
appropriated funds may be used to: identify and analyze 
business opportunities; identify, train, and provide technical 
assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and 
managers; assist in the establishment of new rural businesses 
and the maintenance of existing businesses; conduct economic 
development planning, coordination and leadership development; 
and establish centers for training, technology, and trade. The 
balance of appropriated funding may be used for projects that 
support the development of business enterprises that finance or 
facilitate: the development of small and emerging private 
business enterprise; the establishment, expansion, and 
operation of rural distance learning networks; the development 
of rural learning programs; and the provision of technical 
assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose of 
improving passenger transportation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $63,883,000 
for the Rural Business Program Account.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget 
request levels:

                                         RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
    Business and industry guaranteed loans loan levels.......          919,765          892,244          919,765
Budget authority:
    Business and industry guaranteed loans...................           35,687           35,779           36,883
    Rural business development grants........................           24,000           30,000           24,000
    Delta Regional Authority grants..........................            3,000  ...............            3,000
    Rural child poverty demonstration........................  ...............           25,000  ...............
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total budget authority.................................           62,687           90,779           63,883
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rural Business Program Account.--The Committee recommends 
$500,000 for transportation technical assistance.
    The Committee directs that of the $4,000,000 recommended 
for grants to benefit Federally Recognized Native American 
Tribes, $250,000 shall be used to implement an American Indian 
and Alaska Native passenger transportation development and 
assistance initiative.

                  INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fiscal year 2016  Fiscal year 2017      Committee
                                                                 enacted        budget request   recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level......................................            18,889            18,889            18,889
Direct loan subsidy.......................................             5,217             5,476             5,476
Administrative expenses...................................             4,468             4,564             4,468
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses...             9,685            10,040             9,944
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The rural development intermediary relending loan program 
was originally authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of 
1964 (Public Law 88-452). The making of rural development loans 
by the Department of Agriculture was reauthorized by Public Law 
113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    Loans are made to intermediary borrowers (small investment 
groups) who in turn will reloan the funds to rural businesses, 
community development corporations, private nonprofit 
organizations, public agencies, et cetera, for the purpose of 
improving business, industry, community facilities, and 
employment opportunities and diversification of the economy in 
rural areas.
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the 
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to 
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct 
loans obligated in 2017, as well as for administrative 
expenses.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,944,000 for 
the Intermediary Relending Program Fund.

            RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Estimated loan
                                                              level
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2016 level.................................           33,077
Fiscal year 2017 request...............................           85,000
Committee recommendation...............................           33,077
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Rural Economic Development Loans program was 
established by the Reconciliation Act of December 1987 (Public 
Law 100-203), which amended the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (Act of May 20, 1936), by establishing a new section 313. 
This section of the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901) 
established a cushion of credit payment program and created the 
rural economic development subaccount. The Administrator of RUS 
is authorized under the act to utilize funds in this program to 
provide zero interest loans to electric and telecommunications 
borrowers for the purpose of promoting rural economic 
development and job creation projects, including funding for 
feasibility studies, startup costs, and other reasonable 
expenses for the purpose of fostering rural economic 
development.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a loan program level of 
$33,077,000, to be funded from earnings on the Cushion of 
Credit and fees on guaranteed underwriting loans made pursuant 
to section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

                  RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $22,050,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      22,250,000
Committee recommendation................................      22,300,000

    Rural cooperative development grants are authorized under 
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act, as amended. Grants are made to fund the establishment and 
operation of centers for rural cooperative development with 
their primary purpose being the improvement of economic 
conditions in rural areas. Grants may be made to nonprofit 
institutions or institutions of higher education. Grants may be 
used to pay up to 75 percent of the cost of the project and 
associated administrative costs. The applicant must contribute 
at least 25 percent from non-Federal sources, except 1994 
institutions, which only need to provide 5 percent. Grants are 
competitive and are awarded based on specific selection 
criteria.
    Cooperative research agreements are authorized by 7 U.S.C. 
2204b. The funds are used for cooperative research agreements, 
primarily with colleges and universities, on critical 
operational, organizational, and structural issues facing 
cooperatives.
    Cooperative agreements are authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2201 
to any qualified State departments of agriculture, university, 
and other State entity to conduct research that will strengthen 
and enhance the operations of agricultural marketing 
cooperatives in rural areas.
    The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas [ATTRA] 
program was first authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985. 
The program provides information and technical assistance to 
agricultural producers to adopt sustainable agricultural 
practices that are environmentally friendly and lower 
production costs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $22,300,000 
for Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
    Of the funds recommended, $2,750,000 is for the Appropriate 
Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program.
    The Committee has included language in the bill that not 
more than $3,000,000 shall be made available to cooperatives or 
associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide 
assistance to small, minority producers.
    Value Added.--The Committee recommends $10,750,000 for 
value-added agricultural product market development grants.

                RURAL MICROENTERPRISE INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      $4,904,000
Committee recommendation................................................

    This program, authorized by section 379E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et 
seq.), provides loans and grants to intermediaries that assist 
micro-entrepreneurs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommendation does not include funding for 
the Rural Microenterprise Investment Program.

                    RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      18,515,000
Committee recommendation................................         352,000

    The Rural Energy for America Program is authorized under 
section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107). This program may fund energy audits, 
direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to farmers, ranchers, 
and small rural businesses for the purchase of renewable energy 
systems and for energy efficiency improvements.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $352,000 for 
the Rural Energy for America Program.
    The following table provides the Committee's recommendation 
as compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget request levels:

                                        RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fiscal year
                                                                    Fiscal year    2017  budget      Committee
                                                                   2016  enacted      request     recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level............................................           7,576          75,754           7,576
Guaranteed loan subsidy.........................................             500           3,515             352
Grants..........................................................  ..............          15,000  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Energy Efficiency Coordination.--To better utilize the 
energy efficiency and renewable energy programs available 
through the Rural Energy for America Program, USDA is directed 
to submit a report to the Committee no later than 120 days 
after enactment of this act detailing how the Rural Development 
agencies make information about its energy programs accessible 
to rural communities and how U.S. funds are being leveraged for 
energy efficiency investments in rural areas.

                   HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      $1,000,000
Committee recommendation................................       1,000,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000,000 for 
the Healthy Food Financing Initiative.

                   RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      $6,577,000
Committee recommendation................................................

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommendation does not include funding for 
the Rural Business Investment Program.

                        Rural Utilities Service

    The Rural Utilities Service [RUS] was established under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354), October 13, 
1994. RUS administers the electric and telephone programs of 
the former Rural Electrification Administration and the water 
and waste programs of the former Rural Development 
Administration.

             RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $522,365,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     461,593,000
Committee recommendation................................     546,090,000

    The water and waste disposal program is authorized by 
sections 306, 306A, 309A, 306C, 306D, 306E, and 310B of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et 
seq., as amended). This program makes loans for water and waste 
development costs. Development loans are made to associations, 
including corporations operating on a nonprofit basis, 
municipalities and similar organizations, generally designated 
as public or quasi-public agencies, that propose projects for 
the development, storage, treatment, purification, and 
distribution of domestic water or the collection, treatment, or 
disposal of waste in rural areas. Such grants may not exceed 75 
percent of the development cost of the projects and can 
supplement other funds borrowed or furnished by applicants to 
pay development costs.
    The solid waste grant program is authorized under section 
310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. 
Grants are made to public bodies and private nonprofit 
organizations to provide technical assistance to local and 
regional governments for the purpose of reducing or eliminating 
pollution of water resources and for improving the planning and 
management of solid waste disposal facilities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $546,090,000 
for the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
    The Committee recommends $66,500,000 for water and waste 
disposal systems grants for Native Americans, including Native 
Alaskans, and the Colonias. The Committee recognizes the 
special needs and problems for delivery of basic services to 
these populations, and encourages the Secretary to distribute 
these funds in line with the fiscal year 2014 distribution, to 
the degree practicable. In addition, the Committee makes up to 
$16,897,000 available for the circuit rider program.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget 
request levels:

                                 RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fiscal year 2016  Fiscal year 2017      Committee
                                                                 enacted        budget request   recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
    Water and waste disposal direct loans.................         1,200,000           803,802         1,200,000
    Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans.............            50,000  ................            50,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total loan levels...................................         1,250,000           803,802         1,250,000
                                                           =====================================================
Budget authority:
    Water and waste disposal direct loans.................            31,320            34,885            52,080
    Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans.............               275  ................               240
    Water and waste disposal grants.......................           364,380           350,234           364,380
    Solid waste management grants.........................             4,000             1,000             4,000
    Water well systems grants.............................               993               500               993
    Colonias and AK/HI/Native American grants.............            64,000            42,544            66,500
    Water and waste water revolving funds.................             1,000               500             1,000
    High energy cost grants...............................            10,000  ................            10,000
    Circuit rider.........................................            16,397            13,000            16,897
    Emergency community water assistance grants...........            10,000             5,000            10,000
    Technical assistance grants...........................            20,000            13,930            20,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, budget authority.............................           522,365           461,593           546,090
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

    The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq.) provides the statutory authority for the electric and 
telecommunications programs.
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) 
established the program account. An appropriation to this 
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs 
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees 
committed in fiscal year 2017, as well as for administrative 
expenses.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The following table reflects the Committee's recommendation 
for the Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans 
Program Account, the loan subsidy and administrative expenses, 
as compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget request levels:

                       RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
    Electric:
        Direct FFB...........................................        5,500,000        6,500,000        5,500,000
        Guaranteed underwriting..............................          750,000  ...............          750,000
    Telecommunications:
        Direct, Treasury Rate................................          346,667          345,056          345,000
        Direct, Treasury Rate--Modification..................  ...............           11,000  ...............
        Direct, FFB..........................................          345,000          345,000          345,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total loan authorization...............................        6,941,667        7,201,056        6,940,000
                                                              ==================================================
      Total budget authority.................................              104           14,071            3,071
                                                              ==================================================
Administrative expenses......................................           34,707           36,451           34,707
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Electric Loan Servicing Flexibility.--The Committee is 
concerned that the RUS may not have available a full range of 
loan servicing tools necessary to service effectively its 
electric loan portfolio that is now approaching 
$45,000,000,000. Specifically, RUS's ability to refinance 
existing electric loans is severely limited. This loan 
portfolio is too important to rural electric cooperatives and 
their rural customers for RUS not to have accessible all of the 
servicing options that are needed and are typically available 
to a lender. The Secretary is directed to report to the 
Committee within 60 days of enactment on: current restrictions 
on electric loan refinancing; potential benefits to electric 
cooperatives and rural customers of refinancing loans; benefits 
to the program of expanding refinancing abilities; expected 
demands; and estimated costs of electric loan refinancing.

                     DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM LOANS AND GRANTS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and grant levels:
    Distance learning and Telemedicine Program:
        Grants...............................................           22,000           34,950           22,000
Broadband program:
    Treasury rate loans......................................           20,576  ...............           27,043
    Treasury rate loans budget authority.....................            4,500  ...............            4,500
    Grants...................................................           10,372           39,492           10,372
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total DLT and Broadband Program level..................           52,948           74,442           59,415
                                                              ==================================================
      Total DLT and Broadband Budget authority...............           36,872           74,442           36,872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program 
is authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.), as amended by the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public 
Law 104-127). This program provides incentives to improve the 
quality of phone services, to provide access to advanced 
telecommunications services and computer networks, and to 
improve rural opportunities.
    This program provides the facilities and equipment to link 
rural education and medical facilities with more urban centers 
and other facilities providing rural residents access to better 
healthcare through technology and increasing educational 
opportunities for rural students. These funds are available for 
loans and grants.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $36,872,000 
for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program. 
Funds recommended for the RUS broadband program are intended to 
promote broadband availability in those areas where there is 
not otherwise a business case for private investment in a 
broadband network. The Committee encourages RUS to focus 
expenditures on projects that bring broadband service to 
currently unserved households.
    The Committee is concerned about the longstanding, unmet 
health needs in the Mississippi River Delta. The Committee 
recommendation includes $3,000,000 to address critical 
healthcare needs in the region, as authorized by section 379G 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
    Broadband Grants.--Of the funds recommended, $10,372,000 in 
grants shall be made available to support broadband 
transmission for rural areas.
    Broadband Program.--Recognizing the positive changes the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 made to the Rural Broadband Access 
Loans and Loan Guarantees programs, the Committee continues to 
encourage the Department to implement a comprehensive rural 
broadband strategy including investment in advanced networks 
that will meet the needs of a 21st century economy. However, 
the Committee is concerned that the Department of Agriculture 
has not prioritized funding on cost-effectiveness on a per-
household basis or on the affordability of the service being 
provided to consumers as factors in the awards process. The 
Committee believes that the best way to ensure that funds under 
this program are spent to promote affordable broadband 
availability in those unserved and underserved areas, where 
there is not otherwise a business case for private investment, 
is to prioritize awards that reach as many unserved and 
underserved Americans as possible for each dollar spent and to 
ensure that affordable service is provided by award recipients. 
As such, the Committee directs the Department of Agriculture to 
develop criteria for the consideration of awards under this 
program that include the cost-effectiveness of award proposals 
on a per-household basis and the affordability of broadband 
service to potential subscribers.
    Community Connect Service Definition.--The Committee is 
concerned that the Community Connect Program's Minimum 
Broadband Service benchmark is not in step with current needs 
and industry standards, and the Committee encourages USDA to 
increase the program's Minimum Broadband Service definition. 
These changes will enable more rural communities that lack 
adequate broadband service to engage with the Rural Utilities 
Service and will encourage providers to improve their 
connectivity.

                                TITLE IV

                         DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Appropriations, 2016....................................        $811,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         814,000
Committee recommendation................................         814,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and 
Consumer Services provides direction and coordination in 
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to 
the Department's nutrition assistance activities. The Office 
has oversight and management responsibilities for the Food and 
Nutrition Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $814,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and 
Consumer Services.
    Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program.--Recognizing 
the widespread need for children and schools to access food and 
agriculture education, the Committee encourages USDA to provide 
funding, through existing resources, for the Food and 
Agriculture Service Learning Program, authorized under section 
4209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    Interagency Partnerships.--The Committee commends USDA for 
its work to support access to combating hunger and eliminating 
barriers to healthy food access through innovative interagency 
partnerships. The Committee encourages USDA to continue these 
partnerships, particularly the new Summer VISTA partnership 
program.
    Nutrition Program Efficiency.--The Committee encourages the 
Secretary to focus process and technology improvement grants 
within the Food and Nutrition Service [FNS] to expand public-
private partnerships to increase food security in a cost-
efficient and accountable manner.
    Potable Water.--The Committee is aware of the statutory 
requirement to make potable water available to children free of 
charge during meal service. The Committee encourages USDA to 
provide guidance to schools in order to assure this requirement 
is being met and to report back to the Committee on these 
efforts.

                       Food and Nutrition Service

    The Food and Nutrition Service represents an organizational 
effort to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in this country. 
Nutrition assistance programs provide access to a nutritionally 
adequate diet for families and persons with low incomes and 
encourage better eating patterns among the Nation's children. 
These programs include:
    Child Nutrition Programs.--The National School Lunch and 
School Breakfast, Summer Food Service, and Child and Adult Care 
Food programs provide funding to the States, Puerto Rico, the 
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam for use in serving 
nutritious lunches and breakfasts to children attending schools 
of high school grades and under, to children of preschool age 
in child care centers, and to children in other institutions in 
order to improve the health and well-being of the Nation's 
children, and broaden the markets for agricultural food 
commodities. Through the Special Milk Program, assistance is 
provided to the States for making reimbursement payments to 
eligible schools and child care institutions which institute or 
expand milk service in order to increase the consumption of 
fluid milk by children. Funds for this program are provided by 
direct appropriation and transfer from section 32.
    Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, 
and Children [WIC].--This program safeguards the health of 
pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding women, infants, and 
children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk because of 
inadequate nutrition and income by providing supplemental 
foods. The delivery of supplemental foods may be done through 
health clinics, vouchers redeemable at retail food stores, or 
other approved methods which a cooperating State health agency 
may select. Funds for this program are provided by direct 
appropriation.
    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.--This program 
seeks to improve nutritional standards of needy persons and 
families. Assistance is provided to eligible households to 
enable them to obtain a better diet by increasing their food 
purchasing capability, usually by furnishing benefits in the 
form of electronic access to funds. The program also includes 
Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico.
    The program also includes the Food Distribution Program on 
Indian Reservations, which provides nutritious agricultural 
commodities to low-income persons living on or near Indian 
reservations who choose not to participate in the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program.
    Commodity Assistance Program [CAP].--This program provides 
funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP], the 
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Disaster Assistance, Pacific 
Island Assistance, and administrative expenses for TEFAP.
    CSFP provides supplemental foods to low-income elderly 
persons age 60 and over.
    TEFAP provides commodities and grant funds to State 
agencies to assist in the cost of storage and distribution of 
donated commodities.
    Nutritious agricultural commodities are provided to 
residents of the Federated States of Micronesia and the 
Marshall Islands. Cash assistance is provided to distributing 
agencies to assist them in meeting administrative expenses 
incurred. It also provides funding for use in non-
presidentially declared disasters, and for FNS' administrative 
costs in connection with relief for all disasters. Funds for 
this program are provided by direct appropriation.
    Nutrition Programs Administration.--Most salaries and 
Federal operating expenses of the Food and Nutrition Service 
are funded from this account. Also included is the Center for 
Nutrition Policy and Promotion [CNPP] which oversees 
improvements in and revisions to the food guidance systems, and 
serves as the focal point for advancing and coordinating 
nutrition promotion and education policy to improve the health 
of all Americans.

                        CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2016.................................... $22,149,746,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  23,230,733,000
Committee recommendation................................  23,201,733,000

    The Child Nutrition Programs, authorized by the Richard B. 
Russell National School Lunch Act (Public Law 79-396) and the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-642), provide 
Federal assistance to State agencies in the form of cash and 
commodities for use in preparing and serving nutritious meals 
to children while they are attending school, residing in 
service institutions, or participating in other organized 
activities away from home. The purpose of these programs is to 
help maintain the health and proper physical development of 
America's children. Milk is provided to children either free or 
at a low cost, depending on their family income level. FNS 
provides cash subsidies to States for administering the 
programs and directly administers the program in the States 
which choose not to do so. Grants are also made for nutritional 
training and surveys and for State administrative expenses. 
Under current law, most of these payments are made on the basis 
of reimbursement rates established by law and applied to 
lunches and breakfasts actually served by the States. The 
reimbursement rates are adjusted annually to reflect changes in 
the Consumer Price Index for food away from home.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends $23,201,733,000 for the Child 
Nutrition Programs.
    Crediting System for Nutrition Programs.--The Committee 
recognizes that the current crediting system used by Food and 
Nutrition Service in administering the school lunch program and 
the School Breakfast Program is in need of reform. The 
crediting system has historically provided significant service 
to school food authorities and suppliers to the National School 
Lunch and the School Breakfast Program. However, the program 
has not been updated to keep pace with innovation in the 
marketplace. New products that provide additional nutrition to 
program participants have entered the marketplace but school 
food authorities are not receiving proper crediting due to the 
fact that the system is outdated. For example, Greek yogurt 
receives the same protein crediting as other products with less 
protein. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall review the system of crediting 
and submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee 
on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
that describes the results of the review.
    The Committee's recommendation provides for the following 
annual rates for the child nutrition programs.

                      TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Fiscal year
       Child nutrition programs           2017  budget      Committee
                                            request       recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Lunch Program..................       12,756,627       12,756,627
School Breakfast Program..............        4,486,347        4,486,347
Child and Adult Care Food Program.....        3,446,278        3,446,278
Summer Food Service Program...........          628,484          628,484
Special Milk Program..................            9,236            9,236
State Administrative Expenses.........          279,058          279,058
Commodity Procurement.................        1,428,089        1,428,089
Team Nutrition/HUSSC/CMS..............           17,004           17,004
Food Safety Education.................            2,897            2,897
Coordinated Review....................           10,000           10,000
Computer Support......................           11,941           11,941
CACFP Training and Technical                     34,129           34,129
 Assistance...........................
CNP Studies and Evaluation............           23,328           23,328
Farm to School Team...................            4,168            4,168
Payment Accuracy......................           11,147           11,147
School Meal Equipment Grants..........           35,000           30,000
Summer EBT Demonstration..............           26,000           23,000
SFSP Non-Congregate Feeding                      10,000  ...............
 Demonstration........................
Direct Certification Grants...........           10,000  ...............
State Exchange Demonstration..........            1,000  ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee expects FNS to utilize the National Food 
Service Management Institute to carry out the food safety 
education program.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN 
                                 [WIC]

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $6,350,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   6,350,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   6,350,000,000

    The special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
infants, and children [WIC] is authorized by section 17 of the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Its purpose is to safeguard the 
health of pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum women and 
infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk 
because of inadequate nutrition and inadequate income.
    The WIC program food packages are designed to provide foods 
which studies have demonstrated are lacking in the diets of the 
WIC program target population. The authorized supplemental 
foods are iron-fortified breakfast cereal, fruit or vegetable 
juice which contains vitamin C, dry beans, peas, and peanut 
butter.
    There are three general types of delivery systems for WIC 
foods: (1) retail purchase in which participants obtain 
supplemental foods through retail stores; (2) home delivery 
systems in which food is delivered to the participant's home; 
and (3) direct distribution systems in which participants pick 
up food from a distribution outlet. The food is free of charge 
to all participants.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,350,000,000 
for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, 
and Children [WIC].
    The Committee recommendation fully funds estimated WIC 
participation in fiscal year 2017. The Committee recommendation 
includes $60,000,000 for breastfeeding support initiatives and 
$13,600,000 for infrastructure.
    WIC Food Package.--The Committee understands the Department 
continues to work with the Institute of Medicine to make 
recommendations to update the WIC food packages to reflect 
current science and cultural factors. The Committee maintains 
its interest in the recommendations that will be made regarding 
the fish species that scientific evidence shows to be low in 
mercury and are in other respects nutritious, including wild 
salmon, for inclusion in WIC Food Packages IV, V, VI, and VII 
that serve children age 1 to 4 years and pregnant, postpartum, 
and breastfeeding women. The Committee expects the Department 
to conduct a thorough and efficient review of this question and 
issue its final report as planned in 2017.

               SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016.................................... $80,849,383,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  81,689,168,000
Committee recommendation................................  79,682,168,000

    The Food Stamp Program was reauthorized through fiscal year 
2012 and renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
[SNAP] in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program attempts to alleviate 
hunger and malnutrition among low-income persons by increasing 
their food purchasing power. Eligible households receive SNAP 
benefits with which they can purchase food through regular 
retail stores.
    Other programs funded through SNAP include Nutrition 
Assistance to Puerto Rico and American Samoa, the Food 
Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Emergency Food 
Assistance Program, and the Community Food Projects program.
    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is currently 
in operation in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Virgin Islands, and Guam. Participating households receive food 
benefits, the value of which is determined by household size 
and income. The cost of the benefits is paid by the Federal 
Government. As required by law, the Food and Nutrition Service 
annually revises household benefit allotments to reflect 
changes in the cost of the thrifty food plan.
    Administrative Costs.--All direct and indirect 
administrative costs incurred for certification of households, 
issuance of benefits, quality control, outreach, and fair 
hearing efforts are shared by the Federal Government and the 
States on a 50-50 basis.
    State Antifraud Activities.--Under the provisions of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, States are eligible to be 
reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs of their fraud 
investigations and prosecutions.
    States are required to implement an employment and training 
program for the purpose of assisting members of households 
participating in SNAP in gaining skills, training, or 
experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular 
employment. The Department of Agriculture has implemented a 
grant program to States to assist them in providing employment 
and training services.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$79,682,168,000 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program. Of the amount recommended, $3,000,000,000 is made 
available as a contingency reserve.
    Out-of-State Moves.--The Committee includes bill language 
to require SNAP participants to report, in a manner prescribed 
by the Secretary, if that participant no longer resides in the 
State in which they are certified.
    State SNAP Implementation.--The Committee is concerned 
about implementation of the SNAP program in certain states 
where states are failing to meet the required deadlines for 
processing applications. USDA is encouraged to work closely 
with States to remedy program deficiency and be aggressive in 
combating any falsification of SNAP implementation data.

                      COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $296,217,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     313,139,000
Committee recommendation................................     313,139,000

    The Commodity Assistance Program includes funding for the 
Commodity Supplemental Food Program and funding to pay expenses 
associated with the storage and distribution of commodities 
through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
    The Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP].--Authorized 
by section 4(a) of the Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act 
of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note), as amended in 1981 by Public Law 
97-98 and in 2014 by Public Law 113-79, this program provides 
supplemental food to low-income senior citizens and in some 
cases low-income infants and children up to age six, low-income 
pregnant and postpartum women. The Agricultural Act of 2014 
discontinued the admission of new pregnant and postpartum women 
and children into the program. Those already in the program can 
continue to receive assistance until they are no longer 
eligible.
    The foods for CSFP are provided by the Department of 
Agriculture for distribution through State agencies. The 
authorized commodities include: iron-fortified infant formula, 
rice cereal, cheese, canned juice, evaporated milk and/or 
nonfat dry milk, canned vegetables or fruits, canned meat or 
poultry, egg mix, dehydrated potatoes, farina, and peanut 
butter and dry beans. Elderly participants may receive all 
commodities except iron-fortified infant formula and rice 
cereal.
    The Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP].--Authorized 
by the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et 
seq.), as amended, the program provides nutrition assistance to 
low-income people through prepared meals served on site and 
through the distribution of commodities to low-income 
households for home consumption. The commodities are provided 
by USDA to State agencies for distribution through State-
established networks. State agencies make the commodities 
available to local organizations, such as soup kitchens, food 
pantries, food banks, and community action agencies, for their 
use in providing nutrition assistance to those in need.
    Funds are administered by FNS through grants to State 
agencies which operate commodity distribution programs. 
Allocation of the funds to States is based on a formula which 
considers the States' unemployment rate and the number of 
persons with income below the poverty level.
    Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Farmers' Market 
Nutrition Program [FMNP] provides WIC or WIC-eligible 
participants with coupons to purchase fresh, nutritious, 
unprepared foods, such as fruits and vegetables, from farmers' 
markets. This benefits both participants and local farmers by 
increasing the awareness and use of farmers' markets by low-
income households.
    Pacific Island and Disaster Assistance.--This program 
provides funding for assistance to the nuclear-affected islands 
in the form of commodities and administrative funds. It also 
provides funding for use in non-presidentially declared 
disasters and for FNS' administrative costs in connection with 
relief for all disasters.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $313,139,000 
for the Commodity Assistance Program. The Committee continues 
to encourage the Department to distribute Commodity Assistance 
Program funds equitably among the States, based on an 
assessment of the needs and priorities of each State and the 
State's preference to receive commodity allocations through 
each of the programs funded under this account.
    Commodity Supplemental Food Program.--The Committee 
recommends $236,120,000 for the Commodity Supplemental Food 
Program. This amount fully funds participation in fiscal year 
2017.
    Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Committee is aware 
that the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides fresh 
fruits and vegetables to low-income mothers and children, 
benefiting not only WIC participants, but local farmers as 
well. Therefore, the Committee recommends $16,548,000 for the 
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and directs the Secretary to 
obligate these funds within 45 days.
    The Emergency Food Assistance Program.--The Agricultural 
Act of 2014 provides $299,000,000 for TEFAP commodities to be 
purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds. 
The Committee recommendation includes $59,401,000 for TEFAP 
transportation, storage, and program integrity. In addition, 
the Committee recommendation grants the Secretary authority to 
transfer up to an additional 10 percent from TEFAP commodities 
for this purpose and urges the Secretary to use this authority.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to identify 
opportunities for increasing the supply of TEFAP commodities in 
the coming fiscal year through bonus and specialty crop 
purchases. The Department shall make available to the States 
domestically produced catfish fillets for distribution to local 
agencies.

                   NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $150,824,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     179,447,000
Committee recommendation................................     173,274,000

    The Nutrition Programs Administration appropriation 
provides for most of the Federal operating expenses of the Food 
and Nutrition Service, which includes the Child Nutrition 
Programs; Special Milk Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition 
Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC]; Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program; Nutrition Assistance for Puerto 
Rico; the Commodity Assistance Program, including the Commodity 
Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance 
Program; and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Pacific 
Island and Disaster Assistance.
    The major objective of Nutrition Programs Administration is 
to efficiently and effectively carry out the nutrition 
assistance programs mandated by law. This is to be accomplished 
by the following: (1) giving clear and consistent guidance and 
supervision to State agencies and other cooperators; (2) 
assisting the States and other cooperators by providing 
program, managerial, financial, and other advice and expertise; 
(3) measuring, reviewing, and analyzing the progress being made 
toward achieving program objectives; and (4) carrying out 
regular staff support functions.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $173,274,000 
for Nutrition Programs Administration. The Committee 
recommendation includes $1,000,000 for Phase II of dietary 
guidance from birth to 24 months; $17,700,000 for headquarters 
renovation or office relocation; and $1,192,000 for GSA Rent/
DHS Security Payments.

                                TITLE V

                FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

                      Foreign Agricultural Service

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Transfers from
                                                                Appropriations   loan accounts        Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016.........................................          191,566            6,394          197,960
Budget estimate, 2017........................................          196,571            6,074          202,645
Committee recommendation.....................................          196,571            6,074          202,645
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Foreign Agricultural Service [FAS] was established 
March 10, 1953, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1320, supplement 
1. Public Law 83-690, approved August 28, 1954, transferred the 
agricultural attaches from the Department of State to the 
Foreign Agricultural Service.
    The mission of FAS overseas is to represent U.S. 
agricultural interests, to promote export of domestic farm 
products, improve world trade conditions, and report on 
agricultural production and trade in foreign countries. FAS 
staff are stationed at 98 offices around the world where they 
provide expertise in agricultural economics and marketing, as 
well as provide attache services.
    FAS carries out several export assistance programs to 
counter the adverse effects of unfair trade practices by 
competitors on U.S. agricultural trade. The Market Access 
Program [MAP] conducts both generic and brand-identified 
promotional programs in conjunction with nonprofit agricultural 
associations and private firms financed through reimbursable 
CCC payments.
    The General Sales Manager was established pursuant to 
section 5(f) of the charter of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
and 15 U.S.C. 714-714p. The funds allocated to the General 
Sales Manager are used for conducting the following programs: 
(1) CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), including 
facilities financing guarantees; (2) Food for Peace; (3) 
section 416b Overseas Donations Program; (4) Market Access 
Program; and (5) programs authorized by the Commodity Credit 
Corporation Charter Act including barter, export sales of most 
CCC-owned commodities, export payments, and other programs as 
assigned to encourage and enhance the export of U.S. 
agricultural commodities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends $202,645,000 for the Foreign 
Agricultural Service, including a direct appropriation of 
$196,571,000. The Committee recommendation includes $1,500,000, 
as requested in the budget, to establish an overseas post in 
Cuba.
    Borlaug Fellows Program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $2,650,000 for the Borlaug International Agricultural 
Science and Technology Fellows Program. This program provides 
training for international scientists and policymakers from 
selected developing countries. The fellows work closely with 
U.S. specialists in their fields of expertise and apply that 
knowledge in their home countries. The Committee recognizes the 
importance of this program in helping developing countries 
strengthen their agricultural practices and food security.
    Cochran Fellowship Program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $5,300,000 for the Cochran Fellowship Program. The 
Committee encourages the Secretary to continue to provide 
additional support for the program through the Commodity Credit 
Corporation Emerging Markets Program.
    Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program.--The 
Committee expects the FAS to fund the Foreign Market 
Development Cooperator Program.
    Fortified Poultry-Based Spread.--The Committee notes that 
the use of Fortified Poultry-Based Spread [FPBS] for 
distribution in food aid programs was recently approved. 
Developed as part of the Micronutrient-Fortified Food Aid 
Products Pilot Program, FPBS has been found to reduce school 
absences due to illness, while improving iron status and 
vitamins D and B12 levels. Additionally, the study demonstrated 
a larger than expected gain in cognition.
    The Committee encourages USDA and USAID to utilize FPBS in 
future invitations for bids.
    Market Access Program.--The Committee continues the full 
mandatory funding for the Market Access Program and expects the 
Department to administer the program as authorized in 7 U.S.C. 
5623, without changing the eligibility requirements for 
participation of cooperative organizations, small businesses, 
trade associations, and other entities.

  FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE I DIRECT CREDIT AND FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM 
                                ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $2,528,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................         149,000
Committee recommendation................................         149,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $149,000 for 
administrative expenses to continue servicing existing Food for 
Peace title I agreements.

                     FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $1,466,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   1,350,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,600,000,000

    Commodities Supplied in Connection With Dispositions Abroad 
(Title II) (7 U.S.C. 1721-1726).--Commodities are supplied 
without cost through foreign governments to combat malnutrition 
and to meet famine and other emergency requirements. 
Commodities are also supplied for nonemergencies through public 
and private agencies, including intergovernmental 
organizations. The Commodity Credit Corporation pays ocean 
freight on shipments under this title, and may also pay 
overland transportation costs to a landlocked country, as well 
as internal distribution costs in emergency situations. The 
funds appropriated for title II are made available to private 
voluntary organizations and cooperatives to assist these 
organizations in meeting administrative and related costs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,600,000,000 
for Food for Peace title II grants.

  MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION 
                             PROGRAM GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $201,626,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     182,045,000
Committee recommendation................................     201,626,000

    The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program helps support education, child 
development, and food security for some of the world's poorest 
children. The program provides for donations of U.S. 
agricultural products, as well as financial and technical 
assistance, for school feeding and maternal and child nutrition 
projects in low-income, food-deficit countries that are 
committed to universal education. Commodities made available 
for donation through agreements with private voluntary 
organizations, cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations, 
and foreign governments may be donated for direct feeding or 
for local sale to generate proceeds to support school feeding 
and nutrition projects.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $201,626,000 
for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program.
    Local and Regional Procurement.--The Committee provides an 
appropriation of $10,000,000 for efforts to build long-term 
agriculture sustainability and establish a local investment in 
school feeding programs. With direct U.S. commodity 
contributions, projects supported by the McGovern-Dole Food for 
Education Program have significantly improved the attendance, 
nourishment, and learning capacity of school-aged children in 
low-income countries throughout the impoverished world. New 
funding authorities would enable school feeding programs to 
proactively transition from direct commodity assistance to 
locally source agriculture products. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to conduct the Local and Regional Food Aid 
Procurement Project Program in accordance with the priorities 
of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child 
Nutrition Program.

        LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD AID PROCUREMENT PROJECT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     $15,000,000
Committee recommendation................................................

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for the 
Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Project Program, as 
requested in the budget. The Committee instead provides 
$10,000,000 for this purpose through the McGovern-Dole 
International Food for Education Program.

COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNTP(EXPORT CREDIT
                          PROGRAMS AND GSM-102)
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Guaranteed loan   Administrative
                                             levels          expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016..................        5,500,000            6,748
Budget estimate, 2017.................        5,500,000            8,537
Committee recommendation..............        5,500,000            8,537
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 1980, the Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] instituted 
the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) under its charter 
authority. With this program, CCC guarantees, for a fee, 
payments due U.S. exporters under deferred payment sales 
contracts (up to 36 months) for defaults due to commercial as 
well as noncommercial risks. The risk to CCC extends from the 
date of export to the end of the deferred payment period 
covered in the export sales contract and covers only that 
portion of the payments agreed to in the assurance agreement. 
Operation of this program is based on criteria which will 
assure that it is used only where it is determined that it will 
develop new market opportunities and maintain and expand 
existing world markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The 
program encourages U.S. financial institutions to provide 
financing to those areas where the institutions would be 
unwilling to provide financing in the absence of the CCC 
guarantees. CCC also provides facilities financing guarantees.
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 establishes the 
program account. The subsidy costs of the CCC export guarantee 
programs are exempt from the requirement of advance 
appropriations of budget authority according to section 
504(c)(2) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, Public Law 
101-508. Appropriations to this account will be used for 
administrative expenses.

                                TITLE VI

            RELATED AGENCY AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

                Department of Health and Human Services

                      FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

    The Food and Drug Administration [FDA] is a scientific 
regulatory agency whose mission is to promote and protect the 
public health and safety of Americans. FDA's work is a blend of 
science and law. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments 
Act of 2007 [FDAAA] (Public Law 110-85) reaffirmed the 
responsibilities of the FDA: to ensure safe and effective 
products reach the market in a timely way, and to monitor 
products for continued safety while they are in use. In 
addition, FDA is entrusted with two critical functions in the 
Nation's war on terrorism: preventing willful contamination of 
all regulated products, including food, and improving the 
availability of medications to prevent or treat injuries caused 
by biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agents.
    The FDA Foods program has the primary responsibility for 
assuring that the food supply, quality of foods, food 
ingredients and dietary supplements are safe, sanitary, 
nutritious, wholesome, and honestly labeled, and that cosmetic 
products are safe and properly labeled. The variety and 
complexity of the food supply has grown dramatically while new 
and more complex safety issues, such as emerging microbial 
pathogens, natural toxins, and technological innovations in 
production and processing, have developed. This program plays a 
major role in keeping the United States food supply among the 
safest in the world.
    In January 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act was 
signed into law. This law enables FDA to better protect public 
health by strengthening the food safety system. It enables FDA 
to focus more on preventing food safety and feed problems 
rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after 
they occur. The law also provides FDA with new enforcement 
authorities designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with 
prevention- and risk-based food and feed safety standards and 
to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur. 
The law also gives FDA important new tools to hold imported 
food and feed to the same standards as domestic food and feed 
and directs FDA to build an integrated national food safety 
system in partnership with State and local authorities.
    The FDA Drugs programs are comprised of four separate 
areas, Human Drugs, Animal Drugs, Medical Devices and 
Biologics. FDA is responsible for the lifecycle of products, 
including premarket review and postmarket surveillance of human 
and animal drugs, medical devices and biological products to 
ensure their safety and effectiveness. For Human Drugs this 
includes assuring that all drug products used for the 
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease are safe and 
effective. Additional procedures include the review of 
investigational new drug applications; evaluation of market 
applications for new and generic drugs, labeling and 
composition of prescription and over-the-counter drugs; 
monitoring the quality and safety of products manufactured in, 
or imported into, the United States; and, regulating the 
advertising and promotion of prescription drugs. The Animal 
Drugs and Feeds Program ensures only safe and effective 
veterinary drugs, intended for the treatment and/or prevention 
of diseases in animals and the improved production of food-
producing animals, are approved for marketing.
    The FDA Biologics program assures that blood and blood 
products, blood test kits, vaccines, and therapeutics are pure, 
potent, safe, effective, and properly labeled. The program 
inspects blood banks and blood processors, licenses and 
inspects firms collecting human source plasma, evaluates and 
licenses biologics manufacturing firms and products; lot 
releases licensed products; and monitors adverse events 
associated with vaccine immunization, blood products, and other 
biologics.
    The FDA Devices and Radiological program ensures the safety 
and effectiveness of medical devices and eliminates unnecessary 
human exposure to manmade radiation from medical, occupational, 
and consumer products. In addition, the program enforces 
quality standards under the Mammography Quality Standards Act 
(Public Law 108-365). Medical devices include thousands of 
products from thermometers and contact lenses to heart 
pacemakers, hearing aids, and MRIs. Radiological products 
include items such as microwave ovens and video display 
terminals.
    FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research in 
Jefferson, Arkansas, serves as a specialized resource, 
conducting peer-review scientific research that provides the 
basis for FDA to make sound science-based regulatory decisions 
through its premarket review and postmarket surveillance. The 
research is designed to define and understand the biological 
mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of products and 
lead to developing methods to improve assessment of human 
exposure, susceptibility and risk of those products regulated 
by FDA.
    In 2009, Congress granted FDA new authority to regulate the 
manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products. 
FDA exercises this responsibility by protecting the public 
health from the health effects of tobacco, setting scientific 
standards and standards for tobacco product review, conducting 
compliance activities to enforce its authority over tobacco, 
and conducting public education and outreach about the health 
effects of tobacco products.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Appropriation    User fees       Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016.........      2,720,808     1,960,584     4,681,392
Budget estimate, 2017........      2,730,924     2,227,302     4,958,226
Committee recommendation.....      2,759,978     2,025,020     4,784,998
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,759,978,000 
for FDA salaries and expenses. The Committee also recommends 
$2,025,020,000 in definite user fees, including: $865,653,000 
in Prescription Drug User Fee Act user fee collections; 
$144,859,000 in Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act 
user fee collections; and $22,977,000 in Animal Drug User Fee 
Act user fee collections; $10,367,000 in Animal Generic Drug 
User Fee Act user fee collections; $635,000,000 in Tobacco 
Product user fee collections; $324,085,000 in Generic Drug User 
Fee Act user fee collections; and $22,079,000 in Biosimilar 
User Fee Act user fee collections, as assumed in the 
President's budget. The Committee also recommends $58,606,000 
in permanent, indefinite user fees, including: $5,300,000 in 
Voluntary Qualified Importer Program collections; $1,434,000 in 
food and feed recall collections; $6,414,000 in food 
reinspection collections; $20,522,000 in Mammography Quality 
Standards Act fee collections; $10,062,000 in color 
certification collections; $7,686,000 in Pediatric Disease 
Priority Review Voucher collections; $1,400,000 in third-party 
auditor collections; $1,092,000 in outsourcing facility 
collections; and $4,696,000 in export and certification fees, 
as assumed in the President's budget. The Committee 
recommendation includes bill language which prohibits FDA from 
developing, establishing, or operating any program of user fees 
authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
    The Committee recommendation does not include proposed user 
fees for food facility registration and inspection, food 
import, food contact substance notification, cosmetics, and 
international courier imports. None of these user fee proposals 
have been authorized by Congress. The Committee will continue 
to monitor any action by the appropriate authorizing Committees 
regarding these proposed user fees.
    The Committee expects FDA to continue all projects, 
activities, laboratories, and programs as included in fiscal 
year 2016 unless otherwise specified. The Committee accepts 
$13,016,000 in proposed administrative savings; however the 
Committee does not support the proposed $3,054,000 reduction to 
the National Center for Toxicological Research or the proposed 
$5,000,000 reduction to improving foreign high risk 
inspections.
    The Committee recommendation includes an increase of 
$40,275,000 for the implementation of FSMA, which is 
$15,000,000 more than the budget request. This includes 
increases of $18,762,000 for the National Integrated Food 
Safety System and $21,513,000 for Import Safety. Additionally, 
the Committee recommendation includes increases of $2,911,000 
for animal drug and medical device reviews and $2,000,000 for 
precision medicine, as requested in the budget. Increases of 
$1,000,000 to evaluate biomarkers for drug development, 
$3,000,000 for improved foreign high risk inspections, 
$2,000,000 for pediatric device review, and $1,000,000 for 
medical device postmarket safety activities are also provided.
    The following table reflects the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2016 and budget 
request levels:

                               FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2017  budget      Committee
                                                                2016  enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centers and related field activities:
    Foods....................................................          987,328        1,012,603        1,027,103
        Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [CFSAN].          303,994          303,994          310,794
        Field Activities.....................................          683,334          708,609          716,309
    Human Drugs..............................................          491,503          491,503          492,503
        Center for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER].......          355,296          354,856          356,296
        Field Activities.....................................          136,207          136,647          136,207
    Biologics................................................          215,443          215,443          215,443
        Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research [CBER]..          174,052          174,052          174,052
        Field Activities.....................................           41,391           41,391           41,391
    Animal Drugs.............................................          158,652          161,852          161,352
        Center for Veterinary Medicine [CVM].................           94,005           97,205           96,705
        Field Activities.....................................           64,647           64,647           64,647
    Medical and radiological devices.........................          323,253          325,764          328,764
        Center for Devices and Radiological Health...........          240,808          243,319          246,319
        Field Activities.....................................           82,445           82,445           82,445
    National Center for Toxicological Research...............           63,331           60,277           63,331
Other Activities.............................................          183,087          178,287          186,287
Rent and related activities..................................          121,528          114,987          114,987
Rental Payments to GSA.......................................          176,683          170,208          170,208
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, FDA salaries and expenses, new budget authority.        2,720,808        2,730,924        2,759,978
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.--The Committee is 
concerned that the FDA has not yet approved a list of active 
pharmaceutical ingredients [APIs] for use by compounding 
pharmacists pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act [FDCA]. Within 90 days of the enactment of this act, the 
FDA is directed to provide a timeline for when the remaining 
substances will be considered, and in the meantime re-consider 
its policy with regard to enforcement of the bulk drug 
substances provisions under section 503A.
    Artisanal Cheese.--While the Committee appreciates the 
FDA's willingness to pause enforcement and reevaluate its 
standard regarding permissible levels of nontoxigenic E. coli 
in raw milk cheese, it remains concerned that this standard was 
developed in the absence of any published data from controlled 
studies describing either the process or rate of transfer of 
bacteria from the environment in the plant to the product. 
Therefore, the Committee directs the FDA to continue working 
with stakeholders to benefit from their expertise about safe 
cheese-making practices to achieve the mutual goal of food 
safety, and to provide to the Committee on Appropriations the 
results of the ``Surveillance Sampling Program for Raw Milk 
Cheese.''
    Atypical Actives.--The Committee requests that the FDA 
provide an update on how it regulates ``atypical actives.''
    Biosimilars.--The Committee directs the FDA to provide no 
later than 30 days after enactment an estimated timeline by 
which the agency will finalize pending draft biosimilars 
guidance documents and an estimated timeline by which the 
agency will issue draft guidance on biosimilars topics, 
including, interchangeability, for which the agency has not 
published draft guidance.
    In addition, the Committee recognizes that biosimilars 
offer an important opportunity for expanding the market and 
reducing costs for patients. The Committee urges the FDA to 
conduct outreach to external stakeholders including patient 
organizations on educating patients and professionals about 
biosimilars, with a focus on populations for which approved 
biosimilars are indicated.
    Center for Safety and Nutrition Centers of Excellence.--The 
Committee is aware of the important contribution of the FDA 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's Centers of 
Excellence [COEs] program in supporting critical basic research 
as well as facilitating the implementation of the FDA Food 
Safety Modernization Act. The Committee encourages the Agency 
to continue to fully utilize the COEs to accomplish these 
goals, and instructs that it enhance its level of support for 
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act activities.
    Centers of Excellence in Regulatory Science and 
Innovation.--The Committee is encouraged by the ongoing 
research and collaboration underway at the Centers of 
Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation program and 
commends the FDA for launching this program in 2011 and 
expanding it in 2014. As such, the Committee directs the Office 
of the Commissioner to use at least $2,000,000 within existing 
funds to provide additional funding opportunities for the 
existing CERSI Centers to allow for the capitalization of 
ongoing studies and research.
    Cosmetics.--The Committee provides not less than 
$11,700,000 for cosmetics activities, including not less than 
$7,200,000 for the Office of Colors and Cosmetics [OCAC]. 
Funding for OCAC is for the direct support of the operation, 
staffing, compliance, research and international activities 
performed by this office.
    Cotton Ginning.--The Committee is concerned about the 
impact of the ``Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard 
Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for 
Animals'' final rule (80 FR 56170; September 17, 2015) on the 
cotton industry. The Committee notes post-harvest activity of 
ginning cotton does not transform the resulting cottonseed into 
a ``processed food,'' and thus, cottonseed should fall within 
the definition of a ``raw agricultural commodity'' for purposes 
of rules promulgated pursuant to the FSMA. In addition, the 
Committee is concerned about the rationale for the definitions 
of ``primary production farm'' and ``secondary activities 
farm'' and how these definitions factor into the determination 
of operations either being exempt from or covered by certain 
requirements of the final rule. Therefore, the Committee 
directs the FDA to provide outreach and technical assistance to 
cotton ginning operations to assist them in complying with the 
final rule or subsequent guidance documents.
    Diabetes.--The Committee applauds the FDA for working with 
the diabetes community on clinical outcomes beyond hemoglobin 
A1c [HbA1c]. While HbA1c remains a fundamental measurement to 
assess the benefit of therapy for diabetes mellitus, regulatory 
decisions should be reached using the full range of outcomes 
that are important to people with diabetes. The Committee is 
pleased that the FDA will be holding a workshop focused on this 
topic in 2016 and encourages the Agency to incorporate the 
scientific learnings from that workshop into their decision-
making so that important new, safe, and effective medical 
therapies can be made available to people with diabetes.
    In addition, the Committee recognizes that being able to 
identify people at risk of developing type 1 diabetes could 
provide an opportunity to delay and eventually prevent the 
disease altogether. The appearance of certain islet 
autoantibodies in the serum of individuals increases the chance 
of developing type 1 diabetes at some point in the future. 
Therefore the Committee encourages the FDA to work with the 
Type 1 diabetes community on the assessment of potential 
diabetes biomarkers related to islet autoimmunity, which might 
help inform the design of clinical studies.
    Donor Milk Supply.--The Committee is aware of the growing 
commercial human milk industry, and its importance to, in 
particular, preterm infants. The Committee is also aware that 
the FDA has had discussions with the industry regarding the 
need for adequate safeguards to ensure the safety and 
nutritional quality of the donor human milk supply. The 
Committee directs FDA to report on its efforts to implement 
regulations to protect a safe and stable human milk supply.
    Drug Shortages.--The Committee requests that the FDA report 
on how it works with manufacturers to facilitate timely 
communication to the field on the availability of drugs in 
shortage, as well as its processes for the completion of drug 
application reviews and facility inspections during times of or 
risk of critical drug shortage.
    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.--The Committee is encouraged 
that the FDA has the tools, authorities, and latitude necessary 
to review and approve safe and effective treatments for rare 
diseases, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as efficiently 
as possible. In particular, the Committee is aware that the use 
of intermediate clinical endpoints [ICE] may be an appropriate 
approach as they have been in similar deadly diseases with dire 
unmet need, such as HIV and cancer.
    Drug Vial Sizes.--The Food and Drug Administration is 
responsible for approving vial sizes and fill volumes for 
injectable drug products before products come to market, in a 
manner that balances multiple considerations related to safe 
use and administration of the product. In 2015, the FDA issued 
guidance documents for industry on this matter. Given that many 
factors play a role in FDA's assessment of vial sizes for 
injectable drug products, the Committee directs the FDA to 
provide a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment with 
recommendations on how the FDA may assist in addressing 
concerns about appropriate vial sizes and fill volumes from a 
safety perspective, to ensure that patients are receiving the 
appropriate care.
    Experimental Drugs for Terminally-Ill Patients.--The 
Committee directs the FDA to report on efforts to increase 
patient access to experimental drugs for terminally-ill 
patients.
    FDA Food Mission.--The Committee requests information on 
FDA's current nutrition activities and resources.
    Food Contact Notification User Fees.--The Committee 
recommendation does not include proposed user fees.
    Food Packaging.--The Committee encourages FDA to increase 
the involvement of experts in endocrinology as FDA continues to 
evaluate the chemical BPA and similar alternatives such as BPS 
as it relates to health safety of human exposure through food 
packaging. Evaluations shall include specific focus on the 
long-term low-dose exposure that these chemicals have on the 
endocrine system.
    Food Traceability.--The FDA announced two pilot projects on 
September 7, 2011 pursuant to section 204 of the Food Safety 
Modernization Act, which required pilot projects for improving 
product tracing along the food supply system and establishment 
of recordkeeping requirements for high-risk foods to help in 
tracing products. The pilots were conducted by the Institute of 
Food Technologists, in consultation with industry sectors, 
USDA, State agencies and consumer groups, and the resulting 
report was released on March 4, 2013. The Committee notes that 
industry and government continue to pursue their traceability 
goals on separate tracks and with little collaboration. The 
Committee further notes that no report has been issued pursuant 
to section 204(a) of the act, which directs the Secretary to 
report to Congress on the findings of the pilot projects, and 
the Committee directs the Secretary to issue such report. 
Furthermore, the Committee notes that the Secretary has failed 
to propose a rulemaking to establish the recordkeeping 
requirements as required by section 204(d) of the act. The 
Committee directs the FDA to collaborate with science-based 
international and industry-led food traceability initiatives of 
the type recommended by the pilot projects. In addition, the 
Committee directs the Commissioner to make publicly available 
information on FDA's efforts to encourage the work of science-
based international and industry-led food traceability 
initiatives.
    Foreign High Risk Inspections.--The bill provides an 
additional $3,000,000 and a total of $8,000,000 for the FDA's 
Office of Global Regulatory Operations and Policy to enhance 
the compliance of foreign manufacturers and exporters of food, 
medical devices and pharmaceuticals through on-site 
verification.
    Human Tissue Models, Including 3D Models.--The Committee is 
aware that bioengineered human tissue models hold the promise 
of improving the drug discovery process by enhancing the 
ability to predict potential safety risks during preclinical 
testing and post market safety of pharmaceutical products, 
thereby minimizing the potential risk of adverse toxicological 
outcomes to patients during clinical trials and post-approval 
use. The Committee directs the Secretary to prepare a report, 
with input from the Office of Regulatory Science and Innovation 
and the National Center of Toxicology Research, on how to 
accelerate adoption of predictive bioengineered human tissue 
models when used in combination or in lieu of animal testing 
models pre and post market approval. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to report recommendations to the House and Senate 
Appropriations Committees within 180 days of enactment of this 
Act.
    In Silico Clinical Trials.--In Silico clinical trials use 
computer models and simulations to develop and assess devices 
and drugs, including their potential risk to the public, before 
being tested in live clinical trials. Advanced computer 
modeling can also be used to predict how a drug or device will 
behave when deployed in the general population, thereby 
protecting the public from the unintended consequences of side 
effects and drug interactions. In Silico trials protect public 
health, advance personalized treatment and can be executed 
quickly and for a fraction of the cost of a full scale live 
trial. The FDA has advocated the use of such systems and 
utilized them with success in the past. Therefore, the 
Committee strongly encourages the FDA to make greater use of In 
Silico trials for devices and drug therapies before they are 
released for live clinical trials.
    In Vitro Clinical Trials.--In vitro clinical trials use 
specimens collected from patients to test how a particular 
cancer or disease will react to a specific therapy or 
combination of therapies. This personalized approach to 
treatment can improve a patient's quality of life by increasing 
the likelihood that physicians and researchers will find the 
proper combination of drugs uniquely suited to treat that 
individual's illness. An emerging new scientific methodology, 
In Vitro trials allow researchers to test therapeutics and 
treatment strategies on living human tissues without the risks 
posed by traditional whole patient clinical trials. 
Personalized treatment through In Vitro trials dismantles the 
``one size fits all'' approach to care and enables medical 
professionals to diagnose and treat patients in a more 
efficient and effective way. Accordingly, the Committee 
strongly encourages the FDA to make greater use of In Vitro 
clinical trials for Investigational New Drug applications and 
general therapeutic indications, especially as it relates to 
complicated cancers and other common disease States.
    Listeriosis.--Listeriosis is a serious illness that is 
usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium 
Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older 
adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened 
immune systems. To better understand the risk of listeriosis 
associated with the consumption of certain foods, the FDA has 
conducted or is conducting risk assessments on ready-to-eat 
foods, soft ripened cheeses, smoked finfish, and retail 
delicatessens. These risk assessments have been used to protect 
and enhance the public health. The FDA uses risk analysis to 
ensure that regulatory decisions about foods are science-based 
and transparent. For the first time, the consumption of certain 
frozen vegetables has been linked to a multi-state outbreak of 
listeriosis. Because of this outbreak, the need to protect the 
public health, and to ensure science-based and transparent 
regulatory decisions, the Committee encourages the FDA to 
conduct a quantitative risk assessment of the relative risk to 
public health from foodborne Listeria monocytogenes among 
frozen vegetables and other frozen foods currently considered 
not ready-to-eat.
    Mammography Quality Standards Act.--The Committee 
recommendation includes full funding as requested for 
implementation of the Mammography Quality Standards Act. This 
program sets national quality standards for mammography 
facilities, equipment, personnel and operating procedures, and 
has improved the quality of mammography and made mammograms a 
more reliable tool to detect breast cancers.
    Medical Devices.--The Committee is concerned about the lack 
of transparency and consistency with the medical device 
facility inspection process. This often leads to inefficiencies 
and inconsistencies in the inspection process. The Committee 
urges the agency to work with stakeholders and Congress to 
improve the facility inspection process. Potential process 
improvements may include, but are not necessarily limited to, 
more timely and frequent communications related to inspection 
observations and remediation plans, as well as changes to the 
way medical device Export Certificates (e.g., Certificate to 
Foreign Government, etc.) are affected by FDA Observational 
Findings following a facility inspection.
    Medical Device Performance.--The Committee is aware that 
each year the FDA is required to submit a report to Congress 
regarding performance goals for user fees paid by medical 
device manufacturers. However, the Committee is concerned that 
FDA may not be providing information about how the FDA is 
meeting timelines established in law by Congress. The Committee 
directs the FDA to provide a report to the Committee within 90 
days of the date of enactment including performance information 
for statutory timelines for medical devices, specifically: the 
number of de novo requests under 513(f)(2) for which FDA has 
met the 120 day statutory requirement, and the total number of 
de novo requests submitted; the number of requests for 
classification under 513(g) and the number for which FDA has 
met the 60 day statutory requirement; and, the number of orders 
for postmarket device surveillance under 522 for which the FDA 
has responded within 60 days of receipt of such plan.
    Medical Foods.--The Committee urges the FDA to be more 
active in engaging external stakeholders on best practice 
standards for medical foods that are based upon the Generally 
Recognized as Safe [GRAS] status. The Committee requests the 
FDA work with external stakeholders in forming a framework for 
a distinct regulatory pathway for medical foods that does not 
encumber its progress towards approval for patient use.
    Medical Gases.--The Committee is significantly concerned 
that FDA has not initiated rulemaking, nor listed such 
rulemaking as a priority in the Unified Agenda, to address 
numerous longstanding regulatory issues for medical gases 
despite the statutory requirement section 1112 in FDASIA 
(Public Law 112-144) to issue a final rulemaking addressing all 
necessary changes for medical gases by July 9, 2016. The 
Committee disagrees with the FDA report to Congress sent on 
June 29, 2015, and believes that FDA must address medical gas 
regulatory issues with a new rulemaking amending the Federal 
drug regulations. Therefore, FDA shall issue final medical gas 
regulations as required by FDASIA not later than July 9, 2016. 
If FDA determines that it is a more efficient use of resources, 
it should incorporate by reference a voluntary consensus 
standard by an ANSI-accredited standard development 
organization as required by the National Technology Transfer 
and Advancement Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-113), and the 
Office of Management and Budget [OMB] Circular A-119. If FDA 
fails to issue final regulations with respect to medical gases 
by the statutory deadline, the Agency shall incorporate by 
reference voluntary consensus safety and labeling standards 
developed by an ANSI-accredited standard development 
organization until such time as the Agency issues final 
regulations consistent with section 1112 of Public Law 112-144.
    Nanotechnology.--The Committee recognizes the increased 
capabilities that FDA has developed to study environment, 
health, and safety of nanomaterials within FDA's Jefferson 
Laboratory Campus, including the National Center for 
Toxicological Research, and its consolidated headquarters at 
White Oak, Maryland. The Committee expects FDA to continue to 
support collaborative research with universities and industry 
on the toxicology of nanotechnology products and processes in 
accordance with the National Nanotechnology Initiative 
Environment, Health, and Safety Research Strategy as updated in 
October 2011.
    National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.--The 
Committee recommendation includes $10,800,000 for the National 
Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, equal to the level 
provided in fiscal year 2016.
    Olive Oil.--The Committee directs the FDA to take a 
sampling of off-the-shelf olive oil bottles offered for sale to 
consumers to determine if it is adulterated with seed oil, 
pursuant to Section 342 of the FDCA, and report to Congress 
within 270 days on its findings.
    Opioid Overdose Prevention.--The Committee is very 
concerned about the ongoing prescription opioid abuse epidemic, 
and is additionally concerned by FDA's decision in August 2015 
to approve OxyContin for pain management in children as young 
as 11 years old. As the Agency that oversees the approval of 
these drugs, the FDA has a responsibility to consider the 
public health impact of opioid abuse and overdose death. 
Therefore, the Committee directs FDA to continue implementing 
its opioids action plan announced in February 2016 to take 
concrete steps toward reducing the impact of opioid abuse on 
American families and communities, and to strongly consider the 
danger of addiction and overdose death associated with 
prescription opioid medications when approving and regulating 
the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of opioid 
medications. This plan should include policies aimed at 
reversing the epidemic while still providing patients access to 
effective pain relief. Finally, the FDA is directed to refer 
any new drug application for an opioid submitted under section 
505(b) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to an 
advisory committee for their recommendations prior to approval, 
unless the FDA finds that holding such advisory committee 
meeting is not in the interest of protecting and promoting 
public health.
    Oversight Activities.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $1,500,000 for the HHS Office of Inspector General 
specifically for oversight of FDA activities.
    Over-the-Counter Drugs.--The Committee directs the FDA 
provide a report on the funding levels put to OTC Monograph 
issues for the past 10 years (fiscal year 2006-2016).
    Parallel Review Pilot.--The Committee directs the FDA to 
report on plans to extend the pilot and steps the agency will 
take to encourage more manufacturers to utilize the pilot, 
including considerations for manufacturers choosing the 510(k) 
clearance pathway and for novel products deemed covered by CMS 
but that warrant evaluation to ensure the appropriate level of 
coverage.
    Patient Focused Drug Development Initiative.--The Committee 
applauds FDA's efforts to engage external and patient 
stakeholders through FDA's Patient Focused Drug Development 
initiative which includes convening disease-specific public 
meetings, publication of Voice of the Patient reports for each 
meeting, and welcoming stakeholders to conduct externally-led 
Patient Focused Drug Development Meetings. The Committee 
encourages FDA to continue working with external stakeholders 
to develop a strategic action plan in follow up to these 
activities.
    Pediatric Device Consortia Grants.--The Committee is 
pleased that the nine FDA-funded Pediatric Device Consortia 
have assisted in the development of more than 650 proposed 
pediatric medical devices since its inception in 2009, as well 
as promoting job-growth in the healthcare sector, and as such, 
continues to support this critical effort. The program funds 
consortia to assist innovators in developing medical and 
surgical devices designed for the unique needs of children that 
often go unmet by devices currently available on the market. 
The Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000 for Pediatric 
Device Consortia Grants.
    Proprietary Information.--The Committee is concerned with 
requirements in the Nutrition Facts proposed rule that may 
cause some manufacturers to disclose proprietary records. 
Therefore, the Committee urges the FDA to ensure that steps are 
imposed to protect the security of trade secrets and commercial 
confidential information if it is provided to FDA.
    Seafood Advisory.--The Committee directs the FDA ensure 
that pregnant women receive final guidance on nutrition advice 
for what seafood is safe and healthy to consume that is 
consistent, understandable, and based on the FDA's latest 
scientific review of the net effects of seafood consumption.
    Shrimp Imports.--The Committee is concerned the FDA 
continues to detect an alarming amount of imported shrimp 
raised with hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs not approved 
for use in the United States. Therefore, the Committee directs 
the FDA to work with Customs and Border Protection [CBP] to 
establish a 2-year pilot program to better track shrimp imports 
and inspections by port of entry, in order to increase 
enforcement and improve food safety. In addition, the Committee 
directs the FDA to assist CBP to provide details on 
opportunities for enhancing FDA and CBP coordination on 
improving the safety of shrimp imports into the U.S., initial, 
both for a briefing required of CBP within 180 days and for the 
overall pilot program report.
    Sodium Guidance.--The Committee is aware that the FDA is 
considering issuing guidance to food manufacturers in order to 
reduce sodium in various food categories. It is imperative that 
any guidance be issued using the latest sound science. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the IOM are 
working together to update the Dietary Reference Intake [DRI] 
report on sodium. The FDA is encouraged to issue any voluntary 
or mandatory guidance based upon an updated DRI report.
    Sunscreen Ingredients.--The Committee is significantly 
concerned that despite the increase in incidence of skin cancer 
in the United States, and the January 2016 Presidential 
Memorandum creating the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force 
to prevent and cure cancer, FDA has still not approved a new 
over-the-counter sunscreen ingredient through the process 
created by the Sunscreen Innovation Act [SIA]. The Committee 
has, for multiple years, directed the FDA to clear the 
sunscreen backlog, and the agency has failed to do so. 
Therefore, the Committee directs the FDA to include it its 
report to Congress required by section 4(c) of the SIA by May 
26, 2016, an update on how the agency plans to work with 
stakeholders to resolve the science-based concerns raised in 
public comments and describe how the agency is appropriately 
balancing the benefit of additional skin cancer prevention 
tools versus the hypothetical risk of OTC sunscreens that have 
been used around the world for decades. FDA is further directed 
to work with stakeholders to come to an agreement on an 
appropriate, science-based testing regimen by June 20, 2016. 
The Committee recommendation maintains the funding increase 
provided in fiscal year 2016 to address this public health 
threat. In addition, the Committee directs the FDA to finalize 
a rule limiting the maximum Sun Protection Factor [SPF] to 
``50'' or ``50+'', which was first proposed in 2011, within 90 
days of enactment of this Act, and to issue a proposed rule to 
establish testing and labeling standards for sunscreen sprays 
within 90 days of enactment of this act.
    Vibrio.--The Committee is aware of the public health 
challenge related to the naturally occurring bacteria called 
Vibrio parahaemolyticus that can accumulate in shellfish and 
believes that more scientific research is necessary to develop 
proper controls that will reduce the risk to consumers and 
sustain a healthy domestic shellfish industry. The Committee 
encourages the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] to increase 
funding for research into Vibrio illnesses associated with the 
consumption of raw molluscan shellfish, improve risk assessment 
models, and develop improved rapid detection methods for 
virulent Vibrio strains.
    White Oak Expansion.--The Committee is aware of the need 
for FDA facilities to accommodate an anticipated expanded 
workforce due to broader missions related to food safety and 
other mandates in legislation over the last few years. Due to 
the challenging fiscal environment, the Committee encourages 
the FDA and GSA to consider innovative financing options to 
allow for the space allocation required. In particular, the 
Committee directs the FDA and GSA to consider partnership 
opportunities with non-Federal Government entities that provide 
reasonable cost options that will enable the FDA to maintain 
very close proximity to its campus headquarters in White Oak, 
including space contiguous to the White Oak campus.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $8,788,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      11,788,000
Committee recommendation................................      11,788,000

    FDA maintains offices and staff in 49 States and in the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including field 
laboratories and specialized facilities, as well as the 
National Center for Toxicological Research complex. Repairs, 
modifications, improvements, and construction to FDA 
headquarters and field facilities must be made to preserve the 
properties, ensure employee safety, meet changing program 
requirements, and permit the agency to keep its laboratory 
methods up to date.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $11,788,000 
for FDA buildings and facilities. This funding shall be used to 
upgrade FDA facilities and laboratories which are currently 
below public safety standards and incapable of performing 
agency requirements.

                           INDEPENDENT AGENCY


                       Farm Credit Administration


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $65,600,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      69,800,000
Committee recommendation................................      65,600,000

    The Farm Credit Administration [FCA] is the independent 
agency in the executive branch of the Government responsible 
for the examination and regulation of the banks, associations, 
and other institutions of the Farm Credit System.
    Activities of the Farm Credit Administration include the 
planning and execution of examinations of Farm Credit System 
institutions and the preparation of examination reports. FCA 
also promulgates regulations, establishes standards, enforces 
rules and regulations, and approves certain actions of the 
institutions.
    The administration and the institutions under its 
jurisdiction now operate under authorities contained in the 
Farm Credit Act of 1971, Public Law 92-181, effective December 
10, 1971. Public Law 99-205, effective December 23, 1985, 
restructured FCA and gave the agency regulatory authorities and 
enforcement powers.
    The act provides for the farmer-owned cooperative system to 
make sound, adequate, and constructive credit available to 
farmers and ranchers and their cooperatives, rural residences, 
and associations and other entities upon which farming 
operations are dependent, and to modernize existing farm credit 
law to meet current and future rural credit needs.
    The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 authorized the 
formation of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation 
[FAMC] to operate a secondary market for agricultural and rural 
housing mortgages. The Farm Credit Administration, under 
section 8.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, is 
assigned the responsibility of regulating this entity and 
assuring its safe and sound operation.
    Expenses of the Farm Credit Administration are paid by 
assessments collected from the Farm Credit System institutions 
and by assessments to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage 
Corporation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $65,600,000 on 
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration.

                               TITLE VII

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

    The Committee recommends the following provisions:
    Section 701. This section makes funds available for the 
purchase, replacement, and hire of passenger motor vehicles.
    Section 702. This section gives the Secretary of 
Agriculture authority to transfer unobligated balances to the 
Working Capital Fund and clarifies longstanding practices 
associated with the Fund.
    Section 703. This section limits the funding provided in 
the bill to 1 year, unless otherwise specified.
    Section 704. This section limits negotiated indirect costs 
on cooperative agreements between the Department of Agriculture 
and nonprofit organizations to 10 percent.
    Section 705. This section makes appropriations to the 
Department of Agriculture for the cost of direct guaranteed 
loans available until expended to disburse obligations for 
certain Rural Development programs.
    Section 706. This section prohibits the purchase of new 
information technology equipment in excess of $25,000 without 
the prior approval of the Chief Information Officer.
    Section 707. This section makes funds for certain 
conservation programs available until expended to disburse 
certain obligations made in the current fiscal year.
    Section 708. This section makes certain former Rural 
Utilities Service borrowers eligible for the Rural Economic 
Development loan and grant program.
    Section 709. This section provides funds for Rural 
Development and the Farm Service Agency information technology 
expenses.
    Section 710. This section includes language regarding 
first-class travel.
    Section 711. This section includes language regarding the 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
    Section 712. This section makes funds available for the 
expenses and activities of certain advisory committees, panels, 
commissions, and task forces at the Department of Agriculture.
    Section 713. This section includes language regarding the 
limitation on direct costs for grants awarded by the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture.
    Section 714. This section includes language regarding the 
availability of funds for certain Department of Agriculture 
programs.
    Section 715. This section includes language regarding the 
availability of funds for certain Department of Agriculture 
programs.
    Section 716. This section prohibits the use of funds for 
user fee proposals that fail to provide sufficient budget 
impact information.
    Section 717. This section prohibits the reprogramming of 
funds for programs, projects, or activities in excess of 
$500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less without the prior 
notification of the Committee on Appropriations.
    Section 718. This section includes language for the 
establishment of a fee under the business and industry loan 
program.
    Section 719. This section prohibits the Department of 
Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services 
from transmitting questions or responses as a result of the 
appropriations hearing process to non-Department employees.
    Section 720. This section includes language regarding 
prepackaged news.
    Section 721. This section requires Department of 
Agriculture agencies to provide reimbursement to other 
Department of Agriculture agencies for employees detailed for 
longer than 60 days.
    Section 722. This section includes language regarding 
industrial hemp.
    Section 723. This section includes language regarding 
spending plans.
    Section 724. This section provides funding for the 
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers Program.
    Section 725. This section includes language regarding 
section 502 single family direct loans.
    Section 726. This section includes language regarding loans 
and loan guarantees.
    Section 727. This section includes language regarding 
credit card refunds.
    Section 728. This section includes language regarding Rural 
Economic Area Partnership Zones.
    Section 729. This section includes language regarding the 
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program.
    Section 730. This section includes language regarding the 
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
    Section 731. This section includes language regarding the 
Rural Utilities Service.
    Section 732. This section provides funding to carry out a 
program for hardwood trees.
    Section 733. This section includes language regarding the 
Rural Housing Service.
    Section 734. This section includes language regarding 
disclosure of information for pharmaceuticals.
    Section 735. This section includes language regarding menu 
labeling.
    Section 736. This section includes language regarding 
research exemptions.
    Section 737. This section includes language regarding dried 
spent grain products.
    Section 738. This section includes language regarding the 
Water Bank Program.
    Section 739. This section includes language regarding 
housing programs.
    Section 740. This section includes language regarding 
partially hydrogenated oils.
    Section 741. This section includes language regarding the 
Rural Housing Service.
    Section 742. This section includes a rescission of funds.
    Section 743. This section includes a rescission of funds.
    Section 744. This section includes language regarding SNAP 
household reporting requirements.
    Section 745. This section includes a rescission of 
unobligated balances.
    Section 746. This section includes funding for the Healthy 
Food Financing Initiative.
    Section 747. This section includes language regarding 
funding information technology activities.
    Section 748. This section includes language regarding 
funding information technology activities.
    Section 749. This section includes language regarding 
housing programs.
    Section 750. This section includes language regarding 
agriculture research.
    Section 751. This section includes language regarding the 
Agriculture Risk Coverage Program.
    Section 752. This section includes language regarding the 
SNAP program.
    Section 753. This section includes language regarding crab 
nomenclature.
    Section 754. This section includes language regarding 
genetically engineered salmon.
    Section 755. This section includes language regarding the 
use of funds for certain horse inspection activities.

                     PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY

    During fiscal year 2017, for purposes of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 
99-177) or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), the following 
information provides the definition of the term ``program, 
project, and activity'' for departments and agencies under the 
jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The 
term ``program, project, and activity'' shall include the most 
specific level of budget items identified in the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and the accompanying Senate 
Report.
    If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the 
Presidential order, departments and agencies shall apply any 
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2017 pursuant to 
the provisions of Public Law 99-177 or Public Law 100-119 to 
all items specified in the explanatory notes submitted to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in support 
of the fiscal year 2017 budget estimates, as amended, for such 
departments and agencies, as modified by congressional action, 
and in addition:
    For the Agricultural Research Service the definition shall 
include specific research locations as identified in the 
explanatory notes.
    For the Natural Resources Conservation Service the 
definition shall include individual flood prevention projects 
as identified in the explanatory notes and individual 
operational watershed projects as summarized in the notes.
    For the Farm Service Agency the definition shall include 
individual, regional, State, district, and county offices.

  COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports 
accompanying general appropriations bills identify each 
recommended amendment which proposes an item of appropriation 
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing 
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously 
passed by the Senate during that session.
    The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not 
covered under this rule, but reports this information in the 
spirit of full disclosure.
    The Committee recommends funding for the following programs 
or activities which currently lack authorization for fiscal 
year 2017:
      Child Nutrition Program State Administrative Expenses
      Farmers Market Nutrition Program
      Grain Inspection Service
      Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program
      Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants 
        and Children
      Summer Food Service Program

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on May 19, 2016, 
the Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill (S. 
2956) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other 
purposes, provided, that the bill be subject to amendment and 
that the bill be consistent with its budget allocation, and 
provided that the Chairman of the Committee or the Chairman of 
the Subcommittee reporting the original bill be authorized to 
offer the substance of the original bill as a Committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute to the House companion 
measure, by a recorded vote of 30-0, a quorum being present. 
The vote was as follows:
        Yeas                          Nays
Chairman Cochran
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Shelby
Mr. Alexander
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Kirk
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mr. Cassidy
Mr. Lankford
Mr. Daines
Ms. Mikulski
Mr. Leahy
Mrs. Murray
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Reed
Mr. Tester
Mr. Udall
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy

 COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports 
on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute 
or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or 
part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a 
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution 
making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof 
proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through type and 
italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical 
devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the 
bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by 
the committee.''
    In compliance with this rule, changes in existing law 
proposed to be made by the bill are shown as follows: existing 
law to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets; new matter is 
printed in italic; and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman.

                TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE


                    Chapter 1--School Lunch Programs


Sec. 1769g. Information clearninghouse

(a) In general

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(d) Funding

    Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the 
Secretary to provide to the organization selected under this 
section, to establish and maintain the information 
clearinghouse, $200,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996, 
$150,000 for fiscal year 1997, $100,000 for fiscal year 1998, 
$166,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2004, and 
$250,000 for each of fiscal years [2010 through 2016] 2010 
through 2017. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the 
funds and shall accept the funds, without further 
appropriation.

                        BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL


  PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(A), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
                                                     AMENDED
                                            [In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Budget authority                 Outlays
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee    Amount  in     Committee    Amount  in
                                                           allocation       bill       allocation       bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee
 allocation for 2017: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
 Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
 Agencies:
    Mandatory...........................................      116,316       116,316       104,824    \1\104,824
    Discretionary.......................................       21,250        21,250        22,103     \1\22,102
        Security........................................  ............  ............  ............           NA
        Nonsecurity.....................................       21,250        21,250            NA            NA
Projections of outlays associated with the
 recommendation:
    2017................................................  ............  ............  ............   \2\112,042
    2018................................................  ............  ............  ............        5,146
    2019................................................  ............  ............  ............        1,104
    2020................................................  ............  ............  ............          425
    2021 and future years...............................  ............  ............  ............          328
Financial assistance to State and local governments for            NA        40,600            NA     \2\33,574
 2017...................................................
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
 
NA: Not applicable.


  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
                                                                        YEAR 2017
                                                                [In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         Senate Committee recommendation
                                                                                                                             compared with (+ or -)
                                Item                                       2016       Budget estimate     Committee    ---------------------------------
                                                                      appropriation                     recommendation        2016
                                                                                                                         appropriation   Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
 
               Production, Processing, and Marketing
 
                      Office of the Secretary
 
Office of the Secretary............................................           5,051           10,178           10,178           +5,127   ...............
Office of Tribal Relations.........................................             502              755              505               +3             -250
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination.............           1,496            1,592            1,592              +96   ...............
Office of Advocacy and Outreach....................................           1,209           11,220            4,220           +3,011           -7,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration...............             804              807              807               +3   ...............
Departmental Administration........................................          25,124           27,420           25,396             +272           -2,024
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Departmental Administration........................          25,928           28,227           26,203             +275           -2,024
 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations......           3,869            3,919            3,919              +50   ...............
Office of Communications...........................................           7,500            8,512            7,533              +33             -979
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Office of the Secretary...............................          45,555           64,403           54,150           +8,595          -10,253
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Executive Operations:
    Office of the Chief Economist..................................          17,777           17,592           16,917             -860             -675
    National Appeals Division......................................          13,317           13,481           13,481             +164   ...............
    Office of Budget and Program Analysis..........................           9,392            9,525            9,525             +133   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Executive Operations...............................          40,486           40,598           39,923             -563             -675
 
Office of the Chief Information Officer............................          44,538           65,716           49,917           +5,379          -15,799
Office of the Chief Financial Officer..............................           6,028            9,119            8,119           +2,091           -1,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.................             898              901              901               +3   ...............
Office of Civil Rights.............................................          24,070           24,750           24,342             +272             -408
Building and Facilities Agriculture buildings and facilities.......          64,189           84,365           74,365          +10,176          -10,000
Hazardous materials management.....................................           3,618            3,633            3,633              +15   ...............
Office of Inspector General........................................          95,738          100,998           99,378           +3,640           -1,620
Office of the General Counsel......................................          44,383           49,599           45,010             +627           -4,589
Office of Ethics...................................................           3,654            4,617            3,715              +61             -902
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Departmental Administration...........................         373,157          448,699          403,453          +30,296          -45,246
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and                      893              901              901               +8   ...............
 Economics.........................................................
Economic Research Service..........................................          85,373           91,278           86,757           +1,384           -4,521
National Agricultural Statistics Service...........................         168,443          176,639          169,639           +1,196           -7,000
    Census of Agriculture..........................................         (42,177)         (42,177)         (42,177)  ...............  ...............
 
Agricultural Research Service:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................       1,143,825        1,161,340        1,177,938          +34,113          +16,598
    Buildings and facilities.......................................         212,101           94,500           64,300         -147,801          -30,200
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Agricultural Research Service.........................       1,355,926        1,255,840        1,242,238         -113,688          -13,602
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture:
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Leg. proposal).....  ...............       1,373,974   ...............  ...............      -1,373,974
    Research and education activities..............................         819,685   ...............         851,496          +31,811         +851,496
    Native American Institutions Endowment Fund....................         (11,880)         (11,880)         (11,880)  ...............  ...............
    Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities          ...............         (10,000)         (10,000)        (+10,000)  ...............
     Endowment Fund................................................
    Extension activities...........................................         475,891   ...............         476,230             +339         +476,230
    Integrated activities..........................................          30,900   ...............          36,000           +5,100          +36,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, National Institute of Food and Agriculture............       1,326,476        1,373,974        1,363,726          +37,250          -10,248
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs             893              901              901               +8   ...............
 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................         894,415          901,196          939,286          +44,871          +38,090
    Buildings and facilities.......................................           3,175            3,175            3,175   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service............         897,590          904,371          942,461          +44,871          +38,090
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Agricultural Marketing Service:
    Marketing Services.............................................          81,223           81,933           82,933           +1,710           +1,000
        Standardization activities (user fees).....................         (65,000)         (65,000)         (65,000)  ...............  ...............
    (Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees collected)...         (60,982)         (61,227)         (61,227)           (+245)  ...............
    Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (Section
     32):
        Permanent, Section 32......................................       1,303,000        1,322,001        1,322,001          +19,001   ...............
            Marketing agreements and orders (transfer from section          (20,489)         (20,705)         (20,705)           (+216)  ...............
             32)...................................................
    Payments to States and Possessions.............................           1,235            1,235            1,235   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Agricultural Marketing Service program................       1,446,440        1,466,396        1,467,396          +20,956           +1,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................          43,057           43,482           43,482             +425   ...............
    Limitation on inspection and weighing services.................         (55,000)         (57,500)         (57,500)         (+2,500)  ...............
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety......................             816              819              819               +3   ...............
Food Safety and Inspection Service.................................       1,014,871        1,030,405        1,033,806          +18,935           +3,401
    Lab accreditation fees.........................................          (1,000)          (1,000)          (1,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Production, Processing, and Marketing.................       6,652,953        6,732,478        6,694,352          +41,399          -38,126
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                      Farm Assistance Programs
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural                 898              901              901               +3   ...............
 Services..........................................................
 
Farm Service Agency:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................       1,200,180        1,209,751        1,210,412          +10,232             +661
    (Transfer from Food for Peace (Public Law 480))................          (2,528)            (149)            (149)         (-2,379)  ...............
    (Transfer from export loans)...................................            (354)          (2,463)          (2,463)         (+2,109)  ...............
    (Transfer from ACIF)...........................................        (306,998)        (306,998)        (306,998)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, transfers from program accounts....................        (309,880)        (309,610)        (309,610)           (-270)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Salaries and expenses.................................      (1,510,060)      (1,519,361)      (1,520,022)         (+9,962)           (+661)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    State mediation grants.........................................           3,404            3,404            3,904             +500             +500
    Grassroots source water protection program.....................           6,500   ...............           6,500   ...............          +6,500
    Dairy indemnity program........................................             500              500              500   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Farm Service Agency................................       1,210,584        1,213,655        1,221,316          +10,732           +7,661
 
    Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund [ACIF] Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Farm ownership loans:
                Direct.............................................      (1,500,000)      (1,500,000)      (1,500,000)  ...............  ...............
                Guaranteed.........................................      (2,000,000)      (2,000,000)      (2,000,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal.........................................      (3,500,000)      (3,500,000)      (3,500,000)  ...............  ...............
 
            Farm operating loans:
                Direct.............................................      (1,252,004)      (1,460,047)      (1,460,047)       (+208,043)  ...............
                Unsubsidized guaranteed............................      (1,393,443)      (1,432,430)      (1,432,430)        (+38,987)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal.........................................      (2,645,447)      (2,892,477)      (2,892,477)       (+247,030)  ...............
 
            Emergency loans........................................         (34,667)         (22,576)         (22,576)        (-12,091)  ...............
            Indian tribe land acquisition loans....................          (2,000)         (20,000)         (20,000)        (+18,000)  ...............
            Conservation loans:
                Guaranteed.........................................        (150,000)        (150,000)        (150,000)  ...............  ...............
            Indian highly fractionated land loans..................         (10,000)         (10,000)         (10,000)  ...............  ...............
            Boll weevil eradication loans..........................         (60,000)         (60,000)         (60,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorizations...........................      (6,402,114)      (6,655,053)      (6,655,053)       (+252,939)  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies:
            Farm ownership loans:
                Direct.............................................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
            Farm operating loans:
                Direct.............................................          53,961           62,198           62,198           +8,237   ...............
                Unsubsidized guaranteed............................          14,352           15,327           15,327             +975   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal.........................................          68,313           77,525           77,525           +9,212   ...............
 
            Emergency loans........................................           1,262            1,262            1,262   ...............  ...............
            Individual development account grants..................  ...............           1,500            1,500           +1,500   ...............
            Indian highly fractionated land loans..................  ...............           2,550            2,550           +2,550   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan subsidies and grants.....................          69,575           82,837           82,837          +13,262   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
            ACIF administrative expenses:
                Salaries and expenses (transfer to FSA)............         306,998          306,998          306,998   ...............  ...............
                Administrative expenses............................           7,920           10,070           10,070           +2,150   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, ACIF expenses.............................         314,918          317,068          317,068           +2,150   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund............         384,493          399,905          399,905          +15,412   ...............
                (Loan authorization)...............................      (6,402,114)      (6,655,053)      (6,655,053)       (+252,939)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Farm Service Agency...........................       1,595,077        1,613,560        1,621,221          +26,144           +7,661
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Risk Management Agency:
    RMA Salaries and expenses......................................          74,829           66,615           75,750             +921           +9,135
    FCIC user fee (transfer) (Leg. proposal).......................  ...............         (20,000)  ...............  ...............        (-20,000)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Risk Management Agency.............................          74,829           86,615           75,750             +921          -10,865
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Farm Assistance Programs..............................       1,670,804        1,681,076        1,697,872          +27,068          +16,796
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                            Corporations
 
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation:
    Federal Crop Insurance Corporation fund........................       7,870,934        8,849,090        8,849,090         +978,156   ...............
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
    Reimbursement for net realized losses..........................       6,871,132       13,476,854       13,476,854       +6,605,722   ...............
    Hazardous waste management (limitation on expenses)............          (5,000)          (5,000)          (5,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Corporations..........................................      14,742,066       22,325,944       22,325,944       +7,583,878   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title I, Agricultural Programs........................      23,065,823       30,739,498       30,718,168       +7,652,345          -21,330
          (By transfer)............................................        (330,369)        (330,315)        (330,315)            (-54)  ...............
          (Loan authorization).....................................      (6,402,114)      (6,655,053)      (6,655,053)       (+252,939)  ...............
          (Limitation on administrative expenses)..................        (120,982)        (123,727)        (123,727)         (+2,745)  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                  TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment             898              901              901               +3   ...............
 
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
    Conservation Operations........................................         850,856          860,374          864,474          +13,618           +4,100
        Farm Security and Rural Investment program (Transfer         ...............      (1,033,983)  ...............  ...............     (-1,033,983)
         authority)................................................
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Conservation operations...........................         850,856        1,894,357          864,474          +13,618       -1,029,883
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Watershed flood and prevention operations......................  ...............  ...............         150,000         +150,000         +150,000
    Watershed rehabilitation program...............................          12,000   ...............  ...............         -12,000   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service................         862,856          860,374        1,014,474         +151,618         +154,100
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title II, Conservation Programs.......................         863,754          861,275        1,015,375         +151,621         +154,100
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                    TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development................             893              896              896               +3   ...............
 
Rural Development:
    Rural development expenses:
        Salaries and expenses......................................         225,835          230,679          226,283             +448           -4,396
        (Transfer from RHIF).......................................        (417,854)        (426,821)        (417,854)  ...............         (-8,967)
        (Transfer from RDLFP)......................................          (4,468)          (4,564)          (4,468)  ...............            (-96)
        (Transfer from RETLP)......................................         (34,707)         (36,451)         (34,707)  ...............         (-1,744)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Transfers from program accounts................        (457,029)        (467,836)        (457,029)  ...............        (-10,807)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural development expenses........................        (682,864)        (698,515)        (683,312)           (+448)        (-15,203)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Rural Housing Service:
    Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Single family direct (Sec. 502)........................        (900,000)        (900,000)        (900,000)  ...............  ...............
                Unsubsidized guaranteed............................     (24,000,000)     (24,000,000)     (24,000,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal, Single family..........................     (24,900,000)     (24,900,000)     (24,900,000)  ...............  ...............
 
            Housing repair (Sec. 504)..............................         (26,278)         (26,277)         (26,278)  ...............             (+1)
            Rental housing (Sec. 515)..............................         (28,398)         (33,074)         (40,000)        (+11,602)         (+6,926)
            Multi-family housing guarantees (Sec. 538).............        (150,000)        (230,000)        (230,000)        (+80,000)  ...............
            Site development loans (Sec. 524)......................          (5,000)          (5,000)          (5,000)  ...............  ...............
            Single family housing credit sales.....................         (10,000)         (10,000)         (10,000)  ...............  ...............
            Self-help housing land develop. (Sec. 523).............          (5,000)          (5,000)          (5,000)  ...............  ...............
            Farm Labor Housing (Sec.514)...........................         (23,855)         (23,857)         (23,857)             (+2)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorizations...........................     (25,148,531)     (25,233,208)     (25,240,135)        (+91,604)         (+6,927)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies:
            Single family direct (Sec. 502)........................          60,750           60,930           60,930             +180   ...............
            Housing repair (Sec. 504)..............................           3,424            3,663            3,663             +239   ...............
            Rental housing (Sec. 515)..............................           8,414            9,790           11,840           +3,426           +2,050
            Site development loans (Sec. 524) (Leg. proposal)......  ...............             111              111             +111   ...............
            Farm labor housing (Sec.514)...........................           6,789            7,052            7,052             +263   ...............
            Self-help land dev. housing loans (Sec. 523) (Leg.       ...............             417              417             +417   ...............
             proposal).............................................
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan subsidies................................          79,377           81,963           84,013           +4,636           +2,050
                                                                    ====================================================================================
            Farm labor housing grants..............................           8,336            8,336            8,336   ...............  ...............
            RHIF administrative expenses (transfer to RD)..........         417,854          426,821          417,854   ...............          -8,967
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund program..........         505,567          517,120          510,203           +4,636           -6,917
                (Loan authorization)...............................     (25,148,531)     (25,233,208)     (25,240,135)        (+91,604)         (+6,927)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rental assistance program:
        Rental assistance (Sec. 521)...............................       1,389,695        1,405,033        1,405,033          +15,338   ...............
 
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program Account:
    Rural housing voucher program..................................          15,000           18,000           18,000           +3,000   ...............
    Multi-family housing revitalization program....................          22,000           19,362           22,000   ...............          +2,638
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Multi-family housing revitalization...................          37,000           37,362           40,000           +3,000           +2,638
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Mutual and self-help housing grants............................          27,500           18,493           27,500   ...............          +9,007
    Rural housing assistance grants................................          32,239           28,701           32,239   ...............          +3,538
    Rural Community Facilities Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Community facility:
                Direct.............................................      (2,200,000)      (2,200,000)      (2,200,000)  ...............  ...............
                Guaranteed.........................................        (148,305)  ...............        (156,250)         (+7,945)       (+156,250)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan authorizations.......................      (2,348,305)      (2,200,000)      (2,356,250)         (+7,945)       (+156,250)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Community facility:
                Guaranteed.........................................           3,500   ...............           3,500   ...............          +3,500
                Grants.............................................          25,000           25,000           25,000   ...............  ...............
            Rural community development initiative.................           4,000            4,000            4,000   ...............  ...............
            Economic impact initiative grants......................           5,778   ...............           5,778   ...............          +5,778
            Tribal college grants..................................           4,000            8,000            4,000   ...............          -4,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, RCFP Loan subsidies and grants................          42,278           37,000           42,278   ...............          +5,278
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Subtotal, grants and payments................................         102,017           84,194          102,017   ...............         +17,823
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Rural Housing Service.................................       2,034,279        2,043,709        2,057,253          +22,974          +13,544
          (Loan authorization).....................................     (27,496,836)     (27,433,208)     (27,596,385)        (+99,549)       (+163,177)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Rural Business--Cooperative Service:
    Rural Business Program Account:
        (Guaranteed business and industry loans)...................        (919,765)        (892,244)        (919,765)  ...............        (+27,521)
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Guaranteed business and industry subsidy...............          35,687           35,779           36,883           +1,196           +1,104
                Rural business development grants..................          24,000           30,000           24,000   ...............          -6,000
                Demonstration Projects (rural child poverty) (Leg.   ...............          20,000   ...............  ...............         -20,000
                 proposal).........................................
                Data Alignment (rural child poverty) (Leg.           ...............           5,000   ...............  ...............          -5,000
                 proposal).........................................
                Delta regional authority...........................           3,000   ...............           3,000   ...............          +3,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, RBP loan subsidies and grants.............          62,687           90,779           63,883           +1,196          -26,896
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account:
        (Loan authorization).......................................         (18,889)         (18,889)         (18,889)  ...............  ...............
        Loan subsidy...............................................           5,217            5,476            5,476             +259   ...............
        Administrative expenses (transfer to RD)...................           4,468            4,564            4,468   ...............             -96
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, IRP Fund..........................................           9,685           10,040            9,944             +259              -96
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
        (Loan authorization).......................................         (33,077)         (85,000)         (33,077)  ...............        (-51,923)
        Limit cushion of credit interest spending..................        (179,000)        (151,487)        (165,000)        (-14,000)        (+13,513)
            (Rescission)...........................................        -179,000         -151,487         -165,000          +14,000          -13,513
    Rural Cooperative Development Grants:
        Cooperative development....................................           5,800            6,000            5,800   ...............            -200
        Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas............           2,500            2,500            2,750             +250             +250
        Grants to assist minority producers........................           3,000            3,000            3,000   ...............  ...............
        Value-added agricultural product market development........          10,750           10,750           10,750   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Cooperative development grants..............          22,050           22,250           22,300             +250              +50
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Microenterprise Investment Program Account (Leg.
     proposal):
        (Loan authorization).......................................  ...............         (23,419)  ...............  ...............        (-23,419)
        Loan subsidies and grants..................................  ...............           4,904   ...............  ...............          -4,904
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Microenterprise Investment..................  ...............           4,904   ...............  ...............          -4,904
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Energy for America Program (Loan authorization)..........          (7,576)         (75,754)          (7,576)  ...............        (-68,178)
        Loan subsidy and grants....................................             500            3,515              352             -148           -3,163
        Grants.....................................................  ...............          15,000   ...............  ...............         -15,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Energy for America Program..................             500           18,515              352             -148          -18,163
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Business Investment Program Account (Leg. proposal):
        (Loan authorization).......................................  ...............         (20,600)  ...............  ...............        (-20,600)
        Loan subsidy...............................................  ...............           2,577   ...............  ...............          -2,577
        Grants.....................................................  ...............           4,000   ...............  ...............          -4,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Business Investment Program.................  ...............           6,577   ...............  ...............          -6,577
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Healthy Foods Financing Initiative (Leg. proposal):
        Grants.....................................................  ...............           1,000   ...............  ...............          -1,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Healthy Foods, Healthy Neighborhoods..............  ...............           1,000   ...............  ...............          -1,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Rural Business--Cooperative Service...................         -84,078            2,578          -68,521          +15,557          -71,099
          (Loan authorization).....................................        (979,307)      (1,115,906)        (979,307)  ...............       (-136,599)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Rural Utilities Service:
    Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Direct.................................................      (1,200,000)        (803,802)      (1,200,000)  ...............       (+396,198)
            Guaranteed.............................................         (50,000)  ...............         (50,000)  ...............        (+50,000)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorization............................       1,250,000          803,802        1,250,000   ...............        +446,198
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Direct subsidy.........................................          31,320           34,885           52,080          +20,760          +17,195
            Guaranteed subsidy.....................................             275   ...............             240              -35             +240
            Water and waste revolving fund.........................           1,000              500            1,000   ...............            +500
            Water well system grants...............................             993              500              993   ...............            +493
            Colonias and AK/HI grants..............................          64,000           42,544           66,500           +2,500          +23,956
            Water and waste technical assistance...................          20,000           13,930           20,000   ...............          +6,070
            Circuit rider program..................................          16,397           13,000           16,897             +500           +3,897
            Solid waste management grants..........................           4,000            1,000            4,000   ...............          +3,000
            High energy cost grants................................          10,000   ...............          10,000   ...............         +10,000
            Water and waste disposal grants........................         364,380          350,234          364,380   ...............         +14,146
            306A(i)(2) grants......................................          10,000            5,000           10,000   ...............          +5,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan subsidies and grants.....................         522,365          461,593          546,090          +23,725          +84,497
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program
     Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Electric:
                Direct, FFB........................................      (5,500,000)      (6,500,000)      (5,500,000)  ...............     (-1,000,000)
                Guaranteed underwriting............................        (750,000)  ...............        (750,000)  ...............       (+750,000)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal, Electric...............................      (6,250,000)      (6,500,000)      (6,250,000)  ...............       (-250,000)
 
            Telecommunications:
                Direct, Treasury rate..............................        (346,667)        (345,056)        (345,000)         (-1,667)            (-56)
                Direct, FFB........................................        (345,000)        (345,000)        (345,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal, Telecommunications.....................        (691,667)        (690,056)        (690,000)         (-1,667)            (-56)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan authorizations.......................      (6,941,667)      (7,190,056)      (6,940,000)         (-1,667)       (-250,056)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan Subsidy:
                Telecommunications Direct, Treasury Rate...........             104            3,071            3,071           +2,967   ...............
                Loan modifcations (Leg. proposal)..................  ...............          11,000   ...............  ...............         -11,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan subsidies............................             104           14,071            3,071           +2,967          -11,000
 
        RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RD).............          34,707           36,451           34,707   ...............          -1,744
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans          34,811           50,522           37,778           +2,967          -12,744
           Program Account.........................................
                (Loan authorization)...............................      (6,941,667)      (7,190,056)      (6,940,000)         (-1,667)       (-250,056)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program:
        Loan authorizations:
            Broadband telecommunications...........................         (20,576)  ...............         (27,043)         (+6,467)        (+27,043)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorizations...........................         (20,576)  ...............         (27,043)         (+6,467)        (+27,043)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Distance learning and telemedicine:
                Grants.............................................          22,000           34,950           22,000   ...............         -12,950
            Broadband telecommunications:
                Direct.............................................           4,500   ...............           4,500   ...............          +4,500
                Grants.............................................          10,372           39,492           10,372   ...............         -29,120
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan subsidies and grants.................          36,872           74,442           36,872   ...............         -37,570
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Rural Utilities Service...............................         594,048          586,557          620,740          +26,692          +34,183
          (Loan authorization).....................................      (8,212,243)      (7,993,858)      (8,217,043)         (+4,800)       (+223,185)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title III, Rural Development Programs.................       2,770,977        2,864,419        2,836,651          +65,674          -27,768
          (By transfer)............................................        (457,029)        (467,836)        (457,029)  ...............        (-10,807)
          (Loan authorization).....................................     (36,688,386)     (36,542,972)     (36,792,735)       (+104,349)       (+249,763)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                  TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer                  811              814              814               +3   ...............
 Services..........................................................
 
Food and Nutrition Service:
    Child nutrition programs.......................................      22,108,746       23,148,733       23,148,733       +1,039,987   ...............
        School breakfast program equipment grants..................          25,000           35,000           30,000           +5,000           -5,000
        Demonstration projects (Summer EBT)........................          16,000           26,000           23,000           +7,000           -3,000
        Summer Food Service Program (Leg. proposal)................  ...............          10,000   ...............  ...............         -10,000
        Direct Certification (Leg. proposal).......................  ...............          10,000   ...............  ...............         -10,000
        Child Nutrition State Exchange Activities (Leg. proposal)..  ...............           1,000   ...............  ...............          -1,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Child nutrition programs..........................      22,149,746       23,230,733       23,201,733       +1,051,987          -29,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and        6,350,000        6,350,000        6,350,000   ...............  ...............
     children (WIC)................................................
    Supplemental nutrition assistance program:
        (Food stamp program).......................................      77,848,385       76,681,170       76,681,170       -1,167,215   ...............
            Reserve................................................       3,000,000        5,000,000        3,000,000   ...............      -2,000,000
            FDPIR nutrition education services.....................             998              998              998   ...............  ...............
            National food consumption survey (Leg. proposal).......  ...............           5,000   ...............  ...............          -5,000
            Traditional and Local Foods Demonstration Project (Leg.  ...............           2,000   ...............  ...............          -2,000
             proposal).............................................
            Fiscal Year 2018 (first quarter) (Leg. proposal).......  ...............      19,647,500   ...............  ...............     -19,647,500
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Food stamp program............................      80,849,383      101,336,668       79,682,168       -1,167,215      -21,654,500
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Commodity Assistance Program:
        Commodity supplemental food program........................         222,198          236,120          236,120          +13,922   ...............
        Farmers market nutrition program...........................          18,548           16,548           16,548           -2,000   ...............
        Emergency food assistance program..........................          54,401           59,401           59,401           +5,000   ...............
        Pacific island and disaster assistance.....................           1,070            1,070            1,070   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Commodity assistance program......................         296,217          313,139          313,139          +16,922   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Nutrition programs administration..............................         150,824          179,447          173,274          +22,450           -6,173
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Food and Nutrition Service............................     109,796,170      131,409,987      109,720,314          -75,856      -21,689,673
 
                Fiscal Year 2017...................................    (109,796,170)    (111,762,487)    (109,720,314)        (-75,856)     (-2,042,173)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title IV, Domestic Food Programs......................     109,796,981      131,410,801      109,721,128          -75,853      -21,689,673
 
                Fiscal Year 2017...................................    (109,796,170)    (111,762,487)    (109,720,314)        (-75,856)     (-2,042,173)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
          TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
 
                    Foreign Agricultural Service
 
Salaries and expenses..............................................         191,566          196,571          196,571           +5,005   ...............
    (Transfer from export loans)...................................          (6,394)          (6,074)          (6,074)           (-320)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Salaries and expenses.................................         197,960          202,645          202,645           +4,685   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Food for Peace Title I Direct Credit and Food for Progress Program
 Account, Administrative Expenses:
    Farm Service Agency, Salaries and expenses (transfer to FSA)...           2,528              149              149           -2,379   ...............
 
Food for Peace Title II Grants:
    Expenses.......................................................       1,466,000        1,350,000        1,600,000         +134,000         +250,000
 
Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loans Program Account
 (administrative expenses):
    Salaries and expenses (Export Loans):
        Foreign Agriculture Service, S&E (transfer to FAS).........           6,394            6,074            6,074             -320   ...............
        Farm Service Agency S&E (transfer to FSA)..................             354            2,463            2,463           +2,109   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, CCC Export Loans Program Account..................           6,748            8,537            8,537           +1,789   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition          201,626          182,045          201,626   ...............         +19,581
 program grants....................................................
Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program (Leg. proposal)....  ...............          15,000   ...............  ...............         -15,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title V, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs......       1,868,468        1,752,302        2,006,883         +138,415         +254,581
          (By transfer)............................................          (6,394)          (6,074)          (6,074)           (-320)  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
 
              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
                    Food and Drug Administration
 
Salaries and expenses, direct appropriation........................       2,720,808        2,730,924        2,759,978          +39,170          +29,054
    Prescription drug user fees....................................        (851,481)        (865,653)        (865,653)        (+14,172)  ...............
    Medical device user fees.......................................        (137,677)        (144,859)        (144,859)         (+7,182)  ...............
    Human generic drug user fees...................................        (318,363)        (324,085)        (324,085)         (+5,722)  ...............
    Biosimilar biological products user fees.......................         (21,540)         (22,079)         (22,079)           (+539)  ...............
    Animal drug user fees..........................................         (22,818)         (22,977)         (22,977)           (+159)  ...............
    Animal generic drug user fees..................................          (9,705)         (10,367)         (10,367)           (+662)  ...............
    Tobacco product user fees......................................        (599,000)        (635,000)        (635,000)        (+36,000)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, user fees, enacted and definite....................      (1,960,584)      (2,025,020)      (2,025,020)        (+64,436)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal (including user fees)...............................      (4,681,392)      (4,755,944)      (4,784,998)       (+103,606)        (+29,054)
 
    Mammography user fees..........................................         (20,109)         (20,522)         (20,522)           (+413)  ...............
    Export and color certification user fees.......................         (13,835)         (14,758)         (14,758)           (+923)  ...............
    Food and Feed Recall user fees.................................          (1,434)          (1,434)          (1,434)  ...............  ...............
    Food Reinspection fees.........................................          (6,414)          (6,414)          (6,414)  ...............  ...............
    Voluntary qualified importer program fees......................          (5,300)          (5,300)          (5,300)  ...............  ...............
    Pharmacy compounding fees (CBO estimate).......................          (1,000)  ...............  ...............         (-1,000)  ...............
    Priority review vouchers (PRV) pediatirc disease...............          (7,686)          (7,686)          (7,686)  ...............  ...............
    Third pary auditor.............................................          (1,400)          (1,400)          (1,400)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, FDA user fees......................................      (2,017,762)      (2,082,534)      (2,082,534)        (+64,772)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, FDA (including user fees)..........................      (4,738,570)      (4,813,458)      (4,842,512)       (+103,942)        (+29,054)
 
        FDA New User Fees (Leg. proposals):
        Export and color certification user fees cap increase (Leg.  ...............          (4,280)  ...............  ...............         (-4,280)
         proposal).................................................
        Food Inspection and Facility Registration user fees........  ...............         (61,252)  ...............  ...............        (-61,252)
        Food import user fees......................................  ...............        (105,289)  ...............  ...............       (-105,289)
        International courier user fees............................  ...............          (6,038)  ...............  ...............         (-6,038)
        Cosmetic user fees.........................................  ...............         (20,230)  ...............  ...............        (-20,230)
        Food contact substance notification user fees..............  ...............          (5,193)  ...............  ...............         (-5,193)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, FDA new user fees (Leg. Proposals).............  ...............        (202,282)  ...............  ...............       (-202,282)
 
Buildings and facilities...........................................           8,788           11,788           11,788           +3,000   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, FDA (w/user fees, including proposals)................      (4,747,358)      (5,027,528)      (4,854,300)       (+106,942)       (-173,228)
      Total, FDA (w/enacted user fees only)........................      (4,747,358)      (4,829,526)      (4,854,300)       (+106,942)        (+24,774)
      Total, FDA (excluding user fees).............................       2,729,596        2,742,712        2,771,766          +42,170          +29,054
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                        INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
 
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative expenses).         (65,600)         (69,800)         (65,600)  ...............         (-4,200)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug                 2,729,596        2,742,712        2,771,766          +42,170          +29,054
       Administration..............................................
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                   TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Limit Dam Rehab (Sec. 714(1))......................................         -68,000   ...............         -63,000           +5,000          -63,000
    (rescission)...................................................  ...............         -54,000   ...............  ...............         +54,000
Limit Environmental Quality Incentives Program (Sec. 714(2)).......        -209,000   ...............        -189,000          +20,000         -189,000
Limit Environmental Quality Incentives Program Fiscal Year 2016      ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
 (Sec. 714 (2)) (rescission).......................................
Limit Biomass Crop Assistance Program (Sec. 714(3))................         -20,000   ...............         -20,000   ...............         -20,000
Limit Biorefinery Assistance (Sec. 714(4)).........................         -19,000   ...............  ...............         +19,000   ...............
Limit Conservation Stewardship Program (Sec. 714 (5))..............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
Limit Ag Management Assistance (Sec. 714 (6))......................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
Limit fruit and vegetable program (Sec. 715).......................        -125,000         -125,000         -125,000   ...............  ...............
Section 32 (Sec. 715) (rescission).................................        -216,000         -311,000         -237,000          -21,000          +74,000
APHIS B&F--Fruit Fly Rearing (Sec. 743)............................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
WIC (rescission) (Sec. 745)........................................  ...............  ...............        -200,000         -200,000         -200,000
TEFAP (Sec. 748)...................................................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
Ebola/Zika Funding (Sec. 752)......................................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
Emergency Watershed Protection Program (Sec. 753)..................         120,000   ...............  ...............        -120,000   ...............
Citrus Greening (Sec. 757).........................................           5,500   ...............  ...............          -5,500   ...............
RD balances (Sec. 758) (rescission)................................  ...............          -4,221           -4,221           -4,221   ...............
Healthy Food Financing Initiative..................................  ...............  ...............           1,000           +1,000           +1,000
FSA, CCE (rescission)..............................................          -1,000   ...............  ...............          +1,000   ...............
RD unobligated balances (rescission)...............................         -13,000   ...............  ...............         +13,000   ...............
Marketing Certificate CHIMP........................................           5,000   ...............  ...............          -5,000   ...............
Watershed Flood and Prevention Program (rescission)................         -20,000   ...............  ...............         +20,000   ...............
Emergency Watershed................................................           2,000   ...............  ...............          -2,000   ...............
Hardwood Trees (Reforestation Pilot Program).......................             600   ...............             600   ...............            +600
Water Bank program.................................................           4,000   ...............           4,000   ...............          +4,000
Geographic Disadvantaged farmers...................................           1,996   ...............           1,996   ...............          +1,996
Emergency Forest Restoration Program...............................           4,000   ...............  ...............          -4,000   ...............
Emergency Conservation Program.....................................          17,000   ...............  ...............         -17,000   ...............
Emergency Watershed Protection (disaster relief category)..........          37,000   ...............  ...............         -37,000   ...............
Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (disaster relief category)..           2,000   ...............  ...............          -2,000   ...............
Emergency Conservation Program (disaster relief category)..........          91,000   ...............  ...............         -91,000   ...............
NAM Study..........................................................           1,000   ...............  ...............          -1,000   ...............
Summer EBT.........................................................           7,000   ...............  ...............          -7,000   ...............
School Equipment Grants............................................           5,000   ...............  ...............          -5,000   ...............
Food for Peace.....................................................         250,000   ...............  ...............        -250,000   ...............
Rural Energy Savings Program.......................................           8,000   ...............           8,000   ...............          +8,000
Maturing mortgage pilot............................................  ...............  ...............           1,000           +1,000           +1,000
FSA ARC pilot......................................................  ...............  ...............           5,000           +5,000           +5,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Title VII, General Provisions.........................        -129,904         -494,221         -816,625         -686,721         -322,404
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Grand total..................................................     140,965,695      169,876,786      148,253,346       +7,287,651      -21,623,440
          Appropriations fiscal year 2017..........................    (141,264,695)    (150,749,994)    (148,859,567)     (+7,594,872)     (-1,890,427)
          Emergency appropriations.................................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
          Disaster relief..........................................        (130,000)  ...............  ...............       (-130,000)  ...............
          Rescissions..............................................       (-429,000)       (-520,708)       (-606,221)       (-177,221)        (-85,513)
          Advance appropriations, Fiscal Year 2017.................  ...............     (19,647,500)  ...............  ...............    (-19,647,500)
        (By transfer)..............................................        (793,792)        (804,225)        (793,418)           (-374)        (-10,807)
        (Loan authorization).......................................     (43,090,500)     (43,198,025)     (43,447,788)       (+357,288)       (+249,763)
        (Limitation on administrative expenses)....................        (186,582)        (193,527)        (189,327)         (+2,745)         (-4,200)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  [all]